The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has unveiled the education programme at World of Coffee Geneva, taking place June 26-28, 2025, at Palexpo SA.

Over 60 free lectures and 25 hands-on workshops will empower professionals across the specialty coffee value chain and provide the tools and knowledge they need to innovate, adapt and lead in the global coffee industry.

This year’s education program is about practical, forward-thinking learning that meets the moment. A lecture series, which is free of charge to attendees, is designed to inform, inspire and connect the global coffee community, while fee-based workshops offer a deeper dive into key topics and skills that complement SCA’s certificate programs.

The complimentary lecture series will explore urgent and emerging topics across three thematic tracks: Science, Business and Sustainability.

The business sessions address both the challenges and opportunities within the specialty coffee market today and in the years ahead. Discussions will cover the evolving definition of specialty coffee and strategic insights for small companies aiming to scale. Attendees will learn how to leverage emerging trends, navigate the volatility of coffee prices, and build customer loyalty – highlighted by real-world case studies such as the growth of Nairobi’s first specialty subscription service. Other topics include tackling logistics disruptions in the global supply chain and how coffee shops around the world are connecting with consumers through design, experience, and storytelling.

Focusing on sustainability, this track presents forward-looking approaches to environmental stewardship and social equity in the coffee sector. Sessions will highlight key findings from a Latin America-wide carbon footprint baseline study and explore how industry collaboration can drive climate progress. The program also showcases initiatives in circular economy and regenerative agriculture, alongside the vital role women play in shaping a more sustainable industry, exemplified by the work of the Rebuild Women’s Hope Cooperative in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other discussions will cover strategies for reducing carbon emissions in Brazilian coffee production and creating more equitable systems through inclusive compliance with human rights and environmental standards.

Science sessions will spotlight innovations in coffee chemistry, sensory analysis and brewing techniques. Attendees can explore research on wild and hybrid coffee varieties preserved at Brazil’s Coffee Genebank, and gain insights into electrochemical approaches to measuring and modifying coffee. Additional topics include the evolving practice of cupping, how decaffeination affects flavour chemistry, and the sensory and chemical effects of common physical defects like black and sour beans. The series also takes a closer look at flavour profiling methods for hot and cold brews and investigates the impact of nitrogen injection on cold brew quality, with a specific focus on extraction levels and key compounds like caffeine and chlorogenic acids.

To view the full education schedule and register, visit worldofcoffee.org. Interested in exhibiting or sponsorship? Contact Margaret Andreucetti at margareta@sca.coffee or sponsorships@sca.coffee.