The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Australian Chapter Formation will host a formal meeting and networking breakfast on 18 March.
Interested supporters of the Chapter – both women and men – are encouraged to embrace the early start of 7am at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE).
Attendees will gather to discuss the vision for IWCA Australia in a formal capacity with the meeting commencing strictly at 7am, and running approximately until 8.45am. Networking will follow until the opening of MICE at 10am.
A buffet breakfast will be provided at a cost of $35 per person. Payment details to be confirmed.
The meeting will focus on forming an organising committee, address the Chapter’s next steps, legalisation process, organisation of state and national events, and updates on national and international developments.
“The two-hour event will be the perfect introduction to starting the day at MICE,” Christine Cottrell says.
“It’s time to help strengthen the Australian Chapter. We encourage participants to formally join the group and continue to help raise awareness with others in the industry about our unique gathering and its importance for the Australian coffee market.”
This will be the second formal meeting for the Australian Chapter after an inaugural meeting during a trip to some of Australia’s coffee farms in June 2015.
The Australian Chapter of the IWCA hopes to provide a platform to help others with any adversities and challenges, and empower and enrich the lives of women in the coffee industry.
The group is currently in the “socialising stages” of formation but is edging closer to forming an organising committee to drive the next stages of becoming a legalised chapter. There are some rigorous protocols and legal processes to sort out before that can happen.
“The past eight months have seen an incredible number of women and men express their interest in the IWCA and recognise the value in what this group can contribute,” BeanScene Editor Sarah Baker says. “We look forward to growing IWCA Australian in the year ahead – and can’t wait to meet more like-minded women to strength IWCA in Australia, and hope you can join us in celebrating women in coffee at MICE”.
IWCA Australian Chapter Formation meeting
Location: Melbourne International Coffee Expo, Booth 14, Grand Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/iwcaaustralia
To register attendance please RSVP to Christine Cottrell: christine@perfectespresso.com.au
If anyone is interested in attending but can’t commit to the time or date, please also register an apology to christine@perfectespresso.com.au
