The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is in conversations with its partners to assess the viability of moving forward with hosting the 2021 World of Coffee and World Coffee Championships in Athens, Greece, this June.
“With the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations in many countries worldwide, there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” says SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos in an open letter.
“Unfortunately, coronavirus cases continue to rise, and much uncertainty remains about the prospects of in-person events like WOC and the WCC in the next two quarters of the year.”
The SCA says its community and staff’s health and safety remains its top priority. It says it will committ to communicating a firm decision regarding these events by 26 February.
“The past year has been challenging for coffee and allied businesses. The SCA remains committed to enabling connections between buyers and suppliers through events like World of Coffee and the World Coffee Championships,” Apostolopoulos says.
“Thank you for sticking with us through this tough time and for your patience as we sort out the next steps. We will be back in touch again before the end of the month.”