World of Coffee brought the global specialty coffee community together for an unforgettable week, and Intercontinental Coffee Trading was right in the middle of it. From early morning brews to late-night gatherings, the week was packed with the kind of moments that remind us why we love what we do. Hosting roasters, connecting with industry friends, and sharing exceptional coffees in our hometown made for one of the most memorable weeks of the year.
Kicking Off at ICT HQ
We started the celebration with a Friday morning gathering at our headquarters. Fresh pastries from Knead set the tone, and the coffee bar stayed busy as guests sampled some of the more interesting lots we had brewing between 8 and 10 a.m. There’s something special about welcoming people into our space, where the work of sourcing and curating green coffee actually happens. Conversations flowed easily over cups of coffee, and it was the perfect way to set the energy for the rest of the week.
The Welcome Party at Liberty Station
That same evening, we took the festivities to Liberty Station for our official Welcome Party. The night had everything you’d want from a coffee community celebration:
- Tacos with vegan options to keep everyone happy
- Drinks flowing all night long
- Live music setting the atmosphere
- A photo booth capturing the memories
The vibe was relaxed, the conversations were genuine, and the turnout reminded us just how tight-knit this industry can feel when everyone gathers in one place.
Cuppings and Connections All Week Long
Beyond the parties, the heart of the week was really about the coffee itself. We hosted cuppings throughout the week, bringing roasters and buyers to the table to taste through lots from origins around the world. These sessions are where relationships get built and where roasters discover the beans that might end up defining their next seasonal menu. If you wanted to set up time with us, we made it happen, and those one-on-one moments were some of the most rewarding parts of the entire week.
Sailing the Bay and Soaking It In
San Diego showed off during World of Coffee, and we made sure to take advantage of it. Sailing the bay with industry friends was a highlight that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. There’s something about getting out on the water with people who share your passion for coffee that strips away the formality and lets real conversation happen. It’s not every week you get to talk about washed Ethiopian lots while watching the sun reflect off San Diego Bay.
Late Nights and Lasting Memories
The late nights at Liberty Station became a recurring theme. After long days of cupping and meetings, the community kept finding its way back together for one more drink, one more conversation, one more laugh. These are the moments that make industry events worth attending. The coffee is what brings everyone together, but the people are what make you want to come back year after year.
Why Events Like World of Coffee Matter
For a green coffee importer, weeks like this are about more than just business. They’re about reinforcing the relationships that make the specialty coffee supply chain work. Every roaster who walked through our doors, every buyer who joined a cupping, every friend who showed up at Liberty Station represents a piece of the larger community we get to be part of. World of Coffee gave us the chance to celebrate that community in our own backyard.
Grateful for the Community We Get to Serve
At Intercontinental Coffee Trading, we source and supply green, unroasted specialty coffee to roasteries across the country, and World of Coffee was a powerful reminder of the incredible community we get to work with every day. Thank you to everyone who came by ICT HQ, joined us at Liberty Station, sailed the bay, sat at our cupping tables, or just stopped to say hello. This community keeps building something remarkable, and we’re proud to keep building it alongside you.