World of Coffee Geneva 2025: Innovation, Leadership, and the Future of Specialty Coffee
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Coffee is not just a drink. It's a science. A story. A strategy. A leadership laboratory.
At World of Coffee Geneva 2025, held at the prestigious Palexpo SA, I was reminded that being a successful coffeepreneur requires more than perfecting espresso shots or mastering latte art. It demands innovation leadership, strategic thinking, and the infinite power of industry connection.
From Geneva to our coffee shops in Puerto Rico, NYC, Westfield, NJ and Texas: How 787 Coffee Leads Through Learning
Representing 787 Coffee – recognized as the best coffee shop in New York City – I strategically navigated three intensive days of competitions, workshops, and networking opportunities. From the Opening Ceremony on Day 1 to the WCC Barista Party finale, every moment was an investment in our team's growth and our customers' experience.
We don't become industry leaders by staying comfortable. We evolve by attending world-class events like the World Latte Art Championship Finals, participating in SCA Lecture Series sessions, and connecting with global coffee professionals in the Coffee Business Lounge.
Game-Changing Innovations: The 2025 Best New Product Winners
The Specialty Coffee Association's Best New Product Awards revealed the future of our industry, but the real education happened in the Roaster Villages East and West – where micro roasters met customers, demonstrated live roasting, and showcased the latest trends in coffee sourcing, handling, and distribution.
Walking through both villages, I witnessed experienced and emerging specialty coffee roasting companies side-by-side, creating an unparalleled learning environment. The live roasting demonstrations, cupping sessions, and direct conversations with roasters from around the world provided insights that you simply cannot get from product catalogs or online research.
Fellow Espresso Series 1 won Consumer Coffee Equipment – proving that home brewing technology continues to elevate consumer expectations. This affects how we educate our customers about quality coffee preparation.
Ubermilk PLUS X claimed Commercial Equipment honors – a game-changer for coffee shops focused on milk-based beverages and operational efficiency.
DiFluid AirWave Smart Roast-Smoke Filter (Open Class winner) represents the intersection of technology and sustainability – crucial for modern coffee operations.
Subminimal's Subscale in Coffee Accessories shows how precision tools are becoming essential for both professionals and serious home brewers.
These winners aren't just products – they're indicators of where successful coffee businesses must focus: precision, efficiency, sustainability, and customer education. But the Roaster Villages showed me how these innovations integrate into real-world operations.
Scientific Coffee: Data-Driven Excellence from Zurich to Global Sourcing
One of the most powerful moments came from the ZHAW Event (Zurich University of Applied Sciences), where scientists, baristas, and thought leaders shared breakthrough insights from recent studies conducted in Colombia by Professor Sebastian.
But the real global perspective emerged from the International Trade Centre (ITC) showcase, featuring coffee exporters from Africa, the Pacific, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The ITC's flagship publication, The Coffee Guide – now in its fourth edition and widely regarded as the industry reference – was prominently featured alongside discussions about sustainable value chains and SME development.
Uganda's Minister of State for Agriculture, Hon. Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, announced Uganda's ambitious commitment to transform exports from $50 billion to $500 billion through strategic value addition, with coffee as a primary driver. The government allocated $100 million to support the transition from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports.
The data-driven research revealed how understanding coffee's biology and chemistry – from soil composition to fermentation processes – directly impacts flavor consistency, quality, and sustainability. This is the future of coffee education and business excellence.
The SCA Lecture Series and specialized workshops reinforced these scientific principles with practical applications. From Green Coffee Connect sessions in Hall 1 to cupping rooms demonstrations in Hall 2, every educational opportunity provided actionable insights for improving our operations.
At 787 Coffee, we apply these scientific principles from our Puerto Rican farms to our New York locations, ensuring every cup reflects both artistry and precision backed by university-level research and global sourcing expertise.
Strategic Networking: Connection Over Competition
Across three intensive days (June 26-28), I maximized every opportunity the event offered. From the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) Finals to the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (WCIGS), I witnessed the pinnacle of coffee craft and competition.
I attended the SCA Lecture Series and participated in specialized workshops that covered everything from sustainable practices to advanced brewing techniques. The Coffee Business Lounge became my strategic networking hub, where conversations with industry leaders like Michalis turned into collaborative opportunities.
The ZHAW Event (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) provided scientific insights that directly apply to our operations at 787 Coffee. Plus, exploring innovations with BWT Water+More revealed how their new filtration systems enhance mineral balance for superior taste and customer wellness – technology we're now evaluating for our locations.
Every conversation became a collaboration opportunity. Every competition taught operational excellence lessons. Every workshop session transformed into actionable business insights. This is how coffee entrepreneurs build industry influence and drive sustained innovation.
Leadership Lessons for Coffee Entrepreneurs
Whether you're running a single coffee shop, building a coffee empire, or managing any customer-focused business, World of Coffee Geneva 2025 reinforced these critical leadership principles:
Competition Excellence Drives Operational Standards. Watching the World Latte Art Championship and World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship finals reminded me that precision, consistency, and performance under pressure are non-negotiable for coffee leaders.
Education Creates Competitive Advantage. The SCA Lecture Series, workshops, and ZHAW scientific presentations proved that successful coffee entrepreneurs combine passion with continuous learning. The coffee industry evolves rapidly – leaders who embrace new knowledge outperform those who rely solely on experience.
Strategic Networking Accelerates Growth. The Coffee Business Lounge, Roaster Villages East and West, and championship viewing areas weren't just meeting spaces – they were where industry partnerships form, supplier relationships strengthen, and collaborative opportunities emerge. Coffee entrepreneurs who invest time in relationship-building create sustainable competitive advantages.
Innovation Requires Investment. The Best New Product Award winners represent more than cool gadgets – they're indicators of market direction. Successful coffee businesses budget for technology adoption, equipment upgrades, and process improvements based on industry trend analysis.
Global Perspective, Local Application. From Green Coffee Connect sourcing insights to the SCA's Sustainability Awards, world-class coffee entrepreneurs think globally while executing locally. The event's carbon offset partnership with Burundi, supporting agroforestry and forest restoration through Sucafina and Kahawatu Foundation, demonstrated how industry leaders integrate environmental responsibility with business operations.
Sustainability Creates Competitive Advantage. The SCA's commitment to offsetting greenhouse gas emissions through 22,000 tree seedlings in Burundi's coffee regions, impacting 1,800 households, showed how sustainability initiatives can strengthen supply chains while supporting farming communities. BWT water+more's plastic-free water stations throughout the event reinforced that environmental responsibility starts with operational choices.
World of Coffee Geneva 2025
Innovation, Leadership & Future of Specialty Coffee
June 26-28
Award Winners
East & West
Investment
🏆 SCA Best New Product Winners
☕ Key Leadership Insights
- Competition Excellence drives operational standards
- Education creates competitive advantage
- Strategic Networking accelerates growth
- Innovation requires investment
- Sustainability creates competitive advantage
- Global Perspective with local application
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Get Weekly Coffee Leadership InsightsWhy 787 Coffee Continues Leading the NYC Coffee Scene
Our presence at World of Coffee Geneva reinforces our commitment to innovation and excellence. From analyzing award-winning equipment to learning from micro roasters in both Roaster Village East and West, we don't just serve coffee – we curate experiences backed by industry-leading knowledge and cutting-edge practices.
The Roaster Villages particularly resonated with our business model. Watching experienced and emerging roasters demonstrate their craft side-by-side reminded me why our vertically integrated approach – from Maricao, Puerto Rico farms to New York City locations – gives us such a competitive advantage.
The International Trade Centre's focus on sustainable value chains and SME development reinforced our commitment to responsible sourcing. Learning about Uganda's $100 million investment in coffee value addition and the SCA's carbon offset initiatives in Burundi inspired new sustainability strategies for our operations.
We apply global insights to local excellence, whether it's sourcing techniques learned from international exporters, brewing innovations discovered in the exhibition halls, or sustainability practices demonstrated by industry leaders. This comprehensive approach to coffee education and application is how we've earned recognition as the best coffee shop in NYC – and how we'll maintain that leadership position in an increasingly competitive market.
The Future of Coffee Leadership
As coffee entrepreneurs and industry leaders, we must stay curious, connected, and committed to continuous improvement. Attend industry events. Ask challenging questions. Apply new knowledge immediately.
The conversations with ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton about building resilience in coffee value chains, learning from Uganda's transformation strategy, and witnessing the SCA's environmental initiatives proved that successful coffee businesses must balance profit with purpose.
Your growth directly impacts your business success. Your energy and innovation drive your team's performance. Your industry connections create opportunities that transform local businesses into global influences. Your sustainability practices determine long-term viability in an environmentally conscious market.
At 787 Coffee, we'll continue leveraging insights from Geneva to Zurich to Maricao, improving not just our products but our people, our processes, our environmental impact, and our customer experiences.
Because coffee is our craft. But leadership is our culture.
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