Regional Barista Competition Dates Announced!
UPDATE: This year, both the North Central and South Central Regional Barista Competitions will be held at one singular event in Chicago, March 23–25, 2012. Though this is one event, two regional titles will be given away for the Barista Competition and the Brewers Cup. This is an opportunity to join two communities together for one great event and we look forward to seeing everyone there!
We are excited to announce that we've secured the majority of dates and locations for the United States Barista Championship (USBC) & Regional Barista Competitions (RBCs) for the 2012 cycle! We're working on finalizing two of the events, as noted below, but we'll announce that information shortly as well. Noting that the Regional Barista Championships Program is our only structured regional event program taking place annually, we hope to utilize these events moving forward as opportunities to gather our community and engage with and present to specialty coffee consumers. SCAA director of community and events, Marcus Boni, comments, "As we move these regional competitions forward, the focus will be hosting events that are not only the regional barista competition, but also a gathering of like minded coffee enthusiasts focused on a common message of respect for the product they serve, the people who help produce it and the consumer who purchases it."
We are excited to announce that we've secured the majority of dates and locations for the United States Barista Championship (USBC) & Regional Barista Competitions (RBCs) for the 2012 cycle! We're working on finalizing two of the events, as noted below, but we'll announce that information shortly as well. Noting that the Regional Barista Championships Program is our only structured regional event program taking place annually, we hope to utilize these events moving forward as opportunities to gather our community and engage with and present to specialty coffee consumers. SCAA director of community and events, Marcus Boni, comments, "As we move these regional competitions forward, the focus will be hosting events that are not only the regional barista competition, but also a gathering of like minded coffee enthusiasts focused on a common message of respect for the product they serve, the people who help produce it and the consumer who purchases it."
We're also implementing some changes to the Brewers Cup program, evolving it with a new presentation element in round 1, and the Barista Competitions. (You will be able to read about these changes in the Rules and Regulations, to be posted on the USBC website shortly. Revised World Barista Championship documents can be found here). We're also working to create opportunities to engage with other industry and consumer events, often more of a two day schedule, and further define and shape our consumer message and programs. We will continue to operate with very small production costs while maximizing sponsorship value and overall program brand awareness. With that, we give you the 2012 competition schedule:
NORTH WEST (WA, OR, AK, ID, MT, WY): January 27-29 in Tacoma, WA
Hosted by Dillanos Coffee Roasters
SOUTH EAST (KY, VA, TN, NC, SC, AL, GA, FL, DC): February 9-11 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA
Host TBD
NORTH EAST (OH, WV, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME, MD): February 24-26 in conjunction with Coffee & Tea Fest in New York, NY
Hosted by Dallis Bros. Coffee
SOUTH WEST (HI, CA, NV, AZ, UT, NM, CO): March 8-11 in Santa Cruz, CA
Hosted by Verve Coffee Roasters
UPDATED: NORTH CENTRAL (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA, WI, IL, IN, MI): March 23-25, Chicago, IL
Hosted jointly by Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, Counter Culture Coffee, and Alterra Coffee Roasters
UPDATED: SOUTH CENTRAL (KS, MO, OK, TX, AR, LA, MS): March 23-25, Chicago, IL
Hosted jointly by Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, Counter Culture Coffee, and Alterra Coffee Roasters
USBC (National Event): April 19-22, 2012 at the Oregon Convention Center, held in conjunction with The SCAA Event in Portland, OR
Registration details will be available shortly. Please check the USBC website at www.usbaristachampionship.org for the latest Regional Barista Competition info!