S&D Coffee & Tea Sponsors Fellows for the 2015 SCAA Symposium

CONCORD, N.C. – S&D Coffee & Tea demonstrated its commitment to the specialty coffee industry by sponsoring fellows to attend the 2015 Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Symposium, held April 8-9 in Seattle, Wash.

The Symposium fellowship program, underwritten by S&D, covered the event registration fee for 25 future or current leaders in specialty coffee—giving access to those who might not normally be able to attend due to financial or other reasons. The fellowship also included access to the SCAA Exposition, which took place April 9-12, 2015.

“S&D is pleased to provide up-and-coming professionals the opportunity to attend the Symposium and hear from industry leaders firsthand,” said John Buckner, VP of marketing for S&D. “Covering issues ranging from sustainability and market health to gender equality, the SCAA Symposium brings together the individuals that are mapping the future of coffee, and we’re proud to play a role in facilitating these important conversations.”

In addition to the fellowship program, S&D sponsored the Fellows Lounge at the Symposium, which offers participants a place to connect and continue conversations spurred by the Symposium lectures.

“The SCAA Symposium was a wonderful experience, and I am especially honored to have received the Randy Wirth Memorial Fellowship [created in honor of the café owner who passed away last year],” said Joanna Furgiuele, a student pursuing a MBA at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC-Chapel Hill and masters of environmental management at Duke University. “Having just gotten into coffee in the past year, the entire event provided an excellent overview of the industry and the opportunity to meet people with various backgrounds. It has further fueled my desire to apply my skills and experience to specialty coffee, particularly in the area of sustainability.”

The two-day SCAA annual Symposium consists of presentations by industry professionals, scientists and renowned global figures in the fields of sustainability, business and politics, exploring key issues affecting specialty coffee, as well as social events and networking opportunities. Held immediately prior to the annual exposition, this unique event allows attendees to interact with the most influential players in specialty coffee and engage in crucial discussions that face the industry.