The Specialty Coffee Expo 2025, held from April 25–27 at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, brought together coffee professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators for a dynamic showcase of the industry’s latest trends, technologies, and traditions. As North America’s largest specialty coffee event, the Expo drew over 15,000 attendees from 60 countries, cementing its role as a cornerstone of global coffee culture.

Houston’s Rising Coffee Scene Takes Center Stage

Houston, a city celebrated for its cultural diversity and culinary innovation, proved an inspired choice for this year’s Expo. The George R. Brown Convention Center, with its state-of-the-art facilities, welcomed hundreds of exhibitors, from boutique roasters to cutting-edge tech startups.

Local Houston coffee shops such as Xela Coffee Roasters and Blendin Coffee Club partnered with the event, hosting pop-up tastings and latte art demonstrations that showcased the city’s thriving coffee culture.

Innovation and Sustainability Lead the Conversation

This year’s Expo placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and coffee technology. Some standout innovations included:

Eco-Friendly Packaging: Grounded Packaging introduced compostable, plant-based coffee bags.

Smart Brewing Systems: Decent Espresso launched an IoT-enabled espresso machine with mobile syncing.

Climate-Resilient Beans: Ethiopian cooperatives presented drought-resistant Arabica varieties, addressing the growing impact of climate change.

Keynote speaker Dr. Maria Fernandez, a sustainability expert, highlighted the urgency of carbon-neutral practices and praised the Specialty Coffee Association’s partnerships with NGOs supporting reforestation in coffee-growing regions.

The Expo’s own Zero Waste Initiative successfully diverted 90% of event waste from landfills through composting and recycling.

Global Coffee Championships: Talent on Display

The Expo also hosted the finals of the World Coffee Championships, bringing together some of the world’s most skilled coffee professionals. Highlights included:

World Barista Championship: Japan’s Akira Yamamoto triumphed with a washed Gesha from Panama, paired with a signature drink made with yuzu and shiso.

World Brewers Cup: Colombia’s Luisa Gómez wowed judges with a naturally processed Pink Bourbon brewed using a cold-drip technique.

Education and Community Building
The Expo Hub featured 50+ workshops and sessions, from sourcing and roasting to café management. Standouts included:

“Navigating Direct Trade” by Intelligentsia Coffee

“Roasting for Sensory Balance” by certified SCA instructors

“Coffee & Cuisine: A Houston Fusion” — a live culinary pairing of Texas BBQ and cold brew led by local chefs

These sessions highlighted coffee’s role not just as a beverage, but as a cultural and culinary force.

Looking Ahead: Expo 2026 in Portland
As the event came to a close, SCA President Carlos García announced that the 2026 Specialty Coffee Expo will take place in Portland, Oregon, a city renowned for its sustainable coffee scene.

Reflecting on Houston’s success, García said, “Houston reminded us that coffee is a global language—one that fosters innovation, community, and resilience.”

The Specialty Coffee Expo 2025 offered more than just the latest gear or beans—it celebrated the heart and soul of the industry: innovation, sustainability, and connection. From eco-conscious packaging to Houston’s vibrant coffee culture, the event left attendees inspired and energized.

As the coffee world looks ahead to Portland 2026, the ideas sparked in Houston will continue to shape the future—one brew at a time.