What Happened at the IWCA Chapter Encounter in Florence, Italy

We look at key moments from the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Chapter Encounter, a historic gathering for women in coffee.

BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Photos by Vasileia Fanarioti

On January 28–29, the Accademia del Caffè Espresso in Florence, Italy, became the stage for a landmark event in the global coffee community. The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Chapter Encounter, the first event of its kind, brought together IWCA members from countries around the globe to collaborate, share knowledge, and create new pathways for women in the coffee industry.

Barista Magazine was on-site to report on the discussions, workshops, and connections that took place during this important gathering.

IWCA Chapter Encounter: Tamara Viel speaks into a microphone standing next to Guido Preti. The two stand next to a screen that reads "International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) - Promoting Possibilities." — Tamara Viel, head of group sustainability at De’Longhi Group, and Guido Preti, sustainability manager at La Marzocco, opened the event.

A Day of Dialogue and Collaboration

To open the event, leaders from De’Longhi Group, the IWCA, and La Marzocco gave a warm welcoming speech, setting the tone for a day dedicated to education, empowerment, and networking. Moderators Blanca Castro, executive director of IWCA, and Massimo Battaglia, head of coffee research at the Accademia, guided the agenda, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience.

Throughout the morning, thought leadership speeches tackled critical themes. Jessica Sartiani, a coffee expert and barista, spoke on the intersection of sustainability and consciousness, highlighting the need for intentional choices in sourcing and business practices. Veronica Rossi, sustainability senior manager at Lavazza Group, presented “A Cup of Learning,” a program that provides young people with opportunities to enter the coffee sector. These sessions underscored the industry’s responsibility to foster inclusion and growth.

IWCA Chapter Encounter: A large, warehouse-like building with sunlight flooding in through tall windows. At the center of the room is a wooden staircase and a variety of lush green plants. — The stunning Accademia del Caffè Espresso provided the perfect setting for the IWCA Chapter Encounter, offering an inspiring space for collaboration and meaningful conversations.

Strengthening the IWCA’s Global Network

A key objective of the IWCA Chapter Encounter was to foster collaboration between IWCA chapters from around the world, including representatives from Japan, South Korea, the United States, Australia, Italy, Spain, Greece, and newly forming chapters in Germany, Canada, and Portugal. With more than 34 IWCA Chapters globally, this gathering provided a rare opportunity for leaders to meet face-to-face, exchange experiences, and strategize for the future.

Each chapter took the stage to share different parts of their journey—from early challenges in establishing a local network to key achievements in empowering women in their respective coffee sectors. Some chapters highlighted successful programs that have advanced education and career growth, while others spoke candidly about the hurdles they face, whether in securing funding, building partnerships, or amplifying women’s voices in male-dominated coffee spaces.

Two women speak in a room that looks like an office. Behind them, the presentation projected onto a white screen reads "International Women's Coffee Alliance." — Workshop teams gathered at the end of the day to present their findings.

Workshops throughout the day took these discussions a step further. Rather than stopping at conversation, the goal was to turn dialogue into action. Guided by the IWCA Global Chapters’ mission, each workshop focused on developing concrete next steps to address shared challenges. Whether it was creating structured mentorship programs, finding ways to connect women-owned businesses across markets, or outlining strategies for greater representation in leadership roles, every session emphasized accountability and follow-through.

The event also laid the foundation for the IWCA Experts Network, a new initiative designed to connect women leaders worldwide. This platform will serve as a resource hub for mentorship, business development, and industry innovation, ensuring that the progress made during the encounter extends far beyond this gathering and into the future of the coffee industry.

IWCA Chapter Encounter: Four people stand smiling in front of a screen that reads "International Women's Coffee Alliance." — Members of IWCA Greece together with Blanca Castro, executive director of IWCA (second from left).

Florence Coffee Tour: A Cultural Exchange

The second day of the event took attendees on a coffee shop tour through Florence, offering a glimpse into the city’s vibrant coffee culture. IWCA Italy curated an itinerary blending traditional and contemporary specialty cafés, showcasing the meeting of Italian coffee heritage and modern specialty-coffee trends. The tour provided not just an educational experience but also an opportunity for informal networking and cultural exchange.

The tour culminated in a visit to DiniCaffè Roasters, located in the historic heart of Florence. Now led by sisters Serena and Benedetta Nobili, DiniCaffè represents a family legacy in roasting, with a renewed focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation. Attendees had the chance to explore the roastery’s operations, participate in a guided coffee tasting, and hear the sisters’ story: a candid conversation about the challenges and triumphs of leading a roasting business as women in Italy’s traditionally male-dominated coffee industry.

IWCA Chapter Encounter: Two women, one standing and one sitting, by an open sack of coffee. One woman sniffs coffee beans while the other peers into the bag. — Serena (left) and Benedetta Nobili of DiniCaffè.

In Closing

The IWCA Chapter Encounter marks a turning point in how women’s roles in coffee-consuming markets are recognized and supported. By fostering connections between buyers, roasters, baristas, and industry leaders, the event highlighted that women’s contributions extend far beyond the farm level. With the backing of sponsors like De’Longhi Group, Bunn, and Caffè Vergnano, the encounter set the stage for future collaborations that will shape the industry in 2025 and beyond.

As Barista Magazine witnessed firsthand, this gathering was not just about conversation—it was about action. The commitments made in Florence will ripple through the global coffee community, ensuring that women in coffee-consuming countries continue to have a seat at the table, driving innovation and change.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.