Lecture Description
For too long, we have treated origin trips like transactional tourism. Success has largely been determined by tables cupped, lots purchased, hands shaken, and photos taken. We tend to think far more about what we take from the trip than what we bring to it. To date, origin trips have largely been extractive and unidirectional occurrences; however, if equitable and prosperous relationships are what we desire, then there is a tremendous opportunity to redefine the origin trip experience and increase its value (Return On Origin Travel) for all involved.
In this intentionally interactive lecture, we will reimagine and redesign the origin trip, expanding its definition of success to include the objectives of the visiting roaster, the hosting producer, and the facilitating coffee trader. During the session, we will analyze Caravela’s trip checklist to review how one should prepare for an origin trip, what one should bring, what one should expect, and what one should be prepared to leave behind. By the conclusion of this lecture, each participant will have a stronger sense of the purpose for and possibility of origin trips, along with an actionable plan that will make the next voyage more valuable and meaningful for everyone involved.
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
Time: 10:15am - 11:15am
Room Number: N426C
Instructors
Amanda Rodgriguez (she/her)
Coffee Expert, Caravela Coffee
Amanda Rodriguez, the esteemed value chain leader at Caravela Coffee, brings over a decade of expertise to the realm of coffee. Having served as the country manager for Caravela's Nicaraguan operation, she boasts a comprehensive understanding of coffee processing, logistics, and milling operations. Amanda is a seasoned professional dedicated to enhancing the entire coffee journey, striving for excellence from seed to cup. With a passion for maximizing value for coffee partners, she endeavors to elevate the industry standard, ensuring that every step in the value chain contributes to a richer and more rewarding experience for all involved.
Brian Gaffney (he/him)
Chief Experience Officer (CXO), Caravela Coffee
Brian A. Gaffney is passionate about specialty coffee and the skilled professionals who produce it. As Caravela Coffee’s Chief Experience Officer, he is committed to reducing the friction in the value chain by making it simpler for specialty farmers to bring coffees to market, easier for specialty roasters to bring coffees to specialty consumers, and natural for specialty consumers to know the names of specialty producers. Brian is also a long-time specialty coffee fan who has written about the intersection between specialty coffee consumers and specialty coffee producers for publications including Standart Magazine, DRIFT Magazine, and Daily Coffee News.
Juan Esteban Garcia (he/him)
Relationship Building Leader, Caravela Coffee
With a background in Business Administration and a fervent love for football and the countryside, Juan Esteban brings a different perspective to the table. Having honed expertise in Finance Planning at Coca Cola and Loyalty Program management at Avianca Airline, Juan Esteban understands the intricate nuances of collaborative success. With a deep-seated belief in fostering trust-based relationships through enhanced collaboration, in Caravela we are invested in igniting a teamwork dynamic that transcends boundaries and cultivates enduring connections. Join us to get to know our model for building lasting relationships in the coffee industry through Relationship Origin Trips.