New for 2024 - Retail Buyers Lounge
Welcome to our new show feature, specifically designed to engage coffee professionals with buying power in retail operations. Open to select attendees, the Retail Buyers Lounge will act as a designated space for skill-sharing, learning, and networking amongst global coffee retail industry professionals in attendance at Expo. Participants will have access to a comfortable lounge space off the show floor where they can catch up on emails, connect over coffee and learn about the latest trends impacting the industry. Buyers will have access to industry experts through a series of short talks and panels taking place each day.
The Retail Buyers Lounge at Specialty Coffee Expo is a dedicated show feature for experienced retail buyers and procurement professionals. Due to demand and capacity restrictions, we will only consider attendees who fit within a certain criteria. If you/your company meet the criteria, you will receive an invitation to this year's lounge via email before the first day of the show.
Retail Buyers Lounge & Coffee Bar
Invited attendees will have access to a comfortable area for work and respite in the Retail Buyers Lounge. Complete with a coffee bar, attendees can use the area as a base of operations to network with fellow professionals, conduct one-to-one meetings with new and existing business contacts, or take advantage of a more restorative space during a busy show.
In-Person Talks & Learning Sessions
Learn about the latest trends impacting the industry from experienced professionals, academics, consultants, and experts. The Retail Buyers Lounge at Expo 2024 will host a series of short talks, pitches, and discussion panels taking place each day during mealtimes.
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 12, 2024
11:00am - 12:30pm
Hosted Coffee Service for Retail Buyers
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Lunch & Learn
Educational and insightful talks and conversations with lunch included for Retail Buyers.
2:20pm - 4:30pm
Retail Buyers Lounge Open with Coffee Service & Light Refreshments
Use the Retail Buyers Lounge space for device charging, in-person meetings, or a quiet working space.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
11:00am - 12:30pm
Hosted Coffee Service for Retail Buyers
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Lunch & Learn
Educational and insightful talks and conversations with lunch included for Retail Buyers.
3:00pm - 4:45pm
PITCH SLAM!
A high energy session featuring business pitches for Retail Buyers.
Sunday, April 14, 2024
10:30am - 12:30pm
Sunday Brunch
Educational and insightful talks and conversations with brunch included for Retail Buyers.
Session Speakers
Jon Allen
CEO, ONYX COFFEE LAB
Jon Allen is the Co-owner and head green buyer for Onyx Coffee Lab. He spends about four months of the year traveling in search of the world’s best coffees, and when he’s not traveling, he’s head of creative direction and quality control at Onyx’s home base in Arkansas. Outside of coffee, Jon loves people, sports, and spending time with his wife Andrea and their two daughters, River and Abishai.
Andy Grabowski
Director of Strategic Development, Intervine
In his role as Director of Strategic Development, Andy is a key producer and manager for identifying new product suppliers for Intervine’s rapidly growing food and beverage portfolio. He researches trends related to food and beverage and to the travel industry to better position Intervine to meet future client demand.
Andy brings to Intervine over 8 years of sourcing experience for food and beverage while working with a major domestic airline including running a major coffee RFP. Prior to his career in Procurement, he utilized his comprehensive business and finance acumen as a Management Consultant at both Gibson Consulting and Accenture. His consultancy portfolio spanned a diverse spectrum of companies, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations.
Andy holds a B.S. in Finance from Eastern Illinois University, underscoring his foundational knowledge in corporate business. Andy places a high value on spending quality time with his family and friends.
Ken Kaufmann
Principal, Designed Performance LLC
Ken Kaufmann, M.Ed. PCC is a business consultant and leadership coach. Through his consulting company, Designed Performance, LLC, he helps leaders and their team move their business forward. Ken spent early years in his career working at Starbucks Coffee Company as they scaled from a regional coffee company to become a global presence. He led the change plan for opening new roasting plants, supporting new leaders in new jobs with new teams. After Starbucks, Ken worked on learning and leadership development in health care and consulting. His clients include cafes, restaurant groups, health systems and NGOs. Ken holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Training and coaching certifications through the International Coaching Federation.
Hide Izaki
Barista, Cokuun
Hide Izaki joined his father's coffee venture, "Honey Coffee," honing his skills as a barista at the age of 16. In 2014, he clinched the prestigious title of the world's first Asian champion at the World Barista Championship. His expertise extends to consulting, specializing in product development and marketing tailored for prominent F&B brands and coffee chains across Asia. With a vast network and reputation, he facilitates the global expansion of brands into Asia, and he also offers technical due diligence services to investment funds. In April 2023, he unveiled "Cokuun," an exclusive Omakase coffee bar with only four seats, offering a one-of-a-kind coffee omakase full-course experience not found anywhere else in the world.
Wendy Johnson
Head of US Operations, Blank Street Coffee
Currently at the helm of US Operations for Blank Street Coffee, Wendy Johnson oversees both the operations and training departments, guiding the brand towards operational excellence. With nearly three decades of experience in the coffee and food and beverage industries, Wendy's journey began behind the espresso machine at Starbucks, propelling her through a series of escalating leadership roles. Her path includes pivotal positions as District/Regional Manager at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Peet's Coffee, and Godiva Cafe, as well as strategic roles such as US Coffee Manager and Director of Operations for Le Pain Quotidien, and US Director of Coffee and Beverage for Paris Baguette.
Throughout her career, Wendy's driving passion has been enhancing organizational efficiency. She excels in identifying operational needs and opportunities, crafting and implementing innovative systems and processes to meet those needs, and cultivating dynamic teams dedicated to sustaining and advancing these improvements.
James Hennebry
CEO, Rosslyn Coffee
Established in 2018, Rosslyn is a collection of three award-winning, independent, high volume specialty coffee shops located in the financial district of London, England. All three sites are now amongst the busiest specialty coffee shops in the world, with more sites set to launch over the coming months. Founders Mat Russell and James Hennebry hail from Australia and Ireland respectively, and Rosslyn is a coming together of the hospitality styles of both these countries. All the high standards and attention to detail of the great Australian café, combined with all the warmth and hospitality of the great Irish pub!
Marta Pogroszewska
Chief Operating Officer, GAIL’s
Marta Pogroszewska is the COO of Bread Holdings, Managing Director of GAIL’s and Executive Director at the Bread Holdings Ltd for the last seven years.
Marta has earned Master’s Degree in Economy and Strategy and gained twenty years of international experience in hospitality and leadership.
She currently mentors executive directors, works as NED on the Board of Pan-Pek Croatia, as Member of European Food Service Summit Advisory Board and works with Well Grounded as NED.
Marta specialises in building and leading empowered teams as well as setting and delivering effective transformation and evolution strategies. She is an optimist with everlasting people and business growth mindset, as well as eternal drive to lead change.
Apply to Take Part in the Retail Buyers Lounge Pitch Slam!
Taking place from 3:00pm - 4:45pm on Saturday, April 13th, the Retail Buyers Lounge Pitch Slam is a high-energy event designed to showcase innovative companies to the key decision makers of the coffee retail industry. Now is your chance to apply to be considered for a short session time slot, giving you and your company an opportunity to tell Retail Buyers Lounge attendees why they should consider your company, products, and services for their businesses.
Selection will be based on creating a diverse group of companies to participate. If successful, companies will be required to pay $500 to participate which will be invoiced as soon as possible.
The Retail Buyers Lounge at Specialty Coffee Expo 2024 is proudly supported by
Interested in supporting coffee retail professionals at Specialty Coffee Expo and beyond? Contact us.