World of Coffee San Diego 2026 Opens Registration as Colombia Takes Spotlight

Registration is now open for the Specialty Coffee Association’s North American flagship event, which will bring roasters, importers, baristas, and cafe operators to San Diego April 10-12, 2026. The rebranded World of Coffee San Diego (formerly the Specialty Coffee Expo) launched visitor sign-ups on Jan 23, and organizers have named Colombia as the 2026 Portrait Country, giving origin-focused conversations a clear spotlight.

As the region’s principal trade gathering for specialty coffee professionals, the show will serve as a marketplace and meeting place for sourcing, networking, and education. Attendees can expect a concentrated trade floor where green buyers and roasters meet exporters and importers, alongside curated programming that spotlights Colombia’s role in the global supply chain. For Colombian producers and exporters, the Portrait Country designation typically means expanded visibility for farms, cooperatives, and regional specialties during tastings, panels, and origin showcases.

Practical value for buyers and operators is straightforward: registration opens the door to connect directly with origin partners, assess new lots, and lock in seasonal supply plans for the calendar year. For roasters and quality teams, the event is a chance to deepen relationships with exporters and sample a range of Colombian profiles in one place. For cafe teams and baristas, the trade floor and program offerings provide training, product discovery, and promotional partnerships to refresh menus or seasonal offerings heading into summer and fall.

Community relevance extends beyond sourcing. World of Coffee San Diego traditionally concentrates education and industry trends under one roof, making it efficient to catch technical sessions, sustainability conversations, and service innovation in a short window. Attendees planning to travel should register early, arrange meetings with suppliers in advance, and schedule time on the trade floor for cuppings and demos.

The rebrand underscores the SCA’s push to broaden the show’s international origin focus while maintaining its role as the region’s key business event. With Colombia in the spotlight and registration already open, the next steps are logistical: sign up through the event registration page, confirm travel and lodging, and map priorities on which exporters, roasters, and sessions to meet.

What this means for readers is practical and immediate: register now to secure access and start lining up origin meetings, because April’s San Diego show will be a concentrated opportunity to taste, source, and strengthen Colombia-focused supply lines for the year ahead.