The Athens Coffee Festival and the Coffee Industry Forum recently brought together coffee lovers, industry experts, and advocates from across Greece. Among those representing IWCA Greece was our very own Artemis Gavriilidou, who joined a few other members of the Greek chapter for a presentation to share their work and passion for supporting women in coffee. For Artemis and IWCA Greece, these events were an exciting chance to connect with others, share ideas, and highlight the important role of women in the coffee industry.
A Festival Full of Surprises and Hard Work
At the Athens Coffee Festival, Artemis described the experience as a “celebration, a true coffee festival.” She was surprised by the large crowd and the energy of the event. Τhe IWCA Greece team worked closely together to put on a presentation that showed their commitment to their mission. “It was a wonderful experience, thanks to everyone’s hard work and cooperation,” Artemis said, adding that they were grateful to have a place at the festival to share their message.
New Connections and Some Challenges at the Industry Forum
The Coffee Industry Forum was another important event for IWCA Greece. Artemis appreciated that the organizers invited them to participate without any cost. This showed a real respect and support for IWCA Greece’s work. Artemis was also glad to meet many new people in the coffee industry who were interested in IWCA’s mission. “We met people who didn’t know about IWCA before but were genuinely interested in what we’re doing,” she said.
However, she also noticed some attendees who seemed focused only on personal gain. This highlighted the challenges IWCA Greece faces in promoting ethical collaboration within the coffee community.
Moving Forward Together
These events remind IWCA Greece of the importance of their work to support women in coffee. Artemis’s experience at both the festival and the forum showed the need for real partnerships and cooperation in an industry that can sometimes be very competitive. Through meeting new people and overcoming challenges, IWCA Greece is growing stronger and continuing its mission to make a positive difference in the coffee world.
