FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Prior to reading this, please ensure you’re familiar with our terms and conditions and code of conduct. By attending our events, you agree with them.

GENERAL

The next Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF) will be held in Medellín, Colombia, on September 14th and 15th, 2023.

PRF is one of the most prominent coffee events in the world and, every year it seeks to connect coffee industry stakeholders at the point of origin, with the aim of delivering real impact in the host country.  In essence, helping to build relationships across the supply chain and driving green coffee sales.

PRF is built around producers’ needs. First and foremost, the aim of the event is to drive green coffee sales and generate income for local coffee producers.

We provide simultaneous translation for lectures and speeches in English so that Spanish-speaking coffee producers break the language gap and are able to use key takeaways.

We also run a number of other producer-focused initiatives at PRF. One of the best examples of this is a means-tested scholarship programme. Under this, we sponsor producers and cover the cost of their travel, accommodation, food, and more, making sure they can attend PRF and capitalize on the opportunities offered by the event.

We’re always looking for new potential host countries for future PRF events. If you want us to host PRF in your country, email us at info@producerroasterforum.

ATTENDING PRF Colombia

Registration and ticket access for PRF Colombia is now open here.  To stay up to date, we recommend you visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media for the latest information.

All tickets will give you access to the two-day-event at Plaza Mayor, where you can attend keynote speeches, lectures, panels, cupping sessions, and workshops (subject to pre-registration and availability), as well as a number of customized competitions such as the: Roasting Championship and Cold Brew Championship.

You will also have access to the convention floor where you can network with other exhibitors and attendees, as well as taste different coffees in the espresso and brew bars.

A VIP ticket will give you access to all the above plus fast-track entry at the registration point, and exclusive access to a VIP Lounge equipped with many amenities such as high speed internet and refreshments.

You will receive a receipt with a unique QR code to pick up your badge on-site. No badges will be mailed prior to the show. Please be ready to present a valid photo ID at time of pick up. Badges must be worn at all times during the event.

There will be a reprint fee of $50 USD for any lost or misplaced badges. In order to reclaim another badge, you will be required to present a valid photo ID.

No. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Sharing, splitting, or duplicating badges is strictly prohibited. Any person found in violation of this policy will have their badge confiscated, and they will be removed from PRF immediately forfeiting attendance eligibility in current and future years.

Yes. There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors at the event; we estimate that the typical cost of a meal will range from 7 to 20 USD.

A coffee event is not suitable for children, due to the heavy machinery and hot water used at the event.  We encourage you not to bring children to PRF.  

Children under the age of 12, including infants are not allowed to attend PRF.  Children 12 years and older will be allowed to attend with a paid registration only.

PARTICIPATING AT PRF

We offer a range of tiered sponsorship packages for brands who are interested.

Also, we have exhibitor booths and different-sized stands, cupping and workshop rooms, category-exclusive sponsorships, and more. 

Take a look at our sponsorship opportunities here for more information, and use the contact form to get in touch if you’re interested.

Please kindly reach out to reserve your space via the contact form. Or if preferred, get in touch via info@producerroasterforum to request our media kits and pricing.

Registration for scholarships will open in June 2023.  We do have a limited amount of scholarships that include the admission fee.  To make sure you don’t miss out, we recommend that you keep an eye on our website, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media.

Registration for specific activities and events will open once the activities are confirmed. Each will have a limited amount of availability. To make sure you don’t miss out, we recommend that you keep an eye on our website, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media.

We are always encouraging coffee lovers and aficionados to join us as volunteers during the event.  To register your interest in volunteering, please do so by filling out one of the available forms here.

Lectures and speeches have been planned to be relevant for members of the global coffee community, with a focus on meeting coffee producers’ needs. 

To ascertain which topics are most relevant, our team has worked closely with global experts and local partners through an application and nomination process to ensure that the event will be inclusive and fully representative of the entire coffee community.

TRAVELING to PRF Colombia

Since the event will be held in Medellín, you should plan to arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional de Medellín José María Córdoba (MDE) or  Aeropuerto Olaya Herrera (EOH).

There are plenty of transport services including car rentals, local taxis, Ubers, and other similar applications at an approximate cost of 15 to 20 USD per trip.  However, we recommend arranging airport transfers and in-city transport directly with your hotel ahead of your arrival when available.

We encourage attendees to book travel and health insurance prior to departing for Colombia.  For STE attendees, we require proof of insurance during the confirmation process.

There are many hotels in Medellín.  We have hand selected a list of recommended  3, 4 and 5 star hotels here.

Most visitors require a valid passport and certain countries will also require a tourist visa to gain entry.  These can be processed at a Colombian embassy or consulate abroad. 

Please check your specific country requirements with your closest embassy or consulate.

PARTICIPATING AT THE STE

STE is the Sourcing Trip Experience which provides you with direct access to the people responsible for growing, selling and exporting coffee.  It is a 3 day experience with producers, exporters and coffee professionals where you will be able to build long-term mutually beneficial relationships.

The STE is perfect for buyers looking to source a range of coffees. This might mean looking for an experimental micro lot for the next Brewers Cup or a reliable new base coffee for your espresso blend.

The STE is also focused on building partnerships. This might mean finding an exporter who can pre-finance the shipment and handle logistics, discussing how to consolidate a container with other roasters, or buying coffee FOB.

Yes.  All STE tickets include VIP access to the PRF, however you will need to arrange any domestic flights or transportation to be back at Medellín for the PRF.

Attendees will be given a first-hand opportunity to learn everything about the coffees and producers their hosts work with.

This will range from plant nurseries, variety selection, and farm management to processing techniques, experiments with fermentation, quality control protocols, storage, warehousing, and more.

Yes.  You will meet some renowned coffee producers spearheading innovation in the country’s specialty coffee sector, and see first-hand how their coffee is grown, harvested, and processed.

You will be required to present to us proof of travel and health insurance prior to your arrival in Colombia.  As with any traveler, you need to check with your local Colombian consulate or embassy for specific country requirements, such as any visas.

You will also be required to sign a waiver agreement in order to participate in the STE program.

Medellín should be your entry/departure point, and from there you will have to arrange your domestic flights to the specific city where your STE will take place.  Your STE hosts will take care of your local transportation once you arrive at the STE rendezvous city.

Yes.  We provide the STE concierge service, where we will take care of booking and arranging all of your domestic flights, giving you the freedom to enjoy your STE to the fullest.  Find out more information about our concierge service here.