Descripción

SOURCING TRIP EXPERIENCE (STE): March 12 – March 15, 2023

PRF FORUM DATE & TIME: March 16 & 17 2023, from 9:00am to 17:00pm

FORUM LOCATION: Salamanca Exhibition Centre, San Salvador, El Salvador

OVERVIEW

Created specifically for coffee roasters and green buyers wishing to visit El Salvador, the Sourcing Trip Experience (STE) ticket features a four-day trip to the coffee-growing regions in El Salvador, followed by the PRF event in the heart of San Salvador.

During the STE, visiting roasters and buyers will be able to experience Salvadoran coffee production first hand, staying with local hosts on coffee farms across El Salvador in groups of up to 15. 

Visitors will visit farms and producers, participate in cupping sessions, travel to wet and dry mills, observe harvesting and processing, and join roundtable discussions with producers. In the process, they will taste a number of different lots and varieties to better understand Salvadoran coffee.

This provides coffee buyers with the opportunity to truly understand Salvadoran coffee production and surround themselves with opportunities to source amazing coffee. 

Following this hosted experience, participants will then travel to San Salvador to attend the two-day PRF event.

THIS STE TICKET INCLUDES:

Access to Sourcing Trip Experience
Sourcing Trip Experience (March 12th – 15th)
Accommodation & Food (From check-in date to check-out date)  3 nights, 4 days  Check-in: March 12 Check-out: March 15th, 5:00 pm
Farm tours
Tours of wet, dry mills, and processing operations
Cupping sessions arranged directly with producers
Roundtable discussions
Networking opportunities
Organized dinners and/or events with your host
Access to PRF Forum
PRF Keynotes
PRF Panels
Interactive Sessions & Workshops
Opportunity to participate in competitions (cold brew, roasting and barista)
VIP Lounge
All PRF Exhibition Areas
Networking Meetups & Matchmaking
Customized Coffee Sourcing Opportunities
Mentorship Opportunities
Engage with thousands of coffee farmers & professionals

IT DOES NOT COVER:

Accommodation (From March 15th Onward)
Food & Drink (From March 15th Onward)
Transportation & Tours (From March 15th Onward)
Other Costs & Expenses (From March 15th Onward)
Health & Travel Insurance

FAQ

How does check-in work on March 12?

Prior to arriving in El Salvador, you will be in regular contact with your host and STE staff regarding your specific green coffee requirements and any other travel concerns you may have. 

However, check-in begins when your host picks you up from the airport on March 12.  Please ensure you arrive before 5 p.m. local time and see the Airport transfers and arrivals section below for more specific information.

How does check-out work on March 15?

In the afternoon of March 15, your host will drop you off at your chosen hotel in San Salvador on March 15 in time to attend PRF on March 16 and 17. Please note, as mentioned above, following check-out on March 15, you will be responsible for arranging (and paying for) your own accommodation and board in San Salvador.

What happens if I am only attending STE and not PRF?

If you do not plan on attending the two-day PRF forum, your host will drop you off at the airport on March 15th in time for your flight.

STE AND PRF

What’s the difference between STE and PRF?

PRF refers to the two-day forum and exhibition to be held in San Salvador, attended by thousands of Central American coffee professionals and hundreds of international roasters and coffee professionals. For the schedule and additional information see here.

STE refers to the three-day sourcing trip and farm visits that selected groups of roasters and green coffee buyers attend prior to the PRF event.

ACCOMMODATION AND BOARD FOR STE

Where will I be staying during the STE?

You will stay on farm estates or in a hotel nearby your host’s coffee farms and mills. Our hosts will take extremely good care of you, and you will have a private bathroom and comfortable lodgings.

Who will be my host?

Each host is a coffee producer and exporter. We partner with respected English-speaking professionals who have decades of experience in the specialty coffee sector. For the days of STE, your host will be your primary contact and support.

Who will be in my group?

Every STE group will consist of a maximum of 15 people, representing at least 10 different coffee roasters and green coffee buyers from across the globe. Please see here for roasters who’ve attended previous STE events.

How many people from my company can attend the STE?

We recommend one or two people per company. If you have more than two people attending from a single company, you will be placed in separate STE groups. 

What if I want to be assigned to the same group as my entire staff?
Each group cannot have more than two representatives from the same company. If you bring more than two people from your company, please note that you will be placed with separate hosts.

Where will I be staying after the STE for PRF?

If you are attending PRF in San Salvador, you are responsible for booking your own accommodation and in-country expenses from March 15. 

I don’t speak Spanish. How can I communicate with the STE hosts?

All of our STE Hosts either speak English or will have staff on hand to help with interpreting and translating as you visit farms, mills, washing stations, and more.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND ARRIVALS

What airport do I arrive at?

Please arrive at El Salvador’s International Airport Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (SAL).

What date and time should I arrive by?

Please arrive on March 12 by 5 p.m. local El Salvador time.

Who will be responsible for picking me up at the airport?

If you arrive on or before March 12 at 5 p.m. local time, your PRF Host will pick you up at the airport.

What happens if my flight arrives late in the evening?

If your flight arrives later than 5 pm, we recommend arriving the day before (March 11) and booking accommodation accordingly to ensure you’re able to meet with the group and your PRF Host on March 12. However, please note that this additional night is not covered under your ticket.

Can I arrive on March 13?

Each host has planned a precise itinerary. Therefore, we do not recommend arriving after the projected check-in date for STE. If you’re not available to attend STE, we encourage you instead to attend the two day forum El Salvador.

ACTIVITIES

What activities will be available during the STE?

Your host will be responsible for planning and delivering a customized itinerary for the STE. You will receive an agenda from your PRF Host days prior to your arrival. 

Here are examples of typical activities  that take place:

• Farm tours
• Dry and wet mill tours
• Meeting producers
• Roundtable discussions
• Coffee cuppings
• Networking and mentoring opportunities
• Workshops
• Organised dinners 
• Other team building activities related to coffee

TRAVEL

Do I need travel and health insurance?

We strongly recommend STE attendees to book travel and health insurance prior to departing for El Salvador.

What do I need to enter El Salvador?
Visitors from most European and American countries, as well as Australia, will not need a travel visa, but may have to purchase a travel card upon arrival. This will cost approximately US $10, and will need to be paid in cash. Travelers must have a valid passport for at least 6 months from their arrival date. For up-to-date information, please review the relevant sources.

VACCINATIONS

Do I need a COVID test to enter El Salvador?

Currently, you do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter El Salvador. For up-to-date information, please review the relevant sources.

However, we recommend bringing proof of vaccination with you, in case requirements change at short notice either in El Salvador or in countries you are likely to travel through.

Do I need any vaccinations?

If you are from Africa, South America, or Panama, you may need to prove that you received a vaccination for yellow fever at least 15 days prior to your arrival in El Salvador. We recommend consulting a medical professional. For up-to-date information, please review the relevant sources.

What if I have allergies or dietary restrictions?

STE staff will request this information after you purchase your ticket. Your Host will then be made aware of all allergies and dietary restrictions that should be considered during your trip, and plan accordingly. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Before purchasing your ticket, please be aware you will be obliged to sign our STE waiver and disclaimer. STE attendees will be required to sign a waiver agreement in order to participate.

Please see the PRF Terms and Conditions here. 

If you have any further questions, please email the STE Coordinator at tati@producerroasterforum.com

KEY DETAILS

– Tailor-made for specialty coffee roasters and green buyers

– Focused on immersive relationship building and knowledge sharing between producers and roasters.

– Highly organised and pre-planned. Your PRF Host will pick you up directly from the airport according to a provided and managed itinerary.

– Please ensure you arrive by 17:00pm on March 12th. If your flight arrives later, we recommend arriving on the 11th. Please note: this additional night is not covered in the ticket.

– This ticket includes in-country transport, airport transfers, accommodation & meals (March 12th to 15th), farm tours, entrance to PRF and more.

– If more than 1 person attends per roastery or coffee company, due to event policy, you will be placed with different hosts in different groups.