The primary ever Camp Espresso Store is Aug. 10-13 in Napa, Calif., and also you’re invited!

BY SARAH ALLEN 
BARISTA MAGAZINE

Whereas dashing from one assembly to a different at World of Espresso (WOC) San Diego in April, I bumped into my outdated buddy Jon Lewis of Deeper Roots Espresso in Cincinnati and we talked for 3 or 4 minutes. For a present like WOC, that was a win. My expertise at that mammoth occasion is that almost all spontaneous conversations final about 30 seconds, perhaps a minute. It’s a part of the explanation I’m inevitably exhausted and melancholy after that present each single yr. By way of Barista Journal’s enterprise, issues went properly. By way of connecting with folks, it was a bummer.

I’ve been tremendous fortunate over time on this trade to attend completely completely different sorts of espresso gatherings, from the Nordic Barista Cup to the MANE Convention, Barista Nation, and Camp Pull-A-Shot. These occasions—all sadly now defunct—have been comparably tiny, with round 100–150 folks whole. They occurred away from the whole lot, in environments deliberately chosen to supply attendees with limitless alternatives to attach, be it over shared meals, on a stroll again from a workshop, or throughout sudden moments: watching a sundown with somebody who was a stranger the day earlier than, or pairing with a brand new buddy for a category train.

The issues I discovered at these occasions actually caught with me over time—as a result of they have been taught in small teams? As a result of we have been in nature and never conference facilities? As a result of there was time and area to make actual connections?

Sure, sure, and sure. And extra.

In-Particular person Occasions Construct Relationships

Created and produced by Barista Journal, Camp Espresso Store, which takes place August 10–13 in Napa, Calif., is impressed by these smaller intimate occasions passed by the place neighborhood is the center of the whole lot. After Camp Espresso Store, you’ll emerge not solely energized, empowered, and outfitted with abilities to succeed, but in addition with a military of latest mates. The entire finest mates and enterprise collaborators I’ve met in espresso are relationships I solid within the sort of setting we’re constructing for Camp.

Listed here are a couple of the reason why you shouldn’t miss Camp Espresso Store’s inaugural occasion:

• Camp will unfold on a magical, 312-acre property within the hills above Napa, Calif., within the woods, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
• Greater than 20 revered coffee-business professionals might be your educators, audio system, and, by the top, mates.
• A number of the world’s finest espresso gear and suppliers will present the instruments you have to study and develop.
• The intensive curriculum is designed that can assist you begin a espresso enterprise, strengthen an present one, and develop your espresso profession.
• Greater than dozen celebrated espresso sponsors are offering scrumptious coffees all through the occasion for attendees.
• However there will even be time to chill out with friends, get pleasure from spontaneous espresso conversations, and make the most of the pool, lake, mountaineering trails, garden bowling, and different camp actions.
• Count on arts and crafts, video games, and s’mores—plus elevated meals, wine, olive oil, fruit, and chocolate experiences designed for espresso professionals.

A Beautiful Location for an Epic Occasion

You’ll fall in love with Enchanted Hills Napa, an attractive retreat supporting LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The 

property options fashionable cabins, lecture rooms, and a shocking eating corridor above the timber. The vibe is rustic and refined (and a lot extra luxurious than the creaky, dusty, totally-great-for-kids-but-not-so-much-for-adults summer season camps I attended as a child).

The all-inclusive expertise consists of lodging, meals, courses taught by espresso trade specialists, actions, surprises, swag, and an skilled workers—all designed to create unmatched alternatives for schooling and significant connection. Study extra at campcoffeeshop.com.

And I’ll see you across the campfire.

This text initially appeared within the June + July 2026 challenge of Barista Journal. Learn extra of the difficulty on-line right here free of charge.

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Be part of us at Camp Espresso Store Aug. 10-13 in Napa, California.

Learn the June + July 2026 Problem free of charge with our digital version.