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SCAA and SCAE take the first step in merging? Coffee authority boutique coffee association

Published: 2026-03-16 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/03/16, At the Hotelex exhibition held in Shanghai on March 31, 2016, SCAE Executive Director David Veal and SCAE Chairman Paul Stack talked about many topics of long-standing concern about coffee, the merger of SCAA and SCAE. Will the two most important organizations in the coffee industry take this opportunity to become one? Left: Paul Stack, President of SCAE. Right: David Veal SCAE Ex

At the Hotelex exhibition held in Shanghai on March 31, 2016, SCAE Executive Director David Veal and SCAE Chairman Paul Stack talked about many topics of long-standing concern about coffee-the merger of SCAA and SCAE.

Will the two most important organizations in the coffee industry take this opportunity to become one?

Left: Paul Stack, President of SCAE.

Right: David Veal SCAE Executive Director.

Picture from: Dianne Wang

David Veal got off to a start with some data. The results of a survey conducted by the two coffee associations show that the industry supports the merger of the two coffee associations.

Only 6 per cent of SCAE members are "not supportive", while in SCAA that number has fallen to 3 per cent. Paul Stack then began to talk about the benefits to both sides of the alliance, the structure of the new joint organization, and viable financial plans.

The proposed merger of the two organizations is to be able to pool resources to create a larger coffee community. The ultimate goal is to achieve the sustainable development of the coffee industry.

For example, SCAE's teaching system is strong, while SCAA's ability to organize activities is strong. Combined with the two, there will be a wider circle of social relations and stronger financial strength, which can finally solve some of the difficulties of sustainable development.

Mr. Veal gives a speech.

Picture from: Dianne Wang.

Shanghai is only the first stop in the promotion of the final vote planned by SCAE, which SCAE plans to vote in London on May 23rd. All SCAE members are required to fill out two voting forms. One choice is whether to support the merger; the other is whether to accept the final vote, and if not, whether members will opt out of SCAE.

What are we going to do after the vote on May 23? Paul Stack said that if the vote is approved, SCAE will begin to work on a detailed proposal, and a formal merger is expected in January 2017.