SCAA and SCAE Set to Merge in 2016

In March 2016, during the HOTELEX exhibition in Shanghai, industry leaders from two of the world’s leading coffee organisations addressed a long-awaited question: would the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) finally merge? The topic had been circulating for years among coffee professionals globally, and now, answers were emerging directly from the associations’ leadership.

Yes—support was overwhelming. Just 6% of SCAE members and only 3% of SCAA members opposed the merger, according to internal surveys conducted by both organisations. With such high approval, the path toward unification looked clear.

Why Were SCAA and SCAE Considering a Merger?

The proposed merger aimed to consolidate resources to build a larger, more unified global coffee community. The ultimate goal was to drive progress in sustainable development across the coffee industry.

David Veal, Executive Director of SCAE, opened the discussion with hard data showing broad member support. Paul Stack, President of SCAE, then outlined the strategic benefits, explaining how combining forces could strengthen both organisations’ impact.

What Strengths Would the New Organisation Have?

The merger was not just symbolic. By joining, SCAE’s well-established education system and SCAA’s strong event production capabilities would complement each other. This combination would expand global networks, increase financial capacity, and tackle challenges in sustainability more effectively.

Together, the two associations could offer a more cohesive platform for education, advocacy, and events worldwide—benefits that neither could fully deliver alone.

How Would the Merger Actually Happen?

Shanghai was just the first stop in a planned global member outreach effort. The definitive vote was scheduled for May 23, 2016, in London.

All SCAE members were required to complete two ballots: one to vote on whether they supported the merger, and another on whether they accepted the final outcome—members could choose to leave the association if they disagreed with the result.

What Happened After the Vote?

If the London vote passed, SCAE planned to develop a detailed implementation proposal. The formal merger was scheduled to take place in January 2017, unifying the two associations under a single global organisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the approval rates for the SCAA and SCAE merger among members?

Among SCAE members, only 6% opposed the merger, while SCAA members showed even stronger support, with just 3% against it. These figures indicated broad consensus within both organisations.

Where did the discussions about the SCAA and SCAE merger take place?

The public discussions were held at the HOTELEX exhibition in Shanghai on March 31, 2016, with further official votes planned in London on May 23, 2016.

What benefits did Paul Stack outline for merging SCAA and SCAE?

Paul Stack highlighted that merging would combine SCAE’s strong educational framework with SCAA’s event expertise, resulting in broader networks, greater financial resources, and improved capacity to address sustainability in the coffee sector.

How would SCAE members vote on the merger?

SCAE members were required to vote on two separate ballots: one on supporting the merger, and another on accepting the final decision—those disagreeing could opt to leave the association.

When was the merger between SCAA and SCAE expected to be completed?

If approved, the merger was scheduled to be formally completed in January 2017, following the development of a detailed implementation plan after the May 2016 vote.

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