In December 2021, we announced that the Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF) will be returning in 2022. This year’s event will be taking place in Colombia.

Every year, PRF is held in a coffee-producing country, which is an essential part of the event’s overall mission. Through a major coffee industry event at origin, producers are empowered to cultivate long-term, meaningful relationships with a number of other industry professionals.

The two-day forum – which brings together a range of industry leaders and experts – will take place at the Plaza Mayor in Medellín.

There are several ways to participate in PRF Colombia, one of which is to join the event’s volunteer scheme. At least 5,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s forum from over 50 countries. For those looking to experience a groundbreaking coffee industry event held at origin, volunteer applications are now open.

Read on to learn more about PRF, what volunteering entails at the event, and how you can apply.

Learn more about PRF Colombia here.

What is Producer & Roaster Forum?

PRF is a two-day event which takes place in a different coffee-producing country every year. The 2022 forum will be held in Medellín, Colombia, on 30 June and 1 July.

Previously, PRF has been held in El Salvador, Brazil, Guatemala, and Honduras. Previous events have welcomed thousands of coffee professionals from all over the world.

Henry Wilson is the founder of PDG Global. He explains why PRF is held at origin.

“We specifically host PRF in coffee-producing countries to allow producers and local industry experts to be at the centre of the discussion,” he says. “These people are at the heart of the Colombian coffee sector, and we aim to put them front and centre at PRF Colombia.”

PRF aims to bridge the gap between producers and other industry professionals, including roasters. It creates the space for producers to engage in and contribute to ongoing conversations in the coffee industry.

More than 5,000 guests are expected to attend the two-day forum. During both days, guests can attend cupping sessions, workshops, lectures, speaker panels, and more – creating a unique opportunity for the Colombian coffee industry.

Why volunteer?

PRF offers the opportunity for attendees to meet and network with industry leaders. These include – but aren’t limited to – producers, roasters, exporters, and Q graders.

For volunteers, this is a chance to learn from expert speakers and exhibitors attending PRF Colombia. Each volunteer receives a free ticket to the forum, which gives them access to its various lectures, panels, and coffee cupping sessions.

Julio Guevara is the Director of PRF. He says: “Groundbreaking, valuable events at origin have always been lacking in the coffee industry.”

As part of this, he adds that volunteers help to provide a platform for producers and buyers to forge sustainable relationships. Volunteers contribute to the event’s overall aim – driving green coffee sales in the Colombian coffee sector.

Volunteer profile

If you are a coffee professional (or enthusiast) who is over 18 years of age, you can apply to volunteer at PRF. We are looking for people who are proactive, committed, and attentive, as well as being passionate about coffee.

Successful volunteers will work across various areas of the two-day forum, including:

• Barista work (serving filter coffee and espresso)
• Cupping workshops and tasting demonstrations
• Registering guests
• Translating and interpreting Spanish for attendees
• Providing support in VIP areas and networking spaces

If you want to be a volunteer at PRF Colombia, please fill out an application form in English or Spanish. Both applications close on 15 April.

Successful applicants must be available before 30 June to receive the necessary training for their assigned volunteer areas.

PRF requires volunteers to commit to a minimum of two 4-hour shifts over the two-day forum. The shifts will run from 9:00 to 13:00 or 13:00 to 17:00.

In exchange, volunteers will receive a free ticket, which gives them access to a number of activities at the forum, including:

• Exhibitor booths
• Cuppings and workshops
• Networking with global coffee industry professionals
• Other opportunities to develop coffee skills and knowledge

Volunteers will also receive a badge at the end of their event, indicating their participation in PRF.

PRF Colombia is set to be the biggest edition of the event yet, held in one of the most prominent coffee-producing countries in the world.

The event will be held on 30 June and 1 July at the Plaza Mayor in Medellín, Colombia. If you want to learn more, please visit the PRF website here.

Apply to become a PRF 2022 volunteer by filling out this form in English or Spanish. 

Perfect Daily Grind 

Want to read more articles like this? Sign up for our newsletter!