Schedule of Events

Creative Coffee Week 2026 - Durban

Presented by YOCO

This event would not have been possible without the support of the amazing sponsors that have come forward to support coffee education and growth in South Africa. Each year we have had the opportunity to shift and refocus this platform. The idea is that this is an intimate event, open to all, that should leave attendees feeling inspired to do better in their sector of the coffee industry. This is an opportunity to step outside your business and get new perspective while having the most fun! We are always aiming to create a coffee experience that inspires all the amazing humans in the industry and hopefully encourage a few more to join us. We've been able to make the ticket prices accessible (in 2019, they were R3000 each) thanks to the help of our partners who all value what these events means on the coffee calendar.

***Program and topics are subject to change***

Tuesday 28th July

Focused Workshops - Times TBC
Dara Santana Hernandez, Spain  - The Architecture of the Cup
Jack Simpson, Australia  (World Barista Champion 2025)  

Evening events:
6pm:  Women in Coffee Event at The Chairman with special guests Dara Hernandez, Dr Fabiana Carvahlo. This will be a gathering of female business owners, baristas, and coffee professionals from all parts of the industry. 

6pm:  Fives Football (no football skill required!)  

Wednesday 29th July 

8.30am - 5pm: Conference Day at The Chairman - See directions below
8.30 - 10.30am - Arrival, Cuppings, Goodie Bags, Activations
10.30am - 1.30pm: Lectures and Panel Discussions, including Dara Santana Hernandez (The Water Diary), Jack Simpson (World Barista Champion 2025), Fabiana de Carvahlo (Coffee Sensorium), Matthew Carter and other international and national Coffee Experts.  
1.30pm- 2.30pm: Lunch provided by The Chairman
2.30pm onwards - Breakaway Sessions with International Guests and Sponsors.
5pm - 7pm : Sundown Showdown on the uShaka Pier KuD'Ta  - A fun event to highlight latte art skill. Plus a gorgeous location for a sundowner over beautiful Durban. 

Thursday 30th July - Tickets Here
Mini Origin Trip: Bonakude Farm, Phatheni, Richmond KZN Midlands 

Leave 7.30am - Transport by mini bus. A fantastic experience visiting a smallholder style coffee farming initiative and Agro-ecology village in Phatheni (village outside Richmond) A chance for professionals to learn, but also to share and teach. Interaction with the Bonakude Youth Group. Lunch from agro-ecological farm. Return to Durban by 5pm. 
All our International Guests are joining us on this day, come be part of something really special.


Wednesday 29th July 2026 - Conference Day!
Doors open at 8.30am
Venue: The Chairman


 

****Program and topics are subject to change****

The program is subject to change. And we will be adding to it constantly this month as more speakers and activities are confirmed, please feel free to get in touch with ideas.

Please pop any questions you may have to Mel: mel@magazine.coffee 

 

Why should you come?

These three CCW Events promise to be hardworking networking opportunity for you to rub shoulders with some of the most influential people in coffee, taste some of the best coffees in the world and meet the people connected to the Farmers, Producers and stakeholders behind these coffees. These events will similarly focus on coffee roasting, service and cafe culture and how to maximise your coffee business in the context of global trends and opportunities.  

Business Owners:

  • The majority of delegates attending CCW are business owners, Senior Management, Procurement or  technical coffee professionals. 
  • The quality of the audience is very high, It’s only 120 -150 people per event - and they are directly responsible for making the decisions for their coffee businesses.
  • The utility of the group is very high! This means they are excited and in a very happy place when they are at CCW - which is the perfect time to network, discover best practise, build relationships with suppliers and see what the global trends are in coffee. 

Roasters:

  • The connection between Roasters and Producers is a crucial one. CCW allows you as a roaster to have the critically important and  meaningful discussions around sourcing, pricing, and roasting coffee with the very people connected to the coffee itself. 
  • Network with other coffee roasters, meet suppliers and colleagues. Share best practise and insights around roasting and green coffee.
  • Learn how to service your wholesale customers better, how to maximise operational efficiency, and manage your workflows. 
  • Cup amazing coffees and have fun on our Farm Tour!  

Baristas:

  • Deepen your understanding about where coffee comes from, how it it processed and the journey it takes in getting to you.
  • Meet Roasters and other coffee professionals that will help you unpack the coffee value chain for your customers. 
  • Learn from the World Barista Champion, in Durban! 
  • Get inside insights into competing and why barista competitions are so important to your career. 
  • Get your hands on the latest equipment and innovation  - join a masterclass breakaway session. 
  • Win amazing prizes in our Latte Art factory Throwdown! 

Consumers:

  • If you love coffee, which you do, because you are reading this…then this is your chance to level up your understanding of coffee - where it comes from, the flavour profiles and language used to describe it, the processing methods and what they mean in your cup, the appreciation of the value chain. You will come away from CCW inspired and informed! 
  • Taste some of the best coffees on the planet - ever tried a Colombian Geisha or a Pink Bourbon? Now is your time! 
  • Learn how to “cup coffee” - it’s all in the slurp! 
  • Meet the World Barista Champion, Jack Simpson
  • If you have ever dreamed of owning a coffee shop, this is a MUST.