Fittingly, the coffee industry "hackathon" or think-tank was held in Australia’s undisputed coffee capital, Melbourne.
The two-day event hosting baristas and even a coffee scientist to ponder the future of an industry balancing ever-increasing demand with ethical and environmental concerns.
These concerns are well-founded according to chemical engineer-turned coffee scientist Dr Monica Feteke.
She says demand is threatening to outstrip supply.
"Coffee demand around the world is growing with traditionally non-coffee drinking countries such as China and India getting into coffee now as well," Dr Feteke told SBS World News.
Griffith Brothers Coffee retailer Peter Patisteas agrees.
"We're not in a great position as it stands. There's some talk about only having six to eight days' worth of surplus supplies currently and that's not a huge amount - significant frost or climatic change will only exacerbate that further the time is nigh we need to get cracking on this," he said.
In fact, there are concerns the results of climate change could halve world's so-called "bean belt" of coffee production including south America, parts of Africa and even Australia's nearest neighbour Papua New Guinea.
Mr Patisteas believes collaboration between consumer-and producer countries is a major reform which could make significant and effective changes.
"We could provide them infrastructure, training - understand how we're utilising their coffee. There's a monstrous amount of infrastructure projects we can initiate in those regions," he said.
Worldwide consumption has trebled since the 1960s but the sustainability of the industry has not always been at the forefront.
This issue prompted a range of innovative concepts from those academics, students and other creative types attending the "hack".
Among them was an enterprising group of IT students who proposed a practical solution to the waste created by coffee production.
Beauty products like a face-mask and hand moisturiser were cost-effective and practical solutions.
"The scrub came out of the husk and this came from coffee grinds. What this is going to do is really moisturise your face and definitely give it that natural glow," co-creator and IT student Preethi Vaaraahi said.
Other concepts aimed at overcoming environmental and sustainability issues confronting the industry will be presented at the conclusion of the two-day convention.
"Our consumption for coffee is not going to abate - effectively we will get to the point where our demand will surpass our ability to grow unless we take some action," Mr Patisteas said.
