There’s something really special about bringing our coffee out into the heart of Washington, DC. At Compass, we love doing events because they let us do what we love in a unique environment, serving up Real Good Coffee to new groups of people. There’s just something natural about conversation happening around a cup of coffee and, although it seems simple, it makes a huge difference when people can also talk about how good that coffee is. We’ve mastered our coffee roasting and craft so that every guest gets the absolute best service, whether they’re stepping into one of our cafés or walking up to a pop-up at a bustling conference.
At the BPI Bitcoin Policy Summit 2025 in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, we set up right in the thick of the excitement, surrounded by hundreds of buzzing attendees, and placed next to a giant art piece we were told (many times) not to touch. We offered unlimited complimentary coffee all day and people kept coming back for more.
Learning on the Fly
If I’m being honest, I’d love to say that things always go perfectly when serving coffee at an event, but the reality is that, when you’re operating in a new environment, it’s almost never that smooth. Attendees recognized this and one person even said, “You guys are doing a pop-up coffee shop in a place with no drainage or water - you all are champions.” Problems are bound to emerge, but the amazing thing about Compass is that we have a team of problem-solvers who can roll with any punches and make the process run as steadily as possible. We know how to mitigate problems before they arise but also deal with them in a collected and efficient manner when they come about. We know our craft well enough to keep the show going without missing a beat.
Throughout the morning of the event, our nitro cold brew tap was not functioning as it typically does. On a 97-degree day, nitro cold brew was easily the most-requested drink so this was unfortunate. We had to send someone out to track down new kegs and in the meantime performed a two-cup filtration trick that mitigated the extra foam in order to keep serving them in true Compass fashion. There’s something so rewarding about figuring it out, adapting on the fly, and still providing attendees with a delicious coffee they weren’t expecting.
More Than Just Coffee
People came to the Summit to network and connect, but the coffee is what made them stay. Coffee builds community through the connections that it creates and has a magical quality of making every interaction more enjoyable. One customer stated, “Thank you so much for being here, you have no idea how much this changes the day for me. They normally have bad drip coffee at conferences so I know I’m going to enjoy myself a lot more today.” I loved seeing coffee-lovers come back repeatedly, some sticking to their tried-and-true latte, others exploring something new from our menu. There was an undeniably caffeinated energy in the air. Although it was a bit chaotic, it’s so fun to be serving a near-constant flow of drinks all day long. There’s never a boring moment and what’s not to love about that? It was amazing to chat with new people about Compass while handing them drinks they truly enjoyed. They were truly interested in what Compass is as a brand and our expansive involvement in the DC area. As much as I love working in our storefronts, there was something extra special about seeing people all around the Summit smiling with Compass-branded cups in their hands.
Let us handle the coffee
The best part about our events? We can do it all. Our team is ready to show up anywhere and bring the Compass Coffee experience with us. We’ve proven that time and time again, whether setting up a pop-up shop in the middle of the Bitcoin Policy Summit or catering for high-profile events like the Atlantic Ideas Festival. We’ve even had the privilege of serving our coffee at the White House itself, which was one of those pinch-me experiences that Compass will never forget. These opportunities prove just how versatile our team is and how committed we are to providing Real Good Coffee wherever people gather.
But we don’t just come to you- sometimes, you come to us. We regularly host incredible events at our roastery and distribution center in Ivy City. This space is something we are so proud of because it allows us to combine an unforgettable venue with the best coffee service in town. Whether it’s a networking happy hour, a corporate event or a private celebration, our roastery transforms into the perfect setting. And, of course, we bring the same level of expertise and hospitality to those events that we do on the road.
So if you’re planning an event, whether you want us to roll up with everything you need right on-site or you need a unique event space with world-class coffee service included, leave it up to us. We handle every detail, from the brewing equipment to the cups in your guests’ hands, so your event goes off without a hitch. We do these events because it’s in our DNA to serve people, to make them feel seen, and to make them feel cared for through an excellent cup of coffee. When you see a Compass-branded cup in the crowd, you know something good is happening. We’d love to be part of your next gathering, wherever it takes place. Until then, cheers. ☕️
Contact hello@compasscoffee.com for your next event!
