Every year now I do a "personalities" article post, consisting mostly of pictures with my own reminiscences of the individuals photographed, and this year's no different. The best part of any SCAA show for me isn't the gear or the competitions, or even the awesome coffee. It's the people. Enjoy!

Beata from CG Beata is the News and Ads editor for CoffeeGeek, photographed on her way to Long Beach! Tom Owen The famous (and totally buff!) Tom Owen from Sweet Marias. Tom's a proud new papa! Matt, Rob and Alistair Matt Riddle from Intelligentsia getting together with Rob Goble and Alistair Durie from Elysian Coffee.

Crystal and Steve Crystal, from Ritual Coffee in San Fran, and Steve from Ecco Caffe. Steve's sailing on a ship. Eton from Groundwork Eton is texting someone or working out a calc about a mid-competition tweak to his espresso blend. Matt and Klaus The third and first best baristas... in the world! Matt Riddle and Klaus Thomsen.

Dan and M'lissa I want him to be DangerDan! :D The one and only Jay Caragay, full on at the Intelligentsia Party. Kyle Larson Working his practice session for the USBC.

Hamid! The guy behind Morala Trading in Ottawa. One of the industry's nicest. The Pete Full on game mode, right in the middle of competition. Finished second in the US! WutF? Andy from Barefoot having some personal time with the new La Marzocco grinder.

Lindsay The amazing Lindsay, from 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters. Awesome trainer. One day "Director of Coffee" I have no doubt. Vince Piccolo and Klaus Thomsen At the 49th Parallel booth. I just gotta say, Klaus is one of the nicest guys I know in this business. Serious talk Dr. Federico Fregnan of Elektra talking to the world famous Instaurator about the new Elektra grinder.

Jon Lewis Moments before going on the competition floor for his semi finals round. The Gray Fox That's all I'm going to call him from now on. Full on game mode as a head judge here. Battle Scars! Sandy Hon shows off her Barista Battle Scar. Ouch!

Jay and Brad Jay Caragay and Brad Ford, doing their best to put their LBC Gang Faces on. I wouldn't mess with Jay. Brad? I dunno about him. Anastasia Anastasia Chovin of Clover, full on doing what she does best - an honest sales person. Don't take it! I wanted to steal this gigantic Bodum Kenya press, but Steven stopped me, at the Dallis Coffee Booth.

Power! My new catchphrase when talking about people making a difference in coffee. Here's Doug Zell of Intelligentsia, and Jeff Taylor of PT's Coffee. WutF Redux Kyle Glanville signalling me. I'm so uncool, I haven't got a clue what he's doing. Defurious Chris Deferio working his signature drink in the finals.

Scottie! One of the superstar tech judges in the USBC and WBC. Ellie from Intelligentsia Ellie Matuzak Hudson (or is that Hudson Matuszak?), Intelliyite, Barista Trainer, Wholesaler, Teacher of Newbies, and SCAA Board Member. Matt! Matt Milletto of Belissimo getting his casual on at the Barista Party.

Paradise Miguel from Paradise Roasters, looking way too good. I don't like him much. Cuz he's beautiful. And a great roaster. And knows coffee. And paints. Bastard. :D Power! Redux Geoff Watts of Intelligentsia, and Rob Stephens, now ex president of the SCAA. I overheard Rob saying it was a tough year, and he is happy he pulled the org through it. Bronwen Bronwen Serna of Hines Coffee and many other ventures - 2004 USBC Champ!

Tells it all. Vince Piccolo, going "why me" to a machine that caused him a lot of problems at the show. He still pulled some of the show's best shots regardless. La Marzocco Man. Bill Crossland (this isn't him) says Jacob (that's him) is one of the best things at La Marzocco. The Cho Nick Cho, getting ready for his semi finals round to start.

Our Content Editor The only known photo of our Content Editor Cindy - this is her usual liquid lunch. LOL! Kidding! Maybe! Barista Matt There's a Macchiato Matt in Vancouver, and we used to have a Barista Matt too. But he's now in Toronto. Except for when he was in Long Beach for this photo. Power, V3 Well, she's a powerful influence in my life, and hey, Brad's working on it. If only his staff remembered who he was! (inside joke).

2nd Vice President Ric Rhinehart, newly elected 2nd Vice President of the SCAA. Terry Davis Terry was subdued (at least by my account) this show - I did see him working hardcore on sales at Ambex, but not much in the social circles. George Howell The one and only. One of the main reasons why *you*, the reader, enjoys some spectacular coffee today. He's one of the pioneers.

Brasil Man If you know quality Brasilian coffee, then you have to know Bruno. Randy Glass Altie, turned working a booth and doing a damned fine job at it. Dr. John and Matt Dr. John of Josuma Coffee, without a booth for once, with Matt Riddle.

Frank Dennis A rare sight - Frank at the Swiss Water Booth! Awesome guy. Barrett Jones #2 best Barista in Canada, working the 49th Parallel Coffee booth. Inny and BenB Two crazy Aussies. Inny's always blaming me for some shit or another. :D

Have you met Amber? Now you have. Since there's no Have you met Amber podcast this year, this picture should do. Billy Wilson The incomparable, one of a kind, Albina Press pouring Billy Wilson. Tatiana From Trabant Coffee in Seattle, Tatiana Becker sure stirred up controversy. I think she rocks. Maybe you'll think so too soon.

Vince and Lindsay Vince Piccolo and Lindsay - Vince's much happier now that things finally started to go smoothly with his first ever booth. Dan Kehn Dan tasting Jon Lewis' signature drink. Andrew Barnett Possibly the best sensory judge ever in the USBC . WBC. From Ecco Caffe.

Dismas! So, Dis hands me one of his practice shots. "What do you taste?" Hrmmm... I guess, dishwashing rag? Priceless! (all staged and taking the micky, folks!) Peter, the other Peter Peter Middlecamp, finalist in the USBC, came outta nowhere. Ted Lingle! I was going through my USBC winners' announcement photos, and spied Ted Lingle, former director of the SCAA, off to the side....

Ted Lingle Redux ... and here he is when Heather won. What I saw in these pics was something great. It just seemed like so much weight was off his shoulders, and he was genuinely enjoying this day. Awesome stuff. Heather Wins! Milliseconds after finding out she won, Heather Perry reacts. 2007 USBC Champion Heather Perry, of Coffee Klatch, San Dimas California, your 2007 USBC Champion.