Columbia Sportswear x Intentional Espresso | Branded Coffee Catering in Portland

Randy Matheny
Nov 11
2 min read

Coffee cart catering at Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store. Customer getting a latte printed from the barista. Mannequins with coats on in the background.

How Columbia Sportswear Turned Coffee Catering In Portland into a Brand Experience

When Columbia Sportswear’s Employee Store decided to enhance its customer experience, they didn’t just add another perk — they created a full sensory brand moment with a coffee catering service.

Partnering with Intentional Espresso, Columbia transformed coffee into a creative marketing tool that connected their guests to the spirit of the brand — adventure, craftsmanship, and Oregon pride.

A Fresh Take on Brand Experience Marketing

Under the leadership of Megan from Columbia’s marketing team, the Employee Store has reimagined what in-store activations can look like.

Instead of focusing solely on sales, they’ve begun curating immersive brand experiences — events that make guests feel like part of Columbia’s story.

From AAA Member Appreciation Days to collaborations with the Portland Zoo, these activations celebrate community, creativity, and connection.

And at the center of it all? A cup of coffee — branded, intentional, and unforgettable.

Turning Coffee Into Strategy

For this event, guests were welcomed by two fully branded espresso carts featuring the Columbia logo and its partner brands — Sorel, Prana, and Mountain Hardwear.

Each latte was custom-printed using Intentional Espresso’s latte printer, turning a simple cup into a shareable moment of brand storytelling.

It’s hospitality that doubles as marketing — because when someone takes a photo of their coffee and tags your brand, that’s organic visibility you can’t buy.

Why It Works: Coffee as Experiential Marketing

Intentional Espresso helps brands turn Portland coffee catering into a marketing strategy that’s as effective as it is enjoyable.

When done right, coffee becomes:

A first touchpoint for guests
A conversation starter for the brand
A moment of delight that drives retention and sharing

By aligning coffee design, cart branding, and guest experience, we help companies tell their story through something familiar — and elevate it into something extraordinary.

A Partnership Rooted in Creativity

Collaborating with the Columbia team has been a true privilege. Their vision for customer experience marketing is setting a new bar for what retail engagement can look like — one that’s both community-driven and brand-led.

When brands like Columbia think intentionally about every guest interaction, they remind us that hospitality isn’t separate from marketing — it is marketing.