Thursday, December 14, 2023
The International Café & Beverage Show (ICBS) 2024, the premier event showcasing artisan food, beverages, and café products, will make its return to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 23 to May 25, 2024.
Following the resounding success of last year’s event, the organizers, Montgomery Asia, have expanded the 2024 edition. They have secured larger halls, providing an additional 60% exhibition space for participating companies. Given the high level of interest, organizers urge potential exhibitors to register promptly to secure their spots. Notably, ICBS has received official endorsement from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), enabling MATRADE registered companies to apply for the Market Development Grant (MDG) as exhibitors at ICBS.
In 2023, ICBS welcomed 250 brands from seven countries. Anticipating significant growth, the organizers project an impressive increase to over 450 brands represented by 160 exhibitors in ICBS 2024. The event’s international appeal is on the rise, with a confirmed Pavilion for multiple Singaporean businesses and anticipated dedicated Thai and Taiwanese Pavilions, along with strong interest from companies in various other countries. Individual café and coffee industry suppliers from South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand have already secured their spots.
This year’s three-day show is expected to draw over 12,000 visitors. The first two days will cater to trade visitors, while the final day will be open to both trade and general visitors.
The exhibition focuses on specialty coffee, beverages, F&B products, café lifestyle, café furniture, design, and technology. It will also host the annual semi-finals and finals of the Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC), organized by the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA). Attendees can witness aspiring Malaysian baristas competing in the Malaysia Barista Championship, Malaysia Brewers Cup, and Latte Art Championship. The winning baristas will have the opportunity to compete at the 2024 World of Coffee Championships. In fact, the Malaysian Latte Art champion crowned at ICBS in 2023 achieved an impressive 4th place at the recent World Coffee Championship in Taipei, highlighting Malaysia’s growing presence and expertise in the global café and coffee culture.
The MNCC is sponsored by companies like Starbucks, Dutch Lady Professional, Boncafé, Anfim Milano by Boncafé, Torani by Boncafé, Milklab by Boncafé, Victoria Arduino by Dankoff Coffee Specialist, Cafetto by Dankoff Coffee Specialist, Marco Beverage Systems by Dankoff Coffee Specialist, Mazzer by Classic Fine Foods, Brita by Forest Cloud Beverage Company, Timemore, DC Academy, Monin by Dankoff Coffee Specialist, and FLOW Dripper by Hario x Tri-Up Coffee.
The ‘Roasters Pavilion’ is making a return in ICBS 2024, providing smaller coffee roasters with a cost-effective opportunity to showcase their unique coffee flavors. Due to its popularity in 2023, the pavilion has been expanded by 50% for the 2024 show, although demand from participating roasters is already high.
ICBS is also enhancing its educational and knowledge-sharing content this year by partnering with the Barista Guild Asia to deliver skills-based barista training and conference content. Exhibitors can take advantage of the ICBS Café Talk Zone, which will return in 2024 with an expanded program.
Christopher McCuin, Managing Director of Montgomery Asia, expressed his delight with the response to ICBS 2023 and highlighted the show’s year-on-year growth as a testament to its potential and the rapid expansion of the café and F&B industries in Malaysia.
Kelvin Ngow Wai Hng, President of the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA), emphasized ICBS as a platform to support Malaysia’s coffee and café industry’s growth and announced the participation of MNCC finals, providing a platform for young baristas to showcase their talent and creativity.
Key supporting partners for ICBS 2024 include the ASEAN Coffee Federation, Barista Guild Asia, Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters and Industries, Barista Association of Thailand, Hotel & Restaurant Association of the Philippines, Philippine Coffee Board, Lao Coffee Association, Myanmar Coffee Association, Singapore Coffee Association, Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia, Thai Coffee Association, and Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association.
In conclusion, McCuin thanked the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) for their support for ICBS 2024, emphasizing their crucial role in organizing the event. ICBS 2024 will be held in Halls 1 & 2 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with the first two days (May 23rd and 24th) dedicated to trade and industry visitors from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The third and final day (Saturday, May 25th) will be open to both industry visitors and the public, offering the opportunity to savor delightful coffee aromas, explore products, and enjoy the finals of the Malaysian National Coffee Championships.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
