Montgomery's artisan F&B and café showcase hits record levels in Malaysia

The International Café and Beverages Show (ICBS) 2024, the premier showcase of artisan food, beverages, and café products, drew 15,703 visitors to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, organiser Montgomery Asia reports.

The three-day event “surpassed expectations” Montgomery said of the show, which ran 23-25 May and increased its floor space by 60% compared to its 2023 edition.

The exhibition hall reflected Malaysia's thriving café culture. The Singapore, Taiwan, and China Country Pavilions, as well as the Japan and Vietnam Roasters Pavilions, were all popular with the attendees, providing Malaysian businesses with an opportunity to connect with regional suppliers.

Over the three days of the show, 1,200 baristas and 2,000 café owners participated and explored a range of opportunities to improve their skills and the offerings to their café patrons.

Christopher McCuin, Managing Director of Montgomery Asia, said, “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of ICBS 2024. A massive increase in participating companies and 44% year-on-year visitor growth speaks volumes about the tremendous potential of this exhibition and the fast growth of the café and F&B industries here in Malaysia. We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners and sponsors for their exceptional contribution, especially the support of Malaysian government agencies, including the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).”

The Malaysian National Coffee Championship (MNCC), hosted by the Malaysia Speciality Coffee Association (MSCA), returned to ICBS for the third time.

ICBS also hosted the inaugural Bakin’Love ‘Next Top Baker’ final face-offs.

McCuin also announced that the organisers would be introducing new products and events alongside the ICBS to enhance the experience for exhibitors, delegates, and visitors from the region. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 85% of this year’s exhibitors rebooking and pre-booking their space for 2025 before the 2024 show had even concluded. As a result, we are excited to share that we will expand our floor size by 50% for ICBS 2025, promising an even more vibrant and engaging event,” added McCuin.

For more information about ICBS 2025 visit: https://intl-cbs.com/.