The International Café & Beverage Show (ICBS) 2023, a showcase of artisan food, beverage and café products, returns to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, 25-27 May 2023. Organisers Montgomery Asia expect this year’s three-day show to attract 8,000 visitors and more than 500 brands exhibiting from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, The Netherlands and Italy. They say the decision to return with the show follows on the from the success of the inaugural edition last year.
In addition to the exhibition, which is focused on specialty coffee, drinks, F&B products and café lifestyle, as well as furniture, design and technology related to café operations, the organisers have teamed up with the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA) to host the semi-finals and finals of the 8th edition of the Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC). The ‘national champion’ baristas will go on to represent Malaysia at the World of Coffee Championships (WCC) 2024.
Christopher McCuin, Montgomery Asia MD, said: “We were so happy with how ICBS 2022 turned out, recording over 6,000 visitors from 35 countries. The feedback from exhibitors was very positive, with 98% looking to return in 2023… The demand for in-person events is very high post Covid-19. Many people are positively enthusiastic about meeting face-to-face again and that trend looks to continue this year.”
Echoing McCuin’s comments, Kelvin Ngow Wai Hng, president of the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA), said: “MSCA is excited to be a part of this show again as a strategic partner. ICBS provides the perfect platform to help Malaysia’s coffee and café industry grow.”
Returning to ICBS 2023 is the ‘Roasters Pavilion’, designed to provide a cost-effective way for many smaller Malaysian coffee roasters to showcase their products.
ICBS 2023 will also have a Singapore Pavilion consisting of 10 companies and will play host to the ASEAN Coffee Federation Board Meeting. This mini-event is expected to welcome delegates from Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines and Australia.
McCuin added his thanks to the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Professional Culinaire Association and Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) for support for the show. “As we get closer to ICBS 2023 our excitement grows to once again welcome all elements of the Malaysian and regional café and coffee industry, as well as coffee enthusiasts.”
The show is being held in Halls 4 & 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with trade and industry visitors the focus of the first two days. The final day will be open to the public. Visit: www.intl-cbs.com for details and updates.
