Melbourne International Coffee Expo 2026 delivers expanded programme and debuts ‘MICE at Night’

MELBOURNE, March 31, 2026 — The Melbourne International Coffee Expo [MICE] returned took place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from March 26-28, 2026, bringing together the global coffee community for three days of innovation, education and industry connection.

Hosted by Australia’s Prime Creative Media, MICE—widely regarded as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier coffee industry event—welcomed thousands of café owners, roasters, baristas, producers and suppliers from across Australia and beyond.

The 2026 edition delivered its most ambitious programme yet, featuring expanded educational sessions, immersive origin experiences, and the launch of a new evening event, MICE at Night.

“Each year, MICE brings together the entire coffee industry, from producers and green bean traders through to roasters, baristas, café owners and equipment innovators,” said Siobhan Rocks, General Manager – Events at Prime Creative Media.

“MICE is where the industry comes together to share knowledge, discover new ideas and build the relationships that drive the coffee sector forward. We were incredibly excited about the new features and experiences introduced in 2026.”

The expo was supported by a range of industry sponsors and partners, including platinum sponsors Breville Group brands Breville, Baratza, Lelit and Beanz, alongside MILKLAB and La Marzocco.

Gold sponsors included Riverina Fresh, T2, Grounded Packaging and Venus Packaging, while noissue served as cup sponsor and FoodPEEPS as social media sponsor.

Association partners comprised the Australian Coffee Traders Association [ACTA], Restaurant & Catering Australia [R&CA], the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association [NZSCA], and the Australian Grown Coffee Association. Charity partner Café Smart and sustainability partner Reground also supported the event.

MICE at Night debuts
A major addition to the 2026 programme was MICE at Night, an extended show experience designed for café owners and hospitality professionals unable to attend during standard trading hours.

Visitors explored the exhibition floor, enjoyed Friday evening beverages and attended extended programming under the Café Owners Education Series, with panel discussions continuing into the evening.

The initiative provided a more social and accessible platform for industry players to connect after service.

Roasters Playground returns
The Roasters Playground returned as one of the most interactive features on the show floor.

Sponsored by La Marzocco and Riverina Fresh, it hosted 34 high-calibre roasters over three days, each showcasing their brews.

The feature served as a dynamic hub for tasting, discussion and direct engagement with some of Australia’s most innovative coffee companies.

Trip to Origin highlights producing nations
Another standout feature was Trip to Origin, an immersive showcase connecting attendees with producing countries and green coffee specialists.

Representatives from Brazil, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Nepal, India, Colombia, Peru and Guatemala presented their coffees through tastings, cuppings and educational sessions.

The showcase offered insights into farming practices, regional flavour profiles and the people behind the beans, strengthening the connection between origin and café.

Education and industry insights
Education remained central to the expo, with a packed schedule of presentations and panel discussions addressing key challenges and opportunities shaping the coffee industry.

The Café Owners Education Stage, sponsored by Grounded Packaging and powered by BeanScene magazine, focused on practical insights for café operators. Topics included profitability, pricing strategies, retail opportunities, beverage trends, customer experience and scaling businesses in a competitive market.

The programme also featured world champion baristas and industry experts sharing perspectives on the evolving café landscape.

“Education has always been a core part of MICE,” said Sarah Baker, Publisher at Prime Creative Media and MICE Education Moderator.

“The programme was designed to give café owners and coffee professionals practical insights they could take back to their businesses, while also opening up important conversations about where the industry is heading.”

MICE 2026 also hosted the Global Coffee Report Leaders Symposium on the morning of Friday 27 March, bringing together senior leaders from across the coffee supply chain for high-level discussions on the future of the industry.

The ticketed event explored topics including the expansion of specialty coffee into the wider hospitality sector, strategies for scaling coffee businesses, and global trends influencing the market.

A keynote address was delivered by Starbucks Australia CEO Braeden Lord, who reflected on the company’s past, present and future direction.

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