The International Café & Beverage Show (ICBS) 2023, the premier showcase of artisan food, beverages, and café products, concluded with resounding success at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The three-day event, organized by Montgomery Asia in collaboration with the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA), surpassed all expectations, solidifying its position as the leading platform for industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts.
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ICBS 2023, which ran from May 25th to 27th, witnessed major growth, with a staggering 90% increase in the floor space taken up by exhibitors. More than 250 brands from seven countries came together, showcasing their exceptional products, services, and equipment to an enthusiastic audience. The exhibition hall was filled with captivating displays, engaging workshops, and interactive experiences, reflecting the diverse and thriving café culture in Malaysia.
The show attracted a record-breaking number of visitors, with an extraordinary 80% increase over the three-day period. Easily surpassing the projected figure of 8,000 attendees, ICBS 2023 became a must-visit destination for coffee aficionados and food enthusiasts. The overwhelming response reaffirms the growing interest and appreciation for specialty coffee, café lifestyles, and the broader beverage industry in the country.
Christopher McCuin, Managing Director of Montgomery Asia, expressed happiness at the excellent performance of the event. He stated, “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of ICBS 2023. A massive increase in participating companies and almost 11,000 visitors (an 80% 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, the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association, for their exceptional contribution, especially with the enthralling finale of the Malaysian National Coffee Championships. We can’t wait for an even bigger better ICBS in 2024”.
In conjunction with ICBS 2023, the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association hosted the highly anticipated 8th edition of the Malaysia National Coffee Championships (MNCC). The competition showcased the extraordinary skills of baristas in three categories, captivating the audience with their exquisite creations and showcasing the immense talent within the local coffee community. After an exciting and highly competitive competition, the judges announced the following winning baristas in three categories:
Gigi Coffee Malaysia Barista Championship 2024:
- Champion: Surender Kumar (Round)
- 1st Runner Up: Tan Shing Win
- 2nd Runner Up: Sam Tan Sze Yuin (Discover Coffee)
Gigi Coffee Malaysia Latte Art Championship 2023:
- Champion: Ryan Liew (103 Coffee)
- 1st Runner Up: Nicky Voon (103 Coffee)
- 2nd Runner Up: Jacky Chang Wee Jiet (Hani Eatery)
Falcon Coffees Malaysia Brewers Cup 2023:
- Champion: Liew Kar Weng (The Hub Coffee Roaster)
- 1st Runner Up: Aaron Low (Dou Dou Bake)
- 2nd Runner Up: Dennis Cheah (Tongue Mission)
The newly crowned ‘national champion’ baristas will go on to represent Malaysia at the World of Coffee Championships (WCC) 2024. Previous Malaysian winners have successfully won gold and silver medals on the world stage, despite Malaysia’s relatively short history of competing internationally. These talented Malaysian baristas will get the opportunity to showcase their skills and passion on a global platform, further elevating Malaysia’s position in the world of specialty coffee. It is hoped that their exceptional talent will be rewarded with additional success at the World of Coffee Championships 2024.
As a testament to the exhibition’s exponential growth, the next edition, ICBS 2024, has already re-booked over 65% of its exhibitors, most of whom plan to take a larger space than this year. Anticipating the continued success and increasing demand, ICBS 2024 will relocate to larger halls at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This expansion will accommodate the growing number of companies eager to be part of the vibrant atmosphere and seize the unparalleled opportunities that ICBS offers.
Looking ahead, ICBS 2024 promises to be even more extraordinary. In response to evolving market trends, the organisers are excited to introduce the Food2 Go section, reflecting the rising prominence of F&B delivery services and takeaway innovations. With the exhibition’s ever-expanding scope, ICBS 2024 will provide an international platform for café owners, managers, suppliers, and industry professionals to network, source high-quality products, and explore innovative concepts.
ICBS has now firmly established itself as the flagship event for the café and beverage industry in the region. The exceptional growth, enthusiastic exhibitor participation, and record-breaking visitor numbers have created tremendous anticipation for ICBS 2024 which will allow café professionals and the coffee/café loving community to engage with industry experts and learn more about the vibrant world of specialty coffee, café culture, as well as food and beverage innovation.
For more information and updates on ICBS 2024, please visit the official website at www.intl-cbs.com
Source: ICBS 2023
