MELBOURNE, Australia – On 7 February, the 2019 Melbourne International Coffee Expo will open its doors for the first time at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Taking place until 9 February, the largest coffee-dedicated trade show in the Southern Hemisphere will feature the latest espresso equipment, coffee brewing devices, exotic and expensive coffee beans, roasting equipment, and more.
The decision to relocate MICE to the central city location of MCEC was made after hosting the event for the past seven years at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
“This year, MICE is going to be huge,” Show Director Simon Coburn says. “MICE is already considered a world-class expo, but in 2019 we want to be acknowledged as the first must-attend event on the global coffee calendar.”
See the best in the business compete at the Australian Speciality Coffee Association 2019 Australian Coffee Championships, or taste the finest coffee available in Australia from the country’s best roasters and importers.
From the very beginning in 2012, MICE was created as Australia’s first and only coffee-dedicated trade show to connect buyers and sellers, and bring industry members together in the one space. With time, MICE has evolved into an important part of the Australian and world coffee community fabric.
“Before MICE, there wasn’t a bonafide coffee event for the Southern Hemisphere,” Simon says.
“MICE represents an opportunity to see the best industry exhibitors and competitors in a world-class setting. Attendance is excellent, the competitions are world class, and our community spirit is infectious.”
In 2018, MICE saw an attendee increase of 14.5 per cent on the year prior, with 11,043 visitors from 39 countries including Burundi, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Great Britain, India, Laos, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, Peru, Russia, South Africa, and United Arab Emirates.
Simon says plans are well underway to deliver a standout show, and one as memorable as the inaugural MICE event in 2012.
“MICE has become an anchor point for international guests to connect with new and existing Australian customers and do serious business,” he says.
“We warmly welcome the rest of the country and the world to join in the celebrations and the many opportunities that MICE presents.”
For more information on events and times, pick up a copy of the MICE2019 Showguide: A Coffee Lover’s Guidebook at the event, or cafés around Melbourne.
