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Melbourne International Coffee Expo is responding to the coffee industry’s appetite for education with a packed schedule of knowledge-sharing panel discussions.
The nature of the coffee supply chain means collaboration is often a key to success. Knowledge sharing is essential to the growth of the industry, whether it be research into the plant itself, tracking consumer trends, navigating market challenges, or developing game-changing technology.
International tradeshows have become a hub of education, where industry players come together to share what they’ve learnt, glean information from leaders and innovators, and discuss topics with their peers. They’re not only an opportunity to do business but also to build better businesses.
Aware of this appetite for knowledge, Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) is expanding its educational content for its 2025 event, which takes place from 20 to 22 March in Australia. In addition to activations across the tradeshow, a three-day schedule of panel discussions will tackle the industry’s biggest topics and challenges.
“We’re embedded in the international coffee community and what’s clear is there’s a huge desire for educational content right now,” says Lauren Chartres, MICE Show Director.
“People not only want to learn from their peers but also from other players in the supply chain. Industry insights, practical advice, and successful case studies are invaluable for the business owners and decision makers who convene in Melbourne for MICE.”
Following the success of the Café Owners Education Series and Global Coffee Report Breakfast Symposium at the 2024 tradeshow, both panel discussion events will return in 2025 with extended programs. While the Café Owners Education Series is designed to explore content that will benefit café owners and managers, the ticketed Global Coffee Report Breakfast Symposium has an international angle and investigates themes across the supply chain.
“Last year, all the Global Coffee Report Breakfast Symposium sessions sold out before the event. There’s a huge appetite for these knowledge sharing events and we want to deliver even more value to the coffee professionals from across the world who convene at MICE,” says Chartres.
The 2025 program of discussions will cover a wide range of relevant and timely industry topics. From thriving international markets and coffee pricing volatility to how businesses can prepare for turbulent times, thought leaders and experienced professionals from across the industry will share their thoughts and advice.
The hand-picked panellists will represent a range of businesses, positions, and links in the supply chain to give attendees a balanced representation of each issue. After the main discussion, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions relevant to their own businesses.
“These Q&A sessions are extremely valuable for attendees as they can get real-world and relevant advice for their businesses,” says Chartres.
“There’s usually also some lively debate, which demonstrates the engagement of the attendees and how important the topics are. There are lots of discussions online about the trends and challenges the industry is experiencing, but it’s rare to have so many experts in one room to discuss the issue in real time and get instant, constructive feedback.”
Mike Brabant, CEO of Single O coffee roasters in Sydney, Australia, was a panellist in 2024 and explored the recipe for expansion success with other business leaders. He says these collaborative, educational sessions are essential to a healthy coffee community.
“We have limited moments to get together as an industry, so when we do we need to make it count. These panels provide that platform to discuss challenges and opportunities in our industry to learn and collaborate,” he says.
“Speaking on Single O’s expansion into Japan was a highlight at MICE2024. The audience was highly engaged and it was a good moment to talk through our story, learnings, and pitfalls in an honest environment. I’m hoping a few people got something out of it.”
Brabant believes the recent uptake for educational content is driven by the industry’s constant evolution.
“We are at a unique time where there is innovation across the entire supply chain. For example, innovation in processing at origin, ever-changing automation in cafés, and the explosion of signature and alternative coffee beverages and ways to deliver specialty coffee,” he says.
“Education offers the ability for more people to learn and then take it back to their businesses. Ultimately, that serves our industry as we find more ways to bring more specialty coffee drinkers to the party through new methods, products, and approaches.”
The panel discussions are just one element of the tradeshow held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Across the three-day event, exhibitors from across the industry will also be hosting their own educational and interactive activations – from cupping sessions to professional tutorials.
“Each year, our exhibitors step up their presence at the tradeshow and put on an incredible line-up of events. They know engagement is the key to success and that people in the coffee industry are always eager to get stuck in,” says Chartres.
One of the main draws of MICE is having the international coffee industry under one roof to share their products, services, and knowledge. Over the years, the tradeshow has become the place to do business. To reflect this, organisers have introduced the Melbourne Coffee Festival and Espresso Bar.
The new addition is a space for attendees and exhibitors to relax, have a coffee, and talk business.
“We wanted to introduce an interactive space where people can gather to network or simply chill out. In the mornings, there’ll be an espresso bar fuelling conversation, while in the afternoons there’ll be DJs and drinks to create a social atmosphere,” says Chartres.
“There are a few last-minute exhibition spaces left for businesses that want to showcase their products and services on the world stage. For those who just want to visit, entry tickets are available to purchase online – as are tickets for the Global Coffee Report Breakfast Symposium.”
For more information on MICE and to buy tickets, visit the website.
This article was first published in the January/February 2025 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more HERE.
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