The International Café and Beverage Show (ICBS) is set to return for its fifth edition from May 7 to 9, 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, positioning itself as a strategic gateway for brands aiming to capitalise on Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding café and beverage market.
Held at a time when café entrepreneurship across the region is accelerating and consumer demand for premium beverages continues to rise, ICBS 2026 is expected to attract businesses seeking to scale operations, introduce new products or establish a foothold in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN market.
The event is organised by Montgomery Asia, with Barista Guild Asia as Educational Partner, Eciatto as Mixology Partner and HJC Global Tea Fair as Strategic Tea Partner.
Project Director of Montgomery Asia, Alun Jones, said ICBS has consistently demonstrated its value as a commercially driven platform where innovation meets buyers with clear purchasing intent.
He noted that discussions initiated on the show floor have historically translated into sales orders, distribution deals and long-term partnerships that shape regional growth strategies.
The previous edition in April 2025 recorded strong participation, drawing more than 2,000 café owners and 900 baristas. Exhibitors reported that half of them secured sales during the event, while 91 per cent generated quality business leads.
More than 60 per cent of exhibitors also confirmed their return for 2026 before the show concluded, reflecting confidence in ICBS’ ability to deliver tangible business outcomes.
ICBS 2026 is expected to be its most comprehensive edition yet, marked by the introduction of a dedicated tea segment for the first time. The new zone will showcase tea suppliers, speciality tea products and tea-focused equipment, responding to the rapid expansion of Malaysia’s ready-to-drink tea market, which is projected to grow by about US$67.8 million between 2025 and 2030.
To strengthen the segment’s international profile, ICBS has partnered with HJC Global Tea Fair, organiser of the world’s largest tea exhibition in Shenzhen, China. HJC will curate a dedicated tea pavilion featuring leading Chinese tea companies, connecting China’s established tea heritage with Southeast Asia’s growing demand.
Director of International Department of HJC Global Tea Fair, Kate Ba, said Malaysia was chosen due to its strong and well-documented tea consumption trends, adding that ICBS provides an ideal platform focused on beverages.
Beyond exhibitions, ICBS 2026 will feature live brewing sessions, mixology showcases, product demonstrations and expert-led presentations. National-level barista championships and halal-friendly mixology competitions, organised with Barista Guild Asia and Eciatto, will also return as key attractions.
With exhibition space filling quickly, ICBS 2026 is expected to draw strong regional and international participation.
-NIAGATIMES
