Over three days, the show is expected to feature 650 brands, alongside 1,000 baristas and 2,000 café owners, with an estimated 13,000 attendees from 55 countries.
As Malaysia’s only dedicated café and beverage trade show, ICBS has grown from a niche gathering into a key indicator of where the café culture in the country, and in the wider region, is heading.
Organised by Montgomery Asia in partnership with Barista Guild Asia, Eciatto and HJC Global Tea Fair, this year’s edition introduces several new elements that reflect evolving industry trends.
A standout addition is the show’s first dedicated tea segment, developed with HJC Global Tea Fair. The move underscores tea’s shift from a supporting role to a central feature in modern café menus across Malaysia and the region.
“ICBS has become a catalyst for Southeast Asia’s beverage economy,” said Alun Jones, project director of Montgomery Asia.
“It’s where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are formed and businesses find new pathways for growth. As we celebrate our fifth edition, the show is not just reflecting the industry, it is actively shaping it.”
He added that the beverage landscape has become more diverse and innovation-driven than ever before.
“Coffee continues to anchor café culture, but there is strong momentum in speciality tea, ready-to-drink beverages and mixology-inspired concepts. ICBS is designed to give industry players direct access to these emerging opportunities,” Jones said.
The timing reflects broader industry growth. Malaysia’s foodservice sector, valued at US$14.75 billion in 2025, is projected to reach US$27.50 billion by 2030.
Within that, demand for premium and functional beverages is accelerating. The ready-to-drink tea segment alone is expected to grow by US$32.4 million between 2025 and 2030.
These shifts point to changing consumer habits, from how Malaysians spend to how they socialise, with ICBS serving as a platform for the industry to respond.
On the competition front, the Malaysia Open Coffee Championship (MOCC) will feature 38 competitors across categories such as the Malaysia Open Brewers Cup, Latte Art Championship and Barista Championship.
Beyond technical skill, the event acts as a pipeline for emerging talent while raising standards within the barista community.
ICBS 2026 will also spotlight local creativity through the Unite Malaysian Taste Challenge, where mixologists craft story-driven mocktails inspired by the country’s diverse flavours.
The competition highlights how local ingredients can be reimagined into contemporary beverage experiences, giving café operators and producers a platform to showcase homegrown innovation.
“Malaysia’s café scene has matured considerably over the past decade, moving well beyond chain coffee into a landscape of independent cafés, speciality roasters and concept-driven spaces,” Jones said.
“ICBS sits at the centre of that ecosystem, not just as an exhibition, but as the place where the next ideas in Malaysian café culture tend to surface first.”
Entry to ICBS 2026 is free, with registration now open. Trade visitors are welcome to drop by from May 7-9, while the public can visit on May 9 to experience the latest in coffee, tea and beverage innovation.
For more information on ICBS 2026, exhibition opportunities, partnership enquiries, and visitor passes, click here.