The International Cafe and Beverage Show (ICBS) returns for its largest edition yet at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 7-9, 2026, offering brands and suppliers a platform to capture their share on Southeast Asia’s fastest growing cafe and beverage markets.
With cafe entrepreneurship surging, coupled with the emergence of Malaysia’s ready-to-drink tea market as a major growth segment, consumer appetite for premium beverages reaching new heights, and a maturing ecosystem of roasters, distributors and equipment suppliers, ICBS 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for businesses ready to scale operations, launch new products or establish their regional presence.
This year’s fifth edition is organised by Montgomery Asia, along with educational partner Barista Guild Asia, mixology partner Eciatto and strategic tea partner HJC Global Tea Fair.
Montgomery Asia project director Alun Jones said ICBS has proven to be a platform where exhibitors bring innovation and buyers arrive with intent, resulting in genuine business transactions.
“What we’ve seen year after year is that the conversations on our show floor translate directly into purchase orders, distribution agreements and long-term partnerships that reshape how brands grow in this region.
“In 2026, together with our partners, Barista Guild Asia, Eciatto and now HJC Global Tea Fair, we’re doubling down on that commercial focus with a stronger international presence and more targeted matchmaking across both coffee and tea, because we know this is where Southeast Asia’s cafe and beverage market is placing its serious focus,” he said.
The commercial impact of ICBS has been demonstrated consistently across previous editions, with over 2,000 cafe owners and 900 baristas attending ICBS 2025 in April last year. Exhibitors reported that 50% closed sales orders onsite, while 91% gained quality business leads.
The 2025 edition saw over 60% of exhibitors confirmed their participation for 2026 before the show concluded, a clear signal of confidence in the platform’s ability to deliver tangible business outcomes.
ICBS 2026 edition is positioned to be the strongest yet, introducing a dedicated tea segment for the first time. It will feature a focused zone for tea suppliers, speciality tea products and tea-focused equipment, responding to the rapid growth of Malaysia’s ready-to-drink tea market which is projected to increase by USD 67.8 million with a CAGR of approximately 6.4% from 2025 to 2030.
To bring international credibility and depth to this new segment, ICBS 2026 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 some of China’s leading tea companies and suppliers, creating a bridge between China’s rich tea heritage and Southeast Asia’s growing demand.
HJC Global Tea Fair international department director Kate Ba said they are delighted to be venturing into the ASEAN market and see Malaysia as the preferred choice for exhibitors due to its well-documented growing tea demand.
Alun Jones also emphasised that the tea segment represents one of the most exciting additions to the show’s evolution.
“Partnering with HJC Global Tea Fair allows us to bring world-class tea expertise and suppliers directly to Southeast Asian buyers who are actively building their beverage portfolios. For tea suppliers, equipment manufacturers and distributors, this is the moment to establish your presence in a market that’s accelerating rapidly,” he said.
ICBS 2026 will also feature an enhanced programme including live brewing sessions, mixology showcases, product demonstrations and expert-led presentations. National-level barista championships and halal-friendly mixology competitions will return as signature attractions, elevating the calibre and reach of these showcases.
For more information, visit https://intl-cbs.com/.
