Kuala Lumpur, 12 February 2026 — As Southeast Asia’s café sector experiences explosive growth, the International Café and Beverage Show (ICBS) returns for its fifth edition from 7-9 May 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, offering brands and suppliers a proven platform to capture their share of one of the region’s fastest-expanding 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, launch or establish their regional presence.
Organised by Montgomery Asia, along with Educational Partner Barista Guild Asia, Mixology Partner Eciatto, and Strategic Tea Partner HJC Global Tea Fair, the commercial impact of ICBS has been demonstrated consistently across previous editions, with over 2,000 café 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 – results that underscore the show’s effectiveness as a commercial platform. The 2025 edition saw over 60% of exhibitors confirm their participation for 2026 before leaving the show floor, a clear signal of confidence in the platform’s ability to deliver tangible business outcomes.
For brands seeking access to cafe owners, baristas, purchasing managers and regional distributors who arrive with budgets and buying authority, ICBS has established itself as the most efficient point of entry into Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian beverage economy.
According to Mr Alun Jones, Project Director of Montgomery Asia, the show 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 café and beverage market is placing its serious focus.”
The 2026 edition is positioned to be the strongest yet, expanding on the momentum that has shaped ICBS into the definitive barometer of café and beverage trends in the region. Each year, the show floor becomes the first stage for new product launches, equipment innovations and emerging consumption patterns that define the industry’s direction for the months ahead.
A significant milestone for the 2026 edition is the introduction of a dedicated tea segment, marking the first time ICBS will feature a focused zone for tea suppliers, speciality tea products and tea-focused equipment.
This expansion responds to the rapid growth of Malaysia’s ready-to-drink tea market, projected to increase by USD 67.8 million with a CAGR of approximately 6.4% from 2025 to 2030, driven by rising consumer demand for healthier, functional beverage options and the country’s diverse tea culture spanning traditional and modern blends.
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