Melbourne Coffee Expo adds MICE at Night
The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) – hosted by Prime Creative Media – has long been the beating heart of Australia’s coffee industry. This year will see the latest evolution of the event with MICE at Night.
Taking place from 26-28 March 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, MICE brings together café owners, baristas, roasters, suppliers and innovators from across the country and beyond.
A natural extension of the event, MICE at Night has been designed to better serve the people who power the industry every day.
For those that rarely get a day off
For many café owners, operators and baristas, attending industry events during standard business hours has always been a challenge – but MICE at Night will change that.
Taking place on Day 2 of MICE (Friday 28 March 2026), the initiative will extend the show hours into the evening to enable more coffee professionals to attend after service, connect with peers, network with industry suppliers, do business, participate in educational discussion, and experience the best of the expo – at night.
How MICE at Night will work
On Friday, the Melbourne International Coffee Expo will adjust its schedule to accommodate the new evening experience.
- The expo will open at 11am (instead of 10am), with the Global Coffee Report (GCR) Symposium running in the morning. For tickets, click here.
- MICE at Night will take place from 4pm to 7:30pm
- Extended conference program specifically designed for café owners
Rather than a separate ticketed event, MICE at Night is a continuation of the expo, shifting the energy from daytime discovery to evening connection.
MICE at Night will also offer a special after 4pm entry ticket ($29.95).
Curated education for café owners
Education remains a cornerstone of MICE, and in 2026 the Café Owners Education Series on the BeanScene Stage will also be extended as part of the Day 2 program.
Three timely and thought-provoking panels will be available to attendees:
4.30pm to 5.15pm How to establish your first café and be profitable
Want to start your first café but don’t know where to begin? Thinking about being an independent operator or joining a franchise? What finances do I need? How do I build a network of contacts to get the right suppliers? This panel will discuss all the things you need to do to prepare for your first café venture and come out thriving.
Speakers include:
- Eddie Cho, Coffee Director/Owner, The Hideout Specialty
- Junnie Phyu, Director, Cafe and Coffee Training
- John Harte, National President, Restaurant & Catering Association of Australia
- Tim Noye, Founder, Clever Cafe
5.30pm to 6.15pm Longevity in the café market
What does it take to become a brand icon rather than a one-hit wonder? Is growth essential for longevity, or can smaller operators thrive long-term with the right foundations? This panel explores the non-negotiables of building a resilient café business – from navigating market shifts to overcoming inevitable challenges along the way.
Speakers include:
- Yuri Angele, CEO & Owner, Brunetti Oro
- Bridget Amor, Co-Owner, Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters & Brother Baba Budan
- Paris Nassif, Co-Owner, Martha Cafe
6.30pm to 7.15pm Has the art of customer service disappeared?
Australia’s coffee and food standards are world-class – but how are we really performing when it comes to hospitality? This panel examines how customer service has evolved, whether expectations have shifted, and the role service still plays in a café’s commercial success.
Speakers include:
- James Hennebry, CEO, Rosslyn Coffee
- Chris Tate, Operations Manager, Pablo & Rusty’s Coffee Roasters
- George Skell, Café Manager, Kuranga Native Nursery Paperbark Café
Prime Creative Media is proud to host MICE as it continues to evolve alongside Australia’s coffee culture.
For more information about MICE and to secure your tickets, head to www.internationalcoffeeexpo.com