Southeast Asia's Largest Gathering of the Tea, Coffee and Bakery Industries

Southeast Asia’s Largest Gathering of

·   the Tea, Coffee and Bakery Industries

·   artisan baristas and latte artists at Café Asia

·   bakers at Sweets and Bakes Asia

·   5 national level baristas and bakers championships

·   Café Owners Alliance

March 3, 2016, Singapore: Singapore takes center stage as the host for Café Asia 2016, International Coffee & Tea Industry Expo 2016(ICT Expo 2016) and Sweets & Bakes Asia 2016. The concurrent shows will gather more than 140 exhibitors from 20 countries from all around the world including Brazil, Costa Rica and Kenya. The show spans 5,000 square metres and is the largest gathering in this region of players from the tea, coffee and bakery industries. The showcase of the industries is also an important venue for businesses seeking franchising opportunities and also to represent new products in this region.

The coffee industry in Singapore and the region, is witnessing a demand for the production of high-quality coffee where coffee is regarded as an artisanal foodstuff like wine, and not just a commodity. In tandem with the heightened culinary appreciation of coffee, improvements are required at all stages of production, from coffee plant growing to harvesting, processing to higher quality and fresh roasting. The industry also recognises the importance of fostering stronger relationships between coffee growers, traders and roasters.

Similarly, the demand for baked and pastry goods is being driven by changing lifestyles here and globally, fuelling market expansion.  Apart from citing convenience, affordability and health benefits of baked goods products, consumers have an increasing appetite for healthier fortified baked products.

Café Asia 2016 has established itself as Southeast Asia’s trade and consumer event dedicated to the region’s café and teahouse communities. It brings together café and teashop owners, managers, importers, exporters, distributors and suppliers of machinery, equipment, and raw materials. It is a dynamic B2B platform for the sourcing and buying needs of key decision makers and for them to explore new opportunities for collaboration and distribution of new products.

Concurrently, ICT Expo 2016 serves as a springboard for local and international industry players to tap into Asia’s huge market potential, and for them to gain in-depth insight of the latest market trends and developments. The platform also offers them opportunities to raise brand awareness and to forge strategic business contacts among key suppliers, industry buyers and exhibitors.

The third edition of Sweets & Bakes Asia showcases a range of products and services for the baking and confectionery industries’ supply chain, from machinery to equipment, to ingredients and packaging. It serves as a one-stop hub for baking and confectionery industry professionals to source for suppliers and vendors, to explore business opportunities, as well as to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and developments in the industry.

The shows were launched this morning by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Assistant Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress. The shows, open to trade visitors on March 3 and 4 and to the public on March 5, boast of a comprehensive programme on everything coffee, tea and bakery including exclusive workshops, classes, and demonstrations of the latest technologies, trends and techniques. There will be various tasting sessions that are nothing short of a feast for the senses. The brew bars provide the ideal opportunity for coffee lovers and visitors to sample coffee brewed by the various coffee companies at the show.

Among the many highlights of the event include witnessing the crème de la crème of brewers and latte artists battle it out for four coveted national titles, the Singapore National Barista Championship 2016, the Singapore National Latte Art Championship 2016, the Singapore National Brewers Cup 2016 and the Singapore National Cup Tasters Championship 2016 organised by the Singapore Coffee Association and sanctioned by World Coffee Events to run WCE competitions. The champions will represent Singapore on the world stage of the respective world championships

Visitors to the shows will also see the creations by participants of the Singapore Bakery & Confectionery Championship 2016. Organised by the Singapore Bakery & Confectionery Trade Association (SBCTA), the competition seeks to give recognition to baking talents and encourage creativity and innovation among Singapore’s professional and student bakers.  Through this championship, SBCTA hopes to increase awareness of the endless creativity and varieties of bakery products for consumers to enjoy. 

Café Asia 2016, ICT 2016 and Sweets and Bakes 2016, organized by Conference and Exhibitions Management Services (CEMS) are expected to attract some 10,000 visitors. Café Asia 2016 and the International Coffee & Tea Expo 2016 are hosted by Singapore Coffee Association and Sweets & Bakes Asia 2016 is hosted by Singapore Bakery and Confectionery Trade Association.

Photos credit to CEMS Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte Ltd

About CEMS Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte Ltd

Established in 1980, CEMS is a regional organizer with a global perspective. A key player in the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) industry in Singapore, CEMS has vast knowledge and experience in organizing and managing exhibitions, conferences and other special events for government agencies, associations and private enterprises, with business activities spanning across many countries in ASEAN including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines, China in North Asia, and India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan in the South Asia. In October 1997, CEMS achieved the distinction of being the first professional conference and exhibition organiser in Singapore to obtain the ISO 9002 certification. For the past decade, CEMS has formed strategic partnerships with both local and international players to achieve mutually desirable goals in the MICE industry