From the freshly brewed espresso at Jack’s Café to the world-class coffee brands with showrooms at our venue, the BDC is always abuzz with great coffee culture.
This September, the buzz reaches a whole new level with the return of the epic Caffè Culture Show, the UK’s leading trade event for the speciality coffee and café scene. Over two days, coffee pros and café industry leaders from across the country come together to sip, savour, and brew up new ideas.
To get you in the mood for the event, taking place from 30th September to 1st October, we’re highlighting some of the amazing coffee companies that call the BDC home, from pioneering espresso brands to the innovators behind world-leading coffee machines. Keep reading to find out more.
Located: Unit 204 & 315
First up, we have Illy, who are on a mission to delight coffee lovers with the very best beans the world has to offer. Operating in over 140 countries, they are known worldwide for their perfectly balanced espresso, velvety crema, and high-tech brewing machines, taking the art of coffee-making to a whole new level.
We spoke to Katie Colvin, UK Marketing Manager, about Illy’s journey at the BDC and what she loves most about having Illy’s showroom at our venue.
Their first showroom here opened 10 years ago as the UK base for their Università del Caffè, a ‘school of excellence’ where buyers, partners, and business groups can master the craft of brewing, get hands-on with their machines, and really experience what makes Illy unique.
Since then, Illy has expanded with a secondary office at the BDC to complement their Wolverhampton HQ.
“There’s a wide variety of events at the BDC, so no day is the same,” Katie says.
“The visibility from these events is great, as over the years we’ve had hundreds of people enquire about the brand and our product.”
One of the aspects Katie loves most about being at the BDC is the community spirit that comes from having such a diversity of businesses all under one roof.
“At the BDC we’re in and amongst customers,” says Katie.
Illy partners with our very own Jack’s Café, where we can attest to the quality of their coffee, and amazing event caterers, Good Eating Company.
Being based here at the BDC gives Illy the perfect hub to serve all kinds of companies, providing exceptional coffee to both our visitors and tenants.
Located: Unit 202
Behind every great cup of coffee is a great machine, and Evoca Group brings some of the best to the BDC. Home to iconic brands like Gaggia, Necta, and Saeco, they make sure the perfect brew is always within reach.
Their showroom at the BDC is bright, welcoming, and easy for customers to access, creating the perfect space to explore their machines and innovations.
We spoke with Andrew Barrow, Sales Director at Evoca, to learn more about the company.
“The access is fantastic, the welcome for all guests when they arrive is exceptional, and our showroom here has given us the commercial boost that we were hoping for,” says Andrew.
This year, Evoca’s Gaggia brand will be exhibiting at the Caffè Culture Show directly from their BDC showroom, Unit 202, so don’t miss the chance to see their latest coffee machines in action and discover all the exciting developments happening in the world of coffee.
You can read more about Evoca in our Tenant Feature.
With a rich history stretching back to 1864 in Glasgow, Matthew Algie brings more than just coffee to the BDC; they bring a coffee-making legacy.
Built on a foundation of industry-leading expertise, they offer one of the largest selections of coffee, coffee machines, café supplies, and expert barista training in the UK and Ireland.
They supply cafés and hospitality businesses across the country with absolutely everything they’ll need to run a successful coffee business.
Matthew Algie will also be exhibiting from their showroom (Unit 233) at the event, where you’ll be able to learn more about their Glasgow-based roastery and their excellent barista training school.
So, if you are in the café or coffee business, make sure to register for your free trade pass.
A Hub for the UK Coffee Industry
The Caffè Culture Show is more than just a trade event. It’s where the UK coffee industry comes together to connect, learn, and innovate. It brings together over 3,500 coffee professionals, everyone from green bean buyers and roasters to café owners and baristas and more, for two days of espresso-fuelled fun.
Attendees can explore the latest trends, sip a perfectly brewed cup, sample beans from around the world, and gain invaluable insights from a packed programme of talks and seminars.
For exhibitors, it’s an unmissable opportunity to build brand awareness, test new products, and engage with the passionate individuals driving the UK’s thriving coffee scene.
We can smell the rich aroma of coffee beans already!
So, if you’re ready to get stuck in on all things coffee, sign up for Caffè Culture’s trade pass.
Or if you are looking for your own showroom or office space to rent in Islington, then get in touch with our team. And if you’re craving a coffee fix of your own, read our guide on where to find the best coffee in Angel.
There are a number of very good reasons to visit the Caffè Culture show, including the opportunity to source the latest products, keep up to date with the latest industry trends and hear from an unparalleled line-up of international speakers, who are all leaders in their respective fields.
Over 150 leading brands will be showcasing their innovative products and services at the show alongside a full and engaging feature programme, which has been designed to educate and inform visitors from all areas of the coffee and wider hospitality industry.
The feature programme is free to all visitors and includes over 50 speakers within three theatres of talks, a cupping zone, two days of SCA barista competitions, workshops and taste challenges making a visit to the Caffè Culture show a must for those looking to improve their businesses.
Check out the Business Design Centre’s event page for an eclectic mix of events in an iconic space in the heart of London.
