EVENTS MICE2022
WELCOME BACK
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THE INTERNATIONAL COFFEE COMMUNITY WILL ONCE AGAIN DESCEND ON MELBOURNE AS THE CITY HOSTS THE WORLD COFFEE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2022.
here’s something inherently special about a World Barista Championship (WBC). It’s a symbol of unity for the international coffee community, of respect for a talented profession, and pure joy and excitement. When Pete Licata was crowned World Barista Champion in 2013 at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE), the grandstands rumbled with applause as the American outlasted local barista hopeful Matthew Perger. Cameras flashed as the world’s coffee media captured the moment in history, and thousands of online viewers across the globe streamed the results as Licata lifted his trophy high to the sky. For those who witnessed it first-hand, MICE2013 remains a memory they relive eight years on. Melbourne was set host its second WBC in 2020 until the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of international borders, ultimately restricting travel plans. MICE2021 was also forced to postpone due to continuing restrictions, however, the unfortunate announcement was overshadowed by far more welcome news: the return of the WBC to Melbourne in 2022. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for,” says MICE Show Director Lauren Winterbottom. “We’ve experienced two years of failed attempts to host our beloved international expo, but we are overjoyed to have secured the prestigious WBC at MICE2022, and the World Brewers Cup (WBrC) competition. The international coffee community has waited long enough to see these events back on our calendar, and we’re so excited that MICE will be the event that delivers this premium competition once again.” More than 60 national representatives will vie for the title of World Champion at MICE from 27 to 30 September 2022. Salvatore Malatesta, CEO of MICE Platinum Sponsor St Ali, says news of the WBC coming back to Melbourne is just what the hospitality industry needs as it recovers from the past 18 months. “This is a fantastic announcement and will be a great opportunity for our industry, both in Australia and from around the world to reconnect after COVID-19 and celebrate coffee and our people once again. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Melbourne,” says Malatesta. Long-time MICE exhibitor and supporting sponsor Cafetto says the return of the World Coffee Championships is a testament to the importance of the expo on the global stage. “This news is extremely exciting. Cafetto has been a major contributor to MICE since it began in 2012 and we’ve watched it evolve – first hosting the WBC and WBrC in its second year, and World Latte Art Championships in its third year. It really is an elite event,” says Cafetto Managing Director Christopher Short. “The other thing we’ve loved celebrating each MICE is our networking drinks on the first evening of the show. It’s become a trademark social event. It brings people together, and you can bet we’ll be holding it again in 2022.” Pioneering Australian specialty coffee roaster Toby’s Estate also places a tremendous amount
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of value in supporting and connecting the industry. General Manager Jody Leslie says now more than ever is the time to cement that support after a tough two years battling the impact of COVID-19. “Participating at MICE will be a longawaited opportunity to showcase what we’ve been up to over the past two years,” she says. “Having our borders open up will be a reawakening for the country and the coffee community. It will be great to host international guests and breathe life back into the coffee industry once again.” MICE has made a name for itself over the past nine years as an important place to connect the entire coffee community Melbourne last hosted the World Barista Championship in 2013.
