Pouring Perfection: Your Ultimate Guide to Coffee Fest, Los Angeles!

Los Angeles – a global trendsetter, a beacon of creativity, and a city where innovation in food and beverage is not just embraced but celebrated. Within this sprawling metropolis lies a coffee scene as diverse and dynamic as its population, constantly pushing boundaries and setting new standards. At the very heart of this aromatic universe lies an event that is an absolute pilgrimage for anyone passionate about coffee, tea, and related beverages: Coffee Fest, Los Angeles. This isn’t just a trade show; it’s an immersive experience, a dynamic hub where the art and science of coffee converge, and where the future of the beverage industry is brewed on the West Coast. Imagine stepping into an enormous convention hall, enveloped in the rich aroma of freshly roasted beans, the comforting hiss of espresso machines, and the energetic chatter of thousands of industry professionals – from seasoned roasters to aspiring cafe owners – exchanging ideas and forging invaluable connections. This is your unparalleled opportunity to discover the next award-winning bean, explore revolutionary brewing equipment, engage in hands-on workshops, and build relationships that will elevate your coffee business to new heights. For cafe owners, roasters, baristas, distributors, and anyone even dreaming of entering the thriving coffee industry, Coffee Fest is not merely an option—it’s an essential annual event for staying ahead of the curve, finding profound inspiration, and cultivating unparalleled growth in today’s fiercely competitive market.

The coffee and tea industry in Los Angeles, like the city itself, is a melting pot of cultures and ideas, characterized by a relentless pursuit of quality, ethical sourcing, unique flavor profiles, and a strong sense of community. From the intricacies of direct trade and sustainable practices to advanced digital ordering systems and creative menu engineering, this constant evolution demands that professionals stay at the forefront of innovation. Coffee Fest serves as the ultimate compass for these shifts, unveiling new products, showcasing revolutionary solutions, and providing a platform for critical knowledge exchange. It’s where emerging brands find their foothold, and established businesses redefine their strategies for success in a city known for its discerning palate and endless pursuit of what’s new and next. If you’re looking to optimize your cafe’s operations, refresh your beverage menu with exciting new offerings, tackle staffing challenges, understand evolving consumer preferences for specialty drinks, or simply immerse yourself in the passionate community of coffee professionals, attending Coffee Fest Los Angeles offers an unmatched opportunity to learn, discover, and propel your business to new heights.

The City of Angels’ Aromatic Hub: Venue and Time

Coffee Fest strategically selects world-class convention facilities in cities that are hubs of coffee culture, ensuring an authentic and enriching experience for all attendees.

LA’s Iconic Stage: The Los Angeles Convention Center For 2025, Coffee Fest Los Angeles will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) in Los Angeles, California, USA. The address is 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015. The Los Angeles Convention Center is a massive, modern, and easily accessible facility located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Its proximity to world-class entertainment venues, a diverse culinary scene, and excellent public transportation options make it an ideal and attractive destination for attendees from across California, the Southwest, and beyond. The LACC’s extensive exhibit halls provide ample space for the bustling show floor, numerous educational seminar rooms, and dedicated areas for competitions and hands-on training, all under one roof. Los Angeles’s status as a cultural and culinary trendsetter makes it the perfect backdrop for Coffee Fest.

The Late Summer Brew: The Schedule Coffee Fest is a multi-city annual event, and its Los Angeles edition consistently takes place in late August. This strategic timing allows industry professionals to gather after the peak summer season, providing an ideal window for strategic planning, sourcing, and professional development as they head towards the fall and holiday rushes.

For 2025, Coffee Fest Los Angeles is scheduled to run from August 22-23, 2025.

The event typically spans two full days, with a meticulously designed schedule to maximize discovery, education, and networking opportunities:

• Show Floor Hours: Generally from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the first day and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the second day. These hours provide ample time to explore the diverse exhibits and engage with suppliers.
• Education Program: A robust, multi-track conference program runs throughout both days. Education sessions often begin earlier than the show floor opening, allowing for dedicated learning time. These sessions cover a wide array of critical topics relevant to owning and operating a coffee business, from startup essentials and operational efficiency to advanced brewing techniques, marketing, and staff training. You can expect over 80 hours of coffee business-focused education, led by industry experts.
• Live Competitions: Coffee Fest is famous for its exhilarating competitions that draw large crowds and showcase incredible talent. Most notably, the Latte Art World Championship Open (LAWCO) is a highlight, where top baristas go head-to-head in a fast-paced, high-energy battle of skill and creativity. Other challenges might also be featured, adding to the excitement.
• Hands-On Workshops & Labs: Many sessions are designed to be interactive, offering attendees the chance to get hands-on with new equipment, practice latte art, or participate in cupping sessions. Dedicated areas like the “Coffee Skills Lab” and “Cupping Corner” provide immersive learning experiences, often led by industry veterans and competition judges.
• Featured Areas & Pavilions: The show floor often features specialized zones, such as the “Tech Lab” (showcasing cutting-edge equipment and offering technical training), “The Market” (for branded merchandise and retail items that coffee shops can resell), and various “Meet Ups” and networking events like “Roaster Happy Hours.”
• Networking Opportunities: Beyond the formal sessions, the entire show environment is designed for connection. Attendees can network with peers, industry veterans, and potential suppliers directly on the show floor and at various informal gatherings.

This extensive and dynamic schedule ensures that every attendee, whether a seasoned professional or a budding entrepreneur, finds valuable content and connections to propel their coffee business forward in the dynamic and trend-setting Los Angeles market.

A Connoisseur’s Collection: Key Product and Service Categories

Coffee Fest Los Angeles offers an incredibly comprehensive range of products, services, and solutions that cater to every facet of operating a successful coffee shop, roastery, or beverage establishment. With hundreds of exhibitors, it serves as a one-stop shop for industry professionals. Key categories typically featured include:

• Coffee Beans & Roasting:
  • Green coffee beans from various origins, showcasing different varietals and processing methods.
  • Roasted coffee (wholesale and retail), including single-origin, blends, organic, fair trade, and ethically sourced options.
  • Coffee roasting equipment (commercial roasters of various sizes, sample roasters, related accessories).
• Brewing & Espresso Equipment:
  • Commercial espresso machines (traditional, super-automatic, and innovative new designs).
  • Coffee brewers (drip, batch, pour-over stations, cold brew systems, specialty manual brewers).
  • Grinders (espresso grinders, bulk grinders, precise dosing grinders).
  • Water filtration and treatment systems, crucial for optimal coffee taste.
  • Brewing accessories (scales, kettles, filters, tampers, specific tools for alternative brewing methods).
• Beverage Ingredients & Additives:
  • Syrups, sauces, flavorings, and sweeteners (including natural, organic, and sugar-free options).
  • Milk alternatives (oat, almond, soy, coconut, pea protein, and other emerging plant-based options).
  • Chai concentrates, smoothie mixes, frappe bases, and unique beverage powders.
  • Teas (loose leaf, tea bags, matcha, specialty teas, herbal infusions).
  • Cocoa, hot chocolate mixes, and gourmet beverage powders.
  • Functional beverage ingredients (e.g., adaptogens, protein boosts, vitamin infusions).
• Food Products (Ancillary Offerings):
  • Baked goods, pastries, cookies, and dessert items (often from wholesale suppliers).
  • Grab-and-go food items, snacks, and light lunch options suitable for cafes.
  • Chocolate and confections.
• Cafe Supplies & Operations:
  • Paper goods (cups, lids, sleeves), sustainable and compostable disposable packaging.
  • Cleaning supplies, sanitation equipment, and health compliance solutions.
  • Barista tools (steaming pitchers, latte art pens, tampers, thermometers, knock boxes).
  • Branded merchandise (mugs, tumblers, apparel, and accessories for retail).
  • Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, online ordering and mobile payment integration, loyalty programs.
  • Inventory management solutions and labor scheduling software.
  • Security systems for cafes and roasteries.
• Business Services & Consulting:
  • Financial services, small business loans, and insurance specific to the coffee industry.
  • Legal advice and regulatory compliance (e.g., health codes, labor laws).
  • Staffing and training solutions, including baristas, roasters, and management.
  • Marketing, branding, and design services tailored for coffee shops.
  • Franchising opportunities for expanding concepts.
  • Packaging solutions and materials (custom bags, labels, retail packaging).
  • Consulting for cafe startups, expansion, and efficiency improvements.

This incredibly diverse range ensures that any professional in the coffee, tea, and beverage business, from a new startup cafe to a large established roastery, can find cutting-edge solutions to improve every aspect of their establishment, tailored to the unique and highly competitive demands of the Los Angeles market.

The Pulse of Coffee Culture: Visitor and Exhibitor Count

Coffee Fest consistently attracts a substantial and highly qualified audience, reflecting its position as a leading event for the specialty coffee and related beverage industries.

• Visitor Count: The Show typically draws thousands of qualified attendees, comprising key decision-makers, current business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs actively seeking products, solutions, and knowledge. Past Coffee Fest Los Angeles events have seen visitor numbers in the range of 4,000 to 6,000+ attendees, demonstrating a consistent and engaged audience. The show is known for attracting a high percentage of buyers and decision-makers, making it a highly effective environment for exhibitors.
• Exhibitor Count: Coffee Fest features hundreds of exhibiting companies, showcasing their latest products, equipment, ingredients, and services. The show floor is packed with a dynamic mix of established industry giants, innovative emerging brands, and specialized regional suppliers, all presenting the latest advancements and trends in the coffee and tea world.
• Attendee Demographics: The audience at Coffee Fest Los Angeles is precisely targeted and impactful, covering a wide spectrum of the beverage industry:
  • Coffee Shop Owners & Operators: From independent cafes to multi-unit chains and drive-thru concepts.
  • Roasters: Large-scale commercial operations to burgeoning micro-roasters.
  • Baristas: Seeking to enhance their skills, learn new techniques, and connect with the broader community.
  • Distributors & Brokers: Looking for new and exciting products to add to their portfolios.
  • Tea Shop Owners & Operators: Exploring new tea products and related equipment.
  • Bakery & Pastry Shop Owners: Seeking to enhance their beverage programs and retail offerings.
  • Restaurant & Hotel F&B Managers: Looking to elevate their coffee and tea programs.
  • Caterers: Seeking innovative beverage solutions for events.
  • Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Individuals planning to open new coffee shops, roasteries, or beverage concepts.
  • Foodservice Professionals: From various institutional settings, including corporate campuses and universities.
  • Media & Influencers: Covering trends and innovations in the coffee world.

The high concentration of passionate professionals and the targeted nature of the audience make this event incredibly efficient and productive for business development and market insights within the vibrant Southern California market.

Brewing Success: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending Coffee Fest Los Angeles is an immersive and strategic investment, offering a wealth of advantages for any professional operating in the dynamic coffee, tea, and beverage sector.

• Unrivaled Product Discovery: Explore hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the absolute latest in coffee beans, cutting-edge brewing equipment, high-performance espresso machines, innovative syrups, specialty teas, diverse milk alternatives, and essential cafe supplies. This is your chance to discover unique offerings and next-generation solutions that will make your business stand out in the highly competitive LA market.
• Direct Supplier Connections: Engage face-to-face with manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. This direct interaction facilitates quality assessment, allows for negotiation, and helps in building invaluable long-term business relationships. You can literally taste the difference in coffees and see the equipment in action, getting immediate answers to your questions.
• Premier Trend Spotting: Gain immediate insights into current and emerging trends across the specialty coffee and beverage industry, often with a unique West Coast flair. This includes new brewing methods, ethical sourcing practices, sustainable packaging solutions, plant-based innovations, and evolving consumer preferences. Stay ahead of the curve and adapt your business to meet future demands.
• World-Class Education Program: Benefit from a robust schedule of expert-led seminars, workshops, and hands-on labs. Learn about critical topics such as cafe startup essentials, operational efficiency, advanced barista techniques, digital marketing strategies, menu development, financial management, staff training, and much more. With over 80 hours of education, there’s always something new and actionable to learn from industry leaders.
• Exciting Competitions & Demonstrations: Witness incredible skill and artistry at the various live competitions, most notably the highly anticipated Latte Art World Championship Open. These events are not only entertaining but also immensely inspiring, offering new ideas for your own craft and business, and showcasing the pinnacle of barista talent.
• Dedicated Learning Areas: Benefit from specialized zones like the “Tech Lab” for in-depth equipment insights and troubleshooting, the “Cupping Corner” for sensory evaluation and palate development, and the “Coffee Skills Lab” for immersive, hands-on training, providing practical skills you can immediately apply.
• Targeted Networking Opportunities: Connect with thousands of passionate industry peers, leaders, and potential partners specifically from Los Angeles and the broader West Coast. Share challenges, exchange best practices, and build a powerful professional network within the coffee community, fostering collaborations and growth opportunities unique to this market.
• Solutions for Business Challenges: The show is designed to address common industry pain points, offering practical solutions for labor management, cost control, supply chain issues, and adapting to evolving consumer demands in a fast-paced urban environment.
• Exclusive Show-Only Deals: Many exhibitors offer special pricing, discounts, or promotions exclusively for show attendees, providing an opportunity for significant cost savings on purchases for your business.
• Unleash Inspiration & Innovation: Immerse yourself in an environment buzzing with creativity and passion. Coffee Fest Los Angeles is a place where new ideas are sparked, leading to fresh menu items, improved operational efficiencies, and an enhanced overall experience that will delight your customers.

Your LA Retreat: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Accommodation

Los Angeles, a sprawling city with a vibrant downtown, offers an extensive array of hotel options to suit every budget and preference, with excellent connectivity to the Los Angeles Convention Center.

• Connected & Walkable Options:
  • JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE: Directly connected to the LACC via a walkway and part of the vibrant L.A. LIVE entertainment complex.
  • Hotel Figueroa, Unbound Collection by Hyatt: A historic and stylish hotel, also very close to the LACC.
  • Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza: While a bit further, it’s a popular choice in downtown with good accessibility.
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles: Shares the L.A. LIVE complex with the JW Marriott, offering a luxury experience.
• Downtown Los Angeles: The immediate downtown area surrounding the LACC offers numerous hotels ranging from luxury to budget-friendly options, all within easy reach via walking, rideshare, or public transportation.
  • InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown: A towering, iconic hotel with incredible views.
  • Hotel Indigo – Los Angeles Downtown: A trendy option with a unique design.
  • The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles: A landmark hotel with revolving restaurants.
  • Sheraton Grand Los Angeles: A reliable choice for business travelers.
  • Many other Marriott, Hilton, and IHG properties are available.
• Official Housing Partner: Coffee Fest typically partners with an official housing bureau. Booking through this official channel is highly recommended as it often offers discounted rates, flexible cancellation policies, and reliable service, ensuring a hassle-free booking experience. Always check the official show website for any preferred hotel blocks or booking recommendations.

Given Los Angeles’s status as a major convention and tourist hub, and the significant attendance at Coffee Fest, it is highly advisable to book your accommodation as early as possible – ideally immediately after confirming your attendance – to secure your preferred location and rate.

The Investment in Your Brew: Understanding the Cost to Attend

Attending Coffee Fest Los Angeles is a valuable investment for professionals in the coffee and beverage industries, providing access to essential resources for business growth and competitiveness. While specific pricing for 2025 is typically released closer to the event, based on previous years’ pricing and typical industry trade show costs, here’s what you can generally expect:

• General Admission Pass: This pass typically provides access to the exhibit hall for both days, including general live demonstrations and competition viewing areas. Early bird rates for this pass usually range from $40 – $70 USD. Prices will increase for standard and on-site registration.
• Educational Session Access: Coffee Fest offers different badge types with varying levels of educational access.
  • A “General Admission” badge often includes access to lectures and panel discussions.
  • “VIP Pass” includes everything in General Admission plus unlimited access to paid workshops.
  • An “All Access Pass” is the most comprehensive, granting full access to every session, workshop, and hands-on training, often with a concierge service to help reserve spots.
  • Individual paid workshops and hands-on training sessions, if purchased separately, can cost around $100 – $300+ USD for a few hours. Early bird pricing for these is typically offered.
• Team Bundle: The show often offers a “Team Bundle” for groups (e.g., 5 General Attendee badges for a discounted price), encouraging entire teams to attend.
• Competitor Fees: If you plan to participate in a competition like the Latte Art World Championship Open, there will be separate registration fees for competitors.
• Non-Exhibiting Manufacturer/Supplier (NONEX) Policy: For companies that are typically suppliers to the industry but choose not to exhibit, there is usually a significantly higher registration fee (often several hundreds of dollars, e.g., $300-$500 USD) to access the show floor. This policy encourages companies to exhibit if their primary goal is to sell products or services.

These fees generally cover access to the show itself. Attendees should also budget for personal travel (flights/trains), accommodation, and dining expenses in Los Angeles. For the unparalleled opportunity to discover new products, connect with suppliers, gain vital education, and stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving specialty coffee market, the return on this investment is considered substantial and often critical for operational excellence and sustained profitability.

Elevate Your Coffee Craft: Your Journey to Beverage Excellence Begins Here!

Coffee Fest Los Angeles is more than just an event; it’s the vibrant pulse of the specialty coffee community, a powerful and inspiring convergence of passion, innovation, and expertise that sets the tone for success. It’s where the latest brewing techniques are perfected, where groundbreaking equipment is unveiled, and where vital connections are forged that propel businesses forward. Whether you are a seasoned roaster seeking to refine your blend, an aspiring barista eager to master your latte art, a cafe owner looking to optimize your operations, or a supplier eager to connect with the best in the business, attending this Show is an essential experience that will ignite your passion, broaden your knowledge, and empower you to lead in the exciting, ever-evolving world of coffee and beverages. Don’t just serve coffee; craft an experience, innovate, connect, and thrive!

To learn more about Coffee Fest Los Angeles and to plan your attendance, visit: coffeefest.com/los-angeles