If you care deeply about coffee—be it sourcing beans, roasting, brewing, or running a café—the Specialty Coffee Expo in Boston is a pilgrimage you’ll want to make. Hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association, this flagship event brings together roasters, baristas, buyers, equipment makers, and coffee lovers from around the globe. It’s the place where new ideas, competitions, tools, and relationships come alive in one big, vibrant espresso-fueled weekend.
Whether you’re scouting new bean origins, fine-tuning your latte art, or growing your shop’s reputation, you’ll find insights and inspiration at every turn.
When & Where It Happens
- Dates: April 16–19, 2026
- Venue: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Event Hours: Typically 9 AM–5 PM daily, with barista competitions running into the evening and many workshops beginning earlier
Happening in spring, the Expo gives you a chance to enjoy Boston’s waterfront, food scene, and iconic charm while diving deep into the world of specialty coffee.
What to Expect at the Expo
1. Massive Exhibit Floor
Expect hundreds of exhibitors showcasing green bean importers, roasters, packaging companies, grinder and brewer manufacturers, software tools, packaging designers, and café technology—all gathered under one roof.
2. World-Class Competitions
Don’t miss world-barista, cup-tasting, latte-art, and brewer’s cup championships. These events bring excitement, skill, and inspiration, and show what’s possible at a top-flight level.
3. Education & Workshops
Take advantage of SCA’s workshops and seminars—covering topics like coffee farming practices, roast profiling, sensory analysis, café operations, sustainability, and business leadership. Many are hands-on or small-group for real impact.
4. SCA Experience Space
This area hosts live cupping sessions, demo booths, technical presentations, and hands-on tasting zones where you can sample rare coffees and learn from roasters and farmers directly.
5. Networking Experiences
From opening parties to community mixers, you’ll enjoy friendly chats over coffee and snacks—perfect for making connections that last well past the Expo.
Who Should Attend
- Café owners and baristas
- Roasters and coffee shop leadership
- Supply-chain and green-bean buyers
- Coffee equipment and software vendors
- Coffee trainers, educators, and consultants
- Coffee-focused marketers and brand teams
- Sustainability advocates and quality-control specialists
No matter where you sit in the coffee world, this Expo gives you practical knowledge, tools, and community connections to elevate what you do every day.
Why It Matters
- Discover new coffees and origins – Explore beans from emerging regions and micro-lots you can source first.
- Refine your craft – Expert demos and workshops help you brew better espressos, pour more artful lattes, and roast smarter.
- See innovation in action – Meet the latest in grinder tech, brewing automation, packaging solutions, and café tools all in one place.
- Learn from leaders – Seminars led by top figures in sustainability, business growth, equipment setup, and sensory science.
- Build your network – Connect with peers, mentors, potential partners, and fans who care deeply about coffee.
- Bring ideas back to your shop – Everything from customer experience to energy savings starts with this event.
Cost & Registration
- Early Bird Registration: Typically lower rates for full Expo pass
- Full Expo Pass: Includes exhibit floor, general sessions, and competitions
- Workshops & Specialty Classes: Priced separately, with hands-on options topping extra
- Competition Tickets: Included with full pass; some premium sessions available for add-on
- Group Discounts: Often available for teams or school groups
Registering early helps you secure workshop seats and saves money.
Where to Stay
Accommodations near the BCEC include:
- Connected hotels like Hilton and Renaissance
- Mid-range downtown hotels in Seaport District
- Budget-friendly chains near public transit
- Short-term rentals or serviced apartments for teams
Booking early is smart—Boston pulls big events year-round, and prices rise fast.
Getting Around Boston
- Airports: Logan International is just minutes from downtown
- Public Transit: MBTA (“the T”) connects hotels, the Expo center, and city landmarks
- Ride-Share & Taxis: Easy to use, especially for early mornings or late evenings
- Walking: Waterfront, local cafés, and historic spots are all walkable from the center
- Parking: Available at BCEC and nearby garages, though transit is often faster
Tips to Make the Most of It
- Plan your days in advance – Sessions, competitions, and booths fill up fast
- Bring a notebook or tablet – Take notes on new beans, ideas, and tools
- Wear comfortable shoes – This is a marathon, not a sprint
- Visit the competition stage early – Great inspiration and learning in action
- Join workshops if you can – These are where real skill comes from
- Chat with peers at mixers – Meeting people is just as valuable as sessions
- Follow-up is key – Exchange contacts and reconnect after the Expo
Final Thoughts
The Specialty Coffee Expo in Boston is more than just a trade show—it’s a place where passion meets practice. Whether you’re aiming to improve your roast profile, launch a new café, or dive into sustainability efforts, this Expo gives you tools, connections, and clarity to make it happen. You’ll walk away energized, informed, and ready to pour your best coffee yet.
To learn more and reserve your ticket, visit:
https://www.specialitycoffeeexpo.org