Bengaluru to host fifth World Coffee Conference in September

Bengaluru is all set to host the fifth World Coffee Conference (WCC), taking place for the first time in Asia. The event is expected to offer extensive business opportunities for global coffee stakeholders.

More than 2,000 delegates from more than 80 countries, apart from 10,000 business visitors will participate in the event scheduled to be held from September 25 to 28 at the Bangalore Palace. The WCC will have more than 90 speakers, 200 exhibitors, and about 300 B2B meetings.

Tennis star Rohan Bopanna has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the event.

The previous editions of the WCC were successfully held in England (2001), Brazil (2005), Guatemala (2010), and Ethiopia (2016).

'Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture' is the central theme for the event, which will include conferences, exhibitions, skill-building workshops, CEOs and global leaders forum, and growers conclave which will focus on advancing sustainability in the coffee industry. Producers, curers, roasters, exporters, policymakers, and researchers will join the WCC 2023 which aims to build a sustainable coffee industry through discussion, debate, and collaboration.

The event is being organised by the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, the ministry of commerce and industry, the government of India, the government of Karnataka and the coffee industry.

The logo for the WCC 2023 theme, 'Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture', was unveiled during a preview of the conference in Bengaluru.

"Karnataka is undoubtedly the coffee capital of India, with a rich heritage of producing some of the finest coffees in the world. There is a tremendous opportunity for investments across the coffee value chain, from bean to cup, right from equipment companies, coffee machines, soluble coffee brands as well café chains. This, in turn, leads to increased employment opportunities for our talent from farm to cafes,” said S. Selvakumar, principal secretary of the commerce and industries department, government of Karnataka,

K.G. Jagadeesha, CEO and secretary, Coffee Board of India, pointed out that the WCC 2023, which is being organised for the first time in Asia, is set to bring immense benefits to coffee farmers in the country. “By promoting coffees of India on the global stage, the event will create new opportunities and markets for these farmers. Moreover, the conference will feature global speakers addressing pressing issues related to circular economy and regenerative agriculture. The Coffee Board of India is also the only organisation in the world that is extensively doing research on coffee and one of the main focuses is on climate change. The line of research includes climate resilient varieties,” remarked Jagadeesha,

Bopanna said his life has been a unique blend, bridging the realms of being a coffee planter’s son and a professional tennis player. “Growing up amidst the scenic beauty of Coorg's coffee plantations, I have forged a deep connection with coffee while pursuing my tennis career. As India establishes itself as a flourishing coffee destination, WCC holds great promise for fostering growth and collaboration within our rapidly expanding coffee industry,” said Bopanna.

The event is being sponsored by major coffee brands, including Tata Coffee Limited, Nestle India, Continental Coffee, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Continental Coffee Limited and SLN Coffee Limited.