Dates

    9–11 Apr 2027

    City / country

    New Orleans, United States

    Venue

    World of Coffee

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    Matched booths for Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027

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    Event overview

    Overview

    The Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027 is the premier event for coffee professionals, featuring over 650 exhibitors and 60 lectures.

    Attendees can engage in workshops and competitions, making it a must-attend for anyone in the specialty coffee industry.

    TL;DR

    1. 1Edition Dates: Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027 runs April 9-11, 2027 at the World of Coffee venue.
    2. 2Exhibitor Scale: More than 650 exhibitors present coffee products, brewing equipment, and packaging.
    3. 3Education Programme: Over 60 lectures plus hands-on workshops cover the full coffee value chain.
    4. 4Buyer Audience: Roasters, cafe owners, and retail buyers source beans, brewing gear, and accessories.
    5. 5Supplier Mix: Producers, equipment suppliers, and sustainability organisations meet packaging and technology buyers.

    Why visit

    Visitors will gain access to a wide range of exhibitors, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. Edition Dates: Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027 runs April 9-11, 2027 at the World of Coffee venue.

    Why exhibit

    Exhibiting at the Specialty Coffee Expo provides direct access to thousands of coffee buyers and decision-makers. Exhibitor Scale: More than 650 exhibitors present coffee products, brewing equipment, and packaging. Buyer Audience: Roasters, cafe owners, and retail buyers source beans, brewing gear, and accessories. Supplier Mix: Producers, equipment suppliers, and sustainability organisations meet packaging and technology buyers. The Specialty Coffee Expo is crucial.

    Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

    Who this event is for

    Visitor profile

    Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

    Coffee roasters
    Café owners
    Retail buyers
    Coffee equipment manufacturers
    Sustainability advocates
    Coffee educators

    Exhibitor profile

    Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

    Coffee producers
    Equipment suppliers
    Packaging companies
    Sustainability organizations
    Coffee technology innovators
    Service providers for the coffee industry

    Product categories

    Key solution areas showcased across the event.

    Coffee beans and blends
    Brewing equipment
    Coffee accessories
    Sustainable packaging solutions
    Coffee-related technology
    Educational resources

    Location & Facilities

    Venue

    Open in Google Maps

    Halls & areas

    1
    Exhibit Hall

    World of Coffee

    900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, United States

    Entrances & gates

    Main Entrance

    Exhibit Hall

    Attend

    Entry & tickets

    • 3-Day Badge

      Member Price

      $3,500.00

    • 1-Day Badge

      Member Price

      $1,500.00
    Register

    Who runs the show

    Organisers

    Specialty Coffee Association

    Website

    How the last edition performed

    Previous edition

    Last edition

    —

    Completed

    Exhibitors: 650

    This edition

    2027

    Visitors: 17,000

    Exhibitors: 650

    Next edition

    Not announced yet

    Impact

    A bigger and stronger platform

    The Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027 is the premier event for coffee professionals, featuring over 650 exhibitors and 60 lectures. Attendees can engage in workshops and competitions, making it a must-attend for anyone in the specialty coffee industry. The Specialty Coffee Expo is crucial for industry professionals to connect, learn, and grow. It showcases the latest trends and innovations in the coffee sector, making it an essential event for networking and.

    Audience quality

    High-value decision-makers

    Visitors typically include Coffee roasters, Café owners, Retail buyers, Coffee equipment manufacturers. Edition Dates: Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027 runs April 9-11, 2027 at the World of Coffee venue. Exhibitor Scale: More than 650 exhibitors present coffee products, brewing equipment, and packaging. Education Programme: Over 60 lectures plus hands-on workshops cover the full coffee value chain. Buyer Audience: Roasters, cafe owners, and retail buyers source beans, brewing gear, and accessories.

    Exhibitor outcomes

    Real business growth

    Exhibiting at the Specialty Coffee Expo provides direct access to thousands of coffee buyers and decision-makers. The Specialty Coffee Expo is crucial for industry professionals to connect, learn, and grow. It showcases the latest trends and innovations in the coffee sector, making it an essential event for networking and business development. Exhibitor categories include Coffee producers, Equipment suppliers, Packaging companies, Sustainability organizations. Upcoming edition materials cite access to more than.

    Intelligence

    Market context

    Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

    San Diego, California, United States

    Why it matters

    Specialty Coffee Expo is the Specialty Coffee Association's flagship North American trade show, bringing together roasters, green-coffee importers, equipment manufacturers, café operators and origin partners from across the US and dozens of countries. For suppliers it represents one of the largest single concentrations of US specialty-coffee buying power in 2027, combined with the SCA's education programme and live competition stages.

    Industry trends

    Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

    01

    Digital buyer journeys

    Professionals expect pre-show agendas, product finders, and meeting tools; suppliers align demos and literature to short on-stand decision cycles.

    02

    Sustainability in procurement

    Energy use, recyclable materials, and carbon reporting increasingly appear in RFPs and exhibitor scorecards across industrial trade fairs.

    03

    Automation and labour efficiency

    Visitors benchmark machinery, software, and services that reduce downtime, staffing pressure, and total cost of ownership.

    04

    Regional supply-chain resilience

    Buyers diversify suppliers across Europe, MENA, and Asia while favouring vendors with local service, spare parts, and training.

    05

    Hybrid engagement models

    Live demonstrations remain decisive, but follow-up webinars, digital catalogues, and year-round supplier portals extend the commercial window after the show.

    Global specialty coffee trade circuit

    Book stand space and freight 4–6 months ahead; badge registration and hotels 6–10 weeks ahead.

    The Specialty Coffee Association runs a two-show global circuit — Specialty Coffee Expo in North America and World of Coffee in Europe — complemented by major regional coffee trade fairs. Teams planning a full year of coffee-market coverage typically anchor around these shows plus one or two regional events.

    April (North America)

    Specialty Coffee Expo

    June (Europe)

    World of Coffee

    October (biennial)

    HostMilano

    Multiple US dates per year

    Coffee Fest

    Circuit assembled from organiser and coffee-trade context; confirm each event's dates and venue on its official website before planning travel.

    Plan your trip

    Travel & logistics

    Local currency · USD

    Arrival airports

    Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

    Hotel tiers

    A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

    Budget
    Downtown / Gaslamp Quarter

    USD 120–190 / night

    source
    Mid-range
    Downtown / Marina

    USD 180–290 / night

    source
    Premium
    Bayfront / Marina (adjacent to the Convention Center)

    USD 290–480 / night

    source

    Local transport

    Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

    rideshare

    Estimated costUSD 20–35 Uber/Lyft estimate
    Best forSAN airport to downtown hotels / Convention Center

    Use the designated ride-share pickup zone outside each terminal; surcharges apply at peak times.

    bus

    Estimated costUSD 2.50 one-way (MTS fare)
    Best forMTS Route 992 (SAN airport to downtown / Santa Fe Depot)

    Frequent service roughly every 15 min; stops along Broadway near the Convention Center.

    light_rail

    Estimated costUSD 2.50 one-way; USD 5 day pass
    Best forMTS Trolley Green Line to Convention Center station

    The Green Line serves the Convention Center station directly — useful between downtown hotels and the venue.

    walk

    Estimated costUSD 0
    Best forGaslamp Quarter and Marina hotels to Convention Center

    Most downtown and Marina-district hotels are a 5–15 min walk from the hall.

    taxi

    Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
    Best forLouis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) to World of Coffee

    taxi

    Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
    Best forBaton Rouge Metropolitan (BTR) to World of Coffee

    Plan your trip

    Visa & entry documents

    Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

    Visa not required
    ATA Carnet: check with organiser

    Weather

    April in San Diego is mild and mostly dry: expect daytime highs around 21–22°C (70–72°F) and overnight lows near 13–14°C (56–57°F), with only about 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain for the month.

    Plan for the climate

    Check temperatures and pack accordingly

    Venue connectivity

    Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.

    Ride-hailing

    Taxis

    Public transit

    Car rentals

    Cultural notes

    Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

    Tipping

    Tipping 15–20% is expected at restaurants and bars in San Diego; $1–2 per drink at the bar is standard.

    Business dress

    Business casual is the norm on the show floor; smart-casual works for evening networking and SCA receptions.

    Business etiquette

    US meetings are punctual and informal — first names are used immediately and business cards are exchanged freely at booths.

    Practical guides

    Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

    Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

    Flights

    Destination: MSY

    Book flights to MSY when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue; compare BTR only if fares are materially lower.

    Visa

    Nearly all international visitors need a US visa or a visa-waiver authorisation to attend Specialty Coffee Expo 2027 in San Diego. Business visitors typically apply for a B-1 visitor visa (US$185 application fee, interview usually required — allow 2–3 months). Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries can instead travel on an approved ESTA (US$21, valid up to 2 years per approval). Confirm current rules and wait times on travel.state.gov and esta.cbp.dhs.gov before booking.

    Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.

    Transport

    Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

    Airport → venue: MSY to Ernest N. Morial Convention Center: taxi or ride-hail ~25–35 min; airport shuttle and shared rides available.

    Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near World of Coffee: Downtown / Gaslamp Quarter: HI San Diego Downtown, Ramada by Wyndham San Diego Downtown, Motel 6 San Diego Downtown; Downtown / Marina: Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown, Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown; Bayfront / Marina (adjacent to the Convention Center): Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.

    Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in New Orleans; confirm local availability before travel.

    Public transit: Streetcar and bus routes serve Convention Center Blvd; many attendees walk from Warehouse District hotels.

    Parking: On-site parking is available at World of Coffee; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.

    Weather

    Plan and pack for the event climate.

    Month: April 2027

    Temperature: 13–22°C (56–72°F) typical April range in San Diego

    Seasonality: April sits at the tail of the wet season but is generally dry, with only occasional light showers; cool coastal evenings are common.

    Packing: April in San Diego is mild and mostly dry: expect daytime highs around 21–22°C (70–72°F) and overnight lows near 13–14°C (56–57°F), with only about 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain for the month.

    Plan your trip

    Planning

    Best day to visit: Day 1 — Friday, 9 April 2027

    Opening day brings the full exhibitor roster and the highest density of trade buyers, since the Friday date suits industry attendance; the Saturday and Sunday sessions draw a more consumer-leaning crowd. Arrive early on Day 1 for registration and to secure meetings before the floor peaks.

    12

    Check passport validity and U.S. entry requirements for your nationality. — Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027 runs April 9-11, 2027; confirm ESTA or visitor visa needs before booking flights. Registration opens January 2027 per the coffeeexpo.org FAQ.

    10

    Book flights to a gateway airport serving the venue. — Listing gateways include Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) and Baton Rouge Metropolitan (BTR); verify the final venue airport before ticketing.

    9

    Reserve a hotel near the venue or on a transit line. — Book early for the April 9-11, 2027 show dates and compare downtown options against the venue shuttle, metro, or taxi.

    8

    Complete online visitor registration and choose your badge type. — Register through coffeeexpo.org; registration opens in January 2027 and badge cost depends on membership status and when you register.

    7

    Review the hall plan and exhibitor list. — Shortlist from 650+ exhibitors across coffee products, brewing equipment, and packaging to plan your floor route.

    6

    Download the conference programme and shortlist sessions. — Pick from 60+ lectures and hands-on workshops; note start times so sessions do not clash.

    5

    Pre-schedule B2B meetings with target exhibitors. — Contact roasters, equipment suppliers, and packaging vendors before the show; booths are busiest on opening morning.

    4

    Plan local transport and arrange a transit or parking option. — Compare taxi, rideshare, metro, and event parking for the venue and allow buffer time during peak show hours.

    3

    Prepare meeting documents, product specs, and business cards. — Bring purchasing briefs and a lead-capture notebook for supplier discussions on the show floor.

    2

    Pack for the season and the event dress code. — Business casual is typical for coffee trade events; check the local forecast for the April show before travel.

    1

    Arrive, collect your badge, and confirm your Day 1 plan. — Use the organiser registration desk at the venue and arrive early on opening day for badge pickup and hall orientation.

    Side trips

    2

    La Jolla Cove and Torrey Pines

    Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo

    Networking spots

    3

    Convention Center B2B / buyer lounge

    on-site

    Best for scheduled supplier–buyer meetings during show hours and for meeting exhibitors away from the booth.

    Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina / Hilton San Diego Bayfront lobby bars

    hotel bar

    Both sit adjacent to the Convention Center and are the usual informal meeting point after sessions close.

    Gaslamp Quarter

    district

    Restaurant and bar district immediately next to the Convention Center — the default area for evening networking.

    Budget

    Costs & budget

    Cost reference

    Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.

    visitor_ticket

    visitor · 3-Day Badge

    USD 3500 / per person

    official

    visitor_ticket

    visitor · 1-Day Badge

    USD 1500 / per person

    official

    Decision

    Visit, exhibit, or skip?

    Should you go?

    Use this quick check to decide whether Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.

    QUESTION 1 OF 6

    What is your primary role?

    Decision matrix

    Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.

    visit

    Your category focus (green coffee, equipment, café retail) matches the exhibitor mix and you want qualified supplier meetings in one trip.

    Best for

    Buyers, roasters, café operators and researchers evaluating the programme, the show floor and networking value.

    Min. budget

    $750.00

    Timeline

    6–10 weeks before opening day for badge registration, flights and downtown hotel booking.

    Risks

    Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

    Session times and the full seminar agenda are published late — confirm before fixing travel dates.

    exhibit

    You have a defined lead-generation or product-launch goal for the North American market and can staff the stand across all three show days.

    Best for

    Suppliers, equipment brands and origin/export groups seeking qualified meetings with US specialty-coffee buyers.

    Min. budget

    $3,200.00

    Timeline

    4–6 months for stand booking, freight to San Diego and pre-show marketing.

    Risks

    Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

    Booth and shell-scheme pricing is not published in captured sources — request the current exhibitor prospectus from the organiser.

    skip

    Your audience or product fit is weak this year, or the budget is better spent on a closer regional coffee event.

    Best for

    Teams whose category, region or commercial goals do not align with this edition.

    Timeline

    N/A

    Risks

    No major risks listed.

    Gallery

    Photos

    Dog show highlights at Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027
    Dog show highlights at Specialty Coffee Expo San Diego 2027

    FAQs & glossary

    Answers

    Frequently asked

    What is World of Coffee?
    The annual World of Coffee trade show in the USA is considered the world's-fair of coffee – everything under one roof – North America’s largest B2B Specialty Coffee Event.
    How do I register?
    Registration opens in January 2027. Check back then!
    Where is the show located?
    World of Coffee will be held at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.
    What does it cost to attend?
    The cost depends on the badge selected, whether you are a paid member, and when you register.
    Are children allowed?
    Children under the age of 12 are not allowed on the exhibit hall floor, Lecture Rooms, Cupping Rooms, or in Workshops.
    What workshops are being taught?
    There will be a variety of workshops offered at the show, focusing on various subjects across the coffee value chain.

    Trust footer

    Sources

    6

    References

    1

    Publishers

    0

    Date checked

    1

    Specialty Coffee Association

    2

    New Orleans travel reference

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