2026 International Coffee Convention Heading to Trieste in October

After two editions in Mannheim, Germany, the science-heavy International Coffee Convention is heading to the historic coffee city of Trieste, Italy, on October 16-17, 2026. 

The event, which blends academic research with industry practice, is now accepting abstract submissions from across the coffee world through June 30. It is scheduled to take place at the Generali Convention Center. Attendee pricing has not yet been announced.

Convention Roots

The convention traces its roots to a series of coffee symposia organized by Coffee Consulate, the independent training and research center founded by Steffen Schwarz in Mannheim, Germany. That run began with the Stuttgart Coffee Symposium in 2018 and continued through subsequent in-person and virtual events before ICC formally launched in 2023.

The convention brings together researchers and industry participants across disciplines including agronomy, genetics, chemistry, sensory science, economics and behavioral science. The event is designed to put scientists onstage with practitioners and industry leaders for discussions spanning coffee cultivation, trade, processing and preparation, according to the organizers.

Coming in 2026

Planned tracks for 2026 include climate and agriculture, sustainability and processing, market and consumers, technology and innovation, ethics and society, and trade and regulation.

“Set against the backdrop of a city with deep roots in European coffee culture, ICC 2026 arrives at a moment when coffee is under growing pressure from climate volatility, changing consumer behavior, regulatory change, supply-chain complexity and the urgent need for credible sustainability,” organizers said in an announcement of the Trieste show. 

The abstract deadline is June 30, with the call aimed at a broad field that includes researchers, graduate students, R&D professionals, farmers, cooperatives, roasters, traders, retailers, sustainability experts, policy specialists and NGOs. Oral presentations are slated for 15 to 20 minutes plus discussion, while poster abstracts are also being accepted.

All submissions will go through single-blind peer review by the ICC Scientific Committee, according to the organizers.

Organizers are also seeking sponsors and additional industry engagement. Updates on the 2026 ICC are available on the event website.

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