The TriestEspresso Expo, a key trade fair for the espresso coffee industry, recently concluded in Trieste, Italy, attracting 9,300 operators from 67 nations. The event highlighted its international character, with organizers reporting that 58% of attendees were from outside of Italy, demonstrating the city's role as a global hub for the coffee trade.
The three-day exhibition focused heavily on facilitating business-to-business connections across the coffee supply chain. While an official matchmaking platform scheduled meetings for over 60 participants from 19 countries, organizers noted that this represented only a fraction of the business conducted at the event. A significant portion of international visitors, 47.4%, came from Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkan states, an area identified as a key growth market.
Beyond commercial activities, the expo's agenda addressed forward-looking industry challenges and opportunities. Educational sessions and workshops covered topics such as the energy transition, new technologies, and the role of the next generation in the coffee sector. A notable session focused on new European Union regulations against greenwashing, advising companies on the need for measurable and independently certified environmental claims in their marketing.