Middle East Coffee Conference 2026
About the event
The Middle East Coffee Conference takes place in Riyadh on 2-3 December 2026 at Venue Plus, Princess Nourah University, alongside the International Coffee & Chocolate Exhibition. Over two days it runs eight panel sessions, each day starting at 4:00 pm, on the future of the coffee industry.
The sessions cover six themes: artificial intelligence in coffee, coffee as a cultural and media product, the economics of a single cup, flavour science and sensory innovation, the Saudi coffee opportunity, and redefining the cafe experience. Questions on the table include whether coffee is overpriced, whether the barista will disappear, and how a coffee brand is built to scale. Sessions are held in Arabic and English with live interpretation.
The conference is aimed at coffee producers, roasters, cafe owners, investors and anyone working in the sector, and brings together experts, baristas, researchers and producers from inside and outside the Kingdom. Conference registration includes entry to the accompanying exhibition, and ticket booking links are issued through the organiser's website as soon as they are available.
Agenda
8- 16:00Coffee as a Cultural and Media ForceFrom Gahwa to global trend: how Arabic coffee has become part of modern culture, content and lifestyle, and how social media is shaping the way coffee is experienced and consumed.
- 17:15The Science of Flavor and AIExploring flavor chemistry, fermentation, and the use of AI in sensory analysis, and how data and technology help producers and roasters better understand flavor and quality in specialty coffee.
- 18:30Is Coffee Overpriced?What really determines the price of a cup of coffee? Exploring pricing, margins, costs, and the different stages of the coffee value chain.
- 19:45Will the Barista Disappear?How automation, robotics, and AI are changing coffee service, from machine-assisted brewing and consistency to the role of human skill and judgment in the future of the barista.
- 16:00The Saudi Coffee OpportunityA specialty segment growing 15–20% annually, a government-backed cultivation revival in Jazan, and the rise of homegrown brands: what the next decade holds for operators, investors and producers in the Kingdom.
- 17:15Healthy Coffee.. Fact or Marketing?Exploring functional beverages, wellness trends, new ingredients, and the research behind coffee's health claims, and where evidence-based benefits end and marketing begins.
- 18:30Designing the Café ExperienceHow café design, service and atmosphere shape customer experience, loyalty and brand identity, and how cafés can create spaces that give customers a reason to return.
- 19:45From Cup to BrandBuilding a coffee brand capable of scaling, attracting investment and creating long-term impact: identity, positioning, digital presence and the strategic decisions that separate brands that last.
