Coffee Fest 2026
Event Date
June 12–13, 2026
Location
Chicago, IL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryCoffee Fest Chicago is a business-to-business trade show and education event for the specialty coffee, tea, and beverage industry. It brings specialty coffee, tea, and beverage professionals together for two action-packed days of education, new products and connections, taking place June 12-13, 2026 at Navy Pier. Coffee Fest is positioned as more than a tradeshow, but rather an immersive experience where the specialty coffee community comes together, driving thought leadership and stimulating business growth.
The show is aimed at café and coffee shop owners, roasters, baristas, restaurant operators, and beverage buyers. Coffee Fest describes itself as your best business-to-business live event option if you're looking to get face-to-face with qualified decision-makers in the specialty coffee community. Attendees come to source suppliers, discover new products, and sharpen their skills through expert-led sessions.
The event also welcomes people not yet in business, offering start-up education, resources and companies to help those planning a café or restaurant opening. A dedicated Market for Emerging Brands is a turnkey showcase open to all first-time Coffee Fest exhibitors.
Show Highlights
- Education program: A dynamic lineup of lectures, workshops, networking sessions and hands-on training sessions for professionals at every stage.
- Hands-on training: Sessions have covered pour over essentials, espresso machine maintenance, latte art foundations, coffee processing, and more.
- Show floor: Opportunities to connect with suppliers, both existing and new.
- Market for Emerging Brands: A turnkey showcase open to all first-time Coffee Fest exhibitors.
- Business-focused content: Expert-led education sessions cover skill training, business growth, operators, industry trends and more.
Attendance
Coffee Fest does not publish official attendance figures for the Chicago show. According to third-party event analytics from Orbital, the event draws between 2,000 and 5,000 attendees to Chicago, IL on June 12–13, 2026. The audience is made up of coffee shop owners, independent roasters, baristas, beverage buyers, retail chain operators, and coffee professionals from across North America and beyond.
Booth Pricing
Coffee Fest does not publish a fixed public price list; booth costs range depending on size and location, with all pricing outlined in the Booth Pricing PDF and the Sponsorship Prospectus. Key exhibitor terms include:
- Deposit: A 30% deposit for your exhibit space is due at the time of registration.
- Balance: The 70% remaining balance must be paid 120 days prior to the show start date.
- Badges included: Each 10x10 booth receives 6 badges and a 10x5 exhibit space receives 3.
As a rough third-party estimate, Orbital reports that booth costs typically range around $5k–$15k.
Registration
Register online through the official Coffee Fest Chicago website. Pass types include:
- General Admission badge: Provides access to all lectures, panel discussions, and showfloor events, offering valuable insights and networking for coffee professionals.
- Paid add-ons: General Admission individual or team badge holders can add paid workshops and Hands-On Training sessions to their badge a la carte, allowing you to customize your experience as you go.
- Team Bundle: Includes 5 General Attendee badges for a discounted price.
Paid Hands-On Training is also available on Thursday afternoon ahead of the main show days.
History
Coffee Fest is an established B2B specialty coffee event that runs a multi-city circuit across the United States. Its 2026–2027 calendar includes Chicago (June 12-13, 2026, Navy Pier), Los Angeles (August 21-22, 2026, Los Angeles Convention Center), Fort Worth (October 17-18, 2026, Fort Worth Convention Center), and New York (March 7-9, 2027, Javits Center). The show is produced by Clarion Events. Coffee Fest continues to add new editions and cities across its national tour.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Avenue
Coffee Fest Chicago is held in Festival Hall at Navy Pier. Navy Pier is a premier waterfront destination on Lake Michigan, known for its iconic Centennial Wheel and scenic lakefront views, with theaters, museums, boat cruises, shopping, dining, and family-friendly activities on site. Festival Hall is the pier's large exhibition space used for major trade shows and expos.
Parking
Navy Pier offers on-site parking garages for drivers, and paid parking is widely available throughout the Streeterville and Magnificent Mile areas nearby. Many nearby hotels also offer valet or self-parking; for example, self parking at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is available for USD 75 per day, and valet parking at the Sable at Navy Pier Chicago is offered for USD 76.00 per day. Rates change frequently, so confirm current pricing directly with the venue or your hotel.
Getting There
Navy Pier is located about one mile from downtown Chicago and is an easy walk or short public-transit ride from the central area. CTA buses such as the #29 State Street and #65 Grand Avenue stop near Navy Pier. The two main airports are Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) and Chicago Midway International (MDW); both are accessible by public transportation from the downtown area. Rideshare and taxis serve the pier directly.
Nearby Hotels
Navy Pier sits in the Streeterville area near the Magnificent Mile, with many hotels within walking distance or a short ride:
- Sable at Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton — located directly on Navy Pier with views of the skyline and lake.
- Loews Chicago Hotel — a short walk from the lakefront with a fitness center and private parking.
- Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk — on River North near Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier.
- Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile — roughly an 8-minute walk from the hotel to Navy Pier.
The only official housing company for Coffee Fest is Connections Housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Coffee Fest Chicago 2026?
Coffee Fest Chicago takes place June 12-13, 2026 at Festival Hall, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Show hours are Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm.
Who should attend Coffee Fest Chicago?
The show is designed for specialty coffee, tea, and beverage professionals, including café and coffee shop owners, roasters, baristas, restaurant operators, and beverage buyers. People not yet in business are also welcome, as Coffee Fest offers start-up education and resources for those planning a café or restaurant opening.
How do I register and what passes are available?
You register online through the official Coffee Fest Chicago website. The General Admission badge provides access to all lectures, panel discussions, and showfloor events, while paid workshops and Hands-On Training can be added a la carte. A Team Bundle includes five General Attendee badges at a discounted price.
What can I expect on the show floor and in the education program?
Attendees can connect with new and existing suppliers, discover new products, and attend a lineup of lectures, workshops, networking sessions, and hands-on training. Hands-on sessions have covered topics such as pour over essentials, espresso machine maintenance, latte art foundations, and coffee processing.
How do I get to Navy Pier and where can I stay?
Navy Pier is about one mile from downtown Chicago and is reachable on foot, by CTA bus (such as the #29 or #65), or by rideshare, with O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) airports serving the city. Nearby hotels include the Sable at Navy Pier on the pier itself, plus properties in Streeterville and along the Magnificent Mile; Connections Housing is Coffee Fest's only official housing company.
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