Our Coffee-Filled Adventure at Coffee Fest Orlando 2025

We’re still buzzing—literally and figuratively—from our visit to Coffee Fest Orlando 2025, held from October 24th to 25th in sunny Orlando, Florida.

This event wasn’t just another trade show; it was a gathering of passionate coffee enthusiasts, experts, and entrepreneurs who came together to celebrate all things coffee. Since we started exploring the world of coffee back in 2015 (yes, ten years already!), this was easily one of the best expos we’ve attended. The atmosphere? Pure energy, warmth, and connection.

What Makes Coffee Fest So Special?

Beyond the aroma of freshly roasted beans, Coffee Fest is all about community, education, and inspiration. Attendees had the chance to:

• Discover the latest coffee innovations and products
  
  

• Explore emerging trends in the specialty coffee industry
  
  

• Connect with like-minded professionals and brands
  
  

It’s the kind of event that fuels your passion for coffee while giving you the tools and insights to grow your business.

A Learning Experience Like No Other

What sets Coffee Fest apart is the depth of knowledge shared. The expo featured educational sessions, panels, and workshops led by top industry professionals. These sessions didn’t just teach, they inspired action.

Some of our favorite sessions included:

• “Pricing and Menu Strategy” — a must-attend for any coffee shop owner.
  
  

• “Going Green: Sustainability in the Coffee Industry” — practical tips for running an eco-conscious coffee business.
  
  

• “Negotiating Coffee Shop Leases” — essential insights for anyone opening a new shop/roastery.
  
  

• “Cost of Goods and Quality Control” — ideal for roasters refining their craft.
  
  

• “The Mobile Coffee Guide” — for those exploring coffee trucks and pop-up café models.
  
  

These topics cater not only to aspiring coffee entrepreneurs but also to seasoned business owners seeking to scale and innovate.

Tastings, Competitions, and Conversations

Of course, what’s a coffee event without tastings? We savored brews from around the world, chatted with skilled baristas, and even got to learn from the national roasting champion and the amazing Mill City Roasters team.

The competitions were fierce, the conversations enlightening, and the coffee? Simply delicious. Every interaction reminded us that in coffee, there’s always something new to learn — and someone inspiring to meet.

A Heartfelt Highlight: Café Femenina Foundation

A standout moment of the weekend was the silent auction hosted by the Café Femenino Foundation. The foundation supports women coffee farmers in countries like Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and many others from South America and Africa empowering them through community and education.

We were thrilled to participate and even more thrilled to win a Moccamaster! The proceeds from the auction go directly toward the foundation’s programs, making every bid a step toward a brighter, more equitable coffee industry.

👉 Learn more about their incredible work at cffoundation.org.

Why Coffee Fest Should Be on Your Calendar

If you’re a coffee shop owner, roaster, barista, vendor, or someone dreaming of opening a coffee business, Coffee Fest is the event for you. It’s held in multiple cities throughout the year, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas so there’s always a chance to join in.

This event isn’t just about tasting coffee,  it’s about building connections, sharing knowledge, and driving growth in the specialty coffee world.

Coffee Fest reminded us why we fell in love with this industry in the first place: the community, creativity, and constant learning that keep it brewing strong.

A big thank you to the organizers, speakers, and fellow attendees for creating such an inspiring experience. We can’t wait to see what’s brewing next year! ☕