London Coffee Festival Wins AEO Award for Best UK Trade Show

The London Coffee Festival has received one of the UK’s most prestigious industry recognitions, winning the Best UK Trade Show (2,001–4,000 SQM) at the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards. The award was presented at a ceremony held in London on Friday, June 13, celebrating excellence in live events across the United Kingdom.

Organised by the AEO, the annual Excellence Awards are widely regarded as the benchmark for outstanding achievement in the event industry. This recognition positions the London Coffee Festival among the nation’s top trade shows in terms of scale, impact, and innovation.

The London Coffee Festival team expressed deep appreciation to its partners, exhibitors, and attendees, particularly members of the specialty coffee community whose ongoing enthusiasm continues to shape the festival’s success.

“We are honoured to receive this award. It’s a testament to the collective passion, creativity, and dedication of the entire coffee industry,” said Harry Goddin, Commercial Director of The London Coffee Festival.

Now in its fourteenth year, The London Coffee Festival has become a cornerstone of the global specialty coffee calendar, drawing thousands of professionals and enthusiasts to the capital each spring. The event features an extensive programme of exhibitions, tastings, workshops, competitions, and panel discussions, all designed to celebrate the evolving culture and commerce of coffee.

As part of the ongoing celebration of innovation in the sector, the festival’s sister brand, Lumina Intelligence, has released a new episode of The Market Pulse podcast titled:
“Caffeinated Futures: Innovation, Wellness & the Third Space”.

In the episode, Flora Zwolinski, Senior Insight Manager at Lumina Intelligence, sits down with Harry Goddin to explore major trends shaping the future of coffee—from functional ingredients like collagen and adaptogens to the growing role of coffee in wellness and community spaces. The discussion offers insights into the changing expectations of consumers and the new business models emerging in response.

In addition to the podcast, a series of exclusive interviews from the festival floor have been released, featuring key voices in the industry, including:

• Jonny England, Löfbergs UK

• Ben Brooker, La Marzocco

• Ant Duckworth, crowned LCF Influencer of the Year 2025

These interviews offer a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation, leadership, and creativity that define the UK’s specialty coffee scene today.

With this award and ongoing industry engagement, The London Coffee Festival reaffirms its role as a leading platform not just for trade, but for thought leadership in coffee.

Listen to the full episode of The Market Pulse podcast:
“Caffeinated Futures: Innovation, Wellness & the Third Space” – now available on all major podcast platforms.