Bar Convent Singapore (BCB Singapore) hopes to be the region’s leading platform connecting the bar and beverage industry, creating new opportunities for spirits brand owners and fostering discovery and growth for bar and beverage professionals. Henry Stonham, Senior Project Manager, BCB Singapore 2025 in a conversation with Bhavya Desai highlights the focus
and experience of the show this year. Excerpts:
How was the response and objective of the BCB show?
Our focus at BCB Singapore was to deliver on three main areas – First, to bring a broad and international showcase of incredible craft and premium products targeted towards bars. Second, to curate a rich and diverse education programme that serves to help everyone learn and grow, no matter what their role or seniority. And finally, to help our community make meaningful connections that can help individuals and brands alike take the next steps towards their respective goals.
How has the show grown over the years?
Since its beginnings almost 20 years ago in Berlin, BCB has been a consistent meeting point for the bar and beverage industry. It serves as a very structured platform in which brands, bartenders, bar owners and other industry professionals can come together to make new connections, strengthen existing relationships and grow their personal or professional community with other leaders from around the world.
Add to that a highly targeted showcase of incredible craft and premium products targeted towards bars, as well as a rich and diverse education programme that serves to help everyone learn and grow, you have a very impactful platform that can deliver immediate and valuable opportunities for the future. Our aim is to continue the legacy of BCB over the years and deliver a curated programme specifically for the needs of the Asian market.
How was the participation this year?
This year’s BCB Singapore continued to deliver towards our three main objectives of discovery, education and networking. Over 2,300 attendees enjoyed a highly diverse showcase of international craft and premium spirits, mixers, consumables and equipment from more than 30 countries. Featuring a mix of both established and upcoming brands, as well as country pavilions from Japan, USA, Mexico and Italy, bars can source the latest products to freshen up their beverage programmes.
In line with our position as a trade platform, there was also a greater emphasis on matching new brands to the market with attending importers from around Asia through a new Hosted Buyer Program. With a growing desire from consumers to get access to new brands in their market, facilitating these connections goes a long way to helping brands and trade partners identify and forge the right partnerships.
What was the focus for trade and how was their experience enhanced?
Education remains a fundamental part of the attendee experience, and we expanded our programme to four stages, featuring more than 50 speakers across 40 sessions. Concentrating on four education pillars of Business, Community, Creativity and Innovation, there is truly something for everyone, with topics such as Mentorship, Drinks Techniques, Personal Brand Building, Social Media Content, Photography, Bartending Competitions, just some of the featured highlights.
Finally, the power of concentrated networking is what gives the event its unique aura. Having a single point where the entire industry gathers to discover new partnerships, pursue high quality learning opportunities and celebrate their craft in a targeted environment, truly helps to push the industry forward and striving for greater heights.
How does BCB help the industry grow in the region?
Craft spirits and cocktails was once seen as a very niche segment within the wider alcohol industry, particularly compared to categories like wine, where you have a longstanding history of dedicated trade shows and events. With the rapidly growing trend of cocktail culture in modern day life, it’s important now that this industry has dedicated platforms which can serve to guide this growth and development in a meaningful way, ensuring that there are the necessary foundations of knowledge and understanding to ensure consistent and long-term growth.