BCB Singapore reveals plans for 25% growth in 2025
Following its debut in 2023, Bar Convent Singapore (BCB Singapore) plans to up both visitor and exhibitor numbers in 2025, debuting content "specifically created for the region". Nimmi Malhotra reports. The post BCB Singapore reveals plans for 25% growth in 2025 appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Following its debut in 2023, Bar Convent Singapore (BCB Singapore) plans to up both visitor and exhibitor numbers in 2025, debuting content "specifically created for the region". Nimmi Malhotra reports.
BCB Singapore is set to return on March 3-4, 2025, at Marina Bay Sands.
BCB Singapore is the Asian iteration of the successful BCB model, first launched in Berlin in 2007. The trade-only event brings bartenders, bar owners, distributors and producers together for two days of seminars, hands-on workshops, and an exhibition showcasing the latest spirits and trends.
After a successful debut in November 2023, where 150 brands from 18 countries participated, Henry Stonham, project manager for BCB Singapore, says the 2025 convention is poised to be bigger and more impactful.
“The big change is that we are moving to a new venue – Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre,” he says. MBS sits in the heart of the city and offers a more central and upscale setting for networking and discovery.
“Also, we are expecting a more international presence compared to 2023. We have added country pavilions from the USA, Italy, and Mexico, which will add to the strong presence of the Japan pavilion,” he adds. The ambition is to see a 25% growth in visitor and exhibitor numbers compared to 2023.
Confirmed participants include Brown Forman, Campari and Código. Alongside the big names, there will be a diverse range of local craft spirit with a mix of the esoteric, like Cocuy Sarochel, a 100% agave spirit from Venezuela.
Keenly aware that the strong Singapore dollar might pose a challenge for bartenders and distillers from emerging markets, Chua and Stonham are exploring ways to ease financial barriers. As Chua puts it: “We understand Singapore being the hub for BCB in Asia right now is a bit of a challenge in terms of the financials because Singapore is an expensive city.”
His efforts to alleviate concern include organising guest shifts for bars to encourage sponsorship from major spirits brands and streamlining logistics to reduce costs for regional participants.
BCB Singapore is also conducting roadshows across the region, including Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Manila, which capture a “small snippet of what to expect from BCB” with two speakers and a guest shift to raise awareness.
As Stonham says: “The idea is bringing the best of industry knowledge from all around the world and giving everyone in Asia this easy, accessible opportunity to be part of.”
BCB Singapore is set to return on March 3-4, 2025, at Marina Bay Sands.
BCB Singapore is the Asian iteration of the successful BCB model, first launched in Berlin in 2007. The trade-only event brings bartenders, bar owners, distributors and producers together for two days of seminars, hands-on workshops, and an exhibition showcasing the latest spirits and trends.
After a successful debut in November 2023, where 150 brands from 18 countries participated, Henry Stonham, project manager for BCB Singapore, says the 2025 convention is poised to be bigger and more impactful.
“The big change is that we are moving to a new venue – Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre,” he says. MBS sits in the heart of the city and offers a more central and upscale setting for networking and discovery.
“Also, we are expecting a more international presence compared to 2023. We have added country pavilions from the USA, Italy, and Mexico, which will add to the strong presence of the Japan pavilion,” he adds. The ambition is to see a 25% growth in visitor and exhibitor numbers compared to 2023.
Confirmed participants include Brown Forman, Campari and Código. Alongside the big names, there will be a diverse range of local craft spirit with a mix of the esoteric, like Cocuy Sarochel, a 100% agave spirit from Venezuela.
Education and networking
Peter Chua, who serves as a brand ambassador and head of education at BCB Singapore, is committed to a strong education programme with “content specifically created for the region”. Chua is taking Asian trends into account, such as the rise of Asian craft spirits, a surge of low and no alcohol cocktails and sustainability. These have become the programme's key themes. Prominent bar industry personalities are speaking at BCB Singapore, including Hyacinthe Lescoët of The Cambridge Public House and Little Red Door in Paris and Singapore’s own Bannie Kang, co-founder of Side Door. The sessions explore topics ranging from the sustainability science of flavour to the intricate nuances of Baijiu Awamori, and multiple sessions on agave spirits in collaboration with Club Cantina, an educational platform about Agave Distillates.
Keenly aware that the strong Singapore dollar might pose a challenge for bartenders and distillers from emerging markets, Chua and Stonham are exploring ways to ease financial barriers. As Chua puts it: “We understand Singapore being the hub for BCB in Asia right now is a bit of a challenge in terms of the financials because Singapore is an expensive city.”
His efforts to alleviate concern include organising guest shifts for bars to encourage sponsorship from major spirits brands and streamlining logistics to reduce costs for regional participants.
BCB Singapore is also conducting roadshows across the region, including Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Manila, which capture a “small snippet of what to expect from BCB” with two speakers and a guest shift to raise awareness.
As Stonham says: “The idea is bringing the best of industry knowledge from all around the world and giving everyone in Asia this easy, accessible opportunity to be part of.” 
