BCB London returns with refreshed education programme
The UK’s largest bar and beverage trade fair, Bar Convent London (BCB London), will return to Tobacco Dock on 11-12 May 2026 with an expanded Local Heroes showcase and a renewed focus on education.
Following its launch at the inaugural BCB London in 2025, Local Heroes will once again spotlight the people, products and stories shaping the British Isles’ drinks scene.
The initiative will give homegrown brands and makers a dedicated platform at BCB London, connecting them directly with bartenders and buyers. Its aim is to grow as a leading platform for regional talent in the years ahead.
Petra Lassahn, BCB director, said: “Launching BCB London taught us a great deal, from timing and logistics to what the UK and wider international market really wants from a trade show.
“What became very clear is that BCB London is not another version of Berlin. Each show serves a different market and purpose, and both have a valuable role to play.
“We are convinced there is a real need for both shows, each with its own identity, and London has firmly earned its place in the BCB calendar.”
Education programme
To oversee the strategy, structure, curation and delivery of the entire education programme, BCB London has appointed London bartender and hospitality consultant Elliot Ball as director of education for the 2026 show.
Ball, who is co-founder of The Cocktail Trading Co, HM’s, Filthy XIII, Murder Inc, and Royal Cocktail Exchange, brings experience across bartending, systems design and training, with a focus on the psychology of enjoyment, satisfaction and growth in hospitality.
In the role, he will ensure the programming reflects the realities, challenges and ambitions of today’s bar industry.
Working closely with the BCB London team, Ball will define the key themes, formats, industry trends and future-focused topics of the educational programme, and will seek to curate a diverse, high-calibre lineup of speakers and contributors.
The sessions will span keynotes, panels, workshops and practical learning.
Jack Sotti, BCB London’s brand ambassador, said: “Bringing BCB London back for a second year feels like a real statement. The response from the trade in year one demonstrated there is a genuine appetite for a show that speaks directly to the international bar and beverage community – and 2026 gives us the chance to build on that energy and do even more.”
Further details on exhibitors, education programming and feature areas will be announced in due course.
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