Hot Spot: Melbourne International Coffee Expo

The Melbourne International Coffee Expo, also known as MICE, is returning in 2016. The Expo has become the largest coffee-dedicated event in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the largest in the world. This year's event is shaping up to be even more exciting than the last.

More than 10,000 visitors flock to the Expo each year, many of whom are café owners, roasters, baristas, manufacturers and distributors making MICE the coffee expo for people who live coffee.

From 17 to 19 March Melbourne Showgrounds will be abuzz with exhibitions, championships and a general appreciation for those bitter brown beans.

With a huge list of exhibitors locked in, you'll be spoilt for choice, but why not check out displays from big names like Lavazza or T2 and innovators like KeepCup? The weekend is as much about education as it is drinking damn good coffee. Even Charlie's Cookies will make an appearance this year. The boutique treat supplier with a penchant for charity is giving away a week's supply of Charlie's Artisan Cookies valued at $150: all you have to do is head to the expo, snap a selfie at the Charlie's booth and tag them.