Gold Coast, Australia – 31 October: National Media, one of Australia’s leading and fastest-growing events and digital services companies, has announced the acquisition of Café Culture and Café Biz Expo – two respected legacy brands in Australia’s café and coffee industry.
The acquisition includes all brand and content assets and marks another major step in National Media’s expansion across the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors.
As part of the transaction, industry veteran Sean Edwards joins National Media as Strategic Advisor for a two-year term to help steer the company’s expansion into the café and coffee sector. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Sean will support the integration of Café Biz Expo into the Café & Coffee Show and help relaunch a modernised Café Culture as a high-value digital hub for the industry.
“We’re thrilled to bring Café Culture brands into the National Media portfolio,” said Brad Langton, CEO of National Media. “These are brands with deep heritage and industry trust, and this acquisition allows us to both preserve their legacy and reimagine them for today’s digital and event landscape.”
“Sean’s knowledge, connections, and passion for the café sector are second to none. His appointment ensures we continue to create platforms that connect, inform, and grow this important part of Australia’s $21 billion coffee and café economy,” Langton added.
The former Café Biz Expo will evolve into the Café & Coffee Show, launching in May 2026 as part of Food & Hospitality Week at Sydney’s ICC. The new event will unite owners, operators, roasters, and suppliers to explore innovation, share ideas and celebrate excellence across the industry.
“I’m proud to see Café Culture enter a new era with National Media,” said Sean Edwards. “For more than two decades, we celebrated the people and businesses shaping Australia’s café scene. This partnership ensures they’ll continue to educate, connect and inspire for years to come.”
With more than 29,000 cafés, coffee shops and bakeries now operating across Australia, and new venues opening every week, the market represents a $21.2 billion industry showing no signs of slowing.
The reimagined Café Culture brand will further build out National Media’s digital engagement and data-driven marketing ecosystem – sitting alongside Restaurant Business – to deliver high-value insights, audience intelligence and targeted campaigns that help suppliers grow market share, strengthen brand visibility, and generate qualified demand year-round.
About National Media
National Media is Australia’s largest privately owned B2B events and digital services company. We help businesses and professionals connect, do business and grow through major exhibitions and summits, digital content and data-driven marketing solutions – combining face-to-face engagement with targeted digital reach. The foodservice and hospitality portfolio includes the Restaurant & Foodservice Show (formerly Foodservice Australia), Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Show, Hospitality & Retail Technology, Café & Coffee Show, Food & Hospitality Queensland, Restaurant Business and Café Culture.
The company also owns and operates flagship events across the build and design, health and safety and fitness and active-health sectors, including Design Show Australia, Kitchen+Bath Show, Futurebuild Australia, the Workplace Health & Safety Show and AusFitness Expo.
Media Enquiries
Email marketing@foodandhospitality.com.au.
