A New Continent, the Same Great Mobile Coffee Bars: Social Espresso at ISPRM
Social Espresso recently delivered our first African mobile coffee bar service at the ISPRM Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco, serving a global audience of more than 2,000 delegates and discovering just how far a warm cappuccino can travel.
A milestone moment for Social Espresso
Every event teaches us something new, but some stand out for entirely different reasons. Our recent work at the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine conference felt like one of those special chapters. ISPRM’s annual congress is a major global gathering for clinicians, researchers and rehabilitation specialists. This year’s theme, “Global Solutions in Rehabilitation: (Re)visiting Africa Before 2030,” brought thousands of professionals together to discuss how to shape the future of rehabilitation medicine.
For us, it marked something we had been looking forward to for a long time. It was the first time Social Espresso had delivered a mobile coffee bar on African soil. After years of supporting conferences and exhibitions across Europe, Asia and North America, it felt like a moment worth celebrating. One more continent added to the list. Three to go.
The atmosphere, the people and the energy at ISPRM made it the perfect introduction to working in this part of the world.
Setting up a mobile coffee bar in a new continent
Every international job comes with a sense of anticipation. The logistics shift slightly. The details matter even more. And there’s always that one thought in the back of your mind: We get to bring our coffee to somewhere entirely new.
For ISPRM, we sent a two-person team. Lily, one of our experienced baristas, took the lead on service. Alongside her was Khalifah to support with set up, keep service flowing smoothly and step in whenever an extra pair of hands was needed.
Arriving on site is always a grounding moment. You move from plans and spreadsheets to the reality of the space. You feel the size of the event. You see the flow of people. You imagine how the mobile coffee bar will become a natural meeting point. At ISPRM, more than 2,000 participants passed through the congress. Knowing we’d be serving such an international audience added an extra layer of excitement to the preparation.
Once everything was in place, the coffee machine warmed up and the first cups were poured, it already felt like we had been part of this event for years.
Why great coffee matters at international medical congresses
Events like ISPRM have their own pace. Sessions run back-to-back. Delegates move between halls with notebooks, tote bags and heads full of information. A warm, well-made coffee becomes more than a drink. It’s a pause, a moment of grounding, a chance to reset before the next conversation.
Our mobile coffee bar setup brings warmth, energy and connection to any stand. People naturally gather around great coffee. It starts conversations without anyone trying. At medical conferences, where collaboration is the point of the entire gathering, this becomes even more valuable.
Delegates told Lily that having a place to stop for a cappuccino helped them open up discussions that would otherwise have been rushed. It gave them a chance to connect with colleagues they hadn’t seen in person for years. It became a small but steady part of the event’s rhythm.
What the delegates loved most
Every event has its own flavour profile. At ISPRM, cappuccinos were the standout choice. This mirrors what we often see at international congresses. A cappuccino feels familiar across cultures. It’s approachable, comforting and universally understood. It’s always the reliable favourite, the drink people return to throughout the day.
The steady stream of cappuccino orders kept our barista busy, but it also created opportunities for some great conversations. Many delegates were curious about where the beans came from, how we source them and what Social Espresso does beyond the event they were attending, especially how our mobile coffee bar service works internationally.
Medical professionals tend to have a fascination with processes. They appreciate skill and detail, so watching a barista in flow is something they often pause to take in. Lily told us how much she enjoyed the conversations this sparked. People asked about her experience working internationally, what goes into training as a barista and what it’s like to serve coffee around the world.
Those genuine exchanges are part of what makes event coffee service so enjoyable. People don’t just remember the taste. They remember the person who made it.
Discovering local culture between shifts – the perks of being a mobile barista
One of the best parts of international work is the chance for our baristas to explore somewhere new. Local food, local coffee shops and conversations with local people all become part of the experience. ISPRM was no exception.
Between shifts, our team made time to sample local coffee culture. They visited cafés recommended by attendees and tried regional brews. They also embraced local dress, something that always sparks smiles and conversation with residents.
These moments create memories our baristas carry with them to the next event, and the next country, and sometimes even the next continent. They are one of the reasons international mobile coffee bar jobs feel so rewarding.
A selection of pictures from this memorable trip!
Reflecting on our first African event
Delivering event coffee service for ISPRM was more than a successful job. It felt like the beginning of another new chapter for Social Espresso. Serving in Africa reminded us that a cup of coffee can cross borders effortlessly. It brings people together wherever it goes.
The friendliness of attendees stood out. Lily described how openly people approached her, eager to learn about the coffee, the machine and the company. Delegates wanted to know how long she had been working as a barista and what it’s like to bring a mobile coffee bar to events around the world. Those conversations gave the week an atmosphere of genuine warmth.
When you strip back the equipment, the schedules and the planning, that is the heart of what we do. We bring a sense of connection to the places we work in. ISPRM made that clearer than ever.
Key Takeaways
- A mobile coffee bar can transform the flow and energy of a large international congress
- Cappuccinos remain the universal favourite at global medical events
- Friendly, curious delegates helped create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
- Our first African event marked a significant milestone in Social Espresso’s global journey
Planning an event?
If you want your next event to feel warm, purposeful and memorable, Social Espresso’s fully customisable mobile coffee bars and expert baristas are a simple and highly effective place to start. Get in touch to plan your next event coffee experience.
Call us: 020 3808 9126
Or simply request a quote and we’ll get back to you!
FAQs About our Mobile Coffee Bar Service
Can you provide multiple baristas for large events?
Absolutely. We can scale the team based on expected footfall, service speed and programme timings.
How do you transport your mobile coffee bars for overseas events?
We handle all logistics, including shipping equipment, coordinating with local teams and ensuring everything arrives on time and ready to serve.
Do you manage power and water requirements at international venues?
We liaise directly with event organisers to make sure the technical setup meets the machine’s needs, so everything runs smoothly on the day.
Do you offer branded cups or custom signage for global events?
We can supply branded cups, menus and signage to help your stand stand out and keep the experience consistent with your brand.
How do you ensure consistent coffee quality abroad?
We bring our own beans, grinders and recipes, and our baristas are trained to adapt to local conditions so every cup tastes as it should.