What is a welcome coffee?

A welcome coffee is the coffee offered to attendees as they arrive, before the meeting, conference day or event begins. It usually comes with water, juice and light nibbles, and is served while people register and find their places.

What it is used for at a corporate event

It gets the welcome right, soaks up the trickle of arrivals (not everyone turns up on the dot) and creates an informal first moment before the programme starts. At early-morning conferences, launches and training sessions it sets the tone for the day and avoids a late start caused by a last-minute coffee run.

How it differs from other formats

• A coffee break comes later, as a pause between sessions; the welcome coffee opens the day.
• A working breakfast is more substantial and is eaten seated or around a table; the welcome coffee is shorter, a quick stop on the way in.
• If the welcome is in the afternoon, with drinks, it becomes a welcome cocktail.

What it usually includes

Coffee, herbal teas, water and juice, with mini pastries, a savoury bite and sliced fruit. Set up a visible service point at the entrance, and expect some attendees to come back for more. If the event starts at a fixed time, it is better to open the service early and clear it away when the programme begins, so that the coffee does not compete with the agenda. To work out quantities, the guideline figures for the coffee break are a good starting point.

For a longer mid-morning gathering, see the corporate brunch.

How we can help

Our office breakfasts and coffee breaks in Madrid page shows how we run these services. If you already know the date and number of attendees, ask us for a quote.

Related service: Breakfasts and coffee breaks

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