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Case Study
Full-Service Venue Sourcing and Event Management
For the Ugandan Coffee Festival Afterparty with the United Nations and International Trade Council
The Brief
Our client was seeking a stylish, modern venue within walking distance of The Truman Brewery in East London to host an afterparty for The London Coffee Festival. With a focus on celebrating Ugandan coffee, the brief called for three distinctive event spaces to accommodate up to 100 guests for a standing reception. The venue needed to support multiple live elements including coffee cupping, espresso tasting, and a dedicated networking area with music, catering, and cocktails.
All elements of the event were to reflect authentic Ugandan culture, from the food to the experience design. The client required both a venue-finding service and full event management on the day. Above all, the priority was finding a flexible venue within five minutes’ walk of The Truman Brewery that allowed the use of external suppliers, and offered a clean, modern backdrop suitable for immersive brand activity.
Challenge
The enquiry came to Match My Venue just one month before the event date, leaving limited time for venue sourcing and planning. While the event was aligned with The London Coffee Festival, it was not an official afterparty — which meant that using spaces at The Truman Brewery was not permitted.
The venue needed to accommodate a dedicated catering area, space for at least three commercial coffee machines, and include three connected yet clearly defined zones to support cupping, espresso tasting, and networking. With a high power requirement, we also had to ensure that power load capacity was factored into the search — making technical capability just as critical as location and layout.
Knowledge
With the brief focused on sourcing a venue within five minutes of The Truman Brewery, we carried out an extensive search across East London. We considered a wide range of options, from rooftop venues with strong visual appeal to flexible spaces further into Shoreditch — all while keeping in mind the specific needs of the event, including space for catering, coffee machines, power requirements, and three distinct but connected areas for tasting, cupping, and networking.
After evaluating multiple spaces, one venue stood out as the clear front-runner. It offered the ideal combination of location, layout, supplier flexibility, and atmosphere to deliver the authentic Ugandan experience the client was looking for. The flow between its distinct spaces allowed for a natural guest journey, while the modern aesthetic paired perfectly with the event’s contemporary tone. Once viewed, it was immediately clear this venue ticked every box — and became the foundation for the full event plan moving forward.
The Venue
Once confirmed, Second Home Spitalfields proved to be the perfect choice. The venue’s flexible, design-led layout allowed us to create three clearly defined zones within one flowing space. The ‘bubbled’ seating area provided an intimate, visually striking setting for coffee cupping, while the central bar served as the ideal hub for espresso tastings and housing multiple coffee machines. The open workspace area was transformed into a lively networking zone, complete with authentic Ugandan catering, cocktails, and music — delivering the vibrant, immersive experience the client had envisioned.
Flooded with natural daylight and filled with creative energy, Second Home offered the perfect blank canvas for this culturally rich, coffee-focused event. From the outset, the team were welcoming and accommodating — giving us the freedom to reconfigure the space entirely and bring our full event vision to life. Their flexibility and enthusiasm played a key role in the smooth delivery and overall success of the experience.
Suppliers
To ensure the event reflected the richness of Ugandan culture, Match My Venue used its extensive network to source authentic suppliers who could bring depth and credibility to the experience. From coffee roasters specialising in Ugandan beans to caterers capable of delivering truly traditional East African cuisine, every supplier was carefully selected for their quality, cultural knowledge, and flexibility. Our understanding of the brief — paired with trusted industry connections — meant we could curate a team that delivered not only on logistics, but on authenticity and storytelling.
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The London Kitchen (Catering)
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Yahire (Furniture)
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Markeys (Coffee Machines)
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Blendology (Delegate Badging)
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Just Talent (Entertainment)
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Awesome Events (AV)
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Blakes Florist (Flowers)
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Jupiter VC (Branding)
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Your Custom Clothing (Aprons)
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The Events Consultant (Event Management)
Management
The full event management was delivered by our sister company, The Events Consultant, who oversaw every detail from planning to execution. Working closely with The London Kitchen, we developed bespoke menus that honoured Ugandan cuisine, while ensuring all technical and service requirements from Markey’s aligned with the expectations of The London Coffee Festival. For sustainability, we partnered with Blendology to eliminate the need for printed materials, and for entertainment, we engaged Just Talent, who sourced a line-up of authentic Ugandan artists to bring cultural depth to the evening.
Our team managed all logistics — including risk assessments, health and safety documentation, and detailed supplier schedules. With only one loading bay at the venue, timings were carefully coordinated to avoid delays while giving each supplier sufficient time for setup. We worked closely with vendors on step-free access for heavy items, power load calculations, and thoughtful planning around gender-neutral facilities. Every supplier was fully briefed, contracted, and invoices and budgets managed through Match My Venue, ensuring a smooth, well-managed event with no surprises on the day.
Outcome
The event was met with exceptional feedback from all parties involved. Ceres PR, Jane Milton, the International Trade Centre, the United Nations, and industry experts alike praised the attention to detail and cultural authenticity achieved throughout the experience. The High Commissioner of Uganda described the event as “a true taste of home,” recognising the care taken to honour Ugandan heritage through food, music, and atmosphere. Match My Venue has since been commended for its delivery and professionalism and is now a recommended supplier for all stakeholders involved in the event.
Second Home
Second Home Spitalfields is a vibrant and design-led venue ideal for brand activations, networking events, and cultural gatherings. Located just minutes from Brick Lane and The Truman Brewery, it offers flexible open-plan spaces flooded with natural light and a creative atmosphere that inspires connection.