Your number-one reason to visit Africa’s Big Seven (AB7) is that it’s the
biggest annual food and beverage trade expo on the continent, with free
visitor registration and entry. Now in its 12th year, AB7 is a definite
‘must see’ event for anyone involved in the food andbeverage business in
Africa. AB7 takes place from 22 to 24 June at Gallagher Convention Centre,
Midrand, Johannesburg.
However, AB7 offers visitors so much more than just an exotic showcase for
thousands of food and beverage products in hundreds of categories from
around the world. There’s a spectacular array of new technologies and
equipment on display, and this year AB7 boasts an ever-growing stable of
over 300 local and international exhibitors.
*Seven Reasons to Visit Africa’s Big Seven*
*1. **Halaal World Expo* – Visitors have the opportunity to attend the
Halaal World component of this year’s AB7 which runs alongside the huge
Malaysian Pavilion.
*2. **Italian and Polish Pavilions* – For the first time in AB7’s
12-year history, Italy and Poland will host national trade pavilions
showcasing their best and latest food and beverage products. They join a
growing list of nations hosting trade pavilions at this year’s AB7 expo.
*3. **Taverner’s Forum *– The Gauteng Liquor Forum (GLF) will host a
supplier’s forum intended to bring shebeen owners, tavern owners and
township restaurateurs into the mainstream food and beverage industry. The
GLF comprises 16 000 members and is eager to explore opportunities to raise
awareness of their operations and increase profitability.
*4. **Free Magazine Subscriptions *– Visitors who pre-register online
for AB7 will receive free subscriptions to four of Italy’s leading English
language online trade magazines;*Italian Food Materials and Machinery
World,* *Italian Food Excellence,* *Hotel World* and*Vineyard, *and* Wine
and Quality.* To register for AB7 and the free subscriptions, visit
www.exhibitionsafrica.com
*5. **First DrinkTech Conference *– This year the DrinkTech Africa
Expo, one of the seven component shows of AB7, hosts its first-ever
industry conference. This event should provide valuable insights on trends,
challenges and opportunities across Africa’s ‘New Frontier’ markets, as its
middle class consumer population expands. The DrinkTech conference will
focus on development and growth in the African beverage value chain,
encompassing raw materials, filling, flavouring, marketing, manufacturing,
packaging, machinery, and end usage. The one-day conference, titled *Spotlight
on Beverage & Liquid Food Manufacturing and Marketing in Africa: A
DrinkTech Conference*, takes place at AB7 on 24 June 2014.
*6. **SAA Flight Discounts *– For the first time ever, all exhibitors
and visitors who choose to fly to AB7 and SAITEX with South African Airways
(SAA) can enjoy special flight discounts of up to 18%, thanks to an
exciting agreement between SAA and show organisers Exhibition Management
Services (EMS).
*7. **Don’t Forget SAITEX! *– AB7 takes place right alongside the
world-renowned Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) for
retail products, celebrating its 21st birthday this year. Visitors can
cross between both shows unrestricted, offering even more new products,
more new technology, more new ideas and even more business opportunities.
*Local and International Exhibitors – New Products, New Opportunities*
Cape-based Welgemeend Wine Estate has just released some exquisite new
vintage wines and will launch their Sauvignon Blanc and White Wedding Wine
series at AB7.
“We are looking for importers, marketing agents, distributors and
wholesalers of wine in Africa, including South Africa and any other country
with interested buyers,†says Thys Lourens, CEO of Welgemeend Wine Estate.
Cobizco Food Industries from Malaysia signed up for AB7 this year to market
its premix three-in-one beverages, ranging from coffee, chocolate malt
drinks, to oatmeal and cereals. “Our objective is to penetrate the Southern
African market and meet with potential buyers in the region,†says business
development manager Lawrence Yeap Eng Jye.
First time exhibitor Steel Belt Systems will exhibit its stainless steel
and carbon steel transport belts at this year’s AB7. The company’s managing
director, Kevan Miller, plans to meet up with new bakery and food
processing clients that use transport belts to add to his client database.
“We will be launching a new carbon steel belt, called Berncoat, which has a
new belt coating with a self-cleaning surface,†adds Miller.
Zawaq Foods from Saudi Arabia will introduce its tasty branded snack
products including potato chips, corn snacks, filled biscuits, popcorn
snacks and oats products. “We would like to expand our export network and
find new importers for our products, and see what other opportunities there
are in Africa,†says Eiddah Alsaywed, sales and marketing manager.
For more information on AB7 contact Lineke van der Brugghen, Exhibition
Management Services.
Tel: +27 11 783 7250. Fax: +27 11 783 7269.
E-mail: admin@exhibitionsafrica.com
Website: www.exhibitionsafrica.com