MAJOR players in the food, beverage and hospitality industries will gather at the Food & Hotel Africa 2000 exhibition, organised by Specialised Exhibitions, at the Sandton Convention Centre from September 17 to 29.
With over 30 000 invitations having been sent out world-wide, the organisers hope to significantly increase their numbers of trade visitors, compared with last year's figure of 6 600, 5% of who were international visitors.
"This is our third annual exhibition and with last year's show already indicating a 25% growth, the show will become the biggest exhibition of its kind in Africa," predicts exhibitions manager Renee de Winnaar.
The show's new location, the much-anticipated Sandton Convention Centre, will also give it a boost, believes De Winnaar.
"We are operating from the strength that South Africa is the gateway to Africa and that international visitors and exhibitors will have the opportunity to network with and meet other industry leaders throughout the rest of Africa."
The exhibition will highlight local and international trends in the industry and will allow South Africa and indeed, Africa, to get a fair indication of how it competes with the international market.
A broad range of sector specific shows, including the Bakery and Confectionery 2000, Cheers Africa and Fresh Produce, will run in conjunction with the exhibition.
Countries such as France, Germany and the USA have shown a keen interest in exhibiting and currently, 50 exhibitors have already committed themselves to the show.
The company hopes to have between 150 and 200 exhibitors. Companies have until eight weeks before the show to sign up, but De Winnaar advises that they sign up earlier than that for them to be fully prepared.
(Adele Mackenzie)
