FoodBiz Africa Tops AB7 Popularity Poll Again!
 Seven years after its inception, FoodBiz Africa is still the most popular component show of Africa’s Big Seven (AB7), the biggest food and beverage exhibition on the continent. When FoodBiz Africa first appeared at AB7 in 2008, it proved an instant sensation, attracting the highest percentage of buyers in any category. Last year it won outright, with 38% of AB7 visitors primarily targeting the sector! Africa’s Big Seven takes place from 21-23 June 2015 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand.
“Over the past five years, FoodBiz Africa has consistently made the podium as one of the three most popular component shows of AB7,” says John Thomson of Exhibition Management Services, the organisers of the well-known show. “The FoodBiz Africa expo showcases hospitality, retail and institutional catering equipment and supplies; food preparation and preservation equipment; packaging, warming, heating and refrigeration equipment – all massive components of the food industry.”
“Since launching Africa’s Big Seven as an Africa-only event in 1984, we have grown its exhibitor profile to 35 countries and 225 exhibiting companies as of this year,” adds Thomson. “For 2015 we have many new first-time exhibitors from France, Denmark, Belgium and Eastern European countries such as Estonia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Russia. This year will see the best and biggest AB7 ever.”
Some countries have had import and export sanctions lifted, and are now looking at Africa for new business opportunities. Africa’s Big Seven is the ideal networking platform to do this. But time is short; space is almost sold out – currently, AB7 only has eight stands available.
Hospitality Association Returns to AB7
The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) will exhibit for the second time this year, following its successful debut at AB7 2014. FEDHASA represents the hospitality industry in South Africa and encompasses hotels, restaurants, conference centres, caterers, self-catering accommodation and home hosting establishments. General Manager Tshidi Mkhosana was delighted with the results of FEDHASA’s participation at AB7.
“I was concerned AB7 might not be the right platform for us, but visitor response was highly encouraging. We generated 130 positive leads and over 70 stakeholder contacts; in fact many visitors were very keen to be represented by FEDHASA, and some stakeholders were interested in forming partnerships with us.”
FEDHASA Membership Manager Veronica Daniels says exhibiting at AB7 2014 created great visibility for the association.
“All our visitors were highly interested in what we do for the hospitality industry, and many signed up as members on our stand,” says Daniels. “We really appreciate the exposure from the show; it was incredible and definitely worth attending.”
About AB7
AB7, the continent’s largest food and beverage trade exhibition, provides a powerful networking platform for the world to find business in Africa. This seven-in-one trade show incorporates several related exhibitions, including the Pan Africa Retail Trade Exhibition, AgriFood, FoodTech Africa, DrinkTech Africa, Interbake Africa, Retail Solutions Africa and FoodBiz Africa. The Halaal pavilion will again form part of the Expo as a major attraction for companies interested in the latest Halaal products.
For more information 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 |
