The Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference (AF&B), organised by the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM), has concluded its 30th anniversary edition at the Miami Beach Convention Center, drawing 11,700 on-site industry attendees and representatives from 115 countries and territories.
The three-day international trade expo recorded one of the broadest geographic representations in its history, logging more than 13,000 professional registrations and hosting 990 exhibiting food and beverage companies across 22 dedicated international pavilions.
The event demonstrated sustained momentum in cross-border food commerce across the Western Hemisphere, expanding both exhibitor participation and buyer attendance compared to 2025.
"Thirty years ago, AF&B started as a gathering of a hundred companies with one goal: connecting the Americas through food and beverage trade," said Ivan Barrios, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Trade Center Miami. "This year, we welcomed nearly 12,000 people and 115 countries and territories to Miami Beach, a true testament to what three decades of relationship-building can do for small and medium-sized businesses across our hemisphere."
Growth Metrics and Attendance Expansion
Commercial attendance and exhibitor density both posted gains over the previous year's event:
On-Site Attendance: 11,700 registered trade visitors attended in person, up from 10,000 participants in 2025.
Industry Registrations: Total registered food and beverage professionals exceeded 13,000.
Exhibiting Enterprises: 990 commercial suppliers exhibited across the floor, rising from just over 900 exhibitors in 2025.
Global Footprint: 22 dedicated national pavilions representing commercial delegations from 115 countries and territories.
"Every number behind this show represents a real connection made on the floor," noted Alice Ancona, Chief Operating Officer of World Trade Center Miami. "Nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies and 22 international pavilions gives you a sense of scale, but what stood out this year was the depth of participation – buyers and producers coming back year after year, and new markets showing up for the first time."
International Pavilions and Trade Diplomacy
The 30th anniversary event featured high-level trade delegations and governmental participation reflecting the strategic role of food exports in regional trade relations.
Official dignitaries visiting the exhibition floor included Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg, and Turkish Ambassador to the United States Sedat Önal.
Marking the United States' upcoming 250th anniversary, the 2026 edition designated the United States as the official Country of Honour. The focal point of the domestic showcase was the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) 'A Taste of the States' pavilion, which brought together 165 domestic food and beverage manufacturers to connect with Latin American, Caribbean, and European retail buyers.
Alongside domestic suppliers, international pavilions showcased packaged goods, agricultural commodities, speciality beverages, and value-added ingredients from countries including Canada, Turkey, Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, and Thailand.
Conference Programming and 2027 Outlook
Across its three-day schedule, the event staged 51 educational sessions and commercial presentations distributed between the core Conference Programme, Center Stage, and Beverage Stage.
Key sessions addressed bilateral import and export regulations, cold chain and port logistics across the Caribbean corridor, sustainable sourcing certifications, and strategies for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) entering mainstream US grocery channels.
Following the conclusion of the 30th anniversary gathering, World Trade Center Miami confirmed that the 31st edition of the Americas Food & Beverage Show will return to the Miami Beach Convention Center from 27 to 29 September 2027.
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