10 Jun 2019 The future of beverages, at Africa’s Big 7 expo
Africa’s food-bev industry is set to be disrupted by the 4th Industrial Revolution, forcing more agile approaches and more innovation to future-proof businesses, say experts set to speak at a key upcoming food-beverage event in Jo’burg in late June.
Speakers at the two-day FOODNEXT.AFRICA conference, to be staged alongside the Africa’s Big 7 food and beverage trade show – running 23-25 June 2019 – will unpack the future of food innovation, disruptive distribution, scaling up start-ups, food safety and food waste, and the surging demand for alternative proteins at the forum – just one of the many highlights at the expo.
With over 250 exhibitors from 45 countries, Africa’s Big 7 is the only food and beverage trade show in Africa to bring together hundreds of global suppliers with motivated buyers from every segment of the buying community.
“This long-established B2B food event connects the startups, food innovators, foodtech businesses, investors and partners who are redefining the food industry from farm-to-fork,” says Lynn Chamier, event director: Food, Hospitality and Trade Portfolio at dmg events.
Africa’s Big 7 also features highlights such as Café Culture workshops, where visitors can develop their skills and knowledge in the hottest beverage trends; and the Global Pizza Challenge that gives independent pizza chefs a chance to demonstrate their gastronomic skills and pit themselves against the competition to win cash prizes and an entry to the international finals.
Africa’s Big 7 and the FOODNEXT.AFRICA conference will all be staged under the banner ‘Africa Trade Week’, and co-located with the SAITEX trade fair and conference, the The Hotel Show hospitality trade show and Hospitality Leadership Forum.
This newly integrated international trade event, notes Chamier, is designed to establish South Africa as the gateway to the continent while delivering the latest innovations, new ideas and products, trends, insights and future thinking.