This September, the Miami Beach Convention Center will transform into the global epicenter of the food industry. But this isn’t just another edition; it is the 30th Anniversary of the Americas Food & Beverage Show (AF&B). What started in 1996 as a modest gathering at a small airport convention center has evolved into a powerhouse of international trade.
Ivan Barrios, President and CEO of the World Trade Center (WTC) Miami was there at the genesis. “The first show was very small… about 180 exhibitors,” Barrios recalls. Fast forward to 2026, and the show has expanded from a single hall to occupying nearly the entire Miami Beach Convention Center, featuring over 22 country pavilions.
What Sets AF&B Apart: The “WTC Factor”
In a crowded landscape of trade shows, AF&B stands out because it isn’t run by a traditional event company. “We’re a World Trade Center,” explains Barrios. “Our mission is to provide global business connections for small and medium-sized companies.”
Alice Ancona, Chief Operating Officer for the World Trade Center Miami, emphasizes that while the show is famous for its vibrant Miami energy—where English and Spanish blend seamlessly amid music and tastings—the core is strictly business.
“We developed our own buyers program,” Ancona says. “We don’t just wait for people to show up; we purposefully recruit the specific buyers our exhibitors need.”
This high-touch approach results in incredible engagement. While typical attendees
might spend a few hours at a fair, AF&B visitors are “clocking in six to eight hours a
day,” thriving in an environment built on trust and face-to-face handshakes.
Related Article: Americas Food & Bev Show 2025 Recap: A Global Success
Vision for the Future: A 365-Day Connection
As they look toward the next decade, the goal is clear: total “Miami Beach takeover.”
Barrios sees the show occupying all four halls of the convention center, but the expansion goes beyond physical space.
“The show is a 365-day experience,” says Ancona. Through their dedicated app,
the WTC Miami ensures that networking doesn’t end when the booths are packed
away. The vision for the next five to ten years is a 24/7 global marketplace where
small businesses can find partners any day of the year, culminating in the high-energy celebration each September in Miami.
The 30th Anniversary of the Americas Food & Beverage Show in Three Words:
- Ivan Barrios: “Showcasing, Networking, Selling”.
- Alice Ancona: “Business, Gratitude, Connections”.
Milestones: From Local Roots to Global Reach
The journey to 30 years was paved with strategic shifts that redefined the show’s trajectory:
The Big Move: Relocating to the Miami Beach Convention Center allowed the show to grow by 50% almost immediately.
The NASDA Partnership: Teaming up with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) solidified the “Taste of the States” pavilion, which now boasts over 200 exhibit booths.
The Post-Pandemic Rebirth: Under the leadership of Barrios and COO Alice Ancona, the show underwent a total transformation in 2023, debuting a new logo, a modern “feel,” and a radical pivot toward buyer-centric recruitment.