BY VIOLETA MONTES DE OCA T his September, the Miami Beach Con- vention 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 sma- ll... 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 tra- ditional event company. “We’re a World Tra- de 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, em- phasizes 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 peo- ple to show up; we purposefully recruit the specific buyers our exhibitors need.” This high-touch approach results in incre- dible 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. THREE DECADES OF FLAVOR AND FORTUNE: The Americas Food & Beverage Show Celebrates 30 Years in Miami The journey to 30 years was paved with strate- gic shifts that redefined the show’s trajectory: The Big Move : Reloca- ting 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 bu- yer-centric recruitment. 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 ex- pansion 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. Milestones: From Local Roots to Global Reach The 30th Anniversary in Three Words: Ivan Barrios: Showcasing, Networking, Selling. Alice Ancona: Business, Gratitude, Connections. 10 • July | August 2026 • abasto.com • FOOD INDUSTRY