19th August 2026

Interview: Alice Ancona, Chief Operating Officer, Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference 2026

Last year, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alice Ancona, Chief Operating Officer of the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference. Our discussion focused on the exhibition’s growing international profile and its role in connecting food and beverage producers with buyers from across the Americas and beyond.

As preparations for the 2026 edition gather pace, I am delighted to speak with Alice once again. The global food industry continues to evolve, with exporters looking for new markets, retailers searching for innovative products, and international trade adapting to changing economic conditions. The United States remains one of the world’s largest food and beverage markets, offering significant opportunities for producers from around the globe.

This year, we look at what is new for the 2026 exhibition, how the event continues to support international trade, and why it remains an important meeting place for manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers.

Interview

Riad Beladi: Alice, we spoke last year about the success of the Americas Food & Beverage Show. As we look ahead to the 2026 edition, what are the biggest new developments and highlights visitors and exhibitors can expect?
Alice Ancona:

It’s hard to believe, but 2026 marks our 30th anniversary,  a huge milestone for the Show and for World Trade Center Miami. And the momentum behind it makes the timing even sweeter. We’re once again running three days across three halls, and as of today, we’re already 30% larger than we were in 2025 and over 150% larger than in 2022. Our attendance has grown approximately 120% over the same period.  But it’s not just about exhibition space; it’s about delivering value-added features on the show floor.

We’re also expanding our country pavilion program; we’re up to 19 pavilions this year, along with our Beverage Pavilion, our largest yet. Our Center Stage demo area sold out earlier than ever this year, and we have invested heavily in our Hosted Buyer Program.  It’s less about the new and more about delivering greater value for exhibitors and buyers to connect, discover, and have serious, private conversations on the floor. Thirty years in, we’re not slowing down; if anything, this is the most ambitious edition we’ve built.

Riad Beladi: The United States continues to be one of the world’s most important markets for food and beverage exports. How does the exhibition help international producers connect with US buyers, distributors and retailers?
Alice Ancona:
This is really the heart of what we do. Roughly 80% of the buyers who walk our floor have direct buying influence, 36% have the final say on purchasing decisions, and another 43% either select suppliers or recommend purchases. That’s an extraordinarily high-value audience for an exhibitor to access. And it’s not a US-only crowd: our buyers supply into the US, Latin America,  the Caribbean,  and Europe/Middle East, so an exhibitor connecting with one buyer at AF&B is often opening doors into several markets at once. Importantly, 40% of our buyers don’t attend any other show in the US, which means we’re not a stop on a circuit for them; for many, we’re the one show that matters, and we take that seriously. We back that up with an app that allows exhibitors to set up pre-scheduled meetings, which remains open several months after the show to ensure that connections continue to be made beyond the three days in Miami. Exhibitors don’t need to just hope for foot traffic; they can make targeted, qualified connections before and after the show.
Riad Beladi: What sectors of the food and beverage industry are seeing the strongest interest for the 2026 event? Are there any emerging trends that exhibitors should be aware of?
Alice Ancona:
As for trends, we continue to see strong buyer appetite for health-conscious and clean-label products, functional beverages, and items with a real sustainability or traceability story. Ethnic and fusion flavors keep gaining ground too, which tracks with how diverse and international our buyer base already is. Our buyers have told us clearly where their attention is: frozen foods, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are at the top of the list, alongside gourmet and specialty foods, meat and meat by-products, non-perishable pantry staples, and seafood. On the retail side specifically, 59% of our buyers have purchasing authority for retail and 50% for restaurant and foodservice, so exhibitors get a genuine cross-section of channels, not just one.
Riad Beladi: What advice would you give to companies exhibiting for the first time to ensure they make the most of the opportunities available during the show?
Alice Ancona:

Come in with a clear sense of why buyers are on our floor in the first place. Our data shows 60% of buyers attend specifically to discover new products, 47% to find new suppliers, 46% to learn about emerging trends, and 40% because they’re actively looking to import, so first-time exhibitors should build their whole presence around that: submit into the New Product Showcase, make sure your team can speak fluently to sourcing and export readiness, and use the show app to book meetings before you even arrive so you’re not relying on walk-up traffic alone. Three days go by fast, but because the show is business-focused and the buyers are so motivated, first-timers are consistently surprised by how many real business terms are discussed and follow-up meetings they can book in that window if they show up prepared rather than just showing up.

 
Riad Beladi: Looking beyond 2026, how do you see the Americas Food & Beverage Show continuing to strengthen its position as a leading international trade event for the food and beverage industry?
Alice Ancona: 

Ivan Barrios, the President/CEO and I took over WTC Miami and this Show back in 2020, and every decision since has been guided by one question: does this create real ROI for our exhibitors and buyers? Thirty years of history gives us a strong foundation, but the growth we’ve seen since 2022 tells us there’s still real runway ahead. Going forward, that means continuing to deepen our country pavilion program, expanding the buyer programming that drives qualified, decision-making attendees to the floor, and leaning further into Miami’s unmatched position as the trade gateway between North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Our goal isn’t just to be the biggest show in the hemisphere; it’s to remain the one where exhibitors and buyers can point to actual, measurable business results. That’s what got us here for 30 years, and it’s what will carry us through the next 30.