Africa’s Big 7, the continent’s leading event for the food & beverage industry runs from June 25 to 27 in South Africa attracting senior buyers from across the sector

Africa’s premier food and beverage show has been rebranded and has relaunched this year to meet the needs of a changing market.

Africa’s Big 7 (AB7) is already the premier meeting place for the food & drink sector. Buyers, and distributors visit to source everything from new ingredients to finished products as well as processing, manufacturing, packaging and logistics solutions.

AB7 was acquired last year by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa and its Africa Vice President Christine Davidson explained the decision to rebrand and refocus the show, which has been running for 14 years.

“AB7 has been the meeting place for the industry for many years and therefore provides a solid foundation for us, as the new owners, to take the event forward working with the industry as we go” she said. “Requirements are changing and the 2017 show will reflect that – from a new focus on specialist ingredients, flavors and food trends to the latest production and technology driven processes.

“This year’s show will be brought into line with buyers’ needs offering essential information, live demonstrations and discussion with a bit of inspiration too. The rebrand and repositioning will be reflected in everything we do in terms of content, visitor & exhibitor engagement, show collateral and website.”

AB7 offers suppliers the most direct route to buyers and distributors from 25 African countries and attracts exhibitors from around the world.

For exhibitors, AB7 offers an efficient solution to meeting f&b professionals to drive growth.

Davidson said: “And there is no better place than South Africa for the 15th edition of Africa’s Big 7, it being the largest and most sophisticated food and drink sectors on the continent. It is ideal for exhibitors looking for expansion or route to market and will be a great show to meet new clients and secure new business.”

The rebranded AB7 is co-located with SAITEX 2017 – Africa’s largest product sourcing event – and The Hotel Show Africa 2017, one of the world’s most successful hospitality event brands, at The Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from June 25 to 27.