MAFBEX 2018 turns spotlight on Filipino food culture, entrepreneurship
MANILA, Philippines — It’s that time of the year again as the Manila Food and Beverage Expo (MAFBEX), the country’s biggest and most anticipated food show, is back to serve up another round of gastronomic excitement.
Now on its 12th edition, this year’s MAFBEX aims to unleash the foodie out of every visitor and likewise unlock wondrous B2B and B2C opportunities for countless trade players and potential investors in the F&B scene.
Officially opening its doors today, MAFBEX 2018 is pegged as “The Ultimate Foodventure” as it gathers 300 exhibitors made up of both local and international food and beverage companies from countries such as Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia. In turn, this year’s MAFBEX boasts of 500 booths that are strategically and conveniently located throughout a 15,000-sqaure meter wide exhibition hall.
For all the tasty, mouthwatering goodness that await, this year’s MAFBEX is expected to attract close to 60,000 visitors throughout its five-day run.
As is customary, a grand opening launch was held this morning at the lobby of the show venue.
Present during program and the ceremonial ribbon-cutting were VIP guests: Sen. Cynthia Villar represented by Camille Villar, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture Emmanuel Piñol, and Assistant Secretary for the Department of Trade and Industry Depna Naga, together with the executive officers of MAFBEX Events Management such as MEM Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, MEM Co-Founder Levi Ang, MEM Executive Director Archt. Francisco Flameño Jr., MEM President Jill Aithnie Ang, Rene Ramos and Tessie Roque.
For over a decade, MAFBEX has never ceased to offer an unforgettable food show. One that constantly aims to showcase the finest and freshest tastes and flavors from various cultures whether locally or abroad. However, distinct to MAFBEX is how it manages to open up a productive venue for trade professionals in the F&B business.
And this year is no different as MAFBEX 2018 makes evident its commitment to empower the F&B industry through several event highlights especially designed to foster these opportunities.
Among which include the MAFBEX seminars, the Food Franchising Zone and the Regional Agri-Food Zone which was made possible with the support of the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
As noted by MEM Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, “MAFBEX 2018 is an advantageous event for investors and trade players alike who are in search of the latest ventures in the F&B trade.”
Apart from connecting exhibitors with potential investors, another important component of every MAFBEX show is its ongoing advocacy towards continued learning.
For MAFBEX, the growth of the F&B industry depends as much on the constant exchange of valuable industry information among its practitioners. In this regard, the MAFBEX seminars has come to assume the function of providing show goers with uninhibited access to these knowledge platforms.
MAFBEX seminars
This year, MAFBEX seminars is back to offer up another compelling line-up of topics that address key issues concerning today’s F&B market.
Among these include a discussion on sustainable food, kitchen management and climate change; some notes on cutting purchase costs more effectively; insights on getting started in the food business; and a dialogue on the importance of branding and social media, among many others.
Commenting on MAFBEX’s annually-hosted Seminars, Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. President and CEO Marie-Joyce Co Yu has deemed the show as a key driver in engaging industry professionals in dialogues that discuss the latest and best practices of their trade. Moreover, she regards the high-grade food show as “one of the enablers in accommodating start-up food businesses” for the show’s steadfast dedication to provide a better platform for local food franchises to promote and expand their networks and clientele.
On other hand, the trade sectors of the government have also come to appreciate the devotion exhibited by MAFBEX in empowering local trade communities.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has come to assume an optimistic outlook. “I earnestly hope that through MAFBEX 2018, all the stakeholders in the Philippine food manufacturing and trade industry will find new inspiration and determination to empower Filipino farmers, fishers and food industry entrepreneurs towards greater productivity and global competitiveness,” he said.
As MAFBEX teams up with the DA and the BFAR in hosting the Regional Agri-Food Zone at this year’s show, local F&B players that are often marginalized in the market are given the rightful exposure and market position that they deserve.
Undersecretary for Fisheries and concurrent National Director for BFAR Commodore Eduardo Gongona has also praised MAFBEX for acknowledging regional players as active partners in the inclusive development of the F&B industry. He expressed, “It is an opportune time to foster awareness on safeguarding our natural resources. We strongly urge business players in the food and beverage industry to become our allies in the pursuit for sustainable resource use while promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in the agriculture and fisheries sector.”
Going over and beyond the typical expectations from food shows, MAFBEX continues to redefine the standards of F&B expositions. From exposing Filipinos to the latest trends and innovative food products and services to nurturing new and exciting B2B and B2C possibilities, MAFBEX 2018 truly is the most significant food event of the year for both foodies and trade professionals alike.
Organized by MAFBEX Events Management, a subsidiary of Worldbex Services International, MAFBEX 2018 will run until June 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the World Trade Center Manila.
