By Karen Galarpe

IF YOU’RE in the food and beverage industry, you might want to set aside some time this month to check out the latest trends and innovations in the F&B industry. At the upcoming AsiaFood Expo (AFEX), Filipino and international players in the food industry are expected to converge at the World Trade Center on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to showcase new technology in food processing, packaging, machinery and equipment, and more.

“AsiaFood Expo has remained an undisputed venue to showcase the Philippine competitiveness in the food sector as well as bring into the country the latest innovations and developments in the food packaging and processing sectors,” said Elmer C. Hernandez, Trade and Industry undersecretary and managing head of the Board of Investments.

AFEX has been around for the past 18 years. This year, though, the organizer of the event, Trade Information Marketing & Exhibitions, Inc. (TIME Inc.) decided to split the event into three “so visitors will have more time to go around and discuss with exhibitors,” said Josephine P. Miranda, executive vice president of TIME Inc.

The first event is the Food and Drinks Asia 2009, a full-scale expo that will show finished goods and introduce the business of finished food products and beverages to growing SMEs and potential entrepreneurs.

The second event is the Food Franchising Asia 2009, which will present the newest ideas and solutions in the food franchising business.

AFEX 2009 and FoodServe Asia is the third and culminating event. FoodServe Asia will be of interest to those in the catering and food service industry.

All events will be held at the World Trade Center. Food and Drinks Asia and Food Franchising Asia will be held on September 17 to 20, while AFEX will be held on September 23 to 26. Product demos, business seminars, and cooking demos will also mostly be offered for free. Tickets are priced at P100 each.

According to Miranda, they thought that there will be fewer exhibitors this year due to the global recession. However, feedback has been very good. Aside from participation by industry associations such as the Philippine Franchising Association, Philippine Food Exporters Association, Food Cart Association, Philippine Coffee Board, and private companies, foreign countries are also participating in the event. In fact, the U.S., France, and Taiwan will have pavilions showcasing their countries’ products. Companies from Germany, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia will showcase machinery.

Some 38,000 visitors went to last year’s AFEX. TIME Inc. is expecting this number to increase by 10 to 15 percent this year.

“The Philippines is not lagging behind when it comes to trends. Sumasabay na rin tayo,” said Miranda.