Cold Link Africa May 2018 | Page 40

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN Upcoming fdt Africa expo extended M arkus Kosak, exhibition director of fdt Africa, is very enthusiastic about the development: “The response to the past events has shown that the concept for fdt Africa is now well established in the African market; we must build upon this success. Together with the advisory board, we have already made the necessary adjustments for 2018.” For the first time, the event itself will be taking place over three days and will move to the largest hall (Hall 5) of Gallagher Convention Centre. “Our goal is to further expand the perspectives that Africa offers to the sector,” says Kosak. In their review of fdt Africa 2016, the advisory board members were unanimous in their positive conclusion. The event was described as an all-round success and this result is highlighted in the statistics: fdt Africa 2016 saw a 40% increase in participants, and it took up 20% more exhibition space than the 2014 edition did. 40 Joerg Thomas, managing director of KHS Manufacturing South Africa, explains: “We are very pleased to be represented on the advisory board of food and drink technology Africa, and we are convinced that this event has the right concept. Together with Messe München South Africa, the VDMA, and our colleagues from industry, we want to progress further with the development of fdt Africa and strengthen it as the most important sector event for the food and beverage industry in southern Africa.” “The steadily rising food and beverage market in southern Africa offers ideal conditions for stepping up the development of this event, and it is the right time,” explains Elaine Crewe, CEO of Messe München South Africa. “The aim of fdt Africa 2018 is to consolidate the existing target groups of exhibitors and visitors and acquire new ones via specific measures. The food sector, in particular, offers great potential for further growth,” she continues. CLA Due to positive response to the food & drink technology Africa (fdt Africa) trade fair, the third edition will be extended to three days and takes place from 4 to 6 September 2018 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. This year, fdt Africa will be three days long. ABOUT fdt AFRICA food and drink technology Africa (fdt Africa) is the most recent of the three subsidiary trade fairs in the drinktec worldwide group. It premiered in 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a trade fair with adjoining congress. The organisers are Messe München and its subsidiary Messe München South Africa, based in Johannesburg. The conceptual sponsor is the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association of the VDMA (German Engineering Federation). www.coldlinkafrica.co.za The event, which takes place every two years, brings together international manufacturers of food processing machinery, beverages technology, and packaging machinery, with mainly regional producers in southern Africa of foodstuffs, liquid food, and beverages. An integrated exhibitor forum focusing on case studies with specific relevance to the needs of the regional market provides an opportunity for professional development. COLD LINK AFRICA • May 2018