The countdown is on. In just three months’ time, from 8 to 10 March 2026, Hostex 2026 will take over two jam-packed halls at Sandton Convention Centre – and visitor registration is now officially open.

Taking place only once every two years, Hostex is the moment when Africa’s food, drink and hospitality community comes together under one roof to do business, discover what’s new, and reconnect.

“Hostex 2026 is more than just an expo – it’s a celebration of the industry’s strength, resilience and progress,” says event manager, Lerato Nako. “We’re inviting the whole hospitality community to pre-register, block out the dates, and give themselves time to explore both halls properly. This is the year to be at Hostex.”

Hostex 2026 marks 40 years of the show opening doors for the industry, and builds on a 2024 visitor profile where nearly three-quarters of attendees said they make or influence purchasing decisions.

Two halls, six districts, one connected experience

Hostex 2026 will once again bring together leading suppliers, buyers, distributors and decision-makers across six dedicated districts – Equipment Africa, Food & Drink Africa, Tea & Coffee Africa, Contract Furnishings Africa, Technology Africa and Sustainability Africa – spread across two busy levels at Sandton Convention Centre.

Across Hall 1 and Hall 2, visitors can expect a mix of live features, tasting experiences, masterclasses, competitions and business-focused content designed to keep them on the floor all day.

Hall 1: skills, flavours and beverage innovation

In Hall 1, The Skillery by SA Chefs Association will be a high-energy hub of culinary masterclasses and competitions, designed to showcase professional skills and inspire innovation in the kitchen. SA Chefs is finalising the competition schedule, which will be announced ahead of the December break.

Also in Hall 1, Beverage masterclasses will run in collaboration with Proudly South African, Fedhasa and Liquid Concepts. These sessions will focus on elevating bar service standards, with Liquid Concepts partnering with Monin to bring international beverage expertise to Hostex for specialist training and demonstrations, and Proudly South African members showcasing local products and trends.

Hall 2: coffee theatre, networking and thought leadership

Hall 2 will be home to several key hospitality hubs:

• The Premier Lounge, managed by SA Chefs, will offer media and premier guests a quiet retreat in the heart of the show – complete with butler service, curated snacks and refreshments. It’s designed as a comfortable, stylish space for interviews, high-level networking and deal-making.
• The Coffee Championships area will see South Africa’s coffee talent on show, with national Latte Art and Cupping Championships alongside provincial Barista Challenges aligned with international competition timelines. The Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa (SCASA) is finalising the full competition line-up and will confirm details of where the winners go on to represent South Africa internationally.
• The Industry Hub will be the go-to spaces in Hall 2 for thought leadership, industry insights and business networking, with presentations by Hostex’s 2026 ambassadors.
• A new Exhibition Lounge brought to you by FNB will give visitors and exhibitors another professional space to meet, consult and explore financial and business solutions.

Exhibitors bring innovation to the floor

The 40th anniversary edition is attracting both returning brands and first-time exhibitors, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and smart technology.

Among the confirmed exhibitors sharing product news and launches are:

• Coffee excellence and equipment
  • Legacy Commerce (Eversys Official Distributor) will showcase Eversys super-automatic coffee machines, described as combining barista-quality coffee with consistency and reduced costs at commercial scale.
  • Henlo & Co will present its Henlo espresso machine range, including the Henlo Q prosumer espresso machine for offices, homes and mobile coffee units. The company highlights its Barista Assist technology and automatic shut-off steam wand for milk texture, and notes that its platform, which provides continuous training to baristas, is the first of its kind in South Africa.
• Smarter kitchens and service operations
  • BCE Foodservice Equipment will feature the PRIMA MINI OVEN – a compact, commercial-grade oven designed for kitchens where space is at a premium. It is described as enabling efficient small-batch baking with even heat distribution, durable stainless steel construction and an integrated bake timer with auto shut-off to reduce waste and support consistent results.
  • ai will present an AI-driven restaurant platform that integrates into the back end of restaurants. The team notes that the platform is designed to help owners optimise their operations and manage single or multiple sites from a laptop or mobile phone, giving them a competitive edge.
  • inteliPOS will demonstrate self-service terminals that allow guests to authenticate, order, pay and collect at a pick-up point, aimed at reducing queues and helping companies “revolutionise their canteens”.
  • Hoteltronix will showcase low-energy minibar fridges alongside mobile key door lock systems and high-end laptop safes, highlighting user-friendly and flexible technologies for modern hospitality environments.

• Sustainable packaging and responsible consumption
  • Earth Pack SA is launching The Good Cup in South Africa – a patented, lid-free paper cup that folds into its own sip lid. The company positions it as a small design change with a big environmental impact, offering a way to reduce waste and move away from single-use plastic.
  • CapeCup will introduce a new biodegradable retail range of bin liners, bags and household items, and highlight its BioAfrica range of cups, straws and sugarcane containers. The range is described as everyday essentials reimagined with the environment in mind, backed by credible certification and consistent supply.
  • Enviromall will showcase a new bakery packaging range and its ability to brand on smaller volumes, and notes that most of its products are compostable, biodegradable or recyclable, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for eco-friendly, sustainable packaging.
• Water, wellness and waste reduction
  • Topia Water will present its new range of water dispensers and glass bottles, with a focus on the Streamline Range for in-house bottling. The system features automated filling, capping and labelling, is designed to minimise manpower while maximising productivity, and helps hotels and venues move away from plastic and pre-bottled water. Topia Water describes the Streamline Range as the first of its kind in South Africa.
• On-trend drinks and ingredients
  • Chilla Beverage Co will launch what it describes as the first original acai product range in South Africa, alongside a Dubai chocolate and pistachio spread, Faema coffee machines and the Munch point-of-sale system. The team emphasises that it is the first brand to bring these original products into the country and invites visitors to discover “never-before-seen products” at its stand.

This is just a snapshot of the exhibitors and launches that will fill both halls in March, with many more brands still to be profiled in the build-up to the show.

Limited stands still available

With strong interest across all six districts, stand space in both Hall 1 and Hall 2 is filling up fast. A limited number of stands remain available for suppliers of food, drink, equipment, technology, furnishings, packaging and related services who want to connect with a concentrated audience of hospitality and foodservice decision-makers from across Africa.

Pre-register now and block the dates

Visitor registration for Hostex 2026 is now open. Industry professionals are encouraged to:

• Pre-register online before March to avoid queues and to get the latest updates on the show programme, delivered to your inbox
• Block 8–10 March 2026 in their diaries
• Plan enough time to explore both halls, attend seminars, watch the live competitions and connect with exhibitors.

To register, go to www.hostex.co.za or to enquire about remaining stand availability, contact Jacky Talling on 073 475 2483 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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