U.S. Pavilion Reaches Milestone Size at Americas Food & Beverage Show The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture will host its largest "A Taste of the States: Miami" pavilion to date at the 2026 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference, Sept. 14-16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The pavilion spans a record 22,200 square feet—an 11% increase from the previous year—featuring 165 food and beverage companies, 12 state departments of agriculture, and 32 NASDA-sponsored international buyers from 23 countries. The expansion coincides with the U.S. Country of Honor designation at World Trade Center Miami, marking both the Americas Food & Beverage Show's 30th anniversary and the U.S. commemorating its 250th anniversary. The milestone also reflects more than 25 years of collaboration among NASDA, World Trade Center Miami, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade Office to connect American suppliers with international buyers. "The Country of Honor designation adds special significance to a landmark year for NASDA's 'A Taste of the States: Miami'," said NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. "Our largest pavilion to date has grown 11%, bringing together 165 U.S. food and beverage companies, 12 state departments of agriculture and 32 NASDA-sponsored buyers from 23 countries. Building on more than 1,500 scheduled buyer meetings last year, we are opening even more doors for U.S. suppliers to build relationships, enter new markets and increase exports." Michigan joins the show for the first time this year, alongside seven U.S. agricultural trade cooperative organizations: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Food Export Midwest, Food Export Northeast, National Watermelon Promotion Board, Southern U.S. Trade Association, U.S. Meat Export Federation, and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.
Buyers Mission Connects Suppliers with International Decision-Makers A central component of the pavilion is NASDA's international Buyers Mission, which brings qualified importers, distributors, and other international decision-makers to meet directly with U.S. suppliers. NASDA collaborates with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service posts worldwide to identify participants and match them with companies based on product interests and market opportunities. Exhibitors will showcase products across foodservice, retail, distribution, manufacturing, and related sectors.
Women in Agriculture Takes Center Stage In recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, NASDA will host "The Global Table: Where Agriculture, Food and Opportunity Meet" on Monday, Sept. 14, from 11:15 a.m. to noon in Hall A at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The panel will feature chef Tania Harris, a James Beard Award semifinalist and South Carolina Department of Agriculture chef ambassador alum; Allison "Alli" Tucker, director of sales at Maple Leaf Farms; and Hannah McGee, a farmer and agricultural entrepreneur who serves as an international marketing representative for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Megan Weeks, NASDA senior director of international trade programs, will moderate. Live chef demonstrations throughout all three days of the show will showcase products from pavilion exhibitors, including featured demonstrations highlighting women-owned companies.
Why It Matters
For foodservice distributors, importers, and international buyers, the expanded pavilion offers significantly more access to U.S. suppliers and product categories in a single venue. The doubled-down focus on international buyer recruitment and targeted B2B matchmaking lowers sourcing friction and expands procurement options—particularly relevant for operators seeking diversified supply chains and new product categories across seasons.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
