When Hostex 2026 opens its doors from 8 to 10 March at the Sandton Convention Centre, the Bidfood Industry Hub will bring together industry insight and the celebration of South African food storytelling.
Positioned in Hall 2, the Industry Hub is the show’s dedicated thought leadership theatre, a live platform where the conversations shaping foodservice, hospitality and beverage happen in real time.
Sponsored by Bidfood, the Hub brings together operators, suppliers, innovators and industry leaders for three days of practical learning and open dialogue, culminating each day in the SA Food Stories launch moments that recognise the people shaping the sector.
Built for decision-makers
The programme has been curated around the realities of running and growing hospitality businesses in South Africa and beyond. Across the three days, visitors can expect:
- Power Hits: fast, focused conversations with practical takeaways
- Live panels: unpacking industry shifts, opportunities and challenges
- Conversations: deeper thinking from respected leaders
- Q&As: giving the audience a seat at the table
Sessions explore the commercial heartbeat of the sector, from the role of beverage as a growth engine and the future signals shaping hospitality, to sustainability compliance in 2026 and beyond, technology-driven innovation, and building people-centred teams equipped for a fast-evolving industry.
What’s on the agenda
Across the three days, the theatre programme tackles the topics operators are grappling with right now.
Sunday, 8 March includes sessions on building a hospitality business that lasts, how smart technology supports service, the rise of low or no and functional beverages, and how to approach AI without the hype.
Monday, 9 March turns to beverage as a growth engine, what the “future” really sounds like for the sector, the practicalities of meeting sustainability commitments, and why people development matters more than job titles.
Tuesday, 10 March spotlights the real cost of food waste, how food and hospitality can drive inclusive growth, specialty coffee that delivers quality and consistency, and local sourcing that works at scale.
The Industry Hub forms part of Hostex’s broader 40-year milestone edition, reinforcing the show’s long-standing role as a place where the industry gathers not only to buy and sell, but to think, question and plan ahead.
Speakers who will be sharing their insights include the likes of the Hostex 2026 Ambassadors – Gustav Pieterse (FEDHASA and Saxon Hotel); Iain Evans (True North Media & Coffee Magazine); Lindiwe Sangqweni-Siddo (City Lodge Hotel Group); Trevor Boyd (City Lodge Hotel Group); Happy Ngidi (Proudly SA), Omelele Mmbo (FNB) as well as leading industry experts including Jane Russill, Quality Risk Executive, Bidfood South Africa; Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO, Tourism Business Council South Africa; Boota Pitso, Country Lead (ARTD), Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa; Lorraine Jenks, Climate, sustainability and ESG guide; Chef Coovashan “Coo” Pillay, President, SA Chefs Association, and many others.
SA Food Stories takes centre stage each day
As headline sponsor of the Industry Hub, Bidfood will launch and host daily screenings of its new SA Food Stories vodcast series.
Each afternoon, following the morning’s business-focused sessions, the space shifts to an official welcome hosted by published Penguin Random House author, TV chef/host and health expert Nicci Robertson, who will introduce the watch party and guest influencer. The watch party is a highlights reel of the best moments from the first 12 episodes in the SA Food Stories series.
Each day features a different published chef-author in conversation, followed by a live book signing in partnership with Penguin:
- Sunday: Naqiyah Mayat
- Monday: Kenneth Tebogo Middleton
- Tuesday: Zanele Van Zyl
The series highlights the people, stories and ideas shaping South African food culture, connecting personal journeys with the commercial conversations explored earlier in the day. By hosting the watch parties within the Industry Hub, Bidfood links storytelling directly to the realities facing operators and suppliers across the sector.
A space designed for real connection
The Industry Hub builds on Hostex’s mission to create robust, interactive platforms that enhance engagement between exhibitors and visitors. “The Bidfood Industry Hub reflects exactly what Hostex stands for,” says Lerato Nako, Events Manager of Hostex. “It is about creating a space where the industry can step back from the day-to-day, engage with the bigger picture and leave with ideas that strengthen their businesses. As we celebrate 40 years, it is important that we do not only showcase products, but also champion the conversations that will shape the next decade of hospitality.”
“For Bidfood, the Industry Hub is more than a sponsorship,” says Lindy Arnold, Marketing Executive of Bidfood. “It is a platform to connect with our customers in a meaningful way. Through SA Food Stories, we are celebrating the people, passion and innovation behind South African food. Hosting the watch parties at Hostex allows us to share those stories where they matter most, in the heart of the industry.”
Hostex 2026 marks 40 years of connecting the food, drink and hospitality industry. The Bidfood Industry Hub ensures that alongside product launches and purchasing decisions, the sector’s strategic conversations take centre stage.
Whether you are a hotel group executive, restaurateur, caterer, distributor, coffee professional, technology provider or SME founder, the Industry Hub offers perspective that sharpens decision-making and opens new possibilities.
Seats in the theatre are limited and sessions are expected to draw strong attendance.
Register now to secure your place at Hostex 2026 and be part of the conversations shaping the future of foodservice.
Visit www.hostex.co.za to register and explore the full programme.
Follow Bidfood South Africa on Facebook (@BidfoodSouthAfrica), Instagram (@bidfoodsa) and LinkedIn for speaker announcements and session updates.
