NASDA celebrates U.S. Country of Honor With Taste of the States: Miami Americas Food and Beverage Show Pavilion

Showcase grows 11% to 22,200 square feet, featuring 165 food and beverage companies and 32 NASDA-sponsored buyers from 23 countries.

MIAMI, FL – The Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference (AF&B), produced by World Trade Center Miami (WTCM) & The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture will celebrate the designation of the U.S. as Country of Honor at the 2026 AF&B Show with its largest “A Taste of the States: Miami” pavilion to date, bringing U.S. food and beverage companies together with international buyers Sept. 14-16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

World Trade Center Miami’s Country of Honor designation comes as the U.S. commemorates its 250th anniversary and the AF&B Show celebrates its 30th year. The milestone also recognizes 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 showcase U.S. products, connect American suppliers with international buyers and create opportunities for agricultural trade.

NASDA CEO Ted McKinney shared how that longstanding collaboration reaches a new high this year, with “A Taste of the States: Miami” spanning a record 22,200 square feet.

“The Country of Honor designation adds special significance to a landmark year for NASDA’s ‘A Taste of the States: Miami,’” McKinney said. “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.”

Among the 12 states participating, Michigan joins the show for the first time, along with seven U.S. agricultural trade cooperative organizations. World Trade Center Miami President and CEO Ivan Barrios expanded on the partnerships established through A Taste of the States: Miami and Americas Food and Beverage Show.

“Naming the U.S. as Country of Honor for the Americas Food & Beverage Show’s 30th anniversary is a milestone moment for us,” Barrios said. “As the show returns to celebrate three decades of connecting the hemisphere’s food and beverage industry, and as our nation marks its own 250th anniversary, there is no more fitting way to honor that legacy than by spotlighting American agriculture on this stage. This recognition reflects more than 25 years of collaboration among World Trade Center Miami, NASDA and USDA’s Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade Office, and we are proud to keep building the bridges that connect U.S. producers with buyers across the Americas and beyond.”

Record U.S. showcase brings states, companies and agricultural organizations together

Produced by NASDA in cooperation with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, “A Taste of the States: Miami” provides small and midsized U.S. companies with a platform to introduce products to international buyers, develop business relationships and pursue opportunities in markets around the world.

In addition to the 178 participating companies and organizations, including 165 food and beverage companies, seven U.S. agricultural trade organizations will also participate: 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.

Together, exhibitors in the “A Taste of the States: Miami” pavilion will showcase a diverse range of U.S. products for international buyers representing foodservice, retail, distribution, manufacturing and other sectors.

About the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference:

Produced by World Trade Center Miami, the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference is a premier international business-to-business event connecting food and beverage professionals through trade, networking, and education. Now celebrating its 30th year, AF&B remains committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises as they grow into the global marketplace.

NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association that represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement.