2nd Food Show South Africa Returns Co-located with Food Pack & Process from July 22, 2026 at Johannesburg

 

Following the successful debut edition in 2025, Astrovision Global FZCO is pleased to announce the return of the 2nd Food Show South Africa, co-located with Food Pack & Process, scheduled to take place from 22–24 July 2026 at Hall No. 1, Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Food Show South Africa has rapidly established itself as one of the region’s leading international trade exhibitions dedicated to the food, beverage, food ingredients, food processing, packaging machinery, and packaging solutions industries. It combines product showcases, business networking, and targeted matchmaking opportunities. The exhibition serves as a strategic gateway to South Africa’s dynamic food sector and the rapidly expanding African market.

Supported by the South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA) and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), the exhibition offers an unparalleled platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, importers, exporters, retailers, and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and explore new business opportunities across the continent.

The 2026 edition will provide a complete industry platform covering the entire value chain. This ranges from food raw materials and ingredients to processed foods, food technology, food processing equipment, packaging machinery, and innovative packaging solutions.

Building on the achievements of its inaugural edition, Food Show South Africa 2025 welcomed exhibitors from five countries and strengthened its position as a flagship trade event for the food, beverage, processing, and packaging sectors in South Africa. The exhibition generated significant business opportunities, enabling exhibitors to establish partnerships and strengthen commercial relationships with qualified buyers and industry stakeholders.

According to participating companies, the three-day event facilitated productive meetings with decision-makers actively seeking new products, technologies, and long-term business collaborations.

The upcoming 2026 edition is expected to attract around 100 exhibitors from 7–8 countries and welcome approximately 2,500 trade visitors. These include distributors, wholesalers, retailers, importers, exporters, food service professionals, manufacturers, and government representatives from across Africa and beyond.

The exhibition will bring together a comprehensive range of exhibitors from across the global food and beverage industry, showcasing the latest products, innovations, and technologies. Participating companies will represent sectors including dairy products, meat, poultry, seafood, frozen and chilled foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, cereals, pulses, edible oils, spices, condiments, organic and plant-based foods, snacks, confectionery, bakery products, beverages, tea, coffee, and specialty foods.

The event will also feature FMCG and packaged food manufacturers, food ingredient suppliers, superfood and health food producers, as well as wine and beverage equipment providers.

In addition, leading companies specializing in food processing technology, packaging machinery, packaging materials, cold-chain solutions, logistics, quality assurance, food safety systems, and related services will showcase their latest advancements. This makes Food Show South Africa and Food Pack & Process a comprehensive business platform for the entire food and packaging ecosystem.

With Africa’s food consumption, processing, and packaging industries experiencing sustained growth, the exhibition is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering international trade, technology transfer, investment opportunities, and cross-border partnerships.

For exhibitors and visitors alike, the 2nd Food Show South Africa co-located with Food Pack & Process 2026 promises to be a premier meeting point where innovation, business, and global opportunities converge.

Consumers question whether NEA ratings reflect actual electric cooperative performance

 

Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE) called on the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to review its electric cooperative performance evaluation system, saying it does not reflect the service consumers experience in their communities.

The call came after NEA released its 2025 Overall Performance Assessment, which classified 91 cooperatives as AAA and recognized several for improved ratings. Yet, many of these cooperatives continue to face complaints about prolonged brownouts, unreliable service, high system losses, slow power restoration during calamities, and expensive electricity rates.

Consumers are increasingly confused by the disconnect between NEA ratings and their daily experience. In several franchise areas, recurring service issues persist despite cooperatives receiving AAA, AA, Green, or Compliant classifications. PARE noted that PALECO was upgraded from AA to AAA, while MOELCI I improved from A to AA. BATELEC II and FICELCO also maintained AAA ratings. Still, consumers in these areas report problems with reliability, affordability, and performance.

“Consumers are not interested in whether their cooperative is AAA on paper. They want to know why they still face brownouts, high system losses, unreliable service, and rising costs. The ultimate measure of performance should be the actual experience of consumers, not a rating in a report,” said Nic Satur Jr., Chief Advocate Officer of PARE.

PARE explained that NEA’s evaluation system focuses on financial, operational, technical, and institutional compliance. While these indicators are important, consumers question whether the framework captures the realities faced by households, businesses, farmers, and communities that depend on electricity every day.

The group stressed that a cooperative may perform well in compliance metrics while consumers continue to suffer from poor service. This credibility gap risks undermining public confidence in the evaluation system.

“In some communities, consumers even joke that AAA no longer means excellent performance. In PALECO, frustrated consumer Tony Cabrestante mockingly called it ‘Araw Araw Ara Kuryente’ because of recurring interruptions. The remark may be humorous, but it reflects deeper frustration,” Satur added.

PARE urged NEA to strengthen its assessment system by incorporating direct consumer feedback. Future evaluations, the group said, should include satisfaction ratings, complaint resolution, restoration time during calamities, AGMA compliance, transparency measures, and other indicators that reflect consumer experience.

NEA’s mandate extends beyond evaluation. As the agency tasked with assisting cooperatives, it must ensure that technical support, financial aid, and regulatory interventions translate into real improvements in service quality and consumer welfare.

“The question consumers ask is simple: If a cooperative receives a high rating, why are they still experiencing prolonged brownouts, unreliable service, and expensive rates? Until that is answered, the evaluation system will remain in doubt,” Satur said.

PARE concluded that cooperative performance should be judged not only by compliance reports but by the affordability, reliability, and responsiveness of service delivered to consumers. “Consumers deserve a rating system that reflects reality, not just paperwork,” the group said.

PetroSync Delivers Advanced HPHT Well Engineering Training

 

Advance your HPHT engineering knowledge with PetroSync. Gain practical insights into well integrity, risk management, and operational excellence.

Industry-Focused Learning Designed Around Real HPHT Challenges

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) wells present some of the most demanding engineering challenges in the oil and gas industry. Engineers must understand complex pressure regimes, elevated temperature conditions, well integrity requirements, and operational risk management to ensure safe and efficient project execution. Industry-focused training helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application by exposing participants to real-world HPHT scenarios and technical discussions.

Practical Training Supports Better Engineering Decisions

Effective decision-making is critical throughout the lifecycle of an HPHT well. From well planning and drilling operations to completion and production activities, engineers are required to evaluate multiple technical variables that can significantly impact safety, reliability, and project performance. Practical training enables participants to strengthen analytical skills, improve risk assessment capabilities, and gain greater confidence when addressing complex operational challenges.

Standardized Competency Development Helps Reduce Technical Skill Gaps

Engineering teams often consist of professionals with different backgrounds, responsibilities, and levels of field experience. These differences can lead to inconsistent technical understanding and communication across project teams. Standardized training helps establish a common foundation of HPHT engineering knowledge, improving collaboration between drilling, completion, production, well integrity, and operations personnel.

Continuous Learning Supports Operational Reliability and Performance

As reservoirs become more challenging and well designs increasingly complex, continuous professional development becomes essential for engineering teams. Ongoing learning helps professionals stay aligned with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and evolving engineering methodologies. Strong technical competency enables organizations to manage operational risks more effectively while supporting safe, reliable, and efficient project execution.

Training Programs Designed Around Industry Requirements

Advanced HPHT Well Engineering Training focuses on strengthening participants’ understanding of high-pressure, high-temperature well environments through practical learning and industry-relevant discussions. By combining engineering principles, operational insights, and real-world case studies, professionals can develop the competencies needed to support safe and effective HPHT operations.

Flexible Learning Solutions for Engineering Professionals

Engineering professionals often need to balance competency development with ongoing project responsibilities and operational commitments. PetroSync offers flexible learning solutions that enable organizations to invest in workforce development without disrupting business operations. This approach helps companies continuously strengthen technical capability while maintaining productivity and project performance.

Building Operationally Ready Engineering Teams

The increasing complexity of oil and gas operations requires organizations to invest in workforce readiness and technical excellence. Through Advanced HPHT Well Engineering Training, PetroSync helps engineering professionals develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to address challenging well conditions, improve operational decision-making, and support safer, more reliable project outcomes.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

Bescost Printing launches Usapang Signage Ep. 4: A quick look at signage types for businesses

 Episode 4 highlights Built‑Up, Neon Flex, Acrylic Full‑Light, Premium Brass Back‑Lighted, and Ultra High‑End Front & Back‑Lighted signage—helping entrepreneurs match formats to brand, location, and budget.

Bescost Printing today released Usapang Signage — Episode 4: Different Types of Signage (watch here), a concise walkthrough of the most popular storefront signage formats and how businesses can use them to boost visibility and brand impact.

“Kung business owner ka, hindi mo kailangang sumigaw para maging kapansin-pansin,” said Jim Besinio, Owner, Bescost Printing. (“As a business owner, you don’t have to shout to get noticed.”)

Episode 4 spotlights five in‑demand builds, with clear use cases and visual advantages:

1. Built-Up Signage (acrylic, metal, or stainless steel)

Built-up letters and logos deliver a clean, professional look and excellent durability when specified correctly. For bodies and returns, aluminum resists rust and takes powder coat well. Stainless steel 304 works inland; upgrade to 316 for coastal installs to avoid tea-staining. Faces in cast acrylic give crisp edges and color; if your site faces strong winds or impact risk, consider UV-coated polycarbonate faces instead for added toughness. For lighting, front-lit or halo/backlit LEDs should be IP65–IP67 with sealed connections and waterproof drivers. Backing plates and letter backs need gaskets and proper weep holes to manage water. Mount with stainless studs and chemical anchors into sound concrete or steel, isolating dissimilar metals to prevent galvanic corrosion.

2. Neon Flex Signage

LED neon flex gives the iconic neon glow with far better energy efficiency, safety, and serviceability than glass neon. For outdoor or semi-exposed areas, specify UV-stabilized silicone-jacket neon flex at IP67 with marine-grade end caps and sealed controllers housed in weatherproof enclosures. Keep runs ventilated to manage heat and mount to aluminum or ACM backers that won’t swell. In full sun, choose high-brightness, UV-resistant products to reduce yellowing; in coastal zones, rinse hardware with fresh water monthly. Neon flex shines for restaurants, salons, and nightlife—use it outside under canopies or indoors near windows to maximize lifespan.

3. Acrylic Full-Light Signage

When maximum visibility is the goal, full-light signage—lightboxes or deep channel letters that evenly illuminate faces—performs day and night. Use aluminum cabinets with powder coat and interior baffles for even light. Choose UV-grade cast acrylic for color fidelity or UV-coated polycarbonate for high-impact, storm-prone sites. Design in thermal expansion gaps, vents, and weep holes; seal penetrations with neutral-cure silicone to prevent corrosion. LEDs should be high-efficiency, IP65–IP67, with drivers isolated from moisture and protected by surge devices. This format is ideal for arterial roads like EDSA or C5 where legibility and brightness cut through glare and rain.

4. Premium Brass Back-Lighted Signage

Brass delivers a refined, boutique finish—perfect for hotels, clinics, and high-end retail. In the tropics, raw brass can patina quickly, especially near the coast. For outdoor elegance with less upkeep, consider PVD-coated stainless steel in a brass tone, or specify marine-grade clear coats over genuine brass with a documented maintenance plan. Back-lighting (halo) requires crisp light gaps, opaque letter bodies, and IP-rated LEDs set off the wall with 316 stainless spacers. Avoid acidic cleaners; use pH-neutral products and microfiber wiping. In coastal cities, schedule gentle freshwater rinses to keep salt from undermining the finish.

5. Ultra High-End Front & Back-Lighted Signage

Front-and-back illumination marries legibility with a premium halo effect and demands careful engineering. Use aluminum or stainless bodies with double-diffused acrylic/polycarbonate faces to avoid hotspots and glare. Separate circuits for face and halo lighting enable fine control and dimming; house power supplies in ventilated, waterproof boxes with drip loops, proper grounding, and surge protection. Because these sets are often larger and heavier, confirm wall integrity, use structural mounting plates, and engineer for site wind loads. This spec is ideal for flagship facades where you want elegance from every angle, rain or shine.

The episode’s goal is to help entrepreneurs quickly understand what each format looks like, the impression it creates, and where it shines—so they can choose confidently based on brand style, customer traffic, and site conditions. Whether a business needs maximum legibility for roadside visibility, a luxurious boutique feel, or an iconic glow for lifestyle appeal, Episode 4 offers a straightforward comparison to guide the decision.

Watch Usapang Signage — Episode 4 (watch here)

About Bescost Printing

Bescost Printing is the Philippines' premier large-format printing and signage company, known for its world-class output and people-first work culture. Based in Quezon City, Bescost serves businesses nationwide with store dress-up solutions, exterior signage, large-format printing, and full installation services. Bescost Printing does not just print — they transform businesses and build stories worth telling.