Expo Manabí Industrial 2026 will bring over 100 brands and nearly 10,000 visitors to the Hotel Oro Verde in Manta on October 13 and 14.
The regional trade gathering is organised by the Cámara de Industrias y Producción de Manabí (CIP Manabí) in alliance with the Cámara de Comercio de Manta, the Municipality of Manta, the Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí (Espam), and the Hotel Oro Verde. The initiative aims to unite business leaders, entrepreneurs, public institutions, investors, and key economic actors from across the province in a single venue.
Organisers have planned more than 100 exhibition stands dedicated to showcasing local products, services, and corporate proposals. The event is designed to serve as an active business platform to facilitate professional networking, commercial contacts, and new trade opportunities.
Manta is a major port city and economic centre in the coastal province of Manabí, Ecuador. The province is a vital industrial and agricultural region known for tuna processing, manufacturing, and international trade, while the Hotel Oro Verde Manta serves as one of the city's primary waterfront venues for corporate conventions and regional business summits.
Exhibition Layout and Knowledge Agenda
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Víctor Moreira, the executive director of the Cámara de Industrias y Producción de Manabí, explained that the event will feature a comprehensive knowledge agenda alongside the commercial displays.
The educational programming will feature presentations by around 30 speakers, including corporate executives and technical specialists who will share practical experiences, success stories, and operational insights related to the productive development of Manabí. Session topics will cover the economy, industrial innovation, environmental commitment, digital security, legal mechanisms, and product internationalisation, with representatives from the financial and corporate sectors taking part in panel discussions and dialogue forums.
Among the highlighted presentations, a specialist from the United States will lead a dedicated session outlining the steps brands must follow to enter international markets. The lecture will address strategies for placing products on store shelves outside Ecuador and strengthening overall brand positioning in foreign markets.
CIP Manabí operates as the primary industrial association in the region, representing manufacturing companies and promoting private sector investment. In recent years, business groups in coastal Ecuador have increasingly focused on helping local firms adopt modern technology, comply with regulatory frameworks, and expand exports beyond Latin America.
Entrepreneurship Pitching and Institutional Alliances
Expo Manabí will also include a specialized section for local startups through the Está Hecho Manabí program, an initiative created to highlight commercial projects developed within the province.
The polytechnic institution Espam participated in developing the evaluation methodology for the program. Roughly 50 entrepreneurs registered for the initiative and completed a selection and training process aimed at strengthening their business proposals ahead of public presentations.
Eight finalist ventures will reach the final stage of the program to present their commercial projects directly before a jury of prospective investors during the expo. This interactive format will allow participants to showcase their business models, receive expert feedback, and establish direct contacts with interested financial partners.
The Cámara de Comercio de Manta is also participating as a strategic partner in the event. Kristel Alcívar, executive director of the chamber, highlighted the importance of creating dedicated venues where companies can meet, build professional relationships, and identify new growth opportunities.
The joint participation of these diverse organisations aims to align the industrial, commercial, academic, and entrepreneurial sectors within a single event. Organisers stated that the October gathering provides a major opportunity to display the business potential of Manabí and build commercial connections that can generate new trade opportunities for companies across the province.
