Specialised Exhibitions, a subsidiary of Andry Montgomery, yesterday, Monday, 26 November 2007, announced the acquisition of B2B exhibition organisers Exhibitions for Africa (EFA). The addition of the EFA portfolio, which comprises shows such as Hostex, Markex, Securex and Computer Faire, will result in a group that runs over 40 events during a two-year period across the regions of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western and Eastern Cape.
Under its new management, EFA will continue to trade under its own name, although as a division of Specialised Exhibitions.

Damion Angus, new business development director for Andry Montgomery, stated, “We already have a strong portfolio of events through Specialised Exhibitions and this further highlights our commitment to developing our business in South Africa.”

John Kaplan, MD of Specialised Exhibitions, described the acquisition as “a great addition to our business…the reputation Exhibitions for Africa has developed as a leading exhibition organisation in South Africa is outstanding, and there is excellent synergy between both companies.”

EFA has grown substantially since its management buy-out from Reed in 2001. The company now specialises in three main sectors –hospitality, retail and marketing; industrial, transport and security; and information and communications technology.

Sandy Angus, chairman of Andry Montgomery, said “Coupled to our majority shareholding in Expo Centre we are looking to take advantage of the opportunities which SA will offer in the run up to the world cup and beyond. We hope this will be a spring board for the launch of our major brands into the other parts of Africa which are beginning to benefit from their massive mineral and industrial wealth.”

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The continued success of Markex Gauteng has set a precedent for the launch of the inaugural Markex KZN 2007 event, to be held in Durban at the International Convention Centre from 14 – 16 August.

Over 10 000 people visited the Gauteng event at Sandton Convention Centre in June and Exhibitions for Africa – organisers of Markex KZN – are positive the Durban exhibition will be as successful.

Markex showcases marketing and promotional products.

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In 2008, business tourism exhibition Meetings Africa will extend its operating hours at the Sandton Convention Centre from two days to two-and-a-half, based upon feedback received from exhibitors at the 2007 expo.
The dates and times are 10am – 5pm on 27 and 28 February, and 9am – 1pm on 29 February 2008.
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The Joburg Wine Show, in association with Beeld, recently provided free training to exhibitors to ensure a successful show. “The success of any exhibition is directly linked to the success of the individual exhibitors,� explained co-director John Woodward.

“We are passionate about putting together a world-class event that is interesting and exciting for consumers while delivering value to exhibitors through increased brand awareness and industry networking,� he continued.

Over 80 wine producers attended the free training day at Lourensford Estate Stellenbosch, in anticipation of The Joburg Wine Show, which takes place at Gallagher Estate from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 June 2007.

Seven steps to effective exhibitor

Operations director Alex Woodward presented ‘seven steps to effective exhibiting’, covering topics from staff training to cost effective branding to create attractive and interesting stand designs.

Exhibitors were also invited to leverage off The Joburg Wine Show’s advertising and public relations campaigns in the lead up to the event by announcing new wine releases to be launched at the show and advertising special features and promotions.

Kate Jordan of Haxjor Marketing and the top selling exhibitor at The Joburg Wine Show 2006 provided insights on creative questioning, energetic presentation and closing sales in an exhibition environment.

“The retail aspect of The Joburg Wine Show is also an important element that separates The Joburg Wine Show from other wine events,� said Woodward. “Being able to sell wines directly to consumers from the stand means that exhibitors are able to quantify a rand benefit from participation in the show or at least realise the costs of participation.�

Gauteng wine market critical

According to Woodward, “Unlocking the Gauteng wine market is critical to South African wine producers. Gauteng consumers generally have greater disposal incomes and fine dining, entertaining and wine is very much a part of their lifestyle. We felt there was a gap in the market for a Gauteng-based consumer wine event that would stimulate the wine market in Johannesburg and provide opportunities for Cape based producers to meet this key target market. Even more critical is facilitating networking within the industry and helping exhibitors to make the most of this marketing event.�

Cobie van Oort, marketing manager at Avontuur Estate, said that this was the first training day she has been invited to by a wine show. “I enjoyed the information about the stands and the examples from other international wine shows; however, the most useful to me was the sales talk. Kate Jordan’s stand was opposite mine at The 2006 Joburg Wine Show and we got used to seeing visitors going past us towards the exit, loaded with wine they had bought from her, now I know why! I’ll be using her presentation with my own staff and hopefully will be able to benefit from it this year at our own Helderberg stand.�

Wim Braak of Lourensford Estate added , “We were delighted to host the training day at our estate. As an exhibitor of the show we found the day to be invaluable from a stand design and sales perspective. It’s great that Highwood Exhibitions took the initiative to put this on for their exhibitors. We are really looking forward to the show!�

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