The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company says it is satisfied with the preparations being carried out by exhibitors ahead of the annual showcase next week.
ZITF Company marketing and public relations manager Ms Stella Nkomo said there was likely to be improved exhibition at this year’s showcase as most exhibitors were showing great enthusiasm to put up improved displays.
The exhibition will run from 25-29 April at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo under the theme “Harnessing Linkages for Industrial Development”.
“The exhibition centre has become a hive of activity ever since end of March with exhibitors seen sprucing up their pavilions some even taking a step further by doing a total overhaul.
“Further to our Exhibitors Master Class a number of exhibitors have been consulting on how to come up with a winning exhibition strategy not only to adhere to international standards but to realise a return on investment,” said Ms Nkomo.
The ZITF Company launched and held the Exhibitors Master Class on 14 March in Harare. The Exhibitors Master Class is a highly interactive and informative session, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe targeted at individuals and companies wishing to make the most of their participation locally and internationally. Its aim was to equip exhibitors with strategies on how to participate successfully at any exhibition around the world with tangible results.
Renowned regional exhibition strategists and guest speakers Ms Joy Donovan from Expo Expertise and Mr Patrick Cronning from Expo Guys all from South Africa, complemented the ZITF Company team during the Exhibitors Master Class training programme.
Ms Donovan has over 43 years experience in exhibition planning and training. She has organised more than 200 events and trained approximately 8 000 exhibitors, while Mr Cronning, a specialist in exhibition and event infrastructure design and supply, has over 20 years extensive experience in the southern African and international markets.
“This year we have seen more focused exhibitors who are very keen on utilising this platform to grow their business interests and boost the economy. We are expecting more business deals to be signed and leads that will be closed outside the show.
“Added on to that is the diverse product mix that will be exhibited this year which consists of the key sectors in the economy needed to propel sustainable industrialisation and development,” said Ms Nkomo.
To date 91 percent of the exhibition space has been sold and this translates to 43 900 square metres.
“The space uptake so far has been promising with 91 percent of space available for sale having been booked. This translates to 43 900 square metres, occupied by 389 direct exhibitors,” said Ms Nkomo.
@DNsingo
