This week is Global Exhibitions week, which sees the industry recognise the role that exhibitions play in driving business and connecting the world.
"Representatives of leading local exhibition organisers said that, despite postponements or cancellations, they were still hard at work through the lockdown to deliver shows in 2021," says Dain Richardson, senior exhibition manager at Messe Muenchen South Africa's food and drink technology Africa and analytica Lab Africa.
Speakers noted that exhibitions were again starting up in Asia and looking set to become stronger than before. This was due to so-called 'revenge attendance', lockdown fatigue and digital fatigue, according to the speakers.
"We know exhibitions are crucial; they are an ideal platform for companies growing their markets. They bring people together in ways that other channels cannot," adds Richardson.
"With clever co-location, which Messe Muenchen does at food and drink technology (fdt) Africa, analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa, organisers can also give exhibitors and sponsors an opportunity to significantly broaden their network and range," he says.
According to Richardson, in 2021, food and drink technology (fdt) Africa, analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa will be staged at the Gallagher Convention Centre from Monday, 13 July to Wednesday, 15 July.
"Exhibitions drive us, connect people and connect Africa. The virus won't go away anytime soon, so we need to adapt and work around it and change visitor and exhibitor expectations so they still see a ROI," says AAXO chairperson Projeni Pather. "The industry is already a very regulated one and the Event Safety Council is currently working on draft regulations to support exhibitions and events going forward."
For more information, visit
www.mm-sa.com. You can also follow Messe Muenchen South Africa on
Facebook.