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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
JUNE 2017
27
dates in March and the three-year cycle
are tailor-made to the needs of the African
market. It also gives all the companies
involved the chance to prepare thoroughly
for such a large event. Our demo areas will
cover the full product categories of the trade
fair and a revised layout will improve visitor
experience.
Bauma CONEXPO AFRICA is the perfect
platform to meet key decision makers,
network and exchange industry know-
how. We will continue to lead the way in
being the premier trade fair for the mining
and construction industry in Africa. We
pride ourselves in being a trade fair which
gives both local and international clients
a platform to showcase themselves as
leaders in their market.
MS: What sort of numbers are you gunning
for at the next edition of the show in terms of
exhibitors and visitors?
EC:
We are expecting over 620 exhibitors to
showcase their products to 20 000 visitors.
MS: What sort of growth are you expecting
compared with the previous shows?
EC:
We expect a steady growth, the trade
fair already takes up over 68 000 m², which
makes it one of the largest trade fairs in
Africa. We have already seen a trend where
some exhibitors are taking larger stands
than in previous editions of the show. The
previous show in September 2015 attracted
616 exhibitors from 42 countries, as well as
around 14 300 visitors from 75 countries.
MS: What initiatives are in place to make sure
that the show attracts key decision makers?
EC:
The quality of visitors has always been
one of our strengths. Over 65% of our visitors
are key decision makers. Of course our focus
is always on improving statistics and one of
our main targets for 2018 will be to increase
the number of decision influencers.
MS: Bearing in mind that 13% of visitors at the
2015 trade fair came from outside South Africa,
how big a focus is the rest of Africa for the
next show? Which countries are you targeting
most in terms of increasing visitor turnout?
EC:
It is our main aim to always work on
increasing numbers of visitors from Africa;
we are working closely with our agents in
various African countries to promote the
trade fair. Of the 13% of visitors from outside
South Africa at the previous show, we saw a
significant increase in percentage of visitors
from sub-Saharan Africa. The top five visiting
countries from Africa, apart from the host
country, were Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia,
Mozambique and Botswana. In addition, for
the first time, there were delegations from
Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and
Zambia. For the next show, special focus
countries will include Botswana, Ghana,
Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.
MS: Ahead of next year’s show, it is
encouraging to note that commodity prices
are starting to show greater signs of recovery.
What sort of vibe are you picking from the
ground?
EC:
We have had some very positive
feedback from our clients, they are more
upbeat about the market in general and feel
that bauma CONEXPO AFRICA taking place
in March of 2018 is the perfect opportunity
to put a spotlight on the recovery.
MS: On the downside, recent political events
in South Africa and the subsequent investment
status downgrades have had a big setback
on investor confidence. Will this have any
significant impact on bauma CONEXPO AFRICA
2018?
EC:
Despite recent events I had the
pleasure of joining a very large international
delegation in South Africa in April, and the
message from government officials to the
delegation was that South Africa is open for
business.
MS: What is your outlook of the local
construction and mining equipment market this
year and next year?
EC:
While we are not out of the woods just
yet, there is a definite change in attitude
about where the market is heading; clients
are bullish in terms of the recovery and the
outlook certainly looks significantly better
than in the past few years. Bauma CONEXPO
AFRICA is set to be bigger and better because
of this and we are looking forward to our best
trade fair yet.
b
68 000 m² of
exhibition space
VISITOR RATINGS
• 81% feel that attending the fair gives them a competitive edge
*Survey bauma CONEXPO AFRICA
2015
• 92% would recommend bauma CONEXPO AFRICA to others
• 92% found it an excellent platform for building new business
relationships
• 88% are planning to attend the next show
• 93% expect the trade fair to increase in
importance
We are expecting
over 620 exhibitors to
showcase their products
to 20 000 visitors.
“