In response to this week’s poll question about how valuable it is for SMMEs to attend trade shows, industry stalwart and ex-Thompsons Africa CEO, Alessandra Pizzo Allemann, wrote:
“If SMMEs were properly mentored and were given the opportunity to shadow another successful DMC, not necessarily one of the big ones, they would get great value from attending trade shows.
It doesn't help for SA Tourism (or other organisations, including governmental departments) to sponsor SMMEs to participate at trade shows and then leave them to their own devices. There should be guidance. Mentoring is not all about sponsoring financially and giving lessons on running a tourism business.
It's about spending time in an office of a smaller tourism company and working hand in hand to achieve the ultimate goal.
SA Tourism should have a budget for this type of training and not always depend on the big tourism brands to do this "because they have the money".
The mentor’s role is to assist the SMME to plan for a trade show, how to connect with potential new business, set up meetings, prepare their presentation, how to interact etc.”
Editor’s note: Thanks for these insights Alessandra. We’d love to hear readers’ thoughts. Please email: adelem@nowmedia.co.za
