This year the Indaba trade show will continue its shift to a focus on business meetings. Here’s what to expect.
This year’s Indaba trade show will offer more quality networking opportunities, more industry experts behind the microphone and a renewed focus on creating future growth through tourism, says SA Tourism. The show, which is hosted by SA Tourism, runs from May 7-9 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre.
According to SA Tourism Acting CEO, Sthembiso Dlamini, care has been taken to re-focus the event in response to feedback from exhibitors. She says exhibitors want a business-enabling and informative show where they can meet with reputable buyers. “Visitors and exhibitors should expect to come and connect with the roots of Africa’s unique tourism offering; and leave with business opportunities in hand.”
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This year’s Indaba will offer three speed networking sessions on the themes: World Heritage Sites & Culture, Safari and Adventure. These have been identified based on the most popular tourist experiences. The sessions will give product owners the opportunity to present their product to international buyers. The sessions will take place daily from 08h30-10h00.
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The show will also feature presentations from technology providers that offer solutions to help the industry operate more effectively and efficiently. The companies scheduled to speak include Tourplan, Semper, Siteminder, Travelogic, Nightsbridge, ResRequest, eRes, LightSpeed, Google Street View, Digital Shelf and Wetu. The full programme can be accessed here.
Debuting at the show, thought leadership talks will be presented that focus on the trade. The trade talks are geared towards sharing market insights with the industry and will feature more than one time slot to allow for more opportunities for exhibitors to attend the talks. New York-based CNN news anchor, Richard Quest, will also facilitate a debate on the strategic economic importance of tourism and the threats and opportunities associated with it, such as job creation, foreign direct spend and social development. Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom will also address attendees.
The show will open with 'bell-ringing', and a welcome function will replace the opening ceremony. It also serves as an additional networking function and will be managed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Other changes include a new products and developments zone offering a table-top option for exhibitors and providing new participants a cost-effective way to exhibit. Tech exhibitors will be co-located within the ICC to improve proximity and access for trade exhibitors and encourage knowledge transfer.
