Jozi to benefit from growth in international exhibitor numbers
04-03-2015
With several high-profile international events to be hosted by the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) this year, South Africa’s largest purpose-built exhibition and conference centre formerly known as Nasrec is excited about the boom in international visitor and exhibitor numbers these will bring.
The Joburg Tourism Company, the City of Johannesburg’s tourism entity, has secured five major events for the JEC, which are expected to be attended by no fewer than 20 600 international visitors and exhibitors.
This represents a 7 100 increase in international visitor and exhibitor numbers compared with 13 500 recorded last year.
“The continent, the region and our country are working hard in partnership to grow Africa’s share of regional, continental and global and business events. Nasrec’s line up of high profile exhibitions is impressive and indicates that Joburg is still going from strength to strength as a sought after business events destination,” says Deputy Director of the Joburg Convention Bureau, Pumla Ntsele.
This year the JEC is to stage a number of major international symposiums, including Automechanika, Africa Expo, BAUMA, Johannesburg International Motor Show and China Sourcing, all of which attract major international buyers and sources.
The Automechanika expo takes place from 6-9 May and is the country’s leading trade fair showcasing products, industry players and innovations in the automobile sector.
Automechanika attracts 700 exhibitors from around the world, with major exhibitors coming from Germany, Turkey, Italy, the United States, United Kingdom, China and India.
The Africa Expo attracts 300 exhibitors, 90% of whom are from China, Europe, the United States and other countries.
The JEC hosts the BAUMA Conexpo, an international trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines and construction vehicles from 15-18 September.
BAUMA attracts over 750 exhibitors, 60% of whom are from China, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and United States.
Arguably the largest attraction to the JEC is the biennial Johannesburg International Motor Show, a celebration extravaganza of all things vehicular.
The 12-day comprehensive automobile exhibition and automotive lifestyle event attracts more than 8 000 visitors and is the only International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers-accredited, internationally recognised motor show in Southern Africa.
Staged from 14 to 25 October, the motor show provides a platform for over 600 major exhibitors from Europe, China, India, Korea and the United States.
For all things electronic, the China Sourcing expo takes place in November and provides the ultimate platform for the latest must-have electronics. Attracting over 900 exhibitors, China Sourcing 2015 will feature consumer electronics, computer products, in-car electronics and much more.
Ntsele says bringing major international expos to the City has a positive ripple effect on the tourism value chain.
“On average, exhibitors will stay for at least seven days in Johannesburg – three days for the build-up, three show days and one day for break down. There are generally between two to three exhibitors per exhibition stand who, while in Johannesburg, will make use of amenities such as hotels, accommodation, restaurants, transport and entertainment,” adds Ntsele.