EXSA displays their “Pride, Passion and Pearls”

Chairperson Anita Mathias began the evening with a thought provoking address on the state of the South African economic landscape and the unique challenges and opportunities facing the exhibition and event industries. Says Mathias: “As South Africa increasingly becomes part of the global exhibition and events platform, many users are linked to international corporations - and these players expect a level of professional service - and no less should be said of our local brands. It was time to place the focus of our industry firmly on our consumers, the exhibitors and exhibition visitors. With them in mind, we have the potential to thrive and grow in these challenging times.”

The award winners were divided into several categories, each displaying excellence in their relevant areas. Scan Display Solutions took home awards in several categories, with both their Johannesburg and Cape Town operations receiving awards. Scan Display Johannesburg won for their stand for Voith at Electra Mining, their Vodacom/Vodafone stand at Digital Life Expo and the Three Cities stand at Tourism Indaba. Scan Display Cape Town took home awards for both the Inkript stand and Altech Namitech at GSM Africa 2007. Justin Hawes and his team were understandably delighted with their achievements. The 3D design team all arrived in the company workman's overalls, hard hats and devil's horns. They received awards for the SA Rail Commuter Corporation stand at African Rail and International Trucks at the Johannesburg Motor Show. Dylan Solomon did them proud with his win as Best Exhibition Supplier Employee.

Set Squared won three awards, for Stone Connection at Decorex, EADS at the African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition and for the Renault stand at the Johannesburg Motor Show. 369 Designs won an award for the Mpumalanga Wellness Centre stand at the Tourism Indaba and IDG Cape Town took home the final stand award for their Mweb stand at the Digital Life Expo. The Sandton Convention Centre won Best Exhibition Venue and Mati Nyazema and the SCC team set the tone in black top hats. Gary Corin accepted the award for Best Exhibitions Organiser for Electra Mining on behalf of Specialised Exhibitions while colleague Fran Lurie shared the award for best Exhibition Organiser Employee with SARCDA's Rina Fortman. Fortman and colleague Teresia Stander also accepted the award for best Trade Show in the 6001-12 000 metres squared category for SARCDA International.

Kim Pieterse of Emperors Palace won the Best Exhibition Venue Employee award and African Show Services walked away with the Best Exhibition Supplier award. The winners in the best exhibitions categories were divided according to size, with Three City Events winning in the Consumer 1-6 000 meters squared category for SABC Education Baba Indaba Durban. The Baby Expo organised by Exposure Marketing won in the Consumer 6001-12 000 meters squared category and Homemakers Expo Johannesburg owned by Homemakers Media Holding took home the final consumer show award. Biz Events won for the National Boat Show in the Trade and Consumer category, with Hostex Cape organised by Exhibitions for Africa and Propak Cape organised by Specialised Exhibitions won for their Trade Shows in the Trade 1-600 meters squared and 12 000 meter squared categories respectively.

Says Mathias: “The evening's sponsors helped us create a night to remember for the winners and in closing I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of EXSA, for their generosity and support. The EXPO Centre, Main Event Catering, Unlimited Events, Oasys Innovations, Oasys Electrical and Oasys Audio Visual. African Earth Events and Active Capture, SARCDA, 3D, Selwyn Miller Plant Decor, Magnetic Events, Set Squared, D Zines and Rakopane and Regal Rentals all gave generously and on behalf of the Association, thank you. In addition I would also like to extend a big thank you to all our guests, who showed their heart in contributing so generously to the charity chosen for the evening, the EXPO Centres' charity Takalani Kids. Let's move into 2009 with a renewed commitment to both our industry and Association. It is only through proactive engagement that we can hope to meet the challenges of the next few years.”