At a glittering function in Johannesburg, the Exhibition Association of Southern Africa (Exsa) hosted its second annual Exhibition and Stand Award Banquet at the Coca Cola Dome. Themed, Hollywood Oscar Night, the exhibition industry turned out in true style.Contenders competed for honours in a range of categories including exhibition organizing, stand design and construction. Three new categories were introduced this year, Best Service Company, Best Venue and Best organizer. Exsa introduced the new awards to set a benchmark of excellence, stimulate innovation and honour professionalism in the South African exhibition industry.
Carol Weaving, Exsa Chairperson comments: "South Africa is increasingly being recognized as a world class location for exhibitions. It is critical that we push our quality standards to enable us to compete as a significant medium within the marketing mix. This award ceremony provided an important platform for the exhibition industry to meet and celebrate its progress."
Events coordinators, blackmagic communications, together with EXSA member sponsor companies and Exsa Executive Committee, pulled out all stops to present a true Hollywood paparazzi style event. From valet parking to red carpet interviews with live feed on monitors, the stars of the exhibition industry shone brightly.
Michelle Garforth compered the event. blackmagic Communications added a special touch on the entertainment package which featured the jazz diva, Judith Sephuma, and tenor Agos Moahi who serenaded and charmed the stars of the night.
 Carol Weaving (Exsa Chairman), Gordon Gleimius (DTI Manager: National Pavilions) and his wife, Gail Gleimius |  3D Design Team |  Set Squared Team |
STANDS OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Dzines for SITA Stand at Futurex
Madhouse Group for Accolade Stand at Decorex JHB
Madhouse Group for National Ports Authority Stand at SAITEX
Set Squared (Pty) Ltd for Plumb Crazy Stand at Interbuild Africa
Stone Eye Design Project Management (Pty) Ltd for Galderma Stand at Dermatology Congress
Winner: Set Squared (Pty) Ltd for Plumb Crazy Stand at Interbuild Africa
Dzines for No Wire Stand at Futurex
IDG Cape Town for Investec Stand at I R F Congress
Progroup for Hi-Tech Elements Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Progroup for Symbol Technologies Stand at Futurex
Progroup Shows & Conferences cc for Caltex Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Winner: IDG Cape Town for Investec Stand at I R F Congress
Madhouse Group for Sentech Stand at Futurex
Progroup Manufacturing for Hewlett Packard Stand at Futurex
Progroup Shows & Conferences cc for Treofan Stand at Propak Africa
Scan Display Solutions for Five Roses Stand at Decorex JHB
Scan Display Solutions for Scan Display Solutions Stand at Markex/World of Events Gauteng
Winner: Progroup Manufacturing for Hewlett Packard Stand at Futurex
Progroup for Weir Envirotech Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Progroup for Zest Electric Motors Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Progroup Shows & Conferences cc for K.H.S Manufacturing Stand at Propak Africa
Scan Display Solutions and Stone Eye Project Management (Pty) Ltd for ABSA Stand at Rand Show Set Squared (Pty) Ltd for Bell Equipment Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Winner: Scan Display Solutions & Stone Eye Project Management (Pty) Ltd (in conjunction with Samplex) for ABSA Stand at Rand Show
3D Design for Abloy/Lockwise Stand at Securex
3D Design for SA Voice Logger Stand at Futurex
IDG JHB for IDG JHB Stand at Markex/World of Events Gauteng
Scan Display Solutions for Hi Tech Inks Stand at Propak Africa
Scan Display Solutions for Namitech Stand at Futurex
Winner: 3D Design for SA Voice Logger Stand at Futurex
3D Design for Cummins Diesel Stand at Electra Mining Africa
3D Design for KH Diesel Stand at Electra Mining Africa
3D Design for Sanyo Stand at Securex
Scan Display Solutions for Rittal Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Scan Display Solutions for Telkom Stand at Eastern Cape Industrial Trade Show
Winner: Scan Display Solutions for Telkom Stand at Eastern Cape Industrial Trade Show
3D Design for Goodyear/SKF Stand at Electra Mining Africa
3D Design for Telkom Stand at Rand Show
IDG JHB for AEL Stand at Electra Mining Africa
IDG JHB for Hansen Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Scan Display Solutions for Phoenix Contact Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Winner: Scan Display Solutions for Phoenix Contact Stand at Electra Mining Africa
3D Design for Accpac Stand at Futurex
3D Design for Murray & Roberts Stand at Electra Mining Africa
3D Design for Voith Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Winner: 3D Design for Murray & Roberts Stand at Electra Mining Africa
Scan Display Solutions for Magudu Stand at Decorex/Hot Property JHB
Winner: Scan Display Solutions for Magudu Stand at Decorex/Hot Property JHB
EXHIBITIONS OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Exhibitions for Africa - Insite
Exhibitions for Africa - Markex & World of Events - Cape
Specialised Exhibitions - HRDA
SA RAI - ICT SA
Winner: Exhibitions for Africa - Insite
Exhibitions for Africa - Hostex/Cooling Africa Cape
Exhibitions for Africa - Securex
Exhibitions for Africa - Truck-Ex
Kagiso Exhibitions (Pty) Ltd - SAITEX
Winner: Exhibitions for Africa - Hostex/Cooling Africa Cape
Exhibitions for Africa - Eastern Cape Industrial Trade Show
Exhibitions for Africa - Futurex
SARCDA - SARCDA Christmas
Specialised Exhibitions - Electra Mining
Specialised Exhibitions - Propak Africa
Winner: Specialised Exhibitions - Electra Mining
Amanda Cunningham Communications - Weddings Expo
SA RAI - Cape a la Carte
Winner: Amanda Cunningham Communications-Weddings Expo
Kagiso Exhibitions - Rand Show
Outdoor Exhibition Organisers - 94.7 Outdoor Adventure Expo
Winner: Outdoor Exhibition Organisers - 94.7 Outdoor Adventure Expo
NichePro (Pty) Ltd - SAVA Congress
Winner: NichePro (Pty) Ltd - SAVA Congress
SA RAI - Franchise Business Opportunities & ESKOM Small Business Development Expo
SA RAI - Gardenex
Winner: SA RAI - Franchise Business Opportunities & ESKOM Small Business Development Expo
SA RAI - Decorex/Hot Property Cape
SA RAI - Decorex/Hot Property KZN
Winner: SA RAI - Decorex/Hot Property Cape
Kagiso Exhibitions - Auto Africa
SA RAI - Decorex/Hot Property JHB
Winner: Kagiso Exhibitions - Auto Africa
Sponsors for Exsa Exhibition and stand award 2004:
For venue - the Coca-Cola dome
For table décor items - Party Design
For plasma screens and AV equipment - Plasmaview Technologies
For music and DJ services for the after party - Toxic Sun
For cleaning services - Dr. Clean
For venue carpeting, walling and foyer items - Oasys Innovations
For Welcome drinks - the Coca-Cola dome
For Table wine - Specialised Exhibitions
For lighting, staging, technical equipment and staffing - Gearhouse South Africa
For full event co-ordination, organisation including all creative elements and staffing as well as sponsored entertainment - Blackmagic Communications
For dance floor - Scan Display
