Business tourism players advised to book expo space

Meetings Africa will be held for the fourth consecutive year, 27 – 29 February 2008, at the Sandton Convention Centre.

In 2007 it was attended by close on 3000 visitors, including local corporate buyers, hosted international buyers and media representatives.

Carol Weaving, MD of Thebe Exhibitions and Events, says Meetings Africa has established itself as the top event of its kind in Africa and is now synonymous with business tourism in the region. “The majority of this year's exhibitors have already indicated that they will return in 2008 and there is huge interest from first-time exhibitors.

“Indications are that the exhibitor component from elsewhere in Africa is also growing, with strong interest from Kenya, the Seychelles and Zimbabwe already received for next year.”

Hosted international buyer programme

Meetings Africa will once again incorporate a hosted international buyer programme, made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry, with more buyers of specifically association meetings than before.

“We continuously attempt to respond to the needs expressed by exhibitors, hence, also, the decision to extend the show by another half day to two-and-a-half days. We want Meetings Africa to be a perfect match between exhibitors and visitors, with an environment that is conducive to conducting real business,” says Weaving.

As in the past, the exhibition will be preceded by a one-day business tourism conference, to be held on 26 February, which will be presented by the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Tourism Company.

Both Meetings Africa delegates and delegates to the business tourism conference will qualify for discounted airfares from project partner Nationwide Airlines.

Meetings Africa is supported by South African Tourism and the South African Meetings Industry Federation (SAMIF).

For more information, go to www.meetingsafrica.co.za.