Marketing News South Africa

It's Markex time again

As budgets become tighter, so the need for creative and effective opportunities for exposure has increased. Markex & World of Events 2008 opens its doors this week, with more than 70 new exhibitors bringing innovations never before seen at this event.

The show, which will run 10 - 12 June 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, also incorporates Business of Sport. Markex is organised by Exhibitions for Africa (EFA), a division of Specialised Exhibitions.

Exhibition director Lynn Chamier says, "The fusion of print, audio-visual, electronic and ‘live experience' marketing has exploded into a multimedia kaleidoscope of marketing innovations. Ironically, tougher marketing conditions have assisted in the evolution of a host of creative new marketing and branding ideas - as witnessed by double the number of new exhibitors," she says.

Among a host of new products, services and ideas, visitors will be able to learn how customer's sense of smell can be harnessed to whet the appetite, calm, or persuade them to linger longer through a revolutionary product called Aromax, from Business InScentives.

Another product, Touchbiance from Blacksheep Concepts, uses flash animation that causes an image on the floor to react by following the shadow, flash or change colour.

Adding an ethereal dimension to branding exercises is Holopro, a transparent rear projection display screen with an interactive, touch-screen functionality. Images on Holopro appear to ‘float' in the air.

For the first time in South Africa, visitors will also learn how to build a stylish and personalised ‘virtual watch' online via www.citywatchinternational.com.

A complimentary stand has been provided for the Association for the Physically Disabled (Greater Johannesburg) which provides numerous services for people with disabilities (PWDs) including, among others, to prepare them for the open labour market and identify employment opportunities. Visitors are urged to visit the stand, where they will also learn about opportunities for the private sector to include PWDs in their approach to business.

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

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