Sian Steyn, GM of Decorex SA, said: "We have invited Dion to present the Design & Trend Forecast and we are confident that visitors will jump at the opportunity for a trend update that ties into the Decorex SA offering. It is always a pleasure to work with a brand like Caesarstone, and we are delighted to have them on board as the headline sponsor."
Lisa Aspeling, communications manager of Caesarstone, said: "Caesarstone is synonymous with innovation and cutting-edge design, which makes sponsorship of the trend talks the perfect association for the brand. We have worked successfully with Decorex SA for many years to bring design professionals the latest ideas in architecture and design, so being a part of the 2014 trend talks was a natural progression."
Chang, a former magazine journalist and fashion editor, heads up one of the country's top trend consultancies, Flux Trends, working with corporates to provide insight into the ever-changing relationship between brands, consumers and the communication channels that bind them. Companies and individuals turn to Chang as a brand consultant and specialist activator because of his ability to see the world from a unique perspective and gauge trends ahead of the curve. He is frequently invited to speak at high-level conferences because of his ability to question, and shift, an audience's perspective.
Chang said the Design and Trend Forecast for Decorex SA will include a look at the cultural and lifestyle trends for the year ahead.
"The content will be of interest to the man and woman in the street, as well as to interior and other professionals. Our presentation on the 2014 zeitgeist and major trends looks at all aspects of our lives, including food, popular culture as well as shifts in consumer tastes," he said. Anyone involved in the marketing of products to consumers would be particularly interested in finding out where the shifting tastes were going.
Chang added that there will be a strong Africa-focused section to his 45-minute presentation, "everyone is looking to Africa as the last frontier - the interest in this untapped market has simply exploded."
The price of entry to the relevant Decorex SA exhibition is included in the Design and Trend Forecast ticket prices.
