South Africa's exhibitions industry has given a vote of confidence in Oasys Exhibitions, part of the Oasys Innovations Group of companies. At the annual awards event of the Exhibitions and Events Association, the company was again presented the coveted “Supplier of the Year” award for 2007. Shareen Driver, of Oasys Exhibitions, was voted for “Best Exhibition Supplier Employee Award”.
Says Brian Kennedy, Managing Director, Oasys Innovations: “These two awards give us much reason for celebration. More importantly, it reflects well on our philosophy that our people are our assets and that our customers buy people excellence to get the job done.” Kennedy is presently Chairman of the Exhibitions and Events Association.
In his welcome address at the awards event, Kennedy was upbeat about the role of exhibitions and events in the marketing process: “Last year nearly R26 billion was generated around exhibitions in terms of economic activity. It is estimated that, as a consequence of exhibition visitations, nearly R50 billion worth of deals was generated. It is unlikely that any form of marketing communication, other than exhibitions, can render such cascading effects. Now that the exhibitions and events industries have joined to represent one industry, we can go the extra mile to directly influence the bottom line of our customers.”
Kennedy said that these, and other statistics revealed by research which was undertaken in 2006, make for a strong case to earn a bigger portion from the communication budget, in preference to traditional above- and below-the-line items. “Exhibitions and events have one thing in common - which other communication tools do not have. We are in a unique position to create platforms where customer relations can be formed and enhanced.”
In conclusion Kennedy was upbeat about the international profile which the industry is giving to South Africa. “Soccerex and 2010 are prime examples of exhibitions and events that create an atmosphere for business relations, while the improvement and marketing of venues and facilities help the industry towards best practice in every respect.”
