New group MD for Specialised Exhibitions
Specialised Exhibitions, reputedly offering South Africa's largest exhibition portfolio, has announced new appointments: John Kaplan is now group MD/CEO, Gary Corin is CEO, Grant Mills is new business development director and Robyn Milligan is marketing manager.
Effective 1 February 2010, Kaplan oversees both Specialised Exhibitions and joint venture new business development with its strategic partnerships with Media 10, Imago and Specialised Exhibitions Shows and Events (SESE).
Specialised Exhibitions has a portfolio of business-to-business trade exhibitions including Electra Mining Africa, Elenex, Interbuild Africa, Plumbdrain Africa, Frigair, Propak Africa, KZN Industrial Technology, Afriwater, Markex, Hostex and IFSEC SA Securex.
Mills has been appointed as new business development director of all international joint ventures looking after Imago's IP Africa Expo, Media 10's Grand Designs Live and locally the SESE Women's Show and Natural & Organics, as well as developing new partnerships. Grant retains his position as financial manager at Specialised Exhibitions.
Milligan has been appointed as marketing manager after her eleven years service with the group. She holds an IMM Diploma and has twelve years' experience in the exhibitions industry,
2010 optimism
“Last year was a positive year for us and 2010 is set to be even more exciting,” says Kaplan. “The economic downturn did see budgets becoming tighter, but this propelled more creative and effective use of marketing resources, which resulted in a year of successful exhibitions attracting good quality visitors with purchasing power.”
“2010 will see further growth for our business. The new appointments reflect the vision of the organisation with its focus on existing exhibition portfolio expansion and the further development of key strategic partnerships. Opportunities will be identified for bringing new shows into the mix, expanding shows regionally, as well as combining shows to bring further value-add to both exhibitors and visitors. We are always looking for new ideas to enhance an event and will be incorporating experiential and entertainment factors, which are growing trends internationally, into our exhibitions.”
“Our combined knowledge, experience and skills set is without question and, with its dynamic team of people, the group offers its clients creative, innovative and expert advice on making a success out of any exhibition,” states Corin.
