Thebe resigns from exhibition association

TEPG managing director Carol Weaving says it is evident that EXSA does not protect the interests of its members and the industry. "We have therefore lost all confidence in the way in which EXSA conducts its business as an association that should be protecting its members and the exhibition industry."

According to Weaving, the tenth annual National Boat Show, organised by Biz Events, is scheduled to take place at the Coca-Cola dome from 7 to 9 September.

She says confusion has now been created in the industry with the staging of the Johannesburg Boat Show at Expo Centre from 24 to 26 August, just two weeks before the National Boat Show. This first-time event is also being marketed as 'South Africa's official boating retailers spring show' and 'the official Johannesburg boat show' which could be misleading and damaging to the industry and more importantly the consumer.

"We consider this a very serious matter and are truly at a loss to understand why EXSA would entertain such unethical dealings in the exhibition industry, especially with one of their members. Due to EXSA's lack of integrity and fair dealing, we cannot further associate ourselves with the association," she says.

Heidi Warricker of Biz Events has also confirmed their resignation from EXSA, saying the company is disappointed that the association is unable to take any action against unscrupulous players in the industry.

EXSA response: 'Free Enterprise and the Role of EXSA'

EXSA (the Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa) was established over 32 years ago, and its role as the association is to protect the industry. The association is not a group of companies trying to protect ourselves from other non-members. An association cannot, indeed must not be, controlled by a single or group of members and should not be in a position to be manipulated at will, by a single member (or a non-member). While EXSA was unable to satisfy our member, Biz Events, with their desired outcome, the association sought legal opinion on whether there was any legal transgression according to the association's constitution, finding out that South African law favours free enterprise.

The fact is that the organiser of 'the other boat show' is not an EXSA member and South African law protects free enterprise. And while EXSA is sorry to lose Thebe as a member (they also resigned under similar circumstances in 2008 and have only recently re-joined the association) EXSA's door will always be open to Thebe. Thebe manages The Coca-Cola Dome and resigned in support of Biz Events. "Whilst I would refute Thebe's statement that "due to EXSA's lack of integrity and fair dealing, we cannot further associate ourselves with the association", it is precisely because we did not bend the rules at will, and to the whim and satisfaction of a member, that by following the constitution, I believe that we have guaranteed our integrity and fair dealing" commented Nigel Walker, EXSA's chairman.

At this time, Biz Events has NOT resigned from EXSA. They have been loyal members for over 10 years and EXSA recently issued a press release regarding their boat show and wishing them continued success. "We would be equally sorry to lose Biz Events as a member of the association" added EXSA's general manager, Sue Gannon. "However, EXSA is going from strength to strength, with an increased number of companies joining the association sitting at 15% new members signing up so far this year. We are internationally affiliated with UFI, IAEE (USA), ESSA (UK), and EEAA (AU) and continue to lead the industry in the exhibitions and events market in Southern Africa and further afield in Africa."

EXSA was formed by the industry, for the industry, and will always remain so. For more information, please contact the EXSA head office on +27 (0) 11 805 7272 or the website: www.exsa.co.za