OPERATIONS •
All images by © MTE Exhibitions
The distinct orange and yellow tents of MTE Exhibitions . This photo was taken at the Rustenburg show in 2018 .
MTE MEETS THE CHALLENGE
MTE Exhibitions got their 2021 campaign underway in the Emalahleni Coalfields of Mpumalanga on Wednesday 21 April 2021 . This was the first time the MTE team had ventured outside their office building since December last year .
After being grounded due to Covid-19 for most of 2020 , the mobile outfit took to the road in November and early December last year to do what they do best : serve the South African mining industry and its suppliers . Amid rising Covid-19 infections and in keeping within government regulations , the flexible and agile MTE managed to pull a couple of rabbits out the hat when they hosted consecutive events first at Steelpoort , the centre of the eastern limb of the platinum belt , in November 2020 , and again at Ngodwana , close to Nelspruit early in December 2020 .
But then the second wave of Covid-19 put a brake on MTE ’ s plans for 2021 , as government enforced strict measures and limited the number of people permitted at events and gatherings . Ironically , Covid-19 restrictions has counted in MTE ’ s favour and has given the company a distinct advantage when it comes to hosting events and exhibitions .
While mega exhibitions and events around the world have been postponed or cancelled for at least the next year or two , MTE has been able to regroup and still deliver their personalised high impact shows within traditional mining hotspots in South Africa
– and they will be able to do so for the rest of the year , even if further restrictions hamper economic activities .
The nature of the MTE concept does not lend itself to massive crowds and what has been coined ‘ super spreader ’ events . Space is limited , and instead , the company focuses on getting the most accurate information about what products are needed by mines , and in turn informing their clients and suppliers about what those mining companies really require . It is a bespoke , personalised offering , and it speaks to the mining industry ’ s wants and needs . At the same time , Covid-19 restrictions is not a challenge for MTE . Being an outside event , it is easy to maintain social distance , and with constant monitoring and sanitisation stations everywhere , MTE follows all pandemic control protocols .
Wednesday 21 April was thus a big day for MTE , for the coal miners of Emalahleni , Middelburg and Ogies , and for suppliers and service providers . Last year was a slog for most , and it dragged on into 2021 . Although there has been some respite in terms of Covid-19 restrictions in South Africa , the coal miners
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