exhibition news
Messe Frankfurt Consummates
Relationship with SASS
Messe Frankfurt, a global giant in the organisation of trade fairs and events, has taken its relationship with South
African trade fair organiser South African Show Services (SASS) one step further, by acquiring a 56% majority
stake in SASS.
T
his transaction,
Messe Frankfurt is a prime
effective 1 July 2014,
example of internationality in
was announced at
practice, and it is exciting to
a function in Green Park,
be part of this international
Johannesburg, on 13 August
company. We believe that this
2014. Ute Schuchardt will be
partnership has major growth
the new managing director
potential and will open up
of the newly established
many opportunities for us to
subsidiary South African
grow our existing exhibitions
Shows Messe Frankfurt, to
and also to attract additional
be based in Johannesburg.
exhibitors to our country.
The former South African
Messe Frankfurt has in the
Show Services management
region of 50 international sales
team – Raymond Burke, Pula
partners throughout the world,
Dippenaar and Phillip Otto –
which will be of considerable
➲ The Venue in Green Park was indeed the perfect venue for the
announcement of Messe Frankfurt’s first African subsidiary, and the
will remain on board, passing
benefit in growing our
management team surveyed their new stamping ground from the lofty heights
on their local knowledge
business.” Pula Dippenaar,
of the 20th floor of the World Trade Centre. Left to right: Raymond Burke,
to a the seasoned veteran
CEO of South African Show
Ute Schuchardt, Phillip Otto, Pula Dippenaar
Schuchardt. Uwe Behm,
Services, adds: “With this
member of the Messe Frankfurt Executive
move, we are solidifying the partnership that
company with the strongest international
Board, said at the function that “We are
was established with the Automechanika
presence, thereby also helping to expand
very pleased to have Ute Schuchardt in this
event in South Africa.”
Messe Frankfurt’s international network”.
position – a Messe Frankfurt expert whose
Champing at the bit, and awaiting her visa
many years of experience and in-depth
from the Department of Home Affairs, Ute
knowledge of the Group will prove to be of
intends to focus on integrating the South
Messe Frankfurt sees South
immense value when establishing our first
African subsidiary within the Messe Frankfurt
Africa developing into a trade fair
subsidiary on African soil”.
Group, as an interface to the divisions and
centre for the African continent
departments at its Frankfurt headquarters.
With this global expertise being transplanted
– not unlike the role fulfilled
into South Africa, we can expect a more
The remaining 44 percent of shares will
by Germany in Europe, and of
international flavour at the Johannesburg
continue to be held by the former South
course these trade fairs can play
International Motor Show, the Rand
African shareholders, but the direction will
a key catalyst role in economic
Show, the AMID Motorcycle Expo, the
clearly come from Germany. Uwe Behm
development. The trade fairs in
Johannesburg Boat Show and the SA
explains that “This transaction allows us
the portfolio of the new company
Outdoor Lifestyle Show, and aBr is pretty
to further expand our global presence.
sure that more shows are on their way.
Our activities in southern Africa demonstrate
complement the existing
Automechanika Johannesburg, which has
our firm belief that the future offers a wealth
worldwide range of events in the
been organised under licence by SASS
of opportunities for the African continent.”
“Mobility & Logistics” business
since 2009, can also expect some significant Raymond Burke, chairman of South
field, and will surely provide a
support from its parent body. An excited
African Show Services, concurs, “We are
fulcrum for further much needed
Ute Schuchardt says that “ I’m proud to
delighted to be working together with one
shows in South Africa.
be responsible for developing business
of the world’s leading trade fair companies.
in Africa as part of the German trade fair
With its events all around the world,
| words in action
74
september 2014