26 EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Review of East Rand and Joburg North exhibitions
By
Rory Macnamara and Tanya Olckers
Exhibitions are unpredictable at the best of times as are visitors .
Whilst all the correct promotions are put into place including those much-appreciated efforts by exhibitors themselves , as organisers we are often left with a feeling of puzzlement as to the varying number of visitors that show up – from acceptably large to unacceptably poor quantities .
There are always reasons for this but none one that can put one ’ s finger on it and say , “ Yip this was the problem or reason .”
Nonetheless , not one of the Plumbing Travel Exhibitions ( PTE ) has failed to deliver quality visitors , whatever the number . Still , when one considers the PTE concept of “ Going to the Heart of the Area ” both the organisers and exhibitors can expect the visitors to play their part . I appreciate that this is not what our non-attending visitors expect or want to hear , but let me know what the issue is so we can all learn and do what is best for the industry as a whole .
Since starting PTE , we have learnt how to improve and continue to do so . In conjunction with the excellent talks given at the PTE workshops by IOPSA and others and the increase in demonstrations by exhibitors , we will be tying in the talks with those providing demos so it is theory and practical that will add to the visitor ’ s enjoyment of learning .
The East Rand exhibition was unexpectedly low on visitors considering that we promoted from Springs to Bedfordview and in between with radio , newspapers , special invites , support from merchants and plumbing stores – the visitation was lower than expected .
Having said that every visitor was an owner of a plumbing business , proving excellent quality , but the plumbers were missed !
Perhaps the East Randers can offer us some guidance as to where we went wrong !
A pictorial display shows the exhibitors at the event .
Johannesburg North ’ s exhibition took place at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia where temperatures soared to 34 degrees with only a slight breeze . ( It has been suggested we have a couple of water slides down the aisles !)
A selection of exhibitor photos
All Images by Plumbing Africa www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2024 Volume 29 I Number 11