NEWS
7
PlumbDrain 2020
The only dedicated exhibition in Africa for plumbing,
drainage, sanitation, water, sanitary ware and
plumbing engineering.
Co-located with Interbuild Africa and held from
13 - 15 October 2020 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre,
Nasrec, Johannesburg, the biennial trade event plays host
to over 350 exhibitors and 5 400 visitors, of which 39%
have an annual spend of more than R1-million (17% over
R10-million).
The 2020 edition of trade show PlumbDrain promises a
new look and feel. Event co-organisers, Interact Media
Defined (IMD) – our publisher – and Specialised Exhibitions
(SE) are re-launching it effectively as a brand-new show in
October 2020, with the aim of providing practical advice and
solutions to the entire building industry.
Interbuild has officially rebranded to AfriBuild and will
showcase all elements of the building envelope, and will,
in future, be a hands-on building-solutions show for the
entire sector. The concept is to make it more ‘touch-see-
feel’ resulting in educating and learning, rather than simply
the passive demonstration of products. The objective of
PlumbDrain is to be the educational industry event that offers
the visitor the opportunity to view, see, feel and touch the
latest in technology and technological developments.
Rory Macnamara, original founder of PlumbDrain 25 years
ago, and a director at IMD, explains that the new vision for
PlumbDrain is to encompass the view that plumbing in all its
guises touches and should touch the lives of every person
in this country and Africa. Visitors should ideally leave the
event with a sense of excitement, new doors opened, and old
relationships re-established.
“Exhibitors will present their services and products in a
manner that involves the visitor (through seeing, feeling,
touching and learning) as well as promoting the event with
general and personal invitations to attend and visit.” The
promotion of products is conducive to an ‘alive’ experiential
experience rather than a one-dimensional ‘pretty’ one.
“IMD’s stance on compulsory standards is non-negotiable
– for 2020, SE has undertaken to ensure that no plumbing
or plumbing-related products are exhibited by any country
that in general does nothing for the quality and health
and safety of South Africa citizens who are protected by
compulsory standards. This is no reflection on SE’s view on
standards, especially the NBR, but plumbing is the domain
of the plumbing industry, hence their gracious acceptance
of our standpoint.
“Whilst not speaking on behalf of SE, they have informed
us of a refresh of Interbuild covering the building envelope.
Details will be announced by SE shortly,” says Macnamara.
The practical side of plumbing will be emphasised at
PlumbDrain 2020. Plumbers and engineers typically
require short, to-the-point practical input. Design forms an
integral part of the sewerage system, so understanding the
reading of drawings becomes a very important aspect.
October 2019 Volume 25 I Number 8
Several ‘fault finding’ practical stations will be set up
around the exhibition area where visitors can see,
feel, touch and learn about the basic problems facing
them on the job. Relevant topics will be provided
by plumbers in consultation with trainers (inhouse
and colleges), engineers, and where appropriate,
exhibitors.
Examples include:
• Fault finding heat pumps
• Fault finding solar geysers
• Fault finding geysers
• Fault finding draining
• Function of rodding eye
• Function of dumpy level
• Function of venting
• Understanding geyser standards (cut away
geyser)
• Fault finding pipe jointing
• Welding
• Solar tent outside
Those providing the instruction at these sessions will
be drawn from industry (exhibitors only) and will rotate.
The advantage here is that should the visitor require
more information they can visit the exhibitor’s stand,
so we encourage a very ‘living’ interaction.
"The new
vision for
PlumbDrain is
to encompass
the view that
plumbing in
all its guises
touches
and should
touch the
lives of every
person in this
country and
Africa."
Promotion of the refreshed exhibition ought to be
done widely by all the groups making up the plumbing
industry. This involves a commitment from all to
ensure that exhibitors, visitors and official bodies all
benefit from interaction with each other and avoid the
one-dimensional aspect we have come to experience
in the past.
“Considering the development of technology from the
humble tap to pipes and fittings and such, PlumbDrain
provides the opportunity for exhibitors and bodies to
really show themselves off,” says Macnamara.
Professional plumbing bodies could also use the
occasion to hold seminars or interactive panel
discussions, addressing issues such as B-BBEE,
insurance, financing and business-related matters to
owners of companies where there is a wish to learn
more. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za