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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF FRIGAIR 2025 – A GUIDE
By Eamonn Ryan
It’ s June and our industry has gone FRIGAIR crazy – what a build-up! With so much to do and see, how do you ensure you get the full experience?
This year’ s show officially kicks off at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, from 4-6 June, proudly presented by SAIRAC, and everything is set for a memorable showcase of all things heating, energy, ventilation, airconditioning and refrigeration. It’ s finally time for Africa’ s largest HEVAC & R trade show to shine again!
CONQUERING THE EXPO FLOOR: TIPS FOR MAXIMISING YOUR VISIT TO FRIGAIR Visiting a large regional expo like FRIGAIR can be an incredibly valuable experience, offering insights into the latest industry trends, technologies and potential partnerships. However, the sheer scale of such events can also be overwhelming. To make the most of your time and efficiently cover as many stands as possible, consider these tips:
Tip number one – wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking – not nearly as much as the huge international shows, for sure, but there are two exhibition halls that cover some acreage, so you’ ll also want to pack light to avoid carrying bulky bags. A comfortable backpack for brochures, business cards and a water bottle is ideal.
If you’ re coming to the show you will want to visit as many stands as possible. You’ ll want to know what the rest of the industry is up to and what new technology is available. The venue is small enough to stop by every stand. Be sure to keep your trusty FRIGAIR Catalogue as a guide to help you navigate the exhibition. It also has contact details for the exhibitors should you wish to look up any of them afterwards. So keep the catalogue – tip number two.
Next, strategic pre-planning is key. Pre-register and download the show guide: this will save you time on arrival and provide you with a map, exhibitor list, workshop schedules, and often a way to bookmark or plan your route.
Define your objectives. What are your specific goals for attending? Are you looking for new suppliers, specific technologies, industry trends, networking opportunities or competitor analysis? Having clear objectives will help you prioritise which stands are most important. Then identify‘ must-see exhibitors’. Review the exhibitor list in advance and mark the stands of companies you absolutely need to visit. Note their hall and stand numbers.
If you plan to have in-depth discussions with specific exhibitors, reach out beforehand to schedule appointments. This ensures dedicated time and attention. To do so, create a tentative route through the halls. Group stands in the same or adjacent halls to minimise unnecessary walking. Tackle your most important stands early in the day when you ' re fresh and the crowds might be slightly thinner. Constantly refer to the map to navigate efficiently between stands. Use the map to quickly locate specific exhibitors. If you ' re part of a team, divide the exhibition floor among yourselves based on individual interests and objectives. This allows you to cover significantly more ground. Designate a meeting point and time to share your findings.
As you walk through the aisles, quickly scan the stands. If something catches your eye that wasn ' t on your initial list, make a note to come back if time permits. Identify the right person to speak to at each stand so as not to get bogged down in lengthy conversations with someone who can ' t answer your specific questions. Ask for the relevant contact or get their business card.
Exhibitors are also busy, so when engaging with your contact point, be clear and concise about your interests and questions to respect their time and allow them to interact with other visitors. At the same time collect key information only- instead of taking every brochure, focus on collecting business cards or scanning QR codes for digital information. Note down key takeaways or product names that interest you.
Try to work your way through the halls in a logical order( e. g., aisle by aisle) to avoid backtracking and missing stands, and occasionally take short breaks. Step away from the crowds periodically to rest your feet and review your notes. This will help you stay focused and energised. If there are specific talks that align with your objectives, plan your stand visits around these times, which will also allow you to rest for bones. Seminars can often provide a good overview of industry trends, potentially highlighting exhibitors you should visit, and FRIGAIR has some lively talks scheduled( more of that later).
Once the show is over, take the time to organise the business cards, brochures and digital information you collected. This will enable you to prioritise follow-up initiatives. Identify the most promising leads and follow up promptly with exhibitors you engaged in meaningful conversation.
SPREADING THE WORD Remember to share what you see. The official hashtag for the event is # FRIGAIR2025 or # VisitFRIGAIR. Get your social media game on and tell ius what you found cool and interesting. Show everyone else what they’ re missing! We’ ll also be sending daily newsletters recapping the day and letting you know what’ s coming up. So, make sure to check your emails to see what else is going on. For all other information, visit www. frigairexpo. co. za.
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RACA Journal I June 2025 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za