Timber iQ Dec 2017 - Jan 2018 // Issue:35 | Page 6

EVENTS
Get ready for WoodEx
for Africa 2018
The largest trade exhibition in Africa dedicated exclusively to the timber
trade is gearing up for its milestone fifth instalment, which takes place at
Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from 11 to 13 July 2018.
W
WHAT TO EXPECT
Building on previous years, WoodEX for Africa 2018 will
showcase innovative timber and woodworking products
and services, such as woodworking machinery, fixtures and
fittings, decking, flooring, structural timber, timber
preservatives and treatment, sawmilling and logging,
pulp and paper manufacturing and wood material and
veneer production.
“This makes WoodEX for Africa the ideal platform for
those in – and associated with – the timber industry to
connect with one another and other specialised dealers,
stay in tune with the latest and greatest in the industry, to
secure new business contacts and nurture existing ones
and to access special trade deals,” says Jooste.
At the heart of WoodEX for Africa is the event’s ever-
popular Timber Talk programme, which comprises a
number of short presentations by industry influencers.
These compact sessions make for a dynamic and
interactive learning experience for visitors and exhibitors
alike and bring together some of the timber industry’s
leading system designers, contractors, manufacturers and
thought leaders who address pressing industry issues and
hot topics from across the timber world.
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DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018 //
oodEX for Africa is a timber-focused trade
exhibition hosted biennially and offers a unique
business and networking platform to connect,
unify and grow the African timber, tooling and machinery
markets. As a key event on the timber and timber-related
industry’s calendar, WoodEX for Africa has developed a
reputation for being a solid, reliable partner in trade that
has remained steadfast and resilient through trying times
in both the local and global economies.
According to Stephan Jooste, WoodEX for Africa,
director, “The fourth edition of WoodEX for Africa was very
well supported by both local and international exhibitors
and visitors alike. Feedback since the event has been
overwhelmingly positive, with a strong indication that the
exhibitors were particularly satisfied with the quality of
visitors, networking opportunities and the sound business
leads they sourced at the event. We’ve since received an
unprecedented number of inquiries about WoodEX for
Africa’s 2018 event from past visitors and exhibitors, which
positions us well to host the fifth WoodEX for Africa; a
milestone of which we are tremendously proud.”
The expo is the largest trade exhibition in Africa dedicated
exclusively to the timber trade.
WoodEX for Africa’s Timber Talk sessions are free and
bookings are not necessary.
A WIN FOR EXHIBITORS
With its strategic and targeted marketing activities,
WoodEX for Africa aims to host many new visitors and
exhibitors at the show. In addition, the 2018 event will
offer a host of digital and social media marketing
opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors to reach a
highly-focused market in Africa before, during and after
the show.
Particularly popular with the African trade, which makes
up 60% of international trade visitors hailing from as far
afield as Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia,
Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, WoodEX for Africa is
considered South Africa’s gateway to the timber trade
in Africa.
“It is clear that WoodEX for Africa has come of age and
represents an invaluable targeted marketing platform for
the local and international timber trade and woodworking
sectors looking to connect and build fruitful relationships,”
says Jooste.
“As the only exhibition solely dedicated to timber and
woodworking machinery on the African continent, WoodEX
for Africa has forged itself as the place to connect and
inform the timber trade where it matters most. We look
forward to making WoodEX for Africa 2018 yet another one
for the books,” he concludes.