Building on the inaugural event last year, FESPA Africa 2015, took place from 22-24 July at the Gallagher Convention Centre. The event welcomed over 5500 print professionals, 46% of which were new visitors to the event, who were able to scope the latest technology from a leading line-up of 125 exhibitors, and explore industry trends with a wide range of educational features, giving them free access to topics on product developments and business opportunities.
Visitor statistics confirm the quality of attendees, with almost 70% of the audience from senior job positions, 53% with final decision-making authority and 85% of visitors involved in the decision-making process. 3796 this is a 9.8% increase from the 2014 event.
Graham Hawthorn, Director, Grosvenor Branding who visited the event highlighted: 'This was a fantastic expo where I was able to do three months-worth of research in a day and half, and all the under one roof.'
Exhibitors were also very positive about the exhibition, with many reporting confirmed sales on the show floor, high-quality visitor traffic, and increased sales compared to the 2014 expo. Raymond Waldeck, Managing Director at Antalis South Africa said, 'The quality of prospects was very good. Most of the visitors who engaged with us were serious buyers.'
Greg Van Heesch from Digifab echoed this sentiment: 'We were extremely happy with the event, we had a lot of good leads and we will be expanding our stand at the 2016 event.'
'We sold all the equipment that was exhibited at the show to clients within South Africa. It was a successful event all round; generating numerous new clients,' said Hans Vogt, Managing Director, Colorscreen.
'FESPA Africa is the largest show in Sub-Saharan Africa and the main attraction on the African continent, which made the expo the ideal location to launch our new printers, the Mimaki TS300P-1800 and SIJ-320UV,' said Mike Horsten, General Marketing Manager, Mimaki EMEA. 'Our wide range of high quality products have been accepted amazingly well and we've sold equipment off the show floor.'
Gavin Peterson from Clear Solutions said, 'We are happy with the amount of visitors at this year's event; which was very busy, and we had a lot of interest in our equipment.'
Event organisers Practical Publishing, Dyelan Copeland and Charnia Yapp were pleased with the feedback they gained during the show: 'It was our second year at Gallagher Convention Centre, exhibitor feedback and modest growth in visitor numbers has been a positive indication of the events success. Of course now, our aim is to analyse the show and set plans to continue improving the expo to deliver an even better one next year. We are putting together a focused plan with our partners, FESPA, to attract more visitors from the Southern African Development Community region.'
Neil Felton, CEO, FESPA, said, 'The exhibition has been wonderful, there has been a real buzz in the aisles and on stands. Feedback from exhibitors has been extremely strong, with clients already generating more sales and leads at this edition. We always seek to improve our events, by listening to and understanding the market. As we move forward we plan to engage with more of the African continent and ensure that FESPA Africa becomes the home of the African wide format print. Using FESPA’s profit-for-purpose philosophy, and our partner’s local knowledge, we will make the event a truly regional one which goes from strength to strength.'
FESPA President, Yasar Güvenen who attended FESPA Africa stated: 'I was positively surprised with the major brands I saw at the event; exhibitors were happy with the number and quality of visitors. I would like to thank our partners, Practical Publishing, the team is highly motivated and very dynamic. Together, I am sure we will continue to deliver a great event here.'
The next FESPA Africa event will take place from 7-9 September 2016 in Johannesburg at Gallagher Convention Centre.
Each stand was judged at the expo according to criteria based on design and staff friendliness and professionalism. The stand winners and runners up include:
Small Floor Space:
First tie: Gemini and Evonik Acrylics Africa.
Runner up: The Lighting Zone.
Small Shell Scheme:
First: Witcolor.
Runner up: Wired4Signs.
Medium Floor Space:
First tie: Sytech Supplies and Channel Letter Factory (NGS).
Runner up: Rexx Screen & Digital Supplies.
Medium Shell Scheme:
First: Clip-Tite.
Runner up: MIPS Technologies.
Large Floor Space:
First tie: CNC Professional Machines & Engineering and SA Argus.
Runner up tie: Paul Moeller & Co., Avery Dennison and Falcon.
Mega Floor Space:
First: Midcomp.
Runner up: Epson.
Third place: Kemtek Imaging Systems.
