The 125 exhibitors allegedly unanimously agreed that the show was an unprecedented success, with a final count of 3500 quality visitors.
Exhibitors felt the exposure they received was invaluable and that Markex KZN gave them the ideal platform to promote their products and services to quality trade visitors.
Many deals were struck during the show and the "T-String" cellphone wrist holder was launched to the South African marketplace and the first sale was secured on the first morning of the show.
Moses Rulashe, manager (KZN), Scan Solutions, enthused "It was a fantastic show which way exceeded our expectations. We received four times as many leads as we expected. The quality of visitors was excellent with many decision makers attending the show. Markex KZN served as the perfect platform to accelerate our presence in KZN."
Roughly 20% of the exhibitors were KZN-based companies which took the opportunities Markex KZN created to consolidate their existing position in the area and to expand their client base.
"The exhibition allowed us to demonstrate firsthand what we can do in a manner that we could not mirror in a normal business environment and on a scale that is not possible in any other three days" said Alvin Meyer, MD of Durban-based Lemon Tree Concepts – a functions and events co-ordination company. "We are delighted to have been here. The exposure we received was phenomenal and we have gained quality leads from not only KZN but as far afield as Namibia."
These sentiments were echoed by Annamaria Contstanino, owner of Woodcovers. "A lot of visitors did not realise we were Durban-based, so the show gave us the opportunity to network with and expand our local client base.
“Interest in our product range which covers not only branded golf wood covers but travel documentation pouches and teddy bears has been outstanding and we have numerous quality leads to follow up on. We will definitely be back!"
First time Markex exhibitor Peter Munns from Holomatrix, which supplies security wrist bands etc for event managers as well as scratch and sniff fragranced paper, said "The show allowed us to network with our KZN client base, and achieve our goal of targeting the KZN marketplace, but a surprising bonus was that quality trade visitors were not only Durban-based but hailed from Cape Town and Johannesburg, thus allowing us to expand our exposure even further."
"Our investment in coming to KZN has more than paid off." said Cheryl Treisman from Johannesburg-based MSC Sports. "We were looking to approach a Durban base and used Markex KZN as our springboard for brand awareness. Our turnover on memorabilia was fantastic."
These sentiments were echoed over and over again by exhibitors and the camaraderie among them was defined by Graphic Supply Works, which assisted Patriot Brands in printing background banners for their stand when their shipment of promotional materials failed to turn up on time.
Visitor to the show came not only from Durban but from all over the region including Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay and even as far afield as Namibia.
Exhibitors put a lot of effort into their stands and the following awards were made:
Winner: Rocket Creative
Highly Commended: Molten Brown, Eye Candy and Headwear 24
Winner: Scan Display
Highly Commended: Abelelani, Hippo Group, Carrol Boyes and Captivity Headwear
Winner: KRT Shirts
Highly Commended: Gearhouse KZN, Metropolitan Clothing/Westward and Lemon Tree Concepts.
Chamier concludes, "Markex will be running in Gauteng in its usual June slot next year with Cape Town hosting its second Markex Cape 19 – 21 August 2008. We look forward to returning to KZN to host their second Markex in August 2009. Exhibitors were already requesting space bookings at the end of this show which is testament to the success of this inaugural event."
Markex is organised by Exhibitions for Africa, a member of EXSA.
