As the continents leading mining, industrial and occupational health and safety exhibition, this niche trade show is highly regarded as a valued platform for business development in Botswana.
Not only was Electra Mining Botswana 2019 affirmed as the ‘best ever’ by visitors and exhibitors alike for its excellent content, successful delivery and overall quality, it also made an impression at the recent Exhibition Industry Alliance (EIA) Awards where it won a ‘Distinction in Marketing Award’, a ‘Distinction in Logistics Award’ and overall ‘Best Africa Bound Exhibition 2019 Award’.
The show was also selected as one of the top ten exhibitions in the ‘2019 Exhibition of the Year’ category, and, although did not win, it was an achievement in itself to be in the top ten. The Electra Mining Botswana ‘Exhibitor Distinction Award’ for best stand was won by Sweet-Orr.
Hosted by the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) and the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), the annual EIA Awards event was held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Friday 31 January. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the Exhibitions industry.
The AAXO ROAR Awards were amongst the many awards presented during the evening. Entries were judged on exhibition organisers’ exceptional exhibition marketing strategy and logistics excellence. Exhibitors were also recognised for the visual and interactive impact of their Exhibitor stands.
“To be recognised amongst our industry peers is a great honour and we are thrilled to have won the awards for Electra Mining Botswana,” says Gary Corin, Managing Director of Specialised Exhibitions. “We also enjoyed celebrating the success of Sweet-Orr as the winners of the exhibitor distinction award for best stand at Electra Mining Botswana.”
“A big thank you goes to our Botswana partners, TRM Group, who greatly contributed to the success of Electra Mining Botswana.”
Local recognition
TRM Group, excited by the success of Electra Mining Botswana, has in turn commended its own local network for the achievement. “As a wholly Botswana citizen owned Company whose core focus is on promoting a safer, healthier and environmentally friendly workplace, whilst also promoting health and safety awareness to the country as a whole, we are grateful for the immense support we have from local media and government, local industry and other stakeholders,” says Fhoster Manyaapelo, TRM Group director.
“Last year’s Electra Mining Botswana was supported by the Botswana government including the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development – which falls under the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, as well as the Botswana Chamber of Mines alongside Vivo Energy, the Botswana Institution of Engineers, Business Botswana, the Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa and the South African Capital Equipment Export Council.”
“Electra Mining Botswana 2019 also enjoyed massive support from its official Media partners such as Engineer Magazine, Beneath Botswana, Engineering News, Mining Weekly and Interact Media Defined.”
“We are all in partnership together to ensure the greater good, reach and success of Electra Mining Botswana for the benefit of all stakeholders and the country as a whole,” said Manyaapelo.
Agreeing with Manyaapelo, Specialised Exhibitions Portfolio Director Charlene Hefer explained that having a local partner ensures the show is relevant and supported within the regional market.
Hefer says that she is “passionate about working with a local partner as this creates an exhibition suited to the local environment,” and that, “we feel very strongly about adding value to the region and we use local suppliers and contractors wherever possible. In fact, more than 80% of budget is spent on local suppliers. We are looking forward to working alongside TRM Group again in 2021.”
Hefer further explained that “the benefits of Electra Mining Botswana extend beyond the exhibitors and visitors. The positive impact of these events in Botswana is that they can be contributing in the region of 8-million Pula to the national economy, either directly or in-directly. This is through venue expenses, expenditure on products and services, advertising and promotion, logistics, travel, accommodation, meals and drinks, spend of exhibitors on exhibiting, and the additional local spend of visitors and exhibitors whilst at the trade show. The exhibition also contributes to part-time job creation during the show and add-on tourism for those visiting Botswana. It is estimated that every 1 Pula spent on exhibiting brings in 7 Pula.”
The fifth edition of Electra Mining Botswana will be taking place at the Gaborone Fairgrounds from 14-16 September 2021.The show plays a pivotal role in bringing related industries together at one location in Botswana, showcasing new products, services and technology whilst also providing excellent learning and networking opportunities for visitors and exhibitors.
