‘SWEET 16’ FOR CONSUMER FAIR
Come month-end, the eyes of the business world will be fixed firmly on Fairground Holdings (FH) as the country’s biggest trade fair, the Botswana Consumer Fair rolls into the capital city.
Scheduled for 28 August to 3 September, the event, which prides itself on being the most visited trade fair in Botswana, takes place under the theme: ‘Fostering consumer confidence through business resilience post Covid-19 pandemic’.
The fair is set to turn 16 in style, with organisers hoping to attract at least 520 exhibiters, an increase of 20 from the 500 enterprises who showcased their wares last year as the week-long networking event marked its successful return after Covid-19.
As well as representation from eight Southern African nations, this year the fair will include participants from China and Japan.
Sectors to look out for are: travel and tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and food processing and mining just to mention a few.
Besides creating a rare shopping experience for the 60, 000 visitors who pass through its doors, the Consumer Fair provides a unique opportunity for interaction between consumer and trader.
Catching up with Voice Money this week, Fairs, Exhibitions & Events Manager, Ontlametse Ramokgalo expressed confidence that this year’s edition would be the best yet, as organisers look to improve on the 34, 000 participants who attended the previous event.
“This is a platform for traders to come and actually show Batswana that they are ready to serve the market. We have realised technology growth in terms of our exhibitors, motivated by what we experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses could not trade back then due to the pandemic but this year we see various exhibitors willing to partner with us in technological areas,” he said.
Having debuted with great success last year, the Traders Hub, a special initiative for Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), returns.
As it stands, the platform is sponsored by Local Enterprises Authority, Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency, Brand Botswana and Debswana.
“We realised there are many small businesses but they can’t really find a platform to market their products, that’s why we introduced this. So the main message is for small businesses to linkup with the entire value chain. Last year we really achieved our mandate because on debut we managed to attract 50 exhibitors in the Traders Hub and this year we aim to reach 60,” revealed Ramokgalo, adding the Tourism Pavilion will be present once again as will the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), whose famously popular stall was conspicuous by its absence last time out.
The action begins with the Official Opening Ceremony on 28 August, Choppies CEO, Ramachandran Ottapathu confirmed as the guest of honour.
Another date for the diary comes on 31 August, when Mascom boss, Dzene Makwade-Seboni will officiate the Awards Ceremony.
“When choosing our guests of honour we look at their company’s portfolios, role they play in business and how they link up with consumer fair. We do not only look at the individual but the company first and what value they can add for us and if it has something in line with our objectives as the fair,” explained Sales & Marketing Manager, Thabo Mogomotsi.
With the capacity to reach 600 exhibitors, stalls are still available and range between P5, 000 and P9, 000.
Tickets are also on sale, priced at P40 for adults, P20 for kids and P80 for cars at Web tickets kiosks in Spar Outlets and Choppies stores countrywide.
The fair is sponsored by Coca Cola Botswana Beverages, Emergency Assist 991, The Voice Newspaper, Duma FM, Ytv and ManMade Media
