This year there are over 700 exhibitors at the event – the largest number of African exhibitors worldwide. With over 500 buyers from around the globe expected at the INDABA, it provides exhibitors with a boost as it gives them access to the top buyers, leaders and policy makers while it places buyers in touch with the widest range of African Exhibitors in one place and over a three-day period.
The recent South African Tourism campaign is driving visitor consideration and confidence and it is in the process of renovating its entire online and social media portfolio and SA Specialist programmes to meet the needs of buyers and exhibitors.
The INDABA also acts as a catalyst for debate and innovation through its MediaTalks and TechTalks. This year the INDABA Minister’s Media Talk will be facilitated by New York-based CNN news anchor Richard Quest. CNN’s foremost international business correspondent and anchor of “Quest Means Business”, Quest will facilitate a debate on the strategic economic importance of tourism and the threats and opportunities associated with it, such as job creation, foreign direct spend, and social development. The panel discussion promises riveting debate with esteemed panellists that including the South African Minister of Tourism.
As the INDABA continues to grow, each year it is able to implement changes to streamline formats and to create more opportunities for buyers and exhibitors to engage. To make the INDABA even more user-friendly this year the standard exhibitor briefing sessions will include educational sessions (trade show, including Readiness and Online Diary System) while registration for all areas will open at once, instead of the phased model of registration for different areas used previously.
To ensure a more inclusive audience, the opening function format has been changed from a high-end stage production attended by stakeholders and international buyers to a 'bell-ringing' at the commencement of the show to pronounce the trade floor open. A welcome function will replace the opening ceremony, also serving as an additional networking function. Attendance will be managed on a ‘first come first serve’ basis.
All buyers will be afforded the opportunity of using a buyers’ lounge. Additional networking opportunities and hospitality will be available in the form of coffee and food vouchers for all buyers, hosted and non-hosted. Last year also saw the online diary and match making incorporating strategic research data, with an increased user-friendliness and enhanced look and feel. This year this is enhanced even further through a single interface for both diary meetings and official events
The technology themed Tech Talks and Trade Talks that are geared towards sharing market insights with the industry will feature more than once. The repeated time slots will allow for more opportunities for exhibitors to attend the talks.
A New Products and Developments Zone will be introduced with the introduction of a table-top option, providing new participants a cost-effective manner to come on-board while tech exhibitors will be co-located within the ICC to improve proximity and access for trade exhibitors to tech products and knowledge transfer. The action adventure pavilion is also an exciting addition to this year’s INDABA.
The resounding success - and over-subscription - of the two-speed dating sessions has led to the addition of a third session this year which will focus on World Culture and Heritage Sites and Safari and Action Adventure.
The HDI/SMME workshop will take place a day prior to the official start of the INDABA. The TEP Engagement is in collaboration with TEP and TBCSA to further develop this sector of the industry.
The INDABA offers the media great African travel stories and you can use our matchmaking tool to pair with exhibitors with an angle for you while our Media Talks panel discussions will put you in touch with African leaders, opinion and policy makers. It will also give you the opportunity to meet other journalists, bloggers, and content developers from around the world with an interest in all things African.
The INDABA, hosted by South African Tourism runs from the 7 to 9 May and takes place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC) and Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC).
