Markex expands into two shows in 2013

Markex World of Events, South Africa’s  marketing, promotions, and special events trade exhibition, is dividing the  exhibition in two distinct shows – the Promotional Gifts and Clothing Trade Show powered by Markex, and Markex World of Events, featuring the all-new Integrated Marketing Village.

 According to Brad Hook, Exhibition Director of Markex, this expansion marks the exhibition’s 27^th year in operation and is in response to trends and expectations in the marketing and promotions industry, and in an effort to ensure that Markex will provide a showcase and platform for the full spectrum of the marketing supply chain.

Markex 2012 saw an increase of five percent in visitor numbers from 2011, totalling more than 10 000 visitors – primarily marketing, advertising, promotions and PR professionals – with the vast majority of them in a position to either make or influence purchasing decisions.

The two Markex shows will be co-located under one roof at the Sandton Convention Centre. Hall 1 in the upstairs area will house the Promotional Gifts and Clothing Trade Show powered by Markex, while Hall 2 in the downstairs area will house the exhibitors targeting end users and the new Integrated Marketing Village.

The Promotional Gifts and Clothing Trade Show powered by Markex will now be bigger than ever, with an entire hall at the comfortable disposal of exhibitors and visitors. This show is accessible only to bona fide trade buyers and resellers, giving wholesalers and resellers an opportunity to conduct business in a personalised and exclusive setting.

An entrance fee will be payable online by trade visitors wishing to access the Promotional Gifts and Clothing Trade Show. Visitors in this area will be allowed access into the Markex World of Events Show in Hall 2, while visitors in the general show will not have access to the Trade Show.

The lower exhibition level is open to all visitors within the marketing industry and has been expanded strategically in 2013, featuring both the attractions that have become synonymous with Markex, such as the Travelling Loeries and the USB Speakers Pavilion, as well as a brand new component. The Integrated Marketing Village takes the successful concept of the Digital Media Village to the next level, giving a voice and stage to every aspect of the marketing mix, including public relations, events, advertising, out of home, branding, and more. The Integrated Marketing Village will incorporate a Digital Zone in partnership with the DMMA, which will provide a showcase on the offerings of a select group of service providers in the digital space.

Markex will once again offer the attractions that have come to be associated with Markex, but now with added enhancements:

• Loerie Awards Travelling Exhibition, which is a roadshow that will showcase the winning work of the 2012 Loerie Advertising Awards.
• USB Speakers Pavilion, which will be given a facelift to add greater value for visitors. This attraction provides a stage for the presentation skills of South Africa’s and some international top professional business speakers and MCs in an enclosed theatre on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Pendoring Awards, which are designed to promote and reward Afrikaans advertising. This attraction will showcase all the visual material and Pendoring winners from 2012 and provide comprehensive information on the 2013 instalment.

The core focus of the show is, of course, a showcase of resellers of marketing and promotional goods targeting the end user. Markex boasts exhibitors across every sector of the marketing, promotions and special events industry including corporate clothing, promotional gifts, conference and exhibition venues and solutions, design and décor, event planners and management, exhibition stand builders and designers, incentive travel, outdoor advertising and promotions, packaging and printing, point-of-sale advertising material, print and electronic media, reproduction and printing companies, retail and display, signage, stationery, training and education companies, entertainment companies, professional speakers, rental companies, technical services and products, stage, lighting and audio-visual companies, and industry associations

“Overall, this brand new co-located and expanded Markex is set to be the place where it’s all happening in the world of marketing in mid-June. We believe that we are offering the industry more than a dual showcase of products and services; we are providing a platform for innovative thinking, inspiration and ideas, and of course, excellent opportunities for doing business, networking and building relationships,” says Hook.