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With only two months away, the countdown to the region’s largest combined entertainment and exhibition event, is on. The Zululand Expo committee are hard at work finalizing last minute details for this year’s Zululand Expo which takes place in Richards Bay from 27 – 29 September 2007. GROWING EACH YEAR With the clocking ticking, the team are finalizing all arrangements to bring another great show to our doorsteps Since its inception in 2000, the Zululand Expo has grown both in exhibitor’s attendance and visitors to the event. In 2000 exhibitor participation was 180 and public attendance 17 000, last year 266 exhibitors from all over South Africa visited our town, together with 28 000 members of the public. Expo Manager, Virna McMaster, reported that to date 209 exhibitors have booked stand space for 2007. Fifty five of these exhibitors are brand new exhibitors that have not participated at the event before. “As per last year, we are hoping to have all stands sold 1 month ahead of time”, commented Virna. “Interested parties are urged to book early, to avoid disappointment”.
INTERNATIONAL STAGE FOR EXPO An exciting new development at the show this year will be that Gearhouse South Africa will be providing the stage, sound and lighting requirements at this year’s show. This has happened after successful negotiations between the expo manager, Virna McMaster and the Gearhouse team. Gearhouse has undertaken to go into partnership with Expo, sponsoring a huge part of the stage, as part of their corporate social investment programme. The stage that will be put up at this years show, will be based on the same specs as the stage that Westlife recently performed on at the Westridge stadium in Durban. The expo team is very excited that they have managed to partner with as prestigious a company as Gearhouse and feel privileged that Gearhouse has committed to being part of the Zululand Expo. Gearhouse SA provides stage setups for many of the international acts / artists that come to SA, including artists such as Jayzee, Sting, Metallica, Fall Out Boy, Lenny Kravitz, Janet Jackson, Avril Lavigne, to mention but a few.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK COMMITTED TO EXPO “The battle for sponsorship has been extremely hard this year, but we are pleased that FNB have once again committed to being expo’s major sponsor, with a financial contribution of R60 000. The relationship shared with FNB for the past five years has been of value to both parties and the commitment shown by FNB to expo over the years shows that FNB have committed greatly not only to the expo but back to the community”, said Virna. Other financial sponsors that have very kindly given to Expo this year are; Mondi Business Paper, Bayside Aluminium, Hillside Aluminium, City of Umhlathuze, Umfolozi College and Uthungulu District Municipality. The expo team would like to thank these businesses for their generosity as without receiving financial support, the expo team cannot accomplish what they have. Several other businesses and companies, have also come to the party offering products or services, to which we are extremely grateful.
EXPO IS THE TOWN’S LARGEST EVENT The Zululand Expo is the largest social and business event that happens in our town, attracting over 250 exhibitors and 28 000 visitors annually. The unique aspect of expo is that is part of the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation (which is a non profit organization). Organising of the event is done by a manager and assistant and a team of dedicated volunteers. What the public may not understand or appreciate is that the team begins on a nil budget each year to put the show together. This is indeed a major feat and despite many obstacles and hurdles the success of the event over the past 7 years is evident by the growth and statistics. WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN EXPECT TO SEE Along with a choice of 250 exhibitor’s displays on show, the public can enjoy a variety of entertainment that will cater for all ages. Highlights of this year’s event will include a variety of three music concerts featured each night. |
