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Zululand Expo team ready for showcase |
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:28 |
With only six months to go, plans are already well underway for Zululand’s biggest business and social event, the Zululand Expo, which is a combined entertainment and exhibition showcase hosted by the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation, that attracts over 250 exhibitors and 25 000 visitors from all over South Africa to our town.
Putting together the show for the eleventh time, show manager, Virna McMaster and her team are hoping to put on another special showcase this year, as they will be incorporating some new and exciting changes to the show, especially for the youth, but she has confirmed that much of what is planned will all depend on the financial support that they receive from local business.
“ With the current economic situation, many companies are cutting costs, which has made it incredibly difficult for us. It should be borne in mind that we start Zululand Expo each year with a nil budget. Everything that we are able to provide for the public to view and enjoy at the show, depends heavily on the sponsorship income and donations that we receive”.
The expo team is making a plea to all organizations to please continue to support Zululand’s largest entertainment and exhibition event as it will truly be a sad in Zululand, if the show cannot be hosted, due to lack of financial support received .
This year the show will be held from Thursday, 30 September until Saturday 2 October 2010, on the ZCBF Community Park show grounds in Richards Bay. The dedicated team that will be responsible for putting together this year’s showcase and responsible for the various portfolios within the event are:- Virna McMaster, Cathy Brown, Thokozanie Ninela, Christo Brett, Derek Fish, Natalie Keegan, Zama Luthuli, Jayshree Peruman, Toni Wiid, Sharon Calitz, Jan Viljoen, Chris Robinson, Ina-marie Ferreira, Mike Patterson, Clive Neville, and Aaliya Fransch.
Selection of exhibitors will be strict to avoid duplication of products and also to be able to give new exhibitors the opportunity to book space at the show. Stands are limited so exhibitors are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. No stands will be kept for any exhibitor unless full payment has been received upfront for a stand.
ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL
Plans for the entertainment programme are already underway and the public will not be disappointed in the line-up which will cater for both young and old. As a visitor to the event you are receiving more than value for your money, as an entry ticket currently only costs R45 for an adult and R20 for a primary school child, and in return you are receiving over R300 000 worth of free main stage arena entertainment. One only has to compare, that to see a single music concert you will pay anything between R50 – R300 to see a single artist or band, but yet at ZULULAND EXPO you can see the latest entertainment available on the South African circuit and up to two or three bands or artists per day for only R45.
“What the public needs to realise is that a top band or artist costs in the region of nothing less than R30 000 per band or artist and that excludes all additional items such as airtickets, accommodation, meals, transportation, sound and lighting costs or any other special requests on their technical riders. If the public wants to see top notch artists, then they must be prepared to pay higher gate fees”.
The Zululand Expo is an opportunity for all local businesses to show their support to the community by exhibiting their products and services at the show and use the Expo as an ideal branding, networking, corporate social investment and marketing opportunity. It is an opportunity for everyone to participate in a safe, hassle-free family event.
GIVING BACK
The expo team is very committed to ensuring that the Zululand Expo remains on a professional level. It is important to remember that the expo committee is made up of a group of volunteers from various business sectors within our community and these volunteers spend many hours burning the midnight oil to put this showcase together for our town which has become a flagship for our City.
SPONSORSHIP URGENTLY NEEDED
The team is looking for sponsors to assist us and in return there are many advertising and marketing opportunities available at the event. If anyone would like more information on the sponsorship packages that are on offer, or want to book stands, please contact the office on 035 7973188 or visit their website on www.expo.org.za
We encourage all our businesses to become involved as stakeholders in our town’s largest showcase.
Ends.
Issued by: Virna McMaster – expo manager (035 7973188) |
