While Indaba 2017 is still 10 months away, I write this article in the hope that some Indaba decision-makers will read it and have time to react. However, I am not holding my breath.
Back in the 90s, Indaba was great for everyone. Over time, as commercialisation took over, it started to die. Selling floor space was the optimal goal and exhibitors and delegates merely became a necessary inconvenience. In the last six years or more it reminded me of a dying donkey going through its death throes. After 25 years of attending both as exhibitor and delegate, I finally decided, like many other stalwarts, to bail out.
Much to the surprise of the travel industry, SA Tourism announced that it recognised the shortcomings of Indaba and had decided to partner with another entity to try to revive the exhibition. A few weeks after this year’s Indaba, it was announced that there would be no partnership and SA Tourism would go it alone. Hopefully, they assured us, they could get this old donkey up and running again. For the sake of all of us, I hope they can live up to this promise. Can they turn Indaba into a good exhibition again? What is a ‘good’ travel trade show?
I have recently returned from one. The Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) held in Chiang Mai. Here is why I rated it so highly:
I attended as an international buyer (delegate) along with about 650 others from around the world as well as a media contingent. There was a similar number of exhibitors, which meant that every stand was busy at all times. A few weeks before the show, I was sent a link to my appointments diary and details of the exhibitors. I had the opportunity to request 30 appointments in 30 time slots of 20 minutes each.
I carefully went through the exhibitor websites and profiles and requested 30 companies I wanted to meet with. The exhibitors went through the same process. A computer match-up then drew up an appointment schedule for everyone. I received 30 appointments. Of these, 28 were the ones I requested and two were not. In addition there was a ‘delegate meets exhibitor’ session where I was able to make additional appointments on site. I ended up with 36 high-quality appointments and was most satisfied with my time spent. This is what I call a good exhibition.
In addition to the appointments, we had a welcome function where we could network and meet with the product owners. We also had three sponsored lunches, a formal dinner, an informal party and a closing function for both delegates and exhibitors. These sessions proved invaluable in creating opportunities for meeting new exhibitors and products resulting in many new options. This is what I call a good exhibition.
The organisers provided four nights’ complimentary accommodation with return transfers to the exhibition and functions. Complimentary international airfares were also provided to some delegates. On arriving at Chiang Mai Airport I was met by a TTM representative and was on my way to my hotel in less than three minutes. This was my 14th Thailand Travel Mart and I will return next year. Thailand received just on 30 million genuine international visitors by air in 2015, so they must be doing something right.
Back to Indaba. The organisers have put their heads on the chopping block. Can they pull the rabbit out of the hat, or will we see the last kick of the donkey?
