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Tag: exhibitors

  • Entrepreneur seeks govt’s support for exhibitors

    Entrepreneur seeks govt’s support for exhibitors

    The Managing Director, Atlantic Exhibition, Paul Ayo Olugbade, has urged the government to support exhibitors to enable them thrive.

    He stated this at the just-concluded HOMEX West Africa exhibition and Furniture Expo West Africa (FEWA) organised by his firm in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    No fewer than 70 exhibitors from within and outside attended the three-day event. Members of the licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) and Carpenters & Furniture Makers of Nigeria, Lagos chapters also attended.

    He said many of the international companies, which attended the event, were supported by their governments, which paid a certain percentage of their expenditure on the programme.

    Read Also: Agric revolution will help Nigeria surmount insecurity, poverty – Shettima

    “Our government should support local content by supporting local manufacturers.  Also, it should recognise organisations in our subsector to take exhibitions abroad. International companies are here because their agents are recognised by the government,” Olugbade added.

     Chairman, LECAN, Lagos chapter, Comrade Bada Waheed tasked the government on adequate supply of prepaid meters, saying this would help to address the problem of poor power supply as it would reduce wastage.

    He advised the government to stick to the contract it signed with the Distribution Companies (DisCos) by providing the meters free to the people.

    He said some DisCos were taking undue advantage of Nigerians by hoarding them, a practice that has led to an increase in the price of the product.

  • Exhibitors decry monetisation, low sales at Lagos fair

    Exhibitors at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) have lamented the monetisation of this year’s edition by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the  organisers of the fair.

    It was gathered that the alleged monetisation complained of by  some of the exhibitors was as a result of the denial of multiple access cards and serial gate passes for their cars and trucks unlike the previous fairs.

    They also alleged poor publicity and public awareness attributing it to the low turnout of visitors to the fair to the detriment of exhibitors who have spent so much money to participate.

    A source lamented low sales since the beginning of the fair but hopeful that before the end of the fair,  sales would pick-up as Nigerians are known to apply the ‘fire brigade’ approach in everything they do.

    Reacting to the allegation, LCCI Director General, Mr. Muda Yusuf said every exhibitor was given the mandatory stickers and gate passes noting that the exhibition ground has  limited parking space. He said if all the request for passes were acceded to, it would create chaos. He said there are private parking spaces beside the fair ground which they can make use  of.

    On security he said  exhibitors were not encouraged to sleep in the exhibition halls or their stands.

    He said: “The fair ground is not meant for sleeping, exhibitors are supposed to exhibit their goods and retire to their hotels. We owe it to all exhibitors to provide security for them and their goods, so when we insist that people should not sleep there, it is for their own good.

    “We have spent a lot of money providing electricity including six  5 KVA generators. In our planning, we took everything into consideration.”

    Yusuf said the chamber is not only committed to the security of lives and property but also the encouragement of trade and commerce.

    While some exhibitors, especially the international exhibitors from Europe, Asia and Africa commended LCCI for eliminating noise pollution at the  fair, some local manufacturers and retailers felt it was not good for their business as they claim the environment was too quiet unlike previous fairs when they used music, dancers and canvassers to attract visitors to their stand to make purchases.

    They said though security has largely improved, a lot still needed to be done as some who do not have business at some hours of the day find themselves inside the fair. This they fear may constitute security breach.

    A fabric dealer from Ghana, Madam Celestina Oseibonsu who is marking her fifth outing to the  fair, lamented that not only had she not made and sales as many visitors complained of low purchasing power due to the poor economy, she also complained of poor publicity. She said except her fortune changed, this may be her last visit. She regretted that Nigerians want to pay the same price they paid last year for fabrics this year and added that it is impossible as a result of inflation.

    CEO Nkoyo Fresh Smothie said though sales is low, the fact that security is improved and excessive noise that used to rock the fair has been eliminated is commendable. She urged LCCI to embark on aggressive publicity to attract visitors to the fair.

    Dr. John Eredo of Jonmaka Herbal Products/Cosmetic Ltd from Zambia commended the fair, adding that visits to his stand has been commendable.

    Managing Director Kings-Res Continental Limited dealers in electrical/electronic products said sales have been good and is looking forward for more in days to come. Nigerian representative of Debbies & Debbitone, Hair, skin and home care manufacturers, Madam Uche said she has no regrets coming to the fair as her daily sales have increased.

     

  • Exhibitors expect patronage at maiden school fair

    Exhibitors at the maiden National School Fair are upbeat that their participation would enhance some patronage which they could leverage after the event.

    Aside meeting up with its objectives, the organisers of the fair are happy with improved participation of exhibitors when compared with the first leg of the fair at Federal Palace Hotel penultimate Saturday.

    The fair witnessed arrays of stakeholders ranging from schools, banks, insurance, health outfits, travel agencies to household food and beverage production firms.

    One of the exhibitors, UAC, came to market its subsidiary brands-Grand Cereals.

    Its Field Sales Manager, Mr Jerry Adedule, told our reporter that beyond sales, their target was to bond with schools, particularly boarding schools.

    He said: “We sold so much last week (referring to the first leg of the exhibition at the Federal Palace Hotel) and by this time (12 pm) we have exhausted our stock.

    “However, our aim is not to sell but bond with schools, especially those that operate boarding schools because there is hardly any boarding school that does not use cornflakes. Though we know it is generally consumed by people, children appeared to be the best targets.”

    Another exhibitor Lorna’s Goodies Vocational School of Catering and Hotel Management, Ojodu, Ikeja, said the outfit was there to woo prospective students interested in catering and decorations.

    “The first thing we must realise is that everybody eats,’’ said David Tom and Allegro Dotti two students of the school manning the stand.

    “We offer training to interested individuals and at corporate levels and we believe we can also form a bond with schools here by convincing them to enroll their students for our courses’” the duo added.

    Mrs Obafemi Tina Ijeoma, who manned the stand of Optimum Comprehensive College, Owode, Onirin, said the display of breathtaking pictures of the school’s facilities splattered on the table before her, aimed to convince parents to enroll their wards.

    “The purpose of these pictures is to let parents see for themselves the kind of facilities we have,” she said.

    “We operate from crèche up to secondary school and I can bet you, we have enough human materials and facilties for every segment. We only wished parents who come here could also talk a walk to our school to confirm the veracity of our claims,” she added.

    Event Director, National Schools Fair, Mr Steve Ike, noted that theme of the exhibition” “Smart education’ aims to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to leverage education growth.

    Ike described the fair as a platform for top schools to interact with parents and other stakeholders in the education system.

  • Pharmaceutical’s expo to attract 200 exhibitors

    The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has concluded arrangements to hold the Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Expo (NPME 2017) in Lagos, from August 30 to September 1.

    PMG-MAN is the umbrella body of local manufacturers of medicines and healthcare products in Nigeria. NPME is the biggest international pharma manufacturing exhibition in West and Central Africa.

    According to its organisers, NPME is the definitive pharma event, and this year, delegates are expected from countries across the continent including Ghana, Mali, Chad,Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Senegal and Morocco. Others are The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Benin, and South Africa.

    A statement by PMG-MAN’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe, said the Expo was billed to attract close to 200 exhibiting companies and nearly 10,000 pharma and related sectors’ trade professionals from across the region.

    According to him, this year’s edition with the theme: Increasing Access to Healthcare in Nigeria: Strategic partnerships to achieve Medicines’ security and national self- sufficiency, is expected to surpass all stakeholders’ expectations.

    Adigwe said this was due to PMG-MAN’s robust and comprehensive advocacy, which has resulted in significant advances in the pharma manufacturing policy landscape in Nigeria as well as on the continent.

    Recently, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo issued an Executive Order on support for local content in public procurement, directing the mandatory patronage of locally manufactured medicines by all Ministries,Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Operators say that this policy is expected to accelerate growth and development of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, which will in turn assure national medicines’ security as well as boost self sufficiency in the production of medicines.

    Other positive outcomes associated with these policies include the stimulation of considerable employment in the sector and their capacity to also lead to increased inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as facilitate the export of Nigerian medicines to neighbouring countries.

    To build on this, the President, West African Pharmaceutical ManufacturersAssociation (WAPMA)/PMG-MAN Chairman, Dr. S. Okey Akpa, during his presentation to the ECOWAS Health Ministers’ Assembly, urged member nations, as well as development partners to support the on-going collaborative efforts to exponentially increase manufacturers’ capacity on the continent.

    This, he argued, was the most sustainable manner to guarantee access to high quality, affordable medicines within the region.

    Another recent development that demonstrates the significant improvement in local pharma manufacturing is the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) signed by the Federal Government with a local firm to produce vaccines in Nigeria.

    While signing the agreement on behalf of the government, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, stated that the need to ensure medicines’ security for the nation was a key factor that underpinned the partnership.

    Adigwe, however, said that these policy reforms represent only a fraction of the strategic engagement roadmap developed and initiated by the group to foster a favourable policy environment for local manufacturers.

    He added that this year’s theme was carefully chosen to ensure the timely involvement of all relevant stakeholders in an industry he described as “The jewel of the nation in terms of criticality and potential profitability.”

    Adigwe further indicated that favourable government policies together with the right local and international partners were key factors that could bring Nigeria’s pharma manufacturing industry within a stone’s throw of the Indian model where pharma manufacturing has become a major contributor to India’s $10 trillion economy.

    NPME traditionally showcases a wide range of equipments and input, which cover the entire industry, including allied industries such as food, nutrition, cosmetics and others.  Investors, pharma processing machineries and service providers from a number of countries have already indicated their participation in this year’s NPME.

    Additionally, pharma, healthcare, veterinary, food and beverage, and cosmetic finished products manufactured by local manufacturing companies in Nigeria will be on exhibition at the Expo.

  • ‘What exhibitors, visitors’ll gain from ‘Medica Trade Fair’

    Trade Fair Services Limited has explained what West African visitors to Medica 2017 will gain at the world’s biggest medical trade fair.

    The firm, which is West African representatives for Messe Dusseldorf GmbH, organisers of Medica for over three decades, said the annual event is set to host exhibitors and visitors in areas of the healthcare industry in Dusseldorf, Germany.

    This year, the 41st in the series, will hold from November 13 to 16, across 17 exhibition halls and 262 000 sqm of space.

    The company’s Managing Director, Augustine Itua, in a statement, said: “The uniqueness of this event resides in the fact that it has remained the premier networking and communication platform for the global medical technology marketplace. Visitor statistics from Medica 2016 indicate 128,000 international visitors, including 100’s from Nigeria and 1000’s from the West African region chose Medica as the base for their business deals.

    “Over 5,000 exhibitors from 70 countries will use Medica 2017 to present their entire range of new products, services and processes for inpatient and outpatient care. No other event worldwide matches the display of such a wealth of innovations.”

    According to Itua, the trade fair will focus on: Electromedicine/medical technology, laboratory technology/diagnostics, physiotherapy/orthopaedic technology, commodities and consumables, information and communication technology, medical furniture and specialist furnishings for hospitals and practices.

    He said: “Our local healthcare industry is not isolated from the huge leaps in digitisation, artificial intelligence and all the other topical technology buzzwords that abound these days.

    “Exponential growth in Smartphone penetration and the use of health-related apps, the use of wearable devices fitted with activity trackers as well as simple novel solutions for detecting the authenticity of medicines via SMS prove that Nigeria is certainly included in this discourse.”

    Itua noted that some gaps certainly exist between healthcare solutions as currently offered locally versus cutting edge solutions domiciled in more developed environments. He, however, said exposure to new technology was a core requirement to spur the nation’s vast intellectual capital.

    “Only those who use their creativity and power of development to consistently align themselves with customer interests and market developments will be able to succeed,” he pointed out.

    “Medica is indeed more than a trade fair in the traditional showcase format. Features like the Medica Start-Up Park created with the intention of matching founders of innovative businesses up with potential business partners, investors and distribution partners exemplify this.

    “With the aim of complementing the contents that are going to be presented at Medica Connected Healthcare Forum and the Medica Health IT Forum, up to 40 start-ups will be presenting themselves and their ideas to an audience of experts in direct proximity to these events,” Itua said.

    He added that the Medica LABMED FORUM is also new this year. Under the key heading of “The Interdisciplinary Fascination”, he said laboratory medicine, molecular pathology, microbiology, medical technology and life sciences will be presenting themselves as drivers of innovation and generating new impulses for the entire medical sector.

    COMPAMED 2017 will also be taking place alongside the Medica trade fair on all four days.

  • 160 exhibitors for expo

    No fewer than 160 exhibitors and 7, 000 visitors are expected at the Nigeria 4-in-1 International Exhibition 2017, slated for Lagos, from July 13 to 15.

    The four exhibitions, which will hold simultaneously, include a Beauty, Hygiene and Cosmetic Exhibition (BHE) expo; Furniture, Home Textile and Housewares exhibition; Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Installation System, Water Treatment and Insulation exhibition; Food, Agriculture and Technologies exhibition.

    The expo, to be organised by ElanExpo International Trade Fairs, was designed for manufacturers, policy makers, importers/exporters, architects, engineers, contractors, and construction professionals.

    At a briefing in Lagos, the General Manger of ElanExpo International Trade Fairs, Mr. Nihat Suer Ay, said  the expo would feature more than 160 exhibitors from firms from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, West Africa and Asia.

    He said the expo would showcase cutting-edge products and technologies in areas such as heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air-condition; décor, house wares and textile, agro food, packaging and machinery; and beauty, cosmetics and hygiene.

    According to Suer Ay, the expo is as an opportunity to build contacts and share innovation. He said more than 7, 000 visitors were being expected at the event, which holds at Land Mark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    He added that the event would include free certified Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop led by experts who will share their in-depth knowledge of the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) industry.

    The event has the technical support of the Nigeria Institute for Mechanical Engineers (NIMECHE), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

    These are bodies devoted to the advancement of indoor-environment-control technology in the HVAC industry.

  • Why we held exhibition, by built environment exhibitors

    Organisers of a built environment exhibition with theme ‘Unique Beyond Borders’held in Lagos said it was aimed at helping professionals perfect their art.

    The exhibition, which lasted for three days, had some important dignitaries, such as Mrs. Debola Majekodumi the vision founder, Mrs. Folake Onabolu, the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service who represented the state government.

    Welcoming the participants and the invited guests, the Chairman of the event, Chief Olu Falomo, explained the importance of Unique Interiors in Nigeria. He said the system has been in existence for more than 20 years but that the challenges of setting up something like this in Nigeria could be frustrating.

    “I want to particularly thank and admire Architect Debola Majekodumi who has being battling with this event year in year out for over 20 years. I admire her fighting spirit and perseverance for the success of the unique exhibition which has come to stay,” he said.

    Mrs. Onabolu said: “The timing of this exhibition is unique itself because it is coinciding with the inevitable changes that Lagos state and the Nation as a whole are witnessing because we have witnessed an atmosphere of change from the outgoing administration to the incoming administration and most of all, we have voted for change for the better and that is what the country has been yawning for. I know this exhibition will stand the test of time because it is the 12th edition and I hope it continues to be better.”

    The exhibition, which was declared opened by Mrs. Folake Onabolu, the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service gave participants the opportunity to showcase their products. Exhibitors at the event were Dofas Technological Nigeria Ltd, Lange and Grant, Jiuhua Nigeria Company Ltd, Sandtex Intratex, Literior Light Fittings Interiors, Voda Paints, Margin Scribes Limited, Global Corp Ltd, among others.

    Debola Majekodumi, an architect, the vision founder of the exhibition said: “The interior design market is a growing market that can be improved on, but the exhibition is for the built environment which includes architecture, interior design, and Facility management, we are trying to make interior products and services more accessible to the Nigerian Public in order to help create awareness and publicity for exhibiting companies and educate the visitors on built environment service through the seminars and exhibition.”

    She added: “We are trying to create awareness platforms but some of the challenges we encounter is the issue of conveying and educating potential exhibitors on difference between exhibition and trade fairs or expo’s where sales are meant to be made at the point. The fuel crisis has been a challenge but I thank God that we were able to achieve a lot with this year’s exhibition.”

  • 4000 exhibitors for auto fair

    No fewer than 4, 597 exhibitors from 74 countries are expected at the 2014 edition of Automechanika, an international trade fair for the automotive industry.

    The exhibition, which will hold in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, between September 16 and 20, will also host about 153,837 visitors from 176 counties.

    Managing Director of Exhibition and Trade Fair Services in Nigeria, Ms Omoni Itoya, said the firm would provide visa and hotel services to visitors from Nigeria.

    “Exhibition and Trade Fair Limited, the country representative is on ground to offer customised services which include consular, accommodation, flight and on-site support to intending Nigerian visitors to Automechanika 2014.

  • Exhibitors express low patronage at Enugu Fair

    Some Foreign exhibitors at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair have decried the low patronage at their various stands one week into the fair.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu at the weekend that this year’s fair witnessed low turnout of visitors than previous ones.

    Mrs Grace Mensah, who came from Ghana, expressed disappointment at the low patronage by visitors.

    “By this time last year, I had sold a good number of my products, particularly clothes and textiles, but this year’s own is very poor.

    “I am calling on the organisers to do something about it because it will discourage participants, especially those of us from outside the country from participating in subsequent fairs,” she said.

    Another participant from Egypt, Mr Mohammed Hassan, called on the government as well as the Enugu chamber of commerce to erect permanent structures at the fair to avoid damage of their goods by rains.

    Hassan, who regretted that some of his goods had been damaged by the rains, appealed to the chamber to also device means of controlling noise and making the environment more conducive.

    “In this fair, we do not have toilets where we can go and ease ourselves. This is very bad because you see people defecating everywhere.

    “The chamber should also see ways to get buses to this place so that people can come and patronise us,” Hassan said.

    Mr Jonah Nnamani, the Marketing Manager of Innoson Group of Companies, attributed the problem to the location and high gate fees to the fair.

    According to him, the location of the fair at the outskirts of the coal city is one of the reasons for the low turnout.

    “As you can see, this fair is located at the outskirts of the city and it discourages people from coming to the fair as they will pay not less than N500 for transportation.

    “Again, the gate fee of N150 is also on the high side. The organisers should look into these issues before fixing the price.

    A dealer in household items and kitchen utensils, Mr. Kanayo Nwafor, said he had recorded minimal sales since the fair started a week ago.

    “Since the fair started, I have had very few visitors at my stand unlike last year; I think the problem is from the hike in fuel price by some oil marketers in the country.

    “I think ECCIMA should have organised some buses to ply from the town to the fair like it did the first time it relocated to the permanent site,” he said.

    Reacting to the development, Mr. Emeka Okereke, the Director General of ECCIMA, expressed optimism that the volume of patronage would increase.

    According to him, it is a normal trend in our fairs because people usually embark on last minute buying.

    “Enugu has a trend; every year, we witness the same thing. I am very sure that as from today, things will generally improve because people like embarking on last minute buying.

    “Trade fairs in advanced countries are not just for buying and selling, but also for exhibitors to get contacts,” he said.

    On the toilet situation at the fair, Okekere, said the chamber had made 16 toilets available for men and women, adding that those defecating outside were irresponsible.

    He disclosed that the chamber had set up a tax force to arrest anyone defecating outside.

    The fair, which commenced on March 28, will end on April 7.

  • Exhibitors hail Fed Govt

    Exhibitors hail Fed Govt

    Some foreign exhibitors at the ongoing Lagos International Trade fair have praise the Federal Government for its economic policies.The exhibitors, who spoke with The Nation, said the policies improved trade relations between Nigeria and foreign countries.

    International Sales Manager, Decrin Group, a Turkish company Mr Bahri Ekrem, said that taxes and duties on imported goods were pocket-friendly.“Some countries frustrate businessmen with high tariffs, making profit-making a difficult thing. I have been importing clothes into Nigeria for about four years. Nigeria is a business-friendly country where entrepreneurs can break-even within a short period,” he said.

    Trade Promotions Executive, Ferrox Limited, Ghana, Miss Paula Mensah, said that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria had the capacity to grow into large industries.“There are so many SME operators at this fair and it suggests that they are enjoying government’s support that is making them to thrive,with that kind of support. They can transform the Nigerian economy in a few years time,” she said. Mr Ahmed Al-Majeed, an Egyptian dealer in interior decorations, expressed optimism that he could invest in Nigeria in future. He said that he was being encouraged by Nigerian businessmen at the ongoing trade fair.