10 Jun 2019

Some exhibitors at the just-ended Maun Hospitality Trade Expo have hailed the organisers for creating a marketing and promotion platform for small, micro and medium enterprises.

They said in an interview that the expo created opportunities to network and create links with a view to penetrating the international market.

They said the platform brought together the business community under one roof and gave them the opportunity to share ideas, showcase their services and products. This year’s expo attracted exhibitors from neighbouring countries such as South Africa and some from well established companies from Francistown and Gaborone.

Exhibitors appreciated the move, saying that was an indication that the event was growing and producing expected results.

The third trade expo was held at Maun Sports Complex and attracted leading growers, traders, key supermarket buyers, manufacturers, tourism operators, retailers, importers, exporters, processors as well as input and equipment suppliers.

The event is held every two years and its main objective is to give all businesses in Ngamiland, especially those in tourism and hospitality sectors, a platform to showcase their products, network and also interact with their customers.

One of the exhibitors from South Africa, Mr Stephan de Beer said the trade expo was ‘fantastic’, noting that it was his first time to participate, but he was overwhelmed by the clientele and the organisation of the event itself.

His company manufactures wines and supplies some liquor outlets in Botswana for distribution to safari operators and other local customers.

 He said Maun, as a tourism destination, was a perfect place to network and do business. Mr De Beer plans to come back again in 2021.

Another exhibitor from Senn Foods in Francistown, Ms Joyce Ndubo, who was also a first time participant, appreciated the efforts by the organisers, noting that the event was a success as customers appreciated the products.

Senn Foods, she said, was committed to creating high quality wholesome foods and produces processed meat.

Customers had an opportunity to taste some products and were also given samples.

Ms Ndubo said the expo made their company visible and customers were so happy with their products that they called for a depot in Maun.

“We really appreciated to have taken part in this year’s trade expo because we managed to mingle with many clients, including safari companies and we are hopeful that our business will grow going forward,” she added.

She urged the business community to take advantage of every opportunity that availed itself, whether locally or regionally.

One of the organisers, Ms Wilmie Jansen-Coulton explained that the event was a success as the number of the exhibitors had increased, noting that this time they had international exhibitors.

 She said they started small in 2015 and now the number was amazing, which meant that companies appreciated the importance of the trade expo.

Ms Jansen-Coulton  was also impressed that many small and emerging businesses participated, noting that the main objective of the expo was to give businesses a platform to sell themselves, showcase what they offered and establish networks.

The initiative, she said, would help Maun grow and become an attractive location for investors.

“This year’s event has exceeded expectations and we really appreciate efforts by all exhibitors,” she added.

The event was spiced with new developments such as burger eating challenge, where the winner was awarded P2 000. 

One of the leading veteran singers of traditional jazz, Stiga Sola was used as a crowd puller and he did exactly that. ENDS