Woodex for Africa

25 March 2012

Excellent feedback after first WoodEX for Africa

The first WoodEX for Africa Exhibition and Conference, held at Gallagher Convention Centre last week, was received with great enthusiasm amongst exhibitors, conference delegates and visitors.

WoodEX directors Philip Boardman and Stephan Jooste say the expo has been great. “We had excellent feedback from both attendees and exhibitors for this first expo. The timber industry has obviously been waiting for this event and we are very grateful for the support from industry associations, media partners, exhibitors, conference speakers, delegates and visitors. Our exhibitors were very happy about the quality of visitors, the great networking opportunities and the market exposure. Our conference delegates found the conference both informative and of a very high quality. We have taken all the feedback to heart and will use this information to expand the expo to ensure an even bigger and better show next year.”

WoodEX for Africa, the first show of its kind in Africa, presented a large exhibition with 65 exhibitors, outdoor exhibitions with demonstrations and activities, a conference with high level speakers and special features such as timber games and chainsaw competitions.

WoodEX for Africa 2013 will be held early next year.

A word from our Exhibitors

“For a first show this was excellent and very well organised. The conference was also very well organised. This is a small industry and it is not easy to attract people to a conference. The visitors being from the trade got exactly what they were looking for. From Eumabois we are very happy and we will be here again next year – at a bigger WoodEX” Franz-Josef Bütfering, President of Eumabois

“I think WoodEX was great and for a first show, the attendance was very positive. This is a beginning and this show will grow. For us, as an association, WoodEX was very good because it gave us a chance to share knowledge.” Bruce Breedt, SA Wood Preservers Association

“WoodEX was definitely worthwhile. The show was well organised, with a great venue. There is most certainly a place for a show like this in the industry. Especially on Thursday and Friday we did very well, with high quality visitors. All the staff has been great – from the security to the people selling food! The exhibitors’ cocktail party was brilliant. We’ll be back at the same stand next year!” Ingrid Ehrenberg, Universal Plywood

“It was a nice change to be at a trade show. It was good exposure for our company and a great networking opportunity. We’ll see you again next year.” Byron Greyling, Eva-Last

“As a first show we are very happy and we are sure the show will grow next year. We did a lot of our own pre-exhibition marketing which most definitely worked for us. We will most certainly be back.” Tracy Wood, Woodtech

“What was really great about WoodEX is that we got so many leads! This expo gave us the opportunity to interact with all the machine tool dealers at once. The quality of visitors were excellent, we will definitely be back.” Christo van Dyk, Stillam “For a first show WoodEX was very good. We had quality customers and we were actually able to sell some machines. We’ll be here again next year.” Gavin Prowse, Wood-Mizer

“WoodEX gave us excellent exposure, new and existing clients and great networking opportunities. It was definitely worth our while to be here and we will be back. The organisers were very professional and friendly.” Hayley de Haas, Merensky

“The show has been good, but we would like even more trade visitors next year. More emphasis should be placed on WoodEX being a trade show.” Barry Irvine, Vermont Sales

“I am impressed with the turnout and with the number of industry associations represented at WoodEX. We will absolutely be back.” Gerard Busse, Archwood Protection

For more information about WoodEX for Africa visit www.woodexforafrica.com.