See you next year: Face-to-face events to resume in 2021
Face-to-face events are set to return in 2021 after this years’ virtual turn, albeit with a hybrid twist.
“As the world still continues to deal with the pandemic, digital events and activations have become a valuable platform for keeping people and businesses connected during this time. It is, however, evident that, as lockdowns begin to slowly lift, people crave human interaction, meaning that digital events will not replace live events but will continue to be used to support face-to-face affairs. The events model has certainly changed with hybrid events allowing us to ensure that we continue to connect buyers and sellers in a safe way and also accommodate those who perhaps are restricted from traveling to and accessing live events in other countries,” says Tracy-Lee Behr, Event Director of the African Construction & Totally Concrete Expo – one of 14 events that will be hosted by dmg events around the African continent next year.
Transport in 2021 and beyond
Starting in April, the Transport Evolution series will kick off in Maputo, Mozambique with the Transport Evolution Mozambique Forum & Showcase. The series will once again be bringing together leaders from the regional and international transport community to accelerate new business opportunities in the port, rail and road sectors. These events will feature sought-after industry experts who will discuss strategic and technical topics. They will also see the public and private sector coming together to identify opportunities and implement plans to upgrade and maintain existing transport infrastructure, whilst developing new systems to improve service delivery. Taking place from 13 – 15 April, the Transport Evolution Mozambique Forum & Showcase will highlight port, rail and road projects across the SADC region with a key focus on Mozambique. The remaining events in the series – Transport Evolution Ghana Business Briefing & Tour and Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo – will be on from 30 May – 1 June and 21 – 22 September, respectively. “I think it’s important that we have these events,” says Lester Bouah, Senior Specialist of Investment Promotion and Aftercare at the International Finance Corporation who recently participated in the Transport Evolution World interview series. “As always, events are important so that one can talk to people looking at them and interacting with them as nuances within the physical context are much better and understandable.”
Moving mining and infrastructure forward
From the beginning of June, there will be a slew of events in the mining and infrastructure space. Taking place from 2 – 4 June in Johannesburg, South Africa Coatings for Africa 2021 will provide attendees with the opportunity to discover the latest trends affecting the region’s environmental, manufacturing and industrial needs. Senior mining and power professionals will be gathering at Wampex (West African Mining & Power Expo) in Accra, Ghana from 2 – 4 June to stay abreast of the latest industry developments, discuss key challenges and understand future opportunities. Pumps, Valves & Pipes Africa – the largest and most comprehensive African trade-show dedicated to the industries involved in the conveyance of liquids, gases and slurries – will be happening in Johannesburg between 29 June – 1 July. From 8 – 9 September, Cape Town, South Africa will play host to the Cape Industries Showcase, the only event dedicated exclusively to services and equipment for the Western Cape’s booming marine/offshore, maritime and oil and gas industries.
Supporting the construction sector
Construction will take centre stage from the end of June with the eagerly anticipated return of the African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo from 29 June – 1 July 2021 in Johannesburg. “The focus of the 2021 edition will be on resilience. We will continue to support our industry in finding and concluding tangible business both locally and internationally. The three days will be filled with valuable CPD-accredited workshops, country spotlights which will highlight the opportunities and projects in various territories, and a live and interactive Stakeholder Engagement Forum that will allow attendees to gain insights from public and private sector stakeholders,” shares Behr
With June being Youth Month, the event will also acknowledge the contribution that the continent’s youth is making to the future of the construction industry with student challenges that will highlight the exceptional talent from final year students. Additionally, as the pandemic has highlighted the need for rapid innovation and development in the 4IR space, this year’s African Smart Cities Summit has been extended by a week and will include international case studies, night schools and site visits. Transformation remains high on the agenda and will be celebrated at the African Construction Awards – a night full of celebration and accolades for the outstanding women in the industry as well as for the most innovative projects produced over the past year. This year will also see the event being co-located with WoodEX for Africa and Deck & Flooring Africa for the first time.
The construction focus will continue with the Cape Construction Expo from 8 – 9 September and KZN Construction Expo from 21 – 22 September.
“At dmg events, our commitment to delivering exceptional live-in-person events that support economic growth and recovery will be reinforced by our four-point framework designed to protect our colleagues, exhibitors, visitors, delegates and contractors,” says CEO of dmg events, Geoff Dickenson.
dmg events’ four-point All Secure framework is a best practice guide of enhanced safety measures for organising and delivering events in this new era and is comprised of four key cornerstones: Social or physical distancing; Cleaning and hygiene; Protect and detect; and Communication. It was developed in collaboration with leading industry bodies including the Association of Event Organizers (AEO), the Global Association of the Event Industry and the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), with advice from public health authorities and venues, to ensure that events are operating in accordance with local rules as well as meeting international standards.
“When the time comes, we’ll be ready to welcome you back to live events in a safe environment to be inspired again, to engage, to reconnect – building new relationships and replacing lost revenues while growing your business,” concludes Devi Paulsen-Abbott, vice president of dmg events and Vice-Chairperson of the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO).
For more information go to https://www.dmgevents.com/
