Windhoek aims for better not bigger

It is believed that the turnover and benefits for exhibitors after Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show could be as much as N$3billion from business that is created through contact and networking established during the show period according to a survey three years ago.
Just a few days to go before the Windhoek Show grounds open its gates to the public on 27 September, The Economist had the pleasure to talk to the vice president of the Windhoek Show Society (WSS), Harald Schmidt, to tell us what the public could expect from this year’s show.
“We do not always chase after bigger, we want to chase after better. Every year we want to improve, we want the Windhoek show to excel in giving our clients (The exhibitors) the opportunity to market  themselves optimally but then to agree to a show special, we want the show to be linked to a gained special, if you place your order during the show or you buy during the show you will have a better deal than outside of the show period,” he said.
With a maximum of 460 exhibition indoor and outside stands stands in both the agricultural and commercial components, the Show Society is confident that they will have between 320 and 350 stands because some people want bigger space.
Foreign exhibitors from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, Zambia have also confirmed their participation.
“But when it comes to the products, we literally have the whole world here. All our exhibition stands have been allocated. We want to improve our marketing by giving a better offer to the visitors, we will do our utmost best to market the show.” he said.
Over 95 000 to 100 000 visitors are expected to visit the show grounds during the show week, this year. With over 15 000 to 20 000 visitors during the first and last weekend of the show.
“We do not make provision to market that more people come to the show during weekends but we would rather encourage and are looking for ways and means to attract people during the week (Monday to Thursday),” said Schmidt.
According to Schmidt, the show will a huge variety of food and has moved away from the usual pap and “boerewors.”
The Show has also reintroduced its famous beer garden with a “nice setting” which will offer visitors a variety of entertainment as well as a food ally and food plaza which will offer a variety of cuisine.
The former entertainment area will be used to promote micro businesses such as the Boere Market. The Boere Market will take place on the first and the last Saturday of the Show. During the week, that arena will be used to stage the Bank Windhoek 7aside soccer tournament which consist of teams made up of animal handlers.
The show will end on (Saturday) 05 October and will officially be opened on (Thursday) 03 October by Trustco Boss, Quinton Van Rooiyen.