International brands choose Scan Display for AfricaCom 2010

International brands choose Scan Display for AfricaCom 2010

Scan Display’s Cape Town branch was the exhibition stand provider for 12 overseas clients at AfricaCom, Africa’s premier telecommunications conference and exhibition. The show, which is owned and managed by Informa UK, was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 10 – 11 November 2010.

International exhibitors have often sent their own stand and crew to be on site. However, at AfricaCom 2010, Scan Display’s clients entrusted them with the complete process, with Scan either building from the client’s design or both designing and building the stand. Scan was also involved in providing staff for the stands, and catering and cleaning services.

The foreign investment from these stands amounted to roughly R2.5 million (paid in US Dollars and Euros), which not only provides a boost to the South African economy, but also contributes to job creation.

The brief from Scan’s clients was to provide great value while keeping to a budget. Scan achieved this successfully in spite of building custom stands, which are generally more expensive than modular stands. The stands were uncluttered and elegant, and used lighting effectively to create interest and a flattering look-and-feel. These are cost-conscious solutions that enhance a stand when used correctly.

Scan Display has developed a national team specialising in the design and delivery of award-winning stands. Scan’s international network includes top exhibition agencies and brands, which has led to many successful partnerships on South African projects.

AfricaCom 2010 was a very successful event, experiencing a 41% increase in visitors from 2009. Seventy-five percent of the exhibition stands for 2011 have already been sold.

For more information about Scan Display, visit www.scandisplay.co.za or contact Justin Hawes on +27 11 447 4777 or [email protected].

Scan Display – New Appointments

Scan Display – New Appointments

Scan Display has recently made a number of appointments at its Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town offices.

In the Durban office:

  • Kylie van Staden has been appointed KZN branch manager
  • Averil Sander has been appointed production manager
  • Jarryd Nel has been appointed exhibition architect

In the Cape Town office:

  • Amy Brown  been appointed relationship manager

In the Johannesburg office:

  • Pippa Walker has been appointed marketing manager
  • Thuli Sotomela has been appointed warehouse manager
  • Pumza Sebenzi has been appointed logistics manager
  • Martina Ledwaba and Trish Browne have been appointed account executives

Scan Display is a specialist provider of exhibition, event and display products and services.

Lessons learnt from 2010

Have you given much thought to the lessons you learnt from the 2010 FIFA World Cup As the MD of exhibition, events and display company Scan Display, I have tried to understand how people in this industry behaved during the world cup, and why they behaved in this way.

Click here to see a collection of insights I gauged from what I saw, and perhaps some lessons that can be taken away from them. In this way, we can be prepared for next time – the Olympics, maybe?

Soweto Sewing Expos

Soweto Sewing Expos

Soweto Sewing Company benefits from exhibition industry generosity

The Soweto Sewing Company has recently benefited from the generosity of the South African exhibition industry. Three exhibition organisers have given the Soweto Sewing Company free exhibition space, and Scan Display has provided them with a branded pop-up stand and counter.

The three organisers who sponsored the Soweto Sewing Company are: Specialised Exhibitions for Markex Jhb (in August); Wholesale & Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&T Seta) for the Soweto Festival Expo (in September); and  Baba Indaba for their upcoming show in Sandton (in October).

Soweto Sewing Expos

The Soweto Sewing Company attracted the support largely because their story is so inspiring. The group began in 2008, in Braamfischerville on the outskirts of Soweto. The five founding members could not find employment, and so, using initiative in the face of adversity, they decided to create work for themselves in order to support their families.

A few of the women had sewing skills, which they shared with their colleagues and, working from home, they started to craft bags from beautiful African print fabrics. This entrepreneurial spirit has had the beneficial spin-offs of helping to uplift the community and providing positive role models.

A donation of two sewing machines, an over-locker, as well as a space to work in 2009, enabled the group to improve their production base and reach a wider market. They have now expanded their product range and at Markex showcased not only bags but clothing and accessories suitable for corporate gifts. At Soweto Festival Expo they featured household items such as tablecloths, placemats and coasters. New products, including baby bags and blankets, will be launched at the upcoming Baba Indaba.

Judith Thobakgale, who manages the Soweto Sewing Company, is delighted by the marketing opportunities the exhibitions have created for the enterprise. “We are very excited to have these opportunities to showcase our products and meet new clients. Our aim is to grow the Soweto Sewing Company into a self-reliant and profitable company, and these exhibitions are the stepping stones to help us achieve this dream,” says Judith.

Judith adds: “We would like to thank our sponsors whole-heartedly, and will strive to impress them with what we can do.”

W&R Seta’s sponsorship package, which they offered to 200 SMME’s including the Soweto Sewing Company, includes two compulsory workshops in business management. Judith has already attended these and hopefully this strategy will equip the group with the necessary skills to manifest long term benefits from the shows.

You can visit the Soweto Sewing Company stand at Baba Indaba, which runs from the 22 to 24 October 2010 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Scan – Markex Innovations

Scan – Markex Innovations

The future of exhibitions: fabric graphics and green power

At the recent Markex Jhb exhibition, Scan Display implemented new technology in the form of fabric graphics (called tension fabric systems) and green power. Both of these have positive applications within the exhibition industry, and are expected to become increasingly popular choices for exhibitors.

Markex Fabric

Fabric systems

Earlier this year Scan introduced tension fabric system options, which quickly gained appeal with the South African market. The fabric systems involve printing graphics directly onto fabric, which is then stretched across frames to create a smooth wall that can be back- or front-lit, giving the image a warm look-and-feel. Fabric can be used for large surface areas: at Markex Jhb, Scan used it to create a 5 by 6 metre life-sized backdrop of a Spanish street scene on its stand.

Aside from the aesthetic benefits, tension fabric systems are very versatile and can be used in many different spaces. For example, they can be mounted onto existing walls, or stand freely on frames, and can form straight or curved walls.

Justin Hawes, MD of Scan Display, adds: “Tension fabric is more compact when packed away, and far lighter than traditional wood and plastic wall panels. This allows for reduced storage and transport costs. The fabric is also extremely durable, and can be re-used – which is another cost incentive. Advances in technology are very exciting for us, as we are constantly finding ways to offer our clients even better products.”

Green power

Another feature of Scan’s Markex stand which attracted positive feedback was the use of green power. Greening is close to Justin’s heart, and led to his involvement in the formation of the Event Greening Forum last year. The Forum’s primary objective is to promote green principles and practices in the South African events industry.

Justin says; “Going green is a process. You have to start with small changes, and gradually green all elements of your business and day-to -day living. The use of green power at events is one step in the right direction.”

Scan purchased the green power from GreenX Energy in the form of a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC). One REC is equivalent to one MWh (or 1000kWh) of power, which was sufficient to run Scan’s stand and three of their clients’ stands for the duration of the show. At the time, one REC cost only R210 ex VAT, which Justin asserts is a nominal cost and a convenient alternative to planting trees in order to reduce your carbon footprint.

The green power is generated from multiple Solar Home Systems (solar photovoltaic panels) owned and operated by the Nuon RAPS utility, and fed directly into the homes of indigent consumers in Northern KZN. Therefore the certificate is notional; while Scan’s stand used Eskom’s power, it purchased an equivalent amount of green power which was used by consumers in KZN.

Marisa Naude, the Marketing and Administration Manager of GreenX Energy, says: “Based on more than eight years of experience in the South African voluntary REC market, we are seeing a steady increase in interest in using RECs for Certified Green Power. Scan Display can be proud of showing leadership in this growing market by using RECs on its stands and encouraging other exhibitors and event organisers to follow suit.”

2010 Soccer World Cup Newsletter

2010 Soccer World Cup Newsletter

Editor’s Note

In this issue you can:

  • Enter our lucky draw to win two Tri-Nation tickets
  • Win a Mobi-Pro rental
  • Win a complimentary clip frame and graphics
  • Catch up on what Scan was doing over the World Cup period.

Scan was busy with a variety of interesting projects during the World Cup. Amongst others, we worked with Budweiser, Adidas, Sony, Globex, Sneakers, the SABC, the City of Cape Town and the City of Johannesburg. In this newsletter we showcase our work, including feedback and photos from some of the projects.
Before we look back on the World Cup, here’s a quick reminder about what’s ahead:
Markex will run from the 24 to 26 August at the Sandton Convention Centre. Don’t miss this chance to visit Scan Display’s stand (C27, Hall 2) to see what we – and you – can do with a Modulbox.

Best regards
Justin Hawes
[email protected]
Managing Director

Adidas’s House of Football

Scan Display designed and built its largest custom stand to date – the 50m by 20m Adidas House of Football stand at the Sandton Convention Centre. This was the Adidas headquarters for the 2010 World Cup. Click here to read more.

City of Johannesburg’s World Cup Public Viewing Area

Scan Display partnered with Zanusi Brand Solutions to provide the City of Johannesburg with a World Cup Public Viewing Area (PVA) in Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown. Click here to read more.

SABC broadcast centres

Scan Display was awarded the SABC tender to build live radio broadcast centres at all 10 FIFA Fan Fests. Click here to read more.

Tourist information kiosks

Scan Display won the City of Cape Town’s tender to build 13 information kiosks in and around the city – from St George’s Mall to Khayelitsha. Click here to read more.

Australian cocktail lounge for dignitaries

The Australian Football Federation contracted Scan Display to create a space for it to entertain important guests and dignitaries, including FIFA’s Sepp Blatter, during the World Cup. Click here to read more.

Globex’s historic soccer memorabilia exhibition

The Globex World Football Museum in England takes its travelling soccer history exhibits all over the world. The exhibition’s most recent stop was Durban, South Africa for the duration of the World Cup. Click here to read more.

Sony hospitality

Scan Display designed and built exclusive hospitality lounges for Sony and its guests at three stadiums:
Moses Mabhiba in Durban, Soccer City in Johannesburg and Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. Click here to read more.

Fan park-and-ride kiosks

Scan Display built modern and sleek outdoor park-and-ride ticket kiosks for the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Retailing FIFA™ merchandise

Sneakers, a supplier of FIFA™ merchandise, contracted Scan Display to construct temporary FIFA™ branded retail stands from which to sell their products at 50 locations throughout South Africa.

Budweiser Man of the Match trophies

Scan Display was honoured to be asked to design and build the display cases to house the Budweiser Man of the Match trophies at each of the World Cup stadiums.

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