By Sharyn Macnamara
Various Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE) in June and July 2024 showcased the versatility of the MTE travelling expo concept. “Our latest expos were all, very different tradeshow-types – from the commodity focus to the expo set up; from an intimate, highly customised event to a show targeted at diverse industry, from a show on mine property to our over-border combo shows,” says Andrew Macnamara, operations director at the company.
The intimate Phalaborwa expo
On 6 June the MTE Phalaborwa Mining & Industrial Exhibition showcased the company’s strength in tailoring a tradeshow to the specific requirements of the local commodity focus. The expo spoke to the iron, copper and phosphate ore needs of the numerous open pit and underground mines in the area, including the specific requirements of Palabora Mine Company (PMC) and Foskor operations. Macnamara commented, “A total of 57 exhibiting companies showcased their solutions to 253 visitors of diverse designation. Mine representatives visiting the expo made a point of saying that they were impressed with the supplier selection – tailored to their needs and challenges shared well before the event with us, which always assists us in creating a relevant platform for the visitor.”
Exclusive onsite Saiccor show, sans commercial marketing The first expo of MTE’s KwaZulu Natal combo tour, the exclusive Saiccor Paper and Pulp tradeshow, showcased the company’s ability to create an event catering to the needs of only one operation. This show is an annual exclusive event – that is, it is closed to custom outside of the mill’s employees – and therefore not marketed on a commercial level. The event took place on 11 June and saw an astounding 472 visitors attend the expo set up near the SAPPI Saiccor mill. Paper and pulp experts made it their business to attend the show to see what the 46 exhibiting companies had to offer. “The engineering manager at the operation noted that the supplier mix was particularly good as it spoke to all the different operational areas at the mill, and that he was already looking forward to the 2025 expo,” noted Macnamara .
A total of 57 exhibiting companies showcased their solutions to 253 visitors on 6 June at MTE’s Phalaborwa Mining & Industrial Exhibition tailored to the iron, copper and phosphate ore operations’ needs in the area. © Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE)
Richards Bay
The MTE combo tour in KZN ended off on a particularly high note at the Richards Bay Mining & Industrial Exhibitionon 13 June 2024, with 241 visitors attending this highly diversified show, made up of 68 exhibiting companies. The attendance was up by 37% on last year’s stats.
This expo is a perfect example of the MTE philosophy, says Macnamara – it is tailored to meet the needs of many industries including the mining industry and smelters; the agricultural sector and sugar milling in Empangeni in particular; the Richards Bay harbour and coal terminal and the paper and pulp sector in the area. Here, ‘moving parts’ and industrial process solutions with efficiencies and safety top of mind are the order of the day. “No matter what industry you are in at the moment – if a new technology or process can optimise and save – the end user wants to know about it,” says Macnamara.
The Northern Cape combo shows
The MTE Hotazel Mining & Industrial Exhibition targeting manganese operations took place on 9 July at Hotazel Rec Club, while the MTE Kathu Mining & Industrial Exhibition focused on iron-ore hit Kathu on 11 July. Both tradeshows saw between 105 and 140 exhibiting companies network with 326 and 618 visitors respectively. MTE also hosted its popular Kathu Golf Day on 10 July, which hosted 20 four-balls and was booked 6 months in advance.
Over-border combo shows
Zimbabwe saw MTE’s crew on 30 July MTE in Gweru, and on 1 August in Selous – for the first time since 2015. This combo/trilogy tour concept is of value to exhibiting companies who are able to showcase their innovation to regions in SADC annually, which are difficult to visit regularly. The Zambian trilogy is yet another of these tours that is extremely popular for the same reason. So, watch this space for MTE’s yellow and orange trademark tents in September when the company hits Kalumbila on 16, Solwezi on 18 and finally Kitwe on 20 September this year!
| If you are an operation that would like MTE to incorporate your area into its 2025 calendar for future tradeshows,
contact Andrew Macnamara on +27 (0) 82 720 0083. |
| Go to https://mteexpos.co.za/ or contact the MTE sales for more information:
Sheldon Greybe: +27 (0) 84 569 3516 Email: sheldong@interactmedia.co.za Cathylene Labuschagne: +27 (0) 11 579 4940 |