TOP EXHIBITION SUPPLIER FEATURE

Garona — turning ideas into reality

Garona Communications and Projects (Garona) is a reputable events, exhibitions and marketing service provider and has been providing solutions for the past 15 years.

Presley Mokotedi, director of Garona Communications and Projects, established the company in 2008 and has vast experience in marketing and communications. He said: “Our strength is our capacity to provide a wide range of solutions under one roof as well as our prompt and responsive customer service.”

“We pride ourselves in delivering complete solutions in the areas of exhibition displays, large format printing, design and branding services. We are exhibition specialists in the areas of trade shows, conferences, export promotion, pharmaceutical exhibitions and conferences, agricultural shows and many other large format environments.

“Meetings Africa 2023 will once again kickstart the new year. Garona remains the preferred service provider for both Meetings

Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023.

“Whether you are a small, medium or large-scale organisation our team of designers, printers and exhibition specialists will take the time to provide you with the best solution, having in mind your objectives, budgets and the environment within which you are operating.”

Looking back

Mr Mokotedi said: “2022 was a bright light of positivity for the exhibition industry in South Africa. The year started with many exhibitions returning face-to-face.

“2022, was great for the exhibition business and the recovery has been phenomenal. We also saw a positive return of international exhibitors and international visitors to the bigger exhibitions. Some of the shows that need to be commended for bringing in international exhibitors and visitors are; Mining Indaba and Africa’s Travel Indaba, Electra Mining Africa and Nampo. These and many more have been instrumental in driving new business and investment into the country. Africa Aerospace and Defence also took place. It remains one of the largest expos in our country,” he added

2023

“The year 2023 is showing much promise, with most of the shows that took place in 2022, returning in 2023. We are here to assist organisers and exhibitors. We will see more international exhibitions in the new year,” Mr Mokotedi concluded.

Meet the team

Tebogo Mokotedi – marketing manager

Ms Mokotedi has worked her way up the ladder in the exhibition industry, having begun as an intern and later as a data capturer for a reputable exhibition company.

“I was then promoted to logistics manager and an Exco member for the company. I then moved to a wellknown logistics business where I worked for a year. I then joined Garona Communications and Projects where I have been working for eight years as an account manager. I have since been promoted to marketing manager at Garona, after obtaining a marketing qualification,” Ms Mokotedi said.

“Garona Communications and Projects is an events and exhibition service provider. Garona has vast experience in design, setup and breakdown of event structures and exhibition stands. Garona has been in existence for the past 15 years,” Ms Mokotedi said.

Thabang Phetla Banda – project manager

An excellent project management professional with nine years’ experience in project sales, planning, and execution within the exhibition industry, Thabang Phetla Banda adds exponential value to every project she manages.

Beginning her career in media sales before moving into the recruitment industry and subsequently the exhibition and events industry in 2013, this young lady has a wealth of knowledge in all related fields of marketing and customer service. With a BA in Corporate Communication, and a BA Hons Public Management and Governance, Ms Phetla Banda is a hands-on, energetic accounts and project manager who is never afraid to delve in, really understand a brief and deliver results for each of her clients and their brands. Her significant effort and work ethic landed her recognition as one of the Top 40 Women in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions & Events) in 2019.

“Being part of the Garona team has been a great experience thus far. Joining the team has proven why I love working in the events and exhibition space. After being away from the industry due to Covid-19, as it had restricted us from working for quite some time, it really feels great to be back doing what we love the most. I have missed the sensation and the thrill of leading and motivating my colleagues from late nights to early mornings to excel. There is nothing like face-to-face interaction with clients and industry colleagues.”

“Collaborating with a team that is multi-skilled and always willing to go the extra mile has just revived the fire within me to continue to give back to this wonderful industry of ours.

It really is a privilege to be part of this team and to be given an opportunity to showcase my expertise and skill set once again,” Ms Phetla Banda said.

Ayanda Zungu – account manager

“With almost 10 years’ experience in the exhibitions and infrastructure building industry, which some might say is a male dominated space, I quickly realised that after putting on that hard hat, I had far more resilience and strength than what was taught to me. Being a black woman working as an account manager at a black-owned company like Garona Communications has given me the autonomy of creativity which I believe would not be available at another organisation. It has assisted me in honing my strengths as a woman in leadership,” she said.

Ms Zungu added: “The Garona Communication team has inspired me to acquire more knowledge within the infrastructure building field and I felt compelled to make changes to show that women can take up space and succeed in a male, labour-intensive field. My nails still get done but the world is changing and we need more organisations as brave, non-prejudiced and as forwardthinking as Garona, who believe in ‘abilities’ rather than ‘gender roles’.”