THE RAND SHOW

The Rand Show Spring Edition

After what felt like a lifetime of waiting, The Rand Show finally returned to bring the entertainment loved by many South Africans across the country. Due to the country still being under strict restrictions, the show was produced a little differently.

By Didi Okoro, head of sales, Dogan Exhibitions, organisers of The Rand Show.

The Rand Show launched its first ever spring edition of the show named: The Rand Show Spring Edition, planned to take place annually — offering fresh and exciting activations, exhibitors, and entertainment under one roof.

This all took place at Fourways Mall from 22 to 27 September with the aim of creating brand awareness and continuity for the Rand Show brand.

Being unable to host the show for two years, the Rand Show sought to create an event that could fit within Covid protocols whilst still allowing the brand to offer its clients and visitors a trade platform and entertainment under the current restrictions. This effort was also aimed at supporting SMMEs – on both contractor and exhibitor level – by providing a trade opportunity for exhibitors and a lifeline for contractors who have been out of business since the lockdown.

The show achieved a 45 per cent increase in foot traffic for Fourways Mall for the duration of the show. As the first medium risk event to run in South Africa since the lockdown in March 2020, the show was an overall success. The show offered quality entertainment that included traditional dancers, Bollywood dancers, circuses, magic shows, clowns, car drifting, Go Karts and more — creating a perfect environment for visitors of all ages to have fun.

A mixture of digital and broadcast media was used to promote the show, with about six billboards positioned in prime locations in the north of Johannesburg.

According to the survey conducted post show, to measure the show’s successes and areas of improvement, about 81 per cent of the exhibitors who participated indicated they were happy to extremely satisfied with the show. The remaining 29 per cent indicated their areas of concerns and suggested improvements for the coming editions.

Although the show was not without its own teething problems, all in all, it was a success. The entertainment was a big hit too. The newly custom-built Rand Show mascots were a complete hit with everyone. The look and feel of the event was amazing and of very high quality.

Here are some of the incredible reviews received from exhibitors:

A representative from the company named Nqobile Ngwenya, which sells state-of-the-art cleaning products, said: “It is my great pleasure to recommend or testify that the Rand Show is the best show in this country, if not in the world. The show is well organised and strives to meet world standards all the time. The Spring Edition, recently held at Fourways Mall was a success.”

Mthobisi Mbhense, KZN Sharks Board, said: “The show was well planned and executed. Relevant audience participated.”

Riesmati Mietor, Fidelity, said he just wished the show would be every year, and lucky for him, it will be.

Covid protocol adherence was monitored closely by private security, with twenty Covid officers and even the SAPS on site.

The venue and Rand Show ensured that there was sufficient sanitiser available throughout the venue.

The Rand show Spring edition returns to Fourways Mall again in the Spring of 2022.

“The show was well planned and executed. Relevant audience participated.”