Messe Frankfurt South Africa, organiser of AERO South Africa, billed as Africa's largest general aviation tradeshow, says it is preparing to launch a virtual marketplace targeted at the aviation sector.
The annual aviation trade show covers a spectrum of services and products for the aviation industry, attracting over 35 000 visitors from 60 different countries and more than 100 exhibiting companies showcasing the industry’s latest innovations from various aviation sectors.
AERO South Africa is presented by Messe Friedrichshafen SA, a subsidiary of one of Europe's oldest trade fair organisers, Messe Friedrichshafen, in collaboration with African Pilot, World AirNews, SA Flyer and the City of Tshwane.
The aviation industry has taken a huge knock, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the physical AERO South Africa event having to be postponed to July 2021. For this reason, and to continue supporting the industry during this time, AERO South Africa says it has created the digital marketplace, where exhibitors can maintain their market presence by displaying their products and services online and hold workshops for a global audience.
The online platform, scheduled to launch on 26 August, will be an online business-to-business platform for the general aviation sector, running over the next 12 months.
Business-to-business services and products focused on the aviation sector will be displayed by the online exhibitors, including aviation test equipment, aircraft, ultralights and gliders, business jets, helicopters, remotely-piloted aircraft and electric aircraft, insurance products, aviation software and aircraft accessories.
"After engaging with numerous role-players, endorsing partners and businesses within the general aviation sector, we are extremely excited that we have sufficient support to launch this initiative that will place general aviation brands at the forefront of their targeted market," says Annelie Reynolds, show director of AERO South Africa.
"This way buyers and sellers can continue to meet, engage and do business from a centralised portal, without leaving their homes," she adds.
The online platform is interfaced with matchmaking capabilities and personalised category search options to automatically link relevant visitors to exhibitors and lead tracking, reporting and monitoring tools, according to AERO South Africa.
Each exhibitor will have a virtual booth displaying their products and services as well as their company videos. They will also have a video/web conferencing functionality to enable them to engage with visitors and new clients.
“We are aiming at having between 60 and 80 exhibitors as the marketplace evolves; however, we will have more than 20 exhibitors when we launch. Industry heavyweights that visitors can expect to see include Aviation Direct, Century Avionics, CrossWind LSA, Aircademy, Pilot Insure and DJA Aviation,” notes Reynolds.
Registration is free to all trade visitors.
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