If there is any speculation as to the level of growth in media and entertainment technology on the African continent, Mediatech has proven there is unlimited potential, delivering another successful show in 2013.
With exhibitors and visitors still overwhelmed with the widespread industry-relevant turnout, an increased African interest and an ongoing trajectory of valuable business leads and brand exposure, the biennial trade show has earned its place as the continent's largest and most successful advanced technology exhibition.
Over 130 leading exhibiting companies were able to introduce groundbreaking innovations, services and products to an increased visitor attendance of media and entertainment professionals with concrete buying interest. This year saw a record-breaking 6 924 feet through the door and attracted crowds from all over South Africa, including 424 international visitors, of which 197 were from Africa.
The presentation zones were extremely well attended and provided expert advice and captivating information for visitors wanting to gain knowledge on film, broadcast and production as well as pro AV, sound and lighting. Beyond a generous scope of dynamic products and services, Mediatech 2013 saw an increase in events, informative workshops, training as well as pertinent conferences that initiated significant industry conversations for planning and development. "Our products hit the spot with seasoned technicians who connected with the ideas instantly. We attracted many new leads, clients and orders," said Pedro Savis, Managing Member of Gearshack, who generated keen interest from his presentation at the show.
"Mediatech is the place to be if you're passionate about the industry, it is a good and worthwhile investment in marketing, exposure and presence."
SACIA hosted two members' networking breakfasts that were fully booked. "It was an extremely positive experience, with great feedback from our members and a lot of interest from the broader industry," remarks Kevan Jones, Executive Director of SACIA.
Asikhule proudly introduced the first African Loudness Summit at Mediatech, and director Duncan Todd was impressed with its significant success, affording Asikhule the opportunity to meet all the summit objectives, which included: initiating a conversation between distribution and production around the prickly topic of loudness fluctuations in broadcast material. "The summit was full to capacity, thanks in no small part to the efforts by the Mediatech event organisers to promote attendance to their Africa-wide audience. Our delegates valued the convenience of attending our summit and being able to visit the continent's largest broadcast and production tech exhibition at a single venue. In addition, the Meditech-facilitated opportunity to present on this important loudness content to the delegates of the SABA Digital Broadcasting Infrastructure Platform Workshop that was being held in parallel with the Africa Loudness Summit, was extremely valuable and, according to formal presentation assessment feedback received, very well received by delegates from all over Africa who attended the SABA event."
The outdoor sound demonstrations proved once again, to be a show achievement, with top sound specialists showing off their latest line array systems. Bernard Pienaar, director of Viva Afrika, said: "Our experience at the outdoor demo area was very positive and one of the highlights for us and the dealers who visited us at the show."
Matrix Sound was able to showcase the Alcons LR24 system for the first time at Mediatech, and Trevor Peters believes it was a risk that paid off: "We were congratulated by so many people who heard the system that it felt like we had won an award on Friday. We had nothing but positive remarks about the Alcons Audio LR24's from competitors, engineers, company owners and the general public. It was very rewarding."
Without a doubt, 2013 saw a huge jump in the number of attending international manufacturers and principles, increasing to 178, who had an engaging and worthwhile experience at Mediatech:
"It is absolutely a gateway exhibition for Africa and the only one of its kind. While previous Mediatechs had mostly attracted crowds from all over South Africa, this time there were many visitors from Namibia, Angola and other neighbouring countries, as well as from more remote places. Besides, the large amount of representatives attending from international manufacturers proves the enormous interest in the show. You've got everything there," said Harry von den Stemmen, Sales Director at ROBE Lighting.
"The show was well organised and good for a regional show. I had good leads and found the quality of the visitors was on a high level," said Nico Lewis, Senior Sales Manager at RTS Intercoms.
"It feels like I could be standing at any of the big shows worldwide right now," said Stephen Smith of Powersoft.
"The show is a very professional show, a good size and attracted a lot of high-calibre visitors. It was good to see lots of support from international manufacturers. The show competes on the world stage and for us is an important part of our exhibition calendar. It offers us an excellent platform to make new contacts in the wider African market," said Grant Bales-Smith, Senior Sales Manager EMEA, Philips Entertainment.
"I think Mediatech is surely one of the top shows located in the top tier developing world in terms of entertainment, lighting and even ahead on some of the shows in first world markets," said St'ephane Gressier, International Sales Director, CHAUVET/ILUMINARC.
"I thought the show was well organised and it was busy due to the diversity of media and technology being shown. For us as first-time exhibitors, we were not sure what to expect, but we felt it was very worthwhile and we met our objectives, which was to introduce our company to the major broadcasters in South Africa," said Tom Gittins, Director of Sales, Pebble Beach Systems.
"I think in terms of organisation, exhibitor commitment, support from international suppliers and attendance from serious industry people, Mediatech stands up well alongside most other international exhibitions of its type. The African market is on the up, with great potential, and Mediatech and its exhibitors are, on the whole, managing to set a high benchmark," said Lee Baldock, Editor, Lighting&Sound International.
Key industry players were able to participate in a unique platform for cutting-edge technology, ample industry networking and product engagement with a relevant audience. Exhibitors across a number of different industry divisions agreed that this year's exhibition was a monumental and beneficial event:
"Mediatech 2013 really was an experience for us on another level, we knew we would have a high amount of client visits but didn't expect the amount we got. There were stages we couldn't fit enough people on, a huge stand of 90sqm, which is fairly big as it is. There was definitely an increased African presence this year, which became evident when we were going through our leads and more than 40% were from African countries," said Maldwyn Greenwood, CEO, SEGMA.
"We signed up people to the creative cloud, thereby quantifying out leads and being able to put a value on the return on investment," said Stacey Pearson, Marketing Manager, Touchvision.
"I thought that Mediatech Africa 2013 was well attended by the South African broadcast fraternity. The theme of our stand was to exhibit the products that are relevant in the South African broadcast market, which includes some products that were recently launched at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Pebble Beach Marina automation was shown for the first time in South Africa at an exhibition, although the Marina automation system has recently been deployed by E-TV in Cape Town. The Pebble Beach pod drew many people, and was of special interest with the operators and engineers from the South African Broadcasting Corporation," said Colin Wagner, General Manager, Inala Broadcast.
"Overall, we received very good exposure, good publicity and found Mediatech to be a worthwhile event for PENMAC and Dataton. It is very much at an international standard with very impressive participation from the local community," said Malcolm Finley, Director at PENMAC Audio Visual.
"Mediatech was a definite step up this year; it certainly felt that of an international trade show. I always got great service and lively smiles out of the organisers and exhibitors, and had a fantastic feel for the event in general. A true benchmark for Mediatech with recognisable growth from 2011's rendition," said Shaun Xavier, Marketing Manager, Stage Audio Works.
"We are absolutely ecstatic with the overall standard of the exhibition, with the international quality stands and the professional approach that the exhibitors took in leveraging their involvement at the exhibition. We are delighted with the attendance figures and the increase in the African delegates. The amount of international manufacturers who made the trip out to support their local distributors was also fantastic. This made for a truly intercontinental show," said show director, Simon Robinson.
The next Mediatech Africa will take place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 15-17 July 2015.
Share