Oct 13, 2021 Messe Frankfurt South Africa, Automechanika Johannesburg 2022, Festival of Motoring 2022, Michael Dehn, Michael Johannes,
Messe Frankfurt South Africa networking session for 2022 automotive shows
Messe Frankfurt South Africa proudly launched the Automechanika Johannesburg 2022 and the Festival of Motoring 2022 events with invited stakeholders at a networking session in Sandton. The shows scheduled from 15-18 March 2022 at Jhb Expo Centre, Nasrec, and Kyalami Grand Prix circuit 26-28 August 2022 respectively.
Joshua Low introduced Michael Dehn, the new Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, to a gathering of selected business leaders, government representatives, associations and media in the automotive sector. Dehn adds over two decades of trade show experience with Messe Frankfurt in Dubai and India to the lcal office, and is looking forward to continuing the growth of Messe Frankfurt South Africa.
Michael Johannes, Vice President of Mobility and Logistics, for Messe Frankfurt Global, addressed the guests. His presentation focussed on the challenges and solutions created by the Covid pandemic for the exhibition sector. Johannes reassured exhibitors that the global company with its German origins was well placed and strategically capable of coping with complexities of managing an exhibition in the current environment. His address specifically aimed to put exhibitors at ease, with their bookings and deposits in safe hands. A comforting statement bearing in mind the unexpected variables of our current worldwide trading, regulatory and public gathering conditions.
Lumka Dlomo, deputy director of Jhb Tourism, presented Johannes with a history of Johannesburg hardcover book, in appreciation of the continued support of the city and local exhibition industry. Nonnie Kubeka, head of Gauteng Convention Bureau, expressed their support and acknowledgement to the automotive industry and its positive impact on the economy both locally and nationally.
Deloitte speaker, Khutso Sekgota, presented some great points in terms of Electric Vehicle manufacturing and the complications our energy mix presents to South Africa’s relevance on the world stage. Specifically in respect of export vehicles and the subsequent import carbon tax in the country of destination. Without a green energy mix, SA’s already beleaguered manufacturing sector will become uncompetitive in the global market especially in the automotive context.
While these bigger picture points are extremely relevant, it’s extremely difficult to plan for, when our current power generation and distribution model fails to keep light bulbs burning for 24 hours in a day. Added to this, the perception that government control of these endeavours will open new corruption and financial mismanagement opportunities, doubles down on the problem.
How SA will gear itself toward these future requirement will be the challenge that lies ahead. Leaving it in the hands of government would be a mistake - business will need to take the reins and drive initiatives as without their leadership things will not get the momentum needed to make these adjustments a reality and which ultimately benefit the country as a whole. Businesses who can, and are willing to plan and invest for the longer term, for the long term will perhaps see these challenges as opportunities to create greener and more internationally competitive manufacturing processes and facilities.
Low concluded with a presentation of a few of the exciting innovations planned for each of the shows and thanked those companies who have already committed to the events. He said, “ There is a positive excitement from the industry, people are ready to interact face to face with their customers, and although digital communication is a norm – the overriding preference is for the face to face interaction.”
AutoForum is an official media partner for both these shows, and we will continue to bring you news and valuable content from Messe Frankfurt and their partner network in the coming months.
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