This year, the event attracted over 7400 key players from 20 African countries, with over 50% of respondents to visitor surveys at the event reporting they make buying decisions for their organisations, and over 26% saying they influence buying decisions. Crucially, nearly 1,000 of the organisations represented have a technology spend of over R1 million a year, and 94 of them have a spend exceeding R50 million annually, say the organisers.
"Mediatech Africa presents the only opportunity for major players in these niche sectors to view and assess the latest broadcast and entertainment technologies on home ground," says Simon Robinson, publisher and managing editor at Mediatech Africa event partners Sun Circle Publishers' Screen Africa and Pro-Systems magazine. "The event showcases the same advanced technologies seen at the likes of international events such as NAB, and presents a rare networking opportunity for sector professionals from across the continent."
Christie, celebrating their tenth year at Mediatech, said there had been amazing growth in the event over the past two years, with an increasingly international air. Phil Lord, former territory manager Africa for Christie, said, "I noticed a lot more European manufacturers at the show this time, which is a very good sign. This is a one-of-a-kind show in South Africa and though we attend various trade shows globally, Mediatech is the only South African trade show that Christie attends."
Robyn D'Alessandro, national marketing manager group services at Gearhouse SA, said, "Mediatech is growing from strength to strength and each time we have participated the quality of contacts, participants and visitors is better. For Gearhouse, as a rental company, it's more about rubbing shoulders with our colleagues and suppliers than exhibiting. Mediatech is a great relationship builder for us as well as a great vehicle to encourage awareness around the Gearhouse brand."
Mediatech Africa was an outstanding success for Audiosure, which participated with four stands and six distinct areas, showcasing more than 18 brands, hosting seven international suppliers and presenting their flagship and new products to thousands of enthusiastic visitors.
Matrix Sound reported making good sales at their stand .According to Trevor Peters, the owner of Matrix Sound, their stand had a tremendous amount of high quality attendance at this year's show.
Robe, which brought its international team to participate in the event alongside DWR, reported that the event was extremely busy and highly successful for them. Robe CEO Josef Valchar commented, "We have enjoyed great success in South Africa working closely with DWR, and this year, we felt it was time to further endorse the show and underline the importance of the African market generally with our own stand."
Clay Paky also had their own stand at Mediatech this year, separate to local distributors DWR, where they placed great focus on their Mythos advanced hybrid light. According to area sales manager Massimo Bolandrina, "We are positively impressed with this year's show. There is so much to do and see, and everything is well organised," he said. "We have also seen a lot of people from outside South Africa visiting this year's show, especially movie directors and people from large churches in Africa. We have also been privileged to have some of our clients from across South Africa make the trip to be here and that has been great for us."
DWR Distribution and Sony Professional Solutions were among the winners of platinum awards for their stands at this year's show. Platinum awards were also given to Inala Technologies, Bose Corporation and Christie Digital.
Mediatech Africa 2015 was staged from 15 to 17 July 2016 at the T
