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2018 AAXO ROAR Awards – The Exhibition event of the year!
The second annual ROAR Awards hosted by the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) will be held on 1 February 2018 at the Ticketpro Dome. Bigger than before, this glamorous dinner will celebrate excellence in the exhibition industry in Africa.
It will be the highlight of this specific week when AAXO also hosts their Exhibition of Exhibitions (EoE) that includes training sessions presented by international gurus, Andy Preston, a master in sales and safety as well as security guru, Simon Garret.
The primary goal of the ROAR Awards is to create a platform for talented and dedicated industry professionals to enjoy: RESPECT for their involvement, OPPORTUNITIES to grow their businesses, acknowledgement for their wonderful ACHIEVEMENTS while taking RESPONSIBILITY for their safe practice and participation in exhibitions.
We are very excited about the increased amount of entries received this year and believe that this will take the competition standard to a new level. There are various categories for organisers and exhibitors. The Award Categories covers a wide range from various trade exhibition categories to various consumer exhibitions, Confex and table top categories. We are particularly looking forward to seeing the entries entered for the two new categories, “Social Media” and “Africa Bound”.
The ROAR judges are a group of highly talented and experienced professionals – some of the best in the exhibition, communication and marketing industry. We believe that, because of the increased quantity and excellence in quality of the entries, our judges will have a difficult task to choose the ROAR winners of 2018.
Again as in 2017, the event will be hosted under the umbrella of the Exhibitions Industry Alliance (EIA), in conjunction with EXSA, with whom AAXO has a collaboration agreement. The ROAR Awards event will be a part of the EIA Awards ceremony.
“We are looking forward to this prestigious and entertaining event and hope to see not only the various category entrants but all of the AAXO members too. It will be a bigger and more glamorous than ever before.” – Carol Weaving, Chair, AAXO.
To book your seat visit www.aaxo.co.za or contact us on 011 549 8300 or at aaxo@aaxo.co.za.
Proudly Sponsored By:
Future Energy Nigeria to unpack new Power Sector Recovery Program in Lagos in November
Nigeria’s energy elite to focus on restoring investor confidence
The rebranded Future Energy Nigeria will return to Lagos in November and will focus on the bold turnaround plan of the Nigerian government, known as the Power Sector Recovery Program, which is earmarked to restore investor confidence in the sector following reported problems in the country’s electricity market. U$D7.6-billion has been earmarked for this recovery process that the government developed in partnership with the World Bank.
“The Nigerian government is serious about restoring investor confidence and providing an enabling environment to grow private investments in the electricity sector,” says Claire O’Connell, event director of Future Energy Nigeria. She adds: “there are huge opportunities in the Nigerian electricity supply industry for local and international investors. There are also very advantageous incentives in place for investors such as cost reflective tariffs for electricity, 0% duty on power generation equipment and 20% capital allowance for five years.”
Nigeria’s energy sector, quick facts*:
Generation:
- Current installed generation capacity: 11.1 GW (2016)
- Aimed for installed capacity by 2030: 32 GW
- Investment required to reach this goal: U$D26.99-billion
- Generation mix of 2030 goal includes:
- Gas: 41%
- Solar PV: 16%
- Large hydropower: 15%
- Coal: 10%
- 18%: nuclear, small-medium hydro, biomass, solar thermal and wind.
Transmission & Distribution:
- Current transmission capacity: 6.6 GW
- Aimed for capacity by 2022: 20 GW
- The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) estimates it will need about U$D4.2-5-billion until 2020 to rehabilitate and modernise existing facilities.
- Complete projects are already under construction to expand the network to 10 GW.
*Information source: “Uncovering growth opportunities in a connected world”, Strategic Environment Analysis, Country power sector report – Frost & Sullivan, July 2017
According to Future Energy Nigeria’s Claire O’Connell the extensive opportunities in Nigeria for technology and service providers to the industry include:
- Expansion of existing facilities in generation, transmission and distribution
- Manufacturing of wires, cables, transformers and other auxiliary equipment
- Building new integrated power plants (IPPs)
- Expansion of existing transmission lines
- Production and distribution of metering devices
- Provision of operations and maintenance services
Some conference speaker highlights:
- Onyeche Tifashe, CEO, Siemens, Nigeria
- Akinwole Omoboriowo, CEO, Genesis Energy, Nigeria
- Patrick O. Okigbo III, Principal Partner, Nextier, Nigeria
- Sunkanmi Olowo, Head SME Banking, Ecobank, Nigeria
- Bart Nnaji, CEO, Geometric Power, Nigeria
- Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies, Nigeria
- Joel Abrams, Managing Director, Nigeria Solar Capital Partners, Nigeria
- Olumide Noah Obademi, CEO, Afam Power PLC, Nigeria
- Nicholas Okafor, Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Nigeria
- Olubunmi Peters, Executive Vice Chairman, North South Power Shiroro, Nigeria
- Segun Adaju, President, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, Nigeria
- Engr. Faruk Yabo, Director Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, FMoPWH
Industry support
The 14th edition of the event once again enjoys widespread support from the industry with Lucy Electric, a global secondary distribution leader in the electricity sector, returning as platinum sponsor, while Jubaili Bros and Genesis are gold sponsors and Conlog, Landis+Gyr, Hexing and Vodacom are silver sponsors.
New brand – same, innovative event
Future Energy Nigeria (formerly known as the West African Power Industry Convention – WAPIC), with the support of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Distribution Companies and prominent Generation companies, will once again host many of the country’s leading energy decision makers from 7-8 November 2017 at the Eko Hotel & Suite Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Future Energy Nigeria is recognised as being a distinctive gathering of stakeholders within the power value chain which includes governments, power generation companies, transmission and distribution companies, off takers, developers, Investors, Equipment manufacturers and providers, technology providers, EPCs, legal and consulting firms all with a shared goal of supporting the on-going implementation of finding lasting solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges. Co-located to the event is the Oil & Gas Council’s Nigeria Assembly.
Future Energy Nigeria dates and location:
Strategic conference: 7-8 November 2017
Venue: Eko Hotel & Suite Convention Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.
Website: http://www.future-energy-nigeria.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FutureEnergyHub
Linkedin: FutureEnergyAfrica
Contact:
Senior communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone: +27 21 700 3558
Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com
Announcing the joint AAXO/SAACI conference and AAXO’s participation in the UFI Global Exhibitions Day initiative
Joining forces for industry growth: Announcing the joint AAXO/SAACI conference and AAXO’s participation in the UFI Global Exhibitions Day initiative
Bringing industry members and key thought leaders together for an intensive programme of learning and knowledge-sharing, the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO)’s 2016 Conference has been arranged to coincide with two other significant industry events: the 30th SAACI Congress and the first ever UFI “Global Exhibitions Day”. Following the SAACI Conference, which will be held from the 5th to the 7th of June 2016 in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, the AAXO Conference will take place on the 8th of June at the same venue. Linking the two meetings together in this way not only takes advantage of the synergy and shared vision of AAXO and SAACI, but also is more convenient for delegates who wish to attend both events.
SAACI and AAXO have entered into a strategic partnership based on their dedication towards growing the meetings industry in Southern Africa. The collaboration between AAXO, which advocates specifically for exhibition organisers, and SAACI, which represents a broad number of related sectors including technical and other service providers, transport services and venues, has been designed to include the sharing of resources, knowledge and training opportunities for mutual growth and support. This is highlighted by the decision to combine the conference dates for the two organisations.
The 8th of June also marks Global Exhibitions Day – the beginning of a UFI and IAEE-led initiative to unify exhibition organisers, venues, associations, and service providers from countries all around the world. Many organisations have agreed to participate and add their voice to the day. AAXO will be marking the occasion by having their Conference on this day and being part of the task force.
Kai Hattendorf, UFI Managing Director, declares: “8 June 2016, Global Exhibitions Day 2016, will be a day to celebrate the exhibition industry. We are thrilled by the strong and growing support for this idea, and we will now work with all our partners around the world, including AAXO in South Africa, to make it a special day indeed”.
Carol Weaving, Chairperson of AAXO, is excited at the prospect of shared knowledge and opportunities: “AAXO has adopted a collaborative approach from its inception and this has led to the decision to combine the SAACI and AAXO Conferences. We are also very proud to be part of the inspiring and powerful Global Exhibitions Day initiative.”
For more information on AAXO visit www.aaxo.co.za or contact Cindy Wandrag on 011 549 8300 or info@aaxo.co.za.
Save the Date
Tapping into trends and making an impact online: AAXO is hosting a free Organiser Training Day focused on digital marketing
Following their inception in 2015, the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) is getting 2016 off to a dynamic start by hosting an exciting training opportunity for exhibition organisers. The one-day Organiser Training Day, which will be hosted by AAXO in collaboration with SAACI, will focus on a number of issues related to digital marketing. Throughout the day, delegates will learn about the various aspects of using online channels as a marketing medium, and how to create a strong and focused digital marketing strategy. The event will take place on the 10th of February 2016 at the Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre.
Charles Drew, the Operations Manager for The Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre says that the hotel is thrilled to be sponsoring the venue for the AAXO Training Day: “AAXO is a dynamic voice in the exhibition industry and The Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre is very pleased to support this fantastic initiative.”
The day will also include the much-anticipated official launch of AAXO, as well as the release of the results of the market research commissioned by AAXO. It will end with a networking function, which will be attended by representatives from across the industry, including organisers, venues, suppliers, other associations and the media.
The Training Day is part of AAXO’s ongoing efforts to help strengthen the industry by increasing the knowledge base of exhibition organisers. AAXO is committed to supporting and empowering its members, and as part of this mandate, will continue to provide leading-edge educational opportunities to members and associated organisations.
Attending the Digital Marketing Organiser Training Day is free of charge to AAXO Members, but seats are limited and exhibition organisers are strongly encouraged to RSVP and book their seats early in order to avoid disappointment.
The agenda for the day covers critical topics such as getting the most from a company website, the use of Google analytics, tips on how to use search engine optimisation, information on how to create content for online platforms, the role of social media and creating a comprehensive digital marketing strategy. There will also be time set aside for Q & A sessions so that audience members can discuss key issues with expert panelists.
According to Carol Weaving, Chairperson of AAXO, “Following the incredible success of our first training day, which was held last year, we are proud to announce another fantastic opportunity for our members. We want to help delegates to tap into the potential of the digital marketing space and we have an excellent line up of topics and speakers for the day.” She adds, “We are also looking forward to the official AAXO launch, and to hear the results of the market research exercise. The information derived from the research will be a valuable, up-to-date resource for our members to use in order to gain a deeper understanding of the industry.”
To book your space, click here to RSVP.
For more information on AAXO visit www.aaxo.co.za or contact Cindy Wandrag on 011 549 8300 or info@aaxo.co.za. For membership inquiries, including a full list of membership benefits and information on how to join, contact membership@aaxo.co.za