Five generations. More than five decades in Africa. And a belief that exhibitions create meaningful connections between people and business.

Montgomery Group Africa has a long and distinctive history in the exhibition industry. Established in 1968, the business staged its first exhibition, Interbou, a building and construction trade show, building on the heritage of the Montgomery Group, whose first exhibition was held in the UK in 1865.

The company’s mining portfolio followed in 1972, and over the decades Montgomery has continued to evolve alongside the industries it serves. In 2007, the business acquired Exhibitions for Africa, bringing established events including Hostex, Securex and the KZN Industrial Expo into its portfolio. Today, trading as Montgomery Africa, the company delivers a diverse portfolio of business-to-business trade shows and content-led business events spanning mining, manufacturing, industrial, packaging and printing, machine tools, security, health and safety and hospitality.

While its head office is in London, Montgomery Africa is firmly rooted in the African market, with its team based in Nasrec and operations across South Africa, the SADC region and Nigeria. The wider Montgomery Group also has an office in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside operations in the UK, Europe, South East Asia and North America.

Built on Relationships

For Montgomery Africa, its longevity is about more than simply putting events on the calendar. The company attributes its success to its passion, commitment to stakeholders and a history of building generational, mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships within the industries it serves.

The business currently has around 35 direct employees, supported by a wider network of contractors and subcontractors across its events.

One of its recent milestones is the 2026 edition of Electra Mining Africa, which became the largest edition in the exhibition’s 54-year history, demonstrating how an established event can continue to evolve alongside the sectors and economy it serves.

And there’s another milestone that makes Montgomery particularly unique: the business remains family-owned and is now in its fifth generation.

Investing in the Next Generation

While the company has a long history, its focus is firmly on the future.

Montgomery Africa is actively attracting and developing young talent, including people who may not have previously worked directly in the exhibition industry. The company recently launched a graduate programme to recruit and train young graduates, while several existing employees are pursuing further studies part-time.

With a young and dynamic Senior Leadership Team, Montgomery Africa is focused on creating an environment where new talent can learn, develop and contribute to the continued evolution of the business.

The company has also launched two new events in the packaging and industrial sectors, with further developments in the pipeline.

Meet the Person Behind the Business

Gary Corin | Managing Director, Montgomery Africa

Gary Corin has spent 30 years in the exhibition industry, including 16 years as Managing Director of Montgomery Africa. But his route into the business was not exactly mapped out from the start.

In 1996, Gary joined the company after the then Managing Director recruited him to develop its marketing department. What began as an opportunity to build the marketing function became a three-decade career in exhibitions.

His early brief was wonderfully straightforward: find a desk, a phone and a fax modem, and start marketing the company’s shows to grow visitor audiences. At the same time, he was tasked with promoting Specialised Exhibitions, now Montgomery Africa, as a leading South African exhibition organiser while championing exhibitions as a powerful business medium.

Thirty years later, he’s still here.

What Keeps Him Coming Back?

For Gary, one of the best things about the exhibition industry is simple: the people you meet.

But there’s more to it than that. He believes the MICE industry has a tangible ability to create change.

“The MICE industry is real and it works. It changes lives and transforms businesses.”

It is this belief in the power of face-to-face connection that continues to shape his view of the industry’s future.

AI Will Change the Industry. People Will Still Matter.

Gary sees technology, particularly artificial intelligence, as one of the forces already transforming the exhibition landscape.

As technology changes how people behave, consume information and experience events, he expects the way organisers attract audiences and shape the event experience to change significantly.

But he doesn’t believe technology will replace the fundamental human need for connection.

“People need people to survive. We provide platforms that facilitate this.”

For Gary, the challenge and opportunity ahead lies in understanding how technology can enhance those platforms and create better experiences, without losing sight of the human element at their heart.

The Lesson That Stays With Him

If 30 years in exhibitions have taught Gary one thing, it’s the importance of adaptation.

And when he’s away from the office, he swaps exhibition halls for running routes, golf courses and time with his sons and their young families.

His personal and professional philosophy is summed up in a familiar line:

“Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.”

An old cliché, perhaps, but one that Gary believes applies just as much to life outside work as it does to building a career in exhibitions.

Montgomery Africa at a Glance

Established: 1968
African operations: South Africa, SADC, Nigeria and Kenya
Head Office: London
Team: Approximately 35 direct employees, plus event contractors and subcontractors
Leadership: Gary Corin, Managing Director
Industry experience: 30 years
Family business: Fifth generation
Focus: B2B trade shows and content-led business events

AAXO Member | Montgomery Group Africa