The Trusted Voice of Africa’s Exhibition Industry
TAILORED MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGETS
Welcome to AAXO – the trusted voice of Africa’s Exhibition Industry
AAXO is committed to promoting the African exhibitions industry, encouraging businesses to invest and participate in exhibitions, affording our members the tools and resources for successful exhibition management, and encouraging world-class industry standards. This dedication is evident in AAXO’s commitment to linking organisers to a network of suppliers and opportunities to ensure growth and inclusivity continentally. How can we support your business today?
In The News and PR
John Kaplan: embracing retirement after 40 years at Specialised Exhibitions
For over forty years, John Kaplan has enjoyed an illustrious career with Specialised Exhibitions, a division of Montgomery Group, starting back in the 80’s. His enthusiasm and commitment to his work have brought him much deserved success. Over the years, John has also generously shared his wealth of knowledge and expertise with others in the […]
Prioritising transformative action and innovation at the Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa 2024
At the 2024 edition of the Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa, held from June 11-13 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, transformative action and innovation took centre stage, redefining hospitality across the continent. Featuring a diverse line-up of speakers and discussions, the Expo highlighted the importance of sustainability, technology, and local innovation in shaping […]
Buy tickets to MusicEx
MusicEx is an Indoor Music Festival taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre on 26- 28 July 2024. The music festival will be running the whole day for all three days. Along with the live performances on two stages, music lovers can attend the exhibition in Hall 3 and attend the workshops led by experts like […]
Event Synthesis International Expands with New Team Member and an additional Office
Event Synthesis International is thrilled to announce significant developments as it continues to grow and expand its footprint in the event management industry. Joining the esteemed team at Event Synthesis International is Seipati Maaga, who brings a wealth of creativity and fresh perspectives to the organization. Seipati’s background in Event Management, positions her perfectly to […]
Smarter Technologies Drive the Next Phase of Industrial Growth
South African mining, manufacturing and industrial businesses are under increasing pressure to improve productivity, strengthen safety, reduce operating costs and remain globally competitive. At the same time, rapid advances in digital technologies are reshaping the way organisations design, manage and optimise their operations, with the focus increasingly shifting from exploring new technologies to implementing […]
CEM Africa 2026 Welcomes Three Influential Global Speakers
CEM Africa, Africa’s leading customer experience conference, has announced three internationally respected speakers who will take to the stage at CEM Africa 2026, taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 in Cape Town. Bringing together senior leaders from customer experience, marketing, digital transformation, retail, customer service and business strategy, CEM Africa continues to attract […]
Propak West Africa conference to deliver practical insights for West Africa’s production and packaging professionals
The packaging industry across West Africa continues to evolve, driven by expanding consumer markets, rising demand for more efficient and sustainable packaging solutions, and advances in automation and digital technologies. As manufacturers respond to these changing market dynamics, improving productivity, efficiency and competitiveness has become an increasing priority. In this rapidly changing environment, informed decision-making […]
Converge Africa 2026 brings Africa’s digital commerce ecosystem together in Cape Town
Converge Africa 2026 returned to the CTICC in Cape Town and delivered three packed days of practical, outcomes led conversations about how Africa buys, sells and transacts in a world that is moving fast. The event brought the full digital commerce ecosystem into one place, from payments and fintech to retail and eCommerce, logistics and […]
New Automation Innovations on Show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
New emerging innovations are transforming the South African mining, manufacturing, industrial and automation sectors and driving the deployment of advanced technological solutions across operations. Innovations such as mechanisation, automation and digitisation are improving safety and productivity on mines, production facilities, industrial plants and warehouses. However, to deliver real value, these technologies must be cost-effective and […]
Top 15 ‘China Ready’ destinations revealed as continent eyes the world’s biggest outbound market during WTM Africa 2026
Cape Town, 28 April 2026 – African tourism destinations have been ranked on their readiness to attract Chinese visitors. The China Ready Index® – a global benchmarking system by CBISN that scores destinations across six key pillars – released its 2026 African rankings at World Travel Market Africa in […]
Propak Cape 2026 supports strong packaging industry growth
The South African packaging industry continues to outperform the country’s GDP growth rate, driven by a number of sustained market forces. Population growth, urbanisation and rising income levels are fuelling demand for consumer goods and, in turn, packaging solutions. The rapid expansion of e-commerce, alongside growth in the beauty, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage sectors, […]
Women In MICE
IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE ✨ Recognising the remarkable women shaping the future of meetings, events and business travel. THEME 2026: TIMELESS INFLUENCE NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! Link Below: Women in MICE
Intent HQ confirmed as Diamond Sponsor; Absa Bank as Platinum Sponsor & BEES joins as Gold Sponsor for Converge Africa 2026
Cape Town, South Africa, 2 February 2026 Africa’s digital commerce economy is growing fast, but not without friction. Fragmented retail, inconsistent data, complex payments, rising fraud risk and disconnected customer journeys continue to slow down scale for retailers, brands and marketplaces across the continent. Converge Africa 2026 will place these challenges at the centre of […]
Registrations Now Open for WTM Africa 2026 – Enjoy Free Access Until 13 March
The countdown to World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026 has officially begun with the opening of trade visitor registration. Taking place in the host city of Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 14–16 April 2026, WTM Africa remains the premier B2B exhibition for inbound and outbound African travel and tourism […]
South African Tourism (SA Tourism) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Corne Koch as its new Chief Convention Bureau Officer
As South Africa takes on IBTM World 2025 to showcase its business events capability at Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Spain, South African Tourism (SA Tourism) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Corne Koch as its new Chief Convention Bureau Officer, who will head the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB) business […]
South Africa Now Prepares for Meetings Africa 2026 Trade Show, Highlighting Its Growing Role in Business Tourism
14 November 2025 – SA Tourism initially permitted exhibitor bookings for the 2026 version of the Meetings Africa trade shows, underlining the evolution of the country’s growing business events industry. From February 23 – 25, 2026, Africa’s largest trade Exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre will host industry leaders, event organizers, and exhibitors of varying […]
NextGen is the Next Big Thing
South Africa’s events industry is firmly focused on the next generation – and the country’s untapped potential. Johannesburg, 6 October 2025 – South Africa’s tourism and hospitality skills gap has become impossible to ignore, with the crisis now dominating industry conversations from Cape Town conference halls to Johannesburg boardrooms. With youth unemployment at 45.5% (despite […]
Tourism Educators South Africa
Dear Tourism & Hospitality Colleagues and Friends, 🎉As part of our World Tourism Day celebrations, it is our pleasure to remind you about Tourism Educators South Africa (TESA), a registered non-profit organisation (Enterprise Number: 2025/293319/08). TESA’s vision is to be recognised as the voice of quality higher education in tourism and to contribute meaningfully to […]
AEW 2025 Pre-Conference to Set the Stage for Africa’s Biggest Energy Event
The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will kick-off with a dynamic pre-conference day, designed to set the tone for a week of dealmaking, dialogue and collaboration. Taking place on September 29 ahead of the main conference program – which is scheduled for September 30 to October 3 – the pre-conference program […]
Host Cities Confirmed for Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba
Following a rigorous and competitive procurement process led by South African Tourism, Johannesburg and Durban have officially been confirmed as the host cities for Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba respectively for the next five years commencing 2026. The process saw several cities and provinces across the country submit compelling bids to host the flagship […]
Specialised Exhibitions Transitions to New Name: Montgomery Group Africa
As part of a strategic move to streamline operations, strengthen regional alignment, and support long-term growth, Specialised Exhibitions has transitioned to a new name: Montgomery Group Africa. This name change reflects the consolidation of Montgomery Group’s regional divisions across Africa under one unified management structure — creating a more agile, efficient, and future-focused organisation. While […]
B & T Matchmaking: BIG NEWS! We’ve Expanded! Your One-Stop Event Production Partner Is Here
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve expanded our services to include world-class technical event production solutions—designed to save you time, effort, and budget while delivering unforgettable results. Whether you’re planning a high-impact corporate event, a lifestyle showcase, or a multi-venue broadcast, our new offering gives you access to cutting-edge equipment, expert teams, and seamless execution—all […]
The Festival of Eventing 2025 Debuts in Cape Town – Stepping Boldly into the Future of Eventing in Africa
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The inaugural Festival of Eventing (FOE) brought together 350 event professionals, 85 speakers, and 10 countries under one roof for a two-day showcase of innovation, inspiration, and industry connection. From cutting-edge event tech to sustainability-led activations, FOE set the stage for what the future of eventing in Africa could look […]
The 2025 Women in MICE Awards: Celebrating Power, Progress & Purpose
Antois-Leigh Nepgen | Aug 7, 2025 | Event News, Women in MICE They say public speaking is one of the greatest fears in the world—second only to… spiders. And yet, standing on stage at the 2025 Women in MICE Awards, surrounded by over 160 guests and the most inspiring women in the events industry, the fear quickly turned to fire. […]
