Speed Marketing Session at INDABA gives local buisinesses access to quality hosted buyers

The highly regarded INDABA speed marketing sessions connect local trade and international hosted buyers in a fast paced controlled, yet impactful environment. The Speed Marketing sessions give buyers easy access to South African SMME’s, who are already established in the South African Domestic market. The Speed Marketing sessions have been moved from 12h30 to 08h30 to give buyers the opportunity to schedule additional meetings with exhibitors.

These sessions have been well received by local product who appreciate the opportunity available to introduce and market their business to the international hosted buyers in attendance.

“The local SMME’s play a pivotal role in all sectors including tourism. Their contribution to job creation and alleviating poverty is well documented,” explains Thulani Nzima, Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism.

“The speed marketing platforms afford our local trade with smaller and select platform from which they can showcase and promote their business to the hosted buyers,” he says.

Around 40 tourism products will make four- to five-minute presentations or ‘sales pitches’ to the international hosted buyers over two sessions. Participating exhibitors will be given five minutes to excite buyers about their spectacular product and demonstrate that as entrepreneurs they understand how to operate, market and package their offerings in line and in response to local and global trends. Each will be moderated by rugby legend Chester Williams.

“We are excited to have Chester Williams on board as Master of Ceremonies (MC) of the speed marketing sessions. He is recognised and renowned the world over for his speed and agility on the field. We look forward to seeing him in action and believe he will make a dynamic contribution to the event,” says Nzima.

South African Tourism has partnered with Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) and Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP) to stage the two speed marketing sessions under the themes: Fair Trade Tourism and More Hidden Treasures.

“We are delighted about our partnership with Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) and Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP). As our partners, they are as equally passionate about the development and promotion of our local tourism sector, and in particular, the importance of the local SMME’s to our country’s economy,” he says.

Fair Trade Tourism refers to products and establishments who beyond taking care of their environment, are big on social responsibility, sustainability practises and giving back to communities. More Hidden Treasures pertains to the unique countrywide innovative products including heritage products and unique attractions that offer insight into the people of South Africa.

Both topics are of growing interest to discerning tourists eager to know more about a destination’s unique offerings. For this traveller, the comfort in knowing that their money is going towards uplifting someone’s life, is just as valuable as a holiday experience of a life time.

The INDABA speed marketing sessions take place at Room 22 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre. The Fair Trade Tourism session will take place on 09 May while the Hidden Treasures will be on 11 May 2015. Both are scheduled to start at 08h30 and end at 10h00.

Products participating are listed below: