PROPAK West Africa 2017 brought together an enthusiastic packaging and print community, with exhibitors reporting high volumes of quality sales leads from senior industry representatives eager to invest.
The exhibition has published its initial findings complete with record-breaking attendee figures. PROPAK West Africa 2017 welcomed over 3,317 professionals, which is a 21% increase from 2016. This figure is demonstrative of the volume of quality products and services on display this year, with many visitors commenting on the wide variety of solutions and broad range of exhibitors. This year’s edition also reinforced the event’s reputation as the most international trade show of its kind in West Africa, with 22 countries represented onsite.
2017 saw PROPAK West Africa at its largest to date, having grown to 1,491 square meter (SQM) size and expanding into a second specialised print-focused hall, the exhibition welcomed 41 brand new exhibitors to the floorplan to showcase their product portfolios. Visitors were able to find a comprehensive variety of suppliers and manufacturers spanning the industry.
Some of the largest exhibitors reported excellent results from the show, among them was Windmoller & Holscher, Head of Sales for Africa Peter Daniel who commented: “PROPAK West Africa has shown a high level of good projects and new customers. PROPAK West Africa is the place to be if you intend to increase your business in West Africa”. Heidelberg Nigeria’s Chairman, Jakob Bejer also commented on PROPAK West Africa 2017 thus: “Well organised and branded! Definitely taking exhibition a level up”.
With 135 participating businesses in total this year, visitors met representatives from top brands, the likes of which included; Afra, Autopack, Bobst, Exact Solutions, Fujifilm, Process & Packaging, Snetor Chime, Skysat, Tenaui, Vista, and more.
Over the 3-day exhibition, senior representatives from global brands such as Dangote, PWC, Nestle and Tetra Pak took to the conference stage in the packaging sector to lead compelling and informative sessions. Among the topics discussed were innovative packaging, brand direction, manufacturing requirements, economical opportunities such as the Pioneer Status Incentive and more. With industry veterans, the conference in the print sector dealt with issues like manpower development, beyond quality – machine versatility, counting on suppliers for after sales service, and taxation planning – antidote for business success with a panel session on post recession economy – opportunities for printers. Visitors attended these sessions in their hundreds, with most sessions completely full.
With plans well underway for 2018’s edition, 78% of this year’s exhibition space has already been re-booked following the success of the show. This level of response underlines the triumph of not only this year’s PROPAK West Africa but also of the show overall since its inaugural edition, since then, the show has grown its visitor base by 58% and has become known as the industry’s foremost comprehensive exhibition focused on packaging and print in West Africa.
George Pearson, the Regional Director of Afrocet Montgomery, the organisers of PROPAK West Africa commented “I’m extremely pleased to report that the show this year has been by all measures a real success, from visitors to our high re-book rate from the exhibitors. This puts the show in a really strong position for 2018.”
“PROPAK West Africa embodies innovation and helps businesses from across the entire region to strengthen and develop. The exhibition provides convenient access to the latest technology, solutions and products available in the market, in addition to compelling Conferences lead by industry experts. There’s no better place to fuel success! I’m looking forward to working with the team, our partners and exhibitors over the next 12 months to take PROPAK West Africa to the next level.”
Show dates for 2018 will be 18 to 20 of September. You can register your interest to attend via the website where you can also enquire about booking your stand.
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