PRESS RELEASES 2008

(Electra Mining Africa, Elenex Africa, Machine Tools Africa)

Space sold out for international mining, industrial, construction and electrical show
 
On the international calendar, Electra Mining Africa is ranked as the second largest mining show in the world and the biggest trade exhibition in southern Africa, and is a recognised gateway into Africa for local and global investors looking for new business opportunities in the mining, construction, industrial and power generation industries. 
 
Interest has escalated in the show, which takes place from 8 - 12 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, NASREC, and exhibiting space for Electra Mining Africa and Elenex Africa - internationally respected as Africa’s leading power generation, electrical engineering and lighting exhibition - has been sold out, confirming the confidence in the market and the prominent status of the show locally and internationally.
 
Furthermore, this year in Hall 9, the Machine Tools Africa exhibition will be on show, co-locating with Electra Mining Africa. This exhibition is also fully booked and is once again endorsed by the Machine Tool Merchants Association of South Africa.  The last officially sanctioned show was held in 2004.
 
"The broad scope of these shows brings these coinciding industry sectors together at one location for visitor and exhibitor convenience," says John Kaplan, Managing Director at Specialised Exhibitions, organisers of the shows. "It’s a platform to showcase the latest developments, technologies, trends, products and services in all sectors of these industries."
 
Held every second year, Electra Mining Africa celebrated its eighteenth successful year in 2006 achieving exceptional growth over 2004 with exhibitor numbers swelling to 690 - an increase of 15% - and contracted floor space increasing to 31,000 m². Attracting over 35,000 top-level decision makers, many exhibitors reported excellent sales and sales leads.
 
Exciting news has also been announced that again this year the Department of Minerals and Energy will run Mining Week con-currently with the show and that major buyers of equipment from various parts of the world will visit the shows, organised through the DTI’s export arm, the Capital Equipment Export Council.
 
"SAMDA is also considering organising a high-level delegate conference to coincide with Electra Mining Africa, attracting high profile senior industry players, which we believe will offer even greater value-add," says Kaplan.
 
"With such high-level Government support, concurrent Mining Week activities, commitment from hundreds of exhibitors, endorsement and support from leading Associations and Institutions, and the positive growth reflected in the 2006 show, even further growth is anticipated for both Electra Mining Africa 2008 and Machine Tools Africa," concludes Kaplan.
 
Both Exhibitions take place at the Expo Centre, NASREC, Johannesburg, from 8 – 12 September 2008, together with Elenex Africa. For more information contact Specialised Exhibitions at +27 (0) 11 835 1565 or go to www.specialised.com
 
ends
 

Floor space selling fast for biggest trade exhibition in southern Africa

On the international calendar, Electra Mining Africa is ranked as the second largest mining show in the world and the biggest trade exhibition in southern Africa, and is a recognised gateway into Africa for local and global investors looking for new business opportunities in the mining, construction, industrial and power generation industries.

"The broad scope of the show brings these coinciding industry sectors together at one location for visitor and exhibitor convenience," says John Kaplan, Managing Director at Specialised Exhibitions, organisers of the show. "It’s a platform to showcase the latest developments, technologies, trends, products and services in all sectors of these industries."

Held every second year, Electra Mining Africa celebrated its eighteenth successful year in 2006 achieving exceptional growth over 2004 with exhibitor numbers swelling to 690 - an increase of 15% - and contracted floor space increasing to 31,000 m². Attracting over 35,000 top-level decision makers, many exhibitors reported excellent sales and sales leads.

"Exhibitors are motivated, vibrant people who put a whole lot of effort into this exhibition, but they also enjoy the rewards of their hard work," says Kaplan, going on to explain that, "we set new records with over 98% of available space sold months ahead of the 2006 show, and the same pattern is developing for 2008. Space is going fast and we still have almost a year to go."

Following trends of previous years, the 2006 exhibition attracted a high number of international visitors, including an inward buying mission organised by the South African Capital Equipment Export Council, which brought major buyers of capital equipment from countries where mining and building construction activities play an important part in their economies.

"The mining industry continues to experience major growth with new ventures, expansions and upgrades - many developing to keep up with China's apparently insatiable demand for commodities," says Kaplan. "In addition, with South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the country has embarked on major infrastructure projects that demand a massive input of supplies and machinery. This is good news for general industry beyond 2010, and for Electra Mining Africa 2008."

The exhibition enjoys strong support from the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with the DME’s Mining Week coinciding with the show.

"With such high-level Government support, concurrent Mining Week activities, commitment from hundreds of exhibitors, endorsement and support from leading Associations and Institutions, and the positive growth reflected in the 2006 show, even further growth is anticipated for Electra Mining Africa 2008," concludes Kaplan.

Electra Mining Africa 2008 takes place at the Expo Centre, NASREC, Johannesburg, from 8 – 12 September 2008. For more information contact Specialised Exhibitions at +27 (0) 11 835 1565 or go to www.specialised.com