2010 Windhoek Show praised by organisers

THE Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show ended on a high note this year, attracting almost 100 000 visitors to the showgrounds during the past week.

Harald Schmidt, executive vice president of the Windhoek Show Society said one of the highlights at this year’s show was the participation and success of the livestock section.
The livestock programme of the Windhoek Show has increasingly proven to be the premier event of the Namibian small and large livestock breeding section, and this year was no different, Schmidt said.
He said the national championships held by the Van Rooi and Persian Sheep Breeders as well as the national championships of the Limousine Cattle Breeders, and the Braunvieh Breeders championships were highly successful.
On the commercial side of the exhibition, this year marked a turn-around policy which ‘culminated in a higher level of exhibition standards’ that received a positive nod from the public and exhibitors.
The turn-around strategy involved finding a ‘winning mix’ of exhibitors, ranging from established, formal private and public sector entities, paired with informal businesses that sustain themselves exclusively at public events such as shows and expos.
Schmidt also heaped praise on this year’s food outlets at the Windhoek Show, which ‘astonished all stakeholders with their good quality food at extremely affordable prices’. Visitors praised the variety of food on offer, avoiding the previous norms of selling ‘pap, wors and chops at exorbitant prices’, he said.
With a few exceptions, ‘most exhibitors had a very rewarding show’, Schmidt said, and added that 24 per cent have already booked their stands for next year.
Of the 432 stands up for grabs this year, all were sold.
As a cultural bonus, the Windhoek Show this year hosted a music extravaganza on its opening weekend, highly praised by the musicians and partygoers.
In general, the Windhoek Show provides the requisite platform for the livestock farming sector of Namibia and gives an opportunity to established and new market entrants to market and promote their products and services.
Schmidt summarised some of the industries presented at the show this year, including the renewable energy sector, the construction sector, transport sector, clothing and health and wellness sectors.
‘They have not only enrolled new clients but have successfully created awareness about themselves which lead to after-show business benefits.’
In addition, the marketplace environment creates an opportunity for networking and is seen by many as ‘one of the most important outcomes of this nine-day event’, Schmidt said.
He added that the criticism levelled at the number of public sector exhibits was less than far-sighted, as the exhibits organised by Government ministries were an opportunity to create a ‘better understanding of their governance role, whilst simultaneously seeking network relationships with their stakeholders’.
Minor changes to the fee structure this year included the abolition of the N$10 parking fee and an increase of the adult entrance fee from N$30 to N$35. The entrance fee included access to the music performances held every day at the entertainment dome.