GTA backs powerhouse injection into Joburg’s economic and cultural life

Over R200million in deals are concluded annually by trade visitors to Decorex Joburg and roughly 75% of these professionals are returning guests. The show creates over 1000 jobs – more than 400 are permanent roles and more than 500 are generated as temporary support for the event – and in excess of 3000 external suppliers are contracted, benefiting financially from the four-day-long showcase.

Then there’s the investment made by the event organisers RX themselves to mount the show. In 2023, Decorex Joburg spent over R8million on stand builders, ticketing providers, security services, cleaning, painting, regional marketing, electricians and the like.

The annual event is a high-impact, economic powerhouse that plays a vital role in Joburg’s economy. In addition to its impressive trade focus, the show is also a highlight of the Gauteng cultural calendar, attracting over 30 000 local and international consumer guests to the Sandton Convention Centre. In 2023 there were 31987 guests of which 11515 were trade.

The organisers mount a regional-specific publicity campaign which generates over R37million in media exposure values. This is significant media coverage for Joburg and promotes Gauteng as Africa’s premiere design and lifestyle destination.

A boost for local tourism, approximately 18% of consumers and 11% of trade visitors originate from outside Joburg, while domestic visitors queue up to access the show. Local visitors come from all 9 of the South African Provinces, with notable numbers from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State and Northwest.

International visitors hail from Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Botswana, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Due to its positive impact, Decorex Joburg has been previously supported by the Gauteng Tourism Agency (GTA) in 2022 and 2023 and the GTA has once again come on board as Host City for the 2024 event that takes place from 1-4 August 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre. As part of this, the GTA will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place on 01 August 2024 in the Future Talks arena, located in the 100% Design Africa hall at the show. The daily Future Talks are CPD-accredited and form part of the structured and dynamic trade programme for 2024 that includes both a local focus and Pan-African trade delegation.

The latter comprises an inward mission of 20 hosted buyers from across Africa such as  Cameroon, Egypt, Botswana, Mauritius and Zambia, to name a few.

This year’s trade programme is designed for industry professionals to get the most out of their visit to an exhibition that showcases +400 exhibitors over more than 19000 square meters. Trade professionals can engage with leading designers, entrepreneurs and retailers about products and services, find new suppliers, network amongst industry players, do business matchmaking and seek potential business partners.

For 2024, show organisers RX have instituted a new Trade Connect Hub at Decorex Joburg, situated in the Renovate & Build Hall, aimed at providing opportunities for professionals to network and collaborate. ‘Exhibitors, trade visitors and delegates will have the opportunity to meet and engage on a one-on-one basis. This will lead to meaningful connections before and during the show to maximise networking and business opportunities,’ says Decorex Africa Portfolio Director Sandra Barrow.

The standard trade entry is complimentary and provides multi-day access, VIP Lounge perks, all show content, as well as CPD workshops and talks. Decision makers in the following industries, qualify for free entry: Retailers, Interior Designers and Decorators, Architects, Specifiers, Facility Managers, Spatial Planners, Hospitality Buyers, Corporate Procurement, Property Developers and so forth.

Online pre-registration via decorex.co.za is required for Free multi-day access for all trade attendees and closes Wednesday 31 August. For more information visit https://www.decorex.co.za/joburg/en-gb/trade-visitor.html.