Zimpapers, MAZ to hold expo

Business Reporter
Zimbabwe’s largest newspaper group, Zimpapers in partnership with Marketers Association of Zimbabwe will hold the second edition of Marketers Suppliers Expo (MASXPO) in Harare from March 20-21 this year. Launched in March last year, the MASXPO initiative has become Zimbabwe’s ultimate marketing promotions and events trade exhibition which seeks to create a centralised market place for marketers’ products and interested parties

The event would run under the theme: “Revolutionising Brand Exposure”. In an interview with The Herald Business yesterday, MAZ business development manager Ms Loreen Chari said the platform is meant to bring marketers together from across the country.

“The event draws together corporates, SMEs and private sector players since every business requires effective and economical marketing tool to increase market share.

“There is no point in running a business when people do not know about it. Exhibitions are a must in the tool boxes of businesses that are seeking to be relevant in the 21st century,” she said

Ms Chari said: “The theme of the event was birthed out of the need to improve recognition of both local and regional brands.”
She said the goal of a sound brand exposure strategy was to increase demand, which in turn provides options to choose opportunities.

Ms Chari said an excellent brand exposure strategy would be to bring together diverse potential customers under one roof through exhibitions.
The expo will launched by Professor Muranda, a marketing consultant, on March 20.

Zimpapers, Ms Chari said will sponsor the breakfast launch, which will serve as a pertinent link to other marketers and will open doors for networking.

Last year’s expo attracted about 200 visitors on each day of the exhibition.
This year, MAZ is targeting a diverse audience and an array of local and regional exhibitors which include print media, outdoor media, branding companies, SMEs, as well as ICT service providers. Taking part in this exhibition keeps the business fraternity abreast with the latest trends in their particular industry and it adds convenience by bringing consumers under one roof.

Exhibitions are regarded as a large investment, particularly by small-and medium-sized businesses as they bring about significant benefits in the long term.

The expo will allow for face to face communication, which can help forge productive relationships with key people. Over time, these contacts can become powerful advocates that actively support and promote your business.

“Although the advent of technology has been positive, the personal interface that one has with the consumer is priceless,” Ms Chari added.