Industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders recently congregated at the prestigious Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) ROAR Awards ceremony, marking a celebration of excellence and innovation within the African exhibition community. The event was a platform where accolades were bestowed upon deserving recipients who had demonstrated outstanding contributions to the industry.

Among the distinguished awardees were Specialised Exhibitions, a prominent division of the esteemed Montgomery Group, which garnered recognition for its outstanding achievements in marketing and public relations for Propak Cape 2023. Propak Cape stands as a pinnacle event in the realm of packaging innovation exhibitions, acclaimed as the largest trade exhibition of its kind in the Western Cape region.

Mark Anderson, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions, expressed elation at receiving the award, stating: ‘We were thrilled to receive the award for Propak Cape. Over 7 000 visitors engaged with our almost 200 exhibitors at the show, and thousands of new packaging and related products and innovations were on display. There was a palpable high energy experienced throughout the three days and the feedback we received was excellent. This award is testimony to the extensive marketing campaign we had in place. My thanks go to the marketing and PR team.’

The triumph at the AAXO Awards, which also included the accolade of ‘Best Trade Exhibition’ for Securex 2023, adds to the string of successes achieved by Specialised Exhibitions. In January, the company clinched four EXSA-LLENCE Awards, including an Association Award for Best Collaboration Large event/exhibition for Propak Cape 2023, recognition as the ‘Best Organiser in 2022 and 2023’, and individual awards for Securex and Electra Mining Africa, bestowed by the Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA).

Reflecting on the recognition received, Anderson remarks: ‘We really appreciate the industry’s recognition of our achievements and it spurs us on to achieve greater success at our next shows. We’re looking forward to Propak Africa, which is taking place at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg from 11-14 March 2025. Known as Africa’s definitive packaging, printing, food processing, plastics and labelling trade exhibition, the show will again attract thousands of industry decision-makers with purchasing power and influence. It is an unparalleled platform to link people and products and to build quality business connections.’

He adds: ‘We also look forward to Propak Cape 2026, which is taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 27-29 October 2026.’

For further details on both these landmark exhibitions, interested parties are encouraged to visit www.propakafrica.co.za and www.propakcape.co.za. These platforms promise to provide comprehensive information about the events, enabling stakeholders to engage and participate effectively.