Africa Travel WeekEvents as we know them have been disrupted and we have been forced to embrace new solutions for our partners. Adversity often helps us to foster innovation and our current reality has prompted the rapid development of online platforms.
As businesses and industries experience disruption, Reed Exhibitions remains open for business. With over 500 events across 44 industries around the world, our focus now prioritises how we can support companies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The power of Reed Exhibitions globally has enabled us to rapidly respond and to assist our clients in future-proofing their businesses.
Virtual events are becoming our current reality and modern technology allows for creativity and exciting opportunities. They enable a wider audience reach and online tools ensure that they are measurable. Digital solutions are about supporting industries at a time of crisis.
The travel industry is lucrative to global economies and will bounce back as soon as borders open again. While we remain acutely aware of the impact that this pandemic has had on travel and tourism, we need to focus on ways to navigate these challenges and to stay relevant. It was with this in mind that our Africa Travel Week Connect platform was created and we hope that you will refer to it for critical information and creative ways to remain relevant.
A PLATFORM FOR YOU
Africa Travel Week Connect is a platform for you. Here you will find webinars with industry experts on what we can do now. Our ‘Armchair Travel’ section showcases the beauty of Africa and our exhibitors’ incredible destinations and products. You will be able to enjoy a ‘Travel with Me Series’ where thought leaders will share their experiences and tips that are relevant to our current reality. Niche travel sectors will be focused on and travel bans will be examined as the world slowly starts to open its borders again.
As digital solutions develop and play a significant role, they will always be complementary to our live events. What the current situation has highlighted is that nothing will ever truly replace the importance and benefits of face-to-face interactions. As we emerge from this crisis our industry will need to rally together more than ever. But for now, we remain committed to supporting our partners.
One thing that remains certain is that this experience has highlighted a new awareness in humanity of their desire to interact personally and enjoy live events. May we take away a multitude of insights and learnings from this as we look forward to integrated digital platforms with our exhibitions in the future.
We invite you to be part of the journey with us as Africa Travel Week – where the world returns home.
We cannot wait to connect with you face-to-face soon in our Host City of Cape Town!
Carol Weaving, MD: Reed Exhibitions Africa
and Megan Oberholzer: Portfolio Director: Africa Travel Week
