ZITF exhibitors should be pro-active
Published On June 30, 2015 » 1528 Views» By Administrator Times » Opinion
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WHEN will exhibitors for the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) learn to prepare their stands and booths in good time?
As this year’s trade fair opens gates to the public today, scenes of people trying to beat the deadline of preparations are
prominent.
Never has there been a time when exhibitors have prepared their stands in good time but the widespread practice degenerates into a last-minute rush and panic.
We feel something should be done to address this problem. There is need to improve this odd story for the betterment of future preparations.
Those who have been to the trade fair grounds in the Copperbelt provincial capital, Ndola can attest to the fact that both foreign and local exhibitors go on with the so-called “final touches” to their stands even on the opening day.
This is not ZITF management’s fault; it is purely a case of poor planning by some individual exhibitors who make up their mind to participate at the fair late.
One wonders what is discussed in pre-trade fair exhibitors’ meetings that are convened by ZITF management whenever the trade fair approaches.
Don’t they review hurdles and challenges encountered in the previous show?
Don’t they meet to plan ahead? It has been said before that failing to plan, or procrastination, is actually planning to fail.
There are consequences to late preparations of anything, worse still with events that are subjected to competitions, as inspection maybe called when one is not ready.
Considering that most of the stand and booths require touches of paints, carpentry, plumbing and electrical works, it then becomes hazardous for one to be doing final touches at a time the event opens to public.
Imagine patrons stepping on wet paints, ducking electrical and plumbing fittings as they visit stands in the trade fair!
We feel there should be a serious deadline set for every exhibitor to complete works on their stands, say at least a week before the actual opening day.
ZITF management, however, deserves praise for playing their role in
ensuring that the infrastructure is done in accordance with the expectation of all stakeholders.
“Prosperity through business reforms and linkages,” is a timely theme in view of providing exhibitors an opportunity to celebrate past achievements and set a platform for them to position themselves for years ahead.
It was late President Michael Sata who expressed concern about the infrastructure at the trade fair and bemoaned the dilapidated stands and dusty grounds.
It is good that the scenario has since changed; K2.5 million has so far been invested in the refurbishment of the grounds and purchase of major equipment.
That kind of investment has not gone to waste as improvements on the inner roads and some stands and booths are visible.
The trade fair is designed as an exhibition stage organised for companies, individual traders and manufacturers to showcase and demonstrate their products and services.
We know that trade fairs have also been used to assess activities of rival firms, examine modern market trends and opportunities.
Looking at the works done so far, ZITF qualifies its relevance with a Mission Statement; “to be a premier forum which promotes trade, investment and a platform of choice.”
Exhibitors need to seize this opportunity to translate this year’s theme as a passage to redefine and enhance the way of doing business.
This would be highlighted through business forum interactions in the fields of investment, tourism, energy, transport, banking, financing and marketing.
We have no doubt that the 2015 edition of the ZIFT will fulfill the intended objective; to promote trade and investment. OPINION

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