 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||
All the big guns under one roo... Civilian firms benefit from downtur... International cutbacks catalyse new idea... Denel shines its tarnished imag... Armaments maker learns to adapt to survi... Aerotek masters of high-tec... Aircraft safety in good hand... Co-operation is the key to growt... Change keeps Grintek ahead of the gam... Vital decisions in an instan... Wave of reform sweeps SA markets into gl... Warrants satisfy investors' appetite for... Reforming finance: The fast way to the ... Strict Y2K disclosure requirements... Poachers set sights on top-ranked analys... Shop window for budding entrepreneur... A flying start for franchisin... There's a franchise to suit every pocke... Vetting of exhibitors cuts risk... Global interest in SA market... |
Shop window for budding entrepreneursBigger and better than ever, the popular Biz 98 expo showcases everything an entrepreneur needs to get up and running, reports DAVID JACKSON. JEREMY GLYN took the pictures MORE than 20 000 visitors and aspiring entrepreneurs are expected to attend the sixth international franchising and business opportunities exhibition, Biz 98 - the longest running and largest show of its kind in Africa.
This year's expo will be held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand from September 3-6. An innovation this year is that Biz 98 will be a four-day show for the first time - running from Thursday to Sunday inclusive.
Show visiting times are from 10am to 7pm, Thursday to Saturday, and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Entrance to the exhibition is R20, which includes a free programme and comprehensive exhibitor guide.
The central focus of Biz 98 is to aggressively promote entrepreneurship and to encourage potential business owners to visit the show to sound out self-employment opportunities.
With an increasing number of people becoming the casualties of company downsizing and retrenchment - or for those who simply want to make a fresh start - Biz 98 is seen as providing an ideal opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to take the first crucial step on the ladder to running their own business.
This year's exhibition will feature more than 220 stands offering business opportunities ranging from franchising to agencies and distributorships - and a variety of other opportunities.
Also on display will be the latest technologies, new products and services, as well as advisory centres to assist entrepreneurs in expanding or improving the efficiency of their business.
Mike Anderson, managing director of Biz Marketing, says: "Collectively we are getting many more participants to the show - both visitors and exhibitors - as well as a growing international representation because the market is booming with organisations around the world who are coming in to South Africa and want to take part in providing business opportunities."
Fred Minken, president of RAI Group International Communications, will be in SA to officially open Biz 98 this year. The RAI Group, based in Amsterdam, is regarded as one of the most progressive and largest exhibition companies in the world.
Anderson says the RAI Group has entered into a partnership agreement with the Biz show because of the show's impressive growth and success in Africa. The RAI Group is to drive the worldwide marketing of the Biz show in order to attract a broader spectrum of international visitors and exhibitors, Anderson says.
Biz has grown from 20 exhibitors and 1 500 visitors in 1993 to an expected 200 exhibitors and more than 20 000 visitors this year. The show has grown by about 54% over last year - indicative of the dramatic growth in the number of franchises and business opportunities now available in South Africa.
An exciting new dimension to the show this year is its debut at the prestigious Gallagher Estate - one of the country's premier exhibition venues. Access from the New Road interchange on the Ben Schoeman highway links directly to Phoenix Boulevard, providing unimpeded access to Gallagher Estate in a matter of minutes.
"Another exciting development is that we have a great deal more in the way of widespread and diversified franchise and business opportunities," says Anderson. "Biz is now a true international forum as an entrepreneurial centre for people who are keen to start their own business.
"The circle of entrepreneurship has now been completed with the Absa Bank international business lounge, where would-be entrepreneurs can network with the prospective franchisor in an appropriate setting.
"Not only are we providing more opportunities this year, but we are also providing facilities so that business can take place in a pleasant environment to discuss what, after all, is potentially one of the biggest investments in a person's life."
|