OATF bounces back from Covid-19

Promoting trade and fostering business networks
The decision to add a virtual component to the trade fair last year was met with praise.
Enzo Amuele
  • 8 Months Ago
The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) is returning this year for its second edition since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last year, after a two-year hiatus, the trade fair society was inspired to host a hybrid fair.

Jackson Muma, Ongwediva town council spokesperson, said careful consideration was given before organising the 2022 trade fair.

"We conducted research and concluded with a decision to host a hybrid trade fair – both virtual and physical," Muma said.

Muma highlighted that the inclusion of a virtual component to the trade fair was one of the major highlights of the 2022 OATF, receiving positive feedback from exhibitors and the public alike.

"When we engaged our sponsors, they came on board to exhibit virtually, and it worked for us. However, when we did an analysis, we found that we needed to do more education on virtual fairs to have more visitors on the platform and exhibitors," he said.

The hybrid trade fair was the first of its kind in Namibia.



An unexpected success

Muma said the 2022 OATF was a big success, and it surpassed their expectations in terms of visitor numbers.

"We ended up having close to 90 000 visitors during the 2022 OATF, which we did not expect, and our projection for exhibitors was 350, but we had 368 exhibitors, with a long list of exhibitors that we could not accommodate."

He emphasised that this outcome clearly demonstrates the appeal of the OATF as an event that people are eager to be a part of, highlighting its primary objectives of promoting trade, facilitating exhibitions, and fostering business networking.



Learn from each other

Muma also highlighted the challenge they face regarding limited space, as they often receive a significant number of exhibitors who cannot all be accommodated.

"We might need to expand our facilities to accommodate all the exhibitors who want to participate in OATF," he said.

Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of collaboration and mutual learning among trade fairs. Muma cited the agreement between the Ongwediva Trade Fair Society and the Okakarara Trade Fair Society as an example, specifically in the field of agriculture, where they can exchange knowledge and experiences.

The 2023 OATF gala dinner raised over N$1 million in funding, and 450 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products and services this year at the trade fair.