South African venue and show manager Thebe parted ways with national organiser association EXSA in September following an acrimonious dispute over the launch of an event rivalling the boat show held at Johannesburg’s Coca Cola Dome; a venue it manages.
Claiming the interests of Biz Events’ National Boat Show were not defended against the launch of the rival event, Thebe MD Carol Weaving said EXSA should protect the interests of its members. She also claimed the launch of SA Show Services’ Johannesburg Boat Show was damaging to both EXSA’s members and the industry in general.
“We have lost all confidence in the way EXSA conducts its business as an association that should be protecting its members and the exhibition industry,” said Weaving, a former chairman of EXSA. She claimed to be “truly at a loss” as to why EXSA would entertain “such unethical dealings in the exhibition industry”, especially with one of its members. “Due to EXSA’s lack of integrity and fair dealing, we cannot further associate ourselves with the association,” she said.
The Johannesburg Boat Show launched on 24-26 August at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, a venue 70 per cent owned by UK-based organiser Montgomery.
But should it fall to a national association to protect its members against competition? SA Show Services has, after all, acted in accordance with South African law. Isn’t all fair in love and war?
Acknowledging Weaving’s appeal and conceding that SA Show Services’ decision to launch two-weeks prior to Biz Events’ show was an aggressive move, EXSA’s general manager Sue Gannon told EW the association’s hands in this case were tied. The association is not a legislative body, SA Show Services is not an EXSA member and South African law protects free enterprise. Gannon instead maintains Biz Events’ ship was stricken before SA Show Services sought to fill the space, with EXSA helpless to intervene.
“Two boating associations said they were unhappy with the National Boat Show and as a result, wanted to walk away,” she said. “SA Show Services saw an opportunity and while its launch two weeks before the original event is obviously deliberate, free enterprise is South African law.”
Weaving countered it is easy to “hide behind such facts when it suits”, and that the episode demonstrates EXSA does not have “real teeth”.
“Competition is fair in the exhibition business when it does not lead to confusion among exhibitors and consumers, as it did in this case and when marketing messages are unambiguous to such an extent that no intellectual property issues arise or confusion about venues and times,” she said.
But the dispute doesn’t signal the end for the National Boat Show. According to reports the 10th edition is being remarketed with a stronger focus on diving, fishing and second-hand boats, ceding luxury brands to its new rival.
Here’s hoping a niche can be found and the National Boat Show moves to less choppy waters, rather than sinking into the abyss.
This was first published in Issue 4, 2012. Any comments? Email exhibitionworld@mashmedia.net
