The Eastern Cape’s first 'Virtual Business Exhibition' will be held on June 11 and 12,2020 as part of a response to assist battered Eastern Cape companies to reconnect, trade and grow sales.

While certain lockdown regulations will be lifted in phases during May, social distancing will persist and businesses will need to find affordable and dynamic ways in which to capture sales and customers, said organiser Andrew Binning, of Inkanyezi Events.

“The Eastern Cape’s first virtual exhibition is open to business of all sizes and across all sectors, throughout the region as a vibrant, 3D and interactive way to reach record-breaking visitor numbers,” he added.

The cost to exhibit is R1 500, excluding VAT, and provides each participating business with a branded, virtual exhibition presence, with the capability for visitors to view company video inserts, special offers and also to instant message or live chat.

Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO, Nomkhita Mona, said the chamber recognised the massive disruption to business and individuals that has been caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown.

“The measures and interventions announced by government are necessary to curb a widespread outbreak of the virus,” Mona said.

“It is therefore important for businesses to embrace technology of some form to ensure business continuity where possible.

“The Business Chamber thus acknowledges the importance of the virtual business exhibition initiative and hopes it will create an alternative platform for businesses to showcase their products and services beyond the metro region,” Mona added.

Binning said visitors, using any device that accessed the internet, would enter the expo free, navigate through the floorplan, read company profiles, view video reels, visit a company website and live chat or mail exhibitors, while browsing through various ‘pavilions’ and areas of interest like the auto showroom or wine tasting, coffee bar, food court or sit a while in the seminar room.

The expo will be open and live only on June 11 and 12, 2020