Last week’s Association of African Exhibition Organisers AGM saw the announcement of its new Board for the 2022/23 period.

Exhibitions, together with events, have been among the industries that have been the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, requiring leaders to step up in a way that they haven’t had to before. This was clear during the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) AGM last week, during which its new Board was announced.

“The efforts of AAXO’s leadership in navigating the association through the pitfalls of the Covid pandemic and the resultant devastation of the industry showed an unprecedented level of dedication and commitment by the Board. It has been two years of lobbying government to reopen the industry, participation in developing and implementing industry Covid safety guidelines, mounting proof-of-concept events and unrelenting advocacy on behalf of the industry,” it was noted in an official announcement by AAXO.

New members of the Board were elected by those who were outgoing through an online voting process that was then independently audited. Newly elected members were announced at the last week Wednesday, 25 May 2022, as follows:

AAXO CHAIRPERSON

Devi Paulsen-Abbott – Vice-President of dmg Events

AAXO VICE-CHAIRPERSON

Tiisetso Tau – Managing Director, Synergy Business Events

AAXO TREASURER

Mark Anderson, Portfolio Director, Specialised Montgomery

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chanelle Hingston – Group Director, Vuka

Projeni Pather – Managing Director, Exposure Marketing

Sandra Barrow – Event & Marketing Director, Media 10

“The AAXO Board was fortunate to have been able to serve the greater industry, not only AAXO members over this turbulent period,” says outgoing Chair, Projeni Pather.

“Every meeting we had with government, and every contact we made during our advocacy efforts, brought our industry to the forefront. Our efforts enlightened people at government level and now, for the first time, the value of the exhibition platform is being recognised, along with our industry’s contribution to GDP. It’s a significant achievement for us all and testimony to the support we received from our members!”

“Thanks goes to Projeni, as well as the outgoing and incoming Board. Their invaluable and selfless contribution of time and effort to our industry has resulted in a strong and collaborative association being built. We are excited by the prospect of supporting the recovery and the opportunity to build our industry back better, our theme for the coming year,” says Devi Paulsen-Abbott.

On behalf of The Planner Guru and 3S Media, we would like to congratulate AAXO’s incoming Board Members and wish them all the best in their new roles as we usher in a new era for the exhibitions industry!