How Businesses Can Join The Rand Show SMME Summit
How Businesses Can Join The Rand Show SMME Summit. Following the incredible success of the inaugural 2023 SMME Summit at the Rand Show, South Africa’s ultimate consumer exhibition, this year’s Summit is taking things to a whole new level.
“Throughout our history, the Rand Show has always helped to launch, support, and grow business for South Africans in the SMME space,” says Adele Hartdegen, CEO of the Rand Show. “This year our dedicated focus is on showcasing SMME success stories at our Summit.” The purpose of the Rand Show SMME Summit is to directly link SMMEs with corporate and public sector representatives that play a role in the SMME sector in terms of funding, training, and access to market. The Rand Show will also be introducing a pitching forum for youth entrepreneurs with a prize of R10,000 to the development of their business.
SMMEs who sign up for selected stand packages will benefit from two significant concepts designed to aid SMMEs to increase profit, grow their businesses, and set themselves up for success – in addition the incredible foot traffic they will get at The Rand Show (last year saw more than 80,000 people in attendance). The first concept is a competition in which business stands will be judged by Rand Show attendees. This carries a cash prize total of R50,000 towards the business’ development as well as significant PR benefits for the winner.
Every SMME exhibiting in Hall 7 will have the opportunity to register to attend the SMME Summit, and only SMMEs who attend the Summit will qualify for the cash prize. Attendees of the Rand Show will engage with the SMME stands and rate their experience via the Rand Show app, judging them on three criteria: stand look and feel, service received, and product on offer.
The winning SMME will receive a cash prize of R50,000 towards the development of their business, but they will be required to provide feedback to the Rand Show on how the money was spent and how it contributed to their business over the next 12-month period. The Rand Show PR team will interview the winning SMME and create post-show campaigns, and the SMME will receive exposure on the Rand Show social and digital media platforms where the ‘winning cheque’ will be handed over on the last day of the show.
The second concept will see all those classified as SMMEs invited to attend a free SMME business summit alongside corporate and public sector representatives who can assist in the areas of finance, training, and market access. The full-day summit will take place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre at Nasrec and will focus on helping businesses with everything from gaining funding to taking their products to market.
