Saturday, February 15, 2014

Embedded within an Industry Trade Mission


Experience, People, Take away

Travel to South Africa in support of building client organizational brand.

Top of Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town and Cable Car

Cape of Good Hope, Overlooking both Atlantic and Indian Ocean

Joshua the Tour Guide with his Friend selling Crafts

Botanical Gardens with Table Mountain in the Background. Victorian Influence


Trade Missions 
are comprised of a group of individuals in pursuit of new business opportunities in foreign countries. They're often newsworthy as they represent a movement among those who set out toward building relations within a specific area of interest or objective. Mining Indaba is an event that is staged in Cape Town, this convention is the largest South African coming together of industry types from around the world to the continent to advance their interests in all things related to mining. The event is a corporate festival under the convention center roof where a parade of exhibition stands line up. Stands in all shapes and sizes that display both country and corporate brands. The event is unique as are similar events in other industries, only for a few days at a place and time those in the mining community and onlookers alike witness the roll out of a major industrial complex on display.

The Canadian pavilion was well positioned among exhibition stands, traffic flow rarely eased off. Australia had the largest booth akin to a fortress walled in with multi levels. Their presence next to kiosks with more open concept stands gave the impression of a dominant player in the African market. The Chinese opted for a more modest stand, theirs was open concept with no barriers to those onsite. 

An interview with the Honourable Jean Charest which unfolded at the Canadian Pavilion in Cape Town. Mr. Charest a friend of the James Bay Crees of Eeyou Istchee was instrumental in putting in place Municipal Government status for their Nation while in office as Premier within the Quebec Legislature. Mr. Charest extended the interview on behalf of the Canadian Council on Africa the client who sponsored my travels and brand building activities within South Africa.



                                   


Canadian Pavilion among delegates 

While on the ground our very thoughtful and careful tour driver Joshua drove us to a number of famous world wonders combined with walking tours of the city this added much to making the trip to Africa memorable.


Vineyard within mountain valley
Camps Bay, modernist dwellings with extensive glass on Oceanfront, Le Corbusier would be impressed
Township dwellings en route from the Cape of Good Hope

Rhinoceros at Safari Park



The Rising Africa Magazine growing trade between Nations through contract publishing