The 2019 Mediatech Africa expo was well supported with a strong exhibitor profile. The show attracted 7 700 unique visitors from four continents, representing a six percent increase in attendance since the last iteration of the show.

The Mediatech showroom floor was host to 100 exhibitors, representing some of the leading local distributors and a contingent of international equipment manufacturers.

"We are proud that more than 30 international equipment manufacturers had their own brand presence at Mediatech Africa 2019, demonstrating a strong vote of confidence not only in the show, but in the African market as a whole," says Simon Robinson, Mediatech show director,

As an expo, Mediatech Africa strives to present the opportunity for players in six sectors to view and assess the latest media and entertainment technologies on home ground.

The event showcases the same advanced technologies seen at the likes of international events such as NAB and presents a networking opportunity for sector professionals from across the continent.

According to Robinson, the exhibitors — many of whom participate in every Mediatech Africa, reported that the 2019 edition was 'as slick as any similar event abroad'.

"Mediatech Africa prides itself in providing a platform for engagement not only for the South African market but for the continent as a whole. We had visitors from all over Africa, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Nigeria and Namibia," says Robinson.

"Many of [the visitors] came to the show to seek out professional tech solutions to support the continent's rapidly growing commercial, broadcast and live events markets," he adds.

Robinson says that most of the exhibitors at Mediatech understand the needs of the African market, and showcase products and solutions that are designed to meet the market conditions.

"There are a number of large-scale trade shows on the international circuit that serve as a platform for the world's leading product manufacturers to launch new products and solutions. What differentiates Mediatech Africa is that most of the exhibitors at the large international trade shows showcase technologies that have been developed with Western markets in mind," he adds.

"At Mediatech Africa, exhibitors take into account the market that they are addressing and showcase solutions that are designed to meet our unique performance demands and costing requirements," Robinson says.

The final day of the show was the highpoint for the sound engineer finalists in the 'MasterMix’ competition. The competition's applicants had the opportunity to mix the separates of Refuge, an unreleased Freshlyground track.

An upbeat multi-instrumental track with brass, piano, guitar and a reggae influence; the piece was a hit with voters as they listened to the eight shortlisted entries. The winner was announced at The Academy of Sound Engineers (ASE) stand. Gavan Eckhart received an ASE bursary valued at R100 000 and a selection of gear sponsored by Wild and Marr, valued at R30 000.

With an already established and career on track, Eckhart donated the bursary back to the ASE so that a deserving up-and-coming student can benefit from his prize. With over 72 hours of educational talks, demonstrations and events — Mediatech Africa aims to provide exhibitors with the ideal platform to educate the greater market.

"It would be [a mistake] to not acknowledge that South Africans are struggling to overcome mounting economic pressures and there are few (if any) in the country who have not been directly affected by the current economic downturn," Robinson adds.

"The feedback that we received from exhibitors and visitors alike has been unprecedented," says Robinson. "This show laid the foundations for an incredible exhibition in 2021, where we will continue to build on the formulae for success that we have built over the last 10 shows. We look forward to seeing what the next iteration of Mediatech will bring," Robinson concludes.

For more information, visit www.mediatech.co.za. You can also follow Mediatech Africa on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.