Indaba 2014 & I’m not there
So there you are, in Durban, and here I am, at home in Knysna, and unable to go to what would have been my (I think) fifteenth Indaba.
I’m really sorry about this: I wanted to be there (only cancelled my hotel booking last weekend), but for reasons I couldn’t control…
Oh well. Never mind. This is the digital age. I’ll watch the important bits from afar.
Or maybe not.
I’ve spent the last half hour on www.indaba-southafrica.co.za trying to plan my programme for the weekend: I wanted to watch some of the TechTalks on line (Google, Facebook, TripAdvisor, eTourism Frontiers, the BBC, Think! Social Media, and others are all on the schedule); I wanted to watch this evening’s inaugural discussion between the continent’s tourism ministers (theme: ‘Africa: Open for Tourism Business’); I would have loved to watch the discussions at today’s annual SMME workshop (theme: ‘Access to finance’); and I’m sure I could have learned a lot by watching the CATHSSETA skills development information sharing workshop.
But it seems none of these events will be live-streamed.
Is the irony of a bunch of social media gurus being on show – but only in real life, and not on line – apparent only to me?
So then I thought I’d spend a while looking for interesting media releases that I might want to publish. I went onto the Indaba site’s ‘My media zone,’ and there, I realised, was another irony: I’d had to register for access to the media zone – register to get behind a wall of secrecy so that I could share what the organisers want you to know …
And there, again, I found: Nada. Niks. Nothing. Ayiko. There is no database of media releases from exhibitors. Although you’d think there would be – certainly we’ve always found banks and banks of PRINTED media releases in the Indaba’s physical Media Room. (And don’t even THINK about looking for a gallery of shareable images…)
But let’s not be too hard on the organisers: the world’s enjoying three major tourism trade shows this fortnight:
- New Zealand’s TRENZ – @TRENZ2014 – www.trenz.co.nz;
- Mexico’s Tianguis Turístico – @TianguisTurMx14 – www.tianguisturisticomexico.com.mx;
- And our own dear Indaba – @SATravelTrade – www.indaba-southafrica.co.za
… And it seems they’re all not doing the same thing. Sure and they’re encouraging everyone to do their work for them: “Please Tweet yourselves hoarse!” they shout. “Feel free to Facebook your wits off!” they yell. “Go on! Instagram yourselves into oblivion!” they implore.
But they’re not making it possible for people to take part in the conversations from a distance – because those of us who aren’t in those hallowed halls in person can’t really hear what’s going on since we’re getting only snap shots, and tweets and stuff.
So I think I’ll just spend my time #grandsonning this weekend. Maybe a spot of sailing. Maybe an afternoon nap or two, too.
Sigh.
Hi Martin,
I feel the same way in that I couldn’t make it to Indaba either this year. It’s interesting when you are not there how you realise that Indaba tends to cover up its homework so you can’t see it and only lets those who are partaking (ie paying), be part of the process, which defeats the object surely..
Last week I went to the Cape Town ‘mini-me’ WTM which is trying to muscle in on the Durban indaba and I am sure it will be much bigger next year. It was well run but tiny by comparison. In fact I do think there is a feature to be had – although I don’t have time to write it – on the explosion of Indabas- Indaba Wars. It must be increasingly difficult for companies to know where to invest their marketing budget.
Have a great weekend
Paul
Brilliant article Martin, and regrettably spot on! I vote for some sailing and oyster indulgence this weekend. Also looking forward to see how the Indaba-wars will pan out as per Paul’s comment. Maybe small but targeted is the way to go? Spray and pray doesnt work any more.
LOVE IT – THANK YOU MARTIN FOR THE REFRESHING REALISM!!
Perhaps Indaba has been chased into a compromising WTM / Voting corner….a deer caught in the headlights, turning only to chase its tail!
A long way to technical integration!
Indaba results will non-the-less be interesting, if not entirely believable!
Cheers, K
Great article Martin – bizarre not to be able to access everything via live streaming. There’s not only YouTube and the rest, but short term TV channels avaiable for events like this. WAKE UP guys!
Thanks for your kind words, guys. Let’s just be clear about one thing, though: WTM Africa is a commercial event. In the end, it’s only REAL reason for existence is to make a profit for Reed Exhibitions. Indaba is funded ultimately by the taxpayer: it’s our event. If it fails, it’ll fail. If WTM Africa fails, it’ll go to another destination. Indaba doesn’t have that option.
I’ll continue to support it – but, like a wayward child, it needs a LOT of upbraiding in order to keep it on its feet.
What bothers me about travel trade shows in particular is that it’s all about the people not in the room — the locals scattered around the country and the visitors, national and international. If there are no attempts to inform and engage everyone, the travel trade show in particular is doing a lousy job.
My friend Martin.
I have to tell you my comments about Indaba?
No I don’t think is necessary we talk some time ago about the Politic trade show where only the arcs of the Government and SA Tourism found a good Income, no the exhibitors.
Well I want to tell you about the WTM Africa. WOW what a tradeshow! Fantastic well organized and believe me, next year WTM will Rock! as they will be from the 15 to 17 April. Follow that line and then tell me.
sorry to hear you don’t participate of the Indaba 2014. But I think is time to move on and found new sources, and new challenges, Indaba bored to death! and extremely expensive. My sincere regards to you.
Hi Martin
Sorry you are not making it this year. Was hoping to catch up for a coffee. This is my 14th Indaba, I have to confess there was a time when I was excited about getting there. But the last few years have been flat, one “has to go” but when there I wonder why. Most of the people I hook up with, I chat to on a regular basis anyway, maybe meet some new people, but not like before, overall it is slow and tired.
I find the Indaba website appalling, you have to really hunt for info and once you have worked your way through the maze, there is 3 lines of info, doesn’t tell you a bloddy thing.
I am off to Indaba in the morning, saved up for a year for the expensive, crappy food, but meeting old friends is always fun in some ways, c’est la vie
Sir Martin
Nailed it again and it is not like we have not shared this point/aspect with the INDABA team in the past. I recall a few years ago when “WE” streamed an event called Responsible Tourism in Cities conference live to the world due to limited seating capacity and at the hight of the event we had more than 60 countries interacting with the panel/speakers via social media. Conversations continued for weeks after the fact. So it is possible but requires some vision and commitment from the INDABA Org…….if they are willing I am sure we could even assist. As can be gathered it would be the first time in more than two decades that I too will not be attending INDABA and the reason is simple….COST!!
Re WTM Africa…..very worthwhile, will double in size next year and yes their media centre has plenty of scope for growth but they (REED & Co are willing to listen.
Any comments re We are Africa event??
Hi Martin.
Yip! Lots happening so not at Indaba.
Your article is spot in.
However, this is not new. This the norm. And not just this event. If you in the know and established, yup, you are in the thick of things and get the physical information.
Newbies and small business unfortunately the crumbs, if that.
Hence you as Barefoot writer has been a wealth of info and access to for me.
So now that you not close to the action, you are experiencing what plenty of us on the outside deal with regularly.
And yes no matter how much you try and persevere, eish, it is very difficult, tiresome and frustrating. Especially when ‘the haves’ (access to) sit in mighty glass towers and falsely believe the ‘have nots’ are not working hard enough nor trying to succeed.
Re Indaba specific I suppose it is ‘all about the money’.
Ps. Last Indaba attended I left a day early.
Also a way bit to ‘party mode’with lots of drinkin
Nice one Martin ! We stopped going to Indaba a few years ago. It was a great social but when we costed the whole thing – a manager for the guesthouse, flights, accomodation, the stand at the show we realised it was costingus a fortune for and intangible result..
Enjoy your family !
Martin, we live in SABC country – they got exclusive live rights … I think.
Martin as usual you are spot on.
We sure missed you at a VERY quiet Indaba. Was great for me, as I could chat to people at length.
I was there and I found it relevant in some aspects and appalling in others. What saddened me was trying to meet traders who sat in their booths or at their desks and wouldn’t see you if you didn’t have an appointment.
As a result of that arrogance, I only went in on the Saturday and didn’t bother with Sunday.
I love your suggestion that Johannesburg should be the venue. It makes perfect sense.
Hi Martin,
We held our 4th breakaway workshop this year at Tourism Indaba – the best to date- booked out.
We spoke on the Impact of Climate Change on Tourism and also on the critical need for Sustainable Green Tourism. Eskom partnered with us for the second time and spoke on Energy Efficiency and Alternative Renewables. We drew 120 delegates which actually surprised even us!
The show was definitely quieter, but we felt better quality and more time to engage meaningfully with visitors to our stand.
We love the venue, but Durban is dirty, the pedestrians play “chicken” with cars at the traffic lights around the Warehouse. But City Lodge treat us like family, the shuttle to the airport and ICC is excellent.
It’s a tough one to consider moving. I would opt to stay in Durban.
Thanks for your continued, balanced insight and maverick attitude. You rock.
Lorraine
Very interesting Martin. I’m an international buyer (my company has offices in the US and the UK) who has attended Indaba for the past few years – I missed this year because I was at a wedding in the US. I have always felt that the show has a lot to offer, particularly in terms of meeting suppliers from lesser known countries and smaller SA-based suppliers who can’t necessarily afford to attend WTM in London or ITB in Berlin. However, I am not at all fond of Durban as a location for the reasons already outlined by other people (particularly inconvenience and expense) and the sentiment seems to be shared by both buyers and exhibitors. If the show is to thrive, SA Tourism needs to listen to its constituency – particularly as neither buyers nor exhibitors can spend nearly a month away from the office attending shows from mid-April through mid-May, which means choices will need to be made. If Indaba is to compete with the Cape Town-based shows, it needs to move somewhere more accessible. For international buyers (as well as many suppliers) this means Johannesburg.
Went to Indaba and made some great contacts – but why have the opportunity to meet the hosted buyers at the booths when they all already have DMC’s set up, and not interested in new business?
Indaba is DEFINITELY not geared for the small, up-and-coming tourism operators that have new and refreshing products to sell – it’s a closed monopoly run by the big guys.
Pity – it’s the small entrepreneurs that often create the most excitement for your guests.
Martin you are spot on re the poor use of technology and keeping people excluded.
This was my 13th I think. I didn’t go last year.
The show this year was quieter but with better quality in my view. The 3 day format was much better.
I participated in a speedmarketing session called Hidden Treasures – hosted by SAT and TEP. We had over 200 people attend – as opposed to one I did 2 years ago where we had about 15, all SAT staff.
SAT upped its game a bit more, and the having SADEC in the DEC was a good move.
But Indeed – DMC’s have most buyers sewn up already, and for small guys it remains a hustle. Indaba is a show of recycled business in my view. Not that many new buyers – but they were there, and more visible than the past.
And Durban……well its Durban, and JHB makes a lot more sense.
Thank you for the excellent article Martin.
Indaba would have been great if some of the new ideas had been properly organised and executed – the Premier Lounge was very quiet and the 15-17h Speed-marketing was a total fiasco.
Not only were most Buyers not aware that they had to man their booths during these sessions, but a US operator confirmed that they had Monday listed on their programs in stead of Tuesday, when we all went to see them.
If Pure-whatever can be replaced with a competent organiser like Reed, we might be able to have Indaba achieve the potential it has.
That’s Sunday iso Tuesday