Omega Investment Research, a Cape Town-based international trade and investment promotion and event management firm will be presenting workshops tailored to the needs of the heavy vehicle industry over the four days of the inaugural HeavyWeight Expo 2010, which will be held at the Tshwane Events centre in Pretoria West from March 23 to 26, 2010.

Established in 1990 by Dr Denis Worrall, Omega has conceptualised, initiated and managed over 200 events in 20 countries and 30 major cities around the world. Omega specialises in business-to-business events with the accent on trade and investment.

“We see huge potential for a highly focused event such as the HeavyWeight Expo,” said Denise Spaull, Omega’s General Manager: Corporate Strategy. “The heavy vehicle industry, which serves and supports many sectors that are crucial to the regional economy, is a very specialised sector that has not had its own dedicated event platform in Southern Africa until now.”

Apart from the exhibition that will showcase latest products and concepts, the HeavyWeight Show will offer five three-hour workshops that will feature topical and industry specific themes developed in close consultation with independent stakeholders. There will be top class speakers who will discuss current topics and trends relevant to the sector and Q&A sessions will be an important element.

The workshops will be of interest to all of the industry’s stakeholders from manufacturers and suppliers to financiers and end users in the construction, mining, agricultural, logistics and transport industries as well as government. “We hope to attract at least 500 delegates to attend the workshop sessions, which will run parallel to the exhibition,” said Spaull.

One session will focus on the economic outlook for the heavy vehicle industry in Southern Africa in light of the global recession and its impact on the region in general and specific sectors such as construction, mining, transport in particular.

Another session will deal with the Department of Transport’s (DoT) proposed changes to the National Road Traffic Act aimed at relieving the secondary road network and revitalising the railways. The new act has caused controversy among transport, logistics and freight stakeholders, who feel that improving the quality of roads and introducing better policing should be the Department’s main objective.

A third session will focus on environmental issues, fuel quality and clean technology in the transport sector – issues that are rapidly gaining global importance and which will have an impact on the heavy vehicle sector in Southern Africa sooner rather than later.

Other themes that will be discussed in the workshop sessions include equipment financing in a credit-tight environment, the construction industry post the 2010 FIFA World Cup, motor industry incentive programmes and much more.

“At the end of the day we want to provide stakeholders in the heavy vehicle industry with a strategic platform to discuss latest trends and network with peers, customers, suppliers and government stakeholders,” said Spaull.

Enquiries regarding participation in the workshops can be directed to Kim Smith at Omega Investment Research on tel. +27 (0) 21 689 7881 or email: kims@omegainvest.co.za

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