Successful Retirement Expo to be renamed Investment and Retirement Expo, to meet SA demands

The event, staged at the Coca Cola dome in Johannesburg this month, attracted visitors of all ages and realised an 18% increase in attendance, says Lynn Chamier, General Manager of event organiser Thebe Exhibitions & Projects.

While this year’s event was targeted at people over the age of 45 planning for eventual retirement, feedback from expo visitors indicates that there is growing interest across all age groups in investment and overall lifestyle planning, as people seek a better work-life balance and focus on personal growth.

In line with this demand, the expo will expand its focus in 2014, and will be rebranded the Investment and Retirement Expo. It will be staged by Thebe Reed Exhibitions, formed as a result of Reed Exhibitions, part of the FTSE listed Reed Elsevier Group, signing a joint venture agreement with Thebe Tourism Group Pty Limited to acquire a 60% share in Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group (TEPG) in South Africa.

The expanded focus is set to enhance an already-successful event with a three-year track record of growth. Backed by a strategic and comprehensive marketing campaign worth nearly R8 million, the expo focused on retirement planning products, lifestyle, health, financial and other products and services, travel destinations, properties, home, hobbies and fitness products and security and care products and services. Visitors also enjoyed access to workshops on financial planning and health. The event saw visitors discovering a wealth of achievable lifestyle options, and exhibitors networking and securing extensive new sales prospects.

"Visitors asked important and excellent questions, and we had very good feedback from them,” said Hannelie Stoop of Nedbank; while Willie Nel of Just Wills commented: "There is a definite need for our service. We had quality visitors, who came with purpose. We have identified new market opportunities as a result of the expo and generated solid leads.”

"We received more than 150 serious enquiries over the 3 days of the expo. It has also been a great opportunity to educate people about what we do,” said Garnessa Home.

Chamier says feedback such as this underlines the value of expos, where visitors have the unique opportunity to discover a wide range of related products and services under one roof. "Exhibiting at expos such as the Investment and Retirement Expo allows businesses to gain valuable exposure, network and build relationships with potential customers and reach thousands of qualified new prospects in just a few days,” she says.

Event sponsor Efficient Group notes that South Africans have traditionally been poor savers and long-term financial planners. However, people are showing growing interest in taking steps to ensure their long-term wellbeing and lifestyle goals. Efficient Group Chief Economist Dawie Roodt believes that it is crucial for every household to have a financial plan. "You need a plan that encompasses everything from education, holidays and household budget to retirement. With the help of a good financial advisor, you can ensure that your portfolio remains relevant to the current market conditions, and proactively aims to ensure financial stability after retirement,” he says.

According to on-site research conducted at this year’s Retirement Expo,

• 64% of visitors were not yet retired and 36% were already retired

• 44% of visitors were aged between 55 and 64; 35% were aged 65 and over; 10% were aged between 45 and 54 and a small, but growing number of visitors were aged between 25 and 34

• 97% of the visitors said they would recommend the expo to their friends /colleagues

• Visitors aged 45+ indicated that they wanted to re-evaluate and boost their financial and lifestyle planning

• Visitors aged 60 – 70 said they were entering retirement and evaluating their current lifestyle and financial posit ion, as well as seeking guidance on meaningful lifestyle choices, health and wellness support

• The top reasons for visitors’ attendance at the expo were to look for ideas; see new products and services; to speak to experts in retirement and investment planning and to attend workshops

 

If your target market includes active, engaged and motivated investment and retirement planners, then you should be represented at the Investment and Retirement Expo 2014, sponsored by the Efficient Group.

The Investment and Retirement Expo 2014 will be staged by Thebe Reed Exhibitions at the Coca Cola dome from 24 – 26 October 2014. Secure your participation by contacting Lynne Levy at [email protected] or calling (011) 549 8300. For more information visit www.retirementexpo.co.za or follow @retirementexpo on Twitter and find us on Facebook.