In March 2020, Messe Frankfurt South Africa had announced the re-branding of ATF Expo and Source Africa to all fashion sourcing Cape Town, the premier sourcing event for Apparel, Textiles, Footwear, Leather & Lifestyle. The event was scheduled to take place from 13-15 October 2020 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many processes have come to a grinding halt across most business sectors including the retail industry. As an organizer of all fashion sourcing Cape Town, Messe Frankfurt South Africa is no stranger to these impacts. Our exhibition includes various local and international sponsors, partners, exhibitors and visitors, and has seen the event having to be postponed from June to October 2020.
There is no doubt that the impact of Covid-19 threatens the very reason that exhibitions are a successful business platform as exhibition floors are viewed as an unprecedented gathering of like-minded individuals who physically come together and network in a face-to-face environment. All of which is not possible due to the current situation.
“For this reason and to continue the quest to support the apparel, textile, footwear, leather and fashion industries in Southern Africa, all fashion sourcing Cape Town will open its 2020 edition on a virtual platform,” says Kathryn Frew, Show Director for all fashion sourcing. “To ensure that we deliver a promising virtual event to our exhibitors and visitors, all fashion sourcing Cape Town will now take place from 3-5 November. This allows adequate time to prepare the platform for a successful online experience,” adds Frew.
The online event will serve as an alternative platform for manufacturers to continuously connect and network with buyers as well as keep their presence in the global market.
Key features of the platform include 3 months of engagement pre-, during and post-event, artificial intelligence (AI) powered matchmaking, personalized exhibitor and product search, scheduled video meetings and integrated live streaming of seminars.
This software-based system allows visitors and exhibitors to forgo the expense of travel while benefiting from some of the amenities of a traditional exhibition.