(IFES President Jörg Zeißig (left) and EXSA Chair Sibusiso Mncwabe (right) signed a three-year partnership agreement to strengthen collaboration between the two associations and expand exhibition industry connections across Southern Africa and beyond.)
The three-year agreement focuses on advocacy, education, and business development in the exhibitions sector.
This article is based on a press release issued by IFES.
The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) has signed a three-year agreement with the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), following years of collaboration between the two organizations.
Signed in Brussels in September by IFES President Jörg Zeißig and EXSA Chair Sibusiso Mncwabe, the Memorandum of Understanding lays out shared goals in training, knowledge-sharing, and helping participants gain more exposure on the global stage.
According to both groups, the agreement aims to support the international exhibitions sector by focusing on advocacy, education, sustainability efforts, and growing business opportunities in multiple regions.
“Collaboration is the foundation of progress,” says Zeißig. He added that formalizing the partnership with EXSA opens the door to new perspectives and creates broader opportunities for industry professionals across Southern Africa.
As part of the agreement, stakeholders from both associations will have access to joint programs, shared industry events, and new opportunities to connect across regions. One focus of the partnership is to raise the profile of participants and help them build relationships in new international markets, with a spotlight on the growing role of Southern Africa in the exhibitions world.
“This agreement formalizes years of practical collaboration between our associations,” says Mncwabe. “It represents an important step in ensuring that Southern Africa’s exhibition industry is recognized internationally, while creating tangible benefits through shared knowledge, advocacy, and expanded networks.”
Southern Africa continues to serve as a hub for regional cooperation and a gateway to broader African markets. Its exhibition and business events sector supports tourism, infrastructure development, and international business connections.
According to a press release issued by IFES, the agreement outlines a clear structure for collaboration, built on shared goals and mutual support, and is intended to strengthen industry ties worldwide.
The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) connects professionals in the global exhibition and events industry through a trust-based network designed to inspire collaboration, drive innovation, and enable sustainable growth. For more info, visit www.ifesnet.org.
The Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), founded in 1980, represents and supports suppliers, organizers, venues, and service providers across the exhibition and events industry in Southern Africa. For more info, visit www.exsa.co.za.
