Cape Town - Italian conferences and exhibitions company Fiera Milano has completed the full acquisition of its South African branch, Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa (FMEA).
The move will see the multinational company expand its operations in SA and Africa under a new strategy as directed by its newly appointed global CEO Corrado Peraboni. Responsible for its local implementation will be Maria Chieppa – the newly appointed general manager of FMEA, and former senior executive of the listed Italian entity.
FMEA has the Cape Town Art Fair and the Good Food and Wine Show in its portfolio.
Chieppa says FMEA sees good potential for growth in South Africa. As such it is making a R10m investment in the 2016 Good Food and Wine show. A further R8m will be invested in the Cape Town Art Fair.
Each year, the Good Food & Wine Show takes place in three different cities (Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban) to showcase innovations, trends, products and the latest developments in food and beverages, lifestyle gadgets, and appliances. In 2016, FMEA’s multi-million rand investment will be directed at transforming its format and content in collaboration with industry associations for a renewed emphasis on food and wine.
Extended exhibition hours and gala dinners will also form part of the new-look show.
In February the fourth edition of the Cape Town Art Fair will be hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and will represent more than 50 galleries from South Africa, Africa, and around the world.
Chieppa explained that South Africa, with its international airports, good infrastructure and currency value, is an attractive destination and we will be very successful in attracting business to the country. At the same time, SA will become Fiera Milano’s springboard into Africa.
"I have appointed a new management team of experts in their respective fields and we are looking for sustainable local growth, and will also use SA as a base from which to enter sub-Saharan African markets,” said Chieppa.