Markex 2016 set to scorch in Highveld winter | The Planner

Get your brand’s pulse racing by browsing the thrilling gadgets, gifts and varied marketing items on display at this year’s Markex promotional product expo – running from 6 to 7 July 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Interested in how virtual and augmented reality can transform the face of media and marketing? Ignition Marketing will be introducing the “new face of media” at Markex. Pop in at the Ignition Marketing stand (stand E27 in the general section of the show) to experience virtual and augmented reality products, and receive a free pair of Google VR glasses! Stocks are limited so don’t delay your visit.

Love colour? Lumoss Moulding will be showcasing its innovative products to quench any marketeer’s thirst. Check out its “fun-tastic” Swirl Yard Glass, which comes in a range of bright and eye-catching colours set to guarantee promotional success. Its ever-popular Party Tumbler with Cap and Straw product will also be on show, offering an entertaining yet functional use for non-spillage purposes as well as safety from bees and spiking of drinks. Simply print your logo on the tumbler and colour match the straw. And, to add some oomph to your party, check out Lumoss’s colourful Party Shot Glass Tray that comes with a dozen shot glasses.

Lumoss will also use Markex as its launch platform for its brand spanking new Sportec 12 bottle titled “The Rib” – it’s lightweight, BPA Free, has a soft-squeeze body and a large branding area. It’s never-before-seen innovative design and lightweight material guarantees a quick turnaround time for clients and is available in a funky range of colours. Lumoss Moulding can be found on stand C29 in the trade-only part of Markex 2016.

Launching a new branding process is Trade Only Gifts, on stand A38 in the reseller zone. Called “Pspec”, it takes personal branding to the next level, where not only the logo but also individual names are branded onto each product.

Although not entirely a new idea, in the past this process has been expensive and time-consuming. Trade Only Gifts has however acquired new machinery and software whereby the process can now be done without causing any delay to the normal branding time. The company says that online artwork approval will take less than a day and is pain-free! Also, it states that this process will now be easy to use and also very affordable. Trade Only Gifts will be offering free personalisation when branding a product with your client’s logo to the first 80 products selected for the launch, during the first three months.

What’s up brew? Vibrant and dynamic, Barmotion provides professional mobile bar services and will display its most popular bar service, the Specialty Coffee Bar, on stand D8 at Markex 2016. Come warm your heart this year at its stand. The bar will include the classic cappuccino, along with espressos, teas and an exotic range of spiced chai, mochas and hot chocolates.

Also on offer will be syrups, which can be combined with your coffee for an exciting taste sensation. Barmotion has created an exclusive blend combining Central and South American Arabica with East and Central African beans. Its blend has a coffee note which doesn’t overwhelm your palate and most blends of coffee are smooth with an aftertaste of delightful chocolates. Offering branded bars for any event or expo stand Barmotion’s baristas have been professionally trained to make the perfect cappuccino and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Industrial Clothing Company will be relaunching the Salty Bushwear brand in South Africa at Markex 2016 (stand B17 in the trade area). This brand was previously owned by Archer Manufacturing from Bulawayo, who achieved world renown for supplying international leading retailers back in the early 2000s.

After much difficulty in trading conditions stemming from hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, they were taken over by new parent group, Paramount Workwear. The company is now in the process of relaunching its Archer brand, well known for chinos and lounge shirts. This will be housed in its corporate image area of the portfolio. The company says that these lines are quite diverse from its traditional better end work wear brand, Javlin, whose new exciting ranges will also showcased at Markex.  

Tired of lugging your backpack and jacket around? Liberty Lockers will show off its fresh approach to the secure locker environment. Aesthetically pleasing and highly functional secure structural elements form the core of its design principles, thereby providing a non-invasive form of secure storage.  Its unique design offers both a free standing and wall-mounted option, and the lockers’ versatility lends itself tremendously to any outdoor or indoor environment.  

Looking for print on ceramic and glass that does not wash off? Oranges Mugs specialises in kiln fire branding, one of a very few that do, and performs all design, development and application on site. The company decorates by hand, which gives you the creative freedom to place your artwork anywhere and the Kiln fire process ensures that the print stays there permanently. Celebrating 10 years in business this year, Oranges will in particular showcase its exclusive and gorgeous collection, featuring artwork by the artist Portchie, which is ideal for year-end gifts.

With more than 140 targeted promotional exhibitors of which 40 are new, and less than one month to go, it’s time to book your ticket. Corporate visitors can pre-register online before the show to ensure free entry, by visiting www.markex.co.za. Alternatively, those that register at the event will be given the option of providing a business card or paying a nominal entrance fee of R50.

Entrance to the trade section is by invitation only, and they need to contact their distributor for an invitation. Alternatively, they can contact ROSA for more details. Please note that there will be a R50 entrance fee for all resellers accessing the trade-only section of the show.

Natasha Heiberg, tel: +27 (0) 10 003 3083, natashah@specialised.com