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Molline Gagare Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) has launched a mobile application that will enable exhibitors interact, plan their schedules and arrange meetings with potential clients through an integrated online matchmaking tool. ZITF Company’s marketing and public relations manager, Stella Nkomo, said the app will give the participants and guest speakers, exhibitors and delegates much information about the event such as schedules to plan the day and floor plans to help find key information about exhibition stands and locations, when the information is needed.

“Participants expect an improved experience. They want more information at their fingertips, they want to view session schedules, find exhibitors and share their experience with others at the event via social media,” she said.

Nkomo said technology was changing the way participants engage and interact at exhibitions and events hence the launch of the new app.

“Exhibitors expect value for their money. They want to expand beyond their stand and expect economical avenues for additional marketing exposure. Global mobile penetration is increasing hence we’ve decided to introduce this kind of technology for the ZITF show,” she said.

Nkomo said some of the best features on the app include personal itinerary, alerts, speaker bios, and venue map and speaker materials.

“Organisers can share the exhibition or conference programme and allow attendees to build their own personal itinerary. Alerts allow sharing of last minute room changes or conference updates with push notifications while speaker bios is whereby speakers are highlighted by featuring their background and contact information,” she said.

Nkomo added that other features such as the matchmaking, will link “right” persons to each other and that is how the success of a show is often measured.

“By meeting carefully targeted and qualified contacts, attendees optimise their business matching opportunities and ensure successful meetings that lead to concrete business projects. All parties fully control each meeting, which reduces the number of unproductive sessions and no shows,” she said.

The ZITF is scheduled to kick off on April 28 with the Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, officially opening the 56th edition of the fair.