They came, they saw, they found their 2020 Agri-Vision

The very first NAMPO Virtual concluded over the weekend with great success and once again proved the agriculture sector’s resilience. Adapting to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and adopting new technology, more than 36 872 visitors visited the online NAMPO exhibition platform from 9-12 September 2020, experiencing the best and latest innovations on offer at 93 participating exhibitors. Not shying away from new technology, NAMPO visitors tallied up a total of 1,021 million page views in just 4 days!

The AgriXtra Channel, launched through the NAMPO Virtual platform, and which incorporated Agri In Motion, attracted 8 239 viewers over the four days. AgriXtra, a joint media platform by Landbouweekblad in association with Brand Republic and Grain SA, ran concurrently with NAMPO Virtual and streamed 43 live in-studio interviews and panel discussion which covered current agricultural matters, latest technology and exhibitor products and services.

Grain SA further proudly introduced the first series of Agri in Motion panel discussions at the inaugural NAMPO Virtual show, providing daily discussions with distinguished guests and experts in their respective fields unpacking the agriculture value chain, technologies and science to make the industry more sustainable into the future. Discussions included the Grain Research Programme; Profitability with exposure to the international market; Why a Breeding and Technology levy on seed; and Biosecurity throughout the agriculture value chain.

Another highlight was the NAMPO Main Stage, attracting 12 668 viewers. This channel entertained visitors throughout the week with dynamic keynote speakers, product information, launches and demonstrations, and loads of entertainment with celebrities, artists, cooking demonstrations, and more!

The NAMPO Virtual webpage, as information hub and entry portal to the exhibitions, saw in excess of 30,000 unique users on the platform during the week with 514 000 event interactions across the board on the web portal. The hub of activity trended throughout the NAMPO Virtual show with a majority of South African visitors, and an 8% international visitor profile, from mainly the US and neighbouring southern African countries.

Testimony to exhibitors maximising the communication opportunities with visitors, a total of 206 webcasts were scheduled over the 4 days, and visitors had to plan their Virtual experience with the same care as a day out on NAMPO Park.

“NAMPO Virtual was a team effort, and a result of various agriculture partners and 697 exhibition personnel  buying into and working determinedly to make the vision work, in a very short space of time,” Dirk Strydom, Manager: Grain Economy & Marketing said on Saturday afternoon. “NAMPO Virtual was a very successful action. We didn’t know what to expect since an online trade show of this magnitude has not been hosted anywhere in the world, elements of it, but not in this exact composition, meaning we had absolutely no benchmark,” Strydom explained. Going forward, Strydom confirmed that elements of NAMPO Virtual will be incorporated into the Harvest Day. “The NAMPO Harvest Day can never be replaced but the virtual platform and offering is a wonderful add-on feature and what we have learned with regards to communicating in the agricultural landscape can only enhance the actual NAMPO Harvest Day’s contribution to exhibitors and visitors alike”.

“Being an online initiative, the best part of NAMPO Virtual is the platform and exhibitions that live on, even after the virtual show has ended, and the wide audiences we were able to reach outside of the traditional agricultural community”, Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA said. “The positive vibes, new innovation and cooperation from exhibitors, sponsors and partners was a much needed change in the predominantly sombre period of COVID-19. We wish to thank each visitor for being the best farmers and supporters in the world and for growing agriculture in South Africa. NAMPO Virtual was a success because of everyone that joined hands on this very first in agriculture”, de Villiers concluded.

“We were fortunate that Grain SA's NAMPO Harvest Day partners and exhibitors participated with great enthusiasm and went out of their way to make the exhibitions attractive,” Danie Minnaar, chairperson of the NAMPO Harvest Day said. The NAMPO Harvest Day is scheduled for 11-14 May 2021 at NAMPO Park and we look forward to welcoming even more of South Africa to NAMPO Park in 2021.

Visitors who missed NAMPO Virtual can still visit the exhibitions for another week at www.nampovirtual.co.za and the AgriXtra channel and NAMPO Main Stage's broadcasts are available on the Grain SA YouTube channel.

Source - Grain SA - 15 Sep 2020 – AutoX was proud to be part of this innovative initiative.