The recently founded Knysna Connection Group will be taking businesses, representative of the Knysna business community, to participate as exhibitors in three international trade exhibitions.

Having critically examined the markets of Knysna it is clear the most critical limitation on growth is the lack of market reach – the inability to access key markets beyond the immediate municipal boundary. Another variable is the wide range of products and services in the market, targeted at a relatively small customer base. Relevant also to the wider picture is the relatively low investment in individual businesses, which immediately limits the marketing capacity.

The Knysna Connection Group is a partnership of three business professionals – two successful company owners and one successful business administrator. Individually, their successes have been founded primarily on understanding and applying effective marketing strategies.

The two principal elements of a marketing programme limiting growth in the Knysna context are customer base and market penetration or, more precisely, visibility in the national and international market places.

The Knysna Connection Group is planning to take a number of Knysna companies to exhibit on three of Specialised Exhibitions’ premier international exhibitions:
1.    Hostex Cape 2012, South Africa’s leading hospitality and catering industry exhibition
2.    Markex & World of Events 2012 (Johannesburg), the country’s definitive marketing, promotions and special events exhibition
3.    EcoAfribuild 2012 (Johannesburg), a specialised pavilion in The Star Interbuild Africa Exhibition. A platform for the suppliers of products, services and technologies aimed at the eco-friendly built environment.

The aim/objective of this Knysna Connection Group initiative – to show the target markets Made in Knysna is far more than a seasonal logo; Made in Knysna is a twelve months a year offering.

The Knysna Connection Group has the support of:
•    The Knysna Chamber of Business.  Dave Hendry, president of the chamber says: “The executive committee of the Knysna Chamber of Business is made up of on the ground entrepreneurs, running our own businesses and fighting the fight that all businesses in Knysna are faced with. We know that we can overcome the ‘we are fishing in a small pond’ mentality and get business to cast its lines into the world pond.  We will be taking advantage of this amazing opportunity to get exposed to South African and International markets at these shows.  All of us will end up benefiting.”
•    ShowMe Knysna. Dominic Morel, owner of The ShowMe Knysna franchise, “ShowMe Knysna, covering the Knysna, Sedgefield, Buffalo Bay, Brenton, Belvidere, Noetzie, Rheenendal and Karatara areas, is a growing online community network focused on enabling economic growth. We are here to support local businesses and market the unique products and services located in the greater Knysna area. Knysna offers arguably the biggest variation of culture, scenery and activity of any town in South Africa of comparable size, making ShowMe an invaluable tool in the continued success of proudly-Knysna products.”
•    AV Design and Sit Up and Listen. CEO, Trevor Niksch: “AV Design and Sit Up and Listen will add a sparkle to the exhibition stands with professional audio-visual equipment and services.  My business services the corporate and events markets the length of the Garden Route. It is of utmost importance that Knysna businesses seize this opportunity to promote themselves nationally, and there could not be a better opportunity.”