The UAE-based Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions Company, affiliated to Strategic Holding, intends to expand on online local and international exhibitions in 2020.

The move comes as part of its plan for surviving the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) period, and will see the company launch an online platform in partnership with several European companies.

Dawood Al Shezawi, Owner and Chairperson of Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, said that it is increasingly necessary for a number of real estate exhibitions to be held online during the current period. This has been supported by the success of its furniture exhibition that was held in the last period, which attracted the participation of more than 43,000 visitors.

Al Shezawi also said that technology makes it easier to connect investors and customers, which has encouraged the company to invest millions of US dollars in developing a sophisticated online platform in cooperation with a Norwegian company.

He added that the move has been popular with investors, particularly as the platform was designed to accommodate the largest possible number of visitors with no defect or slow-down in the loading process.

Al Shezawi said that investors and exhibitors can design their offer within a period of no more than ten minutes, with the company providing a large list of international clients through its platform.

He stressed that the company is preparing to launch the Gulf Cooperation Council-focused International Property Show (IPS GCC), which will take place from 14 to 18 October. The exhibition is anticipating the participation of major real estate developers in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital (NAC), as well as those companies with projects located across Egypt.

“The Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions Company aims to attract 15 real estate companies to showcase their projects on the new online platform,” Al Shezawi said. “This allows real estate companies participating in the exhibition easy communication with the target customers, and to showcase their projects and transfer down-payments.”

He added, “In addition, companies will be able to showcase their goals, strategies and experiences, as well as organise meetings for marketing and sales managers to explain the features of each project.”

The exhibition will also allow for companies to provide the relevant information in a more comprehensive and clear manner, allowing for the best choices to be reached that suit the needs of each customer.

During the exhibition, the company is aiming to target Egyptian customers residing in the GCC, particularly as most of these clients are looking to buy real estate in Egypt.

Al Shezawi said that his company is targeting sales of up to 70% among Egyptian expatriates and 30% among GCC nationals from the online exhibition. A recent poll conducted by the company showed that the Gulf investor is hungry to invest in Egypt during the current period, after life returns to a post-pandemic normal.

He said that, as online exhibitions can complement traditional real estate exhibitions, the company is eyeing a combination of online exhibitions with traditional versions during the current period. This is supported by the success of online exhibitions, which have supported many companies during the pandemic, and which have been a popular choice with investors seeking opportunities through this digital format.

Online exhibitions take up only 10% of the cost of traditional exhibitions, while providing better services than traditional exhibitions, he added.

The company will, until the beginning of next year, turn to organising only online exhibitions through its new platform. At the beginning of 2021, the company will reintroduce traditional exhibitions supported by online exhibitions, so that there is a real integration among investors, Al Shezawi said.

He added that the platform supports a direct online payment process for customers, as well as conversation sessions between investors. This runs in addition to promotional offers, virtual visits to projects, a meeting programme with developers, as well as training programmes for exhibitors. Al Shezawi also noted that these features cannot be found all in traditional exhibitions, making online versions a bonus for those participants looking for a more rounded experience.

Moreover, he highlighted that the company is set to organise the IPS International exhibition, which will be held in November 2020, with the participation of over 60 countries through its online platform.

The exhibition will focus on presenting real estate projects in the participating countries, which will provide customers with a round-up of all available properties. The exhibition will also present a large number of visitors to international investors.

Al Shezawi said that the company also plans to hold its Annual Investment Meeting in November. The meeting will be the largest investment forum in the world, and will include the participation of 60 investment ministers and five heads of state, alongside representatives from about 150 countries.

He explained that the forum is based on six issues, namely investment funds, sustainable cities, the Silk Road, investment pioneers and startups. It will see  the participation of more than 20,000 investors from around the world.

“The company, within its plan during the next year, will continue holding traditional real estate exhibitions along with online ones,” Al Shezawi said.

He added that in January, a real estate exhibition will be organised in the US, with the focus to be on six states in light of the need for Egyptians residing in those states to buy property in Egypt.