Sapics event unaffected by recession

Despite the economic recession, this year’s annual conference of Sapics – the Association for Operations Management of Southern Africa – hit near record levels both in sponsors and number of exhibitors at the accompanying exhibition, according to Sapics manager, Jenny Froome. “Yes,” she said, “we were up in exhibitors and had an increase in sponsorship. Our number of delegates was certainly down on last year, but that was no surprise, with last year being a record year anyway because it was Sapics’ 30th birthday conference.” But this year’s figure was still a good attendance at the conference, she added, with 948 delegates, compared to the 1 200 who attended in 2008. Although companies in SA are trying hard to cut costs wherever they can, to combat the seriously reduced trade volumes in these straitened times, the prime purpose of Sapics is not being overlooked, says Froome. “Businesses have remembered that education is vitally important, and prepares them to have the necessary skills to guarantee a successful future. “And that is what Sapics is all about.” Is the smaller participation a sign of recessionary times or is the SA market too small for the number of events being staged? Email your comments to joyo@nowmedia.co.za