Absa Lionesses Xpo
A wealth of opportunity is open for corporate buyers, CEOs and other decision-makers to connect and engage with 117 leading women entrepreneurs from a range of industry sectors in South Africa at the web-based Absa Lionesses Xpo, a sophisticated virtual exhibition platform, which went live on 29 October.
The Absa Lionesses Xpo is a joint initiative between Lionesses of Africa, the fastest growing community of women entrepreneurs on the continent, and Absa, which has a strong history of supporting and empowering entrepreneurs. The innovative, free-of-charge Xpo is designed to showcase the Lionesses’ businesses, products and services on a user-friendly platform that will deliver high-level exhibition features and benefits, including ready access to the Lioness exhibitors. The platform’s always-on, easy-to-navigate ‘exhibition space’ will enable buyers and decision-makers to explore the Xpo and connect with the exhibitors.
The platform has a host of added-value features to make the visitors’ attendance and interaction at the Absa Lionesses Xpo as seamless and intuitive as possible. Different areas of the platform include:
The Lobby landing page, which provides a view of what’s on offer as visitors navigate their way around the Xpo with a quick navigation guide.
The Auditorium, where the Absa Lionesses Xpo will open with presentation sessions by founder and CEO of Lionesses of Africa Melanie Hawken; Absa as the South African impact partner; and various lionesses.
The Networking Lounge will provide an overview of the different exhibition segments and encourage visitors to connect with the entrepreneurs and their businesses.
The Exhibition Stands area will introduce the 117 entrepreneurs, whose products and services are categorized in five different sectors to ensure easy navigation for the visitor.
The Partner Suite, which will allow visitors to engage on banking solutions for their business, everyday banking, and Absa solutions for employees, with a click through to www.absa.co.za.
The Partner Suite also provides access to information about Lionesses of Africa, how to join the Lionesses of Africa community, and how to subscribe to the Lioness Weekender digimag, all with a click through to www.lionessesofafrica.com.
The platform’s index of directory categories and sub-categories will enable visitors to personalize their exhibitor selection and virtual stand visits across the wide-ranging enterprise offerings, which include clothing and textiles, contemporary fashion, food products, kids’ toys, technology, beauty and haircare, bags and accessories, construction, engineering, geospatial data management, rail design and maintenance, law, security services, exploration and mining, granite and marble, automotive paint, PPE manufacture, alcoholic beverages, tea, chocolate, ice cream, office consumables, educational kits, healthcare services, floral design, film production, recruitment, and so much more.
The Absa Lionesses Xpo officially opened on Thursday, 29 October with presentations in the virtual auditorium. Various special events, networking and engaging opportunities and other activities are scheduled to take place while the Xpo is open for the coming months. The full programme will be shared with all registered guests, and will be available on www.lionessesxpo.com and www.lionessesofafrica.com.
Lionesses of Africa founder and ceo, Melanie Hawken says that connecting corporate buyers and decision-makers with women entrepreneurs has never been more important than in these challenging economic times. “This is a unique digital exhibition, designed to meet the demands and challenges of today’s market, and provide an opportunity for South African women owned businesses to make these new connections work for their businesses, for their employees, and for their future.”
She adds that a further benefit of the Xpo for South Africa’s corporate buyers is that procurement from emerging micro enterprises which are black and female-owned, enhances a company’s B-BBEE scorecard.
Tina Playne, Managing Executive for Sectors and Segments, Absa Retail and Business Banking, says Absa is passionate about engaging, empowering and serving entrepreneurs. “We believe in the significant contribution that women entrepreneurs can make to our economy, job creation and community development, and we’re proud to be partnering with Lionesses of Africa in this initiative. This Xpo not only demonstrates the remarkable range of products and services offered by these dynamic women, but it also highlights how we can reposition for the new normal presented by COVID-19. It supports President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new economic recovery plan, which recognizes that entrepreneurs offer the greatest untapped potential for the country’s growth, employment and economic transformation. He emphasizes the role that women-owned businesses will play.”
All corporate procurement managers and directors, senior management, CEOs and business owners are invited to attend the Absa Lionesses Xpo: