Activities abound at the Nelspruit Motor Show

If you are mindful of the possibilities, all commercial shows, irrespective of the subject matter, offer magical moments which will inform you not just of technology and the rest, but will also present you with many of the most innovative and emotional animals of all – Homo sapiens.

And they are wonderful to watch.

It’s all in the way they walk, talk, shoot selfies, shy away from that salesperson, eat their pregos and laugh at those who are adventurous enough to get out of their comfort zones and explore. Because this is what shows are all about – exploring at leisure.

I was impressed by the number of peripheral motor-related suppliers this year. Exhibitors also, compared to 2017, had more activities on their stands so as to entice visitors to linger, enjoy, touch and ask questions. Those oh-so gorgeous Mercedes-Benz products – in particular the X-Class bakkie – drew a lot of attention. And of course someone had to observe, “Is it really that much different from a Navara?”

Joos Stassen’s famous seven-minute test drive in the Subaru changed many perceptions about the brand, and all without anyone even needing to sign an indemnity. Bigfoot Express offered visitors an opportunity to test how fast they could change a tyre. Yes, I know you can do it, but can you do it in less than 30 seconds?

Hi-Q won Best Exhibitor this year. Why? Because you could actually go fishing right there at the stand while inspecting their large range of tyres. I kid you not! It was all about activity and more activity. The Imperial Toyota stand offered a great vibe and a large range of products, and this vibe also won them Best Spirit.

This year the motor show also offered the organisers of the eV Challenge an opportunity to run a mini track as part of a fund-raising effort. If you want to learn about priceless experiences, it was all in the kids’ facial expressions. And with Nicholas Ings offering to auction his hair to the highest bidder to benefit the latter, they raised just more R5 000.

I do have a suggestion for the multitalented MC Dave Walters of RiseFM though. He was continuously punting pregos, Nic’s hair, coffee, and of course plenty of other show products, services and liquids – perhaps he should branch out into auctioneering? Can you imagine an auctioneer on a monocycle?

I am sure he will bring back a Baker’s dozen offer on all items on auction. It would be a blast!

What does the organiser, Lesley Ings of Find-it Promotions have up her sleeve for 2019? I have been sworn to secrecy, but it involves…