Owner of Westville-based Redesign Interiors and recently appointed CEO of the African Institute of Interior Design (IID), Paige Waplington, found Decorex Durban provided her organisation with much-needed brand recognition.

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Decorex perfectly positions you with other design industry leaders, explained Waplington.

“You are exhibiting next to other designers who are top of their game and this sets you up as a respected designer. Even if you don’t come out the show with a client straight away, the benefit of mingling with the industry influencers and engaging in meaningful conversations is priceless. You are only improving yourself and your business by being a part of the show.

Waplington, who will feature as this year’s Decorex Designer Spotlight, has participated at Decorex Durban for the past four years in a number of design features which earned her several ‘Design Excellence’ Awards. However, she notes that her participation in 2017 was the most influential.

Last year we focused on building relationships with our clients when they visited our stand,” explained Waplington.

“We made sure we had conversations with them about their plans and how we could help them achieve their dream homes or corporate spaces. Our stand was quite ‘out there’ with our very bold and bright ohsosa wallpaper, so we attracted quite a lot of interest.

Redesign Interiors emerged from the show with five new clients offering great renovation and new build projects as well as a number of other smaller projects.

“We now have continued recognition at the show,” said Waplington. “Clients expect to see us there and remember us from previous shows.”

(Images: Supplied by Redesign Interiors)

Paige’s tips to Decorex Durban exhibitors:

1. Make sure you make use of all Decorex Durban’s extra offerings, like the competitions and extra marketing exposure.

2. Have a game plan. Know what questions you are going to ask potential clients and have a quick and easy way of keeping track of leads.

3. On your lead’s list makes notes of clients that will help you remember who they are, like ‘he was wearing a funky hat’. It makes it much easier to remember the person after the show and ensures you have a personal follow-up conversation with them.

4. Run a competition on your stand to create a database.

5. Be friendly and have fun!

Sian Cullingworth, Portfolio Director: Design, Lifestyle and Retail Exhibitions, said these stories perfectly reflected the role of Decorex within the décor and design industry.

“An individual might have amazing talent, but it can be extremely difficult breaking into the market and establishing a worthwhile reputation without a platform such as Decorex. The exhibition creates the ideal space and platform for networking and brand exposure, at the venue and even further down the line. We’re excited to be giving designers another opportunity like this at the 2018 edition.”

To check out the latest in décor, design and lifestyle trends and inspiration where you’re sure to find your #rhythmoflife, visit Decorex, sponsored by #plascon.

DECOREX SA DETAILS

DECOREX DURBAN

21 – 25 March 2018

21 – 24 March: 10am – 8pm

25 March: 10am – 6pm

Durban Exhibition Centre

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