GAUTENG'S stand at Indaba 2000 came out tops this year and collected the ABSA Bank Buffalo trophy for the Overall Best Stand at the ABSA Awards ceremony held at the International Convention Centre in Durban on Tuesday, May 9.
Judges representing the tourism industry, South African Tourism (Satour) and ABSA Bank, reported that they had been "highly impressed" by the stands.
"I was pleasantly surprised with the professional approach of the exhibitors and their fine attention to detail," commented Susan Waugh, Head of the Design Studio at Satour and one of the judges.
Hartford Country House won the Stalking Leopard trophy for Best Single Stand and Sun International was honoured with the Cheetah trophy for Best Multi Stand.
Zimbabwe's stand showed no signs of its current difficulties and garnered the Rhino trophy for Best Southern African country.
The Best Provincial Stand award went to KwaZulu Natal and Durban Parks Department won the Display Excellence Award.
The Farm Inn impressed the judges and won the Best Outdoor Vehicle Display.
South African Airways was presented with the Standing Lion trophy for the Best International Airline.
Twenty-six other exhibits were presented with certificates for excellent displays.
Stands were judged according to strict criteria, which included the overall design, overall finish, image marketing and personnel at the stand.
(Adele Mackenzie)
