With a focus on Vehicle Diagnostic Scanners, Auto Electrical Training, New Technology, Parts, Tools & Garage Equipment, the very first Workshop Aftermarket & Technology Show (WATS) taking place in Bloemfontein at Ilanga Estate on 21st October from 16:00 to 22:00 promises to be another OFS Success Story.
The WATS Expo, which from it’s inception in 2005 has enjoyed the full endorsement of the Retail Motor Industry of S.A. is this year privileged, to for the very first time work side by side with RMI Regional Manager for the Free State Mr. Louis van Huyssteen & his Dynamic Team.

• This show offers Visitors & Exhibitors the best in:
• Valuable exposure of the Automotive Aftermarket suppliers & visitors alike.
• Perfect opportunity to launch new brands.
• Networking with high quality clients and suppliers face to face.
• Minimal staff absence & overhead for this one day only event. (Fast & Furious)
• Stylish shell schemes, modern & vibrant atmosphere.

This is a fantastic opportunity for companies to showcase their products or technology to the Automotive Aftermarket of the Free State, as there has NEVER before been a TECHNOLOGY expo of this type in BLOEMFONTEIN!!.

• Free Boerie rolls & Beer/coldrinks to visitors/exhibitors @ 18h00
• Gorgeous girls giving away T-shirts in a way you would never expect!
• Prizes to be Won!
• Cash Bar will also be available.

For further information contact Miranda on: 082 9680 214 & admin@wats.co.za or Johann on: 082 5515 061 & info@wats.co.za

WATS exhibitor registrations absolutely TOOK OFF in January 2010!

So much so, that at the time of submitting this article in January only 30% exhibitor space was left over. the Show is now 70% sold out!  It has become absolutely clear that much more optimism & enthusiasm is being felt in our industry and in our country for 2010.

With a spotlight on Training & Technology in this years show & with the Heavyweight Expo taking place in Halls & open area’s around us, the extended show hours, plus an additional day, the feet through our show this year is expected to way surpass previous years.

The close relationship between WATS & the RMI is clearly evident year on year, but never more than this year where RMI Northern Region Manager Angela Calogero has brought some ground breaking initiatives to the show with the purpose of firstly, proving that “Belonging to the RMI is better business” & secondly putting additional actions to many words spoken on urgently required training in our industry by exposing more students & people interested in taking up a career in the Motor Industry to aspects of the trade, as well as encouraging FET’s to visit the show. Angela has taken it upon herself to involved the 16 constituent bodies of the RMI to take stands at WATS Pretoria so that each have something interactive on their stand that anyone showing an interest in the trade, visitors, teenage school children & school leavers, can get a hands on feel of what that sector of the Motor Industry is about, Angela has gone so far as to team up with a Panel Beating Company in Pretoria to look into setting up a Demonstration spray booth just outside one show exits where visitors & especially students can have a go at actually spraying something.

WATS will hold Four 30min short informative talks each evening of 24th & 25th March covering a range of subjects such as, Generic Fuel Injection, Diagnostic Scanning, Testing & Fault Finding, Importance of using correct brake components, correct testing of new generation Alternator Voltage Regulators & “Introduction to the Electrolog & Electrolog Advanced Training” to name a few.

Everyone at WATS is extremely excited to host a Show in 2010 which will mark one of the greatest years in South African History.  24-25th March 2010, Hall L of the Pretoria Show Grounds. 10:00 to 21:30.

For further information visit www.wats.co.za where you can register on-line or contact Miranda on: 082 9680 214 & admin@wats.co.za or Johann on: 082 5515 061 & info@wats.co.za The WATS Expo’s are fully Endorsed by the RMI (Retail Motor Industry Organization of S.A.)

WATS Team

Hot off the Press!

Have you heard! Business Recovery has started! The first quarter of 2010 Is predicted to be the time in which the most lift will be felt – ARE YOU READY FOR IT?

You will be excited to know that the 2010 Soccer World cup is NOT the only world class event that is taking place in South Africa next year!! WATS due to numerous requests is in March 2010, extended to 2days, daily 10am to 21:30pm. With 128 Stands this will be the largest WATS show to date.

The 6th WATS Expo – Workshop Aftermarket & Technology Show 24-25th March 2010 and the all new Heavyweight Expo 23-26th March 2010 have joined forces to bring you an event at the Pretoria Show grounds filled with an exciting variety of Manufacturers, Distributors and Agents of Heavy Duty Vehicles, Plant, Agricultural Equipment, Automotive Parts, Garage equipment, Tools, existing & newly released Diagnostic Scanning Equipment with live demonstrations, Parts suppliers, Aircon suppliers, IT Accounting/Workshop Control & Job Tracking Software.
For the very first time, Mechanical, Auto Electrical & various other Automotive Training Centre’s together with RMI, SDF’s ( Skills Development Facilitators ) & merSETA, On hand, to advise you on all your training & up skilling needs. Training is Crucial in ensuring that your business becomes a success story to be proud of.

“The timing of the Expo’s is Perfect,” says Jeff Osborne, CEO of the RMI, who has officially endorsed the Endeavour’s. Osborne has pointed to the potential upswing in the economy & the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer as big incentives for visitors & exhibitors alike. “The RMI feels that the combination of these two shows makes practical sense and we’re looking forward to what they have to offer.” Says Osborne.

“We need to train up our new and existing technicians to comprehend and master the new technologies entering our markets on a daily basis in the form of sophisticated new products, technologies and vehicles,” says Johann de Bruyne, organizer of the WATS show & Managing Director of Kigima Auto Electrical Training Centre.

In addition to the shows, WATS will host a number of mini 30min workshops between 6 & 9pm on 24th & 25th March and the Heavyweight Expo will host a series of 4, half day workshops & conferences over 23-26th March addressing a number of vital issues pertinent to stakeholders in the automotive aftermarket and heavy commercial vehicle and machinery sector.
Stands for exhibitors @ the WATS Expo Hall “L”  - total cost for the 2days, R4,950.00 + Vat for a basic 3×3m stand with a side less Oasys Shell Scheme.
Space for exhibitors @ Heavyweight Expo starts at R140 per sq meter (open flooring).
The pricing of both Expo’s is very much in tune with the current economic climate.

Suppliers of Panel Beating, Training, equipment, tools, paints & related products Wanted for the WATS Expo.

“For more information contact Miranda de Bruyne 082 9680 214, Johann de Bruyne 082 5515 061, visit www.wats.co.za or email admin@wats.co.za”