Daily Champion 11 July, 2004

The  only motor fair to be held in the nation's commercial capital this year, Lagos Auto Expo 2004, is being geared towards boosting activities in the automotive sector as well as the tourism industry, the organising firm, Tropixel Limited, has disclosed.

The fair which is scheduled to open on September 20 and end six days later at the Tafawa Balewa Square, is also being packaged in a manner that will raise the level of visitor turnout to more than 50,000.

According to the organisers, part of the plan this year is to draw in more visitors from various parts of the country and abroad and encouraging them to stay overnight to sample the attractions of the region, in addition to what the fair has to offer.

To this end, Tropixel is, in conjunction with some interested organisations, investing millions of naira in launching a marketing campaign aimed at increasing this year's auto show attendances to a higher level.

Giving insight into the initiative, the managing director of Tropixel, Mr. Ocheche Alabi, said: "Most of the money will be spent on newspapers, radio, TV advertising campaign featuring excitements that await visitors at the show, a fantastic prize that await winners of raffle draws at the event, as well as exclusive automobiles and other auto-related attractions". The aim is to in near future reinforce the TBS show as an international A-list event alongside those in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, he added.

"Motor Shows play crucial roles in the life of the European countries, bringing in more than #30 million (Thirty million pounds) to the economy of a country like UK and providing more than 20,000 jobs in West Midland alone", explained Alabi. "However, most of the visitors shall be here only for the day and we want to encourage more overnight stays, which will bring in more business for hotels, restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, shops and tourist attractions. As well as being an enormous boost to tourism, the Motor show will act as a showcase for the tremendous progress and emerging success of the Nigerian automotive industry, centered across the country".

Tourism experts in Lagos estimate that the projected extra 50,000 Motor Show visitors likely to be attracted to the state will generate extra custom for about 700 businesses, to a total value of N4.86 million. People booking tickets for this year's show will be sent a leaflet highlighting attractions in the Lagos area and offering special deals to encourage overnight visitors. Radio campaign - featuring 45-second ads on a popular broadcast channel - will start next month. There will be three light-hearted story lines, each spotlighting the new attractions at this year's event.

Alabi disclosed that Tropixel intends to change the event - Lagos Auto expo live - from a "looking event" to a "doing event" with fantastic new attractions for all the family. These include a live action arena, where visitors can test their driving skills; a driving school; mad a chance for visitors to take a taster test-rive of some of the latest models. There will also be the tradition full range of cars on display at TBS exhibition ground, together with other attractions.