CHEESE FESTIVAL SA'S BEST

The SA Cheese Festival has just been named Southern Africa's Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition for events of 12 000m2 and more by EXSA (the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa). This gourmet festival which was held in April for the 11th time has through the years kept its focus on cheese and annually lures more than 30 000 dedicated cheese lovers from all around the country to Sandringham.

"This award is an exceptional achievement if one considers the high standard of exhibitions and events in South Africa," says Johan Ehlers, CEO of Agri-Expo, an agricultural society that has been promoting the image of agriculture in the Western Cape for the past 180 years. "We see this as a feather in the cap of agriculture. The achievement of the Cheese Festival confirms that Agri-Expo is accomplishing its aim to expose the public to agriculture's entertaining and exciting side."

"Naturally it is a big challenge to present an event of such a high standard using temporary structures and in the outdoors," says Ehlers. The Cheese Festival moved to Sandringham, Agri-Expo's farm, in 2011 and has to compete with similar events held in the CTICC and the Durban and Sandton International Convention Centres. "This honour proves that Sandringham is successful as a venue – visitors enjoy the picturesque surroundings and the outdoor feel of the event."

According to Ehlers the number of visitors is not their only criteria for success. "The festival enables artisan cheese makers from the far reaches of the country to present their products to the consumer, and simultaneously the visitor experiences the wide variety that the South African dairy industry has on offer – all under one roof."

Entries to this year's EXSA awards were judged by representatives of the business world, the media, venue owners and event organisers. Criteria includes the quality and visual impact of the event, safety and security standards, client experiences, social responsibility and the optimal utilisation of value adding marketing opportunities.

The SA Cheese Festival also won this award in 2007 and 2009. Other events presented by Agri-Expo that received acclaim or accolades? from EXSA in the past include the 2009 From the Earth event that received a Certificate for Excellence, the SA Dairy Championships (2010's Most Memorable Event) and the Cape Premier Horse Sale that received this same honour in 2011.

Visit www.cheesefestival.co.za for more information about the 2013 SA Cheese Festival taking place from 26-28 April at Sandringham.