Build it revamp at retail members’ meetings and trade shows
Build it recently innovatively revamped its engagement strategy by introducing regional trade shows and retail members’ meetings under the magazine show format called B-LIVE, which is an extension of the Always On Always One theme from Convention 2023. The trade shows and retail members’ meetings will alternate with its biennial National Convention. This new format aims to enhance brand awareness and foster closer collaboration among retail members and suppliers, in real time.
Common to all events was a brand overview and strategy update delivered by Build it managing director, Hawie du Preez and a merchandise update by Build it national merchandise executive, Rowan Scully. Well-known and outrageously hilarious comedian and MC, Nik Rabinowitz hosted, and delivered a comedy skit at each event, providing lots of fun, laughter, and engagement for everyone. The highlight for the retail members was an inquiry session facilitated by TBWA chief strategist, Andre le Roux. In keeping with the B-Live format, the inquiry allowed retail members to feedback on pertinent questions, in real time, via Mentimeter. This feedback will help guide the brand’s strategic way forward. This is an extremely bold and brave way forward for Build it and a massive step in the right direction.
All events featured a daytime trade show, with incentives and great deals ensuring retail members visited all supplier stands, and a lively retail members’ meeting in the evening.
The evening events were led by their respective regional operations executives, welcoming all attendees, and providing a regional update. Regional and supplier awards were announced, and the National Awards were presented at the final event, in the Western Cape.
KwaZulu-Natal
The first event took place in KwaZulu-Natal at Sibaya Casino. The highlight of the tradeshow was the announcement of the best supplier stand, awarded to Ingco Tools, and the most participated store, determined by the retailers’ visits to each stand, which was won by Build it Hluhluwe.
KZN Awards
- 20-Years Loyal Service: Sipho Fakude and Ray Herbert
- National Service Provider of the Year: Les Pillay (Brand Equity)
- National Housebrand Supplier of the Year.
Runner-up: PPC Cement
Winner: JoJo
- National Supplier of the Year
Runner-up: Academy Brushware
Winner: Duram Smart Paint
Ladder of Success: The destinations for the LOS 1, 2 and 3 trips were announced as Greece, Zanzibar, and a local trip to the Kapama River Lodge in Hoedspruit, respectively. All winners were given the opportunity to choose their destination of travel.
LOS 1: Build it plus Burmeisters, Build it KwaMashu and Build it Inanda
LOS 2: Build it Elliotdale, Build it Umzimkulu and Build it Philani Valley
LOS 3: Build it Winterton, Build it Hammarsdale and Build it Madadeni.
South Rand and North Rand
The Inland region saw the South Rand and North Rand teams come together with a fantastic, combined event hosted at Emperors Palace.
South Rand and North Rand Awards
- Best Supplier Stand: Ingco Tools
- Most Participated Store: Build it Platinum (South Rand) and Build it Malamulele (North Rand)
- 20-Years Loyal Service: Matseliso Chondoma (South Rand) and Dykhard Laage (North Rand)
- Stores of Excellence:
South Rand: Build it DTM, Build it Reitz and Build it Sun Village
North Rand: Build it Ackermans, Build it Cullinan, Build it Koedoespoort, Build it Bon Accord, Build it Lephalale and Build it Kwamhlanga.
- Ladder of Success:
South Rand
LOS 1: Build it Reitz, Build it Northriding and Build it Middelburg
LOS 2: Build it Delareyville, Build it Potchefstroom and Build it Bethlehem
LOS 3: Build it Sun Village and Build it Mooi Nooi.
North Rand
LOS 1: Build it plus Derdepark and Build it Koedoespoort
LOS 2: Build it Modderspruit & Build it Klerksoord
LOS 3 – Build it Groblersdal, Build it Bon Accord and Build it Ackermans.
Lowveld
The third event was held at the Anew Resort in White River.
Lowveld Awards
- Best Supplier Stand: Africa Tanks
- Most Participated Store: Build it Praktiseer
- Stores of Excellence: Build it Masibekela and Build it plus Mbabane
- Ladder of Success.
LOS 1: Build it Kamhlushwa and Build it Masibekela
LOS 2: Build it Matsulu and Build it plus Mbabane
LOS 3: Build it Bopedi and Build it Hazyview
Eastern Cape
The penultimate event of amazing displays was held at the elegant Sun International Boardwalk Hotel.
Eastern Cape Awards
- Best Supplier Stand: Ingco Tools
- Most Participated Store: Build it Outeniqua
- Stores of Excellence: Build it Elliot, Build it Gonubie, Build it Kowie and Build it Gariep
- Ladder of Success.
LOS 1: Build it Bushmans and Build it George
LOS 2: Build it Buffalo and Build it Elliot
LOS 3: Build it Kowie and Build it Outeniqua.
West Region (Western Cape and Namibia)
Closing the curtains on the Build it Trade Shows and Retail Members’ Meetings 2024 took grand West Region (Western Cape and Namibia) event held at the DHL Stadium. The National awards were also announced at this event and live streamed to the greater Build it audience across Southern Africa.
Western Cape Awards
- Best Supplier Stand: Ingco Tools
- Most Participated Store: Build it Worcester
- 20-Years Loyal Service: Jonathan Peach
- Stores of Excellence: Build it Malmesbury, Build it Yzerfontein, Build it plus Crown, Build it plus Oshana and Build it plus Vredendal
- Ladder of Success.
LOS 1: Build it Mosselbaai, Build it plus Boland and Build it plus Swakopmund
LOS 2: Build it Bothasig, Build it Outdshoorn and Build it plus Vredendal
LOS 3: Build it Parklands, Build it plus Crown and Build it plus Gansbaai.
National Awards
- Think Retail: Michelle Dickson
- National Young Achiever: Philip Swanepoel
- National Store of the Year.
Nominees: Build it plus Burmeisters, Build it plus Derdepark, Build it plus Mbabane, Build it Mosselbaai, Build it Outeniqua and Build it
Winner: Build it plus Mbabane.
- National Mr Build it: Marc De Sousa
The regional trade shows and members meetings were a resounding success, fostering engagement and celebrating achievements across the Build it network. This new format promises to strengthen the brand’s presence and community spirit while ensuring operational excellence and strategic growth.
