UKTI, Ecotrends to provide platform for property exhibition

THE United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Investments (UKTI), Lagos, in collaboration with Ecotrends Limited, is to organise an exhibition on homes and property.

Slated to hold between July 31 and August 1, at KFA Events Place Lekki, Lagos, the premier trade show will provide its exhibitors the platform to showcase and promote their products and services, giving them the opportunity to interact directly with potential customers, boost their sales, stay ahead of their competition and help develop long-term business relationships.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Chief Executive Officer, Ecotrends Limited, Efe Utomudo, said: “The Expo will offer brands ‘true permission’ marketing, because attendees choose to be there to see the types of businesses that are exhibiting. So exhibitors can get good return on their investments from an audience that has chosen to engage with their brand and is interested in products and services being showcased”.

Utomudo said: “The aim of the exhibition is to provide a platform and act as a catalyst to promote businesses in the Nigerian housing sector, while pushing sustainability and affordable housing in response to the housing shortage”.

Utomudo, who stated that exhibiting at the expo is one of the most cost-effective ways for companies to reach their target markets, added, however, that the leads gathered at the Home and Property Expo will require less effort to convert into sales.

Speaking on the relevance of a Home and Property Expo and why it is being held in Nigeria, the Ecotrend boss noted that the exhibition offers companies with quality and unique products the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. He said: “Attendees will use the opportunity to compare their products to those of their competitors; so it’s a great opportunity for them to point out where their products are superior to others (i.e. pricing, service, performance, etc).”

Utomudo, while quoting the World Bank, said that Nigeria currently has an accumulated housing deficit, and it is expected that houses in different market segments are needed annually to keep up with the demand resulting from the rapid pace of urbanization.

As an entrepreneur involved in sustainable development, Utomudo said he sees the expo as exciting an time for the Nigerian housing sector, because it provides the opportunity to shape the sustainable future of housing.

He noted that manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers in the home and
interior designs, building materials, renewable energy, sustainable architectural designs, real estate and banking/mortgage sectors will showcase their products and services at the expo.

He said that the Home and Property Expo will include strategic and enlightening seminar sessions, which will run for the two days, adding that various industry experts have been carefully selected to handling high impact topics focused on the housing industry. Topics will range from how to tap into the construction boom in Lagos and environs, how to get mortgages and what to consider, sustainable and affordable housing and its challenges, buying investment property, among others. There will also be a panel discussion focused on affordable housing, building standards, safety and quality of materials.

Many of the participants who are actively looking for products and service for their building financing, design, construction, interior and finishing have already registered to visit the exhibition.

Participants will also include those who have already built their houses.