News Article

22nd June 2012

NEW TALENT TAKES THE REINS AT DECOREX SA

Two new décor and design heavyweights have joined the Decorex SA team on the eve of what promises to be a record-breaking Joburg show. The decor show landscape is due for something of a shake-up with the news that two respected and experienced names from the décor and design industry have joined the Decorex SA team.

Well-known décor and media specialist Sherri Chipps takes over as Decorex SA Portfolio Director and former fashion and décor magazine editor Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly has taken on the media and publicity account.

Carol Weaving, MD of Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group, has welcomed the new appointments, saying it said much about the position of Decorex SA as one of the country’s leading exhibitions that the organisation had attracted two talented design and media personalities to take it into the future.

Decorex SA is South Africa’s largest décor, design and lifestyle exhibition, with expos in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Last year Decorex Joburg attracted over 50 000 visitors, attendance in 2012 at Decorex Cape Town was up 15% on 2011 figures and Decorex Durban was up 40% .

With headline sponsor Plascon on board since the show’s inception 19 years ago and with M-Net’s continued media partnership, Decorex SA is an essential day out for consumers and members of the décor and design trade alike. Decorex SA reflects the latest in local and international industry trends and interprets them in a novel yet accessible manner while also promising one stop shopping for anyone researching the latest in home accessories and finishes.

So far, this year’s exhibitions have attracted particular attention for their on-trend focus on the world-wide movement towards authentic craft and a “real” lifestyle. And while the celebrity-linked “Operation Man Cave” has been the source of much entertainment, the move towards a male-focused space in the home is also in line with what’s happening around the world.

Joburg’s August show will once more see the exciting launch of the Plascon 2013 Colour Forecast – the annual authoritative statement on colour trends keenly watched by decorators and designers throughout the country. Four exciting South African names in design have been asked to interpret the palette for visitors to Decorex Joburg.

Sherri and Jacquie will be working closely together to take the impact and exposure of Decorex SA to a new level. Sherri Chipps is known to most in the world of South African décor and design. One of the founding members of the St Leger and Viney team, alongside Gary Searle, Sherri also worked in sales and PR at Mavromac for many years before starting her own interior design business. Following a stint with magazines including Conde Nast House & Garden and then House and Leisure, Sherri ran her own PR and media strategy business, managing the accounts of various leading décor brands, before joining Decorex SA.

Being a passionate supporter and promoter of South African décor and design, Sherri says she is delighted to be joining a brand that truly platforms, champions and promotes the South African décor and design industry. “I am particularly excited to be taking over the Decorex SA portfolio at a time when design and décor are becoming such important lifestyle trends, offering us the opportunity to take this exhibition to new heights.”

In welcoming Sherri, Carol Weaving has also paid tribute to outgoing portfolio director, Melanie Robinson, for her contribution to Decorex’s success: “For more than eight years, Melanie consistently drove Decorex SA to be bigger and better every year, with the result that we have a world-class show that exhibitors from all over the country are clamouring to be part of. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Melanie for her vision and determination.”

Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly, most recently editor of VISI magazine and now an independent media consultant, is on board to run the media and publicity account for Decorex SA. Jacquie too brings with her a wealth of experience and contacts in the South African lifestyle media and looks forward to pushing the PR envelope. “I have seen the media landscape change dramatically in recent years and believe this has opened up massive new opportunities in terms of publicity and public relations. Decorex SA has evolved into a world-class exhibition and it’s going to
be an exciting adventure helping to communicate this fact to both home owners plus the décor and design trade in a compelling fashion.”

Exhibition details
Decorex Joburg
8-12 August 2012 – Gallagher Convention Centre
Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Gautrain: Take the Gautrain to the Midrand station. For your convenience, shuttle buses will be running to and from Gallagher Convention Centre.

Visit www.decorex.co.za for regular updates on exciting competitions and speaker line-ups.
Facebook: Decorex SA
Twitter: @decorexSA

Decorex Joburg forms part of the Decorex SA portfolio and is owned by the Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group.

Sales are also now open for Decorex Cape Town 2013.

For more information visit www.decorex.co.za/t 011 549 8300