The President, Lagos Country Club, Mr. Adewale Osomo, has urged real estate practitioners and building materials and accessories’ manufacturing firms to explore marketing communication tools like exhibitions to expand their businesses.
Osomo spoke as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the 11th edition of the Home and Office Exhibition held in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said marketing communication tools such as after sales services, advertising and public relations were useful in promoting the growth of businesses.
Osomo said the idea of the Home and Office Exhibition, which was born by PR Distinction in 2000, had been significant to both small and medium-scale businesses following the growth and development of the real estate sector.
“With the real estate industry currently experiencing a boom, properties are springing up in choice areas all over Nigeria. This, in turn, has created business opportunities for the different players we find in the Home and Office Exhibition today, including mortgage institutions, interior decorators, electronic dealers, power generating companies, furniture makers etc,” he said.
Osomo also implored manufacturers to up their game so that they would not lose the market to companies outside the country.
“I appeal to the banking sector to wake up to its responsibilities and drive the economy by supporting our local businesses to favourably compete and produce high quality products and services,” he said.
The Head Consultant, PR Distinction, Mrs. Alero Edu, said the Home and Office Exhibition had remained focused on exploring dividends for exhibitors and visitors resulting in greater impact on business interaction and the economic well-being of the nation.
She said, “Since inception, we have had over 200 companies, spanning all areas of home and office products and services, such as home furniture, interior decoration, power generation, home and house finishing, paints and paintings, and many more.
“Our main aim is to ensure that the fair remains a focal point of reference where it is perceived as a one-stop-shop for all home and office needs in a relaxed environment.”