With the Canon SA Expo 2013 taking place from 29 November – 1 December 2013, we thought it might be a good time to talk to Michelle Janse van Vuuren, Canon SA’s marketing manager, about this highlight on the photographic calendar.

TechSmart (TS): Is it correct that South Africa is one of the few countries to host an annual local Canon Expo?

Michelle Janse van Vuuren (MV): That is correct, many of the other countries only host Expos every second or fourth year.

TS: What are the lessons learned from previous Expos?

MV: The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that you should never think that you know everything, plus every year you must change things to keep it interesting. There should always be something new as an attraction.

TS: So what are the new things at this year’s Expo?

MV: We’re going to introduce more speakers since people seem to like a variety. This means less repeats, although some of the main speakers will have an extra session. We’re also going to have a workshop area where it’s not just listening to a speaker, but also partaking in a training environment whether it involves a product, software, or accessory.

TS: Tell us more about the training sessions.

MV: We will be hosting smaller workshops aimed at teaching people more about their Canon cameras, both DSC and SLR, as well as several video sessions. We will also be hosting several software sessions. These workshops are aimed at giving people as much information in a hands-on type environment and will prove to be an invaluable addition to the current expo format.

TS: Each year the quality on offer from the photo competition is amazing. How is it looking this year?

MV: The competition is doing as well as last year. We start sorting the entries only after the closing date, and it takes hours and hours to do. The team of judges go through them in packs of 50 and then have to stop to take a break!

TS: Many people of course want to know about this year’s specials. When will the list be released?

MV: Only a week before the Expo. There will be specials and then a few ‘major specials’ that should really grab attention.

TS: What about the people who can’t make it to the Expo?

MV: The published specials on offer at the Expo event will also be available through the dealer channel around the country, so people would be able to purchase these specials at all major retail stores and photographic shops which sell Canon products.

TS: What is your advice for people coming to visit the Expo.

MV: Take the Gautrain since it’s a quick and easy walk from the station to the Sandton Convention Centre. There should not really be a queue to enter the Expo this year, and we’ve added another terminal to help with congestion at the shop.


The Canon SA Expo 2013 is set to take place from 29 November – 1 December 2013 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. For more info visit www.csaexpo.co.za.