By Eamonn Ryan
Following the resounding national success of FRIGAIR 2025, Interact Media Defined (IMD) and Montgomery Group Africa have announced plans to roll out regional FRIGAIR exhibitions, with the first set to take place in Cape Town in 2027.
The FRIGAIR exhibition is owned by the South African Institute for Refrigeration and Airconditioning (SAIRAC), which has endorsed the expansion, and has confirmed a SAIRAC free-to-attend workshop component. The move responds directly to longstanding industry calls for greater regional access and engagement, unlocking new opportunities across South Africa.
After years of industry discussion and repeated calls for a more regionally accessible platform, the continued growth and popularity of FRIGAIR has paved the way for an exciting new chapter in the evolution of Africa’s leading HERVAC exhibition. IMD has confirmed that smaller-scale regional FRIGAIR events will be introduced every two years, beginning with a Cape Town edition in 2027.
For many in the industry – not only in Cape Town, but also in Durban and other key centres – the introduction of regional events has been a long time coming. While the flagship Gauteng exhibition has established itself as a cornerstone of the sector, stakeholders have consistently expressed the need for a version that better reflects the diversity of South Africa’s regional markets. Each region brings its own industrial character, challenges and opportunities, and a regional FRIGAIR model is designed to tap directly into these differences.
“Over many years, we’ve had consistent feedback from across the country – particularly from the coastal regions – that the industry wants FRIGAIR to be more accessible,” says Dale Macnamara, sales director and joint owner at IMD. “What’s exciting about this expansion is that it’s not an attempt to replicate the Gauteng event, which remains the flagship. It is about recognising that each region has its own industry base and dynamics, and creating an event that speaks directly to those audiences. That’s what will make each regional FRIGAIR unique and valuable.”
The intention is to replicate the successful format, though not the scale, that has made FRIGAIR synonymous with quality and relevance. Visitors and exhibitors can expect the same dynamic combination of exhibition stands, technical workshops and high-value networking that have defined the event at Gallagher Convention Centre.
Crucially, however, the regional editions will not simply be replicas – they will be shaped by the unique industry ecosystems of their host regions. This is expected to attract a distinctly different visitor profile in each location.
In the case of Cape Town, the event will reflect the city’s position as a national hub for several key sectors. Agriculture – particularly fruit export – relies heavily on advanced cold chain and refrigeration solutions. The Cape Town harbour plays a critical role in logistics and export infrastructure, while the city’s rapidly expanding data centre market is driving demand for high-performance, energy-efficient cooling technologies. Retail, too, remains a significant sector, with evolving requirements around refrigeration, sustainability and energy use. Together, these industries will shape a FRIGAIR Cape Town event with a distinct identity and strong regional relevance.
“Cape Town gives us an opportunity to engage with sectors that are not always as prominently represented at the national show. The visitor profile will be different – and that creates new opportunities for exhibitors to connect with audiences they may not typically reach,” Macnamara adds.
By taking the FRIGAIR experience to key regional hubs, the initiative broadens access to the latest technologies, services and expertise in heating, energy, refrigeration, ventilation and air conditioning.
The move comes at a time when demand for energy-efficient, sustainable and high-performance HERVAC solutions continues to grow. Regional events will provide a more accessible and locally relevant platform for stakeholders to stay informed, share knowledge and explore innovations shaping the future of the sector.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED
Companies are encouraged to express early interest in participating, as strong demand is expected following the momentum of FRIGAIR 2025, which itself is already generating sustained interest for 2028.
FRIGAIR Cape Town will be held 2–4 March 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre co-located with the Industrial Technology Exhibition; and FRIGAIR Durban 27–29 July 2027 at the Durban Exhibition Centre also co-located with the Industrial Technology Exhibition.
