• is an international marketplace for innovation, science and technology (IST) - particularly in the context of long-term sustainability
• embraces IST solutions for the developing world
• promotes IST partnerships for global sustainable development
• provides networking opportunities across industries that enable IST experts from across the globe to identify joint objectives, activities and initiatives.

The essence of INSITE

INSITE is an international, biennial must-see Science and Technology event in South Africa, the only one of its kind in Africa that creates new frontiers for global challenges.

INSITE aims to assemble the worlds leading innovators and scientists in one place, stimulating interaction and exchange between global Science, Technology and Innovation leaders, from as far a field as the Arctic to the southernmost tip of Africa. INSITE showcases progressive solutions for the worlds problems today, demonstrating the practical application of Science, Technology and Innovation in the real world, while at the same time creating an image and a vision of what the future holds.

INSITE 2008

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (INSITE) is South Africa’s premier science and technology exhibition providing an international marketplace for showcasing innovative science and technology solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social and economic challenges.  

Driven by South Africa’s national Department of Science and Technology (DST), INSITE showcases progressive solutions for many of the world’s problems today through demonstrating the practical application of world leading innovation, science and technology and creating a vision of what the future holds. 

In 2008, INSITE wasstaged alongside the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) 25th World Conference on Science & Technology Parks from 14 to 17 September 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.  

This prominent international conference was themed: “The role of science parks in accelerating knowledge economy growth - contrasts between developed and emerging economies.”

It provided INSITE 2008 visitors and exhibitors with an opportunity to view and compare regional and international S&T expertise as well as to participate in a number of concurrent events including public lectures and keynote presentations.

INSITE Themes and Focus:

Following the tremendous successes of INSITE 2004 and 2006, the DST hosted this major international event biennially, the only one of its kind in Africa. The overarching theme for INSITE 2008 was the role of Science, Technology and Innovation as key drivers of economic growth and development, and for the enhancement of the quality of life.

This theme was manifested around three key focuses, namely: 1) youth and the imperative to address the critical skills shortage in the science and engineering sectors of the economy; 2) strategic economic interventions; and 3) sustainable development.  

Drawing on the rich international visitor base to South Africa, INSITE 2008 provided a platform for assembling the world’s leading innovators and scientists in one place, stimulating interaction and exchange between global Science, Technology and Innovation leaders. 

Visitors and Exhibitors: 

INSITE drew 5 889 and 6 298 visitors and exhibitors in 2004 and 2006 respectively, from over 50 countries. INSITE 2008 exhibitors and visitors had an opportunity to interact with cutting edge science and technology as INSITE:

• Provides an international marketplace for innovation, science and technology, and particularly in the context of long-term sustainability;
• Embraces S&T solutions for both the developed and developing world;
• Promotes S&T partnerships for global sustainable development; and,
• Provides networking opportunities across industries that enable IST experts from across the globe to identify joint objectives, activities and initiatives. 

The concurrent IASP conference objectives included raising awareness of the role of science & technology parks in the economy, furthering the understanding of the innovation chasm, and the sharing of best practices and verified impact data.

This augers well for contributing to the creation of an Africa regional science & technology parks forum - an initiative that is supported by South Africa’s Innovation Hub's partners in this important Conference.

Visitors and exhibitors to INSITE 2008 thus had an opportunity to link up with the vast international IASP network (comprising 358 members emanating from 73 countries).

The IASP has held 24 world conferences - in the UK, Japan, France, Australia, the USA, Ireland, Finland, Canada, China, Brazil, Italy, Turkey, Spain, and Portugal – and gathered over 63 000 innovation-based companies, R&D institutions, and teams of experts.

Exhibitor Profile

INSITE 2008 presented exhibitors from the following categories:

• The South African Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• DST-supported science councils, programmes, agencies and projects.
• Other South African government departments.
• International governments and government agencies; research and      development institutions.
• African and NEPAD related projects and programmes.
• Large South African companies and parastatals.
• Regional and international private sector corporations and companies.
• South African SMMEs.

Visitor Profile

INSITE 2008 attracted a diverse range of participants, with a focused marketing approach to ensure maximum interest and participation. The visitor categories include: 

• Senior learners as well as S&T educators
• The general public
• South African and international S&T practitioners, academics and scientists
• South African and international government officials and decision-makers
• Private sector S&T related practitioners
• IASP international conference delegates and exhibitors

Exhibit Space  

Exhibition pavilion spaces at INSITE 2008 ranged from 24 sqm to 108 sqm.

View the 2004 INSITE image gallery to get an idea of this fun expo.

Visit the 2006 INSITE website.

For more information, contact:

Nhlanhla Nyide, General Manager: Science Communication, Department of Science and Technology. Mobile: +27 (0) 82 871 6767; or email: nhlanhla.nyide@dst.gov.za