Moms and dads, have you got your tickets for what looks like is going to be one doozy of a weekend this September? Because the UK’s number one parenting event, The Baby Show, is making it’s local debut from 28 to 30 September at the Kyalami International Convention Centre in Gauteng.
- Also read: The Baby Show & #MeetUp looks like it's going to be SA's biggest parenting event this year
Tickets are officially on sale, with early bird tickets starting at just R85 – a steal, considering the family-friendly shopping and expert-led experience is pulling out all the stops.
Here are some of the features that will make the weekend both unforgettable and an easy and efficient experience, starting with our free shop & drop and collect-by-car service.
1. The Parent24 shop & drop and collect-by-car service will make things easier
Hoping to make things a little easier for you, we’re introducing the free shop & drop and collect-by-car service – a first for South Africa.
Here’s how it works: Instead of carrying heavy loads and those bulk nappy purchases all around the show, you can drop them off at our counter in exchange for a ticket. Continue shopping, enjoy a talk or have a cup of premium coffee.
When it's time to go home, you'll have the fantastic opportunity to drive down the "pitlane" of Africa’s largest Grand Prix Circuit, pull up and give your ticket to the friendly porters. They will then help pack your day's shopping into your boot. No heavy lifting or awkward loading – a dream when you’re shopping for every last thing you need, baby, toddler and teen in tow.
2. Your favourite brands and products will be on sale
From buggies and pushchairs to food and feeding, local and international brands will be showcasing their best products for parents to purchase over the weekend. The exhibitor and products list, available on the show’s website, comprises over 300 international pregnancy and baby brands, placing all your favourites under one roof.
From the Boutique Boulevard with Belly Blessings Maternity Market, showcasing handmade and unique items with up and coming mompreneurs and small businesses, to the Pushchair Testing Track, where you can demo different pushchairs, you'll be spoiled for choice – and ensure you make the right choice too.
3. The #MeetUp talks with Meg Faure and other experts
Combined with the shopping aspect of the event is this expert-led series of talks, headlined by Meg Faure, author of the Baby Sense book series and founder of South Africa’s premium TedEx-style seminar series, #MeetUp. Meg Faure and other childcare experts will talk about everything from allergies and introducing solids to tech and tots in four high-energy, entertaining #MeetUp seminars.
Expect talks from leading childcare experts and celebs such as Australian Research Associate specialising in Medical Research Human Milk, Dr. Danielle Prime; Craig Wilkinson, the best-selling SA author and dad-coach; and Tom Mokaya, specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist. Plus Katherine Megaw, specialist dietician and co-author of Weaning Sense; Priya Naicker, advice manager for Old Mutual Personal Finance; Ann Richardson, author and childcare expert; Dr. Alison Bentley, sleep expert; Britta McLaren, paediatrician; and Janice Windt, time management coach and trainer, to name just a few.
4. Financial advisers are coming out to help
Parents can chat to experienced financial advisers from Old Mutual around how to build the right financial plan according to their unique goals. Get growth charts with some handy pointers, experience some fun digital tools that can help with your family's financial planning, and upload a picture of your children to view them in their future dream careers with the “Future Mirror” app.
5. Letshego Zulu and the Jacaranda FM main stage will keep you entertained
The Jacaranda FM main stage, MC’ed by health and fitness enthusiast Letshego Zulu, will showcase the latest in maternity, baby and toddler fashion and accessories to keep families entertained while they shop.
6. The feeding area will provide moms with a private area to breastfeed
The Medela Feeding Area provides a private breastfeeding and pumping area allowing mothers to breastfeed in a quiet comfortable environment, with seating, chilled water and complimentary disposable bra pads.
They will also provide the state-of-the-art Medela Symphony, a hospital-grade, multi-user pump, for use by all breastfeeding moms. We will also provide moms with their own sterile kit and a milk storage bottle to take your precious milk home with you.
7. A clinic will give you advice if you've got a colicky baby
Colief looks forward to meeting new moms and dads in their official Colief Colic Clinic, where visitors who want to understand more about colic symptoms and remedies can talk to professionals about how best to prepare, understand, manage and treat this all-too-common problem.
8. Prepare fun and exciting recipes for baby at the Culinary Theatre
Tommee Tippee, the world's number one, award-winning baby feeding accessories range, brings with them the Culinary Theatre to entertain and educate visitors by preparing fun and exciting recipes and showcasing their simple and intuitive baby products.
9. The Juice Bar will give you a boost
The Floradix Juice Bar, powered by Sir Fruit, will sell a delicious range of smoothies and juices incorporating their time-tested liquid iron formula supplement, enhanced with vitamins C and B complex, herbal extracts and fruit concentrates. They believe it is important for all moms to compensate for the extra demand placed on her body by having plenty of sleep, taking sufficient exercise and following a healthy balanced diet.
And more, and more
Finally, there will also be a:
- Crèche sponsored by Squish and a Drive & Go Play Area with Peg Perego where the kids can hang out while mom and dad shop.
- And if dad wants to kick back while mom goes shopping, Porsche South Africa will also be powering the Dad Zone.
All the more reason for you to get those tickets before it’s too late!
Early-bird tickets start from just R85 per person per day for the Baby Show, and R150 for the Baby Show & #MeetUp on the Saturday.
There are also exclusive ticket packages from main sponsors Pampers, BabiesRUs, Medela, SnuggleRoo & Tommee Tippee that include products, money-off and added value experiences. For a full list on what’s on offer and to purchase your tickets, visit The Baby Show & #MeetUp website.