Andrew Macnamara oversees the operation of the travelling Mining and Technical Exhibitions. From concept, planning, to execution he is the man behind the wheel well supported by his team. Together they ensure that MTE expos provide value to the industries they serve, ensuring they are aligned with the needs of the industry and bring solutions tailored for every exhibition they put together. Here are some things you might not know about him.
Getting to know Andrew
MTE’s operations director, Andrew Macnamara. © Mining and Technical Exhibitions
Q: Let’s start with how you got involved with MTE?
A: I joined the family business (MTE) in 2008, before that I was in the catering and events industry. I‘m a qualified chef. Being a chef is quite a hectic game, so I changed industries. That’s when I joined MTE and I can remember my first expos were the Botswana exhibitions we were hosting in Francistown and Selebi Phikwe. I started at the bottom, coordinating exhibitions and handling marketing. I had to learn the ropes quickly.
Q: What does a typical expo day look like for you?
A: There’s a lot that happens before the exhibition itself. We run up to 27 mining expos per year.
A lot of planning goes into each exhibition beforehand. For example, our calendar for 2026 was launched in September, but a lot of work goes into getting to that point. Once the calendar is finalised, I reach out to mines to understand their interests. While that’s happening, the team begins booking venues and refreshing invitations, promotional materials and posters.
As the expos approach, everything starts coming together. On the day of the event, we arrive early, depending on the location and my operational team sets up tents. I focus on marketing the exhibition onsite at the mines, visiting different offices and management teams to create buzz.
Suppliers arrive and set up their stalls, our expos typically run from 13:00 to 17:00 in South Africa. Suppliers are ready before the start time and visitors begin arriving at noon. It’s a high-impact event that moves quickly. Despite the fast pace, there’s a lot of networking, talking and information sharing throughout the day.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment or funny story from one of the shows?
A: There are many! Border-crossing tours are always memorable. When I first took over operations, I had to learn how to move trucks and equipment across borders, like on a Zambia tour which is 2 800 km from Johannesburg. The truck crosses two borders, dodgy roads and customs.
One standout moment was seeing our branded truck at sunrise heading to the next expo. We do three-show combos, so it’s a lot of driving, setting up and executing. The team is strong and committed, which makes it all work. At the end of the day the biggest highlight is seeing how the company has grown over the years and our capabilities in creating networking opportunities in a foreign country entrusted by our suppliers.
Funny stories? Too many to count, border mishaps, post-show relaxation moments and so on.
Q: When you’re not on the road, how do you unwind?
A: With a six-year-old, unwinding is rare! But any family time is precious. We enjoy going to the Vaal Dam, having a braai at home, colouring, baking, just spending time with Sharyn and Shay. It’s hard to balance, but we make it work.
Q: What value does the expo bring to mines?
A: We dive deeper into the challenges faced by mines to better understand their challenges so we can match up them with suppliers who offer relevant solutions. MTE is not just another exhibition with a lineup of suppliers hoping to attract interest. We actively facilitate real connections that solve real operational challenges. Mines and operations often have challenges that need practical solutions.
For the past 17 years, I’ve built strong relationships with suppliers and industry professionals, both online and in person. These connections allow us to create meaningful expos that deliver real value to the mining sector.