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Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa
Vol 39 No 11 November 2019
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Business Events Africa: Serving the business events industry for 39 years
CONTENTS
VOL 39 NO 11 NOVEMBER 2019
23
About the cover Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa: unsurpassed luxury Located in the picturesque town of Knysna, sprawled across lush grounds in a private estate, is Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa – undoubtedly one of the most spectacular luxury venues on the Garden Route.
Special Features 14 DESTINATION FEATURE: CAPE TOWN Cape Town is a prime business events destination, which inspires meeting planners to explore a wide variety of unforgettable attractions and venue options. This month, Business Events Africa highlights CTICC, Spier, Stellenbosch Wine Routes and Folio Group.
31 TOP EXHIBITION SUPPLIERS There are various suppliers in the exhibition & event industry and finding the top one and most importantly, the right contractor for your trade show or exhibition stand, is critical to your project’s success. Our special feature this month presents insights from EXSA, Scan Display, Expo Guys, GL events, Barmotion and AAXO.
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The authority on meetings, exhibitions, special events and incentives management
20 Destination feature: Cape Town 20 Cape Town International Convention Centre: The venue of choice 22 Folio Group: Uniting people through language.
HEAD OFFICE PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Suite 1, Fields Shopping Centre, Old Main Road, Kloof 3610 HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 414, Kloof 3640, South Africa TEL: +27 31 764 6977 FAX: 086 762 1867 PUBLISHER: Godfrey King gk@contactpub.co.za
23 Stellenbosch Wine Route embraces environmental practices. 24 Spier is empowering positive change.
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Malcolm King malcolm@contactpub.co.za EDITOR: Irene Costa gomesi@iafrica.com
Features 4 Editor’s comment Time for Africa to shine. 5 News Tourism excellence celebrated at the 7th Lilizela Tourism Awards. 8 Techwatch Durban ICC launches new online app. 17 Future focus New SAACI board member aims to make ‘a lasting contribution’. 18 Q & A Minister Kganyago plans to take the CSIR ICC to new heights. 19 Executive chef Making clients happy through good food and service. 26 Hotel group update A year of expansion and upgrades for Premier Hotels & Resorts. 28 Trends report Are promotional products the gifts that keep on giving in SA? 30 International news UFI strengthens its commitment to sustainable development. Top exhibition suppliers 32 Defining top exhibition suppliers.
Published by the proprietor Contact Publications (Pty) Ltd (Reg No. 1981/011920/07)
34 Barmotion: More than just a mobile bar company. 36 How to choose the best exhibition supplier. Market news 37 The Boardwalk Casino scoops Ask Afrika Orange Index Award. 38 Southern Spoor celebrates 20 years in hospitality. 39 GainingEdge announces new partner for Africa. 39 SA Investment Conference digitally powered by Flock.
PRODUCTION AND DESIGN EDITOR: Hayley Mendelow hayley@contactpub.co.za JUNIOR DESIGNER: Elrisha du Plooy elrisha@contactpub.co.za DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jackie Goosen jackie@contactpub.co.za SALES REPRESENTATIVES: Irene Costa | +27 (0)82 558 7387 gomesi@iafrica.com PUBLICATION DETAILS: Volume 39 No 11 Business Events Africa has 12 issues a year and is published monthly, with the Yearbook in June.
40 Event Greening Forum news BARSA Aviation Summit 2019. 42 SAACI news Building on our manifesto
52 Mahogany Road, Westmead www.paarlmedia.co.za
43 SITE news The Bangkok Manifesto Statement #8. 44 Index of advertisers. 45 Calendar. 46 Directory & associations of interest to the industry. 48 Last word It’s time for SA’s tourism sector to shine.
South Africa National Convention Bureau
CASE STUDY
Business Events Africa, in collaboration with the South Africa National Convention Bureau, continue to run a series of supplements on the importance and the far reaching impact business events have on a destination.
publishers of Business Events Africa, is a member of:
SANCB | The Case Study
THE POWER OF THE
9
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATE: R680 which includes postage, packaging and VAT. Rates for addresses outside South Africa can be obtained on application to the Subscription Department.
ASSOCIATION CONGRESS
Learning | Growth | collaboration
Official Journal of the Southern Africa Chapter of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence
PASCAR , SA Heart®
aaxo
Official media partner
Official journal of the Exhibition & Event Association of Southern Africa
& Africa PCR Congre
31 October – 3 Novemb
ss 2019
er | Johannesburg, South
Africa
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EDITOR’S COMMENT
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his last month saw South Africa shine on the global stage with South Africa winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup! Wow, it certainly got all South Africans feeling patriotic, something I think we haven’t felt for a long time. I just wish we had a way to bottle up that ‘feel-good feeling’. For the first time in a long time we all felt united – all South Africans – even those in other countries felt it too. Though we are faced with our share of challenges as a country, when it counts we are always winners. This definitely rings true in the business events industry in South Africa. We always go beyond and ensure that all events, exhibitions, congresses and incentives that take place on our shores are successfully hosted. We have the infrastructure, the expertise and most importantly we have the people. South Africans are hard workers, passionate and resilient people in all we do.
For the last few years we have worked on various supplements, in conjunction with the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB). In this issue we have a case study on the recently held PASCAR, SA Heart® & AfricaPCR Congress 2019 (an African association congress that rotates around Africa) and attracts international delegates from all over the world. I am always amazed by the expertise that we have coming into our country for these international congresses. What really impressed me about this one was the amount of international countries represented from outside Africa that attended this African-led congress. Nearly half of the countries represented at the congress (22 countries) were from outside Africa, while 26 of the countries were from Africa. The majority of delegates were from South Africa. I suppose there is a legacy when it comes to cardiology and South Africa, with South African Chris Barnard
Credit: Hein Liebetrau
Time for Africa to shine being the first doctor to successfully perform a heart transplant. Africa has got its own expertise and I know that one of the SANCB’s goals is to attract more African association congresses to South Africa. Africa is rising in every way, and building on our own expertise by sharing knowledge through congresses within Africa just makes business sense. Africa is rising! I am excited to be an African in this changing world but even more so, I remain proudly South African! Together, anything is possible.
Irene
Email: gomesi@iafrica.com
NEWS
Tourism excellence celebrated at the 7th Lilizela Tourism Awards The annual Lilizela Tourism Awards took place on Saturday, 9 November 2019, honouring excellence in South Africa’s tourism and hospitality industry - which drives the industry to levels of greatness through providing the highest standards of service excellence.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane
A
cross-section of South African tourism accommodation establishments, visitor experiences, tour operators, tour guides, emerging entrepreneurs were celebrated alongside several industry luminaries, during an awards ceremony that saw performances by the likes of Sibongile Khumalo and The Ndlovu Youth Choir. Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane paid special tribute to South Africa’s outstanding tourism businesses, some of which have been beneficiaries of the National Department of Tourism’s market access and enterprise development programmes. “Thank you to the men and women who, in their area of work, go the extra mile to ensure that tourists that travel to our country enjoy a memorable experience. Providing real authentic experiences to tourists is what will sustain and grow our tourism sector. All of us should do this cognisant of the
fact that tourists have no obligation to choose South Africa as a tourist destination,” she said. “Tourism is a very competitive sector and demands from all of us to offer tourists a distinct, authentically South African and memorable experience so that they can return to our country again and again, or even better entice others to come along with them in their subsequent visits. As we cast our eyes into the future, we must continue to ensure that we transform our sector inclusively and to showcase more authentic and uniquely South African experiences,” she said. This year’s awards coincide with South Africa’s 25 years of democracy commemorations and honoured the tourism excellence born as a result of this phenomenal history. In support of Government’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism and youth employment, a Sustainability Village showcased SA’s arts and craft. The minister and other special guests toured the Sustainability Village, a curated space for selected blackowned businesses to market their products at the venue, all of which are proudly
For a full list of winners please visit https://bit. ly/2rXxSoY
made in South Africa. Many of their products are also inspired by South African culture and heritage, and are beautifully handcrafted using sustainable materials which is why we are proud to support this initiative. In total, 66 awards under eight categories were handed out to deserving recipients. In an effort to recognise the wider tourism industry, nine new award sub-categories have been introduced. These are: • In-hotel conference centre. • Events venue. • Function venue. • Conference centre. • Convention & exhibition centre. • Meetings, exhibitions and special events. • Apartment hotel. • Boutique hotel. • Small hotel. Bheki Dube of Curiosity Backpackers was awarded the prestigious “I Do Tourism” award. Introduced in 2018, this award recognises proudly South African organisations or individuals who, through sheer dedication and passion, have excelled in positioning the country as a tourism destination of choice, contributing to the vibrancy and growth of the sector.
Business Events Africa November 2019 5
COVER STORY | Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
UNSURPASSED LUXURY Located in the picturesque town of Knysna, sprawled across lush grounds in a private estate, is Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa – undoubtedly one of the most spectacular luxury venues on the Garden Route.
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rom gorgeous views across the sparkling Knysna Lagoon, Indian Ocean and the Pezula Championship Golf Course, to the majestic Outeniqua Mountains’ backdrop, and the unsurpassed, spacious luxury of the hotel’s Suites and Villas at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa is a rare treasure. All of Pezula’s luxurious Suites and Villas are large, spacious, and offer a wonderful variety of wide views, emphasised by large windows leading to private balconies or decks. The
Suites and Villas exude a sense of contemporary luxury and warmth. Featuring complimentary Wi-Fi, airconditioning, fireplaces, kitchenettes, luscious double-layer robes, and an array of amenities and facilities, the sense of relaxed luxury embraces you from the moment you arrive. Heading to Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa for a conference, corporate event or retreat is not only highly recommended, it’s also a breeze. Imagine this: leaving Johannesburg on a morning flight, and being on the Pezula
6 Business Events Africa November 2019
Championship Course by lunchtime. The hotel’s offer of airport transfers to and from George Airport ensures hassle-free arrival – it’s only an hour’s drive from the airport to the estate. Working alongside the hotel’s elite team of business professionals is easy, convenient and ensures an exceptional and memorable conference. Their indepth knowledge, Preferred Suppliers list, and beautiful variety of on-site and off-site venues and activities enable the smooth organisation of a variety of events; from product launches
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COVER STORY | Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
on the pool deck overlooking the estate, to the Outeniqua Boardroom with its refined finishes and spacious interiors. Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa can accommodate up to 210 delegates. But it’s not all about business at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa. With business beautifully concluded, it is time to unwind, with a bevy of experiences available in and around the estate. Challenge your colleagues to a round of golf on the superbly scenic Pezula Championship Golf Course and breathe in the crisp air of the Indian Ocean, and fynbos fragrances from the endless gardens.
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Among the many favourite activities are picnics at Noetzie Beach, a sunset cruise on the Knysna lagoon, a hike along the Fisherman’s Trail, a visit to the Car Showcase in the hotel’s basement, and, of course, relaxation and a day of perfect pampering at the sensational spa. Or, simply enjoy the day soaking up the comfort and luxuries of the stunning Suites and Villas. Coco Chanel famously said that “luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury”. And this saying does not ring more true than at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa.
RESERVATIONS: +27 (0)21 437 9726 direct@pezulahotel.com www.pezulahotel.com RECEPTION: +27 (0)44 302 3333
Business Events Africa November 2019 7
TECHWATCH
Durban ICC launches new online app As a leading meetings and conference centre on the African continent, the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) remains at the forefront of digital innovation and has introduced a new online app that will make the lives of delegates, stakeholders, exhibitors and contractors easier.
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he Durban ICC is the first convention centre in South Africa to integrate the what3words addressing system to assist its visitors to navigate their way around the complex. The what3words technology uses its unique approach to help visitors find the exact location of points of interest within the centre’s complex. what3words is a simple way to talk about location. They have assigned each 3-metre square in the world a unique
3 word address that will never change using three dictionary words. Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer of Durban ICC, said what3words is a simple and accurate way to help people find a precise location,
making it much easier to discover and tell others about various places and explore the world without getting lost. “The Durban ICC is the largest flat floor, column-free multipurpose event space in Africa. Incorporating the Durban International Convention Centre, Durban ICC Arena and Durban Exhibition Centre, the complex offers 112 000 m² of flexible exhibition and meeting space and has multiple entrances. what3words, which is far more accurate and reliable, will help our delegates and visitors easily find the correct entrances to our venues for their specific events. Deliveries will also be sent to the intended entrance and contractors will not struggle to find their way to our loading dock entrance to offload goods,” Ms Rakharebe said. Ms Rakharebe added that since the fourth industrial revolution has changed almost all aspects of human life, the Durban ICC team always strives to integrate cutting-edge technology into the centre’s daily operations in order to enhance each guest’s experience.
About what3words
According to the what3words website, the what3words API is a fast, simple interface which allows you to convert three word addresses to coordinates and vice versa. It features a powerful autosuggest function, which can validate and autocorrect user input and limit it to certain geographic areas. The unique addressing system is also already available in over 35 languages, including isiZulu, isiXhosa and Afrikaans making it accessible to a growing international audience.
8 Business Events Africa November 2019
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CASE STUDY
SANCB | The Case Study
THE POWER OF THE
ASSOCIATION CONGRESS
PASCAR, SA Heart® & Africa PCR Congress 2019 31 October – 3 November | Johannesburg, South Africa
SANCB | The Case Study
The case study
PASCAR, SA Heart® & AfricaPCR Congress 2019 Business Events Africa, in collaboration with the South Africa National Convention Bureau, continue to run a series of supplements on the importance and the far reaching impact business events have on a destination.
I
n this supplement, we take a closer look at the PASCAR, SA Heart® & AfricaPCR Congress 2019 which took place in Johannesburg from 31 October – 3 November 2019. PASCAR congress is a biennial congress rotating through its member countries.
Africa’s premier heart conference provides a platform for scientists, practitioners, advocates and policy-makers to come together to mobilise the cardiovascular community to reduce the burden of CVD. Member associations of which SA Heart® is one can tender/bid to host the congress.
Host City: Johannesburg Venue: Sandton Convention Centre
Event organiser: Europa Organisation Africa
1 113 delegates 4 days 48 countries represented Breakdown of delegates’ countries represented Africa Algeria Angola Botswana Burundi Cameroon Congo Egypt Ethiopia
Ghana Kenya Mauritius Malawi Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria
Rwanda Senegal South Africa Sudan Tanzania Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
10 Business Events Africa November 2019
Europe Belgium Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Netherlands
Switzerland UK
Asia Bangladesh India Iraq Japan Lebanon Malaysia
Saudi Arabia Thailand UAE
North America United States
South America Mexico
Oceania Australia
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SANCB | The Case Study
What is PASCAR? The Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) had its beginnings in 1981 in Badagry, Nigeria. PASCAR is an organisation of physicians from across Africa involved in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and is concerned by the lack of progress in the diagnosis and effective treatment of cardiovascular disease across Africa. Africa does offer some unique challenges but, with sound and achievable objectives and a long-term
vision, a positive impact on the disease can be made. The PASCAR Governing Council focuses on identifying key issues, brainstorming novel solutions and designing appropriate programs to combat cardiovascular disease on the continent. No individual membership, but Cardiac Societies / Associations (like SA Heart®) of African Countries are members of the Pan African Society of Cardiology.
CONFERENCE ROI for South Africa is estimated at
R28 492 800
www.pascar.org
What is SA Heart®? SA Heart® are the scientific leaders in South Africa in cardiovascular healthcare delivery, research and education. Our mission is to champion equitable and sustainable healthcare, to lead and innovate in the cardiovascular sciences, to educate healthcare professionals and the public as well as influence cardiovascular healthcare policy. Our ultimate vision is the advancement of cardiovascular healthcare for all those living in South Africa. The South African Heart Association was formally constituted in September 1999, from the amalgamation of the Southern African Cardiac Society and the South African Society of Cardiac Practitioners, becoming the sole organisation representing the professional interests of all cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons in the country. In 2016 SA Heart® became a non-
profit company, the South African Heart Association NPC. The SA Heart® membership now includes many medical technologists, nursing personnel and scientists involved in cardiovascular research. The special interest groups affiliated to SA Heart® include the Paediatric Cardiac Society, the Arrhythmia Society, the Cardiac Imaging Society, the Surgical Group, the Society of Cardiovascular Intervention, the Heart Failure Society, the Society of Cardiac Research and the Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society. SA Heart® is an affiliated member of the South African Medical Association, the European Society of Cardiology, a member of the World Heart Federation and a member of the Pan African Society of Cardiology. www.saheart.org
IMPACT OF REGIONAL MEETING: People from 47 countries worldwide, saw our country for the first time.
What is AfricaPCR? AfricaPCR is a practical case-based interventional cardiology programme. PCR encompasses interventional cardiology in Africa and blends extremely well with the overall theme. SA-CMR will bring a unique imaging dimension to the meeting. Advocacy and policy will be the focus of AHN to identify and address our unmet needs if we are to reduce the burden of CVD in Africa, a stated aim of the WHO.
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Business Events Africa November 2019 11
SANCB | The Case Study
Insights into the PASCAR, SA Heart® & AfricaPCR Congress 2019 When did the PASCAR Congress start? In 1979, the president of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, Professor Ayodele Falase, created the Pan-African Congress of Cardiology, which would become PASCAR. The first PASCAR conference was held in Badagry, Nigeria, in 1981.
Is this the first time the PASCAR Congress has been to South Africa? It is the first time the congress has been in South Africa though the first PASCAR allAfrica workshop on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease was held in 2005 in the Drakensberg , South Africa, leading to the so-called Drakensberg Declaration, which established Africaspecific policies for prevention and control of this disease.
Hosting the congress in Johannesburg should broaden all non- South African attendees horizons as to what South Africa and Johannesburg can offer. From a cardiology perspective this means first class facilities, peer networking and collaboration. We hope to see increased patient referrals to South Africa rather than traditional non-African tertiary hospitals such as Europe and India. George Nel, PASCAR
Erika Dau, operations officer of SA Heart® shared her insights into the PASCAR, SA Heart® & AfricaPCR Congress 2019. Ms Dau, said: “The SA Heart® Congress was successfully hosted by the city of Johannesburg and Sandton Convention Centre in 2017. The return to the city for the PASCAR, SA Heart® and AfricaPCR 2019 Congress was an easy choice. SA Heart® worked on the bid to bring the congress to Johannesburg and due to the size of the congress, the Sandton Convention Centre was obvious choice for
the international congress. International visitors arriving at OR Tambo could make use of the Gautrain to Sandton, which meant convenience and ease of movement.” While Johannesburg offers all the logistical infrastructure it’s also important to note that it has world-class healthcare facilities and services, including the third-largest academic hospital in the world (Chris Hani
Baragwanath Hospital) and a well-developed pharmaceutical industry. “SANCB offered support for this congress. They previously supported our exhibition booth at the ESC (European Society of Cardiology), the World Paediatric Cardiology congress (2013) and World Congress of the World Society of Cardiothoracic surgeons (2016).” she added.
Highlights of PASCAR, SA Heart® & AfricaPCR 2019 Congress • I t was the first time that we did a LIVE case from outside of South Africa. This live case on PTMC was streamed from Agakhan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. This assisted with the teachings of how procedures could be done in African countries. •T he congress had a sustainability village where faculty members were given a voucher to spend at the village. They could also assist other delegates who would like to purchase a small souvenir from South Africa to take home with them. • I n addition to the above, we employed four students to assist the congress organisers with items around the congress – this provided employment for these students for the three days.
The four-day programme was designed to bring together distinguished international and regional faculty to deliver high calibre scientific content, covering almost all aspects of clinical cardiology and dealing in particular with specific endemic cardiac problems in Africa. The remarkable gathering provided a good opportunity for interactive education, innovative discussions and a great chance to exchange ideas with colleagues coming from all over the world.
SANCB SUPPORT • Delegate boosting • Financial bid support • Onsite event services.
Saad Subahi, PASCAR president
12 Business Events Africa November 2019
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SANCB | The Case Study
The Bidding Fund The South African government has allocated R90 million for a Bidding Support Programme to allow South Africa to bid more aggressively for international association conferences, meetings, incentives and exhibitions over the next three years. This fund gives South Africa ‘extra muscle’ when competing against other destinations.
SANCB BIDDING SUPPORT PROGRAMME
R90 m 2017-2021
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he money is available to associations whose meetings align with South Africa’s key industries and can show their meeting will deliver knowledge exchange and investment opportunities. Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer at the SANCB, the organisation administering the Bidding Fund, said that they only provide support and bid funding to the six key industries as outlined in the National Development Plan 2030. “It focuses also mostly on the potential of these association meetings for economic development, for investment potential, and for education. Of course, it also focuses on the normal direct economic impact of the people that are coming, but the association meetings that we bid for are mostly to align to the economic sectors that can be involved in job creation and growth in those specific sectors from an economic perspective.”
The role of the convention bureau The South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) was formed in 2012 with the task of growing the business events industry in South Africa.
Which sectors are targeted? The SANCB focuses its efforts on attracting events in economic sectors that have been identified by the government as priorities for future development. Hosting major events in these sectors can contribute significantly to accelerating the macroeconomic benefits for the country. One of the SANCB’s focus points is on increasing African regional conferences to be hosted in South Africa.
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Primary focus of bid support programme: Securing international conventions, meetings, incentives and exhibitions (i.e. bids)
Bid policies and procedures
SANCB support
Roles and service offerings of national convention bureaus DESTINATION MARKETING
• NCBs promote and sell their country globally to create a brand as a destination for holding meetings, incentives and conventions. • Create a marketing platform for local business events industry players through trade shows, familiarisation trips etc.
SUPPORT IN BIDDING
• NCBs provide support to regional or city convention bureaus in bidding for key events through activities such as document preparation and presentation. • For international events, NCBs promote the entire country as the host and highlight its key destinations.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
• In some cases, NCBs provide financial support to organisers through programmes such as subvention, or to help generate funds for the business event.
MAXIMISING ATTENDANCE
• NCBs work with convention bureaus to generate maximum delegate attendance at events that have been secured through advertising and association channels.
GENERATE BUSINESS LEADS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
• NCBs help in developing business leads and share them with convention bureaus for securing contracts for the events. • NCBs actively dissipate knowledge and educate their industry players and other stakeholders. • They conduct industry research to gauge existing opportunities and trends, and maximise business based on the outcomes. • NCB act as a common information point for organisers and venues, providing advice and support in arrangements.
INFORMATION POINT
• They also build liaisons with other stakeholders such as hotel suppliers and airlines. • Coordinate with provincial and city convention bureaus with bid and convention planning site inspectors.
Source: Association of Australian Convention Bureaux Inc; Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau; German Convention Bureau; Grail Research Analysis.
Business Events Africa November 2019 13
SANCB | The Case Study
DID YOU KNOW? The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is
the 3rd largest hospital in the world, occupying around 173 acres (0.70 km2), with approximately 3 200 beds and about 6 760 staff members. The facilities are housed in 429 buildings with a total surface area of 233 795 m2. Accident, emergency and ambulance represent the busiest services, counting over 350 daily patients. Every year, about 150 000 inpatient and 500 000 outpatient cases are registered. The hospital is in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, along with the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre The Sandton Convention Centre provided the facilities needed, i.e. for large plenary sessions, enough breakaway rooms, plus a big exhibition centre. The proximity to the Gautrain and the variety of accommodation in the area was another plus.
GAUTENG TOURISM AUTHORITY’S CONTRIBUTION: •A ssistance with logistics at OR Tambo International local and international delegates. • J ob creation of students for the duration of the congress. •O pportunity for crafters to showcase and sell their products at the congress. •O nsite congress cost.
The benefits of a medical conference • Increase interaction between medical professionals from all over the world. • Information sharing on how to apply these advancing medical technologies. • New treatments and therapies, new techniques, even new diseases are presented. • Researchers, the pioneers of the profession also have the opportunity
to share their discoveries with the world. That’s how thousands of lives are saved. • They can also organise workshops, where the participants can have hands-on experience, so their knowledge won’t only be theoretical. • Build relationships.
BIDDING PROCESS LEAD SOURCING Who sources leads?
LEAD QUALIFICATION PROCESS
• NCB.
• Does the lead meet the size targets?
•C ity/ provincial convention bureaus.
• What sector does the lead fall under?
•B usiness events products and services.
• Does the lead require bid assistance?
•R epresentative agents for SA business events products and services.
• What are the hosting requirements for the bid/ proposal? • What insights and intelligence is available on the bid/ proposal?
14 Business Events Africa November 2019
LEAD SUBMISSION PROCESS • Lead ‘finder‘ complete bid/ proposal fact sheet. • Submit completed fact sheet to NCB/ CB. • NCB create a CRM account for the lead. • NCB submit the account including any insights and intelligence for the city or provincial convention bureaus.
EVALUATION PROCESS • NCM review and assess the submission. • NCB prepare and submit a WMS submission for approval. • NCB produces a support letter for the bid/proposal. • NCB liaise with the city/ provincial convention bureau regarding the production of the bid/ proposal based on the hosting requirements.
BID SUBMISSION PROCESS • City/ provincial convention bureau submit the bid/ proposal to the client/ association. • NCB liaise with the city/ provincial convention bureau regarding any followup requirements after the bid/ proposal submission process.
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SANCB | The Case Study
Impact of the congress
LIST OF PASCAR CONGRESSES OVER THE YEARS: 2017: 8-11 October – Khartoum, Sudan 2015: 3-7 October – Balaclava, Mauritius
Reduce Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Africa
Spread knowledge
(the stated aim of the World Health Organisation)
Boost economy Coming together of major associations A milestone for cardiology in Africa.
Advocacy and policy making in the cardiology field
Practical case-based interventional cardiology programme.
2013: 16-20 May – Dakar, Senegal 2011: 27-31 May – Kampala, Uganda 2009: 26-30 September - Abuja, Nigeria 2007: 13-16 May – Nairobi, Kenya 2004: Accra, Ghana 1999: August – Cotonou, Benin 1993: 4-9 April – Yaounde, Cameroon 1989: March – Senegal, Dakar 1985: Cairo, Egypt 1983: April – Nairobi, Kenya 1981: May – Nigeria (First conference)
National convention bureaus play an important role in strengthening a country’s business events offerings globally, by conducting marketing and promotional campaigns, acting as a onestop solution and providing technical support.
DID YOU KNOW? The South African pharmaceutical industry
provides the vital service of providing medication to the South African population and was valued at between R42.6bn and R45bn in 2016. Involved in the sector are 276 companies licensed by the Department of Health and the Medical Controls Council. Local manufacturing, valued at R 4.9bn in 2015, is dominated by local companies. In 2015 Aspen had a market share of 15.3% and Adcock Ingram’s market share was 8.9%. South African companies hold the number one position for overall market share, for Pharmaceuticals only and for over-the-counter medication only.
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REGIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS: The SANCB supports regional African meetings and conferences of
100 delegates and more, because the SANCB understands that regional African conferences attract smaller numbers but require as much organisation and assistance.
Business Events Africa November 2019 15
SANCB | The Case Study
When shared minds come together, we advance Africa. Connect to one of the fastest-growing and most exciting business destinations in the world, where growing global economies and shared minds unite. Hosting over 3 330 delegates, 306 world-class exhibitors and esteemed buyers from all over the world! See how authentic African imagination and innovation bring business and global events to life. Meet us at Meetings Africa.
24 FEBRUARY 2020: BONDAY
25-26 FEBRUARY 2020:
EXHIBITION SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
www.meetingsafrica.co.za
16 Business Events Africa November 2019
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FUTURE FOCUS
New SAACI board member aims to make ‘a lasting contribution’ Michelle Bingham, sales manager at Sandton Convention Centre, who has been appointed to the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) national board as the venue representative, said her biggest learning in the business events industry in the past seven years is that “anything is possible”.
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he said: “It’s a remarkable, rabbit-out-of-the-hat industry that demands attention to detail, hard work, often in the background, and phenomenal teamwork to ensure that events come together as planned.” Ms Bingham is determined to make a “lasting contribution” to SAACI, which is a professional association for the business events industry with more than 1 500 members, facilitating an enabling environment for learning, growth and collaboration. Ms Bingham has been a member for seven years and vicechair of the Johannesburg subcommittee for three years. She said: “Being nominated and voted onto the board by the members is a great honour. It is an association that has an important role to play in the wider tourism and travel industry, promoting professionalism in a sector of the industry that is often not addressed in related tertiary studies. Transferring knowledge and skills is a high priority for me in this new position on the board.” Ms Bingham, who has been with SCC since 2013, said her passion for all things hospitality was ignited by her mother, a strong woman with a great sense of family and inclusion, and a love of entertaining, which inspired her to study tourism and travel services marketing management at Tshwane University of Technology. Then her first job, as a hostess at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, ingrained in her the value of consistent and committed customer-centricity. “Hospitality is about always going the extra mile,” she says. Bingham became a recruit trainer at the Animal Kingdom, sharing her learnings and love for delivering beyond customer expectations. www.businesseventsafrica.com
Michelle Bingham.
She spent seven years in the hotel industry as a sales manager, before moving to SCC and the business events industry. “I love this industry. There is so much involved, it is so diverse – with people from all backgrounds, and the most important requirements for success in this sector are creativity and passion.” Having travelled fairly widely around the world and been part of international conferences and confexes, Ms Bingham said the South African business events industry is respected in other countries. “South Africa has something very special to offer the world and we integrate so much of what the country is about into our business events offerings. “At global events, we have often had associates from other countries express surprise at South Africa’s unique approach to problem-solving and
“Being nominated and voted onto the board by the members is a great honour. It is an association that has an important role to play in the wider tourism and travel industry, promoting professionalism in a sector of the industry that is often not addressed in related tertiary studies.” events, incorporating the rich tourism opportunities into our offerings.” Ms Bingham’s enthusiasm for learning extends to her out-of-work hours too, where she balances her working life with reading, listening to selfawareness podcasts, working out, pilates, and relaxing with friends.
Business Events Africa November 2019 17
Q&A
Minister Kganyago plans to take the CSIR ICC to new heights Aspiring Minister Kganyago, 30, business development manager at the CSIR ICC, has big plans. This young Pedi man from Limpopo is passionate about marketing and is currently studying for a master’s degree in communication at the North West University.
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is passion for the business events industry has him serving on the national board of SAACI (South African Association for the Conference Industry), CEPA (Council of Events Professionals Africa) and Groove SA (A tourism youth initiative). He was also recently the winner of the SAACI The Young Achiever Award, which recognised Minister’s outstanding contribution to SAACI and his high level of commitment, dedication and influence in the industry. His pioneering spirit on a personal and business level contributes towards new developments in SAACI. After school, Minister went on to study towards a corporate and marketing degree at the University of the Free State and also become a golden key honour student. Minister also holds an honours degree from University of Johannesburg in Strategic Marketing. In this one-on-one interview, Minister shares with Business Event Africa insights into his new position and role at CSIR ICC in Tshwane.
effectively in the space of business events.
I see CSIR ICC as a thought leader, influencing the performance of the industry while contributing to the greater South African economy.
However, there is hope, but that hope will come from diversity and doing things differently. Like Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”. So business events organisations will have to do things differently if they want different results in this tough economy.
What do you hope to achieve at the CSIR ICC?
Who is the CSIR ICC’s main market?
I hope to be able to extend my contribution in the industry, take the brand further in terms or market reach both locally and internationally, and be able to grow the association markets. I would like to place the CSIR ICC as a salient brand, highlighting the superior product offerings and satisfactory service delivery. Grow our numbers of delegates to ultimately increase the international arrival numbers nationally.
CSIR ICC’s main market segments are associations, government and private sector.
Do you have a set of goals that you could share?
Are there any developments planned at the CSIR ICC?
How do you see the CSIR ICC in the South African business arena?
What does the new position at CSIR ICC entail? My new role as the business development manager at CSIR ICC entails excitement. Excitement in the fact that I will be centred in the mix of the business events industry, given that CSIR ICC is one of the leading business events organisations, not only in Tshwane and Gauteng but the country at large. My role, in a nutshell, entails looking at the commercialisation of the ICC in terms of revenue growth, it entails developing the product offering and positioning the organisation to contribute 18 Business Events Africa November 2019
My goals are to strengthen our brand equity through superior venue propositions, draw inspiration from our mother company to come up with innovative solutions to enhance our venue offering and to ultimately increase our annual delegate numbers.
How do you see the current business events sector in South Africa? The industry is in challenging times given the weakening economy.
Would you like to see the CSIR ICC expand its clientele market? I believe in targeted marketing than ‘a one size fits all approach’. So I would like to see CSIR ICC leverage more from the segments it already targets.
Certainly, our business planning session has looked at areas of enhancements all around from service, product and culinary to stay abreast with industry trends. We are looking at modifying our venue facilities both in terms of technology and infrastructure. We have set some plans to strengthen our sales force so that our markets can be better reached and serviced.
How do you feel about your new role and the CSIR’s future? “And suddenly you know...It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” That is exactly how I feel. Finally, I would like to wish all our friends in the industry from delegates, suppliers and associations, a happy festive period ahead. May we all be able to wrap it up on a high note! Cheers to a remarkable business events year. www.businesseventsafrica.com
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Making clients happy through good food and service Paul Barrett, 47, executive chef at Summer Place in Sandton has been with the hotel for over six months but has been in the industry for 30 years.
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’m really enjoying the challenge and working with the people around me. Hopefully I will be here for a few years to come so we can continue making our clients as happy as possible by giving them great food and service,” he said. Paul was born in Leamington Spa, England. He went to Myton School where he left at the age of 16 and decided that he enjoyed cooking so went to south Warwickshire College where he completed a City & Guilds three-year catering course. “While I was attending college I also had an evening job at an Italian restaurant doing basic prep work for the chef.” Once he left college he went to work at a gastro pub for three years doing the basic prep and cooking. “After leaving college I went to a restaurant called Sachers, where I was employed for eight years, working my way up from commis chef to sous chef. I then went to work at the opposition restaurant in Stratford Upon Avon, which was around the corner from the Shakespeare Theatre. This restaurant seated 50 guests, but most nights we could serve 130-200 guests.”
What is your signature dish? My signature dish is slow cooked pork belly on creamy mustard mash with caramelised apples and an Asian jus. A good wine match for this is a white Chenin Blanc. If you don’t like to drink wine then a medium dry cider or pale ale will go nicely.
What trends are emerging in the conference industry in regards to food? Trends that are emerging in the conference industry in regards to food are eating healthier and lighter
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Paul said: “I am married but have no children; my wife and I met in England and dated for six months before she moved back to South Africa. One month later I also moved to South Africa to be with her, that was 13 years ago. We have been married for six years now.” When not working he enjoys watching movies at the cinema and socialising with close friends over a meal and drinks. His advice for anybody who wants to become a chef is: “You must be passionate about cooking and be okay to work the long hours, you can quite often miss out on social things with family and friends.” Paul has worked at various establishments in South Africa as either sous chef or head chef, they are: Ten Bompas Hotel, Narina Trogon Restaurant, Zulu Nyala Country Manor and Peech Hotel. “Each place I have worked at has given me experience in different ways, some places were smaller with al a carte restaurants cooking from 20 to 60 guests a night, other places were much bigger catering for large conferences and weddings cooking for as many as 500 guests at a time and doing several
different functions in the same day.” Paul added: “I think it is important to try different places where the type of food and the serving of it can be very different, this helps you grow as a chef and teaches you a verity of skills and how to deal with various challenges you will experience as an executive chef. “The one piece of advice I would pass on to anybody who wants to become an executive chef is always be as patient and calm with your staff as much as you can, most of the time you will find that the staff will react better to you and do their job to a better standard, plus if they are happy in their job it will show in the presentation and taste of the food.”
food so when people go back into their meetings after lunch they don’t feel to full and blotted and tired. Delegates want to be able to keep momentum up in their meeting and not feel slow and sluggish.
their business meeting or brain storming session.
What has remained constant in this industry?
What is your favourite food? My favourite foods are
One thing that has remained constant in conferencing is the need to have the food ready on time for the conference breaks, people don’t want to wait around wasting time. Time is money. They want to eat quickly and get back to
What is your favourite beverage? My favorite beverages are tea, coffee or beer.
sandwiches and burgers. The main reason for this is because you can put anything inside depending on your mood or whatever you have in your fridge and there are so many combinations you can have so they never get boring.
What is your pet hate? My pet hate is lateness; I believe you should always be on time or even arrive somewhere early.
What is your great love? My great love is seeing the guest’s face light up when they have really enjoyed what you have cooked for them.
Are you adventurous? When I was younger I used to be adventurous. I’ve visited 26 different countries and spent three months traveling around Australia which was a wonderful experience.
Business Events Africa November 2019 19
DESTINATION FEATURE | Cape Town
Cape Town International Convention Centre
The venue of choice Since its inception, the (CTICC) has drawn pioneers, travellers and the world’s business leaders by attracting impactful congresses, major trade fairs, exhibitions and festivals.
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ecently the centre expanded with the addition of CTICC 2, and while the centre’s extension was always planned, it was only due to the success of the venue that it could be realised. Choosing CTICC to host your event seems only natural, as it is a leading venue in South Africa and Africa as a whole, and is conveniently located in one of the world’s top destinations, Cape Town. The complex comprises of two lightfilled purpose-built centres, CTICC 1 and CTICC 2, joined by the Skybridge. The increased capacity ensures a seamless, flexible venue able to host a variety of events that can be held concurrently.
It is clear that, over the years, the CTICC and Cape Town have garnered a reputation as a preferred host. In addition, the complex boasts stateof-the-art equipment, allowing it to host every conceivable event, from small meetings to 20 000 delegate conferences between all conference venues, auditoria, exhibition halls and breakaway rooms. In the past, these have ranged from the Africa Oil Week, Investing in Africa Mining Indaba, Gartner Symposium/ITxpo and the Actuarial Society of South Africa.
20 Business Events Africa November 2019
To this end, the CTICC’s 2020 calendar includes various national conference events, namely the Herbalife Leadership Development Weekend, Hospital Association of South Africa, the Chartered Institue of Government Finance, Audit and Risk Officers Conference and Windaba 2020. The CTICC’s continued success can be attributed to integrating innovation throughout their business model, and the appealing value proposition Cape Town has to attract influential conferences. This not only gives the centre a competitive edge in the industry, but also contributes to the country’s knowledge economy, facilitates economic growth and job creation.
www.businesseventsafrica.com
VENUE NEWS
It’s been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. The CTICC offers the ideal platform to do just that. Every aspect of the centre’s offering has been considered – from the more than 140 000m² of flexible space across two state-of-the-art buildings to world-class technology, delicious cuisine, and servicedriven staff. Turn your knowledge and vision into potential with events that shape your future at the CTICC.
Call +27 21 410 5000, email sales@cticc.co.za or visit www.cticc.co.za and connect to possibilities.
www.businesseventsafrica.com
Business Events Africa November 2019 21
DESTINATION FEATURE | Cape Town | Folio Group
Uniting people through language
A
t the Folio Group, by facilitating communication between speakers of so many different languages, we are motivated by this noble ideal. Founded by Philip Zietsman in 1988, Folio Group has grown from a tiny startup into the major-league language service provider that it is today. This is largely driven by its reputation for reliability, technical expertise, fast turnaround and meticulous accuracy. The Group also boasts extensive interpreting resources, including sign language interpreters that provide invaluable assistance to hearing-impaired patients in hospitals and clinics. Folio is recognised around the world for its expertise in sourcing and providing African language services.
Languages: 300 and counting.
Services: Translations, Editing/ Proofreading, Copywriting, Transcription, Localisation, Interpreting, Voice-overs/ Voice direction, Subtitles, SEO.
Industries serviced: Our client base spans the entire economic spectrum, demonstrating that all sectors need specialist language services from time to time.
Clients: gilvy, Old Mutual, Saatchi O & Saatchi, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, General Motors, Santam, Media24, MultiChoice, Babylonstoren, Sanlam, DirectAxis, Western Cape Department, of Health etc.
The Folio Team
The motto on the South African coat of arms is in the ancient Khoisan language of the /Xam people: !ke e: /xarra //ke. It means “diverse people unite”. On a collective scale it calls for the nation to unite in a common sense of belonging and national pride – unity in diversity.
The staff members of Folio and our many associates around the world are united by our love for language and communication. It informs everything we do and although the language services industry is a serious business, with its emphasis on accuracy in the face of continuous and very tight deadlines, we enjoy a good few laughs along the way. Folio is committed to meeting international standards of excellence across all our services. We constantly fight for the legitimacy of our industry by emphasising the importance of accredited training and certification to those who wish to work in this field. The erroneous notion that just about any bilingual person can be a translator or interpreter undermines the value of professional language practitioners and the significance of the work we do. Over the years we have committed much time, energy and many resources to educating our practitioners about the importance of professional skills development.
Awards Folio is committed to delivering award-winning service and deeply appreciates the recognition we have received thus far. Many thanks to the Common Sense Advisory for including the Folio Group in its ranking of the Top 5 Language Service Providers in Africa for eight consecutive years. Recognition by The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry via their Exporter of the Year Award for the SSME category is an achievement of which we are all very proud. The award, which we have received three times, acknowledges “notable achievements in the export field”, based on performance criteria including product improvement, community involvement and job creation as well as a creative and innovative approach to exporting into difficult markets.
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TRANSLATIONS • TRANSCRIPTIONS VOICE-OVERS • INTERPRETING • SUBTITLING LOCALISATION & SEO • PROOFREADING EDITING • COPYWRITING
22 Business Events Africa November 2019
CONTACT US
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+27 (0)21 426 2727 pziets@folio-online.co.za projects@foliotranslations.com www.folio-online.co.za @Folio_Online facebook.com/folioonline
www.businesseventsafrica.com
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“Είναι Ελληνικά για μένα.”
DESTINATION FEATURE | Cape Town
Free page
Stellenbosch Wine Route
embraces environmental practices Reaffirming the importance of sustainable environmental practices, Stellenbosch Wine Routes recently signed the Porto Protocol, committing the leading wine route in South Africa to an accelerated contribution towards climate change mitigation.
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aunched by former US President Barack Obama in 2018, the Porto Protocol is a global sustainable initiative signed by companies across numerous industries. These have pledged to play their part in employing and sharing sustainable environmental practices to combat climate change. “Stellenbosch Wine Routes become the first Southern Hemisphere wine region to join the ranks of global signatories of the Porto Protocol, all of which have committed to accelerating their focus and efforts, guiding their activity by good environmental practice principles and executing projects oriented towards the sustainability of the region,” said Mike Ratcliffe, chairman of Stellenbosch Wine Routes. “As the leading wine tourism destination in South Africa, Stellenbosch recognises the leadership role it must play on climate change issues. We are committed as the entire wine and tourism ecosystem of Stellenbosch to lead the way in environmental protection and to foster
Wine Routes aimed at sustainability, good environmental principles among biodiversity and conservation include the all our stakeholders,” Mr Ratcliffe said. Integrated Production of Wine, a voluntary The recent launch of Visit Stellenbosch, a new Destination Marketing Organisation sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, (DMO), unifies all Stellenbosch tourism WWF Conservation Champions and the stakeholders under one umbrella with establishment of three large conservancies the objective of growing the tourism in Stellenbosch, including the Greater and experience economy in Simonsberg Conservancy, the Stellenbosch for the benefit Bottelary Hills Conservancy and of all communities. the Banhoek Conservancy. “Central to that Adrian Bridge, chief mandate is ensuring that executive officer of Taylor’s Stellenbosch is known Port and chairman of the Porto as a place where people Protocol, highlights the wine come to discover, learn, industry’s role in leading from create, start up, launch and the front to mitigate the harmful bring into being. This is a Mike Ratcliffe, chairman impact of climate change. destination that pioneers of Stellenbosch “The wine industry suffers innovative and scalable Wine Routes. directly from climate change high-impact solutions to and is therefore well placed tackle pressing, social, to lead the movement aimed at finding economic and environmental issues. solutions towards a better environment. We have a responsibility to confront the We are all responsible and we cannot biggest issues,” Mr Ratcliffe added. afford to waste any more time. We Among the initiatives already being need to act now,” Mr Bridge said. employed by members of Stellenbosch
DESTINATION FEATURE | Cape Town
Spier is empowering positive change
The historic Spier Hotel and Wine Farm in Stellenbosch is constantly striving to find innovative ways for its business to have a positive social and environmental impact – and this very much embodies its approach to events.
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usiness Events Africa recently chatted to Comien Grobler, sales manager of Spier Hotel and Wine Farm.
of impoverished communities how to care for indigenous plants. Once the seedlings they’ve been given to nurture are big enough, these are exchanged for food vouchers, clothing, bicycles, educational support and other essentials.
How long have you been in the conferencing space?
What is the biggest benefit for a conference organiser to choose Spier?
I’ve been working in the events industry since 2009. Conferencing, more specifically, since 2010 when I joined The Lord Charles’s team and very soon realised that my passion in life is conferencing and business events.
Where were you before you started at Spier?
I studied for four years through CPUT and did my hotel internship through the Lord Charles Hotel, where I soon realised that conferencing is my forte in life! From Lord Charles I moved to Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel in Cape Town’s Waterfront, where I furthered my career in conferencing and banqueting as a coordinator, and then got offered the position to work for an owner that owns two boutique hotels and 16 restaurants – all situated in prime areas in Cape Town like Constantia and Camps Bay. I worked for The Kove Collection for almost three years managing the sales for his restaurants and to drive more corporate business, during which I realised that I enjoy selling events more than actually coordinating them. I joined Spier’s corporate sales team in 2018.
How does Spier conferences differ from other conference facilities?
I always say that a hotel bedroom is a bedroom, and a conference venue is a conference venue, but at Spier we really offer so much more. We have the recipe to turn any corporate breakaway into a holiday. We have a “Conference Activity
Comien Grobler, sales manager of Spier Hotel and Wine Farm.
List” which is my ultimate passion at Spier. On this list, you will find add-on conference items that can be used to enhance your delegates’ conference experience. From our mosaic artists making your company’s logo in the conference foyer while delegates can see the logo unfolding or even try to paste a tesserae themselves, to outdoor meeting spaces, smoothie bikes, exchanging your DCP lunch for a picnic lunch under our old oak trees, wine tasting during your conference, outdoor yoga classes or a group run on the farm to kickstart your day, as well as a long list of sustainabilityorientated activities from our farm that you can include in your conference, such as our Pack-For-A-Purpose programme where delegates can donate much-needed items to the surrounding community, or purchase trees or succulents from our TreePreneurs who teaches members
24 Business Events Africa November 2019
We have it all. We are conveniently located just 20 minutes from Cape Town’s International Airport, and once delegates arrive onsite, they literally do not have to go anywhere. We have enough conference venues to choose from out of our list of 12 conference venues, we have three restaurants onsite to offer more than enough dining options, and we also have a range of activities to offer onsite to keep delegates entertained, including our Eagle Encounters, Picnics, Segway tours, wine tasting, art tours, walking tours, craft market, and so much more. We can also assist a conference organiser by sourcing room drops from our farm, as well as get our local artists from our craft market to assist with conference stationery such as conference bags being made out of recycled materials, or beaded lanyard strings. Our conference team is dedicated to make any conference organiser’s life as easy as possible while being onsite.
Can you explain more about sustainable conferencing?
Sustainability is woven into every facet of the Spier conferencing experience, from water-saving devices in the bathrooms to rooftop solar panels that provide 40 per cent of the conference centre’s energy needs. 100 per cent of Spier’s waste-water and over 98 per cent of its solid waste is recycled. Spier invests in a wide arrange of learning www.businesseventsafrica.com
DESTINATION FEATURE | Cape Town
initiatives that empower staff and communities to create positive social and environmental change. By booking one of Spier’s Conferencing for Good packages, your event is supporting these efforts – all the while treating your delegates to a memorable experience.
What is the biggest challenge with sustainable conferencing? We are fully dedicated to recycling all our solid waste. We already recycle 100 per cent of our waste-water, but to change supplier habits is an ongoing challenge. We often get exhibition organisers or furniture/decor rental companies arriving with items and furniture wrapped in plastic to protect it during the move, that we cannot necessarily recycle afterwards. We would love to one day get to 100 per cent of our solid waste also being recycled!
What is your best moment/ memory thus far as Spier’s sales manager?
Literally every season change so far was a highlight for me. I joined Spier in the
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winter season when I was convinced Spier is the most beautiful place in the world during winter, with all the crackling fire places in the hotel lounge and guests strolling the farm with umbrellas. Then came along spring during which I could not stop staring at all the coral trees in full bloom! Summer has a completely different feel to it with all the families, couples and groups onsite spending most of their time outdoors enjoying our beautiful surrounds, sunshine and shade under the trees. Then came along autumn with the multi-coloured trees and all the squirrels running around that just brought a magical touch to the farm.
initiatives. There are so many companies out there specialising in sustainability advice – I honestly feel no conference facility has an excuse nowadays.
Recycling your waste is probably the easiest way to start. Then comes all the energy- and water-saving initiatives. If you don’t have much more than that, try getting sustainable initiatives in your area involved and try and include them in your conference-offering to motive delegates or conference organiser to support their
people. To meet a complete stranger, hosting them for a site inspection and lunch while you tell them more about Spier, as well as getting to know them better and building a relationship, and later seeing that resulting in confirmed business and the opportunity to work together, is the best feeling ever!
How do you make every moment count?
Live a little. We all work hard, but it is so important to just “be present” and enjoy the moment – wherever you may find yourself. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with your workload and not take in the beauty around you, but remind yourself every now and then to just stop and stare and be thankful. Something that is very easy to do for me at Spier!
What advise can you give other What do you love most about conference facilities to become your job? more sustainable? I have always loved working with
Business Events Africa November 2019 25
HOTEL GROUP UPDATE
A year of expansion and upgrades for
Premier Hotels & Resorts Premier Resort The Moorings.
South Africa has a wonderful range of refurbished conference and event destinations made possible by Premier Hotels & Resorts, following the recent acquisition of the Faircity Hotel Group and the renovation and upgrade of several of their properties across the country.
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remier Hotel Cape Town, Premier Hotel The Moorings and Premier Hotel Sani Pass have all benefitted from an upgrade to the facilities, while their property portfolio has further expanded with the new Premier Splendid Inn in Bloemfontein and the development of a four-star Premier Hotel and three-star Premier Splendid Inn in Umhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal, scheduled to open in February 2020. Phase 1 of the new Premier Splendid Inn in Bloemfontein will open on 19 November, with 48 rooms, a restaurant, reception and lobby / lounge available. Over 80 jobs were created during the construction phase and over 50 people will be employed to assist with operations. The newly-furbished hotel is on the old Stanville Inn hotel location and includes an extension of a new hotel wing, five floors and a state-of-the-art conference facility – which will come online in January 2020. Premier Hotel Cape Town is also completing renovations for the festive season which includes the addition of a new pool and wooden view deck, a
newly restored library and expanded conference facilities – guaranteed to delight conference delegates in 2020. Premier Resort The Moorings, located in Knysna, recently underwent a refurb which included the addition of 45 new bedrooms, a new conference centre, an Italian bistro, a rim-flow swimming pool with views of Thesen Island and the Knysna Heads, a multipurpose
26 Business Events Africa November 2019
entertainment area with a private whisky and wine cellar for tastings and functions, a spa, gym and an outdoor jacuzzi. This resort is truly spectacular and a popular destination choice for conference guests from Western Cape, Garden Route, Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Premier Resort Sani Pass in the Southern Drakensberg underwent a renovation and remodelling which involved room upgrades, the introduction of a new multipurpose entertainment area, heated indoor swimming pool with new changing rooms, an outdoor pool and a much-improved kids’ club area, complete with a mini soccer field. Further to this, the group are investing over R380 million in the construction of a new hospitality precinct in Umhlanga
Premier Resort Sani Pass.
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HOTEL GROUP UPDATE Ridge. Conveniently located close to the Gateway Shopping Centre, Busamed Private Hospital and various office parks, construction is on track to open in February of next year. The Premier Hotel will offer 121 four-star rooms, a restaurant, rooftop swimming pool and gym, while the Premier Splendid Inn property will feature 63 three-star rooms and its own eatery. Guests at both hotels will be treated to sea views from every bedroom, and access to fantastic
conferencing facilities that will cater for up to 330 delegates. Most recently, the Faircity Mapungubwe, Quatermain, Falstaff and Roodevalley hotels were added to the group, further expanding Premier’s MICE offerings in Gauteng. To promote uptake of bookings and drive awareness to the venue and conference facilities they have on offer, Premier Hotels and Resorts are promoting great value-for-money deals. If you
Premier Hotel Cape Town. Faircity Falstaff.
book your January and February 2020 conferences at any Premier Hotel or Resort before end of December 2019, you will enjoy 2019 rates, as well as receiving special DCP rates if you stay overnight. Premier Hotels & Resorts are delivering on their promise to extend their reach to provide more South Africans access to quality accommodation and state-ofthe-art conferencing facilities to meet a broad range of needs and budgets.
Premier Hotels and Resorts offer a wonderful collection of properties in fantastic locations throughout South Africa, and are renowned for warm hospitality, excellent standards and kind staff. We welcome Mapungubwe, Quatermain, Falstaff and Roodevalley hotels to our family. Book your January and February 2020 conferences before end of December 2019 at any Premier Hotel or Resort and we will offer 2019 rates to you. We can also offer you special DCP rates if you overnight with us! Remember - If you are the organiser, you stay free, subject to 10 or more rooms booked! *24 hour overnight and DCP package commissionable to bona fide organisers | *T’s and C’s apply
WWW.PREMIERHOTELS.CO.ZA | 086 111 5555 | SALES@PREMIERHOTELS.CO.ZA WWW.FAIRCITY.CO.ZA | 010 001 9495 Eastern Cape: East London | Free State: Bloemfontein | Gauteng: Johannesburg, Sandton, OR Tambo, Midrand, Pretoria KZN: Drakensberg, Durban, Himeville, Port Edward, Richards Bay, Scottburgh (under renovation) | Mpumalanga: White River | Western Cape: Cape Town, Knysna
TRENDS REPORT
Are promotional products the gifts that keep on giving in SA? The global promotional products industry is doing well, despite an unstable international economic climate, and is said to be growing at pace according to Econo Times, with other industry experts seeing this upward trend continuing until at least 2024.
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he reasons for this are varied, growth, however, extend to South Africa, but most likely lie in the fact where according to Statistics South Africa, that marketing, specifically in a we have just narrowly dodged a recession? competitive economy, is a key business priority and branded promotional SA resellers weigh in products are a simple, cost effective Rainer Schulz of Thistle Promotions way to keep brands top of mind,” believes that, without supporting said Nick Sarnadas, event director at research on the South African promo Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery. product market, it is difficult to “Through promotional products, make a definitive statement on how advertising and marketing messaging the sector has fared recently. life cycles can be greatly extended “Over the past year, we’ve seen to long after initial exposure, Mr contrasting variances in the South African Sarnadas continued. promotional goods sector – some “Statistics vary per country companies have drastically cut but, on average, around spend, forgoing marketing 80 per cent of recipients investment in lieu of of recipients will remember channelling funds into will remember the the advertiser staff retention, while advertiser after receiving a after receiving a others have started promotional gift item promotional gift item spending on promotional and approximately goods for the very first 45 per cent of those time in an attempt to will keep the product keeping the product grow brand awareness and for at least 12 for at least 12 months.” market share by channelling months. Does this positive market funds into new areas,” he said.
80% 45%
28 Business Events Africa November 2019
This sentiment is corroborated by another local promotional products reseller, namely David Kraukamp of Promo One, who explains that it has been a fairly tough year for the market, much like most other sectors in South Africa currently. “Unfortunately, many businesses are redirecting marketing spend, as it’s often the easiest place to cut budget,” Mr Kraukamp said. “However, there is clearly still value in corporate gifts and promo items, particularly as we head into the festive season, as companies in general do still want to provide some sort of item to their customers, even if it is at a lower price point.” Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) released 2018 global industry research which shows interesting results, adds Sarnadas, especially when it comes to the five Rs of promotional products, namely, reach, reaction, recall, resonance and repeated exposure: • Reach: 89 per cent of consumers have received a promotional product in the last six months. www.businesseventsafrica.com
TRENDS REPORT
• Reaction: 79 per cent of these actually researched the brand and 83 per cent said they would be more likely to do business with the brand after receipt of the item. • Recall: 90 per cent of respondents recall the branding, 80 per cent recall the message and 70 per cent recall the call to action. • Resonance: 82 per cent recorded a more favourable impression of the brand after receiving a promotional product. • Repeated exposure: 81 per cent say they keep their product for more than a year. “These figures reinforce the fact that even in a difficult environment, where budgets are tighter than ever and increased pressure to prove value for marketing spend, branded merchandise can be a powerful tool,” he stated.
Where does local demand lie? Mr Schulz shares that demand in South Africa has grown for practical products with a specific everyday use, such as notebooks, caps, and shopping bags (particularly important with growing awareness around eradicating the
www.businesseventsafrica.com
single-use plastic bag), stating that The Promo Product Expo, with a drinkware is currently very popular but view to supporting the start-to-finish the technology side, which saw a reselling experience; from sourcing boom several years ago (with right through to customer power banks being especially delivery,” he explained. of these actually popular) is on the wane. This will include each researched the brand Mr Kraukamp agrees, touch point within the and 83 per cent said they promotional product adding that companies are taking more of an old- would be more likely to reseller’s supplier do business with the school approach again, network, incorporating brand after receipt looking for products that branding experts, of the item. will stay within eye-line, like designers, financial providers, desktop items and wall clocks. industry-specific networking “Environmentally friendly gifts organisations, logistics providers, are on the upward trajectory, as marketing pros, packaging and businesses are becoming more aware printing specialists, promotional of being socially and environmentally goods and apparel manufacturers and conscious, with a focus on the likes suppliers, technology vendors and of reusable water bottles (glass distributors, wholesalers, and more. or aluminium and even BPA free “The Promo Product Expo 2020 will plastic),” Mr Kraukamp added. offer resellers direct access to a variety “The benefits inherent to promotional of suppliers that serve this industry, products are obvious, and they remain providing an opportunity to see, feel an important part of holistic marketing and touch current product offerings – as campaigns,” Mr Sarnadas said. “This is well as new solutions that are coming a fast-paced sector, with thousands of down the line – while encouraging and options available, and a fairly complex enabling the opportunity for visitors to value chain for the local reseller. meet the humans that make the magic “It is for these reasons that Specialised happen for businesses who believe in Exhibitions Montgomery has introduced branding in South Africa,” he added.
79%
Business Events Africa November 2019 29
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
UFI strengthens its commitment to
sustainable development As the issue of sustainable development (SD) continues to gain momentum worldwide, it has become increasingly important for businesses and industries to play their part in contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals.
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o support this, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is pleased to announce a new range of assets, initiatives and activities to support and guide the sustainable development efforts of UFI members and the exhibition industry globally. These were presented to members recently at the 86th UFI Global Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. “Making our industry sustainable in all aspects of the word isvital to not only our future but it is a moral obligation to the sustainability of our planet too,” said Mary Larkin, president, diversified communications USA and UFI’s President. UFI has been active on sustainable development issues since 2008, and is further strengthening its focus and commitment to sustainability with the launch of assets and activities over the coming 12 months in all the areas of activities
of the association: from education to research, from advocacy to events. All activities are aimed at empowering UFI members to drive and develop their own initiatives and actions. These will be aligned under a new guiding mission statement on sustainable development that reads: “UFI represents and serves an industry built on connecting markets and fostering trade for the greater good – an industry built on sustainable development principles. As such, UFI is committed to driving and supporting sustainable development among our global membership and the exhibition industry at large. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, UFI has integrated sustainable development initiatives in all of our activities – from events to education, from research to advocacy. Our engagement in providing tangible solutions for sustainable development makes UFI a trusted and viable partner for governments, markets and non-profits. ”Among other initiatives, UFI will hold a dedicated UFI Forum on
30 Business Events Africa November 2019
Sustainable Development in May 2020, and is integrating sustainable development themes across many of its other 2020 events, including the UFI European Conference and Global Exhibition Day, which will promote sustainable development as one of its three key themes. The UFI Awards, open for entries until 6 March 2020, will feature a dedicated Sustainable Development Award, recognising best practices in waste management. Two key pieces of UFI research on sustainable development will also be updated in the coming year, including a report on the exhibition industry and the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Compendium on Sustainable Development in the Global Exhibitions Industry. To facilitate identification of these elements for UFI members and the industry at large, UFI is also introducing a designated visual for SD driven activities, based on the iconic UFI mercury.
More information about UFI’s commitment to sustainable development can be found at www. ufi.org/susdev.
www.businesseventsafrica.com
Presents
TOP
exhibition
suppliers
Featuring insights from:
EXSA | Scan Display Expo Guys | GL events Barmotion | AAXO
TOP EXHIBITION SUPPLIERS
Exhibition by Scan Display.
Defining top exhibition suppliers By Gill Gibbs, executive committee member of EXSA
There are various suppliers in the exhibition & event industry and finding the top one and most importantly, the right contractor for your trade show or exhibition stand, is critical to your project’s success.
S
etting goals and quantifiable benchmarks will assist in defining the success of the project, while improving the strategies for the same. With the many suppliers seemingly offering the same service, how do you decide which one is right for you? In your search for the top exhibition supplier, it is vital to understand that there are various processes and costs that go in to delivering a trade show and an exhibition stand, and it is imperative that
a supplier is sourced that will help you to come in on point and on budget. In today’s world, every business relies on a community of other businesses in some form or capacity. Trade shows are no different, as many related companies and service providers operate under one roof. In a collaborative environment, industry professionals and companies can benefit from each other. As a case in point, stand manufacturers and contractors may need to enlist the
expertise and services of the trade show appointed logistics company, to ensure that the exhibition products arrive on time, intact, and can therefore be showcased professionally. Trade shows are the ultimate networking opportunity, and learning about and growing with other companies, their service offering and products, provides an understanding of where the various companies fit in the big picture.
Exhibition by GL Events.
32 Business BusinessEvents EventsAfrica AfricaNovember November2019 2019
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TOP EXHIBITION SUPPLIERS
EXSA members were asked:
What makes a top exhibition supplier, and what is the definition thereof? A good exhibition supplier should always create value for clients in terms of finding the most cost-effective solution to meet the brief. To create value, the supplier needs a creative design department, knowledgeable and well-organised project managers, and a production team that delivers on the brief timeously and in terms of the design specification. It is vital that the client trusts the supplier, who must communicate honestly with the client, especially when things are not going according to plan. – Justin Hawes, managing director of Scan Display.
Exhibition suppliers are totally unique to the average supplier. There can be no ‘say no’ or even a consideration that supply can be late, not be complete or not be adequate. There are unwritten rules that govern our supply – top suppliers categorically know this. “An exhibition supplier does not carry stock of a product – anyone can carry stock. An exhibition supplier knows what to do with the stock/product in the context of the exhibition delivery. – Patrick Cronning, Commercial Director, Expo Guys.
The exhibition space is a fast-paced environment that is probably best described by the phrase “last minute dot com.” One of the most important qualities a supplier requires is the ability to adapt and offer a flexible service solution. While it is important to have sufficient, good quality stock, service is king. To be a top supplier your teams need to be able to communicate well and provide a rapid response to customer requests. The most essential component for any exhibition supplier to remain top of their game is a knowledgeable, experienced operations team, these are the true superstars of the exhibition suppliers. “In our company, having many different divisions, an exhibition supplier is defined by the term main contractor – referring to the main infrastructure provider to the show, the main infrastructure includes the base
work of the exhibition; carpets, DB boxes, shell scheme systems, graphics and special areas. In most cases, the main contractor is also tasked with providing upgraded shell scheme stands and custom exhibition stands. As the industry has very low barriers to entry, the broader term of an exhibition supplier can refer to any supplier providing a product or service to the exhibition, this can include items such as individual custom stands, stand cleaning, security, furniture, food and beverage services, the list goes on. The exhibition industry allows for many levels of suppliers, and this is what makes it such an inviting business opportunity, the list of items that go into one exhibition and the number of jobs created and sustained per show certainly makes it one of a kind. – Adele Hartdegen, PR & marketing manager, GL events.
Exhibition by Expo Guys.
E: info@exsa.co.za T: +27 10 300 7907 www.exsa.co.za
TOP EXHIBITION SUPPLIERS
Barmotion More than just a mobile bar company Barmotion served over 3 000 cups of coffee during the PASCAR, SA Heart® and AfricaPCR Congress 2019, keeping delegates switched on and refreshed.
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armotion is more than just a mobile bar company, it is a complete and unique below the line marketing solution that works wonders in boosting the client’s brands presence at any event or expo stand. Barmotion offers a full turnkey solution specifically tailored to the client’s requirements. Barmotion understands the importance of making an exceptional first impression – and take this seriously! Alexia Swart, managing director of Barmotion, said: “We pride ourselves in being the best in our industry and strive to ensure we can create a memorable first impression for your brand at any event. Our team are certified Barmotion Rockstars who go above and beyond, and I am very proud of them all.”
The Congress “Barmotion were fortunate enough to be on nine stands during the PASCAR, SA Heart® and AfricaPCR Congress 2019, which was held at Sandton Convention Centre. We are extremely proud to say that we hosted the majority of the hospitality served during the entire congress.
The exhibition supplier
case study
• Congress: PASCAR, SA Heart® and AfricaPCR Congress 2019 • Venue: Sandton Convention Centre • Date: 31 October – 3 November 2019 • Supplier: Barmotion
“We have created a good and trusted name for ourselves in the industry and we have built many fantastic relationships over the years with stand builders, marketing agencies, and our direct corporate clients. “Many of these approach us to work with them on their stands, but we also work hard at going out to drum up new business as well as reaching out to our existing clientele base to see how we can assist and work with them at upcoming congresses. “We are firm believers that the relationship starts with our clients from the very first interaction – whether that be the first phone call or meeting someone
on site. We take our working relationships very seriously and understand the trust that is placed in us to ensure everything works seamlessly,” Ms Swart said.
Barmotion offerings at SAHA: • Speciality coffee bars (being the main attraction for most) are always a great hit, and are a firm favourite. • Frozen yoghurts. • Iced coffees. • Various elements for the cocktail function on the opening day of the congress - These included assorted cocktails to wine & bubbly bars - Also cheese and antipasti bars • Assisted a couple of stands with assorted handouts too. “When we do hospitality on all of the stands or the majority of the stands (which is more often than not) at a congress, we are uniquely positioned to guide our clients and identify what hospitality offering could work best for them to differentiate from the other brands and stands. For example, if we have 10 stands, all doing coffee, we always suggest that each client offers a different element to make their stand and offering unique.”
Advantages of using Barmotion: • Barmotion offers the perfect draw card to attract delegates onto your expo stand
maximum desired affect – and to get more BANG for your buck!
• Boost your brand presence by creating a fantastic first impression with the best coffee on offer, or any one of our premium offerings.
• The Barmotion team understands the importance of delegate engagement and we know how important it is to create a positive first impression.
• Barmotion understands the importance of delivering your message across as many brandable platforms for the
• We love what we do, and we are undoubtedly proud to say we are the best at it!
34 Business Events Africa November 2019
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TOP EXHIBITION SUPPLIERS
Standing out from the crowd During the congress, Barmotion drew delegates to their client’s stands with these offerings: Boston Scientific (Brilliant Branding)
Astra Zeneca (Westlink)
Zydus (The Source PR)
A frozen yoghurt bar with full branding – from the branding of the frozen yoghurt machines, to the menus as well as the servings bowls.
Barmotion did an amazing selection of antipasti and cheese boards for them with complementary bubbly and wine for the cocktail function. On Saturday morning for the Rugby World Cup game, Barmotion did South African themed goodies to show their support for the Springboks.
offered a premium specialty coffee bar with our brilliant bean printer – this amazing machine prints whatever you would like onto the top of the coffee. In this instance, Astra Zeneca were hosting the symposium on the second day of the congress, and we printed the symposium information on all the coffees served on the first day to delegates. We also carried their theme into the cocktail evening with all matching coloured cocktails.
Servier (EFAM)
arranged iced coffee pops as a handout for their stand.
“Every stand that Barmotion did had various branding elements pulled through to emphasise and highlight each brand – from bar branding, branded menus, branded cup sleeves, we also utilised branded stencils.”
Client feedback from PASCAR, SA Heart® and AfricaPCR Congress 2019: 1Up – Stand builder Novartis stand
Stand Teleflex
Your service and quality of products is amazing. All our end clients always compliment your team and comment on how phenomenal your bar staff are. You guys honestly can’t do much more than what you are already doing. Your staff are always willing to help and go the extra mile. Your team is very professional but still keeping that friendly encouraging lure to the stand.
Your team that served us at SA Heart®, is absolutely recommendable. All was set and ready each day, as was promised. Furthermore, all were surprised that not only coffee, but teas, hot chocolate and decaf was on the menu! We did not use our quota of 400 cups for the two days and your staff were there on day three to make up the quota, without additional charge. I can really recommend your product/service.
– Claudia Nunes, general manager of 1Up Design.
Brilliant Branding – Stand builder Boston Scientific stand
– Antoinette Scholtz, marketing manager of Teleflex
I had received feedback from the Boston Client: ‘The stand truly looked amazing, the Barmotion colleagues were efficient, friendly and extremely helpful and, as always, it has been such a pleasant experience to work with you on this project.’ Thanks again, you gals and guys are all so amazing. – Natalie Kreusch, Brilliant Branding
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Business Events Africa November 2019 35
TOP EXHIBITION SUPPLIERS
How to choose the best exhibition supplier With exhibitions still rated as one of the marketing channels that provide the highest ROI across the board, it is inevitable that at some point, you may be in need of contracting the necessary exhibition suppliers. By Projeni Pather, chairperson of AAXO (Association of African Exhibition Organisers) What makes a Top Exhibition Supplier? Accreditation
E
xhibition organisers will take care of the basics like allocating your space and putting you in touch with carefully selected suppliers for necessities like electricity to your stand, plumbing and compressed air. But how do you choose an exhibition supplier that will design and build a stand for you with a vision that matches your objectives? How do you know that the suppliers you have chosen are reputable and rated the top in their field?
The Top Exhibition Suppliers are recognised by their peers, clients and competitors. These suppliers are likely to belong to the relevant industry association as this not only provides them with the esteemed accreditation they seek, they are also vetted by their peers when applying to join the industry association. It also grants them the opportunity to be involved with shaping industry regulation, creating educational opportunities and giving back to the industry through association initiatives. Locally, suppliers that are listed as members of EXSA and associated members of AAXO, would be considered accredited suppliers.
Reputation When evaluating if one is dealing with a
reputable exhibition supplier or not, it is advisable that you look at their portfolio of previous work, as well as ask for referrals or testimonials from previous clients relating to the quality of their work, insight into their design and delivery processes as well as the array of services they supply. For example, it would be ideal to use a single supplier that can design the stand and artwork, build it, supply the AV for the stand, provide lighting solutions and furniture, signage and branding, as well as provide breakdown, transportation and waste management services. However, if you are looking at a very specialised tech-focused stand, you may want to rethink this and get in an AV supplier that specialise in this field so you don’t have to rely on a stand build company to get in some basic AV expertise. When all is said and done, a little planning goes a long way towards making your exhibiting experience a pleasant one.
aaxo@aaxo.co.za | www.aaxo.co.za | 011 465 8955
MARKET NEWS
The Boardwalk Casino scoops Ask Afrika Orange Index Award The Boardwalk Casino, in Port Elizabeth, has been ranked top in the prestigious 2019 Ask Afrika Orange Index Awards which benchmark service levels in South Africa. This is the fourth consecutive year that The Boardwalk has received this highest accolade for service excellence in its industry category.
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he Ask Afrika Orange Index® is South Africa’s broadest service benchmark which tracks, ranks and understands service and loyalty drivers based on robust, nationally representative sample sizes. Celebrating its 17th year, the Orange Index measured 168 companies across 31 industries for this year’s survey. Its longevity is testament to its relevance to both public and private sector with regards to providing a reliable yardstick for service measurement in South Africa. First released in 2001, the Ask Afrika Orange Index® gathers views through 15 000 interviews across 33 industries and 228 companies. The feedback is independently audited. The aim is to create a snapshot for South African companies, establish and maintain best of breed practices, and ultimately boost the country as a service destination. The awards are the culmination of this research process whereby
companies and institutions are rated based on respondents perceptions with a strong focus on evaluating and measuring customer service and customer satisfaction. “We are delighted that The Boardwalk Casino has once again received the highest accolade in this respected survey.
The award is testament to our employees’ commitment to service excellence, quality, professionalism, and innovation. The fact that the award is based on the feedback of our customers is significant because there is no greater stamp of approval than the votes of confidence from our customers. “To be ranked so highly for four years running is a tremendous source of pride. It shows that we are doing something right. However, we know there is no room for complacency and we will continue to strive towards ongoing excellence,” said Nqobile Qupe, marketing manager at The Boardwalk.
Emfuleni Resorts Board Members and staff of The Boardwalk celebrate the award. From left to right are Alicia Ngxokela, Sizwe Bam, Bongiwe Siwisa, Nominise Gogo, Thando Ngcanga and Mandla Madwara.
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Business Events Africa November 2019 37
MARKET NEWS
Southern Spoor celebrates 20 years in hospitality Established in 1999 with a portfolio of nine privately owned properties in South Africa, Southern Spoor Marketing celebrates 20 years in business this year. The company has grown to become one of Africa’s leading hospitality marketing enterprises, representing a unique collection of privately owned hospitality venues spread throughout South Africa, and a selection of hotels, resorts and game lodges in Kenya.
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nita Foxcroft, founder of Southern Spoor Marketing, comments on what it means to her to be celebrating 20 years in the hospitality industry. “The following are the first things that come to mind. Gratitude to all the people that have supported us over the years and the wonderful collection of privately owned properties we have had the privilege of marketing, many of whom were part of the portfolio all those years ago. How much we’ve learnt over the years, but at the same time how the passion, commitment and enthusiasm remains the same. How much growth, potential and opportunity we still have – it feels like we just got started! How no business succeeds without the commitment and loyalty of an amazing team of people who believe in the company values and objectives. I am thankful that we have earned the trust of our industry through continuity, reliability and always striving to exceed expectations.” In honour of the 20-year anniversary, Southern Spoor will be launching Southern Spoor Supports in 2020, an initiative to give back to the hospitality industry by assisting a young woman in developing her career in hospitality through an annual bursary. “We are looking to support a young woman who is deeply passionate about the
hospitality industry, but who does not have the means to cover the cost of tuition. In the long-term, we would also like the properties in our portfolio to embrace this initiative by providing an opportunity for training or employment,” Ms Foxcroft said. Further information about this initiative will be released before the end of the year. Another new initiative to be launched by the company before the end of the year is Southern Spoor Select, a range of ad hoc marketing services that will be available to privately owned, boutique properties that are looking for shortterm assistance and guidance for their products as an alternative to entering into long-term retainer-based contracts. “While we do recommend ongoing sales and marketing, we do appreciate that many properties have limited budgets and resources, but would still like to make use of our expertise, industry knowledge and contacts,” Ms Foxcroft said. The Southern Spoor Select offering will include services such as hourly based consultations, short-term contracts, once-off industry-specific newsletters to a qualified database, once-off local and international sales trips, trade fair assistance, brand development, and marketing and sales plans. The company has also welcomed two new staff members to the team:
38 Business Events Africa November 2019
Valerie Streicher and Annemarie Lexow. Valerie, who will be managing Southern Spoor’s database and undertaking special sales research and projects, is no stranger to Southern Spoor, having worked for the company a few years ago handling the reservations on behalf of a property. “Valerie is extremely strong administratively, very accurate, a hard worker and a pleasure to work with, and I did not hesitate to re-employ her,” Ms Foxcroft said. Annemarie has taken up the role of account executive and will be managing travel agent, wholesaler, PCO and corporate accounts. “Annemarie has a good mix of experience in the industry, having worked in the travel logistics, agency and media sectors, and thus far has proven to be quick thinking and learning, shows initiative, works with integrity and gets on with things! I am confident that both Annemarie and Valerie will be great assets to the team, and I look forward to working with them. “My team and I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our properties, and the travel industry, for their ongoing support over the last 20 years. We look forward to continuing building on our partnerships and contributing to the growth and success of the South and East African tourism sectors,” Ms Foxcroft concluded. www.businesseventsafrica.com
MARKET NEWS
GainingEdge announces new partner for Africa Citing its interest in contributing to the growth of the association and meetings industry in Africa, GainingEdge chief executive officer, Jon Sivertson, has announced Thulani Nzima has been engaged as the organisation’s new African Partner.
“A
frica is relatively new to the industry,” Mr Sivertson said. “The development of its civil society is key to Africa’s continuing economic transformation. We want to be part of making that happen.” Mr Sivertson said GainingEdge wanted a strong partner to lead its efforts in Africa. “We feel really lucky to have someone of Thulani’s calibre joining the company,” he said. “He’s one of the most experienced and respected people in the industry there. He’s a leader, he’s well connected, and he’s the right person to guide our efforts in that important and emerging part of the world.”
Mr Nzima, who is based in Johannesburg, has a broad convention and tourism industry background spanning almost 30 years, including senior executive roles with South African Airways. More recently he served as chief executive officer of South African Tourism and oversaw the establishment of Africa’s first national convention bureau, the South African National Convention Bureau, a project supported by GainingEdge. “Working together in the past gave me a chance to know them. I saw what they could offer and the difference they could make,” Mr Nzima said. “GainingEdge showed a real commitment to Africa when they helped to establish the
Thulani Nzima, the organisation’s new African Partner.
African Society of Association Executives four years ago. They are still providing pro bono strategic support to that, because they believe it will make a big difference for Africa.” Mr Nzima said he feels Africa’s potential has been constrained by the lack of a fully developed association community and the need to support emerging convention bureaus that can facilitate more regional and international meetings to help African professionals to develop their global networks. “South Africa is doing well,” he said, “but we need to build the benefits of this industry throughout the continent. I’m excited by this collaboration. We’re looking to help all parts of Africa to do big things. We’re looking to make a major impact.”
SA Investment Conference digitally powered by Flock The South African Investment Conference, which this year achieved R363 billion pledged investment funding from more than 70 entities, relied on Flock for the second consecutive year to keep its over delegates informed and engaged.
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he conference, which took place in Johannesburg last week (5– 7 November), attracted 1 500 delegates from across the globe. Thanks to Flock, they experienced first-hand the power of local technology at work. The technology – a mobile phone app that integrates with a seamless event management platform – provided them with the information they needed to plan their visit to the city as well as details of the conference. www.businesseventsafrica.com
In addition to event information including the programme, speaker biographies, delegate and sponsor lists and partners and exhibitor lists, the app included details of investment case studies, media releases, hotels and shuttles, information about Johannesburg should the delegate want to explore the city further. There were also live feeds of conference and exhibition activities, and photographs. According to founder Mike Lysko, the app played a major role in bringing the 1 500 delegates together, allowing them to enjoy a seamless event experience and focus on creating the meaningful connections that would ensure its successful conclusion – that of identifying opportunities for investment and securing the funds to make those a reality.
Mike Lysko with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Assisting the South Africa Investment Conference for the second consecutive year is a significant feather in Flock’s cap,” he said. “As a home-grown company, we are exceptionally proud to work with the organisers, and thrilled to prove – once again – that our technology is both robust and flexible, the ideal choice for event organisers regardless of size. “In particular, the live Q&A functionality was particularly popular and no doubt contributed to the high user engagement levels and over 41 000 views on various devices that were experienced over the two days,” he said.
Business Events Africa November 2019 39
EVENT GREENING FORUM
BARSA Aviation Summit 2019
At BARSA, we believe that it is our responsibility to protect our national heritage and resources, and sustainable event management is a large part of that. We take the relevant steps in the process of integrating environmental and social responsibility issues into our event planning for the benefit of future generations. – June Crawford, the chief executive officer of BARSA. Background BARSA successfully introduced sustainable event measures, also known as event greening, to its 2018 Summit. The Summit was certified as a Green Event, after achieving a total performance score of 78 per cent. However, ongoing improvements and learning from this event meant that the 2019 Summit’s performance score jumped up to 83.4 per cent . Part of the organisation’s success has been due to its collaborative approach to event greening, rather than trying to do it alone. For example, BARSA joined the Event Greening Forum (EGF) to tap into the organisation’s sustainable event management resources and network – including contracting
an EGF member, event organisers Creative Directions, to help achieve its green vision for the Summit. Ms Crawford added: “We encourage our partners, business associates, guests and visitors to support our efforts, and select products and service providers that share our environmental vision.”
Event greening strategies The following are some of the practices that the BARSA Aviation Summit 2019 implemented to improve its environmental and social impacts. • An Environmental Vision Statement for the Summit was prepared and adopted – an essential and often overlooked step in managing a sustainable event.
40 Business Events Africa November 2019
Overview Event: BARSA Aviation Summit 2019 Client: Board of Airline Representatives South Africa (BARSA) Organiser: Creative Directions Venue: Inanda Club in Sandton, Johannesburg Date: 28 February 2019 Number of delegates: 176
• LED lamps were used to light the venue. • A system was in place to keep doors closed so that the air conditioning could maintain the venue’s temperature without drawing on excessive amounts of energy. • Recycling bins were placed throughout the venue, which resulted in high recovery rates. • Leftover, unserved food was donated to the Resthaven Ministries which operates homes for babies, children and the elderly. www.businesseventsafrica.com
EVENT GREENING FORUM
About the EGF
• Treated water was bottled in glass, and a system was in place to ensure the full recovery and recycling of the glass waste. • All solid and liquid waste was disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner without the use of harmful chemicals. • Plans have been made for the branded banners to be upcycled into bags. • All suppliers were asked to minimise and manage their transport needs, in order to help reduce the event’s overall emissions.
Areas where the BARSA Aviation Summit 2019 performed well
93.6%
The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. It does this by hosting educational sessions for industry and lobbying government in an effort to implement sustainability principles into the daily operations of the events industry.
78% of the event’s total waste was diverted from landfill.
100% was achieved by both the 2018 and 2019 Summits for local content and community involvement.
The EGF was established through dedication and support of eight industry associations who are recognised as founding members. The founding members are key industry associations working together to promote South Africa as a destination for various types of events.
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about event greening, visit www. eventgreening.co.za where you can browse the free resources, sign up to the monthly newsletter, or contact them directly with any queries. Contact: Lynn Mcleod T: 082 891 5883 E: lynn@eventgreening.co.za
Administration and planning
90.0% Food and beverage
80.9% Resource management www.businesseventsafrica.com
Business Events Africa November 2019 41
SAACI NEWS
Building on our manifesto By Kim Roberts, national chairperson of SAACI
“We are a professional association that promotes sustainability within the business events industry in Southern Africa. We facilitate an enabling environment for learning, growth and collaboration. Our goal is to be the recognised professional association of the business events industry in Southern Africa.”
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his is the SAACI manifesto that was adopted a few years ago. Our board confirmed its absolute relevance at its recent strategy session – also that it will continue to guide SAACI’s activities into the future. Learning, growth and collaboration continue to be our drivers and form the foundation of a newly compiled 12 month, two year and five year strategy. But fear not. Our board and staff fully understand the current business environment and the numerous challenges faced by our members and the industry at large. Our strategy will therefore definitely not end up in a drawer. It is simple, focused and measurable. The board is focused on four main areas – stakeholder engagement, marketing, future
trends and the value of business events – for which action plans are now being finalised. Tracey Delport, Glenton de Kock and I will drive stakeholder engagement – among others, revisiting our memorandums of understanding and building new relationships. A fresh SAACI marketing campaign, of which our annual congress will form an integral part, is the responsibility of Lorin Bowen, Jaques Fouché and Minister Kganyago. Researching and communicating about future trends in the business events industry will be managed by Leon Pheiffer, Andrew Stewart and Denise Kemp. To accurately determine the value of business events in South Africa, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, Michelle
Bingham and Glenn our projects and Our board van Eck will roll out responses to indusand staff fully a comprehensive try needs remain understand the industry study. spot-on. current business Specific timelines Meanwhile, if you environment have been set for have not already and the all actions. I believe done so, please numerous you will agree with diarise our 2020 challenges faced me that, with the annual congress. by our members support of our head Themed ‘Welcoming and the industry office team and rethe Unknown’, at large gional secretariats, it will be held in SAACI will now have Johannesburg from one of the most hard-working 26 to 28 July. Changing times boards around! demand new thinking, requiring It is important, however, to us to push boundaries. We beemphasise that while we con- lieve this congress will assist delstantly endeavour to make a egates to address the unknown difference in our members’ and, importantly, provide tools businesses, we will continue to to tackle it! Bookings will open rely on members to update us at Meetings Africa in February. about their realities, questions Oh, also do not forget to visit and challenges. Effective two- our revamped website – www. way communication will help saaci.org. We are keen to hear ensure that, as an association, your comments!
THE ASSOCIATION FOR CONFERENCE INDUSTRY LEADERS
CONNECT SAACI unites , supports and educates the business
events industry in southern Africa by creating sustainable environment for business growth
THRIVE Join SAACI and enjoy access to an inspiring network of industry professionals, while giving your business the professional status it needs to attract the attention of business leaders. GROW Become the business events professional you’ve always wanted to be. Access the SAACI Academy and enter a world of inspiration, connections and world-class skills development. Visit our online community: www.saaci.org www.saacicongress.org www.saaci-academy.org
+27(0)11 880 5883 info@saaci.org Learning | Growth | collaboration
SITE NEWS
The Bangkok Manifesto Statement #8
By Tony Lorenz, chief executive officer of PRA, USA
Our industry must encourage more second and third-tier cities and non-urban destinations to embrace incentive travel as part of their business mix, highlighting that success in our business is not dependent on massive infrastructure or investment
T
he Bangkok Manifesto, created at the SITE Global Conference in Bankok, Thailand in January, comprises 10 statements developed by incentive industry thought leaders on the industry’s true purpose in the business world today. The Manifesto has been published in hard copy with the addition of written commentary on each of the 10 statements from industry experts in
several disciplines–DMC and DMO sectors, hospitality sector, third party planners and corporate end-users. Each week we will take a deep dive into each one, thanks to our industry experts: This week we look at number eight on inclusivity.
The secret is out. Interest in second and third-tier destinations, relative to first-tier destinations, was up a remarkable 91 per cent in 2018.
Music in Nashville
Beautiful beaches and chill vibes in Tulum
What we’re all about: motivational experiences Why we do it? Business results! Site is the only global network of travel and event professionals committed to motivational experiences that deliver business results. Site provides insights and connections that inspire the utilisation of this powerful tool across diverse industries, regions and cultures. Site serves as a source of knowledge and best practices where members can make personal connections that sustain professional growth. Only one organisation sits at the critical intersection between those who seek the benefits of motivational tools and those who can provide these extraordinary experiences. That organisation is Site...
Contact
Email: info@sitesouthernafrica.com www.sitesouthernafrica.com www.siteglobal.com
SITE NEWS
Equestrian and bourbon artistry in Louisville
Why? Larger destinations can be unreachable in availability and price point. Smaller consumer-centric destinations deliver authentic, and unrivaled content,
places, and one-of-a-kind experiences at an attractive price point. With the clear trend of a business and leisure travel mashup well underway, niche destinations readily stand apart in their value proposition to incentive program stakeholders. • Music in Nashville • Majestic mountains falling into Lake Tahoe • Beautiful beaches and chill vibes in Tulum • Sounds, smells, and the labyrinth of alleyways in Marrakech • Equestrian and bourbon artistry in Louisville Smaller destinations just may work a
Majestic mountains falling into Lake Tahoe
bit harder than their big destination cousins. Relentless focus on each clients’ experience is designed from business and messaging objectives forward, leveraging the heart of a small destination’s personality to deliver on its promise.
A few attributes worth noting: • Individual and valuable attention: Secondary markets offer unique experiences at valuable price points. What secondary cities lack in size, they make up for in safe environments and local charm. • A sense of place: Participants yearn for new and unique bucket list experiences, many times available only in smaller destinations. • Disconnect: Well-being, not just wellness, are within reach in smaller destinations. It may be easier to get off the grid of our daily grind in a smaller destination. • Follow the money: Development in niche destinations is outstripping big city development with many significant brands making outsized investments in these destinations, growing capacity and interest in this sector. While the overall population is accelerating primarily in only six hundred of the largest cities around the world, the growth of smaller destinations for incentive programs make sense given macro trends in society at large. Think small. It may look good on you.
ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
November 2019 Vol 39 No 11 ADVERTISER
PAGE
WEBSITE
AAXO
36
aaxo@aaxo.co.za
www.aaxo.co.za
Barmotion
1, 34-35
info@barmotion.co.za
www.barmotion.co.za
Cape Town International Convention Centre
20-21
info@cticc.co.za
www.cticc.co.za
EXSA
33
exsa@exsa.co.za
www.exsa.co.za
Fancourt
OBC
reservations@fancourt.co.za
www.fancourt.co.za
Folio Translation Consultants
22
projects@foliotranslations.com
www.folio-online.co.za
MJunxion
4
yolande@mjunxion.co.za
www.mjunxion.co.za
Pezula Hotel
OFC, 6-7
direct@pezulahotel.com
www.pezulahotel.com
Plaslope
45
glenda.aereboe@plaslope.com
www.plaslope.com
Premier Hotels
26, 27
sales@premierhotels.co.za
www.premierhotels.co.za
SAACI
42
info@saaci.org
www.saaci.org
SITE
43
info@sitesouthernafrica.com
www.sitesouthernafrica.com
South African Tourism
9-16
convention@southafrica.net
www.businessevents.southafrica.net
Spier Hotel & Conference Centre
IFC
conference@spier.co.za
www.spier.co.za
44 Business Events Africa November 2019
www.businesseventsafrica.com
CALENDAR
Conferences, workshops and exhibitions of interest to the conference, exhibition and special events market For free entries in this calendar, please supply information to editorial@businesseventsafrica.com
LOCAL: 2019 21 NOVEMBER – 1 DECEMBER Drakensberg Extravaganza 2019 Venue: Bergille, KwaZulu-Natal Organiser: Sipho Ndaba Cell: +27(0)78 901 9997 Email: drakensbergextra@gmail.com www.drakensbergextra.co.za
INTERNATIONAL: 2019 22-24 NOVEMBER East Africa Tourism & Hospitality Expo 2019 Venue: Ushirika Grounds, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Email: sales@mikonospeakers.com Tel: +255 717 109 362 / +255 682 897 280 www.mikonoexpogroup.com/eathe
LOCAL: 2020 31 JANUARY 2020 3rd Annual AAXO ROAR Awards Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre www.facebook.com/ events/1020534915005398/ 24-26 FEB 2020 Meetings Africa
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. Tel: +27 11 895 3000 Email: convention@southafrica.net www.meetingsafrica.co.za
www.africa.wtm.com
1-3 MARCH 2020 Hostex 2020: Africa’s Food, Drink & Hospitality Trade Expo Venue: Sandton Convention Centre Organiser: Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery Tel: +27 (0)11 835 1565 www.hostex.co.za
SITE Global Conference
11 MAY 2020 Africa’s Travel Indaba Bonday Venue: Durban ICC, Durban, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 476 5104 Email: exhibitor@indaba-southafrica.co.za www.indaba-southafrica.co.za
Online ceremony
12-14 MAY 2020 Africa’s Travel Indaba Venue: Durban ICC, Durban, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 476 5104 Email: exhibitor@indaba-southafrica.co.za www.indaba-southafrica.co.za
Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre
6 APRIL 2020 World Travel Market Africa Venue: Cape Town ICC Tel: +44 (0)20 82712120
INTERNATIONAL: 2020 24-27 JANUARY Venue: Vancouver, Canada www.siteglobal.com/page/site-globalconference 18-26 MARCH 2020 Eventex Awards and Creative Week Email: hey@eventex.co www.eventex.co 19-22 APRIL 2020 World Travel Market Dubai Tel: +44 (0)20 8271 2158 www. arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com 15-17 SEPTEMBER 2020 IMEX AMERICA Venue: Sands Expo, Las Vegas, USA Tel: +44 1273 227311 www.imexamerica.com
TEL: +27 11 452 1115 FAX: +27 11 452 3609 WEBSITE: www.plaslope.com EMAIL: glenda.aereboe@plaslope.com
TAMPER EVIDENT SECURITY BAGS
• Debasafe® Tamper Evident Security Bags are used whenever tamper-evident movement is critical. • We manufacture to order and assist in tailor-made solutions to suit your security needs. • A comprehensive range of security features are standard on the bags and additional features can be added. • The sealing strip is used for exacting demands with a heat indicator displaying attempts to tamper. • Tampering by means of cold, heat, solvents, liquids & manipulation is clearly visible. • Bags can be customised according to customer’s requirements with exclusive numbering & bar-coding. • Bags are manufactured in either transparent or opaque LDPE film, in various grades to meet specific requirements.
www.businesseventsafrica.com
The bags are used for the safe movement of: • Government Departments • Foreign Exchange • Confidential Documents (Examinations, Elections, Passports, Visas etc.) • High Value Items (Diamonds, Precious Metals, Forensic Evidence, Cellphones, Computer Equipment) • Cash (Banks & Cash-in-Transit companies)
Business Events Africa November 2019 45
DIRECTORY
ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN EXHIBITION ORGANISERS
aaxo 46 Waterford Office Park Waterford Drive Fourways Johannesburg t: +27 (0)11 465 8955 e: aaxo@aaxo.co.za Association coordinator: Molebegeng Masote Chairperson: Projeni Pather Exposure Marketing Vice-chairperson: Phetogo Kubheka Synergy Business Events Treasurer: Mark Anderson Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery Board members: Chanelle Hingston, Spintelligent Devi Paulson-Abbott, DMG Events Dee Reuvers, SA Confex Leatitia van Straten, Reed Exhibitions COUNCIL OF EVENTS PROFESSIONALS AFRICA
EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
EXSA OFFICE www.exsa.co.za Chairperson: Doug Rix t: +27 (0)82 579 7071 e: dougrix@wol.co.za Vice-chairperson: Gill Gibbs t: +27 (0) 83 260 8035 e: gill@blu3.co.za Treasurer: Moses Nefale t: +27 (0)79 882 8616 e: moses@scandisplay.co.za Association manager: Lee-Ann Alder t: +27 (0)82 550 0349 e: info@exsa.co.za Board members Chad Botha t: +27 (0)61 497 2945 e: chad@inspirefurniture.co.za Adele Hartdegen t: +27 (0)82 464 8702 e: adele.hartdegen@gl-events.com Gabi Babinszky t: +27 (0)64 655 3323 e: gabi@brandexpro.co.za Cara Nortman t: +27 (0)79 254 9572 e: cara@ssqdesign.co.za Kerry Brannigan t: +27 (0)72 265 6600 e: kerry@brilliant-branding.co.za
Secretariat Office Melanie Sillince e: melanie@cepa.co.za t: +27 (0)83 653 2480 +27 (0)11 462 4014 www.cepa.co.za EXCO Chairperson: Glenn van Eck Magnetic Storm e: glenn@cepa.co.za
Mike Mira t: +27 (0)83 445 2261 e: mike@efam.co.za Gary Van der Watt t: +27 (0)76 339 5320 e: gary@resourcedesign.co.za INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS & CONVENTION ASSOCIATION
EVENT GREENING FORUM
ICCA African Chapter Chairperson: Lindiwe Rakharebe, Durban International Convention Centre t: +27 (0)31 360 1000 e: LindiweR@icc.co.za Deputy chairperson: Nana Gecaga Kenyatta International Convention Centre t: +254 20 326 1000 e: md@kicc.co.ke
179 Jan Smuts Ave, Parktown North, Private Bag X7000, Parklands 2121 t: +27 (0)11 447 4777 e: info@eventgreening.co.za www.eventgreening.co.za Chairperson: Greg McManus Vice-chairperson: Neo Mohlatlole
Learning | Growth | collaboration BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairperson: Kim Roberts Mise-en-place Solutions e: info@mise-en-placesolutions.com c: +27 (0)82 652 2008 Vice-chairperson: Jaques Fouche Formative e: jaques@formative.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542 Treasurer: Glenn van Eck Magnetic Storm e: glenn@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 800 2616 Public officer: Denise Kemp Eastern Sun Events e: denise@esternsun.co.za c: +27 (0)82 654 9755 Chief executive officer: Glenton De Kock e: ceo@saaci.org c: +27 (0)82 575 7565 DIRECTORS EC chairperson: Andrew Stewart PeriExpo e: andrew@periexpo.co.za c: +27 (0)82 578 5987 KZN chairperson: Tracey Delport The Hospitality Experience e: tracey@thehospitality experience.co.za c: +27 (0)83 293 5190 JHB chairperson: Lorin Bowen Lorin Bowen Business Events e: lorin@lorinbowen.co.za c: + 27 (0)82 433 8687 WC acting chairperson: Angela Lorimer Century City Conference Centre e: angela.l@ccconferencecentre.co.za t: +27 (0)21 809 1101
Vice-chairperson: Gift Luthuli Gintan Luthuli Associates e: gift@cepa.co.za Treasurer: Sue Gannon EXSA Academy e: sue@cepa.co.za
SOUTHERN AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE CONFERENCE INDUSTRY
Secretariat: Esmaré Steinhöfel ICCA Africa Regional director c: +27 (0)84 056 5544 e: esmare.s@iccaworld.org. www.iccaworld.com/dbs/ africanchapter www.iccaworld.com
46 Business Events Africa November 2019
Tshwane chairperson: Leon Pheiffer EPH Productions e: leon@ephproductions.co.za c: + 27 (0)82 924 9046 Co-opted youth: Minister Kganyago CSIR MKganyago@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)79 513 8708 Venue rep: Michelle Bingham Sandton Convention Centre e: Michelle.Bingham@tsogosun.com c: +27 (0)82 339 0342 EASTERN CAPE Branch chairperson: Andrew Stewart PeriExpo e: andrew@periexpo.co.za c: +27 (0)82 578 5987 Branch vice-chairperson: David Limbert Magnetic Storm
e: david@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 9064 198 Branch treasurer: Alistair Stead Scan Display e: alastair@scandisplay.africa c: +27 (0)73 236 6618 COMMITTEE: Learning: Caroline Morgan EXBO e: caro@exbo.co.za c: +27 (0)82 553 6185 Communication: Gill Dickie Bidvest Car Rental e: gilld@bidvestcarrental.co.za c: +27 (0)79 527 7619 Networking: Melissa Palmer B & E Conference Centre e: melissa@becbc.co.za c: +27 (0)82 437 7600 Networking: Oumi El-Kindly Demi Guard e: oumi@demiguard.co.za Networking: Wanda Fourie Eastern Sun Events e: registration@easternsun.co.za Branch coordinator: Hayley Pretorius e: ec.za@saaci.org c: +27 (0)79 507 3607 c: +27 (0)62 758 7933 JOHANNESBURG Branch chairperson: Lorin Bowen Lorin Bowen Business Events c: +27 (0)82 433 8687 e: lorin@lorinbowen.co.za Branch vice-chairperson: Michelle Bingham Sandton Convention Centre c: +27 (0)82 339 0342 e: michelle.bingham@tsogosun.com Branch treasurer: Manuela Gomes Cullinan Holding c: +27 (0)81 359 6558 e: manuela@ikapacoaches.co.za COMMITTEE: Aidan Koen Ogada Group c: +27 (0)82 561 3188 e: aidan@ogada.co.za Brad Montgomery Ultimate Data Sciences c: +27 (0)72 800 5857 e: brad@ultimatedata.co.za Brendan Vogt Guvon Hotels & Spas c: +27 (0)83 709 0480 e: brendan@guvon.co.za Carmen Rudd Synergy Business Events c: +27 (0)82 707 3977 e: carmen@synergybe.co.za Chad Botha Inspire Furniture Rentals c: +27 (0)87 470 0670 e: chad@inspirefurniture.co.za John Arvanitakis Chatr’ Experiences c: +27 (0)83 415 2774 e: john@chatr.co.za Minister Kganyago CSIR c: +27 (0)79 513 8708 e: mkganyago@csir.co.za
www.businesseventsafrica.com
DIRECTORY Rendani Khorommbi Joburg Tourism c: +27 (0)82 773 2999 e: rendanik@joburgtourism.com Ruth Baldwin Contact Publications c: +27 (0)72 897 6752 e: ruth@businesseventsafrica.com Branch coordinator: Angelique Smith c: +27 (0)60 970 7653 e: Jhb.za@saaci.org TSHWANE Branch chairperson: Leon Pheiffer EPH & Monte de Dios e: leon@ephproductions.co.za; e: leon@montededios.co.za c: +27 (0)82 924 9046 Branch vice-chairperson: Corné Engelbrecht Savetcon e: corne@savetcon.co.za c: +27 (0)82 925 9241 Branch treasurer: Refilwe Nchebisang CSIR e: rnchebisang@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)12 841 3770 COMMITTEE: Melanie Pretorius Hospitality Zone e: melanie.pretorius@mweb.co.za c: +27 (0)82 410 1202 Herkie du Preez Event Wizards e: herkie@eventwizards.co.za c: +27 (0)82 839 3489 Zelnerie Viviers Dynanix & Aquatours e: marketing@dynanix.co.za c: +27 (0)82 335 9828 Bonde Kekana Bonde Corporate e: business@bondecorporate.co.za c: +27 (0)61 527 0829 Branch coordinator: Heather Heskes SAACI e: tsh.za@saaci.org c: +27 (0)76 321 6111 KWAZULU-NATAL Branch chairperson: Tracey Delport The Hospitality Experience e: tracey@thehospitality experience.co.za c:+27 (0)83 293 5190 Branch vice-chairperson: Tarannum Banatwalla Jellyfish Catering & Event Management e: tarannum@jellyfishcatering.co.za c: +27 (0)83 254 9462
Irene Vallihu Durban International Convention Centre e: IreneV@icc.co.za c: +27 (0)79 692 4604 Branch coordinator: Kerry Potgieter c: +27 (0)84 777 3452 e: kzn.za@saaci.org WESTERN CAPE Acting branch chairperson: Angela Lorimer Century City Conference Centre e: angela.l@ccconferencecentre.co.za t: +27 (0)21 809 1101 Branch treasurer: Thiru Naidoo Wesgro e: thiru@wesgro.co.za t: +27 (0)21 487 8600 COMMITTEE: Jaques Fouche Formative e: jaques@formative.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542 Esmare Steinhofel, ICCA e: esmare.s@iccaworld.org c: +27 (0)84 056 5544 Esti Venske, CPUT e: venskee@cput.ac.z t: +27 (0)21 460 3518 Cindy Buser, Mirchee e: cindy@mirchee.co.za c: +27 (0)21 705 7338 Zimkitha Bavuma, CPUT e: zim@live.co.za Zandri Swartz Century City Convention Centre e: zandri.s@ccconferencecentre.co.za c: +27 (0)21 204 8000 Andrew Gibson Magnetic Storm e: andrew@magnetic.co.za t: 0860 111 625 Adele Martiz CTICC e: adele@cticc.co.za t: +27 (0)21 410 5000 Ansu Colditz XL Millennium e: ansuc@millenniumtravel.co.za c: +27 (0)82 457 8071 Alex Wrottesley Into Africa e: alex@intoafrica.co.za t: +27 (0)21 430 2060 Branch coordinator: Lara van Zyl e: wc.za@saaci.org c: +27 (0)82 223 4684
Branch treasurer: Kim Jackson Greyville Convention Centre e: kimj@goldcircle.co.za c: +27 (0)82 378 2264 COMMITTEE: Vicki Hooper Venues for Conferences in Africa e: vicki@venues.co.za c: +27 (0)83 256 8120 Mabuyi Mosia Ikhono Communications cc e: mabuyi@ikhono.co.za c: +27 (0)71 117 7509
www.businesseventsafrica.com
SOCIETY FOR INCENTIVE TRAVEL EXCELLENCE
President: Peter-John Mitrovich e: peter-john.mitrovich@ grosvenortours.com c: +27 (0)82 318 1889
Daryl Keywood e: daryl@walthers.co.za c: +27 (0)82 904 4967
c: +27 (0)82 555 5556 e: kevan@sacia.org.za Executive director: Kevan Jones
Johan Venter e: johan@urbanginga.co.za c: +27 (0)83 558 2349
SATI – South African Translators’ Institute Executive director: Marion Boers t: +27 (0)11 803 2681 e: office@translators.org.za www.translators.org.za
Kyasha Bhoola e: kyasha@africanlink.co.za c: +27 (0)72 614 0069 Barry Futter e: barry@adventureworks.co.za c: +27 (0)82 790 9015 Secretariat: Mariaan Burger e: info@sitesouthernafrica.com c: +27 (0)82 557 8041 OTHER ASSOCIATIONS OF INTEREST ABTA – African Business Travel Association Box 2594, Pinegowrie, 2123 t: +27 (0)11 888 8178 c: +27 (0)83 679 2110 e: monique@abta.co.za www.abta.co.za Founder: Monique Swart ASATA – Association of Southern African Travel Agents PO Box 650539, Benmore, 2010 t: +27 (0)11 293 0560/61 e: barbara@asata.co.za e: general@asata.co.za Office manager: Barbara Viljoen FEDHASA National Office – Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa PO Box 3853, The Reeds, 0157 t: +27 (0)12 771 5568 c: + 27 (0)82 552 9862 e: ceo@fedhasa.co.za www.fedhasa.co.za Chief executive: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa PSASA – Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa t: +27 (0)11 462 9465 c: +27 (0)83 458 6114 e: admin@psasouthernafrica.co.za www.psasouthernafrica.co.za SABOA – Southern African Bus Operators Association Postnet Suite 393, Private Bag X033, Rivonia 2128 t: +27 (0)11 511 7641 e: saboa@saboa.co.za www.saboa.co.za SACIA – Southern African Communications Industries Association 96 The Bridles, Douglas Crescent, Sundowner, 2188 t: +27 (0)11 083 6418
SATSA – Southern Africa Tourism Services Association Box 900, Ferndale 2160 t: +27 (0)11 886 9996 e: pa@satsa.co.za | www.satsa.com SKAL International South Africa Secretary: Anne Lamb t: +27 (0)21 434 7023 c: +27 (0)82 708 1836 e: anne@yebo.co.za www.skalsouthafrica.org STA – Sandton Tourism Association t: +27 (0)83 558 5445 e: secretariat@sandtontourism.com www.sandtontourism.com TBCSA – Tourism Business Council of South Africa Box 11655, Centurion 0046 t: +27 (0)12 664 0120 e: comms@tbcsa.travel www.tbcsa.travel | www.tomsa.co.za Member relations manager: Boitumelo Moleleki TGCSA – Tourism Grading Council of South Africa Private Bag X10012, Sandton 2146 t: +27 (0)11 895 3000 f: +27 (0)11 895 3001 e: enquiries@tourismgrading.co.za TINSA – Interpreters/Translators Network of Southern Africa e: info@interpreter.org.za t/f: +27 (0)11 485 2511 c: +27 (0)83 249 0010 www.interpreter.org.za TPSA – Technical Production Services Association 96 The Bridles, Douglas Crescent, Sundowner, 2188 t: +27 (0)11 083 6418 c: +27 (0)82 555 5556 e: kevan@sacia.org.za www.tpsa.co.za Executive director: Kevan Jones TTA – Tshwane Tourism Association Box 395, Pretoria 0001 t: +27 (0)12 841 4212 e: secretary@tshwanetourism.com www.tshwanetourism.com Chairperson: Bronwen Cadle de Ponte Secretary: Sithembile Nzimande Membership coordinator: Liz Oosthuysen e: membership@tshwanetourism.com
Business Events Africa November 2019 47
THE LAST WORD
It’s time for
SA’s tourism sector to shine By Jeff Miller, chief executive officer of Grovest Corporate Advisory
Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni recently painted a challenging picture regarding the country’s fiscal position when it came to his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS).
H
e strongly emphasised the need to spur on growth and he identified the tourism sector as one contributor to GDP that has bigger potential. The reality is that South Africa is blessed with tremendous tourism potential and we should be focusing on this more. From our beautiful beaches to our vibrant cities and our world-class national parks, we really have it all. Throw into the mix our sunny weather, a rich tapestry of cultures and a competitively priced local currency and you have the perfect ingredients for a thriving tourism sector. Over the decades, more tourists from across the globe have taken notice of all that South Africa offers. In 2004, just under seven million international tourists visited our country. In 2018, an estimated 10.4 million international visitors arrived on our shores. Tourism contributes approximately 2.8 per cent (or R130 billion) to South Africa’s gross domestic product. While there has been growth in the long-term, the market in the shortterm has experienced some turbulence with Stats SA recently reporting that international tourist arrivals fell five per cent year-on-year in July 2019. This is, in part, was a result of last year’s water restrictions in the Western Cape and the previous introduction of unabridged birth certificates for child visitors to South Africa. The good news for the South African hospitality market, though, is that unabridged birth certificates for minor children are now no
longer needed. In addition to this, a local online visa system is being introduced while government this year has further enabled visa-free travel to South Africa from countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand. At a recent lekgotla, government expressed its desire for major growth in the tourism sector, with a target of 30 million tourists to South Africa by 2030. It’s clear then that moves are afoot to ensure that more tourists visit our country in future. This means that the local industry has a unique window right now to gear up for this future growth. However, to take advantage of these future opportunities, local hospitality providers will need to raise more capital – whether it be for building new facilities (such as hotels or lodges) or upgrading existing ones. Rather than looking to banks (which have become more stringent in their lending), local hospitality businesses should rather consider other capitalraising alternatives such as Section 12J.
What is Section 12J Woven into South Africa’s Income Tax Act, Section 12J enables investors to provide much-needed capital to Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) while receiving an immediate tax deduction equal to 100 per cent of the amount they’ve invested. The end result is that investors in the top tax bracket can see relief of up to 45 per cent on their investments in the year they invest. For every R100 000 invested into a Section 12J, the investor receives a tax deduction of R45 000, which means
Who is Jeff Miller? Jeff Miller is the CEO of Grovest Corporate Advisory – The Pioneers of Section 12J. Miller is a Chartered Accountant having completed his articles at Grant Thornton and has over 30 year’s experience investing in companies across numerous industries. He co-founded Brandcorp, which was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1997. He was also a co-founder of KNR Flatrock, Balboa Finance, Born Free Properties, Eurosuit, Bride & Co., Seed Engine, Seed Academy and Grovest Corporate Advisory.
48 Business Events Africa November 2019
that only R55 000 is at risk, while the investor has R100 000 working for them. On the flip-side, with SMEs being properly capitalised, they have a far better chance at success and, ultimately, becoming large taxpayers in future. As of February 2019, in excess of R8 billion has been invested into Section 12J funds in SA. Currently, individuals and trusts can invest a maximum of R2.5m each year, while companies can invest up to R5 million into Section 12J funds. What’s encouraging is that new hotels create economic ecosystems around them where fresh opportunities for travel operators, food suppliers, taxi and curio businesses – among many more – arise. New Section 12J hospitality projects have even contributed towards sustainable land reform, as has been the case with Mdluli Safari Lodge, the first-ever hospitalityfocused, social-impact Section 12J fund.
Mdluli Safari Lodge Looking to maximise economic opportunities from their land in the Kruger National Park, the Mdluli Community entered into a 50-50 partnership with the private sector via Mdluli Safari Lodge Limited – a Section 12J-backed hospitality venture. Mdluli Safari Lodge is located inside the borders of the Kruger National Park. The Lodge features 50 luxurious double en-suite tents (each with their own private patio and views into the Park), bars, restaurants, spa, gym and swimming pools. In the late 1960s, the Mdluli Community were forcibly removed from their land as the then government expanded the borders of the Kruger National Park. Decades later, after the dawn of democracy in 1994, the late Chief MZ Mdluli initiated a successful land reclamation resulting in the community securing freehold title to the 850 hectares from which they had been removed. The reclaimed land is registered in the name of The Mdluli Community Trust. This Section 12J fund will facilitate the unlocking of many opportunities for the Mdluli Community – including direct financial benefit, skills development, SME opportunities and significant socio-economic benefit. www.businesseventsafrica.com
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