EDITOR’S COMMENT
T
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
