Business Events Africa - Vol 36 No 1 - January 2016

Vol 36 No 1

2016

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa

Voice Of The Business Events Industry In Africa

Formerly the Southern Africa Conference, Exhibition & Events Guide and incorporating incentiveworld.com

DOING THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY

P O Box 2516, Durban, 4000, South Africa tel: +27 31 366 7577/80 email: conventions@durbankzncb.co.za

CONTENTS

THE AUTHORITY ON MEETINGS, EXHIBITIONS, SPECIAL EVENTS AND INCENTIVES MANAGEMENT

ABOUT THE COVER 8

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aha Hotels & Lodges, the accommodation division of the Tourvest Group, owns and manages hotels in five African countries and its strategy is to significantly increase the number of hotels and lodges within South Africa and neighbouring countries.

REGULAR FEATURES 4

Editor’s Comment

16 Executive Chef

6

News

17 Future Focus

11 An International Perspective

32 The Last Word

14 Personality Profile 15 Trendsetting

14 Business Events Africa

Voice Of The Business Events Industry In Africa

Official media partner

Business Events Africa is published by the proprietors, Contact Publications (Pty) Ltd. (Reg No. 81/11920/07)

Head Office physical address: Suite 1, Fields Shopping Centre, Old Main Road, Kloof 3610.

Official journal of the Exhibition & Event Association of Southern Africa

Head Office postal address: P.O. Box 414, Kloof 3640, South Africa.

Tel: +27 31 764-6977 | Fax: 086 762 1867 e-mail: contact@contactpub.co.za Publisher: Godfrey King e-mail: gk@contactpub.co.za

Official Journal of the Southern Africa Chapter of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence

Editor: Irene Costa e-mail: gomesi@iafrica.com Circulation: Jackie Goosen e-mail: jackie@contactpub.co.za

Production Leader: Colleen McCann e-mail: colleen@contactpub.co.za Design & Layout: Beth Marchand e-mail: beth@contactpub.co.za Sales Representative: Sue Anthony (Gauteng / Mpumalanga / Limpopo) Cell: +27 (0)82 688-3536 e-mail: sue@contactpub.co.za Publication details: Business Events Africa is published monthly. There is a Yearbook in June with magazines from January to May and July to December.

Printed by: Paarl Media KZN, 52 Mahogany Road, Westmead, Pinetown, 3610. www.paarlmedia.co.za Annual subscription rate: R600 which includes postage, packaging and VAT. Rates for addresses outside South Africa can be obtained on application to the Subscription Department, Contact Publications.

VOL 36 NO 1 2016 VENUE NEWS 18 Head for adventure at Kloppenheim Country Estate.

20 • Stanford Valley undergoes changes.

• Sun City closes Entertainment Centre for refurb.

21 • Premier Hotels and Resorts acquires The Winkler.

Market News 22 • FOCAC 2015 3D Group’s biggest challenge to date.

• Water flow levels at Victoria Falls are rising.

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23 • First “global exhibitions day”.

• New CEO for South African Shows Messe Frankfurt.

24 Latest Tourism Business Index figures revealed.

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SAACI NEWS

29

CALENDAR

26

EXSA NEWS

30

27

SITE NEWS

DIRECTORY + ASSOCIATIONS OF INTEREST

28

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

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ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES:

Dawn Holmwood (KwaZulu-Natal) Tel: +27 31 765-7497 Cell: +27 82 558-7383 e-mail: dawnholmwood@outlook.com

Jean Ramsay (Western Cape) Cell: +27 (0)62 152 5593 e-mail: j.ramsay@telkomsa.net

publishers of Business Events Africa, is a member of:

Bernadette Fenton (Gauteng) Cell: +27 (0)82 443-8931 e-mail: bernadette@contactpub.co.za

Wendy Odendaal (Gauteng) Cell: +27 (0)79 138 2221 e-mail: wendy@contactpub.co.za

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Together anything is possible

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his time of year always makes me feel anything is possible.

After a challenging 2015 it is wonderful to have a “make over” and

to re-evaluate and reflect on what part of 2015 I would like to take with me and what I would like to leave behind going into 2016.

One thing I personally will leave in 2015 is complacency and instead, I plan to be more mindful in 2016.

Going forward I plan to be more open to new ideas, welcome new people and be more “present” in my everyday life. This means saying ”yes” to more things and be willing to learn.

2016 will be an exciting year. From most of the industry people I have spoken to, everyone is ready for the new year. There is a renewed positiveness this year.

Right now, we are all in Meetings Africa mode. The show takes place from 22-24 February 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre. It remains one of my favourite business events trade shows. There is much anticipation and excitement around the show and the endless opportunities and possibilities it offers.

This is the show where the majority of South African and fellow African business events players come together under one roof to market our beautiful continent to local and international buyers. It is actually more than just that, it is a platform to conduct business and finalise business deals.

Our continent, Africa, is growing.

Most of the African countries have seen huge infrastructure development

over the last few year and many have seen the possibilities business events can bring to a country. It is exciting to see so many of the other African countries opening convention centres and new hotels by international hotel groups.

Africa’s time is now. There is great interest in our continent from the international leisure and business events market. What we do with this interest is key. We need to be mindful of how we conduct business from an ethical perspective and deliver what we promise.

This will ultimately determine how successful our continent will be.

Yes, I say we, as we are after all, African too. I think South Africa needs to embrace that more and be less arrogant and more open to partner with our fellow African destinations where we can.

Let 2016 be the year where the African continent fulfils Meetings Africa slogan of “Advancing Africa together”.

From a personal perspective, I look forward to working with the industry. My goal for 2016 is to play my part in growing our business events industry through partnerships.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

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NEWS

Dragonfly Africa Group

concludes management buy out The Dragonfly Africa Group, Southern and East Africa’s leading travel and destination management company, is proud to announce that a management buy out of the business has been concluded. Mike Waller, chief executive officer and three other executives, Yolanda Woeke-Jacobs, director: sales and marketing; Barry Schreiber, director: finance; and Kerry Roos, director: operations and product development, will immediately acquire additional shares.

T

he acquisition was finalised on 15 January 2016 and includes both Dragonfly Africa and Green

Route Africa with a combined staff of 55 people.

Rupert Jeffries, executive chairman,

From left: Yolanda Woeke-Jacobs, Kerry Roos, Rupert Jeffries, Mike Waller and Barry Schreiber.

stated that after many months of discussion and consultation, a strong agreement had been reached regarding the way forward for the Group.

Mr Jeffries will remain the majority shareholder over a minimum period of four years, after which time the shareholders will be able to acquire all the remaining shares in Dragonfly Africa and Green Route Africa.

Mr Jeffries concluded: “We are all extremely pleased we have been able to conclude this agreement as an entirely internal matter, with no outside parties or institutions involved.

It was certainly a challenging and complex negotiation, but the most important ingredient in the end, I believe, was the trust between us all after many years of knowing and understanding each other and the personality of our business.’

“I find it very gratifying to envisage our Group, and our future, in the hands of the very people who have invested so much of their time and expertise over the years, and who were intimately involved in the success of the Group as it stands today.”

Dragonfly Africa looks forward to a successful 2016, especially considering the state of the South African rand, which is resulting in Southern Africa being seen as such a desirable destination.

IBTM Africa changes format IBTM Africa has evolved from a table top event to a high quality content driven education programme which focuses on content that includes technology, future trends, procurement and consolidation, expert thought leadership, leveraging off the benefit of foreign exchange and the convergence of the travel and meetings industry.

Supported by SAACI (Southern African Association for the Conference Industry), the conference will bring together key meeting planners from some of the leading corporates in South Africa and suppliers from the meetings industry.

Welcomed by the industry, the conference will deliver a full day programme providing access to learning

from leading experts as part of an exclusive invitation only networking event.

The day conference will take place on 8 April 2016 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and attendees of Africa Travel Week which includes ILTM Africa and WTM Africa, will have the opportunity to attend free of charge.

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COVER STORY

Feel inspired with an

aha experience

Alpine Heath Resort

aha Hotels & Lodges is the accommodation division of the Tourvest Group, which owns and manages hotels in five African countries and have always had the strategy of significantly increasing the number of hotels and lodges within both South Africa and neighbouring countries.

C

urrently the group represents and operates a portfolio of properties in Gauteng, Western Cape, North West Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

In a rapidly evolving industry, where the consumer’s expectations of hospitality are constantly changing, aha Hotels & Lodges saw the opportunity to add innovation to the local hotel experience and do things differently with their new brand.

Neil Bald, managing director, said: “The brand allows us to use our imagination to create memorable experiences that leave guests feeling

inspired. It allows us to defy convention, every now and then, and try new ways of doing things. It also allows us to look for inspiration outside of the industry, where we are able to reinvent ourselves ahead of category trends.”

Being a group that prides itself on providing an exciting experience and unique hotels and lodges, event organisers will be able to ensure that every event is different and stands out in its own way. aha Hotels and Lodges prides themselves with their events sales team that focus specifically on this market, as they have a significant number of hotels with ideal conference spaces.

“The group intends on growing it’s footprint in key business locations by offering ample room capacity and quality conference spaces in major destination cities. It will also grow its current capacity by making use of focused and experienced sales and reservations resources,” Mr Bald said. aha Hotels & Lodges has recently launched two new conference venues at two of the properties they manage. The first was the new conference venue at The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa, a state of the art facility that boasts internal space of 250m² complimented with WIFI and AV equipment and can accommodate 280 guests in cinema-style

COVER STORY

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Lesedi

The Waterfront Hotel

Casa Do Sol

Gateway Hotel

seating, 138 guests in convention seating and 192 guests for a banquet. The event space continues outside with 140m² of Bedouin-tented patio area seating 160 guests overlooking a waterhole already frequented impala by elephant, and a plethora of local birdlife.

David Livingstone Safari Lodge There is an exclusive boardroom facility for up to 12 guests and an open-air Boma and amphitheatre venue will host traditional cuisine, experiences and performances by local talent supported by an on-site kitchen and a bar appropriately christened “The Watering Hole”.

Victoria Falls Conference Centre features East African inspired design touches in a cool camel colour achieving an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly exterior, all within a minutes’ walking distance from the award winning David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa.

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COVER STORY

Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites The second being Moringa, the new conference venue at Lesedi, with a maximum capacity of 220 in school room style and 180 u-shape set up. Moringa is a modern venue, where the music, song, and warmth of Africa’s hospitality await and the lifestyle of her people will enthral and ensure a function with a difference. Our choices of African themed teambuilding activities are sure to

add an exciting and unique touch to any type of gathering.

be delighted with a different dining experience.”

Mr Bald said: “We pride ourselves in a unique food and drink experience that is always served with generosity. We source only the freshest local produce and our signature dishes are a celebration of local cuisine. With varied venues and changing set ups our guests will always

For delegates wanting to stay over, Lesedi offers 38 rooms that have been constructed in five homesteads offering the unique opportunity of staying in a traditional village while experiencing modern luxuries including cosy beds, beautiful en-suite bathrooms, DSTV, tea and coffee facilities.

Central Reservations & Head Office Tel: 087 740 9292 | Email: cro@aha.co.za | Website: www.aha.co.za 11 Autumn Street, Rivonia, 2128 Postnet Suite #203, Private Bag x43, Sunninghill, 2157

Ivory Tree Game Lodge

Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre

AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Should personal devices be banned from meetings?

Few would argue that the powerful urge to view smartphone and tablet content and messages often disrupts people’s discussions, attention spans and trains of thought. But to what extent are these devices a negative influence on meetings and educational sessions, and should having them on and checking them constantly be forbidden?

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n a recent exclusive survey* by IMEX America in conjunction with MPI, 40 per cent of respondents agreed with the proposition that “to maximise attention, delegates should be banned from using personal devices during conference sessions and meetings: they should be told to switch them off and put them away before the meeting starts.”

Some business experts agree with a “no device” policy. In the Harvard Business Review, for example, contributing editor Amy Gallo decisively backed up this approach.

In an article entitled “The Condensed Guide to Running Meetings” https:// hbr.org/2015/07/the-condensed-guide-

to-running-meetings, she recommends that organisers “ban devices – they are unavoidably distracting for everyone.”

The major factor in Gallo’s view are the opinions of Francesca Gino, a professor at Harvard Business School.

According to Prof Gino, many people think they can multi-task while listening to someone in a meeting, but research shows that they can’t.

“Multi-tasking is simply a mythical activity. We can do simple tasks like walking and talking at the same time, but the brain can’t handle multi-tasking,” Prof Gino said.

“In fact, studies show that a person who is attempting to multi-task takes 50 per cent longer to accomplish a task and he or she makes up to 50 per cent more mistakes.”

Neuroscientist Dr Daniel Levitin in his book “The Organiszed Mind” describes multi-tasking as a “diabolical illusion”.

A clue to why many delegates feel the need to keep checking their phones for messages may be found in recent research commissioned by Warwick Conferences. This found that while out of the office on training courses, 81 per cent of respondents had received e-mails requesting action to be completed at that time, sometimes from the manager who had sent them to the course.

Carina Bauer, chief executive officer of the IMEX Group commented: “The

disruptive and distracting influence of smartphone and device messages on meetings is clearly very powerful, but so too is the urge and often pressure (perceived or real) to check for and respond to requests and news real-time.

“The debate is whether to fight devices and their content or accept and even integrate them. There are a number of apps, such as audience response apps (Sli. do), or even apps that turn your phone into a microphone (crowd mics) that make mobile devices a genuinely useful part of the meeting session or event – when used in the way that the speaker or organiser intends.

And, the harsh reality in a business context is that, in practice, it would often be very difficult to implement a ban that sticks.

“Perhaps a more sensible approach is to give delegates space and time within every event to check and respond to important messages, so they can be fully focussed on the content when actually in a session.

Ultimately, the investment of time and money in attending an event should hopefully ensure that delegates want to stay focussed on the content, as much as they wish to keep up to date with their e-mails.”

*The IMEX Group’s questions were asked as part of MPI’s quarterly Meetings Outlook research in autumn 2015.

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‘ADVANCING AFRICA TOGETHER’ Themed,’ Advancing Africa Together’, Meetings Africa 2016 will be celebrating its eleventh edition of the exhibition and promises to be bigger with new additions and enhancement to the offering and events taking place at the show.

The pre-scheduled business to business appointments between exhibitors and buyers are some of the reasons this show is extremely successful. These meetings ensure that the exhibitors get to meet the right people for their business and similarly buyers engage with the right products to match their requirements.

Highlights of Meetings Africa 2016 PARTNERSHIP WITH EUROPEAN CITIES MARKETING

ECM Academy will showcase innovative thinking and best global practices in the business events industry. ECM Academy will run from February 19 to 21 at the Sandton Convention Centre as part of the build up to Meetings Africa. During this summer school top international speakers will share their knowledge and insights with South African with professionals in the conferencing, meetings and business events planning and organising sector, seeking to realise the huge potential of the business events market in Africa.

The exciting line-up of speakers for ECM Academy include: • Jonathan Cohen – owner of destination marketing specialist company Azimuth Marketing Communications, UK; Barbara Jamison, head of business development at the London Convention Bureau; and Mark Spivey, director of International Sales at Maritim Hotels • Anja Loetscher – Director of the Geneva Convention Bureau; • Anne Wallin Rodven – Convention Director of Oslo Promotion – Visitors and Convention Bureau; • Pier Paolo Mariotti – meeting manager at EURAC Research and managing director of the EURAC and TIS Convention Centre (he is the course leader). ‘

BONDAY Meetings Africa also affords business events industry players in Africa direct, face to face interaction with key decision makers. The direct interaction is vitally important in making contacts, influencing influential people and building continental partnerships and trade. A good example of this BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day) on February 22, a day devoted to strengthening national and Pan-African association. BONDay is filled with important educational events including the AIPC Africa summit, sharing global data and looking at the challenges facing the business events industry in Africa, and the Business Events Associations Joint Conference, centred on the themes of sales and entrepreneurship.

Key BONDay activities include: • IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leader Forum Africa. This is a forum designed to encourage the best performing students in travel and tourism to take on a career in business events.

• Association Day will feature notable speakers like brand specialist Thebe Ikalafeng, ICCA President Nina Freysen-Pretorius, and renowned advisor to the Meetings and Events Industry, Garry Grimmer.

• AIPC Africa Summit will focus on key topics of interest to our rapidly developing region in a global context, drawing on the knowledge and expertise within its ranks.

• The Business Events Association Joint Conference includes a line-up of informative keynotes by Jane Steel on the business events industry, Barbara Jamison on the relevance of large meetings events and Basetsana Kumalo on entrepreneurship.

• A seminar hosted by IAPCO titled ‘Winning Tactics’’.

• Event Greening Forum AGM.

CORPORATE B2B SPEED MARKETING SESSION

The dedicated local corporate programme was first introduced in 2015, and 2016 promises to be bigger and better. This unique opportunity gives exhibitors an opportunity to meet with carefully selected corporate buyers in one room.

FAST FACTS DATE: 22 to 24 February 2016 VENUE: Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg THEME: Advancing Africa Together

WHO DOES IT ATTRACT? Attracting more than 3 500 participants including corporates, media, international and African association buyers throughout the three days, exhibitors are guaranteed to make new contacts, engage with existing clients and to network with colleagues in the industry. It really is all about business.

Meetings Africa 2016: Events Programme

Programme subject to change

TIME

EVENT

TIME SLOT

VENUE: SCC

ATTENDEES

19 – 21 February 2016

European Cities Marketing (ECM) – Academy www.europeancitiesmarketing.com • Business events training workshop

09h00 – 17h00

Sandton Convention Centre

Open for Registration Cost: R1 500 Enquiries: Mmabatho Sikhakhane Email: mmabathos@southafrica.net

Monday 22 February 2016

Association Day – In conjunction with ICCA African Chapter • Association Workshop

09h00 – 17h00

Boardroom 1,2 & 3 (Level 2)

By Invitation Only: African Associations

IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leader Forum Africa Top Tourism students representing tertiary institutions from the Tourism Educators of South Africa competing for the International University Challenge at Meetings Africa 2016

09h00 – 15h00

Boardroom 6,7 (Level 2)

By Invitation Only: Tourism Students

AIPC Africa Summit AIPC – the International Association of Convention Centres – is the industry association for professional convention and exhibition centre managers world wide

09h00 – 15h00

Committee Room 4 (Level 4)

Open for registration Registration: secretariat@aipc.org Registration Cost: secretariat@aipc.org

Event Greening Forum AGM Annual General Meeting for Event Greening Forum

08h00 – 09h00

Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

Members Only

The Business Events Association Joint Conference – Advancing Africa Together with EXSA, IFEA Africa, SAACI and SITE • Full day programme with local and international speakers

09h00 – 16h00

Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

Open for registration R100.00 including VAT RSVP Lorin Bowen: lorin@meetingsafrica.co.za

IAPCO Bespoke Seminar (International) Aimed at PCOs, Convention Bureaux, Convention Centres and large Conference Hotels, IAPCO delivers industry training worldwide, and will present a Seminar on Winning Tactics with speakers representing IAPCO and PCMA.

11h00 - 16h30

Boardroom 4 (Level 2)

Registration Fee: No charge but a R250 charge for no-shows will apply.

To view programme: http://iapcoeducation.org/ event/meetings-africa/ Enquiries: info@iapco2016.co.za Registration: http://iapco2016meetings africaseminar.eventbrite.com Open to all

DATE

EVENT

TIME SLOT

VENUE

ATTENDEES

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Registrations

08h00 – 17h00

Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Open to all

Morning Live – Live Outside Broadcast A live outside broadcast of Morning Live at Meetings Africa

06h00 – 09h00

Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Open to all

Corporate B2B Speed Marketing Session

08h00 – 17h00

Ballroom 2 (Level 2)

By Invitation Only Enquiries: tendai@meetingsafrica.co.za

Opening Ceremony – Official opening of Meetings Africa 2015 – Keynote address by the Minister of Tourism

09h30 – 10h10

Restaurant, Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Open to all

Exhibition Day 1

10h00 – 17h00

Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Open to all

Minister’s Walk About Pre-scheduled media walk about of the Meetings Africa exhibition with photo opportunities with key stakeholders and exhibitors.

10h40 – 11h30

Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

By Invitation Only

Media Face Off A panel discussion focusing on the business events industry in South Africa and the African continent.

11h00 – 12h00

SCC foyer (Level 0)

Open to all

SOLD OUT

Hosted Buyers Lunch

12h00 – 14h00

Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

By invitation Only

Welcome drinks – Gala dinner

18h30 – 19h00

Ballroom Foyer (Level 2)

Registration to open December 2015

Meetings Africa – Gala Dinner

19h00 – 24h00

Ballroom 1/70

DATE

EVENT

TIME SLOT

VENUE

ATTENDEES

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Registrations

08h00 – 17h00

Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Open to all

Exhibition Day 2

09h30 – 16h00

Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Open to all

Local Corporate Buyer Event Hosted by Unique Speaker Bureau (USB) Attendees: Events and function coordinators of local corporate companies.

07h00 – 16h00

Ballroom 1/70 (Level 2)

By Invitation Only Enquiries: thuli@uniquespeakerbureau.com

Green stand awards – Awards ceremony for the top green stands at Meetings Africa

12h00 – 13h00

NCB stand

Open to all

Hosted Buyers Lunch

12h00 – 14h00

Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

By Invitation Only

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PERSONALITY PROFILE

Liezle Bothma is all about the detail Liezle Bothma, 42, show director of Conker Exhibitions, is all about attention detail. “I don’t leave much to chance before an expo.”

S

ays Liezle: “I believe I am where I am now because of choices I made and mostly I’m happy with them.”

She said: “I’m not afraid of hard work or long hours, which is what this business is. I love the exhibition industry and am passionate about each Expo that I do. I’m not afraid to ask for advice and I always listen to my clients when they have something to say.”

Over the past eight years Ms Bothma has worked on running, bridal, wine and cycling expos with a specific focus on growing three of South Africa’s largest road running expos.

On the question of the state of the exhibition industry, she said: “Based on where our economy is at the moment I think we’re in for a tough year. I’ve noticed brands, including the large ones, scaling down by either taking less space or finding alternate ways to spend their budget. But having said that, I remain optimistic – we just have to be a bit more creative in how we sell space and control our expenses.”

Where did you grow up?

was delighted to be part of a small team who managed the day-to-day running of the exhibition centre, thus getting a real taste for the exhibition business.

When my daughter was born in 2008, I decided it was time to change and try my hand at being the “organiser” and not the “venue”. It was then that I joined Andy King and Clive Shedlock at Conker Exhibitions.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector?

Exhibitions used to be a platform to promote products or services. But there is definitely a change in focus as exhibitors want an immediate return on their investment.

What role does your family play in your life?

I am married to an amazing man, Garth. We have two children. My daughter is eight and my son is three. Small kids have a way of forcing you to get your priorities right and find the balance between work and family life. With everything digital and mobile, it’s sometimes difficult to just ‘switch off’’ but this job gives me the flexibility to still be a mom.

Do you have any hobbies?

I do photography and also mosaic.

I grew up in the small town of Estcourt where I attended Estcourt High School. After finishing school I spent a year working on a beautiful guest farm in the Eastern Free State. I then started my formal studies at the (then) five star Royal Hotel in Durban as an in-service hotel management trainee.

Do you play any sports?

Where did you start your career?

What do you do for leisure?

I spent two years at the Royal Hotel as the conference organiser, but my career really started when I joined the Durban International Convention Centre in 1997.

How long have you been in the exhibition sector?

I was part of the opening team of the Durban ICC in 1997. Starting off as an event co-ordinator, I worked on a number of international events. When the Durban ICC took over the management of the Durban Exhibition Centre in 2000/2001, I

I go to gym regularly and I run short distances.

What is your favourite sport?

I enjoy watching tennis and am a big fan of Roger Federer.

Living in Durban, I love the sea. I can’t wait to get down there after work for a quick run.

It’s like therapy.

What has been your biggest challenge in the exhibition industry?

Last-minute cancellation of large stands.

What is your pet hate?

People who are late.

What is your favourite city?

Cape Town. It’s a great city to work in and

a beautiful place for a holiday. Everything works, I love it.

What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why?

Berlin. A beautiful city with so much history, cultural diversity and such an incredible energy about it.

What is your favourite book, film, TV programme?

Book: Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Films: The Notebook and the Time Travelers Wife.

TV programme: The Fixer.

What is your favourite food?

Anything tapas especially artichokes, Parmaham, olives and brie cheese accompanied with a good Shiraz.

Who is your movie star?

Daniel Craig.

Who is your role model?

My Dad. He has endless patience, a big heart and loves unconditionally.

What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Create your own footsteps. Find a mentor, someone you trust, who’s respected and successful and willing to give you advice.

And then, surround yourself with a team of suppliers who you trust and who would do anything to ensure the success of your event.

A successful expo is a team effort.

TRENDSETTING

The five major conferencing trends The conferencing services market is in a constant state of transition and no more so than in the present day. With the growth of hosted audio, web and video conferencing, as well as a tightening of budgets across the board and an increase in demand for sustainable conferencing facilities, there are many influences having an effect on the industry.

I

n this column, The Townhouse Hotel’s general manager Jacqueline Williams talks about the five major conferencing trends emerging in 2016 in the heart of Cape Town’s business district.

1 Informal conferencing in a laidback setting

Delegates have become more aware of what it is they expect to get out of an event, especially considering it is time out of the office or away from their businesses.

They want an experience that provides true value, while still adhering to tighter budgets. In recent months we have seen a growing demand for smaller venues with a unique offering that can provide an overall experience. This trend is for more informal conferencing in a laidback setting.

Facilitators want comfortable seating that will enable delegates to network outside

the formal conferencing format. This helps put people at ease straight away and goes a long way to encouraging creativity.

2

An increased awareness around greening

At The Townhouse Hotel, we have made sustainability a priority and were recently awarded our Fairtrade Tourism certification, which encourages and raises awareness around responsible hoteling. This is close to our heart and is implemented through all the hotel’s operations, including conferencing. We are seeing a slow rise in the local conscientious consumer who requests green conferencing options, or at least asks what we can offer in the way of sustainable products and services.

For example, we provide only recycled paper, make use of natural light instead of switching on electric lights, use filtered water instead of bottled, and have recycling bins in the foyer of the venues.

3

Considered catering

Lighter lunches and snacks are now very well thought through, as health and energy sustaining options are taking precedence over large meals. We are receiving more requests for snacks and meals to be served in a cocktail set-up to get delegates interacting and networking in between sessions.

Digital and video

4 conferencing

Social media has become a huge focus,

with delegates tweeting comments live at events. Apps are launched prior to events so delegates can get information on to their mobile devices relating to agenda, location, venue lay-outs, information on presenters etc. With this we are seeing a reduction on printed materials distributed at events. Notes and presentations have gone online, another nod to increased sustainability awareness. From an AV point of view, the synchronisation of an app on a phone or tablet and the house PA system means delegates are able to post questions to speakers who respond accordingly.

Being a fast-paced world and with the access to technology we have, conferences are able to attract a wider audience with Skype calls, TED sessions and so on.

Specially events that draw a crowd from a broader geographical spread. That said, there will always be a need for face-to-face interaction.

Trends by their very nature are constantly fluctuating, so the key lesson to be learned from this is that you and your team should remain easily adaptable and stay flexible.

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16

EXECUTIVE CHEF

‘Managerial skill is imperative’ Originally planning to study hotel management, Grant Cullingworth, executive chef at The Westin Cape Town, ended up taking the culinary route, undergoing his apprenticeship at the Carlton Hotel in Gauteng.

G

rant’s culinary journey has included cooking for dignitaries, working abroad in the United Kingdom (London) and Australia (Gold Coast and Sydney) and heading up the kitchens as executive chef, at Cape Grace Hotel, Beluga Restaurant and Table Bay Hotel.

A career highlight was being invited to cook as team manager at the James Beard Foundation in New York to mark the 10year anniversary of democracy in South Africa in conjunction with the South African Tourism Board.

Grant believes that having a sound background in both culinary and managerial skills is imperative in running a successful kitchen. Apart from his Culinary Diploma, Grant became the first chef in the local industry to complete AIM, a business management diploma through the Graduate School of Business (UCT).

As executive chef of The Westin Cape Town, Grant and his brigade of chefs continuously strive for high culinary standards and presentation.

“Today, our guests are part of a food culture where they are acutely aware and expect high quality cuisine, service delivery and value for money. As a successful

What is your signature dish?

My menus are constantly evolving to reflect the needs of our clientele and creativity of my chefs.

What trends are emerging in the conference industry in regards to food?

• Local ingredients used in F&B where guests can sample local cuisine.

• Smart/superfoods and the impact they can have on concentration and productivity.

• Food action stations providing chef/ guest interaction.

business we need to continuously innovate and change to remain competitive, ensuring the product and experience we deliver is consistently of the very highest quality and in line with the trends that emerge from this food culture.”

Grant finds great satisfaction in following chefs who have worked for him develop and grow into successful managers running their own kitchens.

His food philosophy is: “Creating food that rejuvenates and inspires our diverse clientele with cuisine that is unpretentious and real. Our menus are founded on top quality, local and sustainable produce, married with a unique SuperFoods initiative that is rich in minerals and nutrients. This goes hand in hand with Westin’s philosophy of promoting health and wellbeing to our guest and preserving our fragile environment. My team of chefs and I are passionate and focused on delivering an unforgettable dining journey that excites the palate and uplifts your senses.”

Grant’s advice to PCOs organising any event is: “Be well versed on the client and their needs. Have a fundamental understanding of the objective of the meeting, and to ensure that content is driven in a manner to achieve these results.

It is important that PCOs foster strong and long lasting relationships with local partners to ensure the destination is always perceived as highly desirable and competitive.”

In terms of challenges, he named a few: • Environmental impact factors, product demand and availability.

• Exchange rate playing both a positive role in attracting international clientele and negative role influencing inflation and driving up product pricing.

• Government policies affecting the tourism industry and entrepreneurship.

Nepotism and poor governance of parastatal organisations.

• Crime rate and inadequate transport infrastructure.

• Shortage of skilled and passionate hoteliers and chefs, service level inconsistencies.

Globally, he said the rise of food-centric media sparked new interest in cooking, not only for the sake of nourishment, but for the purposes of sharing one’s creations via social media.

“There is also a demand for natural and ‘less processed’ food and drink reducing artificial ingredients. In essence shifting economics, natural phenomena and social media will influence global trends and these will differ worldwide based on cultural norms, regional availability and societal needs,” he said.

Grant is married with two children. For leisure he enjoys relaxing with family and friends and enjoying good food and wine.

His advice to newcomers is: “An executive chef must understand and be knowledgeable of what’s happening in his kitchens from buying, production and system controls. Thinking like a businessman, apart from creativity, sound knowledge and skills in the culinary field, being an effective leader and mentor with sound financial acumen and IR (Industrial Relations) skills is essential. Investing in a business management course would be beneficial.”

• Craft inspired cocktails utilising local artisan ingredients and spirits.

• “Petit desserts” – homemade bite-size desserts yielding fewer calories, more variety and practical to eat.

• Supporting local artisan producers

What is your favourite food?

What has remained constant in this industry?

What is your great love?

Providing our clientele with personalised service and innovative product offerings.

What is your favourite beverage?

Craft beer or a good bottle of wine.

Dishes cooked with love and passion.

What is your pet hate?

Poor planning, not giving 100 per cent in what you do, and unseasoned dishes.

My family, close friends and, of course, my black BMW I call “the beast”.

Are you adventurous?

Tandem sky diving, bungee jumping, jet boating and running with the bulls in Pamplona on travels overseas.

FUTURE FOCUS

“Life is never routine” thus making it more difficult to prove oneself. The trick is to Lindy Cambouris, 32, business keep up with the ever-changing dynamics within the industry, development manager: national, Cape Town ensuring you stay on top of your game and competitive. Even International Convention Centre (CTICC), better when you can find a niche in which you can upskill yourself and specialise. This will give you the competitive edge. has been in the industry for 10 years. She started her events career in 2005 when What does your job entail? Do you ever have a she worked on the Gastronomica event in typical day?

In a nutshell, generating new business for the CTICC, especially Knysna.

A

t CTICC Lindy is responsible for the national conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions portfolio.

“A huge contributing factor to the CTICC’s success has been the focus on the development of the knowledge economy.

Of the nearly 5 000 events hosted by the CTICC over the past 12 years, more than 450 were international association conferences across a broad spectrum of sectors, including agro-processing, the green economy, ICT, property, mining and medical industries.”

She added: “The CTICC’s expansion, scheduled for 2017, will double the centre’s existing exhibition capacity by adding 10 000m² of multi-purpose conference and exhibition space.

This will enable the Centre to meet the steadily growing demand from exhibition and conference organisers across the globe.”

Lindy has worked on cruise liners as a group co-ordinator, which helped her secure a position at Sun City (Sun International), within two weeks of returning to South Africa.

“While working at Sun City I was selected to fly to Lagos, Nigeria to manage the opening event for the Federal Palace Hotel. I was subsequently also offered a position at this hotel but turned it down as I had opted to join the CTICC instead.

I was promoted from events co-ordinator to events manager within two months of starting at CTICC.” Lindy has a post graduate diploma in business management from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. She currently serves on the EXSA board.

When did you realise you wanted to be in business events?

My events career was set in motion when I worked on the Gastronomica event in Knysna in 2005. After four years of co-ordinating mostly incentive events on the cruise liners and at Sun City, I wanted to explore corporate events. The CTICC presented this opportunity.

Were you discouraged from pursuing a career in business events?

No, I was actually encouraged.

What challenges do you face as a young person in this industry?

I see an influx of young people into the industry, which is very exciting. Actually, the majority of my peers are young professionals. Even third year students are keen to conduct their learnerships at the CTICC. The down side to the influx of young professionals is the amount of competition we have,

in the national conference, exhibition and trade fairs sectors.

Unless typical means busy, busy, busy and ever-changing, then almost every day is a typical day.

Which personal traits do you need for this?

Results-oriented, able to self-manage, accurate, assertive, adaptable, client centric orientated, enthusiastic, follow through and willing to travel.

What advice would you offer young people who are reluctant to explore the business events industry?

What is there to be reluctant about? This industry offers incredibly exciting opportunities for career growth and development. You meet so many new people from all walks of life. No two events are the same and work is never routine.

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VENUE NEWS

Head for adventure at

Kloppenheim Country Estate

T

his is the land of crop and cattle farmers, beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking rock faces that attract daring climbers and beautiful starry skies that see star watchers take to their telescopes.

Kloppenheim Country Estate, situated on the Highveld Meander, is the ideal country retreat for business and leisure. Nestled on the top of a hill with remarkable scenery is a country hideaway that’s perfect for that conference, teambuilding or special wedding.

Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate Hotel offers the discerning visitor a range of accommodation options, from 14 twin lakeside suites, 20 gorgeous twin estate rooms and 10 elegant two-bedroomed self-contained lodges, each with magnificent views of the rolling hills.

This grand four-star country estate now

also boasts a newly 2,2km paved road leading to this unforgettable resort using 566 400 bricks which were handmade by a local team at the nearby Simunye factory.

Forum facilities include newly decorated stylish conference rooms, a recently completed wedding venue, private dining room, breakfast terrace, colonial-style lounge, library, pub and restaurant, and a wellness centre.

For those wanting to participate in teambuilding, there is tons to do with the hotel boasting six trout dams, a number of hiking trails, archery, volleyball, badminton, mountain bike trails, horse riding, tennis and swimming.

Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate Hotel also organises interesting and diverse motivational and teambuilding courses, such as lazer sports, paintball

games, as well as abseiling, providing an extensive offering for all.

On the culinary side of things, the venue will spoil delegates with delectable delights from sumptuous breakfasts served in the enclosed terrace to delicious dinners in The Triple Twigs, 60-seater dining room – or private function room for something more intimate. Light meals are available in the Teddy and Tankard pub.

With an inhouse banqueting and conference co-ordinator on hand to assist, any conference or event can be tailor made to fit within a specified budget.

Visit Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate Hotel and indulge in good value and good fun – the mantra of Gooderson Leisure, one of South Africa’s oldest hotel groups.

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VENUE NEWS

Stanford Valley

undergoes changes STANFORD Valley Guest Farm and Conference Centre is situated on a beautiful 440ha farm in the Overberg, 130km from Cape Town.

Stanford Valley has been under new management since April 2015. Extensive upgrades have been done to the property since then, including a restaurant serving

upmarket country cuisine.

The venue caters for conferences, weddings, retreats, workshops and teambuilding groups requiring a tranquil and secluded setting. The conference rooms are ideal for groups of up to about 80 delegates.

The main conference room is equipped

with data projector, TV, DVD, screen and flip charts. Breakaway rooms are also available. Wireless internet connection is provided.

Stanford Valley has 19 spacious wellappointed en-suite units with private patio gardens, accommodating up to 44 people sharing.

Sun City closes Entertainment Centre for refurb SUN City’s iconic Entertainment Centre has closed for a major refurbishment. The Entertainment Centre, which houses the Superbowl, will be re-imagined and rebuilt at a cost of R300million as part of the R800-million revitalisation of Sun City.

Conferences will be accommodated at the SunSky Village, a temporary but fully-equipped facility located near the Sun City main gate/entrance. The new SunPark gives organisers a blank canvas to work with. A versatile multi-functional and multipurpose facility, the venue can host lifestyle events, music festivals, product launches and other experiential events.

The Valley of Waves and Welcome Centre will remain open during the refurbishment, along with Waterworld and Adrenalin Extreme.

VENUE NEWS

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Premier Hotels and Resorts

acquires The Winkler SAMUEL Nassimov, managing director of Premier Hotels and Resorts (Pty) Ltd and N.V Properties (Pty) Ltd, has announced the group’s acquisition of The Winkler Hotel.

The Winkler Hotel was formerly owned

by HPF, marketed by Protea Hotels and managed by Extra Bold.

Located a short distance from the Kruger National Park, this is the first of the Group’s properties in the Mpumalanga province.

“We are continuing our national expansion and Mpumalanga has always been viewed as an important location in our strategic growth plans.

“Premier Hotel The Winkler provides the perfect base from which to expand our offering within the South African business and leisure markets,” Mr Nassimov said.

Premier Hotel The Winkler, formerly a Protea Hotel, is a luxurious four-star property, located 15,5km from the centre of White River, and offers 87 guest rooms ranging from standard and executive rooms to family rooms and suites. All rooms offer en-suite bathrooms, satellite television, Internet connectivity and much more.

Situated 14km from Kruger

Mpumalanga Airport, Premier Hotel The Winkler is a 20-minute drive from the Kruger National Park.

“This year marks Premier Hotels and Resorts’ 25th anniversary. While this is definitely a milestone for the brand, the truly exciting part is, we’re just getting started,” comments Mr Nassimov.

“Our portfolio has more than doubled in only four years and the acquisition of The Winkler Hotel is just another step towards our goal,” Mr Nassimov concluded.

Mr Nassimov, who founded Premier Hotels and Resorts 25 years ago, started with humble beginnings, by purchasing a 40-bedroom hotel in East London in the Eastern Cape.

Today, the company’s portfolio has grown to encompass 15 hotels and resorts throughout South Africa’s top holiday and business destinations, offering more than 1 700 bedrooms and provides employment to 1 500 passionate staff members, as well as the ELICC (East London International Convention Centre), which also forms part of Premier Hotels and Resorts and received the award for Best Congress and Convention Centre Africa in 2011.

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MARKET NEWS

FOCAC 2015 3D Group’s biggest challenge to date

T

he 3D Group of specialist exhibition and eventing companies has successfully conquered its biggest challenge to date with the completion of the two-day China-Africa Equipment Manufacturing Industry Exhibition held concurrently with the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) Johannesburg Summit 2015.

Mounted in the cavernous basement of the Sandton Convention Centre, the exhibition was hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and organised by the Trade Development Bureau of MOFCOM. It was opened on 4 December by Summit co-chairs, South African president

Jacob Zuma and Chinese president Xi Jinping, along with Zimbabwe president and African Union chairman Robert Mugabe, and closed on 5 December.

Comprising 2 500m2 and some 36 exhibitors, the exhibition offered visiting heads of state and business delegates an opportunity to see some of the latest technology in the fields of aviation, agriculture, communications, nuclear power and military hardware and rail equipment.

3D provided a turnkey service to the exhibition organisers, providing all services from custom stand design and construction to project management, electrics, shopfitting, furniture hire and large format

digital printing. It was given just five days to construct the 2 500m2, and successfully hammered in the proverbial final nail just hours before the grand opening.

Conrad Kullmann, sales and marketing director, said: “With the exception of the work we have done for South African Tourism in the past, this is the biggest challenge 3D’s Johannesburg teams have faced in a long time.”

“It was a tough brief and a tough client ... but you know what they say when the going gets tough! I’m incredibly proud of the team. Everyone worked like trojans while upholding their stringent standards and maintaining their professionalism.

Xièxiè dàji!”

Water flow levels at Victoria Falls are rising fast WATER levels are now rising steadily at Victoria Falls, but African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) chairman Ross Kennedy said, regardless, Victoria Falls is a year round natural wonder.

“Like any piece of beautiful art, you can look at and admire at different times of the day, light, season, year, angles, and in this case from two countries, and appreciate different virtues and attributes of this

incredible world wonder,” Mr Kennedy said.

“High or low water, Victoria Falls offers utterly different splendour, majesty, raw beauty and power – and so perhaps should in fact be a twice in your lifetime experience – to see them both!”

A blog published by local tourism operator Wild Horizons recently stated: The large fluctuation of the Zambezi River’s water levels are a part of a normal annual occurrence, with the minimum flow, which occurs in November, on average a tenth of the maximum flow in April, it said.

“This phenomenon means that viewing the waterfall at different times of the year produces vastly different experiences … in high flow the entire length of the Falls is a thundering wall of falling water, whereas in low water the underlying structure can

be seen and visibility is far better.”

The Zambezi River has been rising steadily since mid-November, with more water now flowing over the world’s largest waterfall, following a drier than normal year last year.

Rafting Association of Zimbabwe chairman Skinner Ndlovu said daily water level readings from a hydrological station gauge upstream of Victoria Falls, show the Zambezi River has been rising by 0,5cm a day since Christmas.

Mr Ndlovu said: “We are now just 15cm below the average water level of the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls at this time of the year.

“Low rainfall in the catchment area north of Victoria Falls during the 20142015 rainy season brought the water to its lowest level last year since 1995, which was a drier year,” Mr Ndlovu said.

MARKET NEWS

First ‘global exhibitions day’ EXHIBITION organisers, venues, associations, and service providers from countries all around the world are uniting behind a global initiative to stage the first ever “Global Exhibitions Day” on 8 June 2016.

Driven by Paris-based UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and Dallas-based IAEE – The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, a growing list of associations and industry players have pledged to join forces to promote the industry and to highlight its achievements.

“There are many great national and regional initiatives, addressing exhibitors, visitors, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Uniting these achievements under one common umbrella will strengthen the messages and multiply the reach,” says Sergey Alexeev, UFI president, and Julie Smith, IAEE chairperson.

The campaign will focus on messages that promote the value of exhibiting for companies, the key support role of exhibitions for the development of trade and internationalisation, and the stimulating role exhibitions play in driving innovation and competitiveness of companies. At the same time, Global Exhibitions Day is also meant to be a celebration of the people working in the exhibitions industry, showing the excitement and career opportunities the industry has to offer.

While it is the intention that Global Exhibitions Day will grow as an event in the coming years, the initiative will be truly global from its very beginning. Already today, industry

leaders from all continents have pledged their participation.

“We are amazed by the support this idea has received already,“ said Kai Hattendorf, UFI managing director, and David DuBois, IAEE president and chief executive officer.

“As preparations progress, we’re inviting every player in our industry to get involved as well.”

List of associations currently members of the taskforce: UFI (Global), AAXO and EXSA (South Africa), AEFI and CFI (Italy), AEO (UK), AFE (Spain), AUMA and FAMAB (Germany), CEFA and CENTREX (Central Europe), EEIA (EU), IAEE and SISO (USA), IECA (Indonesia), IEIA (India), LECA (Lebanon), PCEI (Poland), RUEF (Russia) and UNIMEV (France).

New CEO for South African Shows

Messe Frankfurt

EFFECTIVE 1 March 2016, Konstantin von Vieregge, 37, will be the new chief executive officer of African subsidiary South African Shows Messe Frankfurt in Johannesburg. In doing so, he will be joining the existing management team.

Uwe Behm, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt, said: “We are delighted that Mr von Vieregge will be coming on board. As well as his extensive management experience, he has the necessary expertise in the relevant sectors and countries.”

With the addition of German-born economics graduate, Mr von Vieregge, the Messe Frankfurt subsidiary – which was acquired in 2014 – will now have an acknowledged marketing expert in its ranks. To date, he has worked in the automotive sector for Nissan in South Africa, where he was responsible for product marketing in an area consisting of more than 40 African countries.

He has also held senior management positions at Audi and Cox Communications in the US and in the consumer goods industry, working for Kraft Foods in Germany and South Africa. Mr von Vieregge is married with two children.

The South African Shows Messe Frankfurt portfolio currently includes trade fairs such as Automechanika, the South African Festival of Motoring (formerly the Johannesburg International Motor Show), the Johannesburg Boat Show and the SA Outdoor Lifestyle Show.

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MARKET NEWS

Latest Tourism Business Index figures revealed STRONG domestic leisure demand has helped to lift South Africa’s travel and tourism business performance in the last quarter of 2015. The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (“TBCSA”) recently released the Tourism Business Index (“TBI”) report for Q4 2015.

The report shows that overall, the industry achieved above normal business performance levels, recording a TBI score of 106,5 compared to the anticipated but more subdued TBI score of 94,2. This is the only quarter in 2015 to achieve above normal business performance levels and the third highest recorded Q4 index since 2011.

Business performance outlook for the first quarter of 2016 is slightly below normal levels, reaching a TBI score of 94,6.

In terms of inbound tourism, both the Accommodation Sector and the “Other Tourism Businesses” segment (excluding accommodation) cited the weak exchange rate as the most prominent positive factor stimulating foreign tourism leisure demand.

However, domestic tourism leisure demand proved to be the biggest performance driver over this period.

“The festive season is typically one of our busiest times, presenting the trade with the opportunity to do some good business when many people, particularly locals, take some time off to travel. After a tough three quarters of trade, we’ve been anxiously looking towards to the festive period for some welcomed reprieve in the market,” said TBCSA chief executive officer, Mmatšatši Ramawela.

Recent tourism statistics from provinces

such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape suggest that the outlying coastal areas were the most popular tourism spots visited.

“The weak exchange rate certainly made destination South Africa a lot more attractive to foreign tourists, but we must also keep in mind that it also made it a lot more affordable for South Africans to travel locally, hence the increase in domestic tourism demand,” Ms Ramawela explained.

Other positive contributing factors cited for the improvement in tourism business performance in Q4 include a decrease in supply due to the closure of several establishments, new management in the value chain, an increase in marketing activities and improvements in customer service, flexibility and staff training.

Although the cited decline in supply is a positive outcome from a competitor point of view, Ms Ramawela cautions that if this trend continues, it will reveal an overall contraction of supply, which is not a good sign for the industry.

“Closures can be attributed to businesses being under tremendous pressure. More and more of them are finding it hard to compete in the current environment that is largely characterised by rising cost of inputs, lacklustre business and leisure demand, as well as uncertainty in government policies affecting the industry.

“As one of the few sectors that have a great potential to boost economic growth in the country, we simply must do more to ensure that this trend does not continue.”

When it comes to overall business performance outlook for 2016, business expectation is mixed. A large percentage of the Accommodation Sector (51 per cent) anticipate business performance levels to remain the same, while a large portion of Other Tourism Businesses (44 per cent) is expecting to achieve better than normal business performance (despite their pessimistic outlook for Q1).

Grant Thornton’s Head of Advisory Services, Gillian Saunders, explained that given the dynamics in the operating environment and uncertainty in many business arenas, it is not easy to predict performance levels for the rest of the year, hence the differences in opinion on overall outlook.

Marc Corcoran, president of the Southern African Vehicle Rental and

Leasing Association (SAVRALA), added that from a car rental perspective, even though overall performance over the festive season was good, the industry faces a difficult operating climate in 2016 as the rand’s depreciation will impact on new vehicle pricing which is a critical cost driver in the car rental industry, inevitably resulting in higher rental rates.”

For this quarter, the index survey included additional questions on the impact of concessions announced by the Cabinet InterMinisterial Committee on Immigration.

Respondents were asked about the impact of the revisions on the requirement for foreign visitors travelling with children to carry unabridged birth certificates. Almost half, 48,4 per cent, of the respondents cite that there was no impact from the original requirements (i.e. not applicable), while 16,4 per cent have seen a partial reversal of the previous negative impact as a result of the changes and 13,2 per cent have continued to experience a strong negative impact regardless of the changes.

Similarly, respondents were asked about the impact of the planned implementation of biometric data capturing by the Department of Home Affairs. 62,2 per cent of respondents were not affected by the introduction of the regulation (i.e. considered not applicable to their establishment), while 26,9 per cent of respondents still feel the negative impact despite the move, and 10,9 per cent noted a reversal of the previous negative impact.

“Even as we begin a new year, issues related to visa regulations and the broad issue of travel facilitation remains top of mind for us,” Ms Ramawela said.

“So far, the figures are showing that the impact of the concessions announced have not had such a significant effect. We eagerly look forward to the announcement by the Department of Home Affairs, hopefully at the end of January 2016 regarding their work of implementing the concessions announced at the end of October 2015 by the Cabinet Inter-Ministerial Committee.

“Furthermore, we look forward to our engagement with the Departments of Home Affairs and Tourism and the local and international trade to work together to ensure that South Africa regains its market share of international and regional tourist arrivals.”

SAACI NEWS

Stability in uncertainty

B

usiness Events Africa recently chatted to Adriaan Liebetrau, chief executive officer of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry, about the state of the industry and SAACI’s plans for 2016.

Mr Liebetrau acknowledged the economic reality. “This is not going to be an easy trading year. We will be faced with many challenges which could also be perceived as opportunities.

“After two years of repositioning the Association, SAACI is now stronger and in a better position to assist its members with their challenges,” Mr Liebetrau said.

SAACI’s theme for the year is “with knowledge, it’s possible”.

“Training and education will feature predominantly on SAACI’s schedule for 2016. With the launch of SAACI’s academy, at the end of last year, e-learning will assist SAACI in accomplishing this goal.”

In addition, training and education will be high on the annual congress agenda.

The SAACI annual congress will take place in Mangaung (Bloemfontein) from 5-7 June 2016.

SAACI will roll out a number of faceto-face training sessions in all regions.

This will start from the second quarter of 2016. “This follows the great demand we have received for training in the Gauteng region,” he said.

From an in-house perspective, the SAACI

head office team will focus on efficiency through refinement.

Mr Liebetrau added: “We launched many new initiatives and benefits to our members during 2015. Our aim now is to educate our members on how to make use of these benefits and to refine our service offering. We cannot call our website new anymore, so our focus will be on website enhancements. As we launched our online store and tender bulletin at the end of 2015, the focus is now to get our members to actively make use of the functionalities on the website. Our goal is to develop the website platform into user-friendly portals, so members can do business through those portals.”

He concluded: “2016 is presenting many great opportunities in South Africa and the rest of the SADC region. Without a doubt the SAACI branches will continue to grow. Lastly, we look forward to establishing our first branch outside of South Africa in the coming months.”

Adriaan Liebetrau

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EXSA NEWS

EXSA members give insight into trends for 2016 Exhibitions are one of the most effective mediums for establishing and maintaining customer relations. In an increasingly digital age, they are the only medium in which buyer, seller and product physically come together – a potent force for any business.

T

he exhibition industry has received positive feedback after a recent barometer was released, showing its growth on an international scale. A group of key Exhibition & Event Industry of South Africa (EXSA) members sat down to discuss what can be expected from EXSA in 2016, as well as the key trends for the coming year.

What can we expect from EXSA in 2016?

According to Sue Gannon, general manager of EXSA: “This year will be a bumper year for EXSA. We’ve got major shows in Durban, including the Aids conference. In Johannesburg, we have the Electro-Mining Exhibition, SA Automotive Week and AAD, which is the Africa Aerospace and Defence show at

Waterkloof Airbase. These shows attract international attention and bring in a lot of work for our industry.”

The annual EXSA conference will be held at the end of January 2016 and there are plans to address some of the pressing issues within the industry.

“We are looking at upscaling and certifying various sectors within the industry alongside international health and safety training for our workers,” Ms Gannon said.

Brad Alder, EXSA chairman, emphasised that another of the objectives to be addressed at the annual EXSA conference is the recognition of prior experience for those working in the industry. “This goes a long way to standardising and professionalising the industry.”

Trends for 2016: • Custom stands are not sustainable in today’s economy: “In a shrinking economy, the pressure is on to look after your expenses while maximising efficiencies,” Mr Alder said. Cladding existing material with fabric or board is an international trend that is becoming more and more prominent.

• It’s all about adding value. “The challenge is for EXSA to show value to members and, in a private capacity,

show value to clients. In tough times, people are looking for extra mileage for less. It’s up to us to show return on investments,” highlighted Andrew Binning, chairman of the Organiser Forum.

• Social media and technology. Nigel Walker, immediate past chair of EXSA, stated that mergers of local and international companies are changing the dynamic in the industry, bringing in innovation in terms of apps and social media. Demand will be made on venues and organisers to re-invent what they do and how they do it.

• Venues are no longer traditional. You no longer have to have an exhibition centre to have an exhibition. Trends for 2016 include venues such as rugby fields with marquees being used to hold events.

This diversifies the exhibition industry in South Africa and opens up the industry in Africa to the rest of the world. Africa is a growing market and South Africa is seen as the gateway.

Mr Binning stressed that the industry is going from strength to strength. “The event industry in general is quite dynamic and in order to remain at the cuttingedge, we will continue being creative and dynamic in our approach to ways to grow the industry,” he concluded.

SITE NEWS

Site Southern Africa continues to grow

By Tes Proos, Site Southern Africa presiden

E

xciting times are lying ahead for Site Southern Africa, with two new sub-committees that were brought to life. These include the Business Development Africa committee, as well as the Youth and Young Leadership Development Committee.

The main objective of the Business Development Africa will be to find ways that we can work more closely together with our fellow African counterparts in order to forge more solid relationships

across the continent, to network and discover our various strengths and weaknesses and to collectively develop strategies to promote business events – not just into Africa – but also in between countries on the continent.

There are exciting developments going on with the likes of Rwanda and Ethiopia and committee member, Rick Taylor is right at the coalface and will help drive communication between key players in the region.

Committee members for Business Development Africa are Rick Taylor of The Business Tourism Company;

Bunny Bhoola, of African Link; and Nicholas Leonsis, of Travkor – all with tremendous experience and links within East and Southern Africa.

Heading up the Youth and Young Leadership Committee is Nonhlanhla Tshabalala from The City of Tshwane.

She has extensive experience working with young people entering our industry and along with the energy of Mariaan Burger (Lucky Bahati) and Justin Exner (The Vineyard Hotel), we are looking forward to an action-packed year, starting with young leadership workshops early in 2016.

What we’re all about ... motivational experiences Why we do it? ... business results SITE ORGANISATIONAL MISSION •

•

•

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 Contact Tes Proos Office: + 27 (0)21 555 3617 Fax: 086 698 7792 Only one organisation sits at the critical intersection between those who E-mail: tes@crystalevents.co.za seek the benefits of motivational tools and those who can provide these extraordinary experiences. That organisation is Site ... www.crystalevents.co.za

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conventions@dbnkzncb.co.za

www.durbankzncb.co.za

Expo Centre

OBC

info@expocentre.co.za

www.expocentre.co.za

EXSA

26

exsa@exsa.co.za

www.exsa.co.za

Folio Translation Services

23

pziets@folio-online.co.za

www.folio-online.co.za

Gooderson Leisure

15

conference@goodersons.co.za

www.goodersonleisure.co.za

IMEX

7

info@imexexhibitions.com

www.imex-frankfurt.com

Peermont Group (Emperors 5 Palace)

reservations@peermont.com

www.peermont.com

Plaslope

29

glenda.aereboe@plaslope.com

www.plaslope.com

Premier Hotels

21

www.premierhotels.co.za

SAACI

25

www.saaci.co.za

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Site

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www.crystalevents.co.za

Thebe Reed Exhibitions

IFC

info@thebereed.co.za

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CALENDAR

Local and international conferences, workshops and exhibitions of interest to the conference, exhibition and special events market For free entries in this calendar, please supply information to: Contact Publications, PO Box 414, Kloof 3640.

Tel: (031) 764-6977. Fax: (031) 764-6974. E-mail: colleen@contactpub.co.za LOCAL: 2016 FEBRUARY 18-21: IAPCO 2016. Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town. More information: www.iapco2016.co.za FEBRUARY 23-24: MEETINGS AFRICA. Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg. More information: www.meetingsafrica.co.za/ APRIL 4-6: INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL MARKET AFRICA. Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town. More information: Chardonnay Marchesi. Tel: (011) 549 8300. E-mail: Chardonnay@ThebeReed. co.za

INTERNATIONAL: 2016 FEBRUARY 23-24: AIME. Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia. More information: aime@reedexhibitions.com.au Tel: +61 2 9422 2500 MARCH 2-4: COCAL 2016. Venue: Guadalajara, Mexico. More information: www.cocal2016mexico.com/ MARCH 16-18: ACE OF M.I.C.E. EXHIBITION. Venue: Istanbul Congress Centre + Istanbul Lutfi Kirdar. More information: Tel: +90 (216) 465 95 56-57.

E-mail: info@ameistanbul.com. Website: www.ameistanbul.com/ APRIL 19-21: IMEX Frankfurt. Venue: Frankfurt, Germany. More information: Tel: +44 1273 227311. Website: www.imex-frankfurt.com MAY 25-27: IAPCO EDGE SEMINAR. Venue: Whistler, Canada. More information: info@iapcoeducation.org. Website: www.iapcoeducation.org JUNE 14-16: THE MEETINGS SHOW. Venue: Olympia, London, UK. More information: Steve Knight, Event Director. E-mail: steve.knight@centaurmedia. com. Website: www.themeetingsshow.com JUNE 15-17: IBTM AMERICA. Venue: Nashville, USA. More information: E-mail: ibtmamerica@reedexpo.com. Website: www.ibtmamerica.com

APRIL 6-8: WORLD TRAVEL MARKET AFRICA. Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town. More information: Chardonnay Marchesi. Tel: (011) 549 8300. E-mail: Chardonnay@ThebeReed.co.za APRIL 8: IBTM AFRICA ONE-DAY CONFERENCE. Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town. More information: Chardonnay Marchesi. Tel: (011) 549 8300. E-mail: Chardonnay@ThebeReed.co.za JUNE 5-7: SAACI Congress. Venue: Mangaung (Bloemfontein). More information: Adriaan Liebetrau. Tel: (011) 880-5883. E-mail: gm@saaci.org. Website: www. saaci.org

INTERNATIONAL: 2016 SEPTEMBER 27-29: IT&CMA. Venue: Bangkok Convention Centre, CentralWorld Bangkok, Thailand. More information: E-mail: itcma@ttgasia. com. Website: www.itcma.com OCTOBER 18-20: IMEX AMERICA. Venue: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Las Vegas, USA. More information: www.imexamerica.com NOVEMBER 12-16: 55th ICCA Congress. Venue: Kuching, Malaysia. More information: Mathijs Vleeming, marketing project manager, ICCA, Toren A, De Entree 57 1101 BH Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 398 1962. E-mail: mathijs@icca.nl. Website: www.iccaworld.com NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 1: IBTM WORLD. Venue: Barcelona, Spain.

More information: ibtmworld.sales@reedexpo.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL: 2017 MAY 16-18: IMEX Frankfurt. Venue: Frankfurt, Germany. More information: Tel: +44 1273 227311. Website: www.imex-frankfurt.com DATE TBA: 56th ICCA Congress. Venue: Prague, Czech Republic. More information: Mathijs Vleeming, marketing project manager, ICCA, Toren A, De Entree 57 1101 BH Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 398 1962. E-mail: mathijs@icca.nl. Website: www.iccaworld.com

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DIRECTORY

OFFICE BEARERS National Chairperson: Zelda Coetzee Vice Chairperson: Wayne Johnson Treasurer: Glenn van Eck CMP Vice Treasurer: Keith Burton Chief Executive Officer: Adriaan Liebetrau Physical Address: Association Hub, 158 Jan Smuts Avenue, 4th Floor East Wing, Rosebank 2196; Box 381, Parklands 2121. Tel: (011) 880-5883

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Gwynneth Arendse-Matthews CMP (C&E Forum): Southern Cross Conferences. Tel: (021) 683 5106. Cell: 082 414 4378. E-mail: gwyn@scconferences.com Keith Burton: African Agenda. Tel: (021) 683 2934. Cell: 083 415 4111. E-mail: keith@africanagenda.com

EASTERN CAPE Chairperson: Andrew Stewart Vice-Chairperson: David Limbert Treasurer: Glenn van Eck Co-ordinator: Wendy Knott-Craig Committee: Natalie de Lange; Gill Dickie; Rachel Greensmith; Sadie Isaacs; Cheryl Kietzmann; Leigh Myles-Rohroft; Toni Payne; Alastair Stead; Patsi van Zyl. Eastern Cape Co-ordinator: Wendy Knott-Craig. Tel: (041) 360-4415. Cell: 073 201-8699. E-mail: ec.za@ saaci.org Natalie de Lange: Bojangles Caterers. Tel: (041) 5863700. Cell: 083 469-7259. E-mail: bojangle@global. co.za Gill Dickie: Budget Car Hire. Tel: (041) 581-4242. Cell: 079 527-7619. E-mail: gilld@budget.co.za Rachel Greensmith: The Boardwalk. Tel: (041) 5077777. Cell: 082 290-4617. E-mail: rachel.greensmith@ za.suninternational.com Sadie Isaacs: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. Tel: (041) 582-2575. Cell: 082 990-7652.

E-mail: conference@nmbt.co.za Cheryl Kietzmann: The Function Warehouse. Tel: (041) 581-0454. Cell: 083 593-7239. E-mail: cheryl@ thefunctionwarehouse.com David Limbert: Magnetic Storm. Tel: (041) 393-4800.

E-mail: david@magnetic.co.za Leigh Myles-Rohroft: Hotel Savoy (JH Group). Tel: (041) 368-8343. Cell: 083 228-3928. E-mail: leigh@ jhgroup.co.za Toni Payne: Access Management. Tel: (041) 408-8958.

Cell: 084 421-2623. E-mail: toni@accessmanagement. co.za Alastair Stead: Scan Display. Cell: 073 236-6618.

E-mail: alastair@scandisplayec.co.za Andrew Stewart: PeriExpo. Tel: (041) 578-5987. Cell: 082 581-3733. E-mail: andrew@periexpo.co.za Glenn van Eck CMP: Magnetic Storm, Box 27427, Greenacres 6057. Tel: (041) 393-4800. E-mail: glenn@ magnetic.co.za Patsi van Zyl: The Green Room Design Company. Tel: (041) 581-8903. E-mail: patsi@greenroom.co.za KWAZULU-NATAL Chairperson: Nick Papadopoulos Vice-Chairperson: Imrah Ahmed Treasurer: Dawn Holmwood Co-ordinator: Carol Macnab Committee: Kim Gibbens; James Seymour; Zelda Robertson; Denver Manickum; Keith Bentley; Scott Langley; KwaZulu-Natal Co-ordinator: Carol Macnab. Cell: 079 072-0133. E-mail: kzn.za@saaci.org Imran Ahmed: Aqua Tours & Transfers. Tel: (086) 1002782. E-mail: imran@aquatours.co.za Keith Bentley: The Gateway Hotel. Tel: (031) 536-9200. Cell: 083 779-3567. E-mail: gm@ thegatewayhotel.co.zaa Kim Gibbens: Aqua Mice. Tel: 086 100-2782. Cell: 082 318-1671. E-mail: kim@aquamice.co.za.

Marlene Govender: Durban ICC. Tel: (031) 360-1000.

E-mail: marleneg@icc.co.za Dawn Holmwood: Tel: (031) 765-7494. Email: dawnholmwood@outlook.com

Zelda Coetzee: Imfunzelelo Tourism & Event Specialists.

Tel: (021) 674-0013. Cell: 084 657-5476. E-mail: zelda@ imfunzelelo.co.za Dorcas Dlamini (Venue Accommodation Representative): Protea Hotel Group. Tel: (011) 275 1000. Cell: 082 903 7204. E-mail: dorcas@proteahotels.com Wayne Johnson: Fancourt. Tel: (012) 653 8711. Cell: 083 448-1324. E-mail: waynej@fancourt.co.za Crystal Kasselman (WC Chair): Centeq Events. Tel: (021) 9489549. Cell: 082 414-4471. E-mail: crystal@centeqevents.co.za Denise Kemp (Public Officer): Eastern Sun Events. Tel: (041) 374-5654. Cell: 082 654-9755 E-mail: denise@easternsun.co.za Aidan Koen (NTB Chair): Scan Display Solutions Pty Ltd. Tel: (011) 447-4777. Cell: 082 561-3188. E-mail: aidan@scandisplay.co.za Nonnie Kubeka (Government Representative): Gauteng Convention Bureau. Tel: (011) 085 2500. Cell: 083 571 7410.

E-mail: nonnie@gauteng.net Adriaan Liebetrau: Tel: (011) 880-5883. Cell: 082 863-6302 E-mail: adriaan@saaci.org Nick Papadopoulos (KZN Chair): Eat Greek. Tel: (031) 5633877. Cell: 084 450 5011. E-mail: eatgreek@telkomsa.net Kim Roberts (Advisory Board Representative): The Forum Company. Tel: (011) 575 3750. Cell: 082 652 2008.

E-mail: kim.roberts@theforum.co.za Scott Langley: Durban ICC. Tel: (031) 360-1000. Cell: 082 805-8794. E-mail: scottl@icc.co.za Denver Manickum: I-Cube Alternative Advertising.

Tel: (031) 701-0474. Cell: 083 482-8525. E-mail: denver@icube.co.za Nick Papadopoulos: Eat Greek. Tel: (031) 563-3877.

E-mail: eatgreek@telkomsa.net Zelda Robertson: Tsogo Sun. Tel: (031) 362-1360.

E-mail: zelda.robertson@tsogosun.com James Seymour: Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau. Tel: 031 366-7575. Cell: 082 925-5508. E-mail: james@durbankzncb.co.za NORTHERN TERRITORIES Chairperson: Aidan Koen Vice-Chairperson: Estelle Lötter CMP Treasurer: Joe Hattingh Co-ordinator: Heather Heskes Committee: Aidan Koen, Chris Prieto CMP, Brian Prowling, Bronwen Shaw, Gabi Babinszky, Yolande van den Berg NTB Co-ordinator: Heather Heskes. Tel: (011) 787-4672.

Cell: 076 321-6111. E-mail: gp.za@saaci.org Gabi Babinszky: Compex. Tel: (011) 262-2490. Cell: 086 658-5059. E-mail: gabi@compex.co.za Joe Hattingh: Lumi Mobile. Tel: (012) 345-5161. Cell: 082 329-6569. E-mail: joe@lumimobile.com Wayne Johnson: Fancourt. Tel: (012) 653 8711 Cell: 083 448-1324. E-mail: waynej@fancourt.co.za Aidan Koen: Scan Display Solutions Pty Ltd. Tel: (011) 447-4777. Cell: 082 561-3188. E-mail: aidan@ scandisplay.co.za Estelle Lötter CMP: Ripcord Promotions. Tel: (011) 482-2835. Cell: 082 651-4556. E-mail: estelle@ripcord. za.com Chris Prieto CMP: Tel: (011) 973-5138. Cell: 083 7782644. E-mail: saaci.chrisprieto@gmail.com Brian Prowling: IEBE. Tel: (011) 463-1767. Cell: 083 379-3154. E-mail: brian@iebe.co.za Bronwen Shaw: Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank. Tel: (011) 448-3600. Cell: 083 646-8778.

E-mail: bronwens@therosebank.co.za Yolandé Van Den Berg: Selah Productions. Tel: (011) 913-0326. Cell: 083 323-3910. E-mail: info@ selahproductions.co.za GAUTENG/TSHWANE Chairperson: Robert Walker Vice-Chairperson: Melanie Pretorius Treasurer: Marius Garbers Co-ordinator: Heather Heskes Committee: Anette Burden; Nellie Swart; Leon Pheiffer; Neliswa Nkani; Oscar Motsepe; Pieter Swart; Roz Prinsloo; Jeana Turner Gauteng/Tshwane Co-ordinator: Heather Heskes.

Tel: (011) 787-4672. Cell: 076 321-6111. E-mail: gp.za@saaci.org Anette Burden (Stakeholder Engagement): Casa Toscana Lodge. Tel: (012) 248 8820. Cell: 082 787 6144. E-mail: anette@casatoscana.co.za Marius Garbers: Baagisane. Tel: (012) 362 6327.

Cell: 082 789 7963. E-mail: mgwcom@mweb.co.za Oscar Motsepe (Community): Lesett Corporation.

Tel: (012) 661 3100. Cell: 082 807 7000. E-mail: oscar@lesett.com

Esmare Steinhöfel (Chair: Venue Forum): CTICC. Tel: (021) 410-5000. Cell: 071 888 2624. E-mail: esmare@cticc.co.za Andrew Stewart (EC Chair): PeriExpo. Tel: (041) 581 3733.

Cell: 082 578 5987. E-mail: andrew@periexpo.co.za Glenn van Eck CMP: Magnetic Storm. Tel: (041) 393 4800.

Cell: 082 800 2616. E-mail: glenn@magnetic.co.za ADVISORY BOARD:

Helet Borchardt (Community): Sanlam. Tel: (021) 947-4486. Cell: 082 458 8211. E-mail: helet.borchardt@sanlam.co.za Kim Roberts (Intelligence): The Forum Company. Tel: (011) 575 3750. Cell: 082 652 2008. E-mail: kim.roberts@theforum.co.za Liezel Short (Academy): Red Hot Events & Hiring. Tel: (021) 510 0547. E-mail: liezel@redhotevents.co.za Jaques Fouche (Into Africa): Gearhouse SA Pty Ltd. Tel: (021) 9297232. Cell: 083 607 2046. E-mail: jaques.fouche@gearhouse.co.za Liam Prince (Branding & Communication): Selbys Productions. Tel: (031) 700 6697. Cell: 072 589 8782. E-mail: liam@selbys.co.za Lillian Hlabangane (Stakeholder Engagement): City of Tshwane. Tel: (012) 358 8248. Cell: 082 700 5172. E-mail: LilianH@tshwane.gov.za Bronwen Shaw (Sustainability): Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank. Tel: (011) 448-3600. Cell: 083 646-8778. E-mail: bronwens@ therosebank.co.za Moses Gontai (Future Focus): Namanje Event Solutions Pty Ltd. Tel: (011) 538 7262. Cell: 073 407 9322. E-mail: moses@namanjevents. co.za

Neliswa Nkani (Branding & Communication): City of Tshwane. Tel: (012) 358 7750. E-mail: neliswan@ tshwane.gov.za Leon Pheiffer (Future Focus): EPH Productions. Tel: (011) 100 3305. E-mail: leon@montededios.co.za Melanie Pretorius (vice-chairperson): CSIR. Tel: (012) 841 3821. E-mail: mpretorius1@csir.co.za Roz Prinsloo (Sustainability): Workshops Anonymous. Tel: (012) 661 9229. Cell: 083 407 8583.

E-mail: roz@workshopsanon.co.za Dr Nellie Swart (Academy): UNISA. Tel: (012) 433 4678. Cell: 082 771 0270. E-mail: swartmp@unisa.ac.za Pieter Swart (Intelligence): Conference Consultancy SA Pty Ltd. Tel: (012) 349 2301. Cell: 083 230 0763. E-mail: pieter@confsa.co.za Jeana Turner (Into Africa): NFS Technology Group.

Tel: (011) 394 9554. Cell: 071 440 3617. E-mail: jeana@nfs.co.za Robert Walker (chairperson): Jukwaa Group. Tel: (012) 667 2074. Cell: 082 550 0162. E-mail: r.walker@ jukwaa.net WESTERN CAPE Chairperson: Crystal Kasselman Vice-Chairperson: Desireé Smits van Waesberghe Treasurer: Jaques Fouche Co-ordinator: Lara van Zyl Committee: Jaco du Plooy, Kurt Johnson, Janine Abrahams, Esti Venske, Lerisha Mudaliar, Liezel Short; Thiru Naidoo, Zeenat Parker.

Western Cape Co-ordinator: Lara van Zyl. Cell: 082 223-4684. E-mail: wc.za@saaci.org Janine Abrahams: Tourvest. Tel: (021) 525-2500.

Cell: 083 440-06806. E-mail: jabrahams@tourvestdm. com Angelique Isaacs: Impact Incentives & Events. Tel: (021)712-5358. E-mail: angelique@impact-incentives.co.za Jaco du Plooy: NH Lord Charles Hotel. Tel: (021) 855-1040. E-mail: j.duplooy@nh-hotels.co.za Jaques Fouche: Gearhouse SA (Pty) Ltd. Tel: (021) 929-7200. Cell: 083 607-2046. E-mail: jfouche@ gearhouse.co.za Kurt Johnson: AV Alliance. Tel: (021) 469-1420. Cell: 082 822-8867. E-mail: kurt@avalliance.co.za Crystal Kasselman: Centeq Events. Tel: (021) 948-9549. Cell: 082 414-4471. E-mail: crystal@ centeqevents.co.za Lerisha Mudaliar: Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau (Wesgro). Tel: (021) 487-8694.

Cell: 072 631-7674. E-mail: lerisha@wesgro.co.za Thiru Naidoo: Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau (Wesgro). Tel: (021) 487-8600.

E-mail: thiru@wesgro.co.za Zeenat Parker: HWB Communications. Tel: (021) 421-0430. Cell: 081 248 2801. Email zeenat@hwb. co.za, Liezel Short: Red Hot Events. Tel: (021) 510-05478.

Cell: 083 283-2330. E-mail: liezel@redhotevents. co.za Desireé Smits van Waesberghe: Capemotion.

Tel: (021) 790-2190. Cell: 072 335-5282. E-mail: dsmitsvanwaesberghe@helmsbriscoe.com Esti Venske: Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Tel: (021) 460 3518. E-mail: venskee@ cput.ac.za

DIRECTORY

BOARD MEMBERS Brad Alder: Octanorm. Tel: (011) 433 2010. Fax: (011) 433 1927. Cell: 082 445-2661. E-mail: brad. alder@octanorm.co.za Andrew Binning (Organiser Forum): Inkanyezi Event Organisers. Tel: (041) 363-0310. Cell: 082 372-9247. E-mail: andrew@inkanyezi.co.za EXSA OFFICE National Chairperson: Brad Alder Immediate Past Chair: Nigel Walker Treasurer: Jason King General Manager: Sue Gannon, Box 2632, Halfway House 1685. Tel: (011) 805-7272.

Fax: (011) 805-7273. E-mail: exsa@exsa.co.za Website: www.exsa.co.za.

Lindy Cambouris (Venue Forum): Cape Town International Convention Centre. Tel: (021) 4105000. Cell: 071 888-2625. E-mail: lindy@cticc.co.za Karen Healy (Western Cape Forum Chair): Resource Design. Tel: (021) 510-7776. Cell: 082 893-6036. E-mail: karen@resourcedesign.co.za Jason King: Hypenica. Tel: (021) 700-4300. Cell: 072 386-7321. E-mail: jason.king@hypenica.com

Bronwyn Mathias (Young Professional Forum Chair): Seatworks. Tel: (011) 027-6360. Cell: 082 774-6570. E-mail: bronwyn@seatworks.co.za Doug Rix (Suppliers Forum): DK Design. Cell: 082 579-7071. E-mail: Dougrix@wol.co.za Clive Shedlock (Venue Forum): JHB Expo Centre. Tel: (011) 494 1920. Fax: (011) 494 1005.

Cell: 083 589-8422. E-mail: karabo@expocentre. co.za Lorraine Strydom (Venue Forum): Sandton Convention Centre. Tel: (011) 508-0474. Cell: 084 568-1277. E-mail: Lorraine.Strydom@tsogosun. com Nigel Walker: Complete Exhibitions. Tel: (012) 667-2074. Fax: 086 653 2616. Cell: 082 5517604. E-mail: nigel@compex.co.za

Graeme Marshall (Suppliers Forum): Gearhouse South Africa. Tel: (011) 508-0472. Cell: 083 6073036. E-mail: graeme.marshall@inhousevtm.com

Secretariat: Mariaan Burger. Cell: +27 (0)82 557 8041. E-mail: info@sitesouthernafrica.com

Tanya Angell-Schau: Cell: +27 (0)82 559 9007.

E-mail: tangellschau@tourvestdm.com

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Adriaan Fourie: Cell: +27 (0)84 545 3355. E-mail: adriaan@wesgro.co.za

Nicholas Leonsis: Cell: +27 (0)82 564 6996.

E-mail: nicholasl@travkor.co.za

Official Journal of the Southern Africa Chapter of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence

Cindy Pereira Buser: Cell: +27 (0)72 192 5656.

E-mail: cindy@mirchee.co.za

OFFICE BEARERS:

Justin Exner: Cell: +27 (0)60 302 6018. E-mail: justin@vineyard.co.za

Chapter President: Tes Proos, Crystal Events, Box 50596, Waterfront 8002.

Cell: +27 (0)84 682 7676.

E-mail: president@sitesouthernafrica.com Treasurer: Peter-John Mitrovich. Cell: +27 (0)82 318 1889. E-mail: peter-john.mitrovich@ grosvenortours.com

Barry Futter: Adventure Works. TCell: +27 (0)82 335 4090. E-mail: barry@adventureworks.co.za Daryl Keywood: Cell: +27 (0)82 904 4967.

E-mail: daryl@walthers.co.za.

Henk Graaf: Cell: +27 (0)83 696 3307. E-mail: henk@swafrica.co.za

ICCA African Chapter: Chairperson: Gadi Mbuya, Shades of Green Congresses, Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 272050081 / +255 789655690 E-mail: ceo@shadesofgreensafaris.net

ICCA – International Congress & Convention Association

Vice-chairperson: Fred Simiyu, Kenyatta ICC Tel: +254 20 2214535 e-mail: fred.simiyu@kicc.co.ke President: Nina Freysen-Pretorius, The Conference Company.

Tel: (031) 303 9852. Fax: (031) 303 9529. e-mail: nina@confco.co.za

SUB COMMITTEE (Business Africa Development): Nicholas Leonsis (Chair): Cell: +27 (0)82 564 6996. E-mail: nicholasl@travkor.co.za Bunny Boolah: Cell: +27 (0)83 632 2420. E-mail: bunny@africanlink.co.za SUB COMMITTEE (Young Leadership Development): Nonhlanhla Tsabalala: Cell: +27 (0)71 351 4458.

E-mail: nonhlanhlaT@tshwane.gov.za.

Secretariat: Chris Prieto CMP, ICCA Africa Regional director. Cell: 072 273 7230. E-mail: africa@icca.nl. Website: http://www.iccaworld. com/dbs/africanchapter ICCA African Regional Office: Regional Director Africa: Chris Prieto CMP, PO Box: 4957, Atlasville 1465.

Cell: 072 273 7230.

E-mail: africa@icca.nl.

Website: http://www.iccaworld.com

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS OF INTEREST TO THE INDUSTRY ABTA – African Business Travel Association, Box 2594, Pinegowrie 2123. Tel: (011) 888-8178. Fax: (011) 782-3814.

Cell: 083 679-2110. E-mail: monique@abta.co.za. Website: www.abta.co.za. Founder: Monique Swart.

ANTOR – Association of National Tourist Office Representatives. President: Hélène Bezuidenhoudt.

Vice-president: Wendie White. Treasurer/Secretary: TBC. Postal Address: Box 41022, Craighall 2024. Cell: 083 200 4444. Fax: (011) 523-8290. E-mail: helene. bezuidenhoudt@franceguide.com ASATA – Association of Southern African Travel Agents, P O Box 650539, Benmore 2010. Tel: (011) 293-0560/61.

Fax: 086 504-9767. E-mail: barbara@asata.co.za. Chief Executive Officer: Otto de Vries. Cell: 076 140-7005.

Fax: 086 505-1590. Office Manager: Barbara Viljoen.

EGF – Event Greening Forum, 179 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North, Private Bag X7000, Parklands 2121.

Tel: (011) 447-4777. E-mail: info@eventgreening.co.za.

Website: www.eventgreening.co.za. Chairman: Justin Hawes. Vice-chairman: Greg McManus.

FEDHASA National Office – Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa, Box 71517, Bryanston 2021. Tel: 0861 333 628. Fax: 0867 165 299. E-mail: fedhasa@fedhasa.co.za. Website: www.fedhasa.co.za

Manager – National Office: Lynda Bacon.

PSASA – Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa. Tel: (011) 462-9465. Fax: 086 515-0906. Cell: 083 458-6114. E-mail: nikki@psasouthernafrica.co.za Website: http://www.psasouthernafrica.co.za Executive Director: Nikki Bakker.

SABOA – Southern African Bus Operators Association, Postnet Suite 393, Private Bag X033, Rivonia 2128. Tel: (011) 011 9288 Fax: (011) 011 9296. E-mail: saboa@ saboa.co.za President: Mr A Sefala.

Executive Manager: Mr E Cornelius.

SATI – South African Translators’ Institute. Executive Director: Marion Boers Tel: (011) 803 2681. E-mail: office@translators.org.za Website: www.translators.org. za SATSA – Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, Box 900, Ferndale 2160. Tel: (011) 886-9996. Fax: +27 866832082. E-mail: jennym@satsa.co.za. Website: www. satsa.com. Chief Executive Officer: David Frost. Chief Operations Officer: Jenny Mewett.

SKAL International South Africa. For full details go to www.skalsouthafrica.org or contact Skal International secretary Anne Lamb on tel/fax: (021) 434-7023. Cell: 082 708-1836. E-mail: anne@yebo.co.za.

STA – Sandton Tourism Association. Tel: 083 558-5445.

E-mail: secretariat@sandtontourism.com. Website: www. sandtontourism.com.

TBCSA – Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Box 11655, Centurion 0046. Tel: (012) 664-0120. Fax: (012) 664-0103. E-mail: comms@tbcsa.travel. Website: www. tbcsa.travel or www.tomsa.co.za. Member Relations Manager: Boitumelo Moleleki TGCSA – Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. Private Bag X10012, Sandton 2146. Tel: (011) 895-3000. Fax: (011) 8953001. E-mail: enquiries@tourismgrading.co.za.

TINSA: Interpreters/Translators Network of Southern Africa (TINSA). Co-ordinator – info@interpreter.org.za Tel/Fax: (011) 485-2511. Cell: 083 249 0010. Website: www.interpreter.org.za TPSA – Technical Production Services Association, Box 2245, Pinegowrie 2123. Tel: 082 371 5900.

E-mail: admin@tpsa.co.za Website: www.tpsa.co.za – Administrator: Tiffany Reed.

TTA – Tshwane Tourism Association, Box 395, Pretoria 0001. Tel: 012 841 4212. E-mail: secretary@ tshwanetourism.com. Website: www.tshwanetourism. com. Chairperson: Bronwen Cadle de Ponte. Secretary: Sethimbile Nzimande

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THE LAST WORD

Unleashing the competitive spirit in 2016 There is little doubt that the global political and economic landscape is in a state of flux, and in certain regions, turmoil.

M

y belief, however, is that commercial opportunities are still available in abundance, and those who rise above uncertainty stand the chance to capitalise on the contemporary state of affairs. In other words, a general trend towards austerity may starve businesses of ripe prospects to grow.

In light of this, investment in incentives is a low risk and high return endeavour, and those looking to out-compete peers should look towards implementing programmes that motivate employees to rise to their full potential and be rewarded for doing so.

The psychology that proves the effectiveness of incentives is well researched, and has been proven in practice time and time again: simply put, rewards reinforce and encourage the behaviours needed to be at the cutting edge.

As for the state of incentives in the local and international context, the issue is quite complex and deserves some examination.

In a brief article it is difficult to cover the complete global picture, so I’ll narrow down the focus and offer some insights into the regions where we mostly operate.

South Africa Despite the recent currency depreciations, the local industry still looks good.

However, companies will be considering spending cuts when international travel is in question. Travel is regarded as the most powerful of all incentives, and organisations that eliminate travel as an incentive will most likely see a negative effect on productivity, especially among its high performers.

I don’t feel there is a single strategy that can solve the problem, but here are some suggestions: South Africa is an incredible country, and travel within national borders may still have extreme “pulling power”.

One of the secrets to providing a great travel experience is to take participants beyond the beaten track. This is to say that

offering a variety of special experiences that create positive memories is always a good idea.

Uwin Iwin, for example, once took travel participants for a day out in exotic super cars. Johan Venter, our travel director, has an incredible imagination and consistently dreams up adventures that appeal to all. If spending cuts are on the cards, however, one may also either look at increasing performance criteria (within realistic bounds) or perhaps moving away from travel entirely to merchandise rewards.

In this scenario, points are awarded onto gift cards or incentive accounts, and can be redeemed for “luxury” catalogue items.

As stated earlier, though, continued investment in desirable incentives like travel may be the key to outperforming competitors who are moving towards austerity measures.

Africa We currently service many countries in Africa, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, and the various surrounding regions.

Whereas many African countries still experience difficulties with regards to political stability, the regions mentioned above have attained enough stability to attract foreign investment and aid the growth of local industries.

From our own projections, we in fact anticipate a general upward turn in the medium to long run as an incentive culture takes hold. In concert with China’s predicted GDP growth of six per cent, many other emerging economies are set to keep pace with the rising giant, and experience growth rates of between six to 10 per cent. Africa is looking good.

India India is emerging from the shadow of the Chinese economy, and the outlook for incentive spending is forecasted to grow, or at the very least, to remain at current levels.

Despite the fact that Indian culture differs from that experienced in Western and African regions, travel remains a favourite incentive, but local norms and practices have to be considered and observed.

This in itself is quite challenging, and it is

imperative that adequate research is done into both travel experiences and desired merchandise.

South America We service Brazil and its surrounds and, unfortunately, the outlook isn’t what it has been in the past.

Brazil experiences, like South Africa, high levels of inequality and despite many measures implemented by the Rousseff regime, inflation has been high and the currency has depreciated sharply.

International travel, in this context, has become very difficult, and companies will most likely move away from international travel to domestic Latin American destinations or an increase in merchandise rewards.

The regions examined above offer a mixed bag, but I hope that these brief analyses will give the reader some insight into what is happening in the incentives arena, both locally and abroad.

WHO IS DAVID SAND? David Sand serves as Uwin Iwin International’s chief executive officer, and has 21 years’ experience in the incentives industry. David currently serves as past president for SITE Global and past president of the South African chapter of Site, and was recently appointed as the executive vice-president of the Incentives Marketing Association’s board of Incentive and Engagement Solution Providers (IMA).

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