8 minute read
WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY
Tourvest MICE showcases its all-women management team
“Since South Africa is celebrating 30 years of democracy, this year’s Women’s Month is a little bit more significant than in the previous years. As we remember the visionary and brave 20,000 women marching to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the draconian pass laws, Tourvest Women are humbled to be standing on their shoulders towards building a brighter future and sustainable jobs for all Tourvest employees,” said Thembi Kunene-Msimang, chief operating officer of Tourvest MICE.
Thembi has two decades of experience in the tourism industry. She joined Tourvest MICE in 2019.
“I am thrilled to find myself leading a highly professional team which is so passionate about the business events industry, it makes my job as their leader so much more enjoyable. I couldn’t have asked for a better balance in life, and I am grateful,” she said.
Thembi said: “Although not by deliberate design, I find myself with an all-woman management team whom I am immensely proud to call my sisters in tourism. Each of my general managers are active agents of change and social transformation, particularly here in the workplace. The celebrations during this special month allow us to take stock of our achievements at Tourvest MICE and the journey travelled thus far, and to clearly articulate our plans to tackle the few challenges that remain for us to fully position ourselves as a service provider of choice.”
Thembi added: “Further empowering, strengthening, and deepening the skills of women remains a competitive advantage for Tourvest MICE. The encouraging feedback we get from our clients affirms us constantly.
“I am grateful for the wonderful Tourvest MICE ladies that make each day at work stress-free and enjoyable, while delivering shareholder value.”
Thembi Kunene-Msimang — chief operating officer
Thembi is a dynamic leader of our Tourvest MICE team and leads her management team by giving her GMs a voice in leading this team under her leadership to the successes we have achieved.
Herewith some insight into our GMs:
Laurinda Schroeder — regional manager new business coastal and MICE
I have been privileged to work at Tourvest for 16 years. I believe that I have mastered the work-life balance quite well by ‘being present’. When I am working, I am all-in, and give it everything and similarly, when I spend time with family, I switch off from the day’s work to be present with them.
To any young woman considering a career in MICE, I would say that you are making an amazing decision at Tourvest specifically, as there is such a diverse array of roles, from being a part of operations, where you get to see an event coming to life, to travelling the world. In a strategic role, you get the opportunity to collaborate with different people daily, and in sales, you have opportunity to feed the hunger of bringing in new clients daily and seeing the difference we make in their lives.
I love the culture at Tourvest and the many opportunities we receive. It is such a dynamic company and team that I enjoy so much — it does not even feel like work. If you can achieve this, then work becomes your ‘home away from home’.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and having fun outdoors and doing creative things with my son. My family is very passionate about sports, and cooking relaxes me.
My greatest achievement in my current position is being able to master all aspects of travel as a result of my work experience, where I worked my way from the bottom up and have worked in every team within the MICE space. This allows me to sell with confidence, as I know what it means to be an executive in the MICE space.
Robyn Ireton — general manager incentives, sports and global immersions
I have been with Tourvest for 12 years and I am currently the GM for incentives, sports, and global immersions, and I am still finding my work-life balance.
My advice to young women considering a career in MICE would be that you need to own your career and take the time to try all the aspects of MICE and find your ‘home’.
At Tourvest, the people I work with have become my family and friends. We are passionate about what we do, and it shows in our output. I love how everyone jumps in to help each other where needed, without a grudge! We are one team!
Outside of work, I love rugby and spending time with my family.
In my current role, I enjoy collaborating, locally and globally, from the initial proposal to creating the programme and seeing it become a reality.
Janine Abrahams — general manager associations and congresses
I have been with Tourvest for 18 years. Balancing work-life and family can be challenging, but it’s essential for overall wellbeing and fulfilment. I’m quite a workaholic, but balance is imperative for my holistic wellness. I am therefore intentional about fostering quality relationships with my family and friends. This requires me to be present in the lives of my children e.g., helping them with school homework, attending sports events, etc. As a Christian, God provides me with the strength, courage, and wisdom to live a balanced life.
My advice to young women considering a career in MICE is that it’s important to trust and to believe in your ability to be successful. As a woman of colour, I carry within me the resilience of generations who have faced adversity with grace and determination. Remain humble, and grow a teachable spirit. Enjoy the journey, and celebrate the victories — especially the small ones.
It is genuinely refreshing to be part of a team at Tourvest, that works so harmoniously towards the same goal. For me, what I enjoy most is the work-life balance, collaborative team environment, and the company culture and values.
Outside of work, I enjoy exercising, running, and holistic wellness. I love cooking, and find it to be the most relaxing and enjoyable activity. I also enjoy travel, watching a good drama series, nature, and outdoor activities with my kids.
One of my greatest achievements in my current position, as a woman of colour, was being able to demonstrate that it is possible to overcome systemic obstacles and achieve leadership positions. I acknowledge that, in my pursuit of success, I stand on the shoulders of giants, like my mother, who represents a heritage of perseverance and tenacity.
Sajidah Tawildar — client general manager conferences and events
I have been employed by Tourvest since 2019. I began my employment at Tourvest Destination Management in 2019 and subsequently moved to Tourvest Travel Services, post-Covid with the MICE team (then known as the IME team).
I am still learning how to manage my worklife balance. To be honest, currently, there is no work-life balance due to crazy deadlines. I really would love to master this skill and admire those individuals who can do just that. I need to have control of all my projects within my team and this is the reason why I am constantly busy. I need to master the art of delegating, first, before I can manage my work-life balance. I am blessed to have a very understanding spouse — together, we manage our family commitments.
The advice I would give young women considering a career in MICE, is to go for it! If you have a passion for travel, love collaborating with people, and enjoy the adrenalin of managing large events, then this is definitely the right choice. The satisfaction after a successful event makes it all worthwhile, and you cannot wait for the next one!
I love that we, at Tourvest, are market leaders and trendsetters. I love that we are technology-driven. In my personal MICE environment, I am valued. There is trust, and there is collaboration within the various divisions in MICE. We are like a family, and this is most important.
Outside of work, I enjoy baking and cooking. I love spending quality time with my husband and my family. This means the world to me. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping the elderly in my community, as this gives me personal satisfaction, and makes me feel content.
Zandi Nkosi — client general manager strategic meeting management
I have been with Tourvest for 2-and-a-half years. I manage work-life balance by setting boundaries between work and personal time, taking breaks throughout the day, scheduling time for hobbies and interests, and delegating tasks when possible.
I will advise young women considering a career in MICE to have a qualification related to Travel and Tourism, be passionate about the travel industry, must be willing to travel and work long hours, and practice relaxation techniques.
I enjoy the culture and working environment at Tourvest and, outside of work, I enjoy hiking on weekends and enjoy spending time with family.
My greatest achievement in my current role was being part of the TTS mentorship programme pilot study.
