Business Events Africa — August 2022 by Contact Publications

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Vol 42 No 8 AUGUST 2022

Business Events Africa: Serving the business events industry for 42 years

CONTENTS Voice of the Business Events Industry

VOL 42 NO 8 AUGUST 2022

About the cover

www.businesseventsafrica.com

in Africa

Vol 42 No 8 AUGUST 2022

The authority on meetings, exhibitions, special events and incentives management

With more than 260 conferences successfully completed since 1997, The Conference Company is proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.

Published by the proprietor Contact Publications (Pty) Ltd (Reg No. 1981/011920/07)

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 414, Kloof 3640, South Africa TEL: +27 31 764 6977 FAX: 086 762 1867 MANAGING DIRECTOR: Malcolm King

Cover Feature COVER STORY 8 THE CONFERENCE COMPANY celebrates its 25th anniversary.

On the pages… EDITOR’S COMMENT 4 The time is now, to make things happen. COMPANY FOCUS 5 …because who doesn’t want STRONG PR, MARKETING and EVENTS. NEWS 6 Positive signs of recovery for business events in the Western Cape. 7 A festival to delight the senses. HOTEL GROUP UPDATE 12 Radisson Hotel Group surpasses half-year growth target in Africa. SPECIAL FEATURE 14 CSIR ICC to serve as world-first hub for Africa’s Science Diplomacy Capital (SDCfA). INCENTIVE NEWS 17 Uwin Iwin wins IMA award for Excellence in Incentive Travel. SUPPLIER CASE STUDY 18 Barmotion – expands its operation. VENUE NEWS 21 CTICC launches AllSport Expo. COMRADES EXPO FEATURE 22 Less than a month to Comrades Expo.

WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY 24 Garona Communications and Projects celebrates women. 27 Successful Lindelwa Mthethwa continues to soar. MARKET NEWS 29 Together, changing lives. TECH WATCH 30 Top digital marketing tools to market your events. PERSONALITY PROFILE 32 MJ Birch — It is all about passion. VENUE OF THE MONTH 34 Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa — for business or pleasure. MARKET NEWS 36 94,359 litres of soup cooked in Mandela Day Challenge. TRENDS 38 Six trends transforming SA’s hospitality sector.

Association news EVENT GREENING FORUM 40 The grey in greening (Part 1). SAACI 41 Sustainability — how do we engage? SITE 42 Plucking CIS and CITP out of the industry credential alphabet soup. EXSA 44 Design fees within the South African exhibition industry. AAXO 46 How networking can enhance your event experience.

Regulars 48 Directory. MARKET NEWS 50 Hilton appoints new regional commercial director Africa & Indian Ocean. 50 Index of advertisers and contributors. THE LAST WORD 51 Let’s reboot the human connection.

malcolm@contactpub.co.za EDITOR: Irene Costa gomesi@iafrica.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Vincent Goode vincent@contactpub.co.za DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jackie Goosen jackie@contactpub.co.za SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Irene Costa +27 (0)82 558 7387 gomesi@iafrica.com PUBLICATION DETAILS: Volume 42 No 8 Business Events Africa has 12 issues a year and is published monthly. Due to Covid-19, the magazine is currently only available in digital format.

publishers of Business Events Africa, is a member of:

Official media partner

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

Official journal of the Exhibition & Event Association of Southern Africa

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

The year has certainly been a busy one, not sure if it is just me, but I’m ready for the holidays.

think it is because I’m still adjusting to the pace, after two years of being mostly dormant, in terms of in-person social engagements. The travelling between meetings and networking at events, is still a little overwhelming, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This month we celebrate women! Our sector is fortunate to have some incredible women. Our cover story this month speaks directly to this, Nina Freysen-Pretorius, the immediate past president of ICCA, is a true inspiration; she established The Conference Company 25 years ago and, over the last two years, had to adapt her company to cater for the changing needs, such as the use of technology for virtual events during the pandemic. She is the epitome of business events. Well done, Nina, on this amazing anniversary and all you have achieved! In this edition we look at a few women in the sector who are making a difference. Someone I didn’t feature this month but would like to mention, is Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, the Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the South Africa National Convention Bureau. This incredible woman took on the position at SANCB 10 years ago and,

through her dedication and passion for this sector, has made an incredible contribution to the industry. Let me take this opportunity to say: Thank you Amanda for all you do for the business events industry in South Africa. Through her efforts, and the introduction of the Bid Support Programme, South Africa has been able to position itself as one of the top business events destinations in the world. Over the last 10 years, we have seen some amazing bids won – even during the pandemic – thanks to the efforts of Amanda and her team at the SANCB. These are only a few women, from an endless list. Quite frankly, our sector is filled with many incredible women. I am honoured to work with you all! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in keeping the business events sector on course. The SAACI Congress is taking place from 14-15 August in Stellenbosch. If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? I am looking forward to seeing old friends, making new friends and coming home with a little more knowledge. One of the best things I have noticed in the last few weeks is the need for staff, as

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the South Africa National Convention Bureau

business increases. This is the time to take on new challenges — there are so many new opportunities available. It is a very exciting time to be in the industry as we begin to rebuild on what was lost. In closing, the time is now to make things happen. Remember, have fun!

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

Credit: Hein Liebetrau

The time is now, to make things happen

COMPANY PAGE FOCUS STRAP

…because who doesn’t want STRONG PR, MARKETING and EVENTS Imagine three of South Africa’s most loved leaders in the marketing, publicity and events spheres, colliding together giving birth to their own firm. A firm that combines their strengths and magnifies their passion and determination.

ell, imagine no more. Allow us to introduce you to STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, powered by Mika Stefano, Jerri Mokgofe and Herkie Du Preez. Edgy, fun, dynamic, creative, established, goal driven, supportive, strategic, dependable — are just some of the words that best describe this new agency, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Adding vibrance and positivity to each campaign, Jerri Mokgofe best describes STRONG as the ‘no excuses — we get it done!’ agency. Because PR, Marketing and Events all work hand-in-hand, the directors of STRONG all thought it wise to combine their strengths, offering clients a one-stop organisation that can immerse itself in your campaigns and help maximise it to even greater heights. “Events have always been my passion, whether it’s conceptualising, designing, planning or managing,” says Herkie Du Preez. Herkie is no stranger to the business events space, having produced hundreds of professional events, conferences, award ceremonies, launches and special celebrations — virtually, inperson and hybrid. Jerri Mokgofe has over ten years of digital marketing, image-making, creative direction, and communications experience focused on generating leads and sales, building brand equity, reaching a wider audience, solving clients’ unique marketing challenges, and tracking their success. Self-made public personality, Mika Stefano is no stranger to the digital space, having created one of the country’s first entertainment websites. He has worked on both radio and television while heading the marketing and publicity for the Theatre on the Square in Sandton for over 15 years. Three industry leaders, ready to strengthen your brand and help tell a solid story directly to your target audience. We provide our clients with bespoke public relations, digital marketing, and events services, big or small. Bringing your vision to life as we help you transition from strength to strength. Because, at the end of the day, who doesn’t want STRONG PR, Marketing and Events? For more information contact Herkie Du Preez on 082 839 3489 or STRONG on get@strongpr.co.za. www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa August 2022 5

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Positive signs of recovery for business events in the Western Cape Wesgro’s Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau secured 11 bids in quarter one of the 2022/23 financial year.

usiness events prove to be a vital agent for post-pandemic economic recovery, with 11 bid wins secured by Wesgro’s Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau in quarter one of this financial year. The bids are estimated to contribute almost R100 million, over the next five years, into the business events value chain. The majority of the bids won are within the medical sector, with four medical conferences scheduled to be hosted in the destination between 2022 and 2024. The rest of the secured bids span agribusiness, aviation, entrepreneurship, environmental, politics and the tourism sector. Amongst the 11 bid wins are prominent large conferences predicted to attract over 1,000 delegates from across the globe. These include the African Agri-Investment Indaba 2022, the Regional Conference for the International Symposium of Blood Transfusion 2023, and the International Epidemiology Congress scheduled to

6 Business Events Africa August 2022

take place in 2024. The Western Cape is not just one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic regions, but it is also home to key higher education institutions and is fast becoming the knowledge-sharing hub for South Africa and the wider continent. Hosting key conferences and meetings in the province not only attracts talents, but also stimulates key investments. Welcoming the positive signs of recovery for business events, Wesgro chief executive officer Wrenelle Stander, said: “Business events are a vital component of our regional economy. Not only do they result in a positive halo effect for the local hospitality industry, but are catalysts for investment into the province. The Western Cape is a place that leads in innovation, technology, sustainability, and excellence, driven by sound research and thought leadership that is testament to the intellectual capital available within the Western Cape.” With a full recovery for the sector being a

top priority, Wesgro is still accepting applications for funding assistance through their Business Events Support project which can be accessed here. “The Western Cape is a destination of choice and provides visitors with so many options, no matter what they are looking for, which is why Cape Town is the top destination for business events, according to the 2021 ICCA destination performance index. These Business events bring benefits across the entire tourism and hospitality sector, contributing billions to the economy and creating much-needed jobs. This is why we fought so hard for the removal of the Covid-19 restrictions, particularly on travel and event capacity. We are seeing very promising signs, not only of recovery, but also of a great rebound, and we will continue to work closely with and to support Wesgro’s efforts to secure many more events that bring in more visitors,” said Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger. www.businesseventsafrica.com

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A festival to delight the senses With a substantial list of exhibitors, partners and sponsors already on board and more joining each day, the Festival of Motoring 2022 is definitely the highlight of the motoring event calendar for this year.

2022

marks the fifth edition of the Festival of Motoring and will take place at the popular Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 26-28 August 2022. The theme for 2022 is Celebration, Innovation and Aspiration and is based on the evolution of the industry and technology over the past few years and celebrating the resilience and contribution the automotive and related industries make to the South African economy. “In recent years and months, the automotive industry went through many challenges, but now the time is right for the passion to return. We honestly can’t wait to be back at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and, judging by the very early ticket sales, our patrons and followers are just as eager,” commented Michael Dehn, managing director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the event organiser. “We’re a nation of petrol-heads. We www.businesseventsafrica.com

are so glad that the industry is joining together to reignite the excitement and passion so that we can move forward.” With a number of leading brands on board, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chery, Citroen, Dunlop, Fiat, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, MOPAR, Opel, Peugeot, Suzuki and Toyota, the pit doors are filling up quickly. Brands are using this opportunity to take their vehicles to the public in a time where footfall to dealerships has dropped. The benefit to both exhibitors and visitors is the interactive and experiential nature of the show, unlike traditional motor shows of the past. It’s an opportunity for consumers to get into the vehicles and test drive the cars. Judy Maharaj, the show director, said: “We aim to bring the quality of the show that has made the Festival of Motoring such an iconic event on social and entertainment calendars. The support we have had from the industry already has been testimony

to the resilience of the South African industry. The show will offer multiple facets for every type of auto enthusiast, ranging from motorsport, bikes, SUVs, bakkies and EVs to the newest models available from exhibitor brands.” 2022 highlights from participating brands will include: Mercedes-Benz showcasing the Mercedes-Benz EQ Electric Intelligence range and other special surprises in store. Volvo Car South Africa will be exhibiting their electrified Recharge range which includes Mildhybrids, Plug-in Hybrids, and the allelectric XC40. Visitors will also get to see and experience the latest Toyota Gazoo Racing models, in addition to the rest of the Toyota range. Suzuki will add to the excitement with the evergreen Jimny on the 4x4 track, the Swift Sport on the main track, and the new generation Baleno, available for you to test on the handling track. There will be a wide range of Suzuki lifestyle vehicles and motorcycles for you to view and experience. In addition, over 150 exhibitors will display automotive products and services, as well as lifestyle, outdoor, and customised vehicle offerings to service the need of the visitor. In a Festival of Motoring first, visitors will get to see demo laps of the Cosworth-powered Minardi F1 M189, the Ferrari A1 GP car, the Renault 3.5 and the Pilbeam MP58 with the Infiniti Indy engine. Another first is the Speed Challenge, which will see racing legends of South African motorsport driving custom built high-performance vehicles racing against the clock in exhilarating time trials. In addition, the Sunbet ZX-10 Masters Cup (Superbikes) and Legends of the 9 Hour™ Production Cars Pre 1966 will hold an official round at the Festival of Motoring. Other entertainment will include drifting and rally driving demonstrations to keep the audiences constantly engaged. The Festival of Motoring is aimed at entertaining every family member and, with the addition of Tonino Lamborghini beverage cafés, MobsieKids play area, Parolin karting circuit, a gaming zone, and live DJ sessions, there is something for everyone. “The Festival of Motoring 2022 will provide three days of sensory delight for the automotive enthusiast. People have been waiting in anticipation for the return of the Festival and we’re here to reignite their passion for all things automotive”, Ms Maharaj concluded. Business Events Africa August 2022 7

PAGE STRAP COVER STORY: DURBAN ICC

Leading conference organisation

THE CONFERENCE COMPANY celebrates its 25th anniversary THE COMPANY WAS ESTABLISHED in Durban in 1997, when the industry was emerging in South Africa. Today, it also has branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town, to serve this fastgrowing industry, where peo ple come together to shape the way forward in their specific fields of interest, from AIDS to zoology. Founder, Nina Freysen-Pretorius, is the past-president of the International Congress and Conference Association (ICCA) and has been instrumental in ensuring that South Africa claims its rightful place in the international conference arena. Nina has had a long association with the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI), firstly as a member, then as a patron member. She is also a board member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and a member of the WPCO Alliance.

“I am proud of the role The Conference Company plays in facilitating events that can change the course of history while contributing to the growth of our local, regional and national economy.” — Nina Freysen-Pretorius “When The Conference Company was established 25 years ago, the first international convention centre was opened in Durban — the only city at the time to have a purpose-built conferencing facility. Today, South Africa boasts numerous world-class convention centres and meeting facilities, and specialist service providers have evolved,” Nina said. “Numerous provincial and city convention bureaux have also been established, to attract conference and meetings business. The conference industry has become a powerful force in creating jobs and promoting the skills development that our country so desperately needs,” Nina explained. The Conference Company has managed more than 260 conferences since its inception. It has not only continued to

strengthen its networks locally, nationally and internationally, but also continued to research, adapt and embrace technology, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, to remain competitive in this market.

Technology “Technology has, in many ways, been disruptive, changing the way conferences, meetings and exhibitions are managed and attended. Twenty-five years ago, it took 24 to 36 months to setup, coordinate, market and manage a conference using the postal service and fax machine. “With the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 in early 2020, many of the industry service providers had to close their businesses, and retrench experts that had a wealth of knowledge and skills within the conferencing and hospitality sector. Having used our project management software for a number of years, our team was fortunately able to convert our efforts and migrate to offering a virtual business platform. In a sense, it has been a metamorphosis and complete transformation of the approach taken in the past. Whilst many key milestones remain important, the technological element is something that is here to stay. With the current world economic outlook being very bleak and challenging, the need to meet, share and learn is still there, but the format and the costs are scrutinised and questioned. Because Covid-19 did not only impact on us economically but emotionally too, the importance of a balanced approach and family impact is more acute. Why attend a meeting that takes two days out of your schedule getting there, two to three days attending the conference, followed by another two days of travelling and potentially recovery upon your return home? The time and financial cost will become ever more questioned,” Nina said.

Association business Nina said: “Working with associations who have volunteer leaders and a chairperson, that are professionals operating within the specific association sector of expertise, the time that they can contribute towards the association work is normally after hours and on weekends. With the added demand on specific skills across all sectors ever increasing, this makes it challenging from the association’s, individual’s and our perspective, as the consulting entity. I have had to learn to be patient, be prepared and always anticipate planning accordingly. It has also taught me to really value the wonderful clients we have and the contribution that we can assist them to make in their respective sectors. Over the www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVER STORY: DURBAN PAGE STRAP ICC

Covid-19 pandemic lockdown period, I have also learnt how blessed we are to have such a dedicated, committed and skilled team. They have managed to migrate from doing in-person to virtual conferencing, at times making it seem easy.”

Women power

ONE STOP

“Whilst many women have taken up incredible leadership positions around the world in many different organisations, with different skills and abilities, my sense is that we are still faced with the same prejudices that woman before us have had. We are always judged by our outer appearances first and not the contribution that we can make with the abilities and skills set that we have,” Nina said. She added: “As a mother, wife and employer or consultant — woman just get on with the job at hand. How and when it gets done — has become immaterial. The ‘work from home’ scenario, in many ways, has proven to be beneficial to many women who need to take care of their children whilst also earning a living.”

SERVICE

Lessons learnt “Just when you think you have all the answers — they change all the questions. You are never too old to learn, you have to be adaptable and be prepared to learn from those younger and older — as knowledge and skills come in all shapes and sizes,” Nina said.

One-stop service The Conference Company’s service goes way beyond the project management one would expect from a conference organiser. It includes the preparation of bids for national conferences, the formation of the conference legal entity and preparing and managing conference budgets and finances. Project management services cover registration, accommodation, transport, tours and social programmes, conference management including printing, venue, suppliers, programme and speakers, exhibitions, sponsorship, marketing, media relations and publications. In response to demand, The Conference Company has also taken on ongoing association management, including database management for numerous clients, to ensure their growth and sustainability, as well as the success of the events they deliver. Currently, fully virtual conference services or hybrid services have become a more common offering and the format, style and components of engagement and skills transfer continue to change and adapt, to remain in line with market demands and technological developments. Market insight and experience, together with a preferred supplier network developed over 25 years, enable The Conference Company to provide quality, value-for-money solutions that keep clients returning for their next conference.

Global view Having an ICCA membership has put The Conference Company in a position to have an oversight of the global conference market and emerging trends, and to play a pro-active role in strengthening Africa’s share of this fast-growing business.

Highlights Nina said: “Becoming a mom whilst at the same time having to run a business. I am sure that many working moms will be able to relate to how challenging these two roles can be at times. One never feels like you are doing either one justice! But, as children become less dependent on you as a parent, the systems and procedures put into place for your business allow you to appreciate that the stress and hard work is worth it.” “Being elected as the ICCA president was also one of the highlights of my career, whilst at the same time, a tremendous challenge due to the management change

CONTACT

NINA FREYSEN-PRETORIUS, CEO

within ICCA that had to be addressed. It taught me that one must believe in yourself and keep pushing, as that is the only way that you will realise what you can achieve. “Having the right people and support at your side, taking people into your confidence to address challenges and to collaboratively find solutions and a way forward, has been a valuable lesson learnt,” she said.

Email: nina@confco.co.za | Tel +27 (0)31 303 9852

DURBAN

13 Claribel Road Morningside HEAD OFFICE Durban | South Africa Tel: +27 (0)31 303 9852

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa August 2022 9

A timeline of highlights The beginning Nina began working at Conferences & Promotions, owned by Sue Bumpsteed and Melanie Campbell. One of the first PCO businesses established in South Africa. Other colleagues at the company included Leora Burger, Felicity von Oettingen and Gwyn Glaister-Heaton. “During this period PCO’s did not charge management fees, but relied solely on the hotels paying commission for bookings. All project managers worked on an income split with the partnership. Unfortunately, due to this financial structure the business became financially constrained and the partnership was dissolved at the end of 1996,” Nina said.

The Sanlam Komkamp Nina added, “One of the first large projects that I got to manage under the Conferences and Promotions company was a ‘Sanlam KomKamp’! It was called this 20+ years ago and was an incentive for the best marketers. These where awesome conferences to arrange, as they had to be inspirational and have a lot of wow factor. I can recall, for one of these incentives, we

chartered five helicopters and did catering in the hangar — so that all 200+ delegates could go for a flip along the North Coast. They then got transferred to the station and we had chartered the Umgeni Steam Locomotive to take them down to the Wild Coast Sun for the weekend. Dinners and the décor where really something to behold. Draping was not ‘good enough’. We had painted murals, depicting the theme of the dinner! Janet Landy and John Lang from Party Design were the designer and décor experts.”

Site Inspection — Godfrey King Nina said, “One of the treats in those days was to go on a site inspection. I got an invitation to go to the newly opened Fancourt Hotel. We had to fly there in a small aircraft and, as luck would have it, I got to sit next to Godfrey King, editor and owner, of the Business Events Africa (then called SA Conference, Exhibition and Events Guide). He was very highly thought of in our industry, somewhat of a guru and very wellconnected. I was so intimidated, as a newbie in the sector. Little did I know that this was the start of a friendship and mentorship that lasted for many years.”

1997 Nina married Michael Andrew Pretorius in July 1997 and after the honeymoon, The Conference Company was established. Initially, working from home – large enough to accommodate two desks and a chair – Mom, Janelle, was brought in to answer the phone and assist with the faxing! 2002 In 2002, as The Conference Company grew, they acquired a small Victorian-styled house as their new offices.

Milestones 1998 - Nina joined SAACI. 2003 - Birth of Ben Pretorius. 2004 - Birth of Matt Pretorius. International Chambers Conference. Nina said, “Whilst pregnant with Matt, we bid in a partners venture with Ikhono Communications, chief executive officer, Zodwa Msimang, to manage the International Chambers Conference. The day after I had given birth to Matt, I received the phone call that our partnership had been awarded the contract. “Work started almost immediately and there was no maternity leave to speak of. I should have

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complained to my boss about poor working conditions.” 2006 - WISA – The Conference Company bought the congress management agreement from Sue Bumpsteed due to her ill health. Due to the successful management of the WISA 2006 conference, The Conference Company was subsequently appointed to assist with the 2010, 2012 and 2016 conferences and now, in 2022, will be hosting the WISA conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, in hybrid format. 2008 - ICCA membership Nina said: “Whilst involved with SAACI and getting to know the industry members and colleagues, plans where afoot to build the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Dirk Elzinga was initially employed to do the marketing for the RAI group in Amsterdam who had been tasked with the feasibility study of such a centre and design. Dirk visited me in Durban at my office to discuss the exciting CTICC and during our conversation, mentioned that I should really consider joining ICCA. I clearly recall saying to him – Me? The little PCO business in South Africa – and he said to me “yes of course it is good for networking and international business.” This stuck with me and I always wondered how I could afford to be a member firstly and secondly, pay to attend IMEX and the ICCA Conference.” Nina is elected Geographical Representative for Africa/Middle East in 2008. She was re-elected in 2010 and 2012. Her term ended in 2014. “Having saved and budgeted to become a member of ICCA, I embarked on the adventure of being an international PCO! It has been the most wonderful journey and I have been extremely blessed to have had this opportunity. It has blessed www.businesseventsafrica.com

me in ways unimaginable, but it has also challenged me personally with difficult decisions and choices,” Nina said. 2009 - Nina becomes SAACI national chairperson. Her term ended in 2013. 2010, January - Adene Pringle appointed general manager of SAACI. 2011 - COP17 CMP7 A tender was sent out for the eThekwini Project management for the COP17 CMP7 that was to be hosted in Durban in December 2011. Nina said: “It was a rollercoaster ride with meetings held with SAPS that included trips to the DIRCO offices in Pretoria; a trip to Bonn in Germany and Panama to learn more about how the COP works and operates. Under the leadership of Michael Sutcliffe and Sue Bannister from the eThekwini Municipality, the city of Durban arranged with city managers to obtain bicycles for guests to get around.” 2012 - ICP – Largest conference CTICC had hosted with 2,000 delegates at the CTICC. 2013 - Paediatric Diabetic Congress Nina said, “Due to Ben’s chronic illness at birth, we were introduced to Dr Kubendra Pillay, a Paediatric Endocrinologist that saved his life when Addison’s Disease was diagnosed. This led to the bid for Durban, South Africa to host the Paediatric Diabetic Congress in Durban in 2013.” 2014 - Nina Freysen-Pretorius was elected president of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). She is the organisation’s first-ever African president, and its third-ever female president. “Under the ICCA presidency of Arnaldo Nardone and past president Leigh Harry, I was coerced or

convinced into standing for the ICCA presidency. During the run up to election and voting for the ICCA 2014 Presidential – I can remember asking myself, “What are you doing? How did you even put your hand up? Stupid woman!” My competitors in the election where very well-established industry colleagues with a wealth of experience and extremely well-networked. Handan Boyce from Turkey and Martin Winter of the Brisbane Convention Bureau. So, I recall saying, I will do my best and hold my head high – congratulating the elected winner. I was completely overwhelmed and surprised that I was elected by a majority vote,” Nina said. 2014 - ICCA Presidency Elected: 2014. Re-elected: 2016. End of term 2018. 2018 - 2nd Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors 2018 (held in conjunction with the NPA). 2021 - ICZ first fully virtual conference. 2022 - IOU largest virtual event in celebration year 2022.

www.confco.co.za

Business Events Africa August 2022 11

PAGE HOTEL STRAP GROUP UPDATE

Exterior facade of Radisson Hotel Addis Ababa Bole Airport.

Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga - exterior.

Radisson Hotel Group surpasses half-year growth target in Africa Radisson Hotel Group continued its ambitious African growth strategy in the first half of 2022 and confirmed more than eight hotel openings and market entries with over 1,000 rooms across the region.

t the beginning of 2022, the Group set out plans to add more than a dozen hotels across the continent and is on track to meet this goal, having delivered two-thirds of the planned growth to date. The new openings and signings underline Africa’s importance to the Group’s overall growth strategy and are aligned with its objective of having more than 150 properties across Africa by 2025. The first half of 2022 saw Radisson Hotel Group enter several key new African markets along with other significant milestone signings and openings. The Group expanded its presence in Madagascar with a portfolio of three hotels, becoming the largest international operator on the island. The first Radisson-branded hotel in East Africa, Radisson Hotel Addis Ababa Bole Airport, was signed in 2022, and the Radisson Individuals brand was introduced to the continent with the opening of two new properties, Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals in Ghana, and Marina Resort

Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals in Marsa Allam, Egypt. Radisson Hotel Group also announced the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Juba, South Sudan’s first internationally branded five-star hotel, and continued its resort growth strategy with the signing of Radisson Resort Dakar Saly in Senegal. The Group also reinforced its presence in Tunisia with the recent opening of Radisson Sfax and the rebranding of La Maison Blanche Tunis as a Radisson Individuals property. In South Africa, the Group expanded its portfolio to more than 14 properties, with the opening of its latest addition, Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “2022 has been historic for Radisson Hotel Group to date. While we’ve long seen Africa as a key growth region, it’s been incredibly exciting to enter new markets for the first time. In doing so, we’ve cemented our position as one of the leading operators on

The lobby of Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga.

Marina Resort Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals — Egypt.

12 Business Events Africa August 2022

The lobby of La Maison Blanche Tunis, a member of Radisson Individuals.

the African continent, with the most diverse portfolio across the 30-plus countries.” Ramsay Rankoussi, vice president, development, Africa & Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group, added: “Radisson Hotel Group’s growth in existing markets and entry into new markets in Africa forms a critical part of our global expansion strategy. Having built a strong base with our portfolio of city hotels, we’re proud to be increasing the diversity of our brand offerings in Africa. The acceleration of our openings during the last 12-18 months highlights the relevance of our brands in today’s market, the trust and confidence our partners have in the Group, and the quality of our pipeline as a market leader. The first half of 2022 saw openings surpass signings, which shows a positive trend in materialisation of our pipeline and a successful execution of our conversion strategy.” www.businesseventsafrica.com

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SAACI NATIONAL CONGRESS Dates: 14 – 15 August 2022

Venue: STIAS, Stellenbosch

FIVE reasons you HAVE to make it to the SAACI Congress this year!

1 2 3 4 5

Do you really want to miss the SAACI post-pandemic reunion? We guarantee there will be some serious FOMO moments if you do! If you’re coming from other provinces, make the trip work for you. See some clients, catch up with long-lost friends and family — make it worth your while!

We all agree that there is now a ‘new normal’… Let us share our experiences, ideas and strategies so that we can all move forward, ‘eventing in to the future’, on the same page!

With over 150 wineries, a town that is just loaded with history and a plethora of world-class restaurants and accommodation — do you really need any more reasons to VISIT STELLENBOSCH?

‘We are Stronger Together’ — it is that simple!

Website: www.saaci.org www.businesseventsafrica.com

Email: ceo@saaci.org

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PAGE STRAP SPECIAL FEATURE

CSIR ICC to serve as worldfirst hub for Africa’s Science Diplomacy Capital (SDCfA) In a world first, the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) recently launched the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) at the CSIR ICC, supported by the National Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) and the City of Tshwane (CoT). While Science Diplomacy Capital initiatives exist in cities such as Barcelona and Geneva, this is the first such initiative initiated and hosted by an international convention centre and its partners.

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SPECIAL PAGE FEATURE STRAP

he City of Tshwane hosts over 100 diplomatic missions and many of South Africa’s leading research and academic institutions, making it the appropriate SDCfA host city. The location of the CSIR ICC, in the centre of the innovation precinct in Tshwane east, positions it as a fitting hub for networking, both curated and serendipitous, between the diplomatic, science and technology communities aimed at addressing common problems facing humanity. “The SDCfA promotes science collaboration across Africa and beyond and is intended to leverage technological innovation responding to major challenges facing the continent. As the CSIR, we are therefore honoured to be hosting this initiative at our International Convention Centre, which will serve as the hub of the initiative and is a facility, which its service and resources, I am confident will be able to add significant value to science diplomacy initiatives and events,” said CSIR chief executive officer, Dr Thulani Dlamini. The CSIR ICC hosts numerous leading South African, African, and global science related events each year, such as the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) and is the ideal venue for science-related business events, given its location in South Africa’s education- and research-rich capital city. “Our history, location and track record of hosting scientific business events mean that we are well-resourced to offer the SDCfA suitable facilities and services. The CSIR ICC understands that it has a direct positive effect on stimulating economic development, creativity and innovation through its facilitation and hosting of knowledge-sharing business events. These are of great benefit to local and regional knowledge communities, as well as the internationally represented diplomatic corps, and the CSIR ICC is set up to provide the best possible setting. We look forward to being able to play an increasingly proactive role in facilitating opportunities to create solutions, and it is exciting to see our country and our continent rising onto the global stage in this arena,” Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, CSIR conferencing and accommodation group manager, concluded.

Antony John Phillipson, High Commissioner, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Ms Jansie Niehaus, Civil Society Executive Director NSTF.

CEO of the CSIR, Dr Thulani Dlamini.

Prof. Felix Dapare Dakora, President AAS.

Dr Tozama Qwebani Ogunleye, Executive Committee Member SAYAS.

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Business Events Africa August 2022 15

www.csiricc.co.za

INCENTIVE MARKET PAGE STRAP NEWS

Uwin Iwin wins IMA award for Excellence in Incentive Travel Uwin Iwin Incentives, a well-known performance incentive company, are the proud recipients of the 2022 IMA (Incentive Marketing Association) Award for Excellence in Incentive Travel.

he Incentive Marketing Association is an organisation of providers of incentive merchandise and services dedicated to promoting high standards of professionalism in the incentive and recognition field. The IMA awards honours and recognises outstanding incentive professionals, companies and programmes within the Incentive Industry. The awards ceremony took place on 13 July 2022 in Snowbird, Utah. The award was won for an incentive programme commissioned by an insurance company, in which they challenged Uwin Iwin Incentives, together with local DMC Walthers, to develop and facilitate a once-ina-lifetime travel incentive trip that would be worthy of rewarding its top sales executives. After two years of cancellations, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trip needed to match the standards of an international incentive trip, on a local scale, that would in no way compromise the quality their client and their achievers were accustomed to. The solution was to combine two top South African legendary hospitality offerings, Rovos Rail and Haywards Grand Safari Company, for a bespoke incentive trip that has never been achieved before, a Grand Safari tented

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experience in the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal. This partnership was successful in creating a perfect once-in-a-lifetime experience that superceded all guest expectations and resulted in an event that not only met client expectations but also set a new standard for the southern African incentive travel Industry. Uwin Iwin Incentives is a pan-African full-house incentive company that has over 28 years’ experience in providing companies/organisations with inspiring reward solutions in Africa & India.

Contact details Uwin Iwin David Sand Tel. +27 (0)82 553 7795 Email: david@uwiniwin.co.za Business Events Africa August 2022 17

PAGE STRAP MARKET SUPPLIER NEWS CASE STUDY

Barmotion – expands its operation Barmotion is a hospitality and branding solution provider that has been supplying reliable and professional service to the events industry for over 12 years, placing clients’ brands into the hands of attendees at conferences, product launches, exhibitions, and more.

ver the last year, Barmotion has expanded its operations, bringing their hospitality and branding solutions to the UK market. A big step forward for the company as they begin to establish themselves as a global business. Alexia Swart, managing director of Barmotion, explained: “The expansion into the UK has been an obvious choice for Barmotion, the cultural similarities gave us the opportunity to make a memorable first impression on new clients without changing who we are as a brand. Barmotion’s strength comes from our ‘rock star’ baristas’ ability to put a brand into a client’s hands through delicious drinks and snacks with a smile, which the UK greatly values, as it mirrors its own culture of offering warm drinks and refreshments to its guests.” Coffee is present in many cultures around the world and the UK is no exception. The UK sees nearly 100 million cups of coffee consumed daily and this figure has been growing over the years. Coffee has become part of workplace culture, making it the perfect starting point for Barmotion when we first launched there. Ms Swart said: “Throughout our time in the UK, we have expanded the list of services and products we offer, starting out with coffee bars and lolly waffles, working our way up to soft-serve bars, alcoholic beverages, zesty smoothie bars, and more. There’s still a long way to go until the UK operations match the range and resources that we have in South Africa, but we take pride in our journey so far.”

“Being known for our first-class service in the South African event, hospitality, and marketing sectors has also been a large factor in Barmotion UK’s growth. We have built a strong reputation over the years, with the stories of happy clients to prove it, which established us as a trustworthy brand that UK organisers can count on to maximise their exposure at events,” she added. Ms Swart said: “While the UK branch is constantly growing, South Africa will always be the home base for Barmotion. Even with the challenges our events industry has faced during the pandemic, it continues to thrive and adapt; it’s an industry we’re proud to be a part of.” “The South African operation has access to its own industry-leading equipment and high-quality ingredients that we use to help our clients stand out from other exhibitors, with a variety of options available such as hot chocolate, sushi, wraps, milkshakes, and more. Keeping so much of what we do in South Africa also gives us the opportunity to support local businesses and give back to our community,” she added. Ms Swart concluded: “Barmotion is always looking to the future, and we are eager to keep growing the UK operation by expanding those products and services we have to offer as well as the sources we get our products from. In time, we hope our reputation reaches the level it has in South Africa, showcasing the dedication to quality service of our ‘rock stars’,

18 Business Events Africa August 2022

no matter where we are in the world.” “We are also excited to continue being a part of events in South Africa and grow with our industry peers as the market begins to boom again.” Barmotion is a proudly South African company, we have South Africa to thank for our roots and for nurturing us to become the amazing company that we have grown into. While we are grateful to have the opportunity of spreading our wings and becoming a global business, we have only been able to do so because of what we are and how we have grown in South Africa, and the amazing team and clients that we have there.

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SUPPLIER MARKET PAGE CASE STUDY STRAP NEWS

Testimonials SA Clients “Barmotion is one of the most professional and efficient service providers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Their service delivery, friendly staff, delicious offering, and willingness to always go above and beyond is honestly unmatched. Barmotion is the epitome of excellence.” Client: Ankole Brand Communications “A huge shout-out of thanx to Barmotion and their assistance for their outstanding service at the Marquee Hollywoodbets Durban July. When I saw David, after an absence of two years, I just burst into tears. What I know is that when Barmotion is there, I don’t have to worry about anything. We’ve built a relationship that will last forever. It was rough, but they were calm and delivered the best coffees, with beautiful art, to so many of the guests and us who needed it so badly.” Client: Flooid

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“My only feedback is… Barmotion’s standard of service remains top-notch.” Client: Shanghai Events “MiX Telematics has worked with Barmotion on a number of our events over the years and our experience with them has been nothing short of fantastic! The team is very professional and offers excellent service as well as recommendations to elevate your event. They go the extra mile to make every event a great success. We would definitely recommend the Barmotion team for any of your event needs.” Client: Mix Telematics UK Clients “I’ve used the team at Barmotion multiple times now and they’re always an absolute delight! Prompt, efficient, affordable and, most of all, cheerful smiling faces that elevate the mood on any set or location you put them on. I will most certainly be calling them first in the future!” Client: Get back pictures “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you! You were really such a thorough, kind and professional person to work with. You went above and beyond to support our event and me, personally. I know things were a little last-minute and all over the place due to the transition between Yas and I, but you didn’t drop the ball on anything. Please also thank your staff, they were so friendly and helpful, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciated their help with moving things around/clearing up.” Client: Hire Space

“We had an amazing time, thanks to Barmotion — honestly, smashed all expectations, and everyone was super impressed and amazed by your service and personality. Your presence added so much to the atmosphere we were trying to build. My feedback is only positive — staff amazing, friendly and willing to go above and beyond, coffee quality and great service. Setup and breakdown was super smooth, efficient and really took so much off our shoulders on the day.” Client: Equippers “I used Barmotion for a corporate family fun day in the summer. They were very helpful and friendly from the start. They organised everything on our behalf, which was extremely helpful and were always on hand at the end of the phone to help whenever I needed it. They sent me over multiple options and provided me with lots of choice and even provided personalised menus with our company branding on them. These looked super professional and added that extra special touch. The staff on the day were absolutely lovely and a tribute to Barmotion. They couldn’t have been more helpful with our guests and everybody loved the ice cream and slushies! The slushies and ice cream where amazing quality and all our guests went back for more! Thank you Barmotion!” Client: Right at Home Contact details Tel: 0861 937 625 Email: info@barmotion.co.za Website: www.barmotion.co.za

Providing Mobile Bars & Hospitality Solutions for any Event Business Events Africa August 2022 & 19 Expo

PAGE STRAP MARKET SUPPLIER NEWS CASE STUDY

EVENTS BRAND ACTIVATIONS EXPO STANDS ROADSHOWS

Coffee bars, Smoothie bars, Gelato bars, Lolly waffle bars and more

20 Business Events Africa August 2022 info@barmotion.co.za |

0861 937 625

www.businesseventsafrica.com www.barmotion.co.za

VENUE PAGE STRAP NEWS

CTICC launches AllSport Expo The Cape Town International Convention Centre is delighted to announce the launch of the much anticipated AllSport Expo in September 2022. This is a sport and wellness consumer exhibition for outdoor, indoor, and water sport, with a focus on health, nutrition, medical and wellness products.

he dates of the show are 9-11 September 2022. Visitors to the AllSport Expo are in for a unique experience, where a wide range of sport retailers, as well as health and wellness practitioners will showcase their latest products, including sport equipment, active-wear, and cuttingedge technology — all under one roof. Taubie Motlhabane, chief executive officer of the CTICC, said: “The AllSport Expo is one of CTICC’s pride and joy in our portfolio of own events. It is the only exhibition of its type in the Western Cape. We have wanted to introduce an event of this nature for a while now. We hope to offer retailers and sports and wellness practitioners an opportunity to demonstrate their product range and services to the

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South African public, in an experiential way. We are excited to announce that SABC Sport is our broadcast partner for the event, which means that the expo will get wonderful coverage across their wide range of platforms.” “Following the pandemic, there is a drive towards health and wellness, and this expo brings diverse offerings under one roof, and is set to attract thousands of sport enthusiasts from beginners and amateurs to professional athletes and coaches,” Ms Motlhabane added. The expo includes live activations, such as a climbing wall, EPT recover and massage service, a wellness and nutrition theatre, wrestling and boxing rings, and a kids’ sport zone. The whole family can have a great experience at the AllSport Expo.

A range of workshops will be hosted at the expo, many of which will focus on presenting athletes of all levels with practical ways to enhance their performance, from training and wellness sessions, live demonstrations, improvement coaching to sport injury and rejuvenation workshops. In addition, the expo will include a host of experiential sporting activities, challenges, and competitions, providing visitors with an immersive and tangible experience of the exhibitors’ products and services, while adding a dynamic energy to the entire event. Visitors can win loads of prizes in exhibitor competitions during the expo, as well as discounts on packages from various sporting institutes, apparel items, wellness partners and gyms.

Business Events Africa August 2022 21

PAGE MARKET COMRADES STRAP NEWS EXPO FEATURE

Photo credits: Comrades Marathon Association.

Less than a month to Comrades Expo

With less than 30 days left, the countdown to the 2022 Comrades Marathon has already begun. Set in the beautiful and warm City of Durban, the three-day Comrades Expo preceding race day is back with much anticipation and excitement from the organisers, runners, exhibitors and supporters.

s we are all aware, 2022 started off slowly and with grave uncertainty, many sectors of the economy could not make long term financial commitments out of fear of further Covid-19 restrictions. The exhibitions and events management industry equally experienced such challenges. The world is now open and there is much needed economic activity across all sectors. According to Synergy Business Events MD, the exhibitions management company tasked with running the Comrades Expo, Mr Tiisetso Tau, “We are excited to announce that we have surpassed the 75 per cent exhibitions sales milestone for 2022. When we began the sales cycle, it seemed like a daunting task having to navigate around the Covid-19 regulations and limitations on hosting events such as venue capacity, budget cuts by corporates, job losses and general economic volatility, etc.” Mr Tau added, “However, since the

lifting of the restrictions, we have seen an upward trajectory of exhibitor space enquiries and conversion. For us, this is a demonstration of trust and commitment that the Comrades Marathon community has on the significant contribution that such an event has to the economy.” “This year’s Expo has attracted the likes

22 Business Events Africa August 2022

of Dischem, Gu Energy Lab, Garmin, SA Society of Physiotherapy, KZN Sharks Board, Automobile Association of SA, Kyron Laboratories, various government departments and will include CMA sponsors, Mr Price Sport, First National Bank, Toyota and the Official Comrades Charities. The Expo is where ordinary South

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COMRADES MARKET EXPO PAGE FEATURE STRAP NEWS

ZARAZANO 0786792924

Africans, Comrades supporters and athletes themselves can be exposed to the latest brands and innovations,” said Delaine Cools, marketing manager of the CMA. “We are calling on interested exhibitors who are still deciding to participate in the Expo to contact Synergy Business Events to book their spaces. This is one year in which you do not want to miss the opportunity to showcase your offerings and engage with your brand followers and potential new users. Please take note of the following Expo dates: 15 August 2022: Expo space booking closes. 23-24 August 2022 is the Expo build up, followed by the actual Expo, opening on 25-27 August 2022. We will then breakdown on 27-28 August 2022,” Mr Tau said. For sales and expo enquiries please visit • Comrades Expo – Comrades Marathon | The Ultimate Human Race OR contact: • rembu@synergybe.co.za 076 296 0944 • lebohang@synergybe.co.za 064 742 3887 • comrades_exhibitors@synergybe.co.za • Alternatively, contact our office on 011 476 5104.

Come to us for

Sustainable and Interactive solutions to your exhibition needs.

Business Events Exhibitions For all your business events and exhibitions needs, look no further, Synergy Business Events a trusted partner in local and international events and exhibitions since 2010, is ready and able to help you with either small or large-scale events and exhibitions.

Know more +27 (0)11 476 5104

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Business Events Africa August 2022 23

PAGE STRAP WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY

Garona Communications and Projects celebrates women Garona Communications and Projects (Garona) is a reputable events and exhibitions service provider and has been providing service for the past 15 years. in design, setup and breakdown of events structures and exhibition stands. Garona has been in existence for the past 15 years,” Ms Mokotedi said. Garona pride themselves in delivering complete solutions in the areas of exhibition displays, large format printing, design and branding services. Ms Mokotedi offered Business Events Africa her insights into being a woman in the exhibition industry.

resley Mokotedi, managing director of Garona, said: “I am a firm believer of gender equality. We are living in the era where everyone is equal, hence Garona has three female managers that I strongly believe in. The female managers working for Garona Communications and Projects do take decisions onsite and can equally do what men can professionally do in the office. Garona is a diversified business. On that note I would like to wish all women of Mzansi inside and outside our industry a Happy Women’s Month.”

ebogo Mokotedi, marketing manager of Garona, has worked her way up the ladder in the exhibition industry, having begun as an intern and later as a data capturer for a reputable exhibition company. “I was then promoted to logistics manager and an Exco member for the company. I then moved to a wellknown logistics business where I worked for a year. I then joined Garona Communications and Projects where I have been working for eight years as an account manager. I have since been promoted to marketing manager at Garona after obtaining a marketing qualification,” Ms Mokotedi said. “Garona Communications and Projects is an events and exhibition service provider. Garona has a vast experience

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today? Patience, determination and eagerness to learn brought me to where I am today. I work with a lot of people, and it takes understanding each and every one to be able to work well together. What are some of the challenges facing women in leadership? I think the biggest challenge facing women in leadership in the industry we are in, is that it is considered to be a ‘manly’ industry and most people do not believe that a woman can work in the exhibition industry because it involves construction and working with heavy duty equipment. How do you maintain a work/life balance? I balance my life by being available for my family after work. I do a lot of activities with my husband and kids, including taking walks, hiking and going on vacations. I’ve always been a person that writes, and I find that having a diary works for me in terms of balancing my work, organising and planning. What are the highlights and challenges in your career? The highlights of my career have been the ability to pass skills to other women I have worked with so that when I have moved to better positions, they too, can move to greater positions, and also seeing growth in others.

24 Business Events Africa August 2022

What will be the biggest challenge for the next generation of female leaders? The biggest challenge women face is being oppressed and undermined by their male counterparts; however, more women have taken higher positions in different industries and organisations. One of the challenges is that women are constantly faced with lower expectations than their male counterparts and receive lower incomes too. I hope that changes. What advice would you give to women who aspire to be leaders? If they can be able to factualise the content that is consumed through social media and not live according to the media standards. Be vocal and expressive of any misconduct and abuse, always believe that you are capable of so much more. www.businesseventsafrica.com

WOMEN IN MARKET THE PAGE INDUSTRY STRAP NEWS

What advice can you offer to women who would like a career in your sector? Be willing to learn, educate yourself, ask questions, be adaptable; the majority of the workers in the industry are men and I would like to see women in production, building stands and you are sure to see me getting my hands dirty onsite.

Meet Thabang Phetla Banda — project manager An excellent project management professional with nine years’ experience in project sales, planning and execution within the exhibition industry, Thabang Phetla Banda adds exponential value to every project she manages. Beginning her career in media sales, before moving into the recruitment industry and subsequently the exhibition and events industry in 2013, this young lady has a wealth of knowledge in all related fields of marketing and customer service. With a BA in Corporate Communication, and a BA Hons Public

Management and Governance, Ms Phetla Banda is a hands-on, energetic accounts and project manager who is never afraid to delve in, really understand a brief and deliver results for each of her clients and their brands. Her significant effort and work ethic landed her recognition as one of the Top 40 Women in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions & Events) in 2019. “Being a part of the Garona team has been a great experience thus far. Joining the team has proven why I love working in the events and exhibition space. After being away from the industry, due to Covid-19, as it had restricted us from working for quite some time, it really feels great to be back, doing that which we love the most. I have missed the sensation and the thrill of leading and motivating my colleagues, from late nights to early mornings, to excel. There is nothing like the face-to-face interaction with clients and industry colleagues.” “Collaborating with a team that is multi-skilled and always willing to go the extra mile has just revived the fire within me, to continue to give back to this wonderful industry of ours. “It really is a privilege to be a part of this team and to be given opportunities to showcase my expertise and skill set once again,” Ms Phetla Banda said.

Meet Ayanda Zungu — account manager “With almost 10 years’ experience in the exhibitions and infrastructure building industry, which some might say is a male dominated space, I quickly

realised that after putting on that hard hat, I had far more resilience and strength than what was taught to me. Being a black woman working as an account manager at a black-owned company like Garona Communications has given me the autonomy of creativity which I believe would not be available at another organisation. It has assisted me in honing my strengths as a woman in leadership,” she said. Ms Zungu added: “The Garona Communication team has inspired me to acquire more knowledge within the infrastructure building field and I felt compelled to implement changes to show that women can take up space and succeed in a male dominated, labour intensive field. My nails do still get done, but the world is changing and we need more organisations as brave, non-prejudiced and as forward-thinking as Garona, who believe in people’s ‘abilities’ rather than ‘gender roles’.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace? Balancing work life and family life can be difficult for us, however, it’s doable with the right support. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career to date? Believing in myself and in what I am capable of. Which other female leaders do you admire and why? I truly admire Portia Modise, the former Banyana Banyana Captain. She is one of the women who was underrated and underpaid during her time and that has never dampened her spirit. She remains true to herself and has since established the Portia Modise Foundation to assist underprivileged up-and-coming female soccer players. How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life? I was fortunate enough to have the boss of the company that I was an intern at, take me under his wing and show me the ins and outs of the industry. When it comes to my personal life, I have learned that taking some time away – for myself – is a form of selfcare and is good for my mental health balance. What has you most excited about the future? The future looks bright, as we all saw our women’s national team win the Cup of African Nations, and there has been a lot of talk about equal income, which I am hoping and praying comes to fruition, and Desiree Ellis once again showing the world that we ladies are just as capable. What would you like to accomplish in the next year? I would love to study more and grow even more in my field of work. www.businesseventsafrica.com

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PAGE VENUE STRAP NEWS

T U R N I N G I D E A S I N TO R E A L I T Y www.garonacom.co.za turning ideas into reality

EXPO STANDS ACHIEVED AFTER

THE FUTURE Covid-19 times have really been rough for most businesses, including the events and exhibitions industry. It’s been worth our while to be able to design and build expo stands again, after two years of lockdown regulations. We are grateful for the current times, as the creative industry, so that we can work again, earn a living and do what we love and do best.

SERVICES EXHIBITIONS MARKETING

EVENTS

ADVERTISING

PROMOTIONS

PRINTING & BRANDING

GET IN TOUCH M : +27 (0) 81 578 4455 E : presley@garonacom.co.za W : www.garonacom.co.za 26 Business Events Africa August 2022

Unit 9, Cradleview Industrial Park, Corner of Beyers Naude & Johan Road, Honeydew. 2040 www.businesseventsafrica.com

WOMEN IN THE VENUE PAGE INDUSTRY STRAP NEWS

Successful Lindelwa Mthethwa continues to soar Lindelwa Mthethwa, 41, regional director of sales and marketing for Minor Hotels, is a natural born leader who has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for 19 years. What role does your family play in your life? My family is my life, they play a huge role! My parents, siblings, cousins and – most importantly – my children are my life.

What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps? You need to be a strong, resilient, passionate and dedicated individual who is able to work well under pressure. You need to be service orientated, understand the importance of delivering excellent service to the clients and a heart to serve is key in this industry.

Do you have any hobbies? Yes, running.

he holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, a National Diploma in Sales and Marketing, a Management Development Programme Certificate and is currently enrolled for a Master of Commerce qualification (MCom) with Witwatersrand University. She began her career at the Sandton Convention Centre, then moving to various units within Tsogo Sun Group in sales. In 2010, Lindelwa was headhunted by African Sun Hotels as sales manager and, in 2012, was promoted to a senior role in the capacity of regional sales & reservations manager. She was the head of sales, marketing and central reservations team in South Africa for seven years, and her duties involved the implementation of group strategies and driving local and international sales and targets, revenue management, reservations and online channels. She went on to being appointed as the group sales director for BON Hotels in 2018 before joining Minor Hotels. Where were you born and raised? I was born in Johannesburg, grew up in Pimville, Soweto, moved to the East Rand in Leondale, then Kiblerpark. I went to Sandown Preparatory School, then Sunward Park High. Where did your career begin? My career began at the Sandton Convention Centre as events coordinator. What has been your biggest challenge in this sector? Breaking the glass ceiling in a male-dominated director level position. What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector? The biggest change I saw was during Covid, how we had to stand together as an industry to fight for the survival of tourism. We had to quickly change our strategy during lockdown and focus on the domestic market, which responded with resounding support for our properties for leisure travel. www.businesseventsafrica.com

What is your favourite sport? Soccer.

What is your dream for the future? To own boutique hotels.

Who is your favourite sporting person? Serena Williams and Siya Kolisi. In the past, it was Lucas Radebe.

Minor Hotels

What do you do for leisure? For leisure I travel, I love bush and beach destinations, to read and attend church. What is your secret to success? It is simple: “I believe …and do!” What is your pet hate? Dishonest people. What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why? Maldives — it is a beautiful tropical paradise, with pure white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and an amazing marine life experience. What is your favourite city? Cape Town, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Having travelled all over the world, there is no place like home. How do you relax? Run, read, swim. What is your favourite food? Seafood in Summer and Indian curries in Winter. Who is your favourite movie star? Denzel Washington. What is the most impulsive thing you have ever done? Bought an expensive car on the spot. Who is your role model? Basetsana Khumalo. She’s also a key player in the tourism industry through one of her businesses, Travel with Flair, which is one of our key partners.

Minor Hotels is an international hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a diverse portfolio of over 530 properties, designed intelligently, to appeal to a variety of travellers, serving new passions as well as personal needs. Through our Anantara, Avani, Elewana, Oaks, NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow and TIVOLI properties, Minor Hotels operates in 50+ countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America. As an international hotel group, we passionately explore new possibilities in hospitality, with a diverse portfolio of properties designed intelligently to appeal to a variety of travellers, serving new passions as well as personal needs, through our Anantara, Avani, Elewana, Oaks, Tivoli, NH Hotels, NH Collection and nhow. Minor Hotels’ African office is in Johannesburg, and manages Avani Hotels & Resorts as well as Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas in Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia and Botswana. These hotels are; The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort, Avani Pemba Beach Hotel, Avani Victoria Falls Resort, Avani Lesotho Hotel & Casino, Avani Maseru Hotel, Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino and Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino. Avani is a contemporary, upbeat brand that delivers the perfect balance. With a focus on good sleep, effective social spaces, locally sourced sustenance and genuine service. Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations.

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MARKET PAGE STRAP NEWS

Gary Koetser, Century City Conference Centre and Hotels CEO, Kevin Campbell from Delta Airlines and Kevin Chaplin, Amy Foundation Managing Director.

Kevin Campbell from Delta Airlines.

Together, changing lives

Century City Conference Centre and Hotels joined forces with Delta Air Lines and the Amy Foundation to feed 2,400 children and youth from vulnerable communities across Cape Town on two days in the month of July.

he Amy Foundation – formerly Amy Biehl Foundation – in the Western Cape is a non-profit organisation that offers programmes which develop and empower the youth, aged five to 35 years, from challenged and vulnerable communities. “We have a long-standing partnership with the Amy Foundation and are always happy to assist in any way that we can. This resilient foundation continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of its learners through their after-school programmes in townships across the Cape as well as their impactful youth skills development programme based in Sybrand Park. Thank you to Delta for partnering with us on this initiative,’’ said Gary Koetser, joint chief executive officer of Century City Conference Centre and Hotels. “Contributing to the communities where we live, work and serve is part of Delta’s DNA,” said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta’s director of sales for Africa, the Middle East and India. “We are proud to work alongside the Amy Foundation to give back and help those in need from the Townships. Our support in providing meals for young people whose families struggle to put

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food on the table makes a real difference and helps to ensure that they don’t go hungry.” “Collaboration and partnership are the backbones of any NPO operating in South Africa, but we cannot make the impact that is needed, alone. Century City Conference Centre and Hotels (CCCCH) and Delta have long been such partners. They see the wonderful work that the Amy Foundation is doing for the youth in our afterschool and youth skills development programmes, and they support our mission and vision of developing and empowering youth from disadvantaged communities. Through this partnership, CCCCH and Delta Air Lines will feed 2,400 youngsters in our programmes, for two days — for many in our programmes, this might be the only meal that they will receive. Collectively, we are making a difference. Together, we are changing the lives of young people and giving hope to those who have no hope,” said Kevin Chaplin, Amy Foundation managing director. About the Amy Foundation For 22 years, the Amy Foundation has been working to provide underprivileged learners in

the Cape Town area with enrichment opportunities. With up to 1,000 youngsters participating in their programmes daily, the Amy Foundation empowers both the participants at the schools as well as in the surrounding communities. The Foundation was named after American student, Amy Biehl, a gifted and dynamic young woman who was committed to making a difference in South Africa. She tirelessly worked with members of the African National Congress (ANC) at the University of the Western Cape’s Community Law Centre on the new Constitution and Women’s Rights, as well as helped register voters for the country’s first free elections in 1994. On August 25, 1993, Amy Biehl’s life was tragically cut short in an act of political mob violence that occured in the Gugulethu township, just outside of Cape Town. Determined to honour Amy’s love of South Africa and her belief in the truth and reconciliation process, Amy’s parents founded the organisation. For more information about the foundation, contact Michelle Bagley at michelle@ amyfoundation.co.za or 021 447 1690

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PAGE STRAP TECH WATCH

Top digital marketing tools to market your events Are you considering running digital ads to attract attendees to your next event? Unlike traditional advertisements, digital ads allow your brand to connect with a larger, strategically targeted audience. Contrary to popular belief, digital marketing also stands to be more cost-effective than its traditional counterpart.

o ensure that your digital marketing efforts reach potential attendees and increase your leads and sales, you need to choose the correct marketing method to help you stand out from the crowd. This will, in turn, lead to significant benefits for your business. We know that this could easily become a daunting task. Therefore, to help you determine which advertising method you need to utilise

as part of your wider marketing strategy, we are going to take a closer look at some of the top advertising platforms. Google Ads vs Facebook Ads Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads are often seen to be in direct competition with one another, with each platform offering unique advantages to its users. This is actually a common misconception. More and

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more businesses are tapping into the value of leveraging these platforms in conjunction with one another, adapting different strategies to align with the functionality of each platform. Differences Between Google Ads and Facebook Ads Before we look at the strengths of these platforms, it is important to understand the differences between them. www.businesseventsafrica.com

TECH PAGEWATCH STRAP

while Facebook ads help potential customers to find your business. Now we can look at the strengths of these platforms, and discover how to effectively leverage them. Advantages of Google Ads Google processes more than 40,000 search queries per second, offering advertisers the possibility to reach an immense amount of internet users. Google Ads, formally known as Google Adwords, initially consisted of simple, text-based advertisements. It has since evolved from its humble beginnings to include features that significantly improves click-through rates. It is also important to note that the marketer with the largest advertising budget isn’t necessarily going to be the one with the top performing ads on Google. Google Ads are more focused on the relevance and quality of the advertisement, making this the perfect platform to market your next event, even if you are on a tighter budget.

Google Ads Google ads have become the most popular ‘paid search’ advertising tool that focuses on text-based advertisements, and the implementation of keywords. It works on a ‘payper-click’ basis that charges the advertiser everytime someone clicks on the advertisement. Essentially, marketers are aiming to reach new customers based on the keywords and search terms they use when they are searching for something on Google. Facebook Ads On the other hand, Facebook ads display advertisements on social media platforms. What sets Facebook ads apart from Google Ads is that it leads social media users to businesses that they might be interested in by monitoring their behaviour online. The primary difference between these platforms is that Google ads help your business to find new customers, www.businesseventsafrica.com

already shown interest in their business previously. Email marketing can also be personalised and segmented, so that audiences only receive messages applicable to them. Because emails are delivered immediately, marketers can start seeing results within minutes, making email marketing the primary driver for customer acquisition. Marketers are sure to see an increase in sales if they utilise email marketing effectively. Digital marketing is a must when it comes to establishing your brand and getting attendees buzzing about your upcoming events. Now that we have given you some marketing tools to add to your toolkit, nothing stands in your way of mastering digital marketing.

Advantages of Facebook Ads With more than one fifth of the world accessing social media platforms on a daily basis, Facebook Ads are the ideal tool to use if you want to reach a vast audience. Facebook Ads allows marketers to target their audiences according to their behaviours, life events, demographics, and interests. Facebook Ads also have beautiful tools that marketers have at their disposal to create beautiful, engaging ads. Google or Facebook Ads? Which one of these tools should you be using? Well, we think it’s safe to say that these platforms should be used alongside one another. Tapping into the value that both paid search and paid social have to offer will lead to an effective advertising strategy. You’ll find that each one of these platforms can be useful to your brand at one point or another. Email Marketing We know that Facebook and Google ads can potentially become quite pricey, that is why we are including a third, more cost-effective advertising tool in today’s guide; namely, email marketing. Email marketing is a permission-based marketing tool that allows the marketer to target a list of people who have

Who is Mike Lysko? Mike Lysko is the chief executive officer and founder of Flock, an online Eventing Platform that makes it easy to build websites, mobile apps and engagement tools — without any previous coding experience required. He has been an entrepreneur from a young age and started his first events business whilst obtaining a BCom Degree. Mike has experience in all areas of business, having managed multiple teams across operations, business development and sales, software development, marketing and customer support. He founded Flock in 2013, which has assisted over 400 customers across 36 countries, in numerous industries including IT, finance, tourism, and pharmaceutical, amongst others. Business Events Africa August 2022 31

PAGE STRAP PROFILE PERSONALITY

It is all about passion MJ Birch, 44, has been with The Liz McGrath Collection as general manager of The Plettenberg Hotel, on the Garden Route, for just over six years.

hat I love most about this industry is the people — my team and guests. This is where I get my energy and drive from. “I am a passionate hotelier and I thrive on the closeness and personalised experience created in the boutique hotel environment. I realised my passion for service as a waiter and barman at Forrester’s Arms in Newlands, but my journey into hotels started a few years later at The Best Western Cape Suites Hotel,” Mr Birch said. “At present, hospitality in South Africa is in the recovery phase. We are seeing a resurgence of international travel returning to the country. However, it will take a while for the industry to return to the numbers of international travellers that we were experiencing pre-Covid, but I believe that with time, hospitality will bounce back, even stronger than before,” Mr Birch said.

Where were you born and raised? I grew up in Cape Town. I went to St. Josephs Marist College in Rondebosch and had the great privilege of studying hospitality administration and management in London. How long have you been in the hospitality sector? I began my journey in working in hotels in 1997, when I was an inhouse trainee in Cape Town. It was there that I realised that I had a real passion for the hospitality industry. During that time, I was exposed to all aspects of hotel operations. At the end of that year, I was offered an opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom and I spent the next three and a half years in two hotels – Thistle Hotels St. Albans and The Berners Hotel in central London – gaining international experience. On returning to South Africa in 2002,

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PERSONALITY PAGE PROFILE STRAP

Get knocked down eight times and get up nine. Integrity is everything, and never be afraid to ask a question. and after a short stint in one of Cape Town’s most prestigious large hotels – Sun International Table Bay in the V&A Waterfront – I joined Londolozi Private Game Reserve in 2003, a Relais Châteaux property near the Kruger National Park, as Camp Manager, firstly responsible for the exclusive sixbedroom Pioneer Camp and later, the much larger twelve-bedroom Bateleur Camp now known as Varty Camp. After a very successful two years with Londolozi, I moved to another Relais Châteaux property in the Cederberg Mountains, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat. I held the position of assistant general manager for three and a half years. In 2008, I realised my career dream and joined the very upmarket and exclusive Ellerman House, the third Relais Châteaux property of my career. I spent the next eight years honing my skills as operations manager and, during this time, growing as an hotelier and developing my management style. In 2016, I joined The Plettenberg Hotel. Were you always involved in this sector? Straight after school I began to study physiotherapy and soon realised that working and studying was not a good combination, especially as I was discovering that I had a real passion for the service industry. What has been your biggest challenge in this sector? Managing a hotel and leading a team through the pandemic and the everchanging parameters that we had to navigate through. What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector? Hospitality is always evolving — guests’ expectations are ever changing, so, as an industry, we need to be fluid and have the ability to change and adapt to www.businesseventsafrica.com

the ever changing demands of the modern-day traveller. The pandemic has been the biggest change for everyone in our industry, there is no doubt about that. Do you have any hobbies? I collect rugby jerseys — rather strange, I know. Whenever I travel to a rugbyplaying country, I buy that country’s jersey. I have a decently sized collection, but it needs to grow some more…

demands and have always driven me to be a better version of myself. If you could be anyone for the day, who would you be and why? That better version of myself that I strive to be every day. What is your favourite city? Tokyo — amazing city, exceptionally clean, very friendly people. What is your favourite movie? It has to be Top Gun

What would you change in your life if you could when looking back? I would realise earlier in my career the importance of a work/life balance.

What do you do for leisure? Spend time with my family. Quality time with my son, on the couch, with our feet up and watching a good movie. Walking.

Do you play any sports? I played rugby and cricket all through my school career and continued to play club rugby until I left for the UK.

What is your favourite food? Homemade pork loin ribs cooked to perfection on the braai.

What is your favourite sport? Rugby, and my favourite sportsmen are Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbi.

Who is your role model? Tim Cumming — he was one of my previous general managers and he was the ultimate host. He taught me the positive impact that a general manager can have on a guest’s experience, and I try to live up to that every day.

What is your secret to success? Get knocked down eight times and get up nine. Integrity is everything, and never be afraid to ask a question. What is your pet hate? Passing the buck. What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why? Japan — the people, the culture, and how amazingly clean and tidy the cities are. What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs? Cruise ships — not for me. What role does your family play in your life? I am married to Adele. My family are my biggest support and encouragement. They understand what the industry

What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps? It is all about passion — find your niche, do what you love to do every day. Learn as much as you can from the people around you – lessons are learnt in the most surprising places and generally unexpectedly. Try and be better today than you were yesterday. You are human, you will make a mistake. Always learn from them and do not sweat the small stuff. What is your dream for the future? To give the world to my family.

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PAGE STRAP CHEF’S VENUE OF PROFILE THE MONTH

Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa — for business or pleasure Whether it is for business or pleasure, Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa is the perfect destination, with everything you could possibly wish for right on their doorstep. Just 40 minutes from Cape Town, but a world away from the bustle and busyness of everyday life, Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa beckons wine lovers, golfers, families, spa seekers and outdoor enthusiasts to the very heart of the Helderberg.

urrounded by the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains and rubbing shoulders with some of the Cape’s top wine farms – Vergelegen, Lourensford and Morgenster – Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa is both a luxury haven and a relaxed home away from home. Guests are invited to unwind and reset their senses amongst the oaks, beneath the thatch, and in the hotel’s beautiful indigenous gardens. The 56 rooms and suites are all spacious, comfortable, and exquisitely appointed, some with private patios or views over the mountains beyond.

Peaceful palettes and special touches make you feel instantly at home — this is laidback luxury at its absolute best. Three different restaurants on offer include fine dining in Stefan’s Restaurant for an unforgettable table d’hôte menu brimming with global flavours and inspiration, or relaxed, al fresco lunches and romantic dinners under the stars on Oak Terrace; or the chance to share snacks and small plates over cocktails or a bottle of bubbly in the Magnolia Social Dining Lounge. Each a delicious destination in their own right, executive chef Stefan Bekker and his team will have

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you coming back, again and again. Erinvale’s selection of meeting rooms, ample seating and an abundance of natural light makes it the perfect space to strategise, regroup or reconnect with your team. Elevate your conference package with a selection of special add-ons, including gift bags, gin tastings and spa treatments — or treat your group to a fine dining experience or a traditional braai under the stars. The banqueting team will handle every aspect of your event, from catering and accommodation, to excursions and experiences, with ease. Trust Erinvale to deliver a successful,

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VENUE OF THE MONTH

memorable event. The only problem? You will never want to leave. Erinvale Hotel’s well-appointed Lurra Spa welcomes you to kick off your shoes, slip on a robe and feel any stress melt away. Nourish your body (and soul) with a range of therapeutic skincare products (including Babor, TheraVine and TheraNaka) and treatments in one of the four spacious treatment rooms, before hot-footing it to the steam room, wallowing in the heated whirlpool or heading outdoors to take a lounger next to the pool. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy access to the adjacent Gary Player-designed golf course for eighteen holes on the pristine greens, while the surrounding Wine Estates offer a myriad of outdoor experiences including mountain biking and hiking trails, world class restaurants and award-winning wines, all within walking distance from the hotel. From the scent of fynbos in the country air to the hotel’s beautiful furnishings, tactile finishes, bold splashes of colour and warm welcome, Erinvale Hotel is a joy to visit.

MEET & STAY

Planning your next meeting, team catch up or conference? Spend 24 hours at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa. Planning your next meeting, team catch up or conference? Spend 24 hours at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa. Our new, limited-offer fully inclusive Meet & Stay conference package gives small businesses, executive groups and corporate teams plenty of opportunity to strategise, reconnect and bond. Geared towards executive groups and corporate teams, this limited R3,370 per person per night rate includes: • • •

Luxury accommodation in a Standard or Luxury Room plus full English breakfast Full-day conference package with lunch R300 dinner voucher for Magnolia Social Dining Lounge

Even better, you can customise your conference stay with a selection of special add-ons. Get in touch with Jean Roux on conf@erinvale.co.za for more information. Please use booking code BEAErinvale for your enquiry.

1 Erinvale Avenue, Somerset West, South Africa, 7130

+27 21 847 1160 www.erinvale.co.za

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Gogos in Soweto who received soup from Marang Foundation.

Chefs with Compassion volunteers distributing ingredients to its kitchens.

94,359 litres of soup cooked in Mandela Day Challenge Chefs with Compassion – along with hundreds of home cooks, chefs, corporates and communities – have smashed their record in the third annual #67000litres Challenge for Mandela Day, cooking 94,359 litres of nutrient-rich soup for approximately 377,436 people in seven provinces around the country — almost 17,000 litres more than the 2020 record.

n the biggest annual community cooking initiative in South Africa, 128 participants, representing hotels, restaurants, companies and individuals, took up the challenge and got behind their stoves to cook for a cause — cleaning out their pantries to showcase the massive problem of food waste in South Africa. From 2 litres to 12,000 litres, every drop contributed towards the total cooked in hotels, canteens, home kitchens and community soup kitchens in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and North West — and to the thousands of people who went to bed without the feeling of hunger on Mandela Day. This year’s campaign was supported by Electrolux and AEG, whose partnership

went way above and beyond a financial contribution. The challenge captured the hearts of the Electrolux and AEG staff, who cooked soup from early in the day and delivered it to beneficiaries late into the night on Mandela Day. By the end of the day, 2,000 litres had been contributed to the total, by teams from the company’s head office and its retail partner, Hirsch’s Home Stores, and AEG’s brand ambassadors were proudly part of this year’s challenge. Tendai Mtawarira spent his Mandela Day buttering bread at the Out of Africa Children’s Home in Atlantis, Cape Town, where the children took the opportunity to rugby tackle their hero. The company was proud to host Xoliswa Ndoyiya, Nelson Mandela’s private chef for 22 years, at their head office cookoff, where she contributed to

their 2,000 litres. Murray Crow, managing director of AEG and Electrolux, said: “The spirit of compassion, collective action and working together to help those less fortunate is one we are proud to have been part of this year. As a brand with a global focus on sustainability, we are also deeply aligned to Chefs with Compassion’s mission to ensure good food doesn’t end up in landfill, contributing to climate change through methane emissions.” Another huge contributor to the success of the campaign was the involvement of the Poultry Association, whose members, Astral Foods, Country Bird Holdings and Rainbow Chicken, each donated R67,000 worth of chicken while Quantum Foods pledged 67 x 20 dozen eggs. This provided invaluable addition of protein to

Students at HTA School of Culinary Art preparing for the announcement.

Ra’eesah Moosa representing Nosh Food Rescue.

Volunteers serving soup at Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto.

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MARKET PAGE STRAP NEWS

the soup. This soup was cooked and served by Chefs with Compassion’s network of 30 kitchens across Gauteng. “We are deeply grateful to the Poultry Association and these caring companies, along with Bidfood Heriotdale, who assisted with storing seven tons of chicken to enable the logistics of getting the chicken to our kitchens,” said Coo Pillay, national project manager of Chefs with Compassion. The Joburg Market and Nosh Food Rescue, organisations that enable Chefs with Compassion to rescue vegetables on an ongoing basis in its daily mission to rescue, cook and feed, contributed vegetables to the CWC kitchens. Muchneeded ingredients were also received from ZZ2, Griffith Crown, Crown National, Unilever Food Solutions and Willowcreek Olive Oil. Chefs with Compassion’s long-standing sponsor, SYSPRO, was an outstanding champion of the campaign this year, contributing to the success of the event through their networks, suppliers and staff. Mark Wilson, chief executive officer of SYSPRO EMEA, said: “This challenge has strengthened our relationship with Chefs with Compassion even further. Through the participation of our staff in a teambuilding cook-off with Chef Citrum Khumalo, the cause has been brought to life and we have a deeper connection to what Chefs with Compassion is about.” Marriott® International once again stepped up, cooking 6,320 litres of soup across their 14 hotels in five provinces. Leading the charge was the Protea Hotel by Marriott Hotel OR Tambo Airport, under the leadership of Chefs with Compassion’s own Chef Coo Pillay.

Serving soup in Orlando East.

Nosh Food Rescue at HTA School.

Leon Meyer, chairperson of the Marriott® Business Council South Africa, said: “We have taken this challenge and its important message of reducing food waste to heart across our operations, implementing operational changes and systems to enable us to rescue and redirect perfectly good food so that it can be used to feed hungry people. Our chefs could not stop cooking on Mandela Day, continuing long into Tuesday to continue filling hungry tummies.” The single largest contributor was the ThembiT Foundation, whose founder Thembi Tshabala has been collecting ingredients from Chefs with Compassion since lockdown in 2020. The dynamic gospel singer began cooking in Mmabatho on Saturday, continuing all the way through to Tuesday, delivering close to 12,000 litres of soup to beneficiaries in five different locations

Mpho Mmasechaba at SwaraganoNPO in Alex made 600 litres.

Lerato Kgophola at Swarangano NPO in Alex.

across Gauteng and the North West, including Mafikeng, Randburg, Sharpville, Thembisa and Pretoria. Another of Chefs with Compassion’s kitchen that cooks every week is the Marang Foundation, run by Nyana Jabane. Her base for Mandela Day was the Orlando Community Hall, where she managed to take her pledge of 2,000 litres of soup to a final total of 3,200. Similar stories poured in from all over the country. Hours and hours of preparation, peeling, slicing, dicing, and cooking with love and compassion characterised this day of commemorating Madiba. Financial donations towards Chefs with Compassion’s ongoing work were received from several large corporates, including Compass Insure, a caring company that has played a significant part in CWC’s journey. Chef James Khoza, chairman of Chefs with Compassion, concluded: “While this day is an important opportunity for people to give back, the reality is that Chefs with Compassion’s 30 kitchens undertake this work five or six days every week. The funds raised through the #67000litres Challenge allows us to continue operating our sharehouse in Johannesburg, rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, and enabling our network of community kitchens to cook and feed people who, without this meal, would go to bed hungry. We are deeply grateful to SYSPRO, AEG, Electrolux, Compass Insure and all the partners, donors, sponsors and contributors who make this possible every day of the year.” To make a donation to Chefs with Compassion, go to www.cwc.org.za.

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PAGE STRAP TRENDS

Six trends transforming SA’s hospitality sector Tourism in South Africa is recovering, with an increased volume of arrivals for both local residents and foreign travellers. With the removal of the final Covid-19 restrictions, this is expected to increase further, especially in coastal areas which have become increasingly popular with remote workers as they offer a better quality of life. To take advantage of this uptick, it’s crucial for hoteliers and short-term rental owners to note that guest expectations have changed as a result of the pandemic.

his is according to Max Urban, co-founder and managing director of Propr, South Africa’s largest short term rental management company, who says that as digitisation has accelerated as a result of the Covid-19 lockdowns, consumers’ appetites for digital technologies and experiences have grown, but unlike other industries that swiftly adopted tech solutions, the hospitality sector has lagged.” “The industry needs to innovate and adapt now, more than ever, to meet consumer demands for accommodation that caters to the changing world of business and leisure, unique stays, instant communication

on their preferred platforms, and smarter technologies, to enhance their experience, amongst others,” he added. To assist these businesses, Mr Urban unpacks some of the trends that are shaking up the hospitality space:

Flexibility The pandemic ushered in the era of offering flexible cancellations. When new travel restrictions can be imposed at a moment’s notice, guests may be unwilling to book accommodation with strict or moderate cancellation policies. Mr Urban explained that accommodation providers have no choice but to embrace the last-minute nature with which guests book. “Gone

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are the days of looking at next year’s forward bookings.”

Digital nomads are the new business travellers Telecommuting has exploded since the start of the pandemic, as evidenced by the increase in daily active users on Microsoft Teams from 75 million users in 2020 to 145 million in 2021. “Businesses are becoming more accepting of remote workers, which has resulted in an upsurge in digital nomads travelling the globe and staying in places for weeks or months at a time. Properties that can offer dedicated workspaces and highspeed internet are much more likely to get booked,” Mr Urban shared. www.businesseventsafrica.com

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Becoming loadshedding-proof With loadshedding being the new normal, properties need to offer solutions that minimise the impact on guests. This ranges from special lamps and bulbs, to inverters that can power internet routers. Mr Urban notes that doing so is a great way to be set apart from other listings at the moment.

Stand out, not standard “Today’s guests are looking for something special beyond the stock standard hotel room, prompting the hospitality industry to experiment with their offerings,” Mr Urban explained. “Marriott, for instance, has carved out separate portfolios of properties under the Homes & Villas by Marriott International banner which enables guests to book self-catering accommodation.” He added that other hotel chains are expected to jump on this trend to make their properties unique and, in doing so, use their assets more efficiently. “An example of this could be renting out a hotel room during the day for use as a home office and then hiring it out to a traveller at night.”

Automate or stagnate Mr Urban points out that soon the days of guests picking up the phone or walking down to reception to speak with staff at hospitality

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establishments will be no longer. “They are increasingly wanting their communication to be instant and digital, sparking the need to automate processes to assist guests and enhance their experience. Guests nowadays prefer to interact via WhatsApp and chatbots and the industry needs to catch up.” “This also needs to be done in such a way that communications don’t become robotic,” he added. “Guests still expect a personal touch for certain types of interactions, even if they are automated or executed electronically. One of the ways that we have managed to get the balance right is by automating highly structured communication, which gives our team more opportunity to spend quality time with guests on things that computers don’t handle well yet, such as planning a custom itinerary and talking about missed expectations. We also use tech to alert us to opportunities where we can delight or help our guests. For example, we automatically flag certain key words like ‘anniversary’, ‘birthday’ or ‘locked out’ and then notify our guest experience team.” He explained that the guest experience now starts before arrival, whereas before they would only be focused on once they were in-house. “Through automated communication, guests can also be upsold extras like tours, additional cleans or a stocked fridge to enhance their stay even before they set

foot through the door, and these can be handled quickly and seamlessly.”

Smarter technology Advances in technology will not only benefit the guests, but property owners and professional hosts too. Mr Urban explained that pricing algorithms are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can adjust pricing to capitalise on specific demand spikes. For example, a premium could automatically be applied to one-night gaps in the calendar to make those bookings more worthwhile. IoT tech will also be able to synch an establishment’s calendar and switch the geyser on or off to save on electricity. Additionally, automatic inventory checks based on photographs will cut down the time it takes to check properties. Some of these technologies are already in existence and others are not too far off.” He concluded by saying: “The roaring 20s followed one of the last global pandemics, the so-called Spanish flu, and we are already seeing history starting to repeat itself with people wanting to get out and travel again. Over the past six months alone, we have seen booking levels return to what they were pre-Covid. In a year or two from now, it is anticipated that the hospitality industry will play a big part in helping economies recover, but players in the space need to be ready by responding to guests’ changing needs.”

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PAGE STRAP EVENT GREENING FORUM

The grey in greening (Part 1)

About the EGF The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. It does this by hosting educational sessions for industry and lobbying government in an effort to implement sustainability principles into the daily operations of the events industry. The EGF was established through dedication and support of eight industry associations who are recognised as founding members. The founding members are key industry associations working together to promote South Africa as a destination for various types of events.

Want to know more?

Event greening – incorporating sustainable practices into how an event is managed – can be a confusing space. In this twopart series, the Event Greening Forum unpacks a few common dilemmas, addressing the sustainability issues at stake and what is the better thing to do.

s there a quick way of understanding the three-bin system? A popular event greening practice is to separate event waste at source, diverting landfill waste, organic waste and recyclables into three separate bins. This prevents contamination between the waste streams (such as food waste making paper waste unrecyclable), allowing for higher recycling rates. However, ensuring that event attendees throw the right waste in the right bin can be tricky. Grace Stead, a sustainability consultant for the events industry and Founder of Steadfast Greening, shares a few tips that can help make this system work: • Always place the three bins together, and make sure that there are enough bin stations throughout the venue. • Use colour, a label, and clear visuals to identify which bin is for which type of waste. • Bin placement is also critical and needs to reflect the type and volume of waste anticipated. • Colour coding also helps with consistency, such as “GREEN goes straight to recycling so make sure it is clean, ORANGE you need to be cautious and check if it is really organic and RED is for all the rubbish going to the rubbish dump — the last stop”. This kind of consistency of colour and placement, if done across events, could help to make the system more universally understood. She also suggests asking yourself these

questions when you need to quickly decide if something belongs in the following types of waste bins: • Would a pig eat it*? If yes, then it goes into the organic waste bin. • Would you be willing to stick your hand in a bin filled with this? If it’s a recyclable material (paper, tin, glass and plastic — the bin should indicate which of these belong here) and you answered yes (i.e. it’s clean) then it can go in the recycling bin. • Would you be willing to stick your hand in a bin filled with this? If no (i.e. it’s dirty) then it goes into the landfill bin. *Organic waste should not be fed to pigs, but rather composted. This question is just an easier way for people to assess this type of waste. Take away: Reduce, reuse, recycle. Why is going paperless considered green when paper comes from trees? The paper industry does necessitate planting trees, and paper has a place in our world. But paper flyers and brochures – often printed specifically for events – can be hugely wasteful, says Grace. This is especially true as event attendees are known to throw them away almost immediately or are reluctant to take them in the first place (especially if they are flying home and don’t want the extra weight). Post-event waste highlights this problem, with boxes of glossy brochures being dumped by the bins, which

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If you would like to know more about event greening, visit www.eventgreening.co.za where you can browse the free resources, sign up to the monthly newsletter, or contact them directly with any queries. Contact: Lynn Mcleod T: 082 891 5883 E: lynn@eventgreening.co.za

creates waste and wasteful expenditure. Mike Lysko, chief executive officer and founder of Flock Eventing Platform, added that technology brings multiple advantages to an event, specifically in comparison to printed materials. For example: When information needs to be changed, paper items must be reprinted. This not only carries a cost and requires extra time (which events are typically short on), but it creates additional, unnecessary waste. Using technology eliminates these pain-points. Technology allows you to have multiple screens and multiple messages on one device, whereas printed banners, agendas, brochures and so forth are limited by space and cost. Event attendees almost certainly have a smart phone in their pocket. Using these existing communication channels is more efficient (not to mention convenient) than creating new paper channels. “Technology is improving all the time,” Mr Lysko said. “From the rise of cloud computing (which uses fewer servers and less power, and therefore has lower greenhouse gas emissions) to the improved energy efficiency of devices. There’s also a trend for data centres to use renewable energy, and servers – which need to be kept very cool – to be placed in cold climates.” These factors all help to make technology increasingly sustainable. Take away: Think before you print. www.businesseventsafrica.com

VENUE PAGE STRAP NEWS

Sustainability — how do we engage? Aah, not this again, you may say. By Glenton de Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI.

e must, however, agree that the business events industry needs to be aware, when it comes to our contribution to the global climate. Delegates and destinations are placing a value on how the business events sector is addressing its impact on our environment and its people. Recently, we took the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge in partnership with tourism industry associations around the world. Part of doing so was encouraging tourism businesses and destinations to measure their sustainability performance. So, here are basic considerations and areas that can drive your conversation as a business. 1. Employee engagement Discussions, training, and guidance for your staff, engaged with the development and implementation of

the sustainability, will frame their roles and responsibilities in delivery. 2. Cultural heritage Conversations with communities and staff on potential cultural interactions, protecting cultural heritage, and presenting cultural heritage with a focus on respecting the intellectual property rights of local and indigenous communities needs understanding before implementation. 3. Biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes In a country that has a conservation framework admired by many, the industry supports biodiversity conservation, protection against the introduction and spread of invasive species, manages and promotes visits to natural sites, manages interactions with wildlife, supports animal welfare

in tourism, and the regulation of wildlife harvesting and trade are key areas to consider. 4. Solid waste Our food waste management that addresses how we reduce, reuse, and recycle, by ensuring that waste disposal does not have adverse effects on local populations – or the environment – must be worked on continuously. While we play our part as a private sector, we do look at government to provide further support, to help the industry improve in the areas highlighted, through ongoing assessments, in partnership, to keep us on track. We must leave this world a better place for the generations to come.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CONFERENCE INDUSTRY LEADERS

CONNECT SAACI unites , supports and educates the business

events industry in southern Africa by creating sustainable environment for business growth

THRIVE Join SAACI and enjoy access to an inspiring network of industry professionals, while giving your business the professional status it needs to attract the attention of business leaders. GROW Become the business events professional you’ve always wanted to be. Access the SAACI Academy and enter a world of inspiration, connections and world-class skills development.

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Visit our online community: www.saaci.org www.saacicongress.org www.saaci-academy.org

+27(0)11 880 5883 info@saaci.org

Business BusinessEvents EventsAfrica Africa October August 2022 2020 41 Learning | Growth | collaboration

PAGENEWS SITE STRAP

Plucking CIS and CITP out of the industry credential alphabet soup There are dozens of designations available to event professionals, resulting in some individuals with a truly mind-numbing array of letters after their names on their event badges. It’s also prompted some professionals to question which certifications are worth the effort to earn and proudly display.

o give you an insider’s insight on SITE’s two credentials, CIS and CITP, we went straight to one of the experts on our team who knows it best — Liz Dombrowski, SITE’s certification manager. Our colleagues – and our clients – deserve to work with professionals who have demonstrated their competence and knowledge, and who have met the rigorous standards set by their peers and industry leaders. When you review a credential to determine if it’s of value to you as an events professional, ask yourself this

question: are you seeking education, or are you expecting to demonstrate your existing competency? If it’s education you’re after If your goal is education-oriented, then look for an assessment-based certificate programme like the SITE’s Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS). CIS is a selfpaced virtual programme (or two-day in-person course) with a final assessment. Certificate programmes such as CIS help you build capacity in an industry, emerging profession or specialty area. When there is a

learning gap to fulfil a role or become workforce-ready, an assessmentbased certificate (ABC) programme is well-suited to addressing this gap. Because programmes like CIS are built on a needs analysis, learning and assessment are directly tied to the knowledge, skill, or ability gap that the programme is designed to fill. When highly specialised knowledge or skills are required for a particular job, a well-designed training programme with learning objectives that are aligned to an assessment can help confirm that you have the requisite skills or competencies.

Building back Exhibitions and Events together! The founding Associations of the SA Events Council have consistently provided essential information and support on event safety, business relief and venue capacity. Ensure you are ready for business by engaging with your association today.

hello@saeventscouncil.org

42 Business Events Africa August 2022

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PAGE SITE STRAP NEWS

By attending CIS, you benefit by: • Learning from a focused course of instruction. • Acquiring new skills. • Enjoying the opportunity to learn new content or skills specifically tied to workplace needs. • Earning recognition for demonstrating the desired educational outcomes. • Gaining increased recognition from peers and colleagues in the profession. • Exploring improved opportunities for employability and advancement. • Feeling more confident about your professional competence. • Increased employer and client trust. • Increased autonomy in the workplace. • Potential for higher compensation and greater career longevity. When clients see CIS after your name, they’ll benefit through: • Access to a better trained team member, whose training is targeted to the client’s needs. • Objective, independent, third-party evaluation and assessment of professional knowledge. • Knowing the certificate holder is committed to continuous professional development. • If it’s a credential you want to pursue. • If your goal is to earn a credential that validates your existing incentive travel knowledge, skills and abilities, then the Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP) examination is a better fit.

The CITP process involves determination of eligibility, an assessment of demonstration of competence, and requirements for regular recertification. With CITP, you’ll benefit from: • Increased recognition by peers and respect of colleagues. • Improved opportunities for employability and advancement. • Greater confidence in your professional competence. • Increased professional trust from employers and clients. • Increased autonomy in the workplace. • Better compensation and career longevity. When clients see CITP after your name, they’ll benefit from: • An objective, independent, third-party evaluation and assessment of their incentive team’s professional competence. • Commitment to public safety and/or consumer protection. • Recertification requirements for continued, enhanced competence. We know the range of terms, determinations, and distinctions mixed into the industry alphabet-soup can be confusing and frustrating for anyone seeking industry credentials. Rest assured that SITE is committed to upholding strong standards of excellence in our credentialing programmes, with our focus firmly on demonstrating meaningful value for certificants, their employers, and the wider communities we serve.

Who is Liz Dombrowski? Liz Dombrowski serves as certification manager for SITE. She supports all of SITE’s credentials, from soup to nuts, as someone who has spent her entire professional career managing, growing and developing certification programmes. Liz believes that certification programmes help associations define their profession, promote higher industry standards, and inspire the next generation of experts. She is passionate about learning objectives, avoiding negative stems in exam questions, and always having a second cup of coffee. Liz hails out of Washington D.C., where she lives with her husband, son and a very demanding Siamese cat named Trouble. You can reach Liz at certification@siteglobal.com.

What we’re all about: motivational experiences Why we do it? Business results! Site is the only global network of travel and event professionals committed to motivational experiences that deliver business results. Site provides insights and connections that inspire the utilisation of this powerful tool across diverse industries, regions and cultures. Site serves as a source of knowledge and best practices where members can make personal connections that sustain professional growth. Only one organisation sits at the critical intersection between those who seek the benefits of motivational tools and those who can provide these extraordinary experiences. That organisation is Site...

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Contact

Email: info@sitesouthernafrica.com www.sitesouthernafrica.com www.siteglobal.com

Business Events Africa August 2022 43

EXSA PAGE NEWS STRAP

Design fees within the South African exhibition industry Historically, the exhibition industry charged for design work. Back then it was paper-based and thus required the skills of draftsmen, architects and qualified and respected professionals. By Lee-Ann Alder, EXSA association manager.

his changed in the 1980s when prominent role players began offering design for free in a bid to entice clients to utilise their services over competitors. The digital age further amplified this approach as computers allowed for much faster design as well as lowering barriers of entry into the design field. While this approach at first gave companies a competitive advantage it has caused long term detrimental effects to the point that qualified interior designers and architects working in the events industry are no longer valued as they should be.

In addition, it has led to design being a cost centre where the risk is carried by the exhibition company alone. Many of us have long term relationships with a client base where design fees are not an issue as they are incorporated into the overall project cost. In addition, these clients would generally have no issue covering the design cost in the scenario that a project doesn’t proceed. Where design becomes problematic is where tenders are involved, both government and corporate. Often, these require three quotes, which in itself is not problematic. The

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problem is that all the risk lies with the exhibition company/designer. A company that only creates design work (no production) will not design for free as that forms their core function. Producing design work for free would lead to the closure of the business. It therefore makes no sense that production houses that offer design do it for free. It’s nonsensical to absorb all the risk in a relationship with potential clients. www.businesseventsafrica.com

PAGE EXSA STRAP NEWS

Tenders have led to many problems 1. Many briefs received are inadequate and expose a lack of understanding of the exhibition stands and the complexities involved. 2. Poor research when it comes to matching suitable exhibition companies with certain tenders. Exhibition companies all differ in terms of style of design and work. 3. Tendering entities have often already chosen who they will work with but need three quotes to fulfil company/ government regulations. 4. Designs produced are often sent to competing companies to try and drive the price down. This is IP theft. 5. The quality of work produced for exhibitions has gone downhill dramatically, especially postpandemic. Competitors are undercutting costs in an environment where there is a major skills deficit. The last point above is particularly concerning. It’s noticeable at recent events how quality has plummeted,

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which reflects very badly on our local industry. There have been many instances of non-delivery recently. The drive towards Net Zero Carbon Events by the worldwide industry is also going to impact our industry immensely and will most certainly have an effect on how designs are produced. In a recent survey conducted by EXSA, an overwhelming number of respondents now refuse to do work at risk and find that the design system is abused by clients. It’s far easier for smaller companies to adopt an approach of charging for all design, whereas larger companies have such high overheads that they are forced to churn out as much design as possible to bring in enough work. It’s a ‘throw mud at the problem’ approach that hopes that enough of it sticks. So, what is the solution? EXSA is drafting a series of guidelines and design fees cost tables that we aim to present to the industry at an EXSA connects session. This promises to be a

very ‘robust’ discussion. Once published, this will form a set of assets and tools that can be used by members and the industry to educate our clients and markets, the aim being to generate a groundswell of support so that more and more companies adopt it as a principle. It’s not a quick fix but will form part of the drive towards reenergising exhibitions in South Africa. This approach should lead to an improvement in the industry in terms of quality and a suppliers base. We are not a regulated industry like architecture, where fees are gazetted. However, long term this can be the goal to ensure our industry becomes more professional and appreciated for its quality productions. EXSA hosted an EXSA connects session in July 2022. We encouraged all who are involved in exhibition design to offer their views. This session presented survey findings as well as presented some possible solutions that will form a valuable part of the roadmap.

Business Events Africa August 2022 45

PAGE STRAP AAXO NEWS

How networking can enhance your event experience For some people, there may have been a time, before Covid-19 struck the events industry a crushing blow, when the word ‘networking’ conjured up downright dread at the thought of starting a conversation with a stranger at a conference or event.

echnology contributed brilliantly to helping us exchange information during the pandemic, and while networking online was always an option, it’s really not the same as meeting people face to face. As we know, humans are hard-wired to connect in person. Now, after a twoyear event drought and lack of interpersonal, face to face interaction, the events industry has risen from the ashes, and event attendees are more eager than ever before to connect and engage at events, to learn from each other and make new connections.

By Natalie Kyriacou, marketing manager, VUKA Group. Networking events are about more than just kicking back and relaxing over a few drinks after a long day of being holed up in conference rooms — although there is that advantage too. There are several big benefits to engaging with other event attendees: 1. Strengthen business connections Networking is about sharing advice, building trust, and developing the reputation of the business you represent. While engaging with other attendees and talking about what your business is doing, you are simultaneously educating other professionals about your business,

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your brand and your interests. You never know who may be interested in further discussion, which could lead to beneficial partnerships and collaboration. 2. Increase your profile awareness Getting noticed is essential to career development, and attending professional and social events will assist in making you known in the industry. If you offer useful information or insights to those you are networking with, you can assist in building your reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable member of your profession. www.businesseventsafrica.com

AAXO PAGE STRAP NEWS

3. Get career advice and support Gaining insights from experienced and knowledgeable industry peers is an important aspect of networking. Discussing common challenges and opportunities opens the door to valuable suggestions and guidance. 4. Get inspiration from your industry peers A key benefit of networking is exchanging information on experiences, goals and challenges, as it allows you to gain fresh insights that you may otherwise have missed. Offering helpful ideas in return is an excellent way to build your reputation as an innovative thinker. 5. Stay ahead of industry trends Networking allows you to learn about the latest developments in the industry, as well as the time to discuss them and what they mean for your business, with others in similar situations. 6. Find your dream job Networking event attendees often have a wealth of knowledge and connections that they are willing to

share, and if you are looking for a new job or would like to move up in your current company, you never know who might be hiring for your ideal job or know someone who is. The more people you have in your network, the likelier you are to be the first to know when those big job opportunities pop up. Not sure where to start? Here’s how to develop your networking skills Networking doesn’t come naturally or easily to many people as it can be quite daunting, especially for more introverted people. Here are some tips to help take the stress out of networking, and, just like any skill, the more often you do it, the easier it will become: 1. Be confident, and just say “hello”. 2. Plan ahead and make a mental note (or physical note, even) of some points of discussion which you could raise with someone you are meeting. 3. Ask questions and let the conversation flow. 4. Have an open mindset and look out

for opportunities to grow your business. 5. Set up an informal appointment to meet the person at a future date to chat further about the relevant topic/ topics which arise in the conversation. 6. Keep your business card with you to exchange details. From strengthening business connections to landing your perfect job, attending networking events can be an invaluable resource for your business and for your personal development. So, why not give it a try?

Let’s grow the exhibition industry by investing in our young professionals.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

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Business Events Africa — August 2022

Articles inside

SITE NEWS

EXSA NEWS

EVENT GREENING FORUM

AAXO NEWS

TRENDS

WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY

PERSONAILTY PROFILE

MARKET NEWS

MARKET NEWS

VENUE OF THE MONTH

WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY

TECH WATCH

COMRADES EXPO FEATURE

CTICC launches AllSport Expo

NEWS

INCENTIVE NEWS

COMPANY FOCUS

SUPPLIER CASE STUDY

EDITOR’S COMMENT

NEWS

SPECIAL FEATURE