Connect, share and continue to learn

In the fast-paced world we currently find ourselves, it is reassuring to belong to trade associations. The members often become industry partners and sometimes, even friends.

The business events industry is like a family. I am proud to be part of this family. The diversity of the industry is what makes it so enticing. We are made up of many personalities, representing various facets of the sector with one purpose — to host successful business events in South Africa.

Business events is not tourism — it goes beyond tourism and touches on all sectors imaginable. At some point, an organisation or association has to meet, engage and share knowledge. This may be in a boardroom or an annual congress, or at an exhibition, or an event. Of course, there is also the need to be rewarded and this is where the incentives part of business events kicks in.

I am fascinated and am constantly in search of information on the broader reach that our sector has on the country and its economy, not just financially, but also the knowledge economy.

Interestingly, South Africa Tourism India recently shared with Business Events its aim to grow the business events market to South Africa by 35 per cent in 2023.

As a result of the ongoing efforts, India has converted around 2,841 pax across varied sectors into South Africa between May to September 2023. It is important to note that South Africa hosted the BRICS summit in August 2023. For more information, have a look at the full story in the magazine.

I am also constantly learning from the amazing individuals in our industry.

At the recent SAACI Congress held in Addo in the Eastern Cape, I realised that the connections I have made over the years have been cemented during the various congresses, exhibitions and business events which I have attended.

What I love about association events — it offers delegates a platform to learn, engage, connect, reconnect and discover new partnerships. It also offers young professionals a springboard into the industry. They are, after all, the future of the industry.

This year’s theme for the SAACI Congress was ‘Telling a Fresh Story’. The motivational speakers at this year’s congress wer e all remarkable people and left delegates inspired and ready to take on the world!

However, we often overlook the untold stories of the delegates. We all have our own stories to share. They can be just as powerful as the stories presented by the motivational speakers. We can learn from each other.

One of the highlights was the ‘afterhours’ honest conversations.

This month, we celebrate the women in our industry. We have the most amazing women leading our industry and, in this issue, we look at just a few of those remarkable women. We have so many that it would be impossible to profile every woman in one issue. I salute all the incredible women in our sector!

As I conclude, remember to connect, to share your own stories and to learn from each other.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com