PERSONALITY PROFILE
Gill Gibbs ‘Live, work and play with passion’ Passionate Gill Gibbs, 54, chairperson of EXSA and chief executive officer of the CG Group of Companies and director of bluCube International, has been in the exhibition sector for over 22 years and is willing to take risks.
“T
he industry is always a highly charged environment, full of energy, passion, creativity, innovation, people and opportunities. I love taking ideation from concept to execution and realisation and presenting our studio’s beautiful, creative and unique spaces that delight and amaze. I enjoy realising projects and the pace, always being on the go,” Ms Gibbs said. She added: “I am an advocator and brand ambassador of change and innovation – it is one of the reasons that the signature icon for our Group of Companies is the butterfly, known for its metamorphic properties.” ConCept G Exhibitions & Events was founded in April of 2010 and it has developed into a group of companies with varying skillsets and specialities, of which bluCube International is a part. Ms Gibbs said: “I am proud to be a part of the growth and transformation of EXSA, my companies and of the industry. Having a succession plan in place and building a strong legacy of growth, mentorship, skills transference, culture, inclusion, diversity and leadership is important to me and to the sustainability of our industry.” “Ensuring that all matters are dealt with in an orderly, efficient manner is key to the success and longevity of the association.” “Over the years, it has been an interesting journey in this dynamic space, from changes to successes to setbacks – ever more so in a Covid world,” she added.
Where do you see the business events industry in South Africa at present and where do you see it heading in the future? The business events industry has imperative and immediate needs. It requires formal recognition and full support from government, which would facilitate and enable important debate, discussions and
meeting the growing needs of the industry, exciting engagement and attracting the NextGen, along with, critically, ensuring procedures and systems for crisis management and the appropriate funding to ensure sustainability, growth, development and transformation. What is also required, is an understanding of our industry, what it takes to operate and function, understanding all of the roleplayers and the fraternity of business owners that employ the majority of the workforce in our Industry.
How has Covid-19 impacted the exhibition sector? Covid-19 has impacted severely, seriously and devastatingly on an industry that is responsible globally, for US$197.5 billion in gross domestic product. Exhibitions and events are already embracing technology and digitalisation and I see this continuing as we must ride the Covid-19 wave. Education, awareness and the use of the hybrid environment and its platforms, is critical to facilitate key and critical innovation and to dispel scepticism around this technology offering. As an Industry that is a fundamental player in the recovery of the economy, we must adapt and pivot and most importantly, we must embrace the needs, desires and the choices of our customers – and their choices may include online representation and contribution.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. I studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and majored in English and Drama.
Where did you start your career? In the hospitality industry at first – as a catering supervisor in London and then as duty manager for a Fresh Pasta Restaurant
28 Business Events Africa December 2020
chain in Covent Gardens, London. I moved into the optometric industry later in London, working for Boots Opticians and continued in this area when I returned to South Africa.
When did you return to South Africa? I moved from London to Scotland and I had my first son there. My mom paid for a trip back to South Africa when he was five months old, to meet the family. She convinced me to stay in South Africa. After working in the Optometric Industry, I moved to Mtubatuba and then I purchased a training franchise in 1997 in Johannesburg where I was trained to train, run the SMME franchise business and I was also trained in marketing, sales, strategy and brand communication.
How did you get involved in the exhibition industry? I joined the industry on the organiser’s side at first and what appealed to me, was managing an entity within an entity – I was allocated my own B2B trade shows and consumer lifestyle expo, that I was responsible for growing and marketing. I liked taking ownership and growing the ‘baby’ to full maturity. I enjoyed the B2B interaction, networking and being able to provide a valuable service to exhibitors and a platform for them to engage, grow and enhance their businesses.
When did you move to the contracting side? I then moved over to the contracting side when I joined one of the largest exhibition companies in South Africa. It was challenging and vibrant and I learnt so much. ConCept G was subsequently founded, with the eventual addition of the agency and retail business under the CG Group of Companies. www.businesseventsafrica.com
