SAACI NEWS

Meetings matter — make meetings count in 2024

There’s no denying the impact that meetings and events have, not only on organisations, but also on the people and communities that attend and participate in them. From business meetings to incentive travel, conferences to conventions, they all have a significant impact on how our industry shapes the knowledge economy and the economic benefits where our meetings and events are held.

By Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI

That’s why, in 2024, we must ‘Make Meetings Count’.

We can start doing so as we look forward to what promises to be a busy meetings and events year for destination Africa. In gathering for Meetings Africa in February 2024, we may consider how we make this impact.

As the lead tradeshow for the meetings and events industry for the continent, in-person networking; is one of the top reasons all vendors and prospects attend. How can we increase the number of meetings and events held on the continent in the coming years, up to 2030? Where they are held and how we harness our collective bidding power will be areas that key partners may consider.

Meetings Africa, as a platform, allows for deeper connections, timely and in-depth conversations, and more complex strategic thinking discussions that can aid the responses needed to the question posed above. We have seen many bonds and empathy established over time between attendees, buyers, and colleagues alike.

As an association, SAACI will work to ensure that attendees are engaged during the discussion sessions while having ample time to network with one another. All business event professionals are encouraged to participate, as an exhibitor or visitor, at the upcoming Meetings Africa and the various trade platforms available.

In conclusion, meetings and events can benefit communities. In July 2023, the SAACI National Congress took place in Addo, Eastern Cape, thereby uplifting the local community and assisting in marketing the region as a potential meetings and events hidden gem.