EDITOR’S COMMENT

To be inspired – is a great reminder

In the competitive environment we find ourselves in today, it can be difficult to sometimes remember why we got into the industry we are in today.

I have been in the business events industry for 19 years, and even though I am the editor of a trade publication in the sector, I see myself as part of the industry.

I often think back at how I got into this industry, and honestly, it really was by chance. Quite frankly, when I completed my degree in journalism, all those years ago, I had never heard of this sector, then known as MICE.

After my studies, I joined a travel trade publication and got to travel extensively. The travel industry was – and still is – a very competitive sector. I worked closely with travel trade associations, tour operators, airlines, hotels and travel agencies.

My first encounter with the business events sector was actually the travel agencies’ annual congresses and the travel trade associations’ congresses.

I also enjoyed many events in the sector at that time and was invited to some exhibitions, but honestly, I really had no understanding of what the business events sector really encompassed… like many others, I just assumed it was part of the tourism sector.

I have come a long way since those days, and today, more than anything, feel that this sector has so much potential to make a difference and create the changes we would like to see in our country.

I recently attended the inaugural Tourism Investment Forum Africa event in Upington in the Northern Cape. This event connected investors with tourism destinations and entities with destinations and business people, looking for investors for their destinations and businesses, in the form of tourist attractions, airports, hotels, expansions, etc.

I was amazed at how many tourism projects are currently in the pipeline in Africa, but are currently stalled until they can find the correct investors.

Just this one event can make these tourism projects a reality. It is incredible to think that our sector has the capability to make this kind of difference, by just connecting people together for a congress.

This congress took me to Upington, a town I hadn’t visited in more than 25 years. It was wonderful that I got to experience the area after the conference, thanks to Northern Cape Tourism. It certainly opened my eyes to what tourism offers the Northern Cape, and has inspired in me to further explore the Northern Cape, as a tourist, in the near future.

So, if anything, conferencing feeds the tourism sector.

To conclude, yes, I am happy to be in the business events industry, and am lucky to have stumbled into it by chance. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com