Business Events Africa — March 2024

Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Durban ICC — Africa’s Leading Convention Centre

About the cover

The Durban International Convention Centre stands as a flagship venue in South Africa’s event-hosting landscape.

SANDTON OVERVIEW

40 Sandton Tourism & Business Association — celebrates 24 years.

42 Sandton welcomes South Africa’s highest conference venue.

AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

45 Unlocking economic potential: The Africa Free Trade Continental Area Agreement and the future of tourism in South Africa.

VENUE NEWS

46 Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa unveils state-of-the-art Camphor Venue — a modern hub for exceptional events.

6

4

5

10 AAXO ROAR Awards celebrates excellence in the exhibition industry.

12 Specialised Exhibitions thrilled to win two AAXO ROAR Awards.

14 Top honours for Scan Display at AAXO’s ROAR Awards.

16 The power of events.

18 Gallagher Convention Centre — ‘venue of the year’.

MEETINGS AFRICA 2024

22 Meetings Africa 2024 ignites collaboration and sustainability.

30 Event professionals awarded.

TECH WATCH

31 Transforming hospitality: Uniting digital innovation, data insights, and commercial strategy for guest-centric success.

CTICC AGM

32 The CTICC’s 2022/23 AGM: Leaving lasting impressions.

UFI GLOBAL BAROMETER

34 UFI Global Barometer indicates that the exhibition industry will grow to record levels in 2024. MAURITIUS TOURISM INTERVIEW

37 Mauritius — dedicated to balanced and responsible tourism.

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

38 A strong year for the meetings and events industry.

39 Chef Douglas Momberg — “I get to live out my passion”

48 Minor Hotels announces the signing of Anantara Zanzibar Resort.

MARKET NEWS

49 Boardwalk Hotel and Casino appoints new duty managers.

50 South Africa’s tourism sector is bracing for a surge –staff training is imperative.

51 All Things Green: sustainability tops WTM Africa 2024 agenda.

52 Team South Africa: shaping the future at ITB Berlin 2024.

53 RX Africa makes sizeable contribution to R4-billion revenue from Cape Town events.

54 The Good Life Show announces its collaboration with The SA Chefs Association.

SAEC

56 SAACI signs industry working partnership with EGF to drive sustainability.

Association news

EXSA

57 The power of connection.

SAACI

58 Next Generation — developing young professionals.

EVENT GREENING FORUM

59 Embracing sustainability: the imperative for Africa’s events industry.

SITE

60 SITE Africa in full force at recent SITE Global Conference.

Regulars DIRECTORY

62 Directory of associations.

THE LAST WORD

64 Why 2024 will be the year of tourism FDI in South Africa.

INDEX

65 Index of advertisers and contributors.

The

Published

1981/011920/07)

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS:

Box 414, Kloof 3640, South Africa

TEL: +27 (0)31 764 6977 FAX: 086 762 1867

MANAGING DIRECTOR:

Malcolm King 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:

Business Events Africa

Volume 44 No 3

Business Events Africa has 12 issues a year and is published monthly. This magazine is currently only available in digital format.

Durban ICC — Africa’s

Keep the faith

As we head into election season, isn’t it interesting to see how, all of a sudden, we observe people working on the roadside, cutting the grass, cleaning up the public spaces, and fixing potholes, in record time? Could there be an election on the horizon?

Ijust find it amusing, while at the same time, not really. Where were these people during the past four years?

The business events industry, always shows up — even during Covid, with all the restrictions, our sector continued as best it could.

We often talk about the resilience of the South African people, but I really believe that the business events sector is one of the most resilient industries in our country today.

Daily, I see the commitment and grit the industry players have. No matter what challenge arises, we always seem to rise to the occasion, and make things happen — most of the time, behind the scenes. How, is this possible?

Notably, our industry understands how to

deliver, even in the most challenging situations. They never give up.

The reason is that they have made the most incredible connections and when it is necessary, they come together through these partnerships to ensure the success of a conference, an exhibition, or even an incentive.

Recently, I began thinking about the Win as One campaign that the South Africa National Convention Bureau launched a few years ago.

This campaign reflected the essence of our sector — we can’t win bids on our own. We can only win if we work together.

The Win as One campaign is even more relevant today, post Covid.

The underlying message is – if you win

– the industry wins too. It has a greater impact than we realise.

The collaboration in order to ‘Win’, is what makes our industry unique.

As for the country, our government could learn a lot from our sector! Government should be about the greater good, for the country and its people, and not how to win for the sake of winning by making empty promises.

We are Team SA — not only as an industry, but as citizens of South Africa.

So, don’t forget to vote on 29 May — every vote counts.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

Image courtesy of Blueberry Hill Hotel, Johannesburg

Credit: Hein Liebetrau

New CEO and board appointed at South African Tourism

Following a comprehensive recruitment process, the Board of South African Tourism is happy to announce that Nombulelo Guliwe CA (SA) has accepted our offer for her to serve as chief executive officer of South African Tourism on a five-year contract.

Ms Guliwe, 37, is a qualified chartered accountant and member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. She became the first black female and youngest SA Tourism chief financial officer in 2019.

Ms Guliwe, is currently the acting chief executive officer and interim chief financial officer and brings a wealth of knowledge, having served in various leadership roles throughout her career, including Chief Financial Officer at SA Tourism since August 2019. Before this, she had been with SA Tourism for eight years.

Furthermore, cabinet has approved the appointment of a full SA Tourism board.

The mandate of SA Tourism as the official marketing agency, is to market South Africa as a domestic and international tourist destination.

The business and affairs of SA Tourism are managed by the chief executive officer and the SA Tourism board.

Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille said: “I wish Ms Guliwe well in her new position and look forward to continue working with her as we amplify our marketing efforts to attract more visitors from all over the world to South Africa.”

SA Tourism board appointments

The new South African Tourism board members are:

• Makhosazana Khanyile (Chairperson)

• Adv. Lizelle Dominique Jordaan (Deputy Chairperson)

• Dr Gregory J. Davids

• Ikaneng Ephraim Pilane

• Prof Motlhago

• Stella Bavuma

• Nqabomzi Haya

• Rajesh Mahabeer

• Ayanda V. Mazibuko

• Ms Maija de Rijk-Uys

• Dr Mzolisi Michael Toni

• Uveshnee Pillay as the Department representative

The new SA Tourism Board consists of six females and five males with a range of experience and qualifications including masters degrees, law degrees, PhDs, and post graduate degrees.

“I wish to thank the outgoing SA Tourism Board for their time and commitment in helping me to turn things around at SA Tourism,” Minister de Lille said.

Minister de Lille added: “I wish the new SA Tourism chief executive officer and new SA Tourism board members all the best in their

endeavours and impress upon them the important fiduciary duties they have to serve SA Tourism, an entity of the Department, with diligence and commitment.”

The Minister looks forward to working with the new leadership to continue marketing South Africa as a world-class tourist destination and to grow tourism arrivals and the country’s tourism offering. This will in turn support the objectives of the Tourism Sector Master Plan and the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery plan.

Photo by Thomas Bennie on Unsplash

Durban ICC — a year of excellence, impact, and contribution

The Durban International Convention Centre stands as a flagship venue in South Africa’s event-hosting landscape, offering a diverse range of services through its four main business units: Conventions, Exhibitions, Entertainment, and Property.

With a legacy dating back to its inception as South Africa’s first purpose-built international convention centre, the Durban ICC has continually evolved, striving to achieve its mission of creating inspiring conventions, conferences, exhibitions, and entertainment experiences that exceed its customers’ expectations in an innovative, sustainable and proudly multi-cultural African way.

In recent years, the Durban ICC has strategically expanded its offerings, not only as a venue but as a key player in the property market, contributing to the urban regeneration of the eThekwini City.

Business Events Africa (BEA) sat down with Durban ICC chief executive officer, Lindiwe Rakharebe, to hear about the Centre’s past year and how the company managed to produce such an impressive financial performance, whilst boosting the local economy and winning international awards.

Ms Rakharebe noted, “We are proud to share the remarkable achievements, milestones, and impactful initiatives that have defined our success over the past year.”

As the events industry, we are doing our best to recover from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. How has the Durban ICC managed to recover from these setbacks and produce a financial performance similar to pre-pandemic periods?

Our journey to success begins with a steadfast commitment to sound financial management and good governance. In the 2023 fiscal year, the company achieved an exceptional financial performance characterised by robust revenue growth, disciplined cost management, and prudent financial stewardship. Despite myriad challenges and uncertainties that have defined the global events landscape, we

Lindiwe Rakharebe

remained resilient, agile and adaptable, navigating the complexities of the operating environment with foresight and strategic acumen.

One of the most notable achievements of the past fiscal year has been the significant recovery in our topline revenue, which totalled an impressive R180 million. This remarkable growth is a testament to our sustained order book, diversified revenue streams, and steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders.

Furthermore, our disciplined approach to cost control and expenditure management has yielded tangible results, with our operational expenditure remaining within budgetary constraints, and essential capital asset procurement initiatives being executed in a strategic manner.

In addition to our solid financial performance, we are proud that the entity once again received a clean, unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor General of South Africa, marking the ninth year that we have achieved this remarkable feat. This achievement underscores our firm commitment to sound financial management, transparency, and accountability, and reaffirms our steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of governance and integrity in all our operations.

Furthermore, we are pleased to report that the Durban ICC incurred zero irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure during the past financial year. This shows our firm commitment to responsible stewardship of public funds. It is also worth noting that the entity achieved a perfect score of 100 per cent on its performance scorecard with its shareholder, the eThekwini Municipality. Our

team has worked hard across all departments to fulfil our mandate and meet our obligations in partnership with the municipality.

“We are proud to share the remarkable achievements, milestones, and impactful initiatives that have defined our success over the past year.”

You mention your mandate, can you expand on what this entails and how the Durban ICC performed in this regard, this year?

The Durban ICC was built as a result of Operation Jumpstart, which was an initiative in the early nineties created to kick-start development in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. It recommended, as part of its proposals, the construction of an International Convention Centre in Durban. After many months of discussions, the City Council approved the proposal and the Durban ICC was therefore established to serve primarily as a catalyst

for positive economic impact for the city and province. Additionally, the Centre targets events that are primarily commercially viable, and secondarily, events and activities raise the profile of the destination and generate greater brand awareness.

Since its inception, the Durban ICC has faithfully executed on its economic impact mandate and made a remarkable contribution to the national and local economy every year. The Centre’s economic impact extends far beyond its financial performance, as evidenced by the findings of our latest independent economic impact study, conducted by leading accounting and auditing firm BDO. This comprehensive evaluation assesses the economic effects of the Durban ICC’s operations during the 2022/23 financial year, marking a significant milestone in our journey of impact and sustainability.

According to the report, the Durban ICC contributed a remarkable R5,7-billion to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the past financial year, highlighting our substantial role in driving the country’s economic growth and development.

Additionally, the Centre contributed approximately R4,4-billion to the Gross Geographic Product of KwaZulu-Natal and R3,3-billion to eThekwini’s GGP in the same period.

These contributions were a direct result of the over 950,000 delegate and visitor days that the Durban ICC generated during the year, representing an impressive 28% increase compared to the previous economic impact report’s figures.

During the same period, the Durban ICC’s activities are estimated to have created and/ or sustained approximately 11,000 annualised jobs in the South African economy, with the lion’s share of these

being created in the KwaZulu-Natal economy, where approximately 8,500 jobs were created and sustained.

These results reaffirm the Durban ICC’s position as a leading driver of economic growth and job creation in our local and national economies. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Centre has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in enhancing its impact on the local, regional, and national economies.

How else has the Durban ICC made an impact in its community this past year?

Beyond our financial success and industry recognition, the Durban ICC remains deeply committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives underscore our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and sustainability, as we strive to create a lasting legacy of positive change and social impact.

In the past financial year, the Durban ICC undertook 19 various ESG projects with a combined contribution of over R700,000, aligned with the UN Global Sustainability Goals and nurturing the development of those we serve. The projects are aimed at fostering social inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and community development.

From supporting the Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust, to assisting with the Kasi-2Kasi Schools Programme, our projects are designed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Through partnerships with organisations such as the Modern Community Foundation and the Solwazi Zulu Foundation, we have been able to promote job opportunities, enhance skills development, and contribute to sustainable community development. Furthermore, our support for initiatives such

as the Adopt a Beach/Adopt a River program and the African Global Networks benefit concert underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability and community well-being.

I believe that the Durban ICC was recognised recently with several international awards. Can you tell us more about those?

That’s correct. Our commitment to world-class service excellence has been further recognised and celebrated on the global stage. In October, we were once again crowned ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre’ at the 2023 World Travel Awards. This prestigious accolade marks a remarkable 18th time that the Durban ICC has been voted in the top spot in the award category’s 23-year history. This speaks to our long track record and consistency in delivering exceptional experiences to our clients and guests.

The Durban ICC continued its winning streak by securing two prestigious titles at

the World MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Awards in February. Although this award programme has been in existence for the past four years, this year’s recognition marks the third time that Durban ICC has been named ‘Africa’s Best Convention Centre’ and the fourth time it has been crowned ‘South Africa’s Best Convention Centre’. These consistent victories underscore the Centre’s unwavering dedication to service excellence and customer satisfaction.

How do you manage to excel in all these areas simultaneously?

Our ability to excel in multiple areas simultaneously is a testament to our dedicated and hard-working team and the wise, strategic leadership we receive from our Board. We believe that success is not defined by individual achievements but rather by our holistic approach to delivering value across various aspects of our operations.

First and foremost, our success is driven by our dedicated team of professionals who embody our core values of integrity, teamwork, passion, respect, and accountability. Their unwavering commitment to service excellence, coupled with their diverse skill sets and expertise, enables us to effectively navigate the complexities of the global events landscape and deliver exceptional results.

Additionally, our success is underpinned by a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. We maintain several international accreditations in Quality Management (ISO:9001), Food Safety (ISO:22000, Occupational Health and Safety (ISO:45000) and Environmental Management (ISO: 14001). We are constantly evaluating our processes,

systems and practices, to identify opportunities for improvement and enhancement. This proactive approach allows us to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to evolving industry trends and dynamics.

Furthermore, our success is fuelled and directed by our Board of Directors. This guidance and oversight enable us to leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks to achieve shared goals and maximise our impact. The past year marked a significant milestone in the governance and leadership of the Durban ICC, with the appointment of three new directors and the selection of a new board chairman, Dr Mduduzi Bophela. We are most grateful to our outgoing board members and our previous chairman, Mr Glen Mashinini, whose visionary leadership saw the Centre through the toughest times of the pandemic and spearheaded the restructuring of the organisation into its four strategic business units.

Dr Bophela has served on our Board for several years already and is a distinguished corporate leader with a wealth of experience in multinational companies and academic institutions. We are excited to see the unique perspective and expertise he will bring to the role of Board Chairman.

Moreover, our success is anchored in a robust governance framework and sound financial management practices. By staying true to our core values and strategic objectives, we remain committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients, stakeholders, and communities, while driving sustainable growth and positive impact in the global events industry.

Looking forward, what kind of events can you anticipate seeing at the Durban ICC?

We are thrilled with our spectacular line-up of events for 2024, offering an unparalleled range of congresses, conferences, concerts, entertainment shows, and trade exhibitions.

These events not only showcase the Durban ICC’s versatility and expertise in hosting diverse gatherings but also afford us opportunities to deliver world-class experiences that inspire, educate, and entertain.

In the coming year, the Durban ICC will host several world-class gatherings that will attract attendees from across the globe. From the lineup of global performing artists appearing on our stages to addressing critical issues in water and sanitation at the International Water and Sanitation Conference, the calendar is filled with diverse gatherings.

Congresses and conventions slated for 2024 include the Water Institute of South Africa Congress (WISA 2024), the 8th Southern African TB Conference, as well as the annual congresses of the South African Sugar Technologists Association, the Institute of Retirement Funds and the Chartered Institute of Government Finance, Audit and Risk Officers (CIGFARO).

We are also looking forward to international trade shows like Africa’s Travel Indaba and the Comrades Marathon Expo. These events showcase the Durban ICC’s versatility and commitment to delivering world-class experiences that inspire, educate, and entertain.

Do you have any concluding thoughts you would like to share with our readers?

As we conclude our journey through the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the support of our stakeholders, the dedication of our team, and the impact of our initiatives. The Durban ICC remains steadfastly committed to service excellence, positive economic impact, and sustainability. Moving forward, we continue striving to inspire positive change and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, communities, and the environment. Together, we will chart a course for a brighter, more sustainable future, guided by our firm commitment to world-class service, good governance, and innovation.

Contact Info

Tel: +27 (31) 360 1192

Email: sales@icc.co.za

Website: icc.co.za

Address: 45 Bram Fischer Rd, Durban, 4001

AAXO ROAR Awards celebrates excellence in the exhibition industry

The Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) hosted its highly anticipated ROAR Awards ceremony on 29 February 2024 at presenting venue sponsor Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, honouring outstanding achievements in the exhibition industry.

The event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to celebrate excellence and recognise the remarkable contributions made by individuals and organisations in the field.

The ROAR Awards, now in its fifth edition, continues to serve as a prestigious platform that acknowledges excellence, innovation, and professionalism within the African exhibition industry; and this year’s awards saw an unprecedented level of participation and competition, highlighting the industry’s resilience and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences despite challenging times.

After careful consideration by an esteemed panel of judges, including Irene Costa, Lia Marus, Sello Ramasepele, Antonio Brito, Jennifer Potter, and Martha Geyser, the winners across various categories were announced, showcasing excellence in different aspects of exhibition management, design, marketing, and service delivery.

Among the highlights of the evening were the following award categories and winners:

Best Trade Exhibition Under 6,000m2

Certificate of Excellence in Marketing and PR went to Propak Cape by Specialised Exhibitions, Certificate of Excellence in

Operations went to Angola Oil & Power by Energy Capital & Power and the category award winner was Securex by Specialised Exhibitions.

Best Trade Exhibition Over 6,000m2

Certificate of Excellence went to Big 5 Construct Southern Africa by dmg events and the award went to Enlit Africa by VUKA Group.

Best Consumer Exhibition Over 6,000m2 Comic Con Africa by Mogull Media.

Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition

Under 6,000m2

Certificate of Excellence went to Frame Week Africa by RX Africa and the award went to Decorex Cape Town by RX Africa.

Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition

Over 6,000m2

Certificate of Excellence went to Rand Show by Dogan and the award went to Decorex Johannesburg by RX Africa.

Exhibition Stand of the Year

Certificate of Excellence was awarded to House of Task by House of Task and the Best Stand Build was awarded to Console

Connect, by Scan Display.

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

• Tiisetso Tau, managing director of Synergy Business Events.

• Devi Paulsen-Abbott, chairperson of Association of African Exhibition Organisers and chief executive officer of Energy Capital & Power.

• Justin Hawes, managing director at Scan Display.

• Projeni Pather, immediate past-chair of Association of African Exhibition Organisers and managing director of Exposure Marketing.

Service Supplier of the Year

Certificate of Excellence went to Expo Guys and the winner for best supplier was GL Events.

Best Social Media Campaign

Mogull Media for Comic Con Africa.

Best SA Launch Event

Mogull Media by Comic Con Africa.

Best Digital Campaign

Frame Week Africa by RX Africa.

Best PR Campaign

RX Africa PR Team — Decorex.

Best Venue

Gallagher Convention Centre.

Most Promising Rising Star/Young Professional

Boitumelo Pooe, Scan Display

Devi Paulsen-Abbott, chairperson of AAXO, said: “The ROAR Awards not only recognise excellence, but also inspire industry professionals to continuously innovate and elevate standards within the exhibition sector. As the industry evolves, these awards serve as a benchmark for excellence and a testament to the collective dedication, resilience, and talent within the African exhibition community.

Congratulations to the winners who have not only excelled but have become beacons of inspiration, shaping the narrative of excellence in the African exhibition community.”

For more information about the AAXO ROAR Awards and a full list of winners, please visit www.aaxo.co.za

Specialised Exhibitions thrilled to win two AAXO ROAR Awards

Industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders joyfully came together at the recent Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) ROAR Awards ceremony to recognise excellence and innovation within the African exhibition community. A prestigious event, the ROAR Awards serve as a benchmark for industry standards and a testament to the talent and dedication within the African exhibition community.

The event took place on 29 February 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. It’s now in its fifth edition and is devoted to promoting excellence and innovation, and recognising outstanding achievements across various categories within the exhibition industry.

Specialised Exhibitions, a division of Montgomery Group, was thrilled to be announced as winners of two awards in the category ‘Best Trade Exhibition Under 6,000m2’. They were presented with a Certificate of Excellence in Marketing and PR for Propak Cape, a highly successful trade show that returns to the Western Cape every three years, and has done so for over twenty years, spotlighting the packaging, food

processing, plastics, print, labelling, and related industries.

Specialised Exhibitions was also elated to be announced as the category award winners for Securex, an exciting trade show with three decades of experience that provides the industry with proven and reputable security solutions. Together with A-OSH Africa, Facilities Management Expo, and Firexpo which take place alongside Securex, the shows deliver an industry synergy that’s a drawcard for visitors seeking multiple industry solutions.

“What a night we had,” enthused Gary Corin, managing director of Specialised Exhibitions. “We were thrilled to receive the two awards and to be recognised amongst our peers at this prestigious event. We give

huge thanks to AAXO for the recognition! It was heartwarming to see our industry colleagues also receive awards. We all went through a tough couple of years during the pandemic, and to see how the industry has bounced back and thriving once again is exhilarating!”

Celebrating his 28th work anniversary at Specialised Exhibitions this year, Mr Corin attributed the company’s success to their ‘relentless pursuit of excellence’ and ‘our incredible team’, thanking them for their hard work and dedication. He also recognised the invaluable support given to the company by suppliers.

The success achieved at the AAXO Awards comes on the back of winning four EXSALLENCE Awards in January this year.

Presented by the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), the four awards were for Best Organiser 2022 and 2023; Best Event/Expo 2022 for Electra Mining Africa 2022; Best Event/Expo 2023 for Securex 2023; and as a recipient of an Association Award for Best Collaboration Large event/exhibition for Propak Cape 2023 as the exhibition organiser.

Another exciting year lies ahead for Specialised Exhibitions, with Machine Tools Africa taking place in May, the next edition of Securex South Africa, A-OSH Expo, Facilities Management Expo, and Firexpo South Africa, also in May, and Electra Mining Africa in September.

Top honours for Scan Display at AAXO’s ROAR Awards

At the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) recent awards evening, Scan Display’s managing director, Justin Hawes, was presented with an award for his Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.

In a tribute at the event, he was commended for his contribution to the South African Events Council (SAEC), an umbrella body formed during the Covid-19 pandemic to represent all the different associations within the live events industry. The organisation played an important role in unifying players in the severely impacted industry and lobbying government to allow large-scale events to take place.

Justin was also commended for his involvement in several other industry associations, both local and international. He served on the executive committee of the Exhibition & Event Association of

Southern Africa (EXSA) for five years and was the association’s vice chairman from 2002-2004, and its chairman in 2005.

In 2009, he founded the Event Greening Forum (EGF), a non-profit organisation promoting sustainability in the South African events industry, and in 2011 he became the first African on the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES) board. He was the association’s treasurer from 2013-2016, vice president from 2017-2020, and president from 2021-2022. Through his involvement at IFES, he has given the South African and African exhibition industries a platform in the global arena.

A rising star

Scan Display’s account executive, Boitumelo Pooe, received the ROAR Rising Star of the Year Award. Boitumelo has been employed at Scan Display as an account executive since 2013, and she is an asset to both the company and the broader exhibition industry.

Boitumelo is represented on the IFES Talent Team Committee, which promotes education and development of young professionals in the global exhibition industry, and she has managed many international projects including the South African Tourism pavilions at IMEX Las Vegas, WTM London, and IBTM Spain.

Best stand award

Scan Display also won the 2023 Stand of the Year Award for the Console Connect stand at AfricaCom 2023. The stand included interactive elements and special lighting effects to create an eye-catching display.

Justin Hawes at the ROAR Awards.

The power of events

In today’s digital age, the significance of events remains undeniable, especially when led by industry leaders such as RX Africa. Events serve as dynamic platforms where individuals from diverse backgrounds converge to exchange ideas and aspirations. Decorex, Africa Travel Week, AATF, Comic Con Africa, and FAME Week Africa highlight the transformative power of such gatherings, showcasing their indispensable role as catalysts for growth.

Events, in their many forms, offer invaluable opportunities for building relationships and fostering engagement. Platforms such as those at RX Africa go beyond mere networking; FAME Week Africa as an example, hosted 2,000 attendees at MIP Africa market and 250 speakers with 100 content sessions, as well as live workshops. WTM Africa reported over 9,500 pre-scheduled appointments in 2023, offering attendees meaningful one-on-one meetings with decision-makers in the tourism industry. Comic Con Africa attracted a whopping 70,000 visitors in 2023, indicating the audience numbers an event can impact, as well as the economic growth potential it holds.

The RX Africa 365 approach ensures ongoing connection throughout the year, reinforcing a year-round connection and the power an event has on knowledge sharing. Through seminars, workshops and content

sessions, participants gain insights into market trends, competitor strategies, and emerging technologies onsite. By staying connected throughout the year, these knowledge pockets are further discussed in other content such as white papers, trend reports and webinars.

The power of an event is further emphasised, when put at the forefront of championing social impact. Events such as Decorex set new industry standards by promoting sustainability, commercial viability, and societal impact. Through engaging features and a take-action approach, events can truly make a difference on a large scale in the sustainability space.

Furthermore, events play a crucial role in uniting nations and fostering cultural exchange. FAME Week Africa hosted 37 countries in its 2023 event, with WTM Africa bringing in 63 per cent new buyers and ILTM Africa, with 88 per cent new buyers from

across the globe. It’s through events like these that attendees are empowered to embrace their cultural heritage and share their narratives with others. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and spotlighting diverse cultures, events promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, ultimately driving economic growth, job creation and business growth.

The power of events lies in their ability to foster connections, inspire innovation, and promote cultural unity and understanding for growth that lies far further than the event dates themselves. RX Africa is in the business of building businesses, and this is evident when economic growth is impacted, which in hand, paves the way for the future.

RX Africa is Southern Africa’s top exhibition organiser and venue management company. With access to global trade and consumer event organising expertise, we provide the best platform to showcase all industry sectors.

As our customers look for greater opportunity and access for all, we are leading the way by digitally transforming our business to creatively elevate the power of face to face, so RX Africa will always be the best place for customers to build their businesses and continually grow.

400 events

43 sec tors

OUR SHOWS

ILTM Africa; WTM Africa; EQUAL Africa; African Tourism & Investment Summit; SETE; WTM Travel Tech Show; Decorex Cape Town; Decorex Joburg; 100% Design; Design Joburg; FAME Week Africa; MIP Africa; Cape Town International Film Festival; Muziki Africa; MESA; Africa Automation Technology Fair; Comic Con Cape Town and Comic Con Africa; Mzansi, Food & Drink Show; InfoSecurity Africa; IATF *Managed by RX, brought to you by Afreximbank

22 countries

RX is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

By turning occasional touchpoints into continual connections and using our community-building experience to create environments for events is how we give life to eco-systems that sustain business. Our mission is to invest in quality people and products and to provide a level of service that is unsurpassed in Africa.

Gallagher Convention Centre — ‘venue of the year’

Gallagher Convention Centre was awarded the venue of the year at the AAXO ROAR awards ceremony on 29 February 2024.

We are very proud that our superior service delivery and commitment to reinvesting in our offering are recognised by our clients and the industry,” said Charles Wilson, chief executive officer of Gallagher Convention Centre.

For the venue, reinvestment is at the centre of their priorities as they believe in continuously improving their offering.

Recent reinvestments on the Gallagher property include a complete refurbishment of the Hall 4- and 5-bathroom facilities. This complements the 2019 refurbishment of

the Hall 2 and 3 facilities. Furthermore, Gallagher has installed outdoor electronic signage on the property and upgraded its electronic signage at the Exhibition Restaurant. Visitors can also look forward to a future upgrade to electronic signage in the Estate Restaurant.

Gallagher has replaced the Carlton chairs used on the property with brand-new chairs. Even the benches on the property have been upgraded for visitors’ convenience.

The venue is very proud of the cutlery and crockery upgrade, which includes beautiful lines from the Chaka Chaka range by Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Ever mindful of minimising their impact on the environment while maintaining the highest standards for visitors, Gallagher has upgraded all the lights in the large venues to more energy-efficient options that offer better lighting. The in-house PA systems in Halls 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 have also been upgraded.

Gallagher Convention Centre is proud of its ability to offer event organisers solutions rather than challenges. “We believe that our full backup power solution, 1 million litre water tank for backup water, and our convenient, single-level load are deciding factors in why clients prefer to host their event at Gallagher,” said Vusi Nkosi, general manager operations.

Another reason to celebrate is that Gallagher recently passed its Tourism Grading Council inspection and was again awarded its five-star status.

The experienced Gallagher team wears this award like a badge of honour. “Our team is very passionate about Gallagher and extremely proud of this recognition. Thank you very much to every client who voted for us to win Venue of the Year,” said

Ms Du Preez is also a board member of AAXO, the Association for African Exhibition Organisers. She was nominated for the position of venue chair after Mr Wilson’s tenure, ended. This further speaks to the venue’s involvement in furthering the industry. Gallagher is proud to be associated with the excellent work that AAXO is doing.

Gallagher Convention Centre shares that they are privileged to work with the best clients and are proud of becoming part of their client’s team to ensure the success of every event hosted on the property.

It is that time of year again when updated prices and packages are being worked on. Gallagher remains committed to offering 5-star service at affordable rates. Visit their website for more information.

Cornelle Du Preez, general manager: sales and coordination.

ExpoGuys scores again at the ROAR Awards

After being awarded the supplier of the year award in 2018 and this year ExpoGuys was awarded runner-up in the same category

ExpoGuys is known for supplying a total turn-key exhibition and events package.Their services include;

SHELL SCHEME

Distinctive multi-functional quality systems

Reliable full electrical reticulation and LED lighting

All floor covering requirements available

Extensive quality range available

Complete in-house quality precision printing

Meetings Africa 2024 ignites collaboration and sustainability

Meaningful connections were made at Meetings Africa 2024, solidifying its position as the continent’s go-to platform for the business events sector, with more than 380 exhibiting companies from 22 African nations participating.

Hundreds of industry professionals, including 371 international, regional and local buyers, converged in Sandton, Johannesburg, to strengthen Africa’s position as a premier business events destination within the business events sector.

The three-day trade show concluded on Wednesday, 28 February, at the Sandton Convention Centre, marking a successful event with fruitful engagement and trade. Industry trends, including sustainable

tourism, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous sector professionalisation, were prominent themes at Meetings Africa 2024.

The trade show left a lasting impression on newcomers, who raved about the event’s professionalism and rich future prospects.

Paul Chibwe from Willch Travel and Tours (Zambia), attending the event for the first time, expressed his high praise for the organisation of the event. “This event has not only met but exceeded our expectations,” he remarked. “Everything was impeccably

organised, fostering a conducive environment for networking and exchanging thoughts and ideas. It has truly met our expectations.”

Another newcomer, Baityr Diaw, the commercial director for the Mangalis Group of hotels (Côte d’Ivoire), stated: “The experience has been really amazing. From as early as 9 am, we have been meeting people and building what I believe are very important relationships with future partners.” Meetings Africa also provided a platform

Event Greening Forum hosted its Annual General Meeting on the Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDAY). This is the group of EGF members who attended the AGM.

The Event Greening Forum hosted Alex Alles, executive director, Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), who presented an interactive session, themed: Leading the charge: Navigating the journey to net zero carbon events.

for returning participants like South African businesswoman Lihle Mahlangu to showcase their work. “Business has been good,” she said, “I have networked with some people from here and Europe. I see great prospects ahead.”

With positive feedback from newcomers and returning participants, Meetings Africa 2024 cemented its role as a valuable platform for networking, professional development, and showcasing the diverse offerings of the African tourism industry.

This positive sentiment was echoed by Minister Patricia de Lille in her opening address. Emphasising Africa’s readiness to host events of all sizes, she declared, “I have no doubt that even here at Meetings Africa, it will be clear for all to see that the African continent is the best place to bring all meetings, events, expos, and indeed incentive trips.”

SANCB and bid submissions

Highlighting the significance of the business events sector and its contribution to the economy, Minister de Lille commended the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB) and its partners for their exceptional efforts in securing international and local bids for events to be held in South Africa.

Minister de Lille noted that since the beginning of the current financial year (2023/24), the SANCB has sourced and submitted 95 bids for international business events to be hosted in South Africa between 2024 and 2032.

These bid submissions are estimated to have a combined economic value of R1.5 billion and potentially attract 60,040 international and regional delegates to South Africa.

Thus far, South Africa has won 19 of the bids submitted for the 2023/24 financial year. These secured business pieces will contribute R85 million to South Africa’s economy between 2024 and 2025 and attract 2995 international and regional delegates.

While acknowledging these accomplishments, Minister de Lille emphasised that there is still room for further efforts to promote and position South Africa as a leading destination for business events.

According to global economic research, the global business events industry was valued at 345.8 billion US Dollars in 2021 and is projected to reach 2.1 trillion US Dollars by 2031. Meanwhile, Africa’s business events industry for 2023 was estimated at 12,7 billion US dollars while South Africa’s Business Events for 2023 was estimated at 6,4 billion US Dollars

Minister de Lille said that the country’s positioning should transcend its socioeconomic challenges. "It is imperative that we take control of our narrative and boldly showcase ourselves to the world. Our challenges do not define our potential, our ability to lead in key business sectors, or our capacity to innovate and host global MICE events. South Africa is home to exceptional individuals achieving remarkable feats, and it’s time to share that story.”

At the show’s educational programme, South Africa’s tourism deputy minister Fish Mahlalela emphasised Meetings Africa’s vital role in knowledge exchange and innovation within tourism. He highlighted the event’s evolution as a premier platform, fostering crucial connections between buyers and exhibitors.

He underlined the essence of knowledge exchange as a driver for innovation, collaboration, and skills development. “The time has come for us to rewrite the narrative on Africa,” the deputy minister said, advocating for a vision that portrays the continent not as a land mired in wars and poverty but, as a vibrant and dynamic player on the global stage.”

South African Tourism’s commitment to sustainability shone through South African Tourism chief executive officer, Nombulelo Guliwe, who announced a partnership with the Event Greening Forum (EGF) to assess the exhibition’s greening initiatives. This commitment extends beyond individual actions, as Meetings Africa features the Sustainability Village, showcasing locally produced goods fostering economic sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Meetings Africa in numbers

2024 Meetings Africa saw a remarkable increase in attendees, reaching 3,480, compared to 2,987 in 2023, marking a significant uptick and the highest attendance since 2019. This growth underscores the event’s growing appeal and its critical role in bringing together industry professionals from across the globe.

The Business Opportunities Networking Day (BONDay) saw 1,535 attendees, offering a dedicated session for networking and collaboration ahead of the main event.

The number of exhibiting companies also rose to 382 in 2024 from 355 in 2023, indicating a healthy interest in the event as a platform for showcasing products and services.

Moreover, the event attracted 371 buyers, a notable increase from 273 in 2023, highlighting the event’s effectiveness in drawing key decision-makers and influencers within the industry.

The media presence remained strong, with 179 media representatives attending, mirroring the 2023 figure and demonstrating sustained interest in covering the event and its impact on the industry.

Seen at Meetings Africa 2024…

Entertainers at the opening ceremony.

Mandy Watson, Sandton Tourism Association; Prof. Nellie Swart and Nasreen Tisaker, UNISA.

Rendani Khorommbi, Johannesburg Tourism Company; John Arvanitakis, Chat’r.

Walter Syakalonga, Sigo Adventures & Shirley Sivero, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.

Alex Wrottesley, Into Africa and Tracey-Lee Abdulla, SAACI.

Nitta Sukha, South African Tourism and Zinhle Nzama, South Africa National Convention Bureau.

South African Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille.

Nonnie Kubeka and Mohammed Chowan, Gauteng Tourism Authority.

Esmare Steinhofel and Senthil Gopinath, ICCA and Prof. Solomon Rataemane, World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation.

Ringing the bell – officially opening Meetings Africa: The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, was joined on stage by Tasneem Motara, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development; Thandokuhle Mgudlwa, chief executive officer of Joburg Tourism Company; Tim Harris, the chair of the South African Tourism Board and Nombulelo Guliwe, chief executive officer of South African Tourism. Together, they officially opened the trade show by ringing the bell.

Tenjiwe Francine Zana, Exclusive Hospitality Concepts and Liezel Haarhoff, The Kelway Hotel.

Charmaine Chinappan, Vivari Hotel and Spa.

John Arvanitakis, Chat’r; Kevan Jones, SACIA; Kabutey Oansey, #TheVersatileEventMc, and Angelique Smith, Event Synthesis.

At the Durban ICC stand, from left: John Aritho and Patricia Dunn, Durban ICC; Zinhle Nzama, South Africa National Convention Bureau; Lei Hebeler, Davis Management Group USA; Ashona Maharaj, Liam Prince; Lindiwe Rakharebe and Irene Vallihu, Durban ICC.

Claire Kivedo, Overall Events & Communications, and Rezanne Villet, Nyosi Wildlife Reserve and Melissa Palmer, NMB Conferences.

Marelise Serfontein, Conference Link; Lefa Motaung and Garick Stander, Protea Upington by Marriott and Dianna Martin, Northern Cape Tourism Authority.

Lindiwe Rakharebe, Durban ICC; Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director-General: at Western Cape Government Department of Economic Development and Tourism and Irene Vallihu, Durban ICC.

Glenton De Kock, SAACI, and Claire Kivedo, Overall Events & Communications.

Rudi van der Vyver, We are Events; Corné Engelbrecht and Melanie Pretorius, Savetcon.

Elmarie Swanepoel, Southern Sun and Mmatsatsi Ramawela, Africa Tourism Connect.

Tracey-Lee Abdulla, SAACI; Carla Iken, Maritz USA; Sandra Dube, Chumile Travel & Tours; Doné Louw and Sadie Isaacs, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism.

NMB Conferences team, from left: Natasha Carmody, Caroline Morgan and Melissa Palmer.

Mulemwa Moongwa, Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies, Rudi van der Vyver, We are Events, and Farirai Mabodza, Farirai Nandipa Events.

Emma Kumalo, Essence of Africa; Vivienne Camfield Wilson, On Show Solutions and Daksha Vallabh, Essence of Africa.

Pieter Swart and Kyle Smith, Conference Consultancy SA.

Marnie Tait, Sun International.

Anee Ramiah, Olive Convention Centre.

Alastair Stead, Scan Display and Presley Mokotedi, Garona Communications and Projects.

Ilyaas Narker, Dragonfly Africa.

Mpho Mphago, Tshepo Maseko, and Bongiwe Nzeku, South Africa National Convention Bureau.

Shaun Bird, Sandton Convention Centre and Carin Jordaan, Southern Sun.

Sonto Mayise, Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau.

Karin Sieberhagen and Lusinda Landman, Serena Hotels.

Bruno Reis Neto, Sandown Tours & Incentives.

The Peermont Group, from left: Dave Milne, Fortune Xulu, Verushka Rugbeer, Jaisree Padayachy, and Yugashnee Naicker.

Nicola Kruger, Embassy Hill |the Forum and Kim Roberts, the Forum Group.

Lawrence Rosario, Goodness Travels, and Kathy Lavery, Euromic, representing Green Inspirations DMC.

Justin Hawes, Scan Display and Evan Berger, Go Rentals.

Adriaan Liebetrau, Digitalize My Business; Merryl Fairfoot, South Africa National Convention Bureau, and Mical Garofalo, Digitalize My Business.

Freedom Park team, from left: Thetshelesani Tshivhase and Mashadi Phage.

The aha team, from left: Pearl Mohapi, Celeste Schroder, Khabo Shabangu, and Annine Frischmuth.

Derek Houston, Houston Travel Marketing.

Reyno Wepener, ATKV Buffelspoort.

Esmare Steinhofel and Senthil Gopinath, ICCA.

Jenene Wulff and Alex Wrottesley, Into Africa.

Angelique Smith, Event Synthesis.

@Sandton Hotel team, from left: Pontsho Tsolo, Palesa Moima and Claudia Armstrong.

Pierre Grobler, Inspire Rentals, Sarah Forsyth and Adele Forsyth, Kedar Heritage Lodge Conference Centre & Spa.

From Hotel Sky, from left: Olinda Ben-Mazwi and Zuleigha Leith.

The CSIR ICC team, from left: Bontle Thusi, Hlengiwe Dingiswayo, Refilwe Nchebisang and Gugu Motsumi.

John Arvanitakis, Chat’r and Mike Morris, Neworld Exhibitions.

Daniélle Engelbrecht and Corné Visser, ANEW.

Kathia Gaspar, Mozambique National Tourism Authority and Natalie Tenzer-Silva, Dana Tours.

From Century City Conference Centre, from left: Tasneem Davids and Zandri Swartz.

Jeanneret Momberg, Visit Stellenbosch.

Ellen Oosthuizen, Bebe’s Events and Promotions and Yolande Otto, Mjunxtion.

Kagiso Mosue, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg.

Etienne Visagie, Village N Life Events, and Madeleine Mitchell, CECO Stellenbosch University.

The Minor Hotel team, from left: Bongani Sikhosana, Carla Campbell, Dawie Mullins, Vanessa Govender, Phina Rikhotso, Mabel Modipa, Sma Gcabashe, Sharlene Maema and Lindi Mthethwa.

Lerisha Mudaliar and Corné Koch, Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau.

Ellen Oosthuizen, Bebe’s Events and Promotions and Glenton De Kock, SAACI.

Alastair Stead, Yvonne Komane and Justin Hawes, Scan Display.

Wayne Ward, Blaauwberg Beach Hotel, and Joey Swart, Take Note Events.

Thabang Phetla-Banda, Garona Communications and Projects.

Angelo Garland Selley, Daddy Ash; MC Kofi Dalinton; Faith Sikakane, South African Airways, and Eddy Acquah, The Happy MC.

Peter Nyangabyaki and Cathy Johnson, Unique Speaker Bureau.

Mark Jakins, Valor Hospitality Partners, and Fred Koch, SleepOver-ZA.

Greg Hoffmann, Birchwood Hotel.

From the City Lodge, from left: Susan Reynard, Jennifer Beard, and Lucia Molalakgotla, with their stand award.

Hermina Sennelo and Liana Barnard, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.

Natalie Vergie and Brittney Herold, VenueTech.

Sustainable Village at Meetings Africa.

Michelle Bingham, Hyatt; Estelle Lötter, Ripcord Promotions, and Conrad Poole, Hyatt.

Nina Pieters, Extraordinary Events & Tours.

Lauren Hooper, Extraordinary.

Unique Speaker Bureau, from left: Melisa Tsotetsi, Paul McConnon, and Cathy Johnson.

Charl Pretorius, Kwalata.

Nonhlanhla Seoe, City of Tshwane; Lilian Hlabangane and Taubie Mothlabane, Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Firhaan Brood, planitswiss; Frank Murangwa, director of destination marketing, Rwanda Convention Bureau and John Ntigengwa, Venue Solutions Rwanda.

Grey Jumali, Umodzi Park, Malawi.

Event professionals awarded

During this year’s Meetings Africa, SACIA awarded its first cohort of professional designations to industry professionals working in event management.

Kevan Jones, executive director of SACIA, said: “It’s a process that has taken over a decade to come to fruition. In recent years, the process has accelerated, and having awarded designations to the qualifying individuals this month, we believe that we have created a robust process that will drive the professionalisation of the events industry.”

To earn a professional designation, individuals wrote an online, multiple-choice exam that tested their knowledge across multiple elements of event administration, event management, event design, event operations, event marketing, and event risk. They also provided a detailed portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of event management competence.

Mr Jones said: “In celebrating the launch of our designations and the success of our

first group of designated members, it is worth noting that the long-term success of this project requires an industry-wide buy-in to our programme. We all need to be working toward the same agenda… the professionalisation of the events industry.”

He revealed that of the 25 candidates who undertook formal exams, only one possessed a formal qualification in tourism, events, and hospitality, with the remainder relying on industry experience.

Also awarded was the association’s co-founder, Glenn van Eck, described as ‘pioneer and visionary’.

“Our core business is to professionalise the events industry by offering a tiered approach to the process. Our vision is to become a pan-African organisation. Our next step is to expand across the rest of Africa,” Mr Jones concluded.

Kevan Jones.

SACIA awarded their first cohort of professional designations to industry professionals working in event management. This is the first group of event professionals awarded the designation during Meetings Africa.

Transforming hospitality: Uniting digital innovation, data insights, and commercial strategy for guest-centric success

In an era dominated by technology and data, the hospitality industry stands at the crossroads of transformation. Leveraging data and embracing digital innovations are becoming imperative for hotels to deliver exceptional guest experiences and stay competitive.

As we step into this era of change, I will be exploring, in this article, the convergence of digital innovation, data insights, and commercial strategy to achieve guest-centric success.

Digitising the guest experience

The digital landscape has revolutionised guest interactions with hotels. From the initial booking, to post-stay feedback, technology plays a pivotal role. My experience with the Signature Lux hotel in South Africa, where we introduced self-check-in kiosks, highlighted the unique cultural nuances of the South African market. While digitisation is essential, maintaining the human touch is crucial for our hospitable culture.

At Nuecleo, we recognised a gap for smaller properties that needed cost-effective solutions. This has resulted in the development of a hotel chatbot designed for seamless interactions through WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Insta Messenger. This chatbot facilitates room service payments, personalises the guest journey, and even reduces printing costs of the rooms’ directory. It’s a tool that empowers smaller establishments to connect and enhance their revenue streams, ensuring that the benefits of digitisation are accessible to all.

Leveraging data for revenue growth

Data is the new currency in hospitality, providing insights into guest behaviour, preferences, and booking patterns. Through data analytics and predictive modelling, hotels can optimise pricing, target marketing effectively, and maximise revenue. I shared a recent campaign success where we utilised data for a Valentine’s Day promotion at a hotel in Tanzania. By understanding customer behaviour through data acquired from a Christmas campaign, we optimised our social media marketing spend and sold out in just a few days.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the transformative power of data in action. Imagine this scenario: a guest checks into your

hotel for the third time. With the insights gleaned from previous stays, your property management system recognises that this guest has a preference for a particular bottle of wine. Instead of merely fulfilling the routine transaction, you seize the opportunity to surprise them with a complimentary bottle awaiting their arrival, or seamlessly integrate it into their dining experience. Suddenly, what could have been a standard check-in becomes a memorable moment of delight, leaving a lasting impression on the guest and fostering loyalty to your brand.

This is the essence of data-driven hospitality — the ability to anticipate and exceed guest expectations at every touchpoint. By leveraging data, hotels can move beyond reactive service to proactive engagement, turning valuable insights into actionable strategies that enhance guest satisfaction, drive revenue, and cultivate long-term relationships.

Breaking down silos for a comprehensive strategy

Silos within hospitality organisations can hinder collaboration and result in missed opportunities. My experience transitioning from front-of-house roles to sales, marketing, and revenue highlighted the importance of integrating different departments. In my recent podcast, Nuecleo Café, revenue managers emphasised that every individual in a hotel impacts revenue. Collaboration is key during strategy development, and involving various departments in the decision-making process ensures a holistic approach.

To break down silos, it’s crucial to tap into the knowledge of staff on the ground. Having Heads of Departments (HODs) involved in strategy meetings ensures a well-rounded perspective. My advocacy is for a data-driven approach, eliminating assumptions and emotions. By streamlining processes, optimising workflows, and capturing essential data, hotels can enhance their ability to meet guest needs and boost revenue.

Conclusion

In a continuously evolving industry, success lies in embracing digital innovation, harnessing data, and fostering collaboration. By digitising the guest experience, leveraging data-driven insights, and breaking down silos, hotels can position themselves for long-term success. Let us embark on this journey together, where innovation, data, and collaboration converge to create unforgettable guest experiences and drive sustainable revenue growth.

Who is Cleo Johnson?

Cleo Johnson, a distinguished hospitality consultant and entrepreneur, boasts over ten years of industry experience, specialising in marketing, business strategy, and e-commerce. Recognised as one of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 in 2021 and named one of the TOP 50 Global Leaders by PAYLEF the following year, Cleo is the founder of Nuecleo, a consultancy renowned for enhancing brand reputation, marketing, and sales revenue in the hospitality sector. With three MEA Markets awards for Business and African Excellence under her belt, Cleo is committed to philanthropy, particularly empowering women in leadership and addressing poverty. Her advocacy for equal representation in management underscores her belief in uplifting others and leaving a lasting impact. Cleo holds a management qualification from Unisa’s School of Business Leadership and a National Diploma in Hospitality Management from Cape Town Hotel School. Her dedication to community service, including initiatives like the Trek4Mandela Caring for Girls Sanitary Drive, underscores her deep values of human respect and integrity. Cleo Anastasia Johnson is undeniably a rising star in the world of business and beyond.

The CTICC’s 2022/23 AGM: Leaving lasting impressions

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) held its 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) today in Cape Town. Despite the challenges of the last few years, the company sustained an encouraging return to profit. Event numbers for the 2023 financial year reached almost pre-pandemic levels and the Centre is busier than it has been in a long time.

The year under review saw an influx of international conferences, the most notable being Africa Tech Festival with 12,000 attendees in November 2022. The largest event for the financial year was Decorex Cape Town, bringing over 25,000 people to the venue. In the 2023 financial year, a total of 427 events were hosted, compared to just 225 in the previous financial year. Nearly 275,000 people attended events in the year, compared to only 127,000 in the previous financial year.

Celebrating a 20-year legacy

As the CTICC approached its 20th birthday on 28 June 2023, it reflected on its awe-inspiring journey to date. The CTICC has always hosted vibrant global and local events, connected with its communities and supported sustainability.

One way to measure the success over the last 20 years is through the numbers:

• The CTICC hosted over 9,000 events during the past two decades, with almost 700 of them being international events;

• The centre has created or sustained more than 156,000 jobs nationally;

• It has contributed a total of R60bn to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and R51.5bn to the Western Cape Gross Geographic Product (GGP); and

• More than 9.5 million visitors have come through its doors over the past 20 years. To commemorate its 20-year milestone, the CTICC developed a celebration logo using a stylised infinity symbol, illustrating the unlimited possibilities available at the Centre. The iconography is supported by the pay-off line, ‘Leaving lasting impressions on tomorrow’.

Leaving lasting impressions

The 2023 Integrated Annual Report takes this message further. Like a strong, healthy tree, the CTICC has deep roots. Its story is marked over time by the impressions it has left on people and the planet, and the impressions that the environment and its communities have left on the business.

“Leaving lasting impressions is what we

Taubie Motlhabane.

do as a business — providing the conditions for people to meet, debate, and make decisions that will benefit us all… This is our ‘dream’ as an organisation,” said chief executive officer, Taubie Motlhabane, in her foreword in the 2023 Integrated Annual Report, and this has certainly rung true for the last 20 years.

From converting a sandy parking lot on the Foreshore into Africa’s leading convention centre, the CTICC has always left a mark. It has done so by creating jobs, which has changed the lives of thousands of families. During periods of difficulty, it has opened its venue to the community — the Hospital of Hope supported countless people, as did the Vaccination of Hope and, more recently, the Gift of the Givers water collection drive. Its commitment to the environment has also been clear from the very beginning and has informed every decision along the way.

The cover of the 2023 Integrated Annual Report features a slice of a tree trunk. Much like a fingerprint, a tree records vital information about its distinct and individual existence, and it does so through tree rings. Each ring signifies a year of growth, a record of its journey through time.

Trees can live hundreds of years, but the CTICC tree is still a sapling, with many possibilities just waiting to flourish. This is why the cover has twenty gold-foiled rings emblazoned on it — reminding the reader of its great legacy, as well as the aspiring future that awaits.

Growth in positive annual results for the 2023 financial year

The CTICC achieved a revenue of R278.0m, more than double compared to the previous financial year and marginally improving on its pre-Covid 2018/19 income levels of R277m. The company also achieved positive earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of R45.7m — a 400% improvement on a targeted loss of R15.2m.

Thanks to these financial improvements, the CTICC was able to contribute R5.7bn to the national GDP and R5.4bn to the Western Cape GGP. Additionally, the CTICC created or sustained almost 11,000 jobs nationally, in the 2023 financial year.

Bringing the future to life

Ms Motlhabane, revealed that the centre’s forward book is flourishing. “We have confirmed a total of 376 events up to 2030, and 135 of these are international events,” she said.

In this coming year, the CTICC’s key focus

will be on the following areas:

• Continuing to upskill youth for the MICE sector. The CTICC has signed a workplace agreement with the Youth Employment Service, and nine young people have commenced work at the Centre this month, with more joining soon;

• Continuing to expand its operations beyond its facility. The CTICC already provides food and beverage services to the Artscape Theatre Centre;

• Maintaining its ongoing commitment to sustainability;

• Keeping its clients front and centre through excellent customer service; and

• Honing its own events segment.

Building strong communities

With the improvement in the CTICC’s financial standing, the Centre was able to improve its community support. In the 2023 financial year, the CTICC continued to work with its Local Community Partners (LCPs) — Call 2 Care, help2read, iKhaya le Themba, and its legacy partner, the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR). The CTICC also supported various other organisations with venue sponsorship and other services. Its corporate social responsibility (CSR) contribution totalled R1.2m in the 2023 financial year.

To celebrate 20 years of caring, gratitude, and passion, the Centre launched its biggest community drive of 2023, the CTICC Cares campaign. The campaign ran from 5 October to 15 December 2023. The City of Cape Town, the Artscape Theatre Centre, the DHL Stadium, The Westin Hotel, and Hotel Verde supported the drive as collection point partners. In total, over 1,400 items – including stationery, books, clothing, blankets, soft toys,

cooking utensils, bedding, and nonperishable food items – were collected from staff and the Cape Town public.

Nurturing our world

The CTICC is proud to announce that in the 2023 financial year, the company aligned to all seventeen United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), up from the fifteen SDGs it attained in the 2022 financial year. Additionally, the Centre is now a supporter of the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative.

Green shoots — the CTICC’s Innovation Centre

The CTICC announced the imminent launch of its Innovation Centre for Impact, which aims to actively foster open innovation practices in its communities and attract innovative projects and programmes that have a sustainable impact, as defined by the SDGs.

The CTICC’s first social impact innovation partner project is WEpads. WEpads intends to create highly biodegradable and compostable sanitary towels that are also affordable. This is a win for both people and the planet.

The road ahead is exciting. “We face the future with a clear purpose of accelerating economic prosperity, opportunity, creativity and innovation,” says Ms Motlhabane. And to the CTICC’s clients, she says: “We look forward to travelling with you on our journey into our third decade, as we grow the rings on our tree.”

To read the full report, click here or browse the CTICC’s 2023 Integrated Annual Report site to find out how we are ‘leaving lasting impressions’ #CTICCAGM2023.

UFI Global Exhibition

Barometer

UFI Global Barometer indicates that the exhibition industry will grow to record levels in 2024

• Revenues for 2024 are expected to reach 115 per cent of pre-pandemic level on average globally.

• 52 per cent of companies plan to increase staff numbers in the coming 6 months.

• Global and local economic developments are back as the main business issue.

• 91 per cent of companies consider that generative AI will affect the industry.

The complete report includes dedicated profiles for 19 markets and regions, showcasing differences around the world.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the latest 32nd edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer research which takes the pulse of the industry.

The results highlight that in most markets around the world, the exhibition industry fully recovered from the pandemic slump in 2023, with revenues reaching a comparable level to 2019, on average. The outlook for 2024 is very positive, with revenues expected to grow by an average of 15 per cent, setting the industry up to record the highest ever revenue levels in 2024.

Globally, 52 per cent of companies declare that they plan to increase their workforce in the coming 6 months, and 45 per cent declare that they will keep current staff numbers stable.

‘State of the economy in home market’ is the most pressing issue (22 per cent of answers globally), followed by ‘Global economic developments’ (17 per cent of answers).

Globally, there is an overwhelming consensus that AI will affect the industry, with 91 per cent of companies stating this, up from 87 per cent in the previous edition.

“Our report shows that the exhibition industry hasn’t just reached pre-pandemic levels in 2023 but is also planning to grow in 2024, and many new jobs in exhibitions are coming up around the world. This good news comes in parallel with shifts of business priorities, where economic and environmental considerations show significant progression,” says Kai Hattendorf, managing director and chief executive officer at UFI.

Size and scope

This latest edition of UFI’s bi-annual industry

survey was concluded in January 2024, and includes data from 419 companies in 61 countries and regions.

The study also includes outlooks and analysis for nineteen focus countries and regions — Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, and the USA — as well as five additional aggregated regional zones.

Operations

The level of operations has clearly picked up in the second half of 2023, with a large majority of companies from all regions (77 per cent in the Middle East and Africa to 57 per cent in North America) declaring an increase.

This trend will continue in 2024 with, on average, a percentage of companies reporting an increased activity ranging from 66 per cent in North America, to 64 per cent in the Middle East and Africa, 55 per cent in Asia/Pacific and 54 per cent in Central and South America and Europe respectively.

Turnover and operating profits

The year 2023 witnessed the full recovery of exhibitions, with revenues reaching a comparable level to 2019, on average. The outlook is very positive, with 2024 revenues expected to grow by an average of 15 per cent.

These general trends vary from one country to another:

• Revenues from 2023 compared to 2019 vary from 127 per cent in India, 120 per cent in Spain, and 110 per cent in Italy, to

88 per cent in Colombia and 85 per cent in South Africa, or to 82 per cent in Germany and 80 per cent in Thailand.

• Revenues from 2024, compared to 2019, vary from 154 per cent in India, 151 per cent in Greece, to 99 per cent in China and 94 per cent in South Africa.

• Overall, ‘Global economic developments’ come in as the second most important issue globally (17 per cent of answers, compared to 12 per cent six, months ago), followed by ‘Geopolitical challenges’ (12 per cent).

• ‘Internal management challenges’ (10 per cent) and ‘Impact of digitalisation’ (6 per cent), which were the top two issues 6 months ago (with 21 per cent and 17 per cent of answers respectively), are now also preceded by ‘Competition from within the exhibition industry’ (11 per cent) and ‘Sustainability/Climate’ (10 per cent).

An analysis by industry segment (organiser, venue only and service provider) shows no differences regarding the three most pressing issues for organisers and service providers, which remain ‘State of the economy in home market’, ‘Global economic developments’ and ‘Geopolitical challenges’. For venues, ‘Geopolitical challenges’ are preceded by ‘Internal management challenges’ and ‘Competition from within the exhibition industry’.

The analysis of the trend around top business issues over the 2016-2024 period identifies several important shifts:

• ‘Global economic developments’ and ‘State of the economy in the home market’ are back as the main issue, with 40 per cent of answers.

Global Exhibitions Day — 5 June 2024

The ninth edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) will be held on Wednesday, 5 June 2024 under the theme

‘Exhibitions are catalysts to sustainable futures’. Celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of June, all interested in increasing the visibility of the exhibitions industry regionally and on a global scale are invited to participate.

The GED 2024 theme reinforces the role of exhibitions as platforms to bring people together face-to-face to connect, collaborate on global solutions aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and drive progress for economies worldwide.

Geoff Dickinson, UFI president said: “The significance of this year’s Global Exhibitions Day theme on sustainability cannot be overstated. Exhibitions are indeed catalysts to sustainable futures, and the time is now for us to come together as an industry on 5 June 2024 to show that. I look forward to celebrating GED 2024 and invite all my colleagues and friends from around the world to do the same.”

Thanks to our partner associations supporting #GED2024

This global day of advocacy is supported by over seventy national and international industry associations:

AAXO, ABEA, ABEOC, AEFI, AEO, AESDAC, AEV, AFE, AFECA, AFEP, AFIDA, AIFEC, AKEI, AMEREF, AMPROFEC, AOCA, APPCE, ATFEOF, AUIEC, AUDOCA, AUMA, BICEIA, CAEC, CAEM, CEFA, CENTREX, CLC-VECTA, CFI, ECA, EDPA, EEIA, EFU, EMECA, ESCA, ESSA, EXSA, EXPO EVENT, FAIRLINK, FEBELUX, FKM, fwd, GDFOA, HKECIA, IDFA, IECA, IEIA, IELA, IEOA, IFES, JEXA, LECA, MACEOS, MECA, MFTA, ON-GO, PCEI, SACEOS, SBE, SCEIA, SECA, SISO, SOKEE, SLAPCEO, SZCEA, TCEA, TEA, TECA, TFOA, UBRAFE, UNIMEV and WTCA.

• ‘Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the business’ and ‘Geopolitical challenges’, that both were not in the initial list of issues in 2016 appear, combined, in second position, with 15 per cent of answers.

• ‘Sustainability/Climate’ combined with ‘Other stakeholders’ issues’ is the fastest growing issue, having tripled from 4 per cent of answers in 2016 to 13 per cent in 2024.

In terms of operating profits compared to 2019 levels, around half of the companies are declaring an increase of more than 10 per cent for 2023, and one in four a stable one. Compared to 2022, six companies out of ten are declaring an increase of more than 10 per cent.

The highest proportion of companies expecting a profit increase of more than 10 per cent when compared to 2019 are in the UAE (91 per cent), Saudi Arabia (80 per cent), India (71 per cent), Brazil (67 per cent), and Mexico (64 per cent).

Workforce development

Globally, 52 per cent of companies declare that they plan to increase their staff numbers in the coming 6 months, and 45 per cent declare that they will keep current staff numbers stable.

The highest proportion of companies planning to add staff are identified in Saudi Arabia (100 per cent), the UAE (82 per cent), India (80 per cent), Greece (73 per cent) and Malaysia (67 per cent).

Most important business issues

This edition highlights significant shifts when compared to the previous edition of the Barometer released six months ago:

• The most pressing business issue declared in this edition is ‘State of the economy in home market’ (22 per cent of answers globally – compared with 14 per cent six months ago – and the main issue in all regions, and most markets).

• ‘Competition from within the exhibition industry’ (11 per cent in 2024) has gone up slightly again since 2021 but remains less than half of what it represented in 2016 (24 per cent).

• ‘Internal management challenges’ now stands next, with 10 per cent of answers, half of what it represented in the last 2 years.

• ‘Impact of digitalisation’ and ‘Competition with other media’ combined has dropped from 30 per cent or more in the last 2 years to 10 per cent in 2024.

Generative AI applications

For a second time, the 32nd Barometer survey asked a specific question on the impact of generative AI on the exhibition industry, to shed light on this emerging digital transformation. The survey aimed to assess the current utilisation of AI across various business functions and gauge future expectations.

As mentioned above, 91 per cent of respondents consider that AI will affect the

industry, up from 87 per cent in the previous edition.

The areas expected to be most affected by the development of AI are: ‘Sales, Marketing and Customer relations’ and ‘Research and Development’ (both 80 per cent) and ‘Event production’ (65 per cent).

These are precisely the areas where generative AI applications are mostly used already (37 per cent, 35 per cent, and 20 per cent respectively).

Background

The 32nd Global Barometer survey, concluded in January 2024, provides insights from 419 companies, across 61 countries and regions. It was conducted in collaboration with 31 UFI member associations:

AAXO (The Association of African Exhibition Organizers) and EXSA (Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa) in South Africa, ABEOC (Associao Brasileira de Empresas de Eventos) and UBRAFE (União Brasileira dos Promotores Feiras) in Brazil, AEFI (Italian Exhibition & Trade Fair Association) in Italy, AEO (Association of Event Organisers) in the UK, AFE (Spanish Trade Fairs Association) in Spain, AFECA (Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations) in Asia, AFEP (Asociacion de Ferias del Peru) in Peru, AFIDA (Asociación Internacional de Ferias de América) in Central & South America, AIFEC (Asociacion Colombiana de la Industria de Ferias, Congresos, Convenciones y Actividades Afines) in Colombia, AKEI (The Association of Korean Exhibition Industry) in South Korea, AMEREF (Asociacion Mexicana de Recintos Feriales)

and AMPROFEC (Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales de Ferias y Exposiciones y Convenciones) in Mexico, AOCA (Asociación Argentina de Organizadores y Proveedores de Exposiciones, Congresos, Eventos y de Burós de Convenciones) in Argentina, APPCE (Asociación Panameña de Profesionales en Congresos, Exposiciones y Afines) in Panama, AUDOCA (Asociación Uruguaya de Organizadores de Congresos y Afines) in Uruguay, EEAA (The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia) in Australasia, HKECIA (Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association) in Hong Kong, IECA/ASPERAPI (Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association) in Indonesia, IEIA (Indian Exhibition Industry Association) in India, JEXA (Japan Exhibition Association) in Japan, MFTA (Macau Fair & Trade Association) in Macau, MACEOS (Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers) in Malaysia, MECA (Myanmar Exhibition and Conference Association) in Myanmar, SCEGA (Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority) in Saudi Arabia, SECB (Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau) in Singapore, SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers) for the US, SOKEE (Greek Exhibition Industry Association) in Greece, TEA (Thai Exhibition Association) in Thailand, and UNIMEV (French Meeting Industry Council) in France.

In line with UFI’s objective to provide vital data and best practices to the entire exhibition industry, the full results can be downloaded at www.ufi.org/research

The next UFI Global Exhibition Barometer survey will be conducted in June 2024.

Mauritius — dedicated to balanced and responsible tourism

Business events (MICE) is an important segment for Mauritius. In a one-on-one interview with Arvind Bundhun, director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), he confirmed this, and outlined growth strategies. South Africa is one of the top five markets for Mauritius.

The MTPA recently organised a visit to South Africa with a delegation of 18 suppliers from Mauritius including MTPA, who put on a three-city roadshow — in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.

Mr Bundhun said that sustainability is a key priority for Mauritius. “We are currently working with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and have one particular village in the south of Mauritius certified as sustainable. By 2030, with the help of the private sector, we intend to certify the whole island as sustainable.”

Mauritius is famed for its breathtaking scenery of sandy beaches, mountains, tea estates, waterfalls, forests, and coral-reefed lagoons.

Looking back on the success of the past year, Mr Bundhun stated: “2023 was a good year for Mauritius. Over the calendar year, we set an objective to attain 1.3 million tourists globally, and South Africa performed quite well. We have welcomed 106,169 arrivals from South Africa over 2023, and for 2024, we aim to exceed the 2023 arrival numbers.” The South African market has almost fully recovered.

Air connectivity between the two countries continues to increase. Mr Bundhun pointed out. “Currently, Air Mauritius and SAA operate daily flights from Johannesburg to Mauritius and has recently added two weekly flights

from Cape Town, with plans to start direct flights from Durban later in the year.”

Currently, there are three airlines that fly between South Africa and Mauritius.

Sustainability

Additionally, small developing island states like Mauritius confront the impacts of changing climatic conditions daily. This presents a significant challenge for the island nation.

The pursuit of sustainability in Mauritius has been an enduring journey marked by the development of stringent regulations. Construction of properties with over fifty rooms now mandates the inclusion of sewage treatment plants, partial reliance on solar energy, and the use of biodegradable products. Moreover, the ban on single-use plastic and the provision of tax rebates for electric vehicles highlights the commitment to reducing carbon footprints. This dedication to sustainability reflects a broader global awareness of environmental concerns.

Mr Bundhun also mentioned some challenges. “Labour shortage is evident, and finding young qualified, skilled professionals in hospitality is a challenge.”

“Mauritius has got a number of hotel schools, but global recruitment drives are coming to the island for skilled professionals, i.e. cruise ships and recently an American

hotel group, which leaves Mauritius with a problem,” he added.

“Amidst these endeavours, the overarching focus remains on sustainable and inclusive tourism development, ensuring the involvement of all Mauritians and equitable distribution of tourism benefits. This steadfast commitment highlights Mauritius’ dedication to balanced and responsible tourism practices,” Mr Bundhun concluded.

There are two MICE incentives currently available. For more information regarding these, please email the local MTPA office, mauritius@meropa.co.za

Photo by Rumman Amin on Unsplash

Arvind Bundhun, director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.

A strong year for the meetings and events industry

If there's one thing we can count on, it's that the meetings and events industry is constantly changing. And 2024 is no exception, as we see the rise of AI, a greater demand for experiential events, and a renewed focus on inclusivity and sustainability. Use these trends to stay ahead of the future of meetings and events and prepare your strategy for 2024 and beyond.

By Samuel Nassimov, managing director, of Premier Hotels & Resorts

In-person events dominate

Undoubtedly, in-person events will be at the heart of most event and hospitality programmes in 2024. Face-to-face experiences provide more opportunities for deeper engagement, networking, and interaction, making them business-critical.

According to recent data, 86% of event programmes currently include in-person events. And, in a commissioned study 89% of global event and meeting strategy leaders say that in-person events are important or critical to increasing revenue.

But, while in-person events are critical, virtual and hybrid experiences are also valuable, and here to stay. Read on to discover the top events trends to watch out for in 2024 — and how they’ll impact your strategies in the coming year.

Venues

must support experience-first events

As attendee expectations continue to rise, there’s added pressure for event organisers to find unique venues that can support immersive and interactive experiences.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that attendees are looking for five-star extravagance. When it comes to venue selection, they’re looking for a unique aesthetic.

Prioritising networking over event content

Traditionally, event teams would focus sharply on the content of each event and treat networking more as an afterthought. However, this is no longer the case — event organisers are reorienting how they are structuring their events and are increasingly prioritising networking over content.

The focus is to infuse more moments of connection at events by creating a bit of whitespace in the agenda that allows for more spontaneous networking opportunities. One way to do it is to look at your venue’s footprint and make sure there aren’t any silos — so that networking opportunities and sessions are fully integrated. And to lean heavily on matchmaking solutions that enable event attendees to have more intentional

conversations with those who share similar interests, or work in similar industries.

Overcome budget constraints by making events worthwhile

Event budgets are tightening as travel expenses, material costs, labour costs, and venue prices have all been inflated heavily. This is why event teams need to focus on adding as much value to their events as they can to convince people that their events are worth attending.

Finding new ways to reimagine engagement

With attendees bombarded with more content than ever, event planners and marketers must find creative new ways to engage with their audiences. Attendees expect to be fully immersed in the content, and event design, in return for taking the time and effort to attend an event.

An event’s ability to capture the attention of attendees increases the likelihood of them leaving satisfied, engaging with your brand’s content year-round, and returning to future events.

In 2024, we’ll see more focus on crafting compelling content and breakout sessions, wellness spaces, and greater networking opportunities. Plus, follow-up webinars will help foster community engagement year-round.

Conferencing by the airport?

Why not try out Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo – a mere 2,7km from the airport – that’s the perfect stop for both business and leisure travellers. This affordable hotel offers 275 rooms that are modern, contemporary and spacious, as well as superior conferencing facilities that can cater for up to 720 delegates. The hotel also offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport, simplifying life for our guests and business associates.

Conferencing by the sea?

Premier Resort Cutty Sark is perfectly situated on the main beach of Scottburgh amidst 14 acres of beautifully manicured grounds, and

surrounded by lush, unspoiled indigenous vegetation. Its conference facilities include three venues, accommodating up to 140 delegates in a schoolroom setup.

Conferencing in the bush?

For a conference with a difference, Mpongo is a peaceful retreat that offers tranquil surroundings and two intimate venues, and is ideal for teambuilding events. Located only 35km from East London’s city centre, conference delegates will overnight in luxury, with a touch of African outdoors, on more than 3,500 hectares of conservation land that’s home to a vast number of African wildlife such as elephants and a variety of gazelle. Business professionals also have the opportunity to take advantage of the legendary East London golf course, which has hosted the South African Open.

Who is Samuel Nassimov?

From a humble 40 bedrooms, Samuel Nassimov has grown the group’s portfolio to encompass 24 hotels and resorts, providing almost 23,000 bedrooms to discerning business and leisure travellers and employing in excess of 1,500 employees. Sam attended hotel school in Tel Aviv in the 1970s and started his career at the bottom of the ranks at the city’s famous Dan Hotel. Driven by a passion for cooking, his next step was as a trainee chef, a position in which he excelled, and which resulted in a promotion to Head of the Grill Room. With a superior collection of hotels, resorts, and conference facilities in the principal business and travel destinations in South Africa, and with Samuel at the helm, Premier Hotels & Resorts is a rapidly growing force in the South African leisure, business travel, and conventions industry.

Chef Douglas Momberg — “I get to live out my passion”

Douglas Momberg, 37, executive chef, University of Johannesburg, School of Tourism and Hospitality began his career at Emperors Place, where he worked at D’Oreale Grande Hotel at Aurelia’s Restaurant. He has also worked at the Michelangelo Hotel, before joining the STH as a chef de partie.

Born and raised in Pretoria, he studied at STH, where he qualified with a diploma in hospitality management, with an elective in professional cookery in 2009. He has been a chef for the past 14 years.

Douglas said that his first introduction to hospitality was when he began high school. “My high school had a hospitality programme. My grandmother bought me a white chef’s coat so that I could participate in the subject. Ever since that day, I knew I wanted to be a chef. On completing high school, my father helped me to apply to study at the STH, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Douglas’s goal for the next five years is to become a WACS (World Association of Chefs Societies) judge, for international cooking competitions. He would also like to further his studies by completing his MBA.

Douglas said: “I not only have the best job on earth, but I get to live out my passion. I also have a direct impact on young and upcoming future hospitality leaders. I get to assist them to grow. I know that I can have an impact on somebody’s career, and that is special and meaningful.”

In terms of trends, he said: “The world is constantly changing. The world has become more focused on sustainability and choosing healthier food options. More so than when I started my career.”

Douglas added: “In terms of global trends, there is a move towards cruelty-free products; sustainability in terms of environment and financial targets, and lastly, there is a move to foraging of locally organic food products, rather than farmed products.”

Douglas’s advice to PCOs organising a conference or event, is: “Let the chefs be creative, trust them to do what they want. When you let a chef be creative and have carte blanche, you will never be disappointed.”

When asked about challenges in the industry, he said: “The economy — food prices have risen so much over the last few years. In order for chefs to satisfy client needs, they need to make decisions that compromise quality standards or have to increase prices. Unfortunately, the majority of the population simply cannot afford these increases.”

For leisure, Douglas is a huge fan of exercise. “I like running and cycling.”

His hobbies include, among others, astronomy. “I’m also a massive Tolkien nerd,” he added.

Douglas’s advice to newcomers is: “Spend a few weeks at a really busy restaurant or hotel and see if it’s something that you really want to do. I always think that being a chef is like a couple who have been married for 25 years. There will be days when you are not going to have fun and there are going to be days where you ask yourself why I am here. Most importantly, is that you realise that no matter what, you love it.

What is your signature dish?

The whole ‘Damn Duck’. Smoked duck ‘bacon’ breast, confit duck leg, celeriac and cauliflower puree with white truffles, grilled asparagus, candied baby onion, caramelised carrot mousse, carrot crisps, pomegranate and port jus. To be paired with a Middelvlei Shiraz 2016 or 2017.

What food trends are emerging in the conference industry?

A lot more online participation is happening, with people joining meetings via platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, therefore conference facilities will have fewer people on site, but this is also an opportunity to do off-site conference packages where, for example, the guest is sent a takeaway lunch box so that they will also feel part of the experience, and it is an extra form of revenue generation.

What has remained constant in this industry?

The need for creativity and work ethic.

What is your favourite beverage? Coffee, double espresso flat white.

What is your favourite food? Anything sweet.

What is your pet hate?

When people don’t take care of books.

What is your great love?

Helping people.

Are you adventurous? If yes, what is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Yes, bungee jumping.

Sandton Tourism & Business Association — celebrates 24 years

Understood to be the longest-running privately managed and funded tourism association in South Africa, the Sandton Tourism & Business Association (ST&BA) celebrates its 24 th anniversary this year. Its primary goal is providing opportunities for members to grow their businesses and when possible, encourage them to leverage off each other for additional services that they require.

Initially launched to promote the Sandton central precinct to the business and leisure travelling public, the Association has, over the decades, spread its wings and boundaries and reaches much further afield these days. “Membership comprises three-star to five-star hotels, guest houses, tour operators, event organisers, suppliers to the tourism and hospitality industry, transfer companies, an outdoor market, conference centres, shopping centres and an exhibition supplier, amongst many others,” said Secretariat Mandy Watson. She added:

“Basically any business which feeds into the tourism and hospitality industry is one that could apply for membership.”

Chairman, Francois van Heerden (GM City Lodge Hotel Bryanston) said: “We work to provide networking opportunities for our members, in particular the Tertiary members who don’t have access to as many opportunities as the larger members do. Our diverse membership is one of the things that sets us apart from other Associations and makes it possible for our members to work together. For example, some of our members

are City Lodge Hotel Bryanston, Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, Courtyard Hotel Sandton, Nelson Mandela Square, Theatre on the Square, Clico Boutique Hotel, Sandton Sun, 54 on Bath, Bryanston Organic Market, Inspire Rentals, Sandton Taxi Cabs, Cresco Tours, Sandton Convention Centre, Cradle Boutique Hotel, Protea Hotel by Marriott® Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton… the list goes on.”

Ms Watson said: “The Association runs regular member events, and our members use those to connect with one another and

Cradle Boutique Hotel suite.

Cradle Boutique Hotel room.

Nelson Mandela Square.

David Krut Projects — The Blue House.

find synergistic opportunities to do business together. In 2023, we started holding Meet-and-Greet days where members book an appointment to meet with me one-onone, to delve deeper into how they can leverage off their membership. In addition, we distribute a bi-monthly newsletter to an international database that we have built up over the years, we promote members through our social media platforms, and they also get exposure through our website. All of this is included in the annual membership fee that members pay.”

“We understand that many of our members are entrepreneurs and one-man businesses, and these are the members who need the most help. Our members are our friends and we have worked hard to build relationships with them and maintain those relationships during and post the Covid-pandemic” Ms Watson said.

As a one-stop shop for everything to do with Sandton and surrounds, the Association is a central hub for reaching various businesses easily and painlessly. “For example, we can connect you to conference venues, accommodation vendors, transport providers and tour operators and more; all from one email request,” says Francois. “Because of our relationships, we are also able to connect you directly to the decision-maker in the business, so you can easily and quickly get the answers you are looking for.”

The Sandton Tourism & Business Association is a privately managed Section 21 Non-Profit Company. It is run by a volunteer Management Committee and Board of Directors, comprised of senior leaders from within its membership base.

If you would like to know more about the Association or becoming a member, please email secretariat@sandtontourism.com

Sandton Convention Centre.

Photo courtesy of Danie Smit, general manager of Radisson Blu Sandton.

City Lodge Bryanston pool.

City Lodge Fourways meeting room.

City Lodge Fourways outdoor pool.

Courtyard Hotel Rosebank exterior.

54 on Bath.

Sandton Sun — pool deck.

Town Lodge Grayston Sandton breakfast room.

Sandton Sun — San Deck.

Protea Hotel by Marriott® Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton.

Sandton welcomes South Africa’s highest conference venue

The doors of The Leonardo’s Level 45, South Africa’s highest conference venue, officially opened recently, boasting splendid 360-degree views over the world’s most wooded city.

Dubbed ‘Level 45’ for its location on the 45th floor of The Leonardo (South Africa’s tallest building), this will not just be South Africa’s highest conference venue, but also one that offers uninterrupted views of Joburg from whichever angle you choose to view it. Whether a sunset dinner overlooking the Magaliesberg hills or a sunrise breakfast as the planes take off from OR Tambo, this venue gives you the choice of any city backdrop you would like. Plus, unlike most venues with a view, it is completely weatherproof, taking the stress of summer afternoon storms or nippy winter cold fronts away.

“As leaders in South African hospitality, we are always aiming to create unique lifestyle

and entertainment spaces that stand out from the rest. Our newest offering, Level 45, will now join the ranks as a flagship event venue in Joburg,” said Hara Jackson, sales director of Legacy Hotels & Resorts.

Level 45’s modern and yet minimalistic interior has been intentionally designed to make it easy for décor planners to work with. The perimeter is bordered by glass windows and doors to capture the views, the interior walls and floors have been donned with a dark grey and black pallet, softened by the rustic brick of the bar in the centre, and the retro piping on the ceiling above. The simplicity of the space allows event and décor designers the ability to start with what is very much a ‘blank canvas’ and engage their inner creatives to transform it into whatever they dare to dream.

“One of the trends that Legacy Hotels & Resorts is seeing across the MICE industry is the demand for versatile venues that offer access to a variety of ‘blank canvas’ spaces. The Leonardo, with its numerous places to live, work, play, sleep, and eat, does just that. The addition of Level 45 now offers another unique space in our building for our clients to have fun with,” Ms Jackson said.

With Level 45’s food and beverage offering being managed by the team at the awardwinning AURUM Restaurant and the reputed Leonardo staff at the helm, any event held at Level 45 will, without doubt, be handled with the utmost professionalism and prestige.

So, if you are looking for your next event venue, whether it be a wedding, a corporate dinner, or a cocktail party, come to Level 45 and paint your event masterpiece to life.

For more information visit Level 45 at Leonardo (everlytic.net) or email leobanqueting@legacyhotels.co.za

Unlocking economic potential: The Africa Free Trade Continental Area Agreement and the future of tourism in South Africa

The Africa Free Trade Continental Area (AfCFTA) agreement unlocks tremendous opportunities for local and global businesses to enter into and expand throughout new markets across the continent. Envisioned as a catalyst for growth, the AFCFTA holds tremendous promise for the South African tourism sector. However, the complexities surrounding its implementation have posed challenges, delaying the potential benefits, says Lee-Anne Bac, director at BDO South Africa.

It has been estimated that by 2050, Africa will be home to 2.5 billion people, with its combined business and consumer spending reaching $16.12 trillion. With these numbers in mind, the AfCFTA agreement symbolises a new dawn for the continent and represents immense growth opportunities for African markets. As the nation with the most developed economy on the continent, South Africa stands at a pivotal juncture where this agreement has the potential to unlock new opportunities for its tourism industry. Yet, although many African countries have already implemented the agreement, South Africa is lagging.

One of the most promising aspects of the agreement for the tourism sector in South Africa lies in the facilitation of the free movement of people that will substantially increase the number of business and leisure travellers within the continent. This free movement could translate into an increased demand for hotels and accommodation, air and land transportation, and much more, thereby driving growth, generating additional income, and creating much-needed employment opportunities.

A catalyst for Intra-Africa work travel

As the gateway to southern Africa, South Africa is emerging as a hub for professionals seeking regional work experiences. The free movement of people facilitated by the AfCFTA would encourage Africans to explore South Africa as a destination for both leisure and work. Business travellers and professionals, drawn by the prospect of seamless travel, would contribute to a surge in tourism-related activities. Conferences, conventions, and collaborative projects could become commonplace, further solidifying South Africa’s status as a preferred destination for both business and leisure.

South Africa’s diverse tourism offerings could benefit from increased intra-Africa travel. As professionals explore work opportunities within the continent, they are likely to extend their stays to experience the unique cultural, natural, and historical attractions that South Africa boasts. This not only diversifies our tourist

markets but will also contribute to longer stays and increased spending by visitors.

Collaboration becomes increasingly attractive once free movement is allowed. By tapping into the strengths of neighbouring nations and fostering cross-border partnerships, South Africa can create unique travel packages that showcase the diversity of experiences available across the continent. From cultural festivals to wildlife safaris, a collaborative approach would enrich the tourism landscape and attract a broader spectrum of visitors, from across the African continent.

The agreement could also ensure that skilled workers from across the continent can move freely between franchised brands to ensure quality control and standards are met across the board — a move that has massive benefits not only for the businesses themselves in terms of extending quality, enhancing skills development and fostering the careers of valuable employees, but also for travellers who will return over and over again to places that have met or even exceeded their travel needs.

Complexities and delays in implementation

Despite the immense potential, the AfCFTA’s implementation is facing hurdles in South Africa. The complexities come from myriad of factors, including regulatory frameworks, logistical challenges, and the need for harmonisation of policies across diverse nations. These complexities have led to delays, preventing South Africa from fully capitalising on the benefits the agreement promises.

One of the primary complexities the country faces is aligning its national regulations with the overarching framework of the agreement. This process requires extensive negotiation and compromise to ensure that the nation’s interests are represented while contributing to the greater good of African economic integration.

Logistical challenges are also causing a bottleneck. The need to upgrade transportation infrastructure and streamline customs procedures presents additional roadblocks. The successful implementation of the agreement

demands a commitment to addressing these challenges head-on, requiring significant investments and a coordinated effort among member states.

Concerns have also been raised about potential economic imbalances and the need for safeguards to protect vulnerable industries which have slowed down the negotiation process. South Africa, being a major player in the African economy, must navigate these intricacies with diplomacy and foresight to ensure that the benefits of implementation are shared equitably among member states.

The vision is clear: a united Africa, seamlessly connected through the AfCFTA. This will not only elevate our position as a tourism hub but also contribute to the broader economic development of the continent. However, if South Africa doesn’t seize the opportunity to shape a future where all who seek to explore the continent can do so freely, there are many other countries ready and waiting to snap up the spoils of the African Renaissance. We must step up and champion this journey or risk being taken off the map completely.

Who is Lee-Anne Bac ?

Lee-Anne Bac is a director in Advisory Services at BDO South Africa, where she leads the Management Advisory team and specialises in providing strategic advisory services in the private and public sectors. In her role, Lee-Anne conducts strategic planning, financial modelling, feasibility studies, and market demand assessments for her clients. Throughout her career, she has developed specialist knowledge and skills in the sectors of tourism, hospitality, leisure, and property. Lee-Anne holds a BSc in microbiology and zoology and an MBA. She is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader on issues relating to her specialist sectors.

Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa unveils state-of-the-art Camphor Venue — a modern hub for exceptional events

Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa, a luxurious haven nestled in the Heart of the Helderberg, proudly introduces the Camphor Venue, a breathtaking addition to its portfolio of multifunctional event spaces.

With a commitment to providing unparalleled experiences, the Camphor Venue is set to become a sought-after destination for a wide range of events, from corporate meetings to grand gala dinners.

Unlike any other event venues in the region, the Camphor Venue is a striking and distinctive space. Its modern and elegant design, featuring a neutral palette, allows the venue to seamlessly adapt to the unique requirements of each event. Large glass windows flood the space with natural light, creating an atmosphere of openness and sophistication. The venue boasts high, acoustic-panelled ceilings, original art pieces, and contemporary furniture and fixtures, creating a perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality.

One of the standout features of the Camphor Venue is its commitment to sustainability. A state-of-the-art BESS/hybrid solar PV system ensures continuous electricity supply on the property, providing stable power during load-shedding and making Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa a reliable venue for all events around the clock. The space is also equipped with a cutting-edge temperature control system for ultimate guest comfort, while acoustic ceilings and panels guarantee an optimal auditory environment, especially

when the room is divided into three separate spaces.

With a venue capacity of approximately 120, Camphor is set to become a hub for events of various scales, from intimate meetings and corporate seminars to weddings and large-scale banquets.

The dining services and gourmet fare provided are entirely customisable. With on-site additions like induction heating equipment and a refrigerated cold section, all boxes are ticked and guests are assured of an extraordinary epicurean experience.

In its steadfast commitment to meticulous attention to detail, Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa curates an elevated experience, accentuated by thoughtful touches and collaborations with local suppliers for exquisite décor and floral enhancements, underscoring the belief that it is the small details that shape the grand tapestry of a memorable event.

The Camphor Venue will join the Oak and Birch Boardrooms as part of Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa event spaces. While the Oak and Birch settings cater to more intimate meetings, the Camphor Venue, consisting of three interleading spaces, offers flexibility for a diverse range of events. Whether it’s meetings, exhibitions, cocktail functions, or product launches, the Camphor Venue provides an

exquisite backdrop that spills into the beautiful indigenous garden and courtyards during the summer months.

Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa invites all; from its valued trade, media, and corporate partners to interested individuals, to witness this modern masterpiece firsthand.

For more information and updates, please visit https://erinvale.co.za/venues/meetingvenues-banqueting/

Unveiling Camphor — Your Premier Event Space in the Heart of the Helderberg!

Discover the epitome of elegance and sophistication at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa’s newly refurbished event space, Camphor.

Set to become the shining star of the Helderberg, Camphor caters to events of up to 120 attendees, from grand galas to product launches, seminars and weddings.

Be among the first to experience this exquisite backdrop for your special occasion by booking our exclusive launch offer:

Guests booking the Camphor space from March until end-July 2024 will enjoy 20% SAVING off both the venue hire, as well as any accommodation needs!

Make Camphor the backdrop to your next event, promising an experience of seamless luxury, stylish interiors and unparalleled service.

For more information visit: https://erinvale.co.za/venues/meeting-venues-banqueting/ or email: conf@erinvale.co.za Offer valid until 31 July 2024 only.

Minor Hotels announces the signing of Anantara Zanzibar Resort

Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator, and investor with more than 540 hotels in 56 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, and the Americas, announces the signing of a new Anantara resort to be developed in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Located on the northern coast of Zanzibar Island, the group will launch the 181-key Anantara Zanzibar Resort in 2027.

The newly built property will feature 37 luxury suites, one presidential villa, and 73 one- and two-bedroom sea-view villas with private pools. The resort will also include 38 one-bedroom apartments, nineteen two-bedroom apartments, eight three-bedroom penthouse apartments, and five penthouses.

All accommodation and public areas will be finished with contemporary décor and state-of-the-art comforts, to provide signature Anantara luxury, infused with the distinctive styles and materials of the region. Strategically designed with a range of calming water features — including private pools, lagoon access, and lagoon views, Anantara Zanzibar Resort will offer an elegant beachside retreat for the leisure and extended stay markets.

Culinary excellence will be a keen focus with six restaurants and bars offering all-day destination dining, a speciality beach grill, a beach club bar, and a gourmet delicatessen café alongside a themed tikki bar and an al fresco pool bar.

Other premium amenities at Anantara Zanzibar Resort will include an Anantara Spa, kids’ and teens’ clubs, gym and fitness facilities, a water sports club, a lagoon pool, and a library.

Meeting and event spaces will also be created alongside an executive lounge and a business centre.

The owning company, Dubai-based Infinity Group, has chosen Minor Hotels and the Anantara brand to manage this new property. Anantara Zanzibar is currently under development as part of Infinity Group’s Africa portfolio, along with other projects on the continent. The group brings over 20 years of expertise in property development, asset management, contracting, and retail to a long-term value investment strategy in, and beyond, the hospitality sector.

Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive officer of Minor Hotels and group chief executive

officer of parent company Minor International, commented, “We are delighted to add Anantara Zanzibar Resort to our pipeline of luxury properties under development in Africa, along with the recently announced Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp in Zambia. We look forward to these new properties joining our Anantara portfolio on the continent, in Mozambique, Zambia and Tunisia. Working in collaboration with Infinity Group, we believe this is an excellent opportunity to grow our hospitality footprint in Zanzibar, which is long recognised as Tanzania’s oceanside destination of choice.”

Samuel Saba, chairman of Infinity Group, and chief executive officer of Infinity Developments said, “Infinity Developments is proud to be working with Minor Hotels, and the Anantara Brand. The Anantara Zanzibar Resort will redefine the standard of luxury hospitality in Zanzibar. We are confident that the synergy between the Minor and Infinity teams will bring about a distinctive and enhanced experience for all who visit this spectacular island from 2027, and many years to come.”

Boardwalk Hotel and Casino appoints new duty managers

Nelson Mandela’s Playground, Boardwalk Hotel and Casino, has appointed two new hotel duty managers to keep the four-star Sun International beachfront hotel in top shape.

Lubabalo Gxaleka and Busisiwe

Vellem are responsible for front office operations, managing the cleaning contractor, staff morale, and performance to keep the hotel functioning at optimum levels. The two alternate shifts ensure the hotel is covered by a duty manager 12 hours a day.

When Mr Gxaleka grew up in the Transkei, the idea of hospitality as a career did not enter his thoughts. “After school, I started working in IT and got into hospitality by chance. I gave a friend my CV and I started as a barman at a hotel,” he said. A few years later he studied for a Bachelor of Commerce in hospitality management and project management in hotel opening at NHL

Stenden University. He also holds a certification in hotel industry analytics from the American Hotel and Lodging Association. “Hospitality is my passion, even though I knew nothing about it when I started. I have fallen in love with helping people and it was a blessing in disguise because there are many opportunities,” Mr Gxaleka said.

The 36-year-old has returned to Gqeberha after 14 years and is adjusting to life in Nelson Mandela Bay. “I am currently studying management at Regent Business School, so I don’t have much leisure time, except to visit my nine-year-old daughter Siyolise in Port Alfred.”

Ms Vellem, who joined Boardwalk in 2012, has worked her way up from the

housekeeping department to the front desk, and now, works with Mr Gxaleka managing a team of 13. “I had aspirations after school to become a nurse, but financial constraints led me to get a bursary to complete a marketing management certificate from Buffalo City College.”

The Qonce-born mother of two said she fell into hospitality by accident after moving to Nelson Mandela Bay. “I completed a housekeeping learnership programme through SETA, then became a desk clerk, housekeeping supervisor, and assistant housekeeper. I also did my in-service training at reception, and I have learned so much in the past 12 years. You never get bored,” Ms Vellem said.

South Africa’s tourism sector is bracing for a surge – staff training is imperative

South Africa is on the brink of a tourism boom as international travel returns to prepandemic levels. Hotel and guesthouse employees will need to be on top of their game.

Tourism in South Africa is fast reaching pre-pandemic levels and may even surpass them this year.

Figures released by Stats SA show that in December 2023, 3.5 million travellers were recorded at the country’s ports of entry and exit. This was significantly higher than the 2.9 million visitors recorded during the corresponding period in 2022.

With the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) reporting that there were an estimated 1.3 billion international tourist arrivals in 2023, South Africa’s tourism sector is bracing for a surge.

With a boom imminent, hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses will be racing to prepare for the influx. But, with so much competition for bookings, these establishments will need to ensure that the guest experience is unrivalled throughout, from the minute travellers look at their offering to the time they check out.

For this reason, it is imperative that staff are trained to keep up with the demand and growth of a tourism business.

“There’s a variety of training that a tourism business needs,” said Michael Hanly, managing director of South African learning solutions specialist, New Leaf Technologies.

“Typically, this would relate to customer service excellence — training for communication, empathy, and problemsolving. There also needs to be cultural awareness training, as there are different

cultural cues when it comes to international tourists. Language is one that immediately springs to mind.”

Furthermore, tourism employees need to have detailed information about what their business offers. This can extend to local attractions which staff can recommend to guests.

“Where an entity can bolster revenue is through upselling and cross-selling, so employees need to be knowledgeable about every service offered. It is also handy to have connections to tour guides who can show travellers around,” Mr Hanly said.

He points out that these days technology plays a significant role in tourism, with guests using online booking systems and apps to browse local attractions and restaurants. Mr Hanly advised that staff need to be au fait with these technologies themselves so they can offer guidance to guests without delay.

Increasingly, eLearning is being leveraged for tourism training as it can be accessed anywhere and at any time, by staff. It also offers flexibility to adapt content easily.

One of its biggest benefits is that it can be accessed across multiple business locations. For hotel chains, this is a major boon.

While some aspects, such as food and beverage training, will need practical demonstrations, others are ideally suited to eLearning. One example is informational knowledge relating to food safety.

Another is train-the-trainer programmes, where participants are taken through a course, and then teach others about aspects of the business.

Mr Hanly said short, focused sessions are best suited to tourism, as removing employees for days at a time will impact productivity levels.

“You need to offer staff something that you can learn on the fly. A tourism business should offer cross-training, as this helps when demand fluctuates. It’s very hard to onboard employees during peak season, so it’s important that staff can perform multiple roles.

“A food and beverage specialist, for example, should understand the internal booking process and specials, identify upselling opportunities, offer guests guidance on various amenities, and have knowledge about the different business or holiday experiences that the organisation has to offer, both internally and regarding nearby attractions."

Mr Hanly said that tourism businesses that use eLearning and microlearning should always measure training effectiveness. Clear goals and metrics to gauge the impact of training delivered are crucial if customers are to be kept satisfied.

“If you address these areas, you can create a scalable training programme. But, a return on investment must be showcased.”

Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash

All Things Green: sustainability tops WTM Africa 2024 agenda

• Africa Travel Week 2024 scheduled from 7-12 April 2024 in the City of Cape Town.

• Landmark 10-year anniversary WTM Africa programme includes new partnerships, value-add business-building opportunities, and interactive networking.

• Registration includes access to several bolt-on events, awards ceremonies, content workshops, social events, product launches, exhibitor activations and live performances.

WTM Africa, Africa’s leading B2B tourism trade event, is proud to announce its commitment to sustainability at this year’s show, running from 3-5 April 2024 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

“The expansion of our sector must go hand-in-hand with responsible choices to ensure its longevity and lasting impact on the world,” said Megan De Jager, portfolio director — travel, tourism at RX Africa.

“This year, we’re bringing it to the forefront, with heightened efforts in reducing our carbon footprint, minimising waste and promoting accessible, eco-friendly practices businesses at all levels can implement.”

Celebrating sustainable tourism has remained a green thread throughout the show’s ten-year history. Their 2024 partnership with the City of Cape Town, one of Africa’s leading responsible tourism destinations, reinforces this commitment.

“So much of what we do in the City of Cape Town relies on maximising our economic potential as a tourism destination, but this can’t come at an unaffordable cost to our environment,” added Geordin Hill-Lewis, executive mayor of Cape Town.

“It is wonderful to see that sustainable tourism will be front and centre of the WTM Africa agenda this year. I applaud all efforts to promote impactful changes and to ensure that we

can grow this sector without leaving a harmful footprint.” Notable eco-initiatives at WTM Africa 2024 include:

• Continued collaboration with host venue, the CTICC, which operates with a stringent environmental policy and an environmental action plan.

• Introduction of a WTM Africa app to reduce paper waste throughout the show.

• Recyclable badges manufactured from 100 per cent biodegradable Kraft paper, reusable show bags — 100% cotton, and the implementation of digital and fabric signage.

• Recycled PET plastic lanyards, courtesy of local eco-friendly product manufacturer, E’Yako Green.

• Introduction of the Sustainability Village. A walk-through hub bringing together artisans, and thought leaders to highlight responsible tourism in action, including Uthanda and Wild Survivors.

• On-site Crafters Nexus showcasing local crafters as potential business partners for delegates.

• Collaboration with All About Africa Founder, Melissa Foley to establish resources for attendees outlining actionable sustainable changes in their businesses.

Along with the Responsible Tourism Awards, spotlighting travel suppliers and their sustainability successes, WTM Africa 2024 is partnering with several impactful initiatives. This

includes Recycled Flip Flop Sculptures Studio (RFFSS), a Cape Town-based studio founded by Davis Ndungu that upcycles discarded flip-flops into art.

To further emphasise sustainable choices in business decision-making, Dunia Designs was selected to dress the show’s principal stage venue: the Inspire Theatre, powered by FNB PayPal.

“Based in Tanzania, Dunia Designs is an eco-conscious company dedicated to transforming waste into wonder by crafting unique, high-quality from recycled materials,” said Alexis Cronin, Dunia Designs founder.

“By merging local craftsmanship with a commitment to green practices, we not only address deforestation, plastic waste management, and job creation, but provide a cost-effective supply chain solution to the hospitality industry.”

As an extension of RX Africa, Ms De Jager highlighted WTM Africa’s responsibility to use their platform to demonstrate how small yet thoughtful changes lead to a significant and measurable impact in the long run.

“It’s time to challenge ourselves to think outside the box and explore new ways of inspiring greater accountability and local impact. We’re thrilled to announce that WTM Africa 2024 is set to be the most sustainable edition yet,” she concluded.

To attend WTM Africa 2024 and bolt-on events visit: https://www.wtm.com/africa/en-gb.html

Team South Africa: shaping the future at ITB Berlin 2024

South Africa was fully showcased at the 2024 Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, held from 5-7 March. From hospitable people to majestic landscapes, vibrant township experiences to serene nature escapes, and from scenic wine routes to delectable and diverse dishes, the country was promoted in all its splendour.

South African Tourism presented a united front at the world’s largest travel trade show, ITB. Led by Nombulelo Guliwe, chief executive officer, and joined by no less than 63 exhibitors including fourteen SMMEs representing diverse product offerings, team South Africa attended ITB in a move targeted at boosting international arrivals to South Africa while sustaining the sector’s ongoing recovery and growth momentum.

Speaking on the sidelines of the trade show, Ms Guliwe said that she had received positive feedback from the exhibitors on the stand, who were upbeat and positive about the meetings they had.

“I have received great feedback from exhibitors at the stand who said that the quality of the buyers they have met with has already proven to yield positive results. Some of the exhibitors already have confirmed bookings emanating from their meetings here at ITB. This is what makes our presence at this trade show worthwhile,” Ms Guliwe said.

In addition to the meetings held on the first day of the trade show, South Africa cemented its presence and brand positioning at an event attended by close to forty members of the media and trade.

“We welcomed 8.4 million international visitors to our country last year, 75 per cent of which was attributable to Africa. ITB is a global trade show but, given its location, there are more buyers from the European market at ITB.

With Europe being a key source market for South Africa, this show is a good platform for us to invest our efforts in as we strive to grow our tourism numbers even further.”

South Africa welcomed 1.2 million tourists from Europe last year, marking a 38.2 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022. Among European countries, the United Kingdom remained the top source market, with 356,160 tourists choosing South Africa, representing a 25.8 per cent growth compared to 2022. German tourists also increased by 41.6 per cent to reach 245,259,” Ms Guliwe said.

Drawing from key insights, South Africa’s message to all the partners was clear — the destination has a wide variety of unique tourism products and offerings geared to cater to various traveller needs.

During the trade show, Ms Guliwe also highlighted new products that are set to increase South Africa’s appeal.

South African Tourism also arranged a special event for SMMEs which was attended by members of media and trade. This initiative afforded these enterprises a unique opportunity to garner exposure and showcase their array of products and services.

“This particular event was specifically tailored and targeted as a platform for these businesses to have more closer and meaningful connections with key trade partners, potentially securing collaborations and contributing to their growth and development,” Ms Guliwe

added.

In addition to this, South African Tourism was joined by South African National Parks (SANParks) in showcasing the country’s diverse sustainable experiences and products that allow visitors to revel in the beauty of South Africa and its warm people while simultaneously making a direct, positive impact on the well-being of nature and local communities.

More and more visitors are wanting sustainable tourism experiences and exploring cultural experiences. Ms Guliwe emphasised South African Tourism’s commitment to supporting township and rural tourism establishments, as these are at the heart of providing authentic and immersive cultural experiences.

“At SANPArks, we are largely known for the ‘big 5’ experience through our world-renowned areas such as Kruger National Park. We, however, have much more varied offerings in our parks. We feature diverse landscapes, marine life, and rich cultural heritage sites. We encourage our visitors to venture into lesser-known parks,” said. Kaula NyilendaMphaphuli, managing executive: tourism development and marketing.

Promising the potential visitors an unforgettable experience, Ms Guliwe said South Africa was a country of exceptional people, and this trait extends to the tourism offerings and hospitality with which visitors are met.

RX Africa makes sizeable contribution to R4-billion revenue from Cape Town events

RX Africa, the continent’s premier exhibition organiser, is proud to announce its ongoing commitment to creating event environments that foster thriving business ecosystems. Through a strategic digital transformation aimed at elevating the power of face-to-face, RX Africa continues to be a trailblazer in the events industry by remaining dedicated to facilitating the sustained growth of businesses across Africa.

This follows the release of event statistics by the City of Cape Town’s Event Permit Office, stating that impressive economic growth took place in 2023 in the city as a direct result of innovative events.

In Cape Town alone, some of RX Africa’s events contributed to the R4-billion of revenue generated from events across the city last year. With an impressive 400 events in 42 sectors and 22 countries, RX Global is making an impact through its diverse portfolio of exhibitions, conferences and trade shows around the globe. Events are crucial in driving economic growth and development by promoting various sectors such as tourism, hospitality and local businesses.

RX Africa is steadfast in its commitment to enhancing tourism and travel in Africa, which are a vital contribution to the continent’s economy. Africa Travel Week is a highlight of the company’s event schedule for 2024 and has proven to be instrumental in growth in the tourism and travel industry and hosts sister events World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa) and International Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTM Africa).

WTM Africa is one half of ATW, taking place from 10-12 April 2024, in the host city of Cape Town. 2024 marks the event’s 10-year anniversary and the show promises to be bigger and better than ever before. WTM Africa also hosts niche bolt-on conferences that reflect RX Africa’s dedication to the likes of sustainable tourism practices, WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards; inclusion and diversity, EQUAL Africa conference; and investment and economic growth, Tourism Investment Forum Africa at WTM Africa.

ILTM Africa, hosted at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town from 7-9 April 2024, draws in an impressive international market. ILTM Africa is a specialist invitation-only event, where buyers from across the globe are introduced to a collection of high-end African travel experiences. In 2023, ILTM Africa facilitated

more than 1,250 unique pre-scheduled appointments and welcomed 88 per cent new buyers.

RX Africa’s conferences and exhibitions provide opportunities for professionals from all spheres to share insights, showcase new products and services and forge partnerships. This exchange of ideas not only contributes to the growth of individual businesses but also enhances the overall competitiveness of the economy. The company’s pivotal events serve as platforms for knowledge exchange and networking and for promoting innovation and collaboration within industries.

Carol Weaving, managing director of RX Africa, emphasised the importance of diversity in all sectors. “Powered by a wealth of talent, tech and intelligence, we’re broadening our reach to cover the richest diversity in people, industries and markets. It’s about helping our customers to flourish and open more doors, in more places, than ever before.”

Furthermore, over 26,000 job opportunities were created in the City of Cape Town, through events in 2023, and RX Africa places vital importance on using local suppliers for various services, which leads to local economic growth.

Comic Con Africa (27 April to 1 May 2024 at Cape Town International Convention Centre and 26-29 September 2024 at Johannesburg Expo Centre), is an annual attendee favourite, bringing in over 70,000 visitors.

Decorex Africa is another highlight of the RX Africa event schedule and takes place in Cape Town in June and Johannesburg in August 2024.

Additional event highlights in 2024

100% Design Africa

Date: 1-4 August 2024

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Key Features: Africa’s only international design show for eight years, a platform for

contemporary designs from across the continent. 100% Design Africa brings in an impressive 30,022 visitors (67% consumer, 33% trade).

Mzansi Food & Drink Show

Date: 15-17 June 2024

Venue: Kyalami International Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Key Features: Mzansi Food & Drink show will deliver a beautiful melting pot of Mzansi’s most-loved food and beverages and provide a comprehensive view of the latest trends, products, and innovations in the food and beverage industry, and offer opportunities for education, networking, and discovery.

FAME Week Africa

Date: 2-4 September 2024

Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre

Key Features: FAME Week Africa is a global stage, connecting audiences worldwide and fostering inclusivity while catalysing positive change in Africa’s creative industries. The gathering saw an increase of 15% from 2022 in attendees last year for one of its major events, MIP Africa.

Carol Weaving, managing director of RX Africa.

The Good Life Show announces its collaboration with The SA Chefs Association

The Good Life Show is thrilled to announce its exciting collaboration with the SA Chefs Association for its 2024 shows. The events will take place at the CTICC in Cape Town from May 31st to June 2nd, 2024, and at the Kyalami International Convention Centre from 26-28 July 2024.

Visitors can look forward to discovering, tasting, and purchasing hundreds of innovative and high-quality food, drink, and sustainable living products. The shows will feature top chefs and mixologists giving live demonstrations, premium interactive experiences, exclusive industry networking opportunities, unique wellness activities, and a variety of engaging talks. This premier event aims to inspire individuals interested in food, health, wellness, the environment, or conscious living, as well as professionals in the retail, restaurant, hotel, and hospitality sectors, including local distributors and exporters seeking innovative and high-quality products.

The SA Chefs Association, which celebrates its Golden Jubilee anniversary (50 years) in 2024, will curate and host the ‘Tasting the Future’ talks at the Good Life Show. This section will showcase a range of engaging talks and panel discussions led by culinary experts, top nutritionists, dieticians, as well as health and sustainability specialists. The aim is

to inform, motivate, and exchange innovative insights that are shaping the future of food and the food industry. Topics will cover sustainable cooking, best agricultural practices, and tips on caring for the environment, among others. Not only will these live talks be a great opportunity for the speakers to engage with the audience, but audience members will also be given the unique opportunity to talk to and interact with the experts. Entrance to these informative talks at the show is free.

The SA Chefs Association will also be actively involved in other exciting parts of the overall show.

• ‘Plant-Based Chef of the Year’: SA Chefs Association will run an exciting plant-based ‘Chef of the Year’ cooking competition at the Good Life Show whereby four winners will be crowned; two from Cape Town and two from Johannesburg. There will be ‘Junior’ and ‘Senior’ winners and the winners will also win a coveted place in the 2028

Culinary Olympics team.

SA Chefs Association Pavilion: The organisation will also have a pavilion of stands where some of its members will answer questions and generally interact with the show’s visitors.

• The Good Life Kitchen: SA Chefs will play a key role in curating the chef’s line-up and culinary support teams. The Good Life Kitchen is one of the star attractions of the show, featuring top local and international chefs who will demonstrate how to create a variety of exciting, versatile, healthy, and delicious sustainable recipes.

As a non-profit organisation, the SA Chefs Association represents the interests of chefs, cooks, and caterers, and has a strong focus on skills development within the culinary industry.

SA Chef’s President, James Khoza says: “Being part of the Good Life Show this year gives us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our work and our chefs because not only will we be bringing in specialists to share their knowledge

about their fields of expertise, but we will be showcasing top South African chefs and culinary experts through live cooking demos, while also featuring some exciting up-and-coming chefs. We look forward to this collaboration enormously.”

Event producer, Heidi Warricker says: “This event offers aspiring chefs and industry professionals a platform for vital knowledge sharing, an arena to connect with producers, as well as offering them the opportunity to explore the latest cutting-edge and innovative products in the sustainable space. Our collaboration with The SA Chefs Association aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire and create enjoyment around cooking, eating, and living more consciously and sustainably. The organisation brings with it a wealth of knowledge and expertise and will add so much to the overall visitor experience of the Good Life Show. We are delighted to have them onboard.”

The Good Life Show will feature four dynamic events under one roof, giving visitors access to all of them with one ticket:

• The Plant Powered Show [Africa’s premier plant-based food, drink & conscious living event]

• Natural & Organic Show [Powered by Nature]

• The Free-from Show [Embrace the alternatives]

• SustainEx [Live and love the sustainable life]

Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town

Friday, 31 May 2024, from 12:00 to 18:00

Saturday, 1 June 2024, from 10:00 to 18:00

Sunday, 2 June 2024, from 10:00 to 17:00

Kyalami International Convention Centre, Greater Johannesburg

• Friday, 26 July 2024, from 12:00 to 18:00

• Saturday, 27 July 2024, from 10:00 to 18:00

• Sunday, 28 July 2024, from 10:00 to 17:00

Tickets are on sale at Quicket (Cape Town click here; Johannesburg click here). Follow GLS & TPPS socials for early bird ticket promos. One ticket = 4 shows.

Go to goodlifeshowafrica for more information.

DO CONFERENCING & EVENTS THE PREMIER WAY

Premier Hotels & Resorts is your one-stop conferencing & events Hotel Group of choice.

Seminars •Banquets• Product Launches

Conferencing• Business Networking

Tell us what you have in mind & our professional Banqueting Team will make it happen!

BOOK TODAY

info@premierhotels.co.za

www.premierhotels.co.za

096 111 5555

Western Cape: Premier Hotel Cape Town, Premier Resort The Moorings, Premier Express Inn George Eastern Cape: Premier Hotel EL ICC, Premier Hotel Regent, Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve, East London International Convention Centre (ELICC)

Kwazulu-Natal: Premier Splendid Inn Port Edward, Premier Splendid Inn Pinetown, Premier Resort Cutty Sark, Premier Hotel The Richards, Premier Splendid Inn Bayshore, Premier Resort Sani Pass, Premier Hotel Umhlanga, Premier Splendid Inn Umhlanga

Gauteng: Premier Hotel Midrand, Premier Hotel Pretoria, Premier Hotel Falstaff, Premier Hotel Quatermain, Premier Hotel Roodevalley

Mpumalanga: Premier Hotel The Winkler

Free State: Premier Splendid Inn Bloemfontein

Limpopo: Premier Hotel Thohoyandou

SAACI signs industry working partnership with EGF to drive sustainability

An industry Partnership Agreement between the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) and the Event Greening Forum (EGF) was announced at Meetings Africa in Johannesburg.

This strategic collaboration with several meetings and event industry representative organisations which have a clear interest in developing longterm business relations and in this instance, the sustainability of the meetings and events industry. By working with SAACI’s Association Community and the broad mass of SAACI’s membership, who drive the meetings and events industry, will be in an informed position regarding the working relations with the EGF. The objective is to exchange information and crosspromotion between both associations.

Jaques Fouche, national chairperson of SAACI, explained: “We are extremely pleased to conclude this partnership for both SAACI and EGF. SAACI needs to work with EGF in the drive of knowledge sharing which makes this partnership so relevant and important for the business events industry within Africa. We are

looking forward to the exchange of critical information on sustainable events, held across the country. This information will assist in the bidding process of future events, that require sustainability deliverables. This will start an aggressive process in how we want to increase business events and association meetings in South Africa.”

Morwesi Ramonyai, chairperson of EGF, said: “Through the active participation of our members and association community on building shared knowledge in the manner we deliver sustainable meetings and events, will increase the support to the South African meetings industry and its objective to also achieve societal development through meetings. I would like to thank SAACI for their support over the years and am delighted to welcome this collaboration amongst EGF and SAACI.”

The partnership will bring strategic

collaboration and will mutually benefit both associations through the exchange of information, creating awareness through affiliation, and working together to create new education and training opportunities for the benefit of the Business Events Industry in Africa.

Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI, commented on the agreement: “The work between SAACI and association partners is to develop markets and drive association business events to Destination South Africa. A number of our member companies are active in ensuring that we deliver sustainable meetings and events. This initiative coincides with our view of the market and the way we wish to drive partnerships and collaboration in building a strong, sustainable business events industry for our continent with like-minded partners.”

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.

The power of connection

The dictionary defines connect as ‘to join, link, or fasten together, unite or bind: to connect two parties by a bridge’. When a puzzle piece fits into one another, they connect.

By Lee-Ann Alder, association manager of EXSA

Ioften get asked what my role at EXSA is.

My general response is that I connect the right people with each other. The industry, although large and diverse, is actually small.

We consist of a multitude of components that are mutually reliant on each other to build the puzzle. Hence, collaboration is of vital importance to every member, no matter which areas of speciality they have.

Being on so many buildup sites has made the meaning of connection so much more prevalent to me. When an issue arises, I know I have a strong army of professionals to assist, and problem-solve, to reach a positive outcome.

This is of vital importance to the newer startup members who are the future of this industry. The stalwarts have a large amount of skill, knowledge, and experience to impart to the newer members. This is how we all grow and develop; most companies were established in garages at home and have evolved into huge organisations.

Through building the right connections — anything is possible, even change doesn’t seem as daunting. This industry is filled with strong personalities that may challenge others but, in the same breath, cheer the industry on, when they succeed. That is the beauty of the industry — they may compete for the same clients and

work, but they all celebrate success together.

‘The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.’ — Tom Ford.

Next Generation — developing young professionals

Meetings Africa 2024 has just concluded, with positive optimism expressed by all in attendance.

By Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI

While many will agree, we still have a way to go, not only to exceed the delivery of meetings and events in respect of the base activity numbers of 2019, but the industry is indeed well on its way this early in 2024.

It was pleasing to see the engagement and participation of many young students and professionals as part of the Future Leaders programme. The robust discussions and delivery of the projects are most welcoming. As an industry, we need a collective push to ‘deliberately’ nurture, develop, and work with the next generation of event professionals in the meetings and events industry.

Whether we consider internships, apprenticeships, or basic mentoring, the meetings and events industry in South Africa can benefit by growing and developing young professionals.

It may not appear to be so, but the practical hands-on experience, which our industry is, will provide invaluable practical experience that allows students to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting.

SAACI is constantly seeking partnerships with members or industry stakeholders to create platforms for young professionals, whereby they can obtain events experience in key areas such as venue sourcing, logistics, marketing and budgeting.

Too often, we have heard how students view our industry, ‘that we are given the menial task’, ‘basic filing, and moving speakers and boxes’. While this may be either true or just a perception, our industry is practical, it is a people-driven environment with unforgiving hours, that challenge one’s character. Learning through doing is a way that many seasoned event professionals have

built their experience and knowledge.

We need to build on this and encourage the commitment and passion we witnessed at the Future Leaders forum recently. Volunteering to offer time that will allow access to mentors and industry professionals who can provide guidance, share knowledge and advice on building a successful career path, is one way we may consider lending a hand.

An environment that fosters a competitive edge, develops critical skills, builds important connections, and positions our future industry for success in the meetings and events field, will lead to a sustainable human resource future for our country.

Embracing sustainability: the imperative for Africa’s events industry

In a world where change is the only constant, one agenda remains steadfast and urgent — the greening agenda.

As Morwesi Ramonyai, Chairperson of the Event Greening Forum (EGF), aptly puts it, the imperative for sustainability within the events industry is not just a passing trend; it’s a call we can’t afford to ignore amidst the looming reality of climate change.

The role of the events industry in climate action

While celebrated for their vibrancy and impact, events also cast a significant shadow on the environment, contributing substantially to carbon emissions. In Africa alone, events leave a considerable carbon footprint, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices within the industry.

The commitment of the event greening forum

Leading the charge towards a greener future is the Event Greening Forum (EGF), steadfast in its commitment to achieving the global Net Zero by 2050 Goal. Through initiatives like the ‘Journey to Net Zero’ campaign and strategic events held in 2023, the EGF spearheads efforts to mobilise the events industry in South Africa and beyond.

Practical steps towards sustainability

But how do we translate commitment into action? It starts with practical steps that event professionals can implement, from reducing waste to embracing renewable energy solutions. These sustainable practices benefit the environment and enhance business efficiency and reputation. Drawing from the learnings and experiences of 2023, here are eight fundamental steps event professionals can take to drive sustainability:

1. Integrate sustainability into the core business strategy

Prioritise sustainability by embedding it into the fundamental objectives and decisionmaking processes of event planning and execution.

2. Address energy use and financial barriers

Explore opportunities to reduce energy consumption and minimise costs through energy-efficient practices and investments in renewable energy sources. Overcoming financial obstacles may require innovative financing options or partnerships to

implement sustainable solutions effectively.

3. Leverage technology

Embrace technological advancements to streamline operations, reduce resource consumption, and assist in data collection for measurement purposes.

4. Track emissions across the supply chain

Implement systems to monitor and measure greenhouse gas emissions throughout the event supply chain, from transportation and venue operations to food and beverage services. This data provides valuable insights for identifying areas of improvement, and setting emission reduction targets.

5. Stay informed

Stay abreast of the latest developments, best practices, and innovations in sustainable event management. Engage with industry experts, attend conferences, and participate in training programs to continuously expand knowledge and skills in sustainability.

6. Avoid greenwashing

Ensure sustainability initiatives are genuine, transparent, and backed by measurable actions and outcomes. Avoid the temptation to engage in greenwashing, which can erode trust and credibility within the industry and among stakeholders.

7. Upskill team members to drive sustainability transformations

Invest in training and development programs to empower event staff with the knowledge and skills to champion sustainability initiatives. Encourage a culture of innovation and collaboration, where team members actively contribute to greening efforts.

8. Get buy-in from stakeholders and staff

Foster stakeholder engagement and cultivate support for sustainability goals among event participants, sponsors, vendors, and staff. Communicate the importance of sustainability.

Challenges and opportunities

Yet, the path to sustainability has its challenges. Event professionals grapple with issues like cost barriers and logistical complexities. However, these challenges present opportunities for innovation and collaboration, as evidenced by success stories of events overcoming obstacles to achieve their green goals.

Looking ahead

As we look to the future, the trajectory of sustainability within the events industry is promising. Emerging trends and technologies offer new avenues for greening operations and reducing environmental impact. However, the key lies in continued commitment and collaboration, ensuring that the greening agenda remains at the forefront of industry priorities.

The imperative for sustainability within Africa’s events industry is clear and pressing. As event professionals, we are responsible for embracing greener practices, driving positive change, and shaping a more sustainable future for future generations. We heed the call to action, united in our commitment to building a more resilient and environmentally conscious events industry.

About us

The Event Greening Forum is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. To find out more, please visit www.eventgreening.co.za

For more information, please

contact:

Lynn Mcleod

Tel: 082 891 5883

Email: lynn@eventgreening.co.za

SITE Africa in full force at recent SITE Global Conference

The SITE Africa Chapter was proudly represented by 16 members during the 2024 SITE Global Conference. This prestigious event was held from 25-28 February 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey, with a record turnout of more than 400 international delegates.

By Tes Proos, president of SITE Africa

There was so much going on, including a chapter leader meeting, where global leaders shared experiences – the good and the bad – with great takeaways for all. Powerhouse keynote speakers set the tone with great

motivational presentations, sharing stories of overcoming the impossible. These included Gamze Cizreli, founder and owner of BigChefs in Turkey, as well as the ‘Overpaid Rockstar Consultant’, Claus Raasted.

There was no lack of incredible entertainment and performances throughout — from brilliant vocalists to belly dancers, fire-poi and so much more! A seriously moving performance was delivered by a Turkish choir made up of adult members who have all lost their homes and many loved ones during the tragic earthquakes of January 2023.

Istanbul has no shortage of mindblowing venues, steeped in history. We were privileged to enjoy the SITE 2023 Crystal Awards dinner in the opulence of the Çırağan Palace Kempinski.

Delegates also enjoyed a historical cruise down the mighty Bosphorus River and walked through the old city of Taksim — not to mention seriously good, authentic Turkish food throughout!

The city of Istanbul hits one in the face from seven different directions at the same time! It sure is a melting pot of historical and cultural experiences, fabulous food, and amazing people, making it a fantastic incentive destination. Congratulations to Team Turkey and SITE Global for delivering a truly world-class event!

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...

SOUTHERN AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE CONFERENCE INDUSTRY

EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

EXCO AND HEAD OFFICE

Chairperson

Jaques Fouche

e: jaques@be-moved.co.za

c: +27 (0)60 993 7542

Vice-chairperson

Gheeta Payle

e: gheeta.payle@inhousevtm.com

c: +27 (0)61 609 8585

Treasurer

Alex Wrottesley

e: alex@intoafrica.co.za

c: +27 (0)79 429 1627

Chief executive officer

Glenton De Kock

e: ceo@saaci.org

c: +27 (0)82 575 7565

Membership Services & Operations

Tracey-Lee Abdulla

e: members@saaci.org

t: +27 (0)84 492 1515

REGIONAL COMMITTEE

CHAIRPERSONS

Eastern Cape Chairperson

Neil Mouton

t: +27 (0)61 423 9920

e: ec.za@saaci.org

KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson

Kavitha Dhawnath

c: +27 (0)83 607 2006

e: kzn.za@saaci.org

Gauteng Chairperson

Mary Mahlangu

c: +27 (0)81 574 9493

e: jhb.za@saaci.org

Western Cape Chairperson

Ansu Colditz

c: +27 (0)82 457 8071

e: wc.za@saaci.org

Learning Ambassador

Esti Venske

c: +27 (0)83 482 9276

EXSA OFFICE

www.exsa.co.za

Chairperson

Sibusiso Mncwabe

Marketing Well

Vice Chair

Jacqui Nel

Exhibition Freighting GSM

Treasurer

Ismael Atanasi

GL Events

Director

Ashona Maharaj

Durban ICC

Director

Beert Kuiken

Octanorm

Director

Gabi Babinszky

Brandex

Director

Kelly Papas Barmotion

Director

Kerry-Lee Bester

Brilliant Branding

Director

Liam Beattie

Hott 3D

Director

Nic Curle

Nucleus

Co-Opted Director

Daksha Vallabh

Orange Orbit

Co-Opted Director

Gavin Burgess

Technology Partners

Co-Opted Director

Kimendrie Pillay

Johannesburg Expo Centre

Co-Opted Director

Ross Wilson

Urban Tonic

SOCIETY FOR INCENTIVE TRAVEL EXCELLENCE

President

Tes Proos

c: +27 (0) 84 682 7676

e: tes@crystalevents.co.za

Treasurer

Peter-John Mitrovich

c: +27 (0)82 318 1889

e: peter-john.mitrovich@grosvenortours.com

Sustainability

Daryl Keywood

Southern Africa Development

Brad Glen

East Africa Development

Chris Munyao

Young Leader Programme

Peter Mwanja

Africa Convention Bureaus

Rick Taylor

North Africa Development

George Fawzi

Board member at large

Rick Taylor

East Africa (Rwanda)

Chris Munyao

North Africa

George Fawzi

North Africa support

Brad Glen

Secretariat & Events

Mariaan Burger

c: +27 (0)82 557 8041

e: info@siteafrica.africa

SA EVENTS COUNCIL

e: hello@saeventscouncil.org

Chairperson

Raylene Johnson, CEO: TEBCO-SA

Interim treasurer

Glenn van Eck, Chairperson: CEPA

Spokesperson

Projeni Pather, Chairperson: AAXO

Members

Kevan Jones, Executive Director SACIA

Sharif Baker, Chairperson TPSA

Tes Proos, SITE President

Justin Hawes, Managing Director: Scan Display & Event

Greening Forum Treasurer

Sibusiso Mncwabe, Chairperson EXSA

Justin van Wyk, Chairperson SALPA

Mike Lord, Chairperson ESC

Arthur Goldstuck, PSASA Exco Member

Esmare Steinhofel, Chairperson: ICCA Africa Chapter

Advisory Members:

Prof Nellie Swart, Associate Professor: Tourism

Management

Corne Koch, Head: Convention Bureau (WESGRO)

Tiisetso Tau, AAXO member

Daryl Keywood, SITE Member

Bheki Twala, TEBCO-SA Executive

Kim Roberts, SAACI Representative Western Cape

Robyn D’Alessandro, PR/Social media, Vivo Visual Voice CC

ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN EXHIBITION ORGANISERS

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS & CONVENTION ASSOCIATION

46 Waterford Office Park, Waterford Drive, Fourways, Johannesburg

t: +27 (0)87 265 5840

e: aaxo@aaxo.co.za

Association coordinator: Anthea Buys

e: anthea@aaxo.co.za

Chairperson:

Devi Paulsen-Abbott, Dmg Events e: devipaulsen@dmgevents.com

Vice-chairperson: Tiisetso Tau, Synergy Business Events e: ttau@synergybe.co.za

Venue Committee Chairperson:

Charles Wilson, Gallagher Convention Centre e: charlesw@Gallagher.co.za

Treasurer:

Mark Anderson, Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery e: marka@specialised.com

Board of directors:

Chanelle Hingston, Clarion Events Africa

e: chanelle.hingston@clarionevents.com

Sandra Barrow

e: sandra.barrow@rxglobal.com

Projeni Pather, Exposure Marketing e: projeni@exposuremarketing.co.za

ICCA African Chapter

Chairperson:

Taubie Motlhabane

Cape Town International Convention Centre

t: +27 (0)21 410 5000

e: Taubiem@cticc.co.za

Deputy Chairperson:

Frank Murangwa

Rwanda Convention Bureau

t: +250 788 358 454

e: frank.murangwa@rcb.rw

Secretariat:

Esmaré Steinhöfel

ICCA Africa Regional director

c: +27 (0)84 056 5544

e: esmare.s@iccaworld.org www.iccaworld.com/dbs/africanchapter www.iccaworld.org

EVENT GREENING FORUM

179 Jan Smuts Ave, Parktown North, Private Bag X7000, Parklands 2121

t: +27 (0)11 447 4777

e: info@eventgreening.co.za

w: www.eventgreening.co.za

Chairperson

Morwesi Ramonyai, Borena Energy

Vice-chairperson

John Avanitakis, Chat’r Xperience

Treasurer

Justin Hawes, Scan Display

Secretariat

Lynn McLeod

e: lynn@eventgreening.co.za

OTHER ORGANISATIONS OF INTEREST

ABTA African Business Travel Association

Box 2594, Pinegowrie, 2123

t: +27 (0)11 888 8178

c: +27 (0)83 679 2110

e: monique@abta.co.za

www.abta.co.za

Founder: Monique Swart

ASATA – Association of Southern African Travel Agents

PO Box 650539, Benmore, 2010

t: +27 (0)11 293 0560/61

e: barbara@asata.co.za

e: general@asata.co.za

Office manager: Barbara Viljoen

Council of Event Professionals Africa Kevan Jones

kevan@sacia.org.za

t: +27 (0)11 083 6418

c: +27 (0)82 555 5556

Chairperson: Glenn van Eck Magnetic Storm

c: +27 (0)82 800 2616

e: glenn@magnetic.co.za

FEDHASA National Office Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa PO Box 3853, The Reeds, 0157

c: +27 (0)82 552 9862

e: ceo@fedhasa.co.za www.fedhasa.co.za

PSASA – Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa

t: +27 (0)11 462 9465

c: +27 (0)83 458 6114

e: admin@psasouthernafrica.co.za www.psasouthernafrica.co.za

SABOA Southern African Bus Operators Association

Postnet Suite 393, Private Bag X033, Rivonia 2128

t: +27 (0)11 511 7641

e: saboa@saboa.co.za www.saboa.co.za

SACIA Southern African Communications Industries Association

c: +27 (0)82 555 5556

e: kevan@sacia.org.za

Executive director: Kevan Jones

SATI South African Translators’ Institute

Executive director: Marion Boers

t: +27 (0)11 803 2681

e: office@translators.org.za

www.translators.org.za

SATSA Southern Africa Tourism Services Association

Box 900, Ferndale 2160

t: +27 (0)11 886 9996

e: pa@satsa.co.za

www.satsa.com

SKAL International South Africa

Secretary: Anne Lamb

t: +27 (0)21 434 7023

c: +27 (0)82 708 1836

e: anne@yebo.co.za

www.skalsouthafrica.org

STA Sandton Tourism Association

t: +27 (0)83 558 5445

e: secretariat@sandtontourism.com

www.sandtontourism.com

TBCSA Tourism Business Council of South Africa

Chief executive: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

Box 11655, Centurion 0046

t: +27 (0)12 664 0120

e: comms@tbcsa.travel

www.tbcsa.travel

www.tomsa.co.za

Member relations manager: Boitumelo Moleleki

TGCSA Tourism Grading

Council of South Africa

Private Bag X10012, Sandton 2146

t: +27 (0)11 895 3000

f: +27 (0)11 895 3001

e: enquiries@tourismgrading.co.za

TINSA Interpreters/Translators Network of Southern Africa

e: info@interpreter.org.za

t/f: +27 (0)11 485 2511

c: +27 (0)83 249 0010

www.interpreter.org.za

TPSA Technical Production Services Association

c: +27 (0)82 555 5556

e: kevan@sacia.org.za

www.tpsa.co.za

Executive director: Kevan Jones

TTA Tshwane Tourism Association

Box 395, Pretoria 0001

t: +27 (0)12 841 4212

e: secretary@tshwanetourism.com

www.tshwanetourism.com

Chairperson:

Bronwen Cadle de Ponte

Secretary: Sithembile Nzimande

Membership coordinator: Liz Oosthuysen

e: membership@tshwanetourism.com

Why 2024 will be the year of tourism FDI in South Africa

The dawn of 2024 brings with it a palpable sense of optimism in South Africa’s tourism and hospitality industry. Building on the momentum gained in 2023, the sector is set to experience a transformative year. Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, a notable example, has witnessed a significant increase in reservations from the UK and USA, largely attributed to the new direct flight routes from Cape Town to the USA.

By Clinton Thom, general manager, Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront

At the time of the announcement, James Vos, the Mayoral Member for Economic Growth and Tourism at the City of Cape Town described this development as a ‘big boost’ for the tourism and hospitality industry in the city.

“The Delta route comes on top of the United Airlines announcement that it will be resuming direct flights between Cape Town and Newark/New York in June 2022, ahead of their initial schedule,” he said at the time. Since then, the Western Cape’s October Tourism Report for 2023 indicated a 57 per cent increase in international passenger traffic, signalling a renewed global interest in South Africa as a premier travel destination.

The initiation of direct flights between Cape Town and the USA has opened new avenues for international tourism, significantly reducing travel time and enhancing convenience for American travellers. This development has not only facilitated an easier flow of tourists but also

stimulated interest in South Africa’s diverse travel offerings.

Recent data from Stats SA showed South Africa received more than 7.5 million international travellers by November 2023, with tourist arrivals from the Americas showing a 44 per cent growth between January and November last year, compared to the year before.

Likewise, the sustained increase in visitors from the UK can be seen as a testament to South Africa’s enduring appeal in the European market, as the country welcomed more than 1 million tourists from Europe in the same time period. Among European arrivals, the UK remained the dominant market followed by Germany and the Netherlands. The data also showed an increase of more than 80 per cent in arrivals from Russia.

This influx of international visitors is expected to bring a fresh wave of economic benefits and cultural exchange, further enriching South Africa’s tourism landscape

and economic activity in the sector.

In 2023, these tourists largely drove occupancy rates in accommodations across the country, with more than 50 per cent of visitors to Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront being international tourists.

Tailoring offerings to local preferences, such as family-friendly packages, weekend getaways, and special events, continues to be a successful strategy for maintaining a steady stream of domestic tourism. International travellers to South Africa are spoiled for choice, with a variety of landscapes, climates, and vacation options across the country. These range from the vast Karoo, to the lush and mountainous Great Drakensberg area, to the many coastal options available across the country with most travellers setting their sights on the Mother City.

As we navigate through 2024, the adaptation and innovation of businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector will play an important role in their success. One of

Photo by Leo Moko on Unsplash

the key drivers will be to offer unique experiences. National Geographic believes that experiential travel might become one of the biggest travel trends for this year. “Experiential travel usually delves deeper into a given destination, ensuring visitors can experience it as authentically as possible. As such, tours tend to focus on less-touristy spots,” the magazine said.

The allure of unique, authentic experiences cannot be overstated. For international tourists, this might mean wildlife safaris that showcase South Africa’s rich biodiversity, cultural tours that explore the country’s heritage, or adventure sports set against stunning natural backdrops. For local tourists, the focus might be on undiscovered gems within their own country, such as off-the-beaten-path destinations or local festivals that celebrate South African traditions and cuisines.

This is evidenced by statistics released in October last year by Mireille Wenger, the Western Cape’s Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, which recorded the top five highest year-on-year growth rates recorded for a few of the Western Cape’s national parks and reserves such as Anysberg Nature Reserve (867 per cent), Stony Point Eco Venue (109%), Walker Bay Nature Reserve (65%), Table Mountain National Park: Boulders (47%) and Table

Mountain National Park: Cape of Good Hope (31 per cent).

Focusing on experiential travel and adventures in South Africa, it also highlights that sustainability in the travel industry is no longer a mere trend but a necessity. Eco-friendly initiatives can range from reducing waste and conserving water to supporting conservation projects. Such practices not only appeal to environmentally conscious travellers but also ensure the long-term viability of the tourism sites themselves.

Another trend that will continue to grow in 2024 is the integration of technology in tourism, which is revolutionising the way travellers interact with destinations and also helping with the recovery of the industry post-pandemic. Efficient online booking systems, virtual customer service, and mobile applications can simplify travel planning and provide seamless experiences for tourists.

By capitalising on the trends of the past year and implementing forward-thinking strategies, the industry is well-positioned to offer an unparalleled travel experience. From the bustling streets of Johannesburg to the serene landscapes of the Western Cape, South Africa is ready to welcome the world with its unique blend of beauty, culture, and adventure.

Who is Clinton Thom?

Clinton Thom is the general manager, Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town. Clinton began his career with Radisson Hotel Group as general manager at Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Newlands. In 2016, he was awarded the UK Guardian Award for Sustainability and the Hotel of the Year at Radisson Hotel Group.

AFRICA’S LEADING BUSINESS EVENTS DIRECTORY

2 for 1 offer

The print listings now mirror our online directory style with basic and premium listings. In fact, upgrading a basic listing in print to premium will include an upgrade to premium on the website and vice versa. The same information online is printed in the print directory.

Business Events Africa is known for having the most comprehensive directory of venues, service providers, speakers and conference organisers in Africa. We have been a trusted source of information for more than 41 years, and now offer this valuable resource online.

The market is tough out there. What makes your business different from any other? For starters, be more accessible on the internet.

Online searches are now the preferred method of finding information and contact details, so the better your online presence, the more business you will get.

BENEFITS OF LISTING YOUR BUSINESS:

• By claiming your listing, you can may your company’s information up-to-date at your own convenience

• Upgrade your listing online at any time, to maximise your brand exposure

•Improve your SEO and online presence

•We provide a targeted audience for your business

•See your stats know how many people are seeing your listing

•Increase traffic to your website with a link from the directory

For as little as R2 400, you may get the edge over your competitors by providing indispensable information to your customers on our online directory

Affordable advertising is just a click away Visit www.businesseventsafrica.com/directory

Call