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 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.”

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

“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.

Protea Hotel by Marriott® Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton.

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.