Business Events Africa — October 2022

Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Events Africa: Serving the business events industry for 42 years

CONTENTS

42 NO 10

2022

About the cover

As a focused service brand, Hilton Garden Inn offers upscale and affordable accommodations with unexpected amenities for an experience that is ‘Simply on another level.’

PERSONALITY PROFILE

32 Angela Lorimer — ‘own your brand’.

VENUE OF THE MONTH

34 The Westin — an unmatched venue for conferencing.

VENUE NEWS

37 Well-known hotel executive takes on new role at Kruger Gate Hotel.

38 Grande Roche Hotel celebrates landmark anniversary.

39 Sun City leads the way in hospitality transformation.

41 Home Suite Hotels launches Station House.

MARKET NEWS

Cover Feature COVER STORY

8 Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch celebrates two-year anniversary.

On the pages…

COMMENT

What is your legacy?

6 Reserve your spot for Meetings Africa 2023.

7 Delta launches non-stop service connecting Atlanta and Cape Town.

UMHLANGA FEATURE

13 Umhlanga is leading the recovery.

14 Play more in Umhlanga.

COMPANY PROFILE

17 Leo Melano Events — delivering stellar events.

EXHIBITION OUTLOOK

18 African Exhibition Industry Outlook: Unlocking untapped opportunities in Africa.

HOTEL GROUP UPDATE

20 City Lodge Hotel Group reports strong recovery.

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

22 Honouring our heritage through truly South African experiences.

CASE STUDY

24 Electra Mining Africa celebrates 50 years.

CHEF’S PROFILE

31 Claudia van Eyk — ‘food has always played a big part in my life’.

42 Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo drives the renewable energy agenda.

43 The KZN South Coast to host The Conservation Symposium.

44 New Sandton restaurant arrives with a roar.

45 Dubai Tourism successfully showcases offering in SA.

46 Guy Stehlik named among 100 Most Powerful People in Africa Hospitality.

47 Open Day for The IIE of Hospitality & Service Management.

Association news

EVENT GREENING FORUM

48 Your green venue checklist. SAACI

49 Staying event-fit.

SITE

50 Three ways to deliver sustainable incentives that motivate teams.

EXSA

52 Giving back to the community.

AAXO

53 Events of all kinds depend on teamwork.

Regulars

54 Directory.

MARKET NEWS

56 Brett Delport joins Hilton as regional director.

56 Index of advertisers and contributors.

THE LAST WORD

57 The future of conferencing.

Published by the proprietor Contact Publications (Pty) Ltd (Reg No. 1981/011920/07)

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 414, Kloof 3640, South Africa TEL: +27 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: Volume 42 No 10

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

publishers of Business Events Africa, is a member of:

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The authority on meetings, exhibitions, special events and incentives management www.businesseventsafrica.com

What is your legacy ?

Legacy, not the soap opera, but the legacy that gives you an opportunity to live for a purpose that’s bigger than yourself, is something we should all strive for.

Business events, speaks to this – be it at a conference, event, incentive or exhibition – every event hosted, leaves some form of legacy.

In this edition, we feature Electra Mining Africa and its 50-year celebration and its legacy.

Wow, 50 years is no mean feat! So much has happened in this show’s lifetime. It is due to its legacy, in many ways, that exhibitors return, and visitors want to visit the show.

The legacy of Electra Mining and other events in our industry are made up by the individuals that have made it a success over the years.

But what is it that keeps a legacy going? I have been thinking about this quite a bit; it might be because I am just getting to that age where I wonder, what is my own purpose and what will my legacy be, professionally and personally.

The mentors that come into our lives leave an impact. This impact could be seen as their legacy, as we keep their memories alive.

I have, over the last 20 years of being in the business events industry, had many mentors. If I think back, they have all shaped me in one way or another. I am

still learning; the learning never ends. Contact

Publications celebrated 42 years this year. Its founder, the late Godfrey King, was one of my mentors. He immersed himself in the business industry and always said that the magazine was, and still is, very much part of the sector, a journal of records for the industry. That has always stuck with me.

We all have a part to play.

The new entries into the sector, are just as important as the established players. Our cover story this month is the Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch. This hotel celebrates two years in November and has already begun leaving a legacy in the area.

The business industry certainly has many personalities, be it the venue, client, the organiser, the supplier — all have a role to play. Your relationships with your professional partners speak volumes on what kind of legacy you will leave behind. Integrity, for me, is key; do what you promise, and if you

exceed expectations, that is a bonus.

The legacy that business events leave is significant.

Sometimes, this could be through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, or even ensuring that the events footprint remains green, through sustainability programmes.

There are many ways to ensure legacy, just remember that what you do today is part of your legacy.

Irene Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

Credit: Hein Liebetrau

Reserve your spot for Meetings Africa 2023

Speaking at the recent Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s maiden Leadership Conference on Friday, 16 September, South African Tourism acting chief executive officer, Mzilikazi Themba Khumalo officially announced the opening of registrations for Meetings Africa 2023.

Meetings Africa is a Pan-African business events trade show, showcasing Africa’s diverse offering of services and products, where African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform our continent.

The next edition of Meetings Africa will take place in a physical format at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 28 February to 1 March 2023, with Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) preceding the show on 27 February 2023.

In 2022, Meetings Africa brought together 161 buyers and 216 exhibitors from 13 African countries.

“Meetings Africa 2023 aims to amplify the continent’s stories of success and to showcase to the world what Africa has to offer as a business events destination,” said Zinhle Nzama, acting chief convention bureau officer at the South African National Convention Bureau.

Ms Nzama said that the SANCB is also excited to launch Meetings Africa’s new positioning. “Africa’s success is built on quality connections, because it encompasses exactly what Meetings Africa aims to do; create a platform for African exhibitors to showcase to international buyers, for Africa’s success.

To wrap up Meetings Africa 2022 and in preparation for the 2023 edition, the Meetings Africa team conducted debriefing sessions, one-on-ones and

focus groups sessions. During these sessions the post-show survey results were shared, and insights derived from the sessions have been used to actively enhance the show offering.

These meaningful discussions are critical, as they assist the Meetings Africa team to understand what worked as well as areas of improvement to enhance the offering for the upcoming show.

For registration to participate as an exhibitor, please contact the Meetings Africa exhibition management and sales teams who are on standby to assist.

The South Africa National Convention Bureau, together with our official host partners, the Gauteng Tourism Authority, along with the City of Johannesburg and the Sandton Convention Centre, are ready to welcome you to Meetings Africa.

To register for the show, please visit our website www.meetingsafrica.co.za

Registrations for the 2023 edition of Meetings Africa are now open!

Support Programme

needs through

Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch celebrates two-year anniversary

Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch is the first mid-market hotel for Hilton in South Africa. The unique property provides guests with upscale and affordable accommodations for the perfect hotel stay.

Lovet Robinson, General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch, said: “The hotel opened in a time of uncertainty, but our dynamic team ensured stability for guests.” During all of this, we had a truly amazing and supportive team that went above and beyond what is generally expected from team members. I can truly say that without their commitment and dedication during these times, we would not have achieved the success we have managed to achieve. Mr Robinson describes the hotel as brighthearted! “At Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch, you will find an open, inviting atmosphere with a warm, sunny service — from the first hello to the next.”

Location

This acclaimed hotel is located within the business hub of the bespoke, mixed-use Umhlanga Arch, only 20 minutes from King Shaka International Airport.

Attracting both local and international travellers, guests are able to enjoy sub-tropical weather, incredible Blue Flag beaches, historic sites, infinite nature and activities.

Expect only the best, with peaceful rest and work-filled days in one of our 203 tastefully finished guest rooms. The hotel’s facilities include a connectivity desk, fitness hub, outdoor pool and various food and beverage outlets, including a garden and lounge bar.

Whether you are planning an important business meeting, a conference, or a magnificent event, choose Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch and enjoy our spacious meeting venues, personalised service and delicious catering options.

Highlights over the last two years “Growing our market share, seeing our hotel reputation grow and becoming one of the preferred hotels for many frequent travellers to Umhlanga. Even through the

tough pandemic period we managed to continuously increase the number of our team members as our business grew.

Travel with Purpose

Travel with Purpose is Hilton’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy to drive responsible travel and tourism globally. We have committed to double our investment in social impact and cut our environmental footprint in half by 2030. Hilton Enhances ESG Targets to Drive Climate Action and Social Impact.

“Locally, the hotel supports Hilton’s Travel With Purpose Objectives by partnering with Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), a leading South African environmental conservation organisation. This partnership allows the hotel to enhance the local community and expand its social footprint,” Mr Robinson said.

Who is Lovet Robinson ?

Lovet Robinson was born in Cape Town in 1973 and, after completing his military service, he attended the Hotel and Culinary School at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to study towards his National Diploma in Hospitality Management. Lovet’s first workplace was at Villa Belmonte, a fivestar luxury boutique hotel. From there he moved to Pezula Resort in Knysna as an Executive Butler at Noetzie Castle. In 2012, Pezula converted to Conrad Pezula when it joined Hilton. Then, in 2017 Lovet was promoted to Resort Manager at Conrad Pezula. In 2018 he was relocated to Durban and joined Hilton Durban as Director of Operations. This is Lovet’s first appointment as General Manager and he has held this position at the Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga since July 2020.

What makes Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch stand out from other hotels?

Hilton’s Digital Key With Hilton’s Digital Check-In, our guests can seamlessly navigate through the hotel. With Digital Key, guests can check-in to the hotel online through the Hilton Honors App, select their preferred room, access the guest lift and unlock their room door.

Rooms

The hotel has 203 rooms which includes 4, one-bedroom suites; 5 accessible rooms; 55 twin bedrooms and 139 king bedrooms. Out of the 203 bedrooms, 112 are inter-leading, which is ideal for families.

Other facilities

• Together & Co Restaurant and Terrace: We bring people together, one meal, coffee and conversation at a time. Delicious, fresh food and drink is just where things get started; what really matters to us is building a local community of people that know how to work together, support each other and have a great time doing it. That’s what Together & Co is all about — people.

• The Shop: A 24-hour, self-service retail space offering snacks, locally sourced food and beverages as well as essential personal items.

• Outdoor heated swimming pool with ocean views.

• Fitness Centre — open 24 hours.

• Complimentary self-service laundry room — open 24 hours.

• Complimentary self-service connectivity desk — open 24 hours.

Conference facilities

Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch has five meeting rooms, one boardroom and a private dining room. All meeting rooms are equipped with the latest smart technology and are named after local Umhlanga Beaches.

Mr Robinson said: “Meeting facilities are an integral part of our business structure, and our focus is to cater for small to medium-sized meetings.”

“We have seen business levels grow rapidly from month to month across both the domestic leisure and corporate market, with international travel increasing gradually. During the middle to latter part of 2022 we have seen an increase in the demand for larger meetings,” Mr Robinson said.

“My vision for the hotel is to be the best Hilton Garden Inn in the Africa and Indian Ocean Region,” Mr Robinson added.

Meet the team

Fanie Meintjes 40, Commercial Manager

Brief history

Graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2005 with a BCom Honours degree in Tourism Management. I joined Hilton in September 2011 as a Sales Executive. With hard work and determination over the past couple of years, I worked my way up within Hilton to Senior Sales Manager based at Hilton Sandton before relocating to Umhlanga and joining the Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch as Commercial Manager.

Quote on the hotel celebrating two years

“Brighter Together! You’re gonna see us rise!”

What is the most exciting part about working at this property?

The most exciting part about working at Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch is that we create heartfelt experiences by removing the ‘random’ in random acts of kindness, elevating moments into memories. Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch is designed to facilitate authentic experiences and touchpoints for the modern traveller. Our beautiful hotel perfectly blends modern design with the warmth of our Brighthearted Hospitality. Every detail has been carefully executed with our guests in mind. Our hotel also takes on the personality and vibe of Umhlanga. We are ready to serve, smile, learn and brighten your day.

Nikita Richards

31, Sales, Groups, Conferencing and Events Supervisor

What makes Hilton Garden Inn perfect for conferences and events?

• HGI is based in Durban’s Business Hub.

• We are conveniently located in Umhlanga Arch.

• Our conference venues have state-of-the-art equipment with modern technology.

• Our conference/event packages are suitable for all, whether you are planning an important business meeting, a conference, or a magnificent event, choose Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch and enjoy our spacious meeting venues, personalised service, and delicious catering options. Our conference and events team will assist you to create a seamless, stress-free experience that will ‘WOW’ your guests.

Meeting facilities are an integral part of our business structure, and our focus is to cater for smaller- to medium-size meetings ranging from 8 pax to 150 pax.

What makes this property unique from a conference/meeting perspective?

Our LightStay Meeting Impact Calculator report generates a customised estimate of your event’s environmental impact, using the hotel’s consumption data to project the total carbon emissions, energy use, water, and waste for your event. The customised forecast is created pre-event and provides you with suggestions to reduce your event’s projected carbon footprint. The post-event report provides an itemised measurement of the event’s overall impact.

Corporate Responsibility — Meet with Purpose

We strive to lead the way in delivering responsible solutions that meeting planners want, and we are able to deliver superb guest experiences that allow everyone to proudly ‘meet with purpose’.

Hilton Honors Event Planner Programme gives event planners an opportunity to earn Hilton Honors bonus points for events held at any Hilton property.

What can delegates look forward to when booking at Hilton Garden Inn?

• Complimentary Wi-Fi.

• State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment.

• Healthy and flexible meal offerings to keep our delegates engaged and inspired.

• Our Brighthearted meeting and events team that understand conference delegates and their requirements.

• Convenient and safe parking.

• Direct access to accommodation.

36, Executive Chef

Brief history

I fell in love with cooking at a young age, always under my mother’s feet in the kitchen, curious about what she was preparing. When I reached high school, Hotel and Catering was offered as a subject and, as they would say, ‘the rest is history.’ This paved the way for me to further my studies in professional cookery and pursue a career as a chef. It has been a journey.

What kind of cuisine can guests expect when visiting Hilton Garden Inn?

Our menu places a high emphasis on togetherness and sharing meals, with a focus on local and flavoursome food.

What are the current food trends — locally and globally?

We have noticed an increase of plant-based diets becoming more popular with our guests and have introduced more vegetarian/vegan offerings, as well as a variety of local dishes.

What kind of food can delegates expect when attending conferences or events at HGI?

Delegates will enjoy freshly prepared, hearty meals that will leave them wanting more.

What has been your biggest challenge in terms of Covid-19 and food presentation?

Our biggest challenges were social distancing, the restriction on capacity and operating hour s, the individual food portioning and the continuous sanitising of the restaurant facilities and operating equipment.

40, Guest Operations Manager

Brief history

I have worked in the hospitality industry for the past 14 years, and spent 11 years with Hilton.

What is the most exciting part about working at this property?

I am proud to work for Hilton because of the warmth of Team Members. At the heart of what we do is making guests happy and cultivating memorable experiences.

“Lovet Robinson is our General Manager. He is a good leader who provides a nurturing environment that makes us better leaders.”

Bobby Kausiyo

Bronwyn Coetzee

40, Support Services Manager

Brief history

Graduated with an honours degree in finance and has been in the hospitality industry for the past 14 years, having worked in senior management roles at various hotels and conference centres around Durban.

What is the most exciting part about working for this property? The best part of working at the Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch, is that no two days are ever alike. There are always new challenges, and we constantly look for innovative ways to meet the needs of our guests.

We are extremely proud of all the challenges that we have overcome over the past two years, with us opening during the Covid pandemic, and look forward to many more successful years ahead.

41, HR Manager

Brief history

I have over 15 years of cross-industry experience in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Throughout my career, I have always had a passion for people, learning, development and excellent service delivery.

What is the most exciting part about working for this property? Working here has offered me the opportunity to connect with people and be part of the process of ensuring excellent service delivery to our guests by equipping our teams with a number of learning opportunities.

“It is not just a hotel anniversary; it is a family anniversary, one that has defied all odds to grow strong and achieve great things together as the Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch Community! Happy anniversary and cheers to many more years of success!”

Nomusa Purity Khumalo

44, Security Supervisor

Brief history

I joined Hilton Durban in 2004 as an outsourced security guard, operating the hotel’s control room. With hopes of progressing within Hilton, I worked towards developing my skills and was promoted in Hilton Durban, as Assistant Security Manager. This gave me a feeling of acomplishment and I was subsequently promoted to Security Manager at Conrad Pezuela.

What is the most exciting part about working at this property? Overseeing all the security requirements, working with my fellow colleagues to grow our hotel and interacting with guests.

Thembekile Nhlapo

Vidhatha Harichunder

Umhlanga is leading the recovery

Umhlanga, located in the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, offers both formal and relaxed settings, a friendly atmosphere and diverse attractions to keep delegates stimulated.

Meeting venues in Umhlanga can cater for both large and small functions with ease.

Umhlanga is a popular year-round destination because of its great climate and facilities — it is also a short connecting flight from Johannesburg (one hour) and other major centres in South Africa. The location of the sophisticated King Shaka International Airport allows for quick highway access to Umhlanga.

South Africa’s hospitality industry was extremely hard-hit during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

The first half of 2022 has seen mixed fortunes for the South African property market. This is according to a new report by JLL, a leading professional services firm that specialises in real estate and investment management. The Q2 report, which covers Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, shows that the office, industrial, retail, hospitality, and residential sectors are all growing at different rates.

Mieke Purnell, JLL's research manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said: “The five-star market recovered particularly well, recording growth of over 120 per cent. Occupancy over this period averaged 51 per cent, which is approximately 72 per cent of the rate achieved between January and May 2019.”

In terms of hospitality, according to the report, Umhlanga seems to be leading this recovery.

Umhlanga has proven ‘especially popular’ during the first six months of this year, achieving an average occupancy of 63.9 per cent. This is the highest nodal performance in the country for the period and is closely followed by the Drakensberg and Midlands region (63.7 per cent).

Testament to the strength of the Umhlanga market segment, she said, is the recent opening of the five-star Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga. There are eight meeting and events spaces, including a ballroom, accommodating up to 600 guests, and a 340-capacity outdoor terrace.

The Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch is another upscale property that opened in this region recently (December 2020), in spite of the pandemic. The hotel has five meeting rooms, one boardroom, called Lighthouse, and a private dining room.

The Premier Hotel Umhlanga, another new hotel, is situated high on Umhlanga Ridge and is conveniently located in the heart of the blue-chip corporate office environment in Umhlanga. The new conference centre offers three conference rooms, configurable to one large 300-capacity venue.

Other existing hotels include City Lodge Hotel Group properties: City Lodge Hotel Umhlanga Ridge, Town Lodge Umhlanga and Road Lodge Umhlanga Ridge. Most of City Lodge Hotel Group’s (CLHG) Courtyard Hotels, City Lodge Hotels and Town Lodges feature meeting rooms and boardrooms and are the ideal place to hold business meetings and events.

Other hotels with conferencing in Umhlanga include: Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre, The Oyster Box, aha Gateway Hotel, Protea Hotel by Marriott Fire & Ice! Durban Umhlanga Ridge, The Capital Pearls Hotel and The Beverly Hills Hotel; to name a few.

Play more in Umhlanga

Three hotels at compelling price points.

Umhlanga is a vibrant destination in KwaZulu-Natal, just north of Durban. It is home to a range of leisure activities along the stretch of coastline and warm Indian Ocean, including nature trails, golf courses, Sibaya Casino, and many more exciting retail, dining, cultural and historical destinations.

The business node has seen a number of corporates set up their headquarters in this scenic part of the country, increasing the influx of travellers for meetings and conferences. It’s also close to Durban for major events, expos and shows being held at the Durban International Convention Centre, Moses Mabhida Stadium and King Shaka International Airport.

City Lodge Hotel Group has three hotel brands serving this growing leisure and business precinct to accommodate guests at all price points. City Lodge Hotel Umhlanga Ridge and Road Lodge Umhlanga Ridge are across the road from the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, and the newer Town Lodge Umhlanga is a short 1.5km drive away.

Big news for Town Lodge Umhlanga and Road Lodge Umhlanga Ridge is the recent addition of the Eat-in menu, offering freshly prepared lunch and dinner in the hotel restaurant. Favourite

dishes include the Shisa Nyama platter, featuring lemon and herb chicken, sticky barbeque ribs and traditional beef boerewors, grilled and served with stiff, buttery pap, relish and corn on the cob; full- or half-portion chicken marinated in mild peri-peri or sweet-tangy barbeque sauce, roasted and served with corn-on-the-cob, our famous house slaw and your choice of either hot potato wedges or pap and chakalaka; and traditional barbeque-basted, sweet and sticky pork loin ribs, grilled and served with slaw, corn-on-the-cob and a side of golden hot potato wedges. The accompanying drinks menu features a range of hot and cold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to go with the meals.

All three hotels offer complimentary, fast and reliable Wi-Fi, free secure parking, 24-hour reception, ensuite bathroom, television with selected DStv channels and radio stations, tea and coffee making facilities, and selected rooms designed for the physically disabled.

When taking a trip to the Umhlanga region of KwaZulu-Natal, whether for business meetings in the city centre, relaxation on the beach, or as a base for further exploration into this culturally rich province, City Lodge Hotel Group has a convenient, comfortable property near to where you want to be.

City Lodge Hotel Umhlanga Ridge caters to guests wanting an elegant three-star hotel experience:

• 168 rooms (queen or twin beds)

• Rooms with sleeper-sofa available

• Boardroom (12 pax)

• #Cafe restaurant (full breakfast, lunch and dinner daily)

• Sundowner bar

• Swimming pool

• Fitness room

Tel: 031 580 7000

Email: clumhlanga.resv@clhg.com www.clhg.com

Town Lodge Umhlanga is a modern, vibrant property that caters to those wanting a stylish hotel at a more affordable rate:

• 154 rooms (double or twin beds)

• Interleading rooms available

• 2 boardrooms (14 and 16 pax)

• Full English and Continental breakfast daily

• Eat-in lunch and dinner daily

• Sundowner bar

• Swimming pool

• Complimentary shuttle to Gateway Theatre of Shopping

Tel: 031 020 2200

Email: tlumhlanga.resv@clhg.com www.clhg.com

Road Lodge Umhlanga Ridge is the ideal budget hotel in the region, popular with travellers keen to make their travel rands stretch further:

• 125 rooms (double or twin beds)

• Rooms with sleeper-sofa available

• Light breakfast daily

• Eat-in lunch and dinner daily

• Swimming pool

Tel: 031 580 7200

Email: rlumhlanga.dm@clhg.com www.clhg.com

Leo Melano Events — delivering stellar events

Leo Melano Events understands that every guest wants to share in the unique experience that is your corporate event.

From your employees, customers, industry colleagues and other stakeholders, they all want to bear witness to the spectacle, rather than carrying the logistical burden of delivering the spectacle.

What do we do?

At Leo Melano Events, we pride ourselves in taking on the administration of your events, by providing distinguished and quintessential event hosting and ceremonial directing experiences to make your event a truly chic affair.

Unlike other event planning companies, Leo Melano Events understands the importance of providing workappropriate entertainment for guests. We know that you would like your guests to have fun, but we also know that corporate events need to adhere to a certain professional standard and

decorum. Let us help you provide high quality, positive and engaging entertainment for your guests.

Based in Gaborone, Botswana we have also facilitated corporate events in Africa and Asia. We have just returned from a very successful facilitation of a panel facilitation with some of the world’s top companies (including Liberty2Degrees, Unilever and Huhtamaki) at the conclusion of the Power and Electricity World Africa 2022 Conference, hosted by Terrapinn and held at the Sandton Convention Centre in South Africa; while simultaneously working on planning for the Innovation Summit to be held in Cape Town, the US-Africa Bizmatch Forum billed for Washington D.C., United States in December 2022 and Africa Rail 2023.

As we approach the peak season of end-of-year corporate events, look to us for all your event facilitation

needs, so that everyone that matters gets to enjoy the occasion in the comfort of a guest’s seat. We also offer other value-add services, including ushering and protocol advisory.

We aim to deliver a stellar event befitting your organisation’s brand and stature, and our mark will be conspicuous by the smooth flow of proceedings. That is our promise.

Contact details: Email: leomelano@outlook.com Website: www.leomelano.co.bw Telephone: (00267) 71915680

African Exhibition Industry Outlook: Unlocking untapped opportunities in Africa

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, in partnership with GL events South Africa, and in collaboration with the African Association of Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) and Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) organised the recent Africa Exhibition Industry Outlook.

Africa, today, accounts for around 17 per cent of the world’s population. The world’s youngest and fastesturbanising continent, Africa will have 24 million more people, on average, living in its cities each year between 2015 and 2045 — more than India and China combined.[1]

These figures reinforce the importance of investing in Africa as a sustainable corporate strategy for foreign investors, due to the countless opportunities available across sectors — especially the exhibitions industry, which facilitates and drives inter-continental collaboration between

Africa and the rest of the world.

The one-day workshop and seminar for the African Exhibition Industry Outlook featured expert speakers from across Africa and the Middle East, including the multi-award-winning journalist and author Bruce Whitfield, whose keynote drew on fascinating, truth-defying,

Zinhle Nzama, general manager: strategic events, South African Tourism and Devi Paulsen, chairperson of AAXO.

Adeline Vancauwelaert, chief operation officer of UFI.

Naji El Haddad, regional director MEA at UFI.

Bruce Whitfield, keynote speaker.

and inspiring case studies of people and businesses that succeed against the odds.

Other industry panellists presented business opportunities in key African markets, business outlooks, incentive schemes for new entrants, and bilateral cross-border collaboration.

Topics of discussion included how convention bureaux support the industry in South Africa, the economic impact of exhibitions both globally and in Africa, a multi-national view on investing in Africa and a presentation of the findings of UFI’s Global Barometer Study with a focus on Africa and the Middle East.

Naji El Haddad, regional director MEA at UFI, said: “Africa represents the next frontier for growth and development for the exhibitions industry. There is great potential for investing in, developing and bringing global events to Africa. It’s particularly interesting to note the launch of geo-adapted events that are being brought to Africa, which is a testament to the ever-increasing confidence and opportunities available on the continent.”

Whilst the pandemic directly affected the events industry, interesting mergers and acquisitions noted in the past two years include RX Global’s acquisition of two specialised exhibitions; the Media 10 Design Joburg and the Coffee and Chocolate Expo®

Additionally, dmg Events, with a footprint spanning twenty-five countries, acquired Addis Build at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the goal to support growth across multiple industries in Ethiopia. Further, the African arm of Clarion Events announced a full rebrand under the name Vuka Group earlier this year to form an independent B-BBEE compliant company,

adapted to the unique conditions of Africa.

Craig Newman, group chief executive officer at GL events SA, added: “We are delighted to have hosted this UFI event at the Johannesburg Expo Centre to showcase the commercial opportunities that South Africa, with the rest of Africa, have to offer. Our nation is well positioned, from all aspects, to be a hub for global events.”

The workshop was hosted on 13 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre and is organised by UFI in collaboration with AAXO and EXSA, hosted by GL events, and

supported by Johannesburg Tourism.

“South Africa remains the ideal ‘gateway to Africa’ and is an appropriate base of operations from which economic connection to the rest of the continent can be formed, and business developed, thanks to its strong financial sector, sound infrastructure and competitive talent-pool,” concluded Devi Paulsen-Abbott, chairperson of AAXO.

[1] https://www.mckinsey.com/ featured-insights/middle-east-andafrica/lions-on-the-move-realizing-thepotential-of-africas-economies

Gary Corin, managing director of the Montgomery Group Specialised Exhibitions; Matt Denton, president of dmg Events and Craig Newman, group chief executive officer of GL events SA.

Sibusiso Mncwabe, chair of EXSA; Winnie Muchanyuka, chief executive of The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Ishmail Atanasi, chief executive officer live division, GL events SA.

City Lodge Hotel Group reports strong recovery

City Lodge Hotel Group has announced its annual results for the year ended 30 June 2022, and the numbers point to a strong recovery and ‘a promising position for future all-round wellness’.

A

ndrew Widegger, chief executive officer of City Lodge Hotel Group, said: “While the Covid-19 pandemic still lingers, the burden on the hospitality, travel and tourism sector lightened significantly during the year under review. The year has been a tale of two halves. We began this financial year in Lockdown Level 4 and in the midst of devastating riots and insurrection in South Africa, which was a stark reminder of how the last few years of state capture and the fresh struggles of the pandemic have affected livelihoods and the economy.”

He explained: “The last two years of strategic innovation has enabled us to capitalise on the changing travel trends and needs of the post-Covid traveller. CLHG launched the new ‘Eat-In’ offer at all Town Lodges and Road Lodges during the year, which now offers a bespoke lunch and dinner menu, in addition to our muchloved, value-for-money breakfast. The enhanced food and beverage offering at all hotels across all CLHG brands, has made us more appealing to travellers who prefer hotels with complete accommodation and meal offerings, for the safety and convenience provided under one roof.

“The complementary new Best Available Rates (BAR) methodology, which provides dynamic pricing, has made us more competitive across all markets, and especially appealing to leisure travellers, who have benefited from weekend specials, resulting in improved occupancies over the weekends. Shifts in leisure travel behaviour to include staycations, has also seen similar shifts in occupancies at our inland hotels. The new blend of business and leisure (bleisure) traveller, makes our hotels the perfect option, as we offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and good value-for-money accommodation for individuals and families. This evolution has resulted in a change in our customer-base, with the leisure market now comprising a much larger proportion of our total guests,” he says.

“After several years of operating in East Africa, we completed the sale of our three hotels in Nairobi, Kenya (Fairview Hotel, Town Lodge Upper Hill and City Lodge Hotel at Two Rivers Mall) and City Lodge Hotel Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to their new owners on 30 June 2022. From 1 July 2022, these four hotels no longer form part of the group. We now have 7,534

(2021: 8,070) rooms across 59 (2021: 63) hotels in four southern African countries.”

Financial review

Occupancy levels have tracked the easing of lockdown levels and seen a steady recovery to almost pre-Covid occupancies in the last quarter of the financial year as travel returns and the hospitality sector enjoys renewed activity from all sectors.

Dhanisha Nathoo, chief financial officer at City Lodge Hotel Group, noted: “The steady improvement in occupancies and demand for hospitality services over the last few months has led to average group occupancies, based on total rooms inventory, of 38 per cent for the year ended 30 June 2022 (2021: 19 per cent) and 40 per cent (2021: 26 per cent) based on the open hotels. Occupancies for the SA hotels averaged 40 per cent (2021: 21 per cent) and 42 per cent (2021: 28 per cent) for open hotels, respectively. The group began the financial year with 89 per cent of its 63 hotels open and by February 2022 opened all of its hotels except one in Nairobi.

“Total revenue for the year increased by 117 per cent to R1,104-million (2021:

R508-million), Ms Nathoo highlighted. “This included the 150 per cent increase in food and beverage revenue spurred by our enhanced offering. The East African operations made up six per cent of total group revenue. The improved occupancy, and the opening of all hotels, enabled the group to ease some of the costcontainment measures put in place during the pandemic, with full salaries reinstated with effect from May 2022, resulting in a 32 per cent increase compared to prior year. The normalisation of trading and the associated increase in variable expenses as more hotels opened and occupancy increased, led to a 26 per cent increase in ‘total operating costs’, which includes salaries and wages, property costs and other operating costs. However, total operating costs, excluding unrealised foreign exchange gains and losses on intercompany loans, increased by 47 per cent. Total operating costs per room sold, excluding unrealised foreign exchanges gains and losses, reduced by 27 per cent.”

The group generated EBITDAR for the year of R303.2 million (2021: loss of R136.7 million), and an EBITDAR margin of 27 per cent (2021: EBITDAR loss margin 27 per cent). EBITDAR margin for the group, excluding unrealised foreign exchange gains and losses, was 20 per cent (2021: margin loss of 20 per cent) The EBITDAR contribution for the East African operations, excluding unrealised foreign exchange gains and losses, was R9.9 million for the year.

The group recognised exceptional transactions during the year, which included an accounting profit on disposal of its East African operations of R88.3-million, representing a recovery of accumulated losses in the prior years and net impairment reversals of R57.2-million on property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets.

The improved performance following the easing of lockdown restrictions

resulted in a profit after tax for the year of R81.7-million (2021: net loss of R804.6 million), and earnings per share of 14.3 cents (2021: loss per share 160.6).

The headline loss improved to R49.5 million (2021: R455.2 million) and excludes the profit on disposal of the East African operations, but includes an impairment of the deferred tax asset held in Namibia (R20.0 million). Undiluted headline loss per share improved by 90 per cent, from a loss of 90.9 cents in 2021, to 8.7 cents in 2022. Excluding the effect of unrealised foreign exchange gains and losses together with the deferred tax impairment on headline earnings, headline loss per share improved from 17.9c in 1H2022 to 1.1c in 2H2022.

The group generated positive cash flows from operating activities of R265.8 million, compared to a utilisation of cash from operations of R97.3 million in the prior year.

The group settled R720 million outstanding interest-bearing borrowings and subsequently entered into new R600 million interest-bearing debt facilities which mature between three and five years, and which are at more favourable financial terms and covenants. All of the original debt covenants continue to be waived for measurement periods up to and including September 2022. The loan-to-value covenant has been met for all measurement periods during the reporting period.

Directorate

The group welcomed Mathukana Mokoka as an independent nonexecutive member of the board and audit committee following her appointment on 1 June 2022.

Outlook

There are still many challenges ahead, from the state of our economy, to load shedding, petrol price increases, global

inflation trends, supply constraints and geo-political tensions.

“However, we feel confident that the financial and operational decisions taken over the past 27 months, and the response by all members and stakeholders of the CLHG family in the face of such adversity, has helped us grow and establish ourselves as a sustainable, agile and innovative hospitality group,” Mr Widegger said.

“Occupancies and room rates continue to edge toward achieving 2019 preCovid levels. The South African hotels recorded occupancies of 53 per cent in July 2022, 52 per cent in August 2022, and 56 per cent up, to 18 September 2022,” Ms Nathoo reported.

The sale of the East African operations has curtailed the losses and boosted cash resources required to sustain operations and has provided sufficient liquidity to reinstate the capital refurbishment programme. The capital investment programme over the next 12 months includes the completion of the fit-out of the remaining four floors at Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City, and refurbishments at City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront and Road Lodge Richards Bay.

In July 2022, following receipt of the East African operations disposal and loan settlement net proceeds of R468.6 million, the group repaid R300 million of its existing debt facilities. As at the end of July 2022, the group had R300 million in available, undrawn debt facilities, plus R115 million of overdraft facilities, which together with the improved operational performance stands us in a promising position for future all-round wellness.

“The CLHG family remains committed to providing outstanding accommodation services, a warm welcome to our guests and to tantalise their tastebuds with our enhanced food and beverage offerings,” concluded SangweniSiddo, chief operating officer.

Dhanisha Nathoo.

Andrew Widegger.

Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo.

Honouring our heritage through truly South African experiences

September heralded Heritage Month; a month set aside to celebrate our nation’s diverse culture and extraordinary heritage. This was also the month where South Africans celebrated tourism, an industry that was severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a brand, ANEW Hotels & Resorts celebrates its heritage, culture fusion, and brand unity by honouring the environment of each of its unique properties.

ANEW Hotels & Resorts recently celebrated its fifth birthday. The brand launched from a family business originating in 1952 and is known for having a culture driven around its solid values and its heritage deeply rooted in South Africa. ANEW’s social media manager, Madri Mostert shares some of the extraordinary cultural facts about the brand’s properties and how each one truly honours its environment and history.

The history of ANEW Within one hour from Port Shepstone and two-and-a-half hours from Durban, lies ANEW Hotels & Resorts’ first property, ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest. This amazing venue offers comfortable accommodation at the foot of the Ingeli Mountain range, near Kokstad. From hiking through the serene forest to indulging in the rich scenic setting, endangered species and lush vegetation await in this beautiful stretch of nature. It has a rich and enticing history.

Ingeli Forest began as a roadside motel, built by Len Louwe in 1973. He owned vast timberlands and a sawmill in the nearby area. “In its early days, Ingeli Forest built up a good reputation with commercial travellers through excellent management and the promotion of the Kingdom of Ingeli with its very own passport. The passports of each visitor were stamped at each visit, and once fully stamped, visitors and their partners would receive a free weekend at Ingeli,” Ms Mostert said.

“The Armour family, who own timberland and treatment plants in the area, purchased the motel in September 1992 after it became apparent that it had significant potential. In recent years, the motel was renovated and refurbished, adding new rooms, restaurants, a conference centre, and a chapel, which transformed it from a motel to a lodge and subsequently, a resort. By adding trails for walking, running, and mountain biking, ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest now attracts more

families and promotes the use of its various trails through the indigenous forest. Oprah Winfrey has also been a guest at Ingeli in the past,” continued Ms Mostert, “It is the proverbial jewel in ANEWs crown.”

Hluhluwe Resort, rich in culture ANEW Hotel & Resorts’ second property, ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe (The Old Lady), includes a five-star safari lodge that used to be the family home of current partners, the Eliot family. It guarantees a true cultural experience of the area and heritage for guests. Here the group employs residents from the area, who may truly amplify their guests’ experience, such as the completely self-taught safari team. For example, Cela Manyanga, includes interesting historic facts and tales to enlighten the trip and gives a unique take on the area and its unique heritage. In addition to the game drives, ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe celebrates the rich heritage of Zululand by giving local youths from the community a platform to do Zulu

ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe.

ANEW Hotel Hilton.

dancing,” says Ms Mostert. “Here we honour our environment, by including people from the area to share with guests their heritage in a beautiful setting.”

The Hluhluwe property also features a tree of life, expected to be about 100 years old, situated close to the swimming pool. Ms Mostert continues: “Every day during the lockdown, Sadira Nayager (General Manager) went to switch on a light at the bottom of the tree to signify life and that life is still in abundance. The hotel is more than just a hotel, it’s a home for its employees, too — and truly such an immersive experience.”

The tale of Hunters Rest

With its perfect balance of comfort and adventure, ANEW Resort Hunters Rest is situated at the foothills of the majestic Magaliesberg Mountains in Rustenburg, in the North West. “Hunters Rest is an experience that embodies what a resort is all about. Family-oriented and great for couples, it has everything you need on the property, and the service is outstanding,” Ms Mostert said. “What is amazing about Hunter's heritage is the location of the resort. This stunning property is based close to The Cradle of Humankind,” she added.

Adding a bit of history, Ms Mostert continued: “In 1929, a dam was established in the Hex River near Rustenburg for irrigation. Olifantsnek Dam may be viewed from the viewing deck at ANEW Resort Hunters Rest.”

The grand old dame, ANEW Hotel Hilton

The ANEW Hotel Hilton is an

architectural jewel built in 1936 in the heart of the historical Hilton village. The property’s signature Tudor-style facade has become a beacon of connection (and celebration) for many local and foreign travellers who frequent the KZN Midlands Meander. The corridors of this renowned property have many stories to tell, and the walls are adorned with thousands of pictures peeking into the lives of guests who have enjoyed holidays, family visits, conferences, wedding receptions and all kinds of celebratory parties there. The signature timbered lines have become the personification of professionalism, and to this day, this unique property exudes a sophisticated old-English feel.

The hotel is currently undergoing extensive refurbishments and the restaurant on the property will be renamed to its original, The Copper Kitchen.

ANEW Hotel Green Point

One of the latest additions to ANEW’s list of properties is most definitely one of the group’s most modern properties.

ANEW Hotel Green Point gives you the experience you would like when visiting Cape Town. Completely different in look-and-feel to the other properties in ANEW’s portfolio, the hotel is within walking distance from the V&A Waterfront and many famous local landmarks such as the Green Point Urban Park, Sea Point Promenade, and a host of other experiences. The rooftop deck offers visitors magnificent views, and the expertly designed modern rooms are environmentally friendly. With its close proximity to the Green Point

Who is Madri Mostert ?

Driven by the power of shared experience and their ability to inspire, Ms Mostert brings a unique perspective to her position as group social media manager at ANEW Hotels & Resorts. A lateral thinker, she focuses on curating a personalised approach to brand story telling. Her drive and passion stems from a strong love for the zeitgeist and its ability to establish cultural movement. Prior to taking on this role, she drove key marketing strategies as a content and HR specialist at a boutique marketing firm in Cape Town. Ms Mostert also pioneered and headed the firm's all-encompassing internship programme. Ms Mostert believes that knowledge is one of the most powerful weapons one may possess, holding both an undergraduate degree in BCom Industrial Psychology and Marketing from the University of Stellenbosch, as well as a BCom Honours degree in Human Resource Management.

stadium, it is a must-stay for any domestic or foreign traveller looking to explore Cape Town.

The ANEW legacy continues ANEW Hotels & Resorts added its fifteenth property to its portfolio this year with ANEW Resort Vulintaba Newscastle, and the group is continuing its upward growth trajectory. The brand’s continued growth is a testament to its respect and appreciation for its various properties’ culture and history. The team aims to continue to innovate and leave an impression both in South Africa and beyond, by honouring each environment they are established in.

ANEW Hotel Hunters Rest.

have attended

Mining Africa since

Electra Mining Africa celebrates 50 years

Celebrating 50 years this year, Electra Mining Africa saw thousands of buyers and sellers coming together at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg from 5-9 September 2022, to meet in-person and see the latest innovation and new products, services and technologies that were on display at the show.

During the five days of the event over 30,000 thousand people connected across industries, thousands of products were on display and thousands of face-to-face interactions took place. Live demonstrations and competitions also kept visitors enthralled. Buyers were able to get up close to the products, see and feel the quality and speak to technical experts. The show also offered visitors the opportunity to compare products and brands together under one roof.

Electra Mining 2022

60 top speakers (SAIMechE and SAIMC seminar theatres) plus additional speakers at the LEEASA Conference and WiMSA Workshop

The confidence that exhibitors have in Electra Mining Africa is reflected in how many of them already signed to exhibit at the next edition of the show, even before the one they are at has ended!

BY

BY JOB FUNCTION

TOP 10 AFRICAN COUNTRIES VISITORS TRAVELLED FROM

Manager

Control/Safety/SHEQ

Manager/Supervisor

and Development

including:

CAD Manager, Electrician, Finance, Government Official, Machinist, Marketing, Metallurgist, Press/Media, Programmer, Student, Tool & Die Maker, Training Manager/Officer; other.

in the seventies. Production expanded rapidly to meet the escalating demand from ESKOM power stations (reference).

Mining

S pecialised Exhibitions is a division of the Montgomery Group, an independent exhibitions and events company at the forefront of trade and consumer shows and specialist events in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Over fifty events are run in over fifteen countries. Montgomery is a family business that dates back over 100 years. Following the resounding success of its building trade exhibition in the UK, the family began to expand the business abroad. In 1967, Bryan Montgomery and his mother, Molly, founded Specialised Exhibitions (Pty) Ltd in South Africa. The company began operating in 1968 with the launch of its first building trade show on the

continent. Following the success of the building show, strategic planning continued around the development of additional shows to build its trade exhibition portfolio in South Africa.

One of these shows was Electra Mining Africa. Specialised Exhibitions has always kept close to market needs and has always listened to what industry wants from a show and this was the case for Electra Mining Africa.

At the end of the 1960s, South Africa ranked as one of the major sources of strategic minerals including iron ore, copper and platinum, amongst others. Although also known for its gold, uranium and diamonds, it was the coal industry that drew attention

The importance of mining in South Africa at that time and the growth potential of the industry led to Specialised Exhibitions having many conversations with leading companies, suppliers and associations. The discussions were around the opportunity of having a trade exhibition focused on mining and its related industries. With support from industry, it was then that Electra Mining Africa was born. It was a show that was developed for industry by Specialised Exhibitions, and by industry (through the input they gave). Its name, Electra Mining Africa, encapsulated both the mining and electrical aspects of the show at that time. It set out to be the definitive meeting and marketplace for all stakeholders involved in the related industries it represented then, and all related industries it still represents today. From the outset, Electra Mining Africa has had the support of leading related industry associations and organisations.

At the 1972 inaugural show, 50 exhibitors, lost in the vastness of the Hall of Industries at Milner Park, occupied some 1,500 square metres of floor space. This was its first home.

Exhibitor, Multotec, first exhibited at Electra Mining Africa with a 9 square metre stand and has since grown into one of the biggest exhibitors at the show, having exhibited at every Electra Mining Africa exhibition since the show was launched in 1972. Many other companies also began their journey with Electra Mining back in the 1970s!

Gary Corin, managing director of Specialised Exhibitions

“Electra Mining Africa provides a much-needed platform for buyers and sellers across the mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport industries to connect face-to-face again at a live, in-person exhibition and presents a unique opportunity to develop beneficial business connections,” says Gary Corin, Managing Director at Specialised Exhibitions, a division of the Montgomery Group. “It presents an opportunity for industry networking to take place, to build business partnerships and new connections, and for new products and services to be launched.

“Exhibitions in the modern world remain incredibly relevant and their importance

Charlene Hefer, portfolio director of Specialised Exhibitions

“Electra Mining Africa is a trade show that provides the ideal platform for buyers and sellers to connect, for industries to come together, and ultimately, for our country’s economy to receive the boost it needs,” says Charlene Hefer, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions, a division of Montgomery Group.

“Face-to-face interaction was greatly missed in the exhibitions and events

cannot be underestimated in their ability to drive the recovery and reconnection of industries, sectors and economies.

Exhibitors at Electra Mining Africa over the years have consistently reported excellent sales and sales leads, and the ability to build business partnerships and important industry connections. The show has also consistently succeeded in attracting a high number of international visitors, including major buyers of capital equipment.

“It is the success that exhibitors achieve at Electra Mining Africa – whether the sales, sales leads, brand awareness or successful product launches – that sees the show achieve continued success and why exhibitors return, year after year.”

industry during the pandemic. Although online events and virtual exhibitions filled the void and created an environment where buyers and sellers could engage remotely, these fell short of the in-person, face-to-face experience. Even with the growth of the digital age, human beings are gregarious and social by nature, they need personal contact. Face-to-face interaction facilitates the building of relationships and trust; live demonstrations engage the senses; and networking and collaboration between industry professionals can take place.”

Electra Mining Africa’s growth

The inaugural show was a great success and subsequent editions of the biennial show continued to grow exhibition space and the number of exhibitors and visitors. It was beginning to outgrow the Milner Park Showgrounds. During this time a new multi-purpose showground and exhibition venue was being developed and in 1984 the National Exhibition Centre at Crown Mines was opened (now the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec) and became the new home for Electra Mining Africa. The new venue was tailor-made for the task ahead: to further expand Electra Mining Africa. It was a much bigger venue with a floor load capacity that could take the weight of huge machinery both inside the halls and outside exhibit areas which enabled the show to grow to the size it is today.

The show has grown dramatically from its early beginnings fifty years ago. Today it’s recognised as the largest mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport trade exhibition in Southern Africa and consistently ranks among the three largest mining shows in the world. It stretches across 5 exhibition halls and large outside exhibit areas, with a combined floor space of just under 30,000 square metres. This year, over 650 exhibitors were showcasing a collective millions of Rands worth of equipment.

A memorable moment in its history was in 1996 when then President Nelson Mandela opened Electra Mining Africa. He described the show as one of the most significant exhibitions in the history of our Country.

New records were set in 2002 with 450 exhibitors, 25,000m² of exhibition floor space, four halls and outside exhibit areas. The show attracted just on 30,000 visitors. There were 500 exhibitors in 2004.

These numbers have remained relatively consistent with over 25,000m² of exhibition floor space, 600+ exhibitors and just over 29,000 visitors in 2016 and 2018. Exhibitor numbers at the 2018 show were slightly higher compared to this year due to more internationals exhibiting; they are expected to return to the 2024 show.

The numbers of visitors from neighbouring African countries grew over the years and Specialised Exhibitions designed targeted campaigns to achieve

this. The show also consistently attracted a significant number of international visitors from other parts of the world which included major buyers of capital equipment. The first Inward Buying Mission was organised by the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) in 2006, with groups of buyers from mines in South America and other countries visiting the show. The success of the Inward Buying Mission saw SACEEC continuing to organise the Inward Buying Missions at subsequent shows. Although not at Electra Mining Africa this year (early days post-Covid), it is expected to be a part of Electra Mining Africa 2024.

Keeping abreast of market needs and trends, and by having conversations with exhibitors, visitors, industry associations and other stakeholders, Specialised Exhibitions sees further opportunities to expand the show. New initiatives are planned for the next show, which is taking place at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 2-6 September 2024.

Target market

The mining, electrical, manufacturing and industry-related transport industries have always been at the core of Electra Mining Africa.

Electra Mining has reflected the change of industry over its five decades. Fifty years ago, there was no automation and certainly not in the sense that was seen at this year’s show. So, it really has afforded the opportunity to really give focus to new industry sectors as they emerge in the economy, including automation, power/renewables.

Influential decision makers from these industries are regular visitors to Electra Mining Africa, travelling from within South Africa, neighbouring African countries and a large footprint from across the globe.

This includes those involved in various business activities such as: engineering, mining, manufacturing, automotive, professional services, iron and steel, communications, machine tools, environment, armaments, emergency services, foundries, government parastatal, occupational health, oil/gas supplies, parts and accessories –construction equipment, petro-chemical, plant contracting, power generation, processing, public works, safety, training and education, and transport.

Electra Mining Africa offered visitors the opportunity to compare products and brands across the five halls and outside exhibit areas.

Buyers and sellers happy to be back at a live in-person event.

Thousands of products were on display and thousands of face-to-face interactions took place.

Delegates at WiMSA Workshop

Over thirty thousand visitors came to Electra Mining Africa to make connections that matter.

The African market

The African market is important to Electra Mining Africa. In 2018, roadshows were added to the marketing campaign prior to the event and roadshows were again incorporated this year. The Electra Mining Africa team travelled to different industry-relevant visitor focus areas in South Africa and southern Africa to promote the show and share the benefits of visiting.

Visitor numbers from African countries have grown with exhibitors giving feedback this year that many sales leads had been generated.

An initiative for Electra Mining Africa 2024 will be to host International Pavilions from neighbouring African countries and to look at Inward Buying Missions from the African continent.

Economic benefit

The positive economic benefit of a show such as Electra Mining Africa is the contribution they make to the national economy, either directly or indirectly. This is through venue expenses, expenditure on products and services, advertising and promotion, logistics, travel, accommodation, meals and drinks; the spend of exhibitors on exhibiting; and the additional local spend of visitors and exhibitors whilst at the trade show. The exhibition also contributes to part-time job creation during the show and add-on tourism for those visiting South Africa. According to UFI’s (Union of International Fairs) Global Economic Impact of Exhibitions (Africa) report, the average total impact per m2 of exhibition space is $3,800 — this means over R1,702-million into the economy.

What is the purpose of the show?

Electra Mining Africa is a biennial show (taking place every other year) and is a brand that is proudly made in Africa and proudly African.

For the past five decades, Electra Mining Africa has built a strong reputation for its ability to effectively connect people and industries, buyers and sellers. It provides business and trade opportunities in a face-to-face environment.

Hundreds of exhibitors showcase their latest innovations, technology, products and services at southern Africa’s biggest mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport trade exhibition.

It’s an event that’s eagerly awaited every two years by the collective industries.

It’s the place where old and new faces continue to meet, to engage, to sell, to buy and to build partnerships and make connections that matter.

Challenges

As a solution-orientated company, where they do encounter any challenges, Specialised Exhibitions ‘think on their feet’ and create solutions to resolve the problems.

This year, with many suppliers having closed their doors due to the impact that Covid-19 had on the exhibitions industry, an important skills set has been lost. This has resulted in a reduced number of contractors and suppliers available to service the exhibitions and events industry. This was seen first-hand at Electra Mining Africa, where some aspects of the exhibition buildup were delayed due to a strain on resources. But, everyone pulled together and put in extra effort and the job was done and they were fully ready before the opening of the show.

What happened to Electra Mining Africa during Covid-19?

Electra Mining Africa 2020 was cancelled. Moving into the virtual realm is not possible for a show of this nature, with its sheer volume of size, massive equipment on display and many live demonstrations.

However, in celebration of the week that would have been Electra Mining Africa, industry players participated in a live industry webinar series and product showcase.

To maintain the spirit of the show, from 7-11 September 2020, Electra Mining Africa hosted Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect.

“In the face of devastating consequences for industries across the board and the economy as a

whole, we felt that it was more important than ever to find ways to continue to support and unite our industries, however we could, which is why we decided to host Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect,” MD Gary Corin said.

“The Electra Mining Africa Connect week enabled exhibitors to promote their products and services, free of charge, alongside industry-related informative webinars, media activations and product showcase opportunities,” Portfolio Director Charlene Hefer said. “Whilst we were not trying to replace the live event with a digital version, through the Electra Mining Africa Connect week, we could continue to create value for both exhibitors and visitor groups during a time when innovation was needed most.

“Current global trends tell us that people are hungry for human interaction, as exhibitions re-emerge following the pandemic. People want to engage all their senses at exhibitions — as the latest industry events and stats have proved.

“Exhibitions are adopting more technology and there is a move to hybrid events. Whereas exhibitions remain a face-to-face, in-person event, technology can make the exhibition experience even more enjoyable, driving many aspects of the exhibition from registration to live streaming of events.”

Jacaranda FM’s Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp at Electra Mining live broadcast.

Overall winners of the Electra Mining Africa Innovation and New Products Awards: ABC Ventilation Systems. The award was presented by Eric Bruggeman, CEO, SACEEC (3rd from right).

Feedback from Exhibitors

Lyndall Farrer, marketing manager, Dromex

“It’s been a good show. This is our fourth or fifth appearance at the show, and this year there’s been a lot more foot traffic and a lot more interest. People are happy to be back and to have personal interactions. The show not only allows people to talk to our experts but to also touch and feel our products.”

Desmond Tilly, regional sales manager, BBF Safety

“We’ve had a favourable response from visitors. People are hungry for an expo of this size. We’re very happy with the results and had some great interactions with key decision makers and end users. Electra Mining is a highlight for us in terms of the exhibitions that we do, and our ROI is always good.”

Rhodes Nelson, managing director, Multotec Manufacturing

“It’s nearly four years since the last Electra Mining, so we saw many people we have not seen for a very long time. We experienced great interaction on the stand, it’s been very busy. We have had people from the continent coming to our stand and we have received several opportunities from that.”

Marcio Sicchiero, head of export, Sew-Eurodrive SA

“We have gathered very good quality leads from the visitors who have come through. This includes overseas visitors, which has been great for me as the export head. These include visitors from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Madagascar, and Mauritius. It’s been high-quality engagement, with a lot of interest in our stand.”

Vanessa Deggins, product marketing specialist. Sandvik

“I’m based in our Finland office, and I came out for the show and the launch of some of our products. The show is the biggest show I’ve ever been to, and it has been eye-opening in terms of what the industry has to offer. We’ve had good feet and customer interest. We have made a lot of good connections.”

Mufaro Muzvondiwa, process and products director AME Region, Weir Minerals Africa

“The show has been great. A lot of good interactions with customers; there have been lots of visitors. We met a lot of industry players, caught up with them and made some very important contacts, so for us, it was successful. We have sold some products directly on the stand as well.”

Corné de Jager, diamond segment manager, TOMRA Mining

“The show has been outstanding. It’s been the busiest Electra Mining I have ever attended. It exceeded all my expectations. All my customers came to the show, and extra customers surprised us. It’s a tactile platform and our diamond sorter drew so many people to the stand. This allowed our customers to see and experience it and then purchase it.”

Emel Fleischmann, commercial manager, RGM Cranes

“The amount of foot traffic has been phenomenal and the leads we are getting have been excellent. Big companies and blue-chip companies have come through. It’s our third Electra Mining, and each year it just gets better. It’s a very worthwhile investment. We’ve already signed up for the next show.”

As testament to the success of the show, almost 50 per cent of exhibitors had already rebooked their stands for the 2024 show, even before the gates had closed on the 2022 show.

Specialiased Exhibitions would like to thank all our sponsors, associations and media partners for their support at this year’s show. We appreciate and value their contribution.

Platinum Sponsor: Dromex

Gold Sponsor: BBF Safety Group

Sponsor: Pinnacle Welding & Safety

Sponsor: Syspro

Sponsor: Schneider Electric

Electra Mining Africa was supported by the following Associations: SAIMM, SAIMechE, SAIMC, SACEEC, MEMSA, SAMPEC, LEEASA, WIMSA, SAFPA SAIOSH and Safety First Association.

For further information, contact: Keraysha Pillay | Senior Marketing Manager

Electra Mining Africa Tel: +27 (0) 10 003 3057 Email: Keraysha.Pillay@montgomerygroup.com

Sandvick new product launch.

dining, meal kits and cooking with sustainable ingredients which are low on salt and sugar.

“I believe food should be simple and not too overcomplicated,” Claudia said.

In terms of challenges facing the industry, she said: “The younger generation who are entering kitchens are expecting to walk into high ranking chefs’ positions. This is an industry that you need to start at the bottom. You need to gain the experience from chefs/cooks who have been in the industry. You need to learn from the previous generation of chefs. Secondly, the price of produce has shot through the roof, which makes it difficult for the average South African to dine in restaurants these days.”

In her spare time, Claudia enjoys reading and spending time with her family, but said cheffing was a career, not a job. “It is a lifestyle.”

Claudia van Eyk — ‘food has always played a big part in my life’

Food has always played a big role in Claudia van Eyk’s life, and it was of little surprise to her family when her career path led her into the kitchen. Claudia, 42, is the new head chef at Sun International’s Meropa Casino in Limpopo.

My family was always involved in catering, cooking or entertaining — if we were not hosting rugby club parties, it was catering for the church or the community or for a guesthouse. Food has always played a big part in my life,” Claudia said.

Claudia’s goal is to create a menu and ambience at Meropa’s newly branded Marima Restaurant which will tempt its customers to make repeat visits. “We hope to take our patrons on a food journey,” she said. “I work with a great team, and we are creating dishes and flavours which puts smiles on faces. I believe food and cooking has everything to do with emotions.”

She added: “Not one day is the same as the day before. I feel I have accomplished my mission if I take a guest on a taste journey.”

Born in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, Claudia spent her formative years in a small town, called Löhr a Main, in Germany and after matriculating in South Africa, studied culinary arts and obtained her Grande Diploma in Cordon Bleu qualification from Silwood Kitchen. In 2019, she achieved her national trade test qualification as an artisan chef.

“My first job opportunity was at a restaurant

called Five Flies in Cape Town which ranked in the top 10 restaurants in South Africa from 20032005. I worked there with the most amazing team. I have always said that everything I know, I learned in that kitchen,” Claudia added.

In her 23 years in the industry, the mother of three – Nicholas, 17; Isabella, 11, and Sebastian, 9, – has earned her stripes in kitchens around the country, from the legendary Linger Longer in Johannesburg to fine dining, the Palace of the Lost City at Sun City and even lecturing at the Prue Leith Academy.

“I really enjoyed my time at Sun City, where I also spent five years as Executive Chef at Cabanas Hotel until our family relocated to Polokwane and I joined the Limpopo Chefs Academy as centre manager and head lecturer.” Ironically, Claudia is married to Riaan, the previous executive chef at Meropa. They have been married for 12 years.

The past 20 years have seen trends come and go, from the early 2000’s when food was ’overcomplicated and fussy‘. “These days, everything is fresh, somewhat deconstructed, and simpler — more focused on the natural flavours of the few components needing to do the talking on a plate.” Other noticeable trends include experiential

For the young chefs entering the industry, my advice is to work hard, learn everything possible from chefs that you are in contact with. You cannot think you know everything when you have completed your culinary studies. In this career you never stop learning. That’s what makes it such an exciting job — every day is different. If you want to become a chef, you need to realise very early that this career is not a job. It is a lifestyle. You need to be dedicated to your passion, your guests, your food and your staff.”

What is your signature dish?

Penne pasta tossed with smoked chicken, caramelised peanuts, crispy bacon bits, blue cheese and camembert cream reduction, finished with avocado and rocket. Served with a Haute Cabriere chardonnay pinot noir.

What food trends are emerging in the conference industry?

Fresh and healthy dishes.

What has remained constant in this industry?

Pressure and fun.

What is your favourite beverage?

Gin and tonic when I am having fun, but after a long, hard day, it is a stiff brandy and coke.

What is your favourite food?

Cheese, especially Italian Gorgonzola from the Lombardie region. It goes with everything.

What is your pet hate?

People that cannot communicate information.

What is your great love?

My career now.

Are you adventurous?

I must admit that I am a little boring, but I did once drive my husband’s car at 204km/h on the N1.

Angela Lorimer — ‘own your brand’

During this strange pandemic period, I was fortunate enough to stay employed even though I moved positions a few times. I have recently joined the Hotel Sky family and am so enjoying the unique African chic offering. Hotel Sky Sandton and Hotel Sky Cape Town both opened during this surreal time. I have never felt so welcome and appreciated, and so look forward to introducing this brand to the world,” Ms Lorimer said. She began her career as the first intake at The Granger Bay Hotel School.

“There were 500 applicants, fifty where selected to enter the first year, only eleven graduated and there are only four of us still in the industry. My first introduction to the hospitality

industry was as an intern at The Beacon Isle Hotel and then The Vineyard Hotel as a trainee. I have worked in all the areas of the hotel from F&B controller, housekeeper to banqueting and sales.

“I have also been fortunate enough to work internationally, at The Hilton in London and The Royal Livingston in Zambia. I am passionate about my industry and believe in collaboration.”

Where do you see the business events industry in Africa?

Africa is the hub of knowledge. Africa is a force to be reckoned with, as we are stronger together. Through collaboration we are able to attract more business events to our continent. We are growing from strength to strength.

Where were you born and raised?

I grew up in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and we moved to Cape Town when I was 13. My Dad was in the building trade, so we moved around a lot, hence I attended seven schools. I matriculated from Pinelands High School. I was the first intake at the Granger Bay Hotel School and graduated with a national diploma in hotel management.

Where did your career begin?

The Vineyard Hotel, as cost controller and then I moved to Constantia Uitsig as assistant manager.

How long have you been in the business events sector?

I have been in the hospitality industry for 32 years, but directly involved in the

Resilient Angela Lorimer, 52, sales manager of Hotel Sky and SAACI Western Cape chairperson, has been in the hospitality industry for 32 years.

business sector for almost 20 years. NH The Lord Charles Hotel was my introduction to the business events world. My experience grew through the years as I worked at Spier Hotel & Conference Centre, Century City Conference Centre and the Cape Town International Convention Centre. I must say that what I have loved most has been connecting people and identifying a strength within a team member and growing that person accordingly.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector?

The biggest change I have seen is that the world has become so much more accessible to business travel. The business traveller is spoilt for choice and the unique selling points that were the focus years ago, for example, complimentary Wi-Fi is now a given. Technology is key and organisers have to be more innovative in attracting delegates to attend events in person, as the hybrid element is here to stay. Bleisure tourism has also become extremely popular as travellers are staying on after the conference to explore and have family members join them.

Were you always involved in this sector?

I have always been involved in hospitality. After I matriculated, I took a gap year, then studied hotel management.

What role does your family play in your life?

I am married to Gordon. Family is particularly important to me as they ground me. It is vital to have a healthy balance between work and family, for if you are not kind to yourself, you are of no use to anyone else. It is a difficult game, for when you are as enthusiastic as I am, you tend to put in the extra hours and your family life may suffer.

What would you change in your life, if you could, when looking back?

Not a single thing!

Do you have any hobbies?

I love walking my dogs on the beach and reading.

Do you play any sports?

I have never enjoyed sport, but get my exercise through dancing and walking in nature.

What is your favourite sport?

I get to enjoy watching rugby, as my husband is a Western Province referee. Through him I have got to know of Aimee Barret-Theron, a very dynamic female ref who has accomplished so much. I truly admire all she has achieved.

What do you do for leisure?

We love going to the theatre. Kalk Bay Theatre at The Brass Bell, is our favourite, as we enjoy local talent. Exploring our own country is also fantastic, as we enjoy going away for weekends and discovering hidden gems.

What is your secret to success?

Treat everyone the way you want to be treated, never burn bridges and focus on the positive.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in the industry?

I must say that there have not been many at all. I think, when I was a trainee in housekeeping at The Vineyard Hotel and I walked in on a couple that were not expecting to see me. The room was supposed to have been vacant and clearly, it wasn’t. Very embarrassing indeed.

What has been your biggest challenge in this sector?

Staying relevant and positive during Covid.

What is your pet hate?

Negative people and people that complain about their circumstances, but don’t try to do anything about changing them. Life is too short!

What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why? Living and working in Zambia, through Sun International. I was based at The Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Falls for three years. Having the Victoria Falls on my doorstep was a dream come true. The Zambian people where such a pleasure to work with and it was an experience I will never forget.

If you could be anyone for the day, who would you be and why?

I really gave this question a great deal of thought and truthfully, I would just like to be a healthier version of myself.

What is your favourite city?

Barcelona, I love the energy, art and food.

What is your favourite book, film, TV programme?

Book – The Girl of The Limberlost. The first time I read it, I was probably 12 years old and have read it at least five times since. Film – Under the Tuscan Sky and Mamma Mia.

TV Programme – Outlander.

How do you relax?

I love the sea air so swimming in the sea, reading and gardening.

What is your favourite food?

Food for me represents occasion and celebration. There is nothing more delicious than nibbling on a plate of sushi on a hot summer’s day, overlooking the twinkling sea. On a cold winter night, a heart-warming stew hits the spot.

Who is your favourite movie star? Brad Pitt.

What is the most impulsive thing you have ever done?

Packed up everything and moved to Zambia.

Who is your role model?

My mom was my role model. She was a dynamic, positive and intelligent woman. She had the ability to make you feel as if you were the only person in the room when she engaged with you. She was witty and had a naughty twinkle in her eye. There was not a problem that could not be solved with a cup of tea made with love by my mom and a chat.

What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Make sure that you are doing this for the passion and not for the money. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Know that you are not going to walk into a management position, as this needs to be earned. Learn from your great managers what to do, but also from those that are not as great, as to what NOT to do. Remember, you are your own brand!

What is your dream for the future?

My dream is to share as much knowledge as possible with those that are entering our industry. I also want to be a positive influence on all who I work with and encounter along the way.

The Westin — an unmatched venue for conferencing

Set in one of the most popular destinations in the world, at the gateway to the historic V&A Waterfront, The Westin Cape Town is only minutes away from excellent shopping, vibrant city night life, historical monuments and museums, iconic Table Mountain, and the pristine beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay.

Each of The Westin’s 483 guest rooms and suites are elegantly appointed and boast the latest amenities for guests’ total comfort and rejuvenation, with unique views over the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain and the whole of Table Bay.

Awaken refreshed in your luxury Westin Heavenly® Bed. Begin your day with an invigorating scrub under the signature Heavenly® Shower or relax in your separate bathtub, using our aromatic bath amenities.

To enrich your Cape Town stay, our rooms and suites are furnished with thoughtful touches. Our 24hour room service awaits your call for all of your dining needs. Stroll

downstairs at your leisure for a complimentary breakfast at our hotel restaurant, Thirty7 Showkitchen.

You will find all your dining experiences located on the ground floor, where our team of culinary masters and beverage custodians have curated flavourful menus especially for you. We pride ourselves in the absolute freshness of our food, which speaks to our promise of locally and ethically sourced ingredients, inspired through innovation. Our team has taken utmost care in crafting delectable experiences, which will leave all our guests wishing for more. Relax and enjoy.

Overlooking the Convention Square, the terrace area off our Louis B’s bar

is set in a tranquil, outdoor space with plenty of fresh air. It is the perfect place to begin the day by enjoying an early morning coffee, invigorating the mind, body and soul or a peaceful pre-dinner drink.

The Westin is an unmatched meeting, conference and banqueting venue with nineteen unique spaces. It offers some of the largest and most sophisticated hotel conference and banqueting facilities in the city. Directly linked to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), our hotel is able to host conferences for up to 600 guests in the Grand Ballroom, with an additional ten meeting rooms, between two floors, that can

seat from eight to sixty delegates. Meetings are an opportunity to connect with colleagues and explore new ideas. When you hold your meetings at The Westin Cape Town, we remove the distractions so that your group can focus on the business at hand for an effective and successful session. Westin Clutter-Free Meetings help planners and guests stay organised and productive with an open room design, socially appropriate amenities and delicious menu choices to keep minds sharp and well nourished. Streamlined stations provide paper, pens and beverages to keep everyone’s individual work area neat and clear.

You can feel good about Westin meetings with thoughtful ‘green’ features, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, double-sided meeting pads and refillable glass water bottles to reduce waste. Designed with the meeting planner in mind, our personalised services make it effortless to provide a memorable experience for each and every invitee.

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Well-known hotel executive takes on new role at Kruger Gate Hotel

Few people in the South African tourism sector are better positioned than Danny Bryer to assist the newly independent Kruger Gate Hotel move into a new era, post its separation from the Protea by Marriott brand. Known for his innovative ways of optimising revenue, Mr Bryer is a strong asset for the Kruger Gate team.

With effect from 1 September, The Kruger Gate Hotel assumed management of its own operations under the stewardship of chief executive officer, Anton Gillis. Mr Bryer has seen the growth of both the hotel and of Mr Gillis during his more than 30 years as the head of Protea’s sales and marketing and is the logical choice to serve as consultant for the hotel as it works through its transition. After leaving Protea, Mr Bryer launched his own project management company, Hospitality Intelligence, and over the past two years has worked with a variety of properties from large hotels to boutique accommodation, as well as lodges and airlines. He is now set to share his expertise with the management team of the Kruger Gate Hotel to ensure its visibility in global markets and to leverage its unique selling proposition and take advantage of the greater domestic demand for experiential holidays and of increased airline capacity into SA.

“The Kruger Gate Hotel leaves Marriott with world-class systems and the entire management team and staff complement intact, so operationally the move to an independent hotel will be seamless,” Mr Bryer said. “My focus will be on the rebranding objective for a new clientele, pricing models and revenue optimisation,” he added. “Most critical is the hotel’s accessibility through online reservation and distribution systems, with a user-friendly website that provides an exceptional user experience even before the guest arrives at the hotel.”

Contracts with new and existing service providers are currently being signed, including more sourcing from the local community in the area of the hotel’s location, and a sales team with a new focus will be out on the road in domestic and international markets.

“With 145 rooms and two unique venues in the conference space and executive suites, the hotel has a

competitive edge in the meetings and incentive market, as well as offering an intimate lodge experience for independent travellers. Its location on the border of the world-renowned Kruger National Park means that game viewing is possible without leaving the property — although, of course, game drive options are always available.”

A shift in the demographic of world travellers post-Covid-19 means that the Kruger Gate Hotel is anticipating a younger, more affluent guest profile as well as more families. Mr Bryer expressed his optimism for incoming tourism figures, as a number of airlines recommit to routes into Africa and South Africa, including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Delta and United from the USA. America is currently the largest revenue generator for the sector in South Africa, and the Kruger Gate Hotel will work hard for its share of this lucrative market.

Mr Bryer’s biggest concern for the sector is the current cost of travel. “Whilst the Kruger Gate Hotel offers excellent value, the cost for overseas visitors to make a long-haul trip given existing oil and fuel prices is potentially damaging for us as a destination.” he said.

“However, supply and demand for airline seats has the potential to drive the cost of air tickets down, and so I remain optimistic for inbound tourism.”

Mr Bryer asserted that South Africa has world-class standards when it comes to accommodation and, as a destination that provides great value as well as a vast range of experiences from which to choose, it has the potential to enjoy repeat business as travellers are drawn back to the country’s unique value proposition.

“The Kruger Gate Hotel has an amazing offering, with a brand new spa, boma, rim-flow pool and rooms that are being refurbished to meet the demands of discerning guests, and so we are confident that, once visitors have experienced

the hotel for themselves, they will be ambassadors for the property when they return home,” Mr Bryer said.

Guest loyalty, however, is never a given and Mr Bryer and the Kruger Gate Hotel team will be working hard to ensure the longevity of the hotel’s success. This includes leveraging datadriven relationship marketing, greater personalisation of communications with specific market segments, and listening to the ever-changing needs of its customers.

“The massive shift in behaviour and attitudes post-Covid, coupled with the rapid adoption of technology, means we must always be learning and moving forward,” Mr Bryer said. “This means not only keeping up with the times but being ahead of them. It is essential that we are forward thinking, constantly aware of new platforms and channels on which the hotel needs to be visible to the world,” he said.

With Anton Gillis at the helm and Mr Bryer project managing the move to full independence, the Kruger Gate is a hotel for now and for the future.

Danny Bryer.

Grande Roche Hotel celebrates landmark anniversary

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Grande Roche Hotel; a remarkable milestone for this celebrated address in the Paarl winelands. And with the town first named for the ‘pearls’ of granite which shimmer on the mountain slopes above, it’s by happy coincidence that the ‘pearl’ is also widely celebrated as the symbol for 30 years of marriage.

It’s certainly been an eventful three decades and, after the two turbulent years of the Covid-19 pandemic, owners Hansie and Theresa Britz – Paarl residents who bought the property in 2019 – are

thrilled to once again welcome guests and locals to a re-energised Grande Roche Hotel. Perhaps the most exciting new development comes with the appointment of Kevin Grobler as head chef of

The Grande Roche Restaurant. The hotel has long enjoyed a reputation as a destination for gourmands, and Grobler’s arrival in the kitchen marks a pivotal moment in that journey.

The Grande Roche Restaurant

The talented chef’s illustrious career includes leading the kitchens of Michelinstarred restaurant JAN in Nice, as well as the acclaimed Delaire Graff Restaurant in Stellenbosch. At Grande Roche, the refreshed restaurant space offers a sense of heritage grandeur with contemporary touches, and a menu built on both seasonality, experience and innovation.

Conferencing

The conference venue sits on the upper slopes of the estates, in the midst of vineyards, with a backdrop of Paarl Rock. Whether it’s an international conference, a board meeting, cutting-edge product launch or high-profile company summit, The Grande Roche Hotel has a number of venues available that can be used for just about any kind of event.

From left: Sun City’s general manager, Brett Hoppé (seated) with the resort’s executive team: Ntsako Mpenyana, resort HR manager; Kegomodiswe Monegi, resort IT manager; Kagiso Motsisi VIP gaming manager; Nombuso Buthelezi, convention centre manager; Khumo Magano, former SED & community engagement manager; Ugen Govender, resort financial manager; Ken Payet, general manager sports/ recreation; Julius Ramotse, general manager: hospitality; Thapelo Modise, resort marketing manager; Hendrik Strauss, resort security manager; Khensani Mailula, gaming manager; Maleago Mahlatjie, executive secretary; and Josiah Montsho, general manager, The Palace Hotel. (Lwazi Mswelanto, resort sustainability manager was not available for the photograph).

Sun City leads the way in hospitality transformation

Sun City first opened its doors in 1979 with a primarily male staff contingent, but fast-forward four decades and the gender revolution has marched on — today, more women work at the resort than men.

Sun City, a R2-billion business, is leading the way in women transformation within hospitality and setting the pace for other corporates within the industry. “Today 58 per cent of our staff are women, 95 per cent of which are African, with many firsts with its leadership, among these including the first female gaming manager and the first female IT manager,” said Brett Hoppé, Sun City Resort general manager.

Traditional glass ceilings have long been broken and today, 53 per cent of these women are in leadership and senior management roles.

“With a focus on supporting the development of our female staff, there has been rapid transformation of the executive team over the past two years,” Mr Hoppé said. “This began after we analysed the employment equity gender split and saw that women were underrepresented in senior, middle and junior management across

the resort, compared with their male counterparts. The Women Leadership Development Programme (WLDP) aims to address this, and we are making great strides over a short period of time.”

Of the Resort’s 13-strong executive committee, six are now women, namely Thapelo Modise, resort marketing manager; Nombuso Buthelezi, convention centre manager; Kegomoditswe Monegi, IT manager; Kagiso Motsisi, VIP manager; Maleago Mahlatjie, executive secretary and Khensani Mailula, gaming manager.

The WLDP has enabled career progression for Sun City women, developing suitably qualified and potential leaders, to build sustainable capabilities which will provide a platform to successfully compete for future leadership positions within Sun International. Eleven women are currently completing the programme’s basic level, while 12 are on the advanced

level which results in them holding an Advanced Diploma in Management Practices NQF Level 7 from the Henley Business School programme.

“The programme focuses on equipping generalist business leaders with management skills to discover and retain raw talent, providing overall rigorous development to promote the readiness for the next leadership level, and building our women within the leadership pipeline,” Mr Hoppé said.

Some of the many success stories include, Kegomoditswe Monegi, who began in 2019 as the IT service desk manager at Sun City and was promoted to IT manager and currently sits on the executive board, in a male dominated industry.

“We are happy to have more women around our table as they have strengths which men can lack, including empathy and attention to detail,” Mr Hoppé said.

Home Suite Hotels launches Station House

The needs of modern travellers have changed, which has triggered a change in the traditional hotel model, making way for hotels of the future. Today, travellers are looking for more, and opening this October, Home Suite Hotels Station House is set to revamp the hotel experience.

Bleisure travel as a concept means the hospitality industry is now placing greater focus on the needs of the corporate traveller who is also looking to enjoy some leisure time during their trip. Whether this involves extending a stay to add some fun at the end of a work trip, arriving earlier or combining the two, this kind of traveller will fully appreciate the flexibility Home Suite Hotels Station House offers to explore the beautiful city of Cape Town, while working from anywhere.

Situated in Sea Point alongside the Atlantic Seaboard is Home Suite Hotels’ newest offering; Home Suite Hotels Station House. With only a threeminute walk from the beach and iconic Sea Point Promenade, this boutique hotel is undoubtedly located in one of Africa’s most sought-after locations.

Station House is a new, mixed-use development offering luxury apartments and hotel rooms, all under one roof. This one-of-a-kind development will offer first class living, taking convenience and comfort to the next level. “The really interesting thing about this property is that the apartments and hotel rooms will share the same

amenities, which makes for a very interesting mix of residents from different walks of life, coming together to share all the amazing spaces this property has to offer, while still maintaining the privacy of their own rooms,” said Jonathon Meyer, chief executive officer of Home Suite Hotels.

Home Suite Hotels Station House is changing the face of hotels in South Africa, moving away from the traditional hotel blueprint, which traditionally dictated options to guests but is instead offering guests the opportunity to choose how they want to manage their stay. From where they eat to where they choose to work and play.

“Guests have the option of stepping out of the building and really experiencing what Sea Point has to offer, such as the 20 top tier coffee shops and restaurants that are less than a seven minute walk away. But you also have the option to stay-in and experience the restaurant, cocktail bar, coffee shop, deli & patisserie run by The Kove Collection in the same building if you so choose,” Mr Meyer added.

Station House offers a number of amenities to guests such as a gym,

biokinetics, yoga studio and a business centre fitted with meeting pods as well as a stunning rooftop cocktail bar and pool so that guests can work just as hard as they play without ever having to step outside the building.

“Understanding the way that people travel is very important in anticipating their needs and blending this new style of offering with authentic hospitality is really where the sweet spot is. Experiencing a home-awayfrom-home is something that speaks to all of us,” Mr Meyer added.

Long Term guests

One of Home Suite Hotels’ more unique offerings are its long-term stays. Since the hotel offers suites, many guests stay for longer periods — months – or in rare cases – a year or more. This offers the perfect home-away-from-home experience for the likes of an overseas traveller on a longer work trip, or an easy solution for those who are renovating a home. And, if anything changes and a guest chooses to cancel, they can rest easy because any changes or cancellations up to 24 hours prior to arrival are free.

Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo drives the renewable energy agenda

Bridging the gap between transport and energy sectors by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and investing in cleaner modes of transport is critical for the creation of safer and more sustainable cities in Africa. This is according to private and public stakeholders from the continent and beyond who gathered at industry event Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo in Durban recently to explore opportunities to connect Africa’s transport system through sustainable infrastructure.

Celebrating its 10th year, the trade show has established itself as Africa’s largest transport event, hosting the region’s port, rail and road authorities all under one roof.

The Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo 2022 was opened by Fikile Sithole, deputy director general: Transportation Services, KZN provincial government, and attracted big industry game changers, like Transnet, Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC), Briggeman International, Afreximbank and Dube Tradeport. The event welcomed over 2,350 people over the two-day period and included over 100 exhibitors who showcased innovative solutions across the transport industry.

Co-located with The Big 5 Construct KZN, as well as several other events, including the Women in Transport Awards and The Transport CEO Forum, it successfully gave visitors access to the entire African Transport Infrastructure value chain. In addition, the strategic transport forum tackled African Continental Free Trade Area implementation, infrastructure, investments and cross border policies head on, while the B2B networking platform and exhibition gave solution

providers the opportunity to showcase their global innovations and products.

Highlighting the transport sector’s contribution of almost one quarter to total global greenhouse gas emissions, Yaa Agyare-Dwomoh, Consultant at Frost & Sullivan Africa said that in South Africa, over 60 per cent of South Africa’s 1.2 million vehicles on the road are diesel-powered, with the remaining powered by petrol. To achieve the energy transformation required for decarbonisation, she suggested the sector would need to rely increasingly on renewable energy sources, such as biofuels, natural gas, ethanol, propane, hydrogen and electricity.

Continuing the conversation of coordinating the transformation of the energy and transport sectors was Dr Marcelo Blumenfeld, an Assistant Professor in Future Transport Systems from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and an industrial fellow for Introducing Innovation at the Birmingham Centre for Railroad Research and Education (BCRRE).

While Dr Blumenfeld admitted that many low-income countries may struggle to economically justify the implementation of electric

powered railways, he said that alternative options such as battery and hydrogen were readily available, that provide viable and cost-effective ways to decarbonise railways, by upscaling existing assets without the need for fossil fuels. Using a case study carried out by BCRRE in Tanzania as an example, he illustrated how hydrogen-powered trains could reduce carbon emissions by as much as 10,000 tonnes every year.

Le-Ann Hare, portfolio director at leading global events company dmg events and host of Transport Evolution African Forum & Expo, said that overall, the trade show was a categorical success. “We were very pleased to have brought leading industry players from across the world to South Africa after a two-year hiatus and are confident that many valuable connections were made while bringing together like-minded people to learn and share their experiences in developing a sustainable way forward for the transport industry.”

Next year’s Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo will be held from 20-21 September 2023 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC Complex, Durban, South Africa.

The KZN South Coast to host The Conservation Symposium

Home to rich biodiversity across land and sea, the KZN South Coast has been chosen for The Conservation Symposium which welcomes environmentally focused delegates from 31 October to 5 November. This is the first time that the KZN South Coast has hosted the event, entrenching the region as a top business events destination.

We’re thrilled to announce the venues for this year’s Conservation Symposium; Premier Resort Cutty Sark and Dream Hotel Blue Marlin in Scottburgh. Located just 1.4km from each other, these venues will be the centre of our Conservation Symposium, allowing our attendees to enjoy a slice of beautiful KZN South Coast before, during or after the symposium,” said event organiser, Freyni du Toit.

The Conservation Symposium is hosted by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, WildOceans, WildTrust, Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), CapeNature, Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) and the Environmental Law Association (ELA).

“We are so excited to be welcoming some 250 delegates to The Conservation Symposium which will be held at The Premier Resort Cutty Sark and Blue Marlin Hotel,” commented Phelisa Mangcu, chief executive officer of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “This serves the dual purpose of highlighting the KZN South Coast as a key events destination, while celebrating the amazing conservation efforts and environmental significance of the region.”

Some of the KZN South Coast’s ecologically significant sites and events include:

• Three Marine Protected Areas at Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks and Trafalgar, supporting a variety of marine species with Aliwal Shoal home to a number of the highly-endangered shortfin devil-rays;

• Six Blue Flag beaches – the highest number in the province – with two honoured for 20 and 10 years of care;

• Several nature reserves and game reserves, home to diverse wildlife and birdlife;

• Two gorges – Oribi Gorge and Umtamvuna Gorge – that create an expansive biome, supporting sensitive natural life;

• The Red Desert, the world’s smallest desert;

• The Mzamba Fossils and Petrified Forest — trees which were washed downriver and deposited in the area millions of years ago, with marine fossil beds exposed along reefs near the Mzamba River;

• The annual Sardine Run, which is the planet’s greatest biomass migration; and

• The annual migration of Humpback whales.

SCTIE, which is the tourism and investment arm of Ugu District Municipality in the KZN South Coast, is dedicated to promoting economic growth through innovation, investments and tourism. By hosting such high-profile events, SCTIE is welcoming new visitors to the area

while also attracting new investment.

To facilitate business events, SCTIE launched the innovative Meeting Planner Guide at the Meetings Africa exhibition in Johannesburg earlier this year. This comprehensive guide is a one-stop directory for all business conferences, meetings, team building and accommodation requirements. It consists of a detailed list of existing business events’ venues, teambuilding activities on offer, and relevant contact information.

The Conservation Symposium, which is a platform to facilitate the sharing of ideas and solutions to contemporary conservation issues in Africa, will open with a welcome ceremony at the Blue Marlin Hotel on Sunday, 30 October. In between networking and talks, delegates will also be hosted on various tours that showcase the KZN South Coast’s many eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives.

This will include a frogging tour of the wetlands from Crocworld Conservation Centre and guided walks in nature reserves including TC Robertson Nature Reserve and Vernon Crookes; snorkelling in a Marine Protected Area; a hike along part of the Umzumbe River Trail, a Green Flag Trail and viewing wild Cape Vultures at the Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide as well as a visit to Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre.

Images: Supplied by SCTIE)

The Mzamba Fossils and Petrified Forest.

Cape Vultures at the Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide.

New Sandton restaurant arrives with a roar

A fresh addition to Jozi’s gastronomic scene, ROAR Bistro & Bar, opened its doors on 23 September, promising to deliver a delectable melting pot of global flavours served tapas-style.

Located in the heart of Joburg’s business district – directly opposite the Sandton Convention Centre and at the foot of the Michelangelo Towers – ROAR’s offering was conceptualised based on its proximity to the thousands of residents, tourists, and conference delegates who live, work, stay and play in the area.

Owned by the Legacy Group, ROAR Bistro & Bar is staking its claim as Sandton’s unique dining spot; with its Parisian street-side setup and tapasstyle menu offering an eclectic mix of global cuisines. There is even a deli for a passerby needing to grab something quick and delicious on the go, including a selection of freshly crafted coffees brewed by ROAR’s highly trained barrista and a plethora of home-baked pastries, patisseries, and handcrafted sandwiches, all made on-site and with love by the chef team.

“We wanted to create a dining experience that would be a one-of-its-kind

in Sandton. By taking full advantage of our street-side location and creating a small plate menu with a fusion of African, European, Middle Eastern and Mauritian flavours, we have certainly achieved this,” said Robert Hodson, chief operating officer of Legacy Hotels & Resorts.

According to executive chef, Atma Mahadea and restauranteur consultant, Larry Steenkamp, small plates tie into the international trend of being able to taste a little of everything and fits into the Joburg culture of dining to socialise.

“Unlike Capetonians who dine purely for the gastronomic experience, Joburgers go out to spend time with friends and family over good food and drinks. With the restaurant also being in the tourism hub, we decided to create a variety of small dishes representing a host of global cuisines we are inspired by,” says Larry Steenkamp who codesigned the menu with executive chef Atma.

Some of the signature dishes on the menu include curried coconut mussels,

deep-fried whole fish, Mauritian chicken curry and the Asador lamb with pomegranate & yoghurt.

The restaurant’s design and layout were dreamed into reality by the creative flair of Varoom Interiors. The designers chose a colour pallet of teal, tomato red and brass, which were inspired by the bistro’s vibrant focal point — a graffitied art piece of a male lion created by Nick Kerr of Dekor1.

With seating for up to 120 guests, the space features a large bar overlooking a comfortable lounge area where guests can sit back, relax and order wines off a bespoke wine list or choose from a selection of cocktails crafted by ROAR’s mixologist extraordinaire.

The conservatory area of the restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling glass featuring lots of natural light and plants. Guests also have the choice of two outdoor seating areas, both shielded by foliage-filled planter boxes and overlooking the bustling walkway of Maude Street, Sandton.

Dubai Tourism successfully showcases offering in SA

With the event industry finally opening up again after a Covid-induced hiatus, Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism (DET), brought their first roadshow in two years to South Africa.

In what was a display of their ongoing activities on the African continent, the multi-city roadshow which commenced in Cape Town, moving on to Durban and culminating in Johannesburg, demonstrated Dubai’s renewed commitment to South Africa. Following the hugely successful three-city tour in South Africa, DET headed east in continuation of its ongoing activities in sub–Saharan Africa with Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya on the roadshow itinerary.

The intention was to showcase Dubai’s affordable experiences and the diversity of the city’s offerings to key travel partners as well as SA Tourism and Brand SA in South Africa. Noteworthy highlights during the roadshow included travel, hospitality, entertainment and Dubai’s citywide events, with a focus on leisure, family travel, education and medical tourism. Breakout network sessions, partner presentations, one-on-one meetings, and medical facility updates were key elements which enhanced the programme.

Dubai, renowned for its continuous drive to establish, maintain and show its safe, open, and accessible sides, has been

ranked the No.1 global destination in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022. The new tourism figures from DET show that overall, Dubai hotels maintained an average occupancy level of 76 per cent from January to May 2022. According to data from hotel management analytics firm STR, Dubai ranked No.1 globally in hotel occupancy, ahead of other international destinations including New York (61 per cent), London (60 per cent) and Paris (57 per cent), for the January-April 2022 period. These are impressive stats in a post-Covid marketplace.

Individual presentations made by the roadshow delegates shone a new spotlight on experiences in their city. Travel to Dubai is not only for the privileged few with its dazzling night life and worldclass restaurants. There is a plethora of experiences to be enjoyed, ranging from visiting art galleries and exploring museums at the waterfront souk, to drives in the desert and lazy days at the beach, swimming in the tranquil ocean with beautiful views. Click on this link to find out more about Dubai experiences that won’t break the bank.

Feedback from attendees at the roadshow offered positive feedback. Nomafrench

Mbombo, provincial minister of health for the Western Cape commented that she had never thought of Dubai as a ‘must-see’ place to visit but was ‘now seriously considering a trip there’ after seeing what Dubai as a city has to offer to South Africans. She said she was particularly interested in what the medical facilities have to offer and would review possibilities that may exist around ‘health exchange programmes’.

Melody Williams said: “I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable Dubai is and I am impressed by the number of new attractions that have arisen in recent years, the Museum of the Future, the Aura Pool and the Frame.”

Tareq Binbrek, assistant manager, International Relations (Africa) for Dubai Tourism (DET), commented: “Africa is a significant market for Dubai Tourism. This is our first roadshow post pandemic, and we are happy to be back. We were delighted to work closely with our trade partners and speak directly to our audience. A lot of new and exciting things have come up in Dubai since our last visit to this region and so we savoured the opportunity to share the good news with all of our African travellers.”

Large-DTCM, Bluewaters Island, Ain Dubai.

Stella Kalanne Fubara-Obinwa from the Dubai Tourism.

Guy Stehlik named among 100 Most Powerful People in Africa Hospitality

Guy Stehlik, chief executive officer and founder of the BON Hotels group, has been named among the 100 Most Powerful People in Africa Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute (IHI).

The global advocacy, training, and standards organisation headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is committed to fostering excellence in the global hospitality industry, and, with its top 100, says it is “thrilled to recognise these change-makers and influencers for their work in promoting Africa’s hospitality industry.”

The names of the nominees have now been published in the Hospitality Power Index® for Africa and will also be featured in the December edition of the Global Hospitality Magazine.

Mr Stehlik said: “I am honoured by the IHI nomination and to be alongside many of my local peers and other hospitality leaders on the continent. Africa remains a sought-after destination, and, as BON Hospitality is an African hotel group by Africans, it is our job to continue ensuring a

world-class African experience for our guests and hotel owners.”

A lifelong hotelier

Mr Stehlik developed a passion for the industry at an early age, having grown up in the hotels that his father managed in Cape Town. He went on to study at Stellenbosch University, Wits Hotel School in Johannesburg and Cornell University in New York state.

After graduating and returning home, he was employed by South Africa’s first international hotel group, the Hyatt Group, to be part of the team to launch the Park Hyatt in Johannesburg in 1995. His career journey became one of opening and re-opening hotels, leading to his appointment by the Protea Hotel Group, where he became an integral part of the teams launching the Victoria Junction Hotel

and President Hotels in Cape Town.

Mr Stehlik went on to carve a niche for himself by taking on problematic or underperforming hotels and turning them around. This led to a string of successful reinventions of ailing establishments, where he employed a combination of aggressive marketing, a back-to-basics operational approach and excellent guest service.

In 2012, he set about building his own hotel company, BON Hotels, and today, the same strategic approach is used at all their establishments, coupled with owner, staff and guest centricity.

The 100 Most Powerful People in Africa Hospitality nomination represents a culmination of Mr Stehlik’s lifelong commitment to, and passion for the industry. It is also an acknowledgement of his pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit.

Open Day for The IIE of Hospitality & Service Management

There is a great need in Africa for academically trained hospitality professionals, particularly when one considers that many executive positions in the African hospitality industry are not filled by those from the continent.

The IIE School of Hospitality & Service Management – which has campuses in Rosebank, Johannesburg and in Newlands, in Cape Town – seeks to address the rapidly expanding need for service, hospitality and customer-centric education, spanning entry-level through to management-level qualifications.

When most people think of the hospitality and service industry, they often think of hotels and restaurants and little else. But the truth is hospitality and, especially service, is present in every company and business that has customers and is focused on meeting and fulfilling those customers’ needs satisfactorily.

Courses offered include the IIE Higher Certificate in Hospitality Management, the IIE Bachelor of Hospitality Management, the IIE Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Leadership and the IIE Advanced Certificate in Hospitality Management.

The IIE Higher Certificate in Hospitality Management is a full-time one-year course

which also creates a pathway to enrol for the IIE degree. The IIE Bachelor of Hospitality Management is a three-year degree course. Both qualifications meet international standards and are available via distance learning.

There will be an Open Day at both campuses on Saturday, 29 October, from 08h00-12h30.

• The IIE School of Hospitality & Service Management, 3 Keyes Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, Gauteng.

• The IIE School of Hospitality & Service Management, The Quadrant, 146 Campground Road, Newlands, Cape Town, Western Cape.

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.

Your green venue checklist

Selecting a ‘green venue’ is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to make your events more sustainable. To help you do this, the Event Greening Forum (EGF) has developed this green venue checklist of questions to ask before you decide on where to host your next event.

GENERAL

Does the venue have a sustainability Vision Statement/ Policy Statement? Is it accessible or visible to everyone?

If yes, ask for a copy.

Can the staff answer your questions about the sustainability vision statement? Is there general awareness among everyone?

Ask to see what they are doing on a site visit. For example, ask to see how they separate waste into recyclables and non-recyclables. Ask to see the results of their efforts. Ideally they should be measuring this.

PROCUREMENT

Do you have an eco-procurement* policy?

If yes, ask for a copy.

* Eco-procurement means giving preference to products and services that have a positive impact on the environment (think energy, water, waste and carbon footprint) and the local community.

Can the person responsible for procurement answer your questions about the venue’s procurement policy?

Again, once you receive the document, ask lots of questions. Examples of eco-procurement could include: Prioritising working with hyper-local companies and companies that have a strong social investment policy.

SOCIAL

Is the venue taking steps to work with, and uplift, the local community?

If yes, ask questions to better understand this.

Examples could include: Offering training and employment opportunities to disadvantaged youth; working with an NGO that is helping entrepreneurs to establish a small business; sourcing products and services from local businesses; or ongoing support of a nearby school.

ENERGY

Are steps being taken to reduce energy consumption at the venue?

If yes, can the staff explain what is being done and what the results are?

Examples could include: The venue is using energy-efficient technology such as LED light bulbs and energy-efficient computers; there is a system to ensure unneeded lights, aircon and heating are switched off; the building is insulated; supplementary renewable energy is produced onsite.

WATER

Are steps being taken to conserve water at the venue?

If yes, can the staff explain what is being done and what the results are?

Examples could include: The venue has water-efficient technology such as low-flow taps and showers, dual-flush toilets, and water-saving dishwashers and washing machines; there is a water-wise garden and rainwater is collected; grey water is collected and recycled.

WASTE

Are steps being taken to reduce the venue’s waste-to-landfill?

If yes, can the staff explain what is being done and what the results are?

Examples could include: The venue has a procurement policy that limits single-use and non-recyclable packaging; there is an effective multi-bin system for the different types of waste; the food waste is diverted into a composting system; the different types of waste are weighed so that the waste management systems can be improved in an ongoing manner.

TRANSPORT

Is the venue accessible to public transport and or eco-mobility?

An example could be having good access to and from major transport hubs where public transports modes are available such as buses, taxis, trains, etc.

FOOD

Does the venue have a sustainable approach in its food and beverage?

If yes, can the staff explain what is being done in this regard?

Examples could include: Prioritising the use of in-season local produce on their menus; using only sustainable sourced seafood; serving sustainably certified wines; or developing menus using locally sourced and seasonal food products with an emphasis on reducing any food waste.

Morwesi Ramonyai, chairperson of the Event Greening Forum, said: “It is critical that a venue can adequately answer all your questions and prove their greening claims. If not, they could be guilty of greenwashing. With many venues going the extra mile to improve their sustainable credentials, you really can afford to be picky.”

If you’re looking for a green venue –or are a green venue – visit the EGF’s greendatabase.co.za. It’s a one-stopshop for green solutions for events, and it doesn’t cost anything to be listed.

The Save the date: Green Venue Workshop

Please save the date for our upcoming hybrid event where we will unpack what a ‘green’ venue is, how to identify one, and the value of using them for your events.

The format will be a panel discussion with ample opportunity for questions and answers. Grace Stead, a sustainability consultant and founder of Steadfast Greening, as well as the co-founder of the Event Greening Forum, will facilitate the discussion.

Date: Thursday, 10 November Time: 09:00 to 11:00

Venue: CTICC, Cape Town and online More details coming soon.

About the EGF

The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. It does this by hosting educational sessions for industry and lobbying government in an effort to implement sustainability principles into the daily operations of the events industry.

The EGF was established through dedication and support of eight industry associations who are recognised as founding members. The founding members are key industry associations working together to promote South Africa as a destination for various types of events.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about event greening, visit www.eventgreening.co.za where you can browse the free resources, sign up to the monthly newsletter, or contact them directly with any queries.

Contact: Lynn Mcleod

T: 082 891 5883

E: lynn@eventgreening.co.za

Staying event-fit

As the calendar year of 2022 starts raising its chequered flag, there is still so much we all need to do. While we have seen some good green shoots of recovery within our industry, we understand this is off the back of some intensive work by many an event professional.

By Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI.

We must, however, agree that the business events industry needs to be aware, when it comes to our contribution to the global climate.

Being ‘event-fit’, both mentally and physically has been a ‘tongue in cheek conversation held in passing’, these past few months. Many of us agree that we need to fit that ‘zone’, as a professional athlete would call it, where body, mind and soul are in sync, and we are pushing in unison with our clients and teams. At times, we have understated what the impact and the return to operations will be and what it will have on our mental state of mind. The pressure of pitching up for work, the wait for the decision, the delayed decisions and then the rush to

deliver. Coupled with the demands of not compromising quality, while doing this all with limited staff and teams.

In some instances, the demands have increased, and we must deliver with less, either less budgets or less staff or both, against a very tight deadline.

So, with two-thirds of 2022 done, and some work still to be completed, we turn some of our thoughts to 2023 with the experience we have now, to ready ourselves both mentally but – even more so – physically. With all things being equal, we would be able to deliver a copy of 2022 with slight changes which enhance the client and delegate experience.

A little more attention is required by all

when managing the above, and with recovery showing good signs, we all want to ensure that it is sustainable. However, it may only be so, if we find that ‘zone’ and take care of ourselves, our staff, and the clients we serve. Recovery should not be the only focus, and yes, we have all suffered, but let us not make too many compromises, resulting in us losing sight of the reason why we do what we do, which is making long-lasting memories while sharing knowledge that enhances the communities we serve.

Keep safe and stay event-fit.

Three ways to deliver sustainable incentives that motivate teams

Incentive travel has seen a massive resurgence over the past several months, with a spike in teams that want to reconnect through transformative experiences. However, the key to delivering rewards today, for top performers, is to focus on sustainable offerings.

While it may have once been considered a trend in the realm of business events and incentive travel, sustainability is no longer optional. Its scope isn’t limited to protecting the environment, either. Sustainability also encompasses cultural and socio-economic impacts. Last year, Destination Canada Business Events wrote an article for SITE Motivate on sustainability, and a lot has happened since then. Read on for the latest on how the country is delivering sustainable incentive rewards — along with a glimpse into a powerful new initiative that will raise the bar when it comes to hosting sustainable events.

Preserving local cultures

A major trend shaping the incentive industry is the desire to engage authentically with diverse cultures when visiting a destination. High achievers want to see how locals live, eat and work — and ultimately, return home with a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

In Canada, incentive groups have the chance to connect with Indigenous Peoples through a plethora of transformative experiences. In fact, there are some 1,800 Indigenousowned businesses in the tourism sector across the country, which are playing an integral role in preserving the cultures, languages and

traditions of Indigenous Peoples. Take the ultra-secluded Klahoose Wilderness Resort, for instance. The luxury wilderness resort, which is 100 per cent owned by the Klahoose First Nations, opened in June 2021 in British Columbia’s breathtaking Desolation Sound. It offers incentive groups seven rooms and cabins that are available for a full buyout option, all decorated with Indigenous artwork from surrounding communities.

Upon arriving by boat or plane, top performers are greeted with a traditional Klahoose drumming and welcome song on the veranda that overlooks the Homfray Channel. Once there, they can enjoy an array

Aerial image of Blind Channel, West Thurlow Island, Desolation Sound, British Columbia, Canada.

of immersive cultural experiences with their colleagues, including Indigenous storytelling, songs, cedar weaving, and nature excursions in one of the largest temperature rainforests on Earth. No matter what they choose, they will return home feeling inspired and revitalised by the cultural knowledge they’ve gained.

Protecting the environment

Home to 48 national parks, pristine lakes, the northern lights and so much more, Canada is a country that’s synonymous with nature. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that preserving its natural beauty and wildlife has been a top priority for destinations across the country. This aligns with a growing incentive travel trend: high achievers who strive to limit their impact on the environment when celebrating their successes.

Canada has a wealth of environmentally friendly accommodations to help them do just that, like 1 Hotel Toronto. The newly opened hotel takes inspiration from the beauty of Lake Ontario to offer guests a sustainable urban retreat, with furniture and decor created from fallen local trees, 100 per cent organic cotton bed linens and floor-to-ceiling windows that let natural light in.

Its culinary initiatives also help incentive groups travel sustainably. The hotel’s

restaurants are zero-waste operations, which underscores the team’s commitment to preserving the beauty and bounty of nature. This includes an on-site composter that can turn 12,000 pounds of waste into under 1,000 pounds of compost that’s used to feed over 2,500 plants in the hotel and neighbouring parks.

Supporting the community

Today’s high achievers are also eager to play a role in revitalising the places they visit — with scores of organisations seeing a rise in socio-economic-conscious travel among their employees.

Organisations that host their incentives in Montréal can help their teams achieve that by supporting one of the city’s most iconic companies: Cirque du Soleil. Known for gravity-defying acrobatics, gymnastics and synchronised choreography that infuses wonder and awe in celebrations, Cirque du Soleil is also committed to being an agent for change in the community that it was founded in. In particular, it offers activities and programs that benefit at-risk kids and youth — like Cirque du Monde, which uses circus acts as a means of intervention.

By rewarding your top performers with an exclusive Cirque performance in the cosmopolitan city, they’ll not only be inspired like never before — they’ll also

feel good about supporting a company that’s determined to give back.

A one-of-a-kind programme

This is only the beginning for sustainable travel in Canada. In fact, Destination Canada Business Events has recently launched a first-of-its-kind national programme aimed at improving the economic, social and environmental sustainability practices of business events hosted in Canada — the Canadian Business Events Sustainability Plan. Its goal? As one of the world’s first national sustainability plans for business events, it aims to provide a national support arm that will accelerate the industry’s progress toward net-zero targets.

With the programme, the team will roll out actionable programs tailored toward the unique Sustainable Development Goals of individual cities to global clients. The plan will focus on clients across all segments — international association conferences, trade exhibitions, workshops and seminars, as well as corporate meetings and incentive group events.

Sustainability is a key component of business events and incentive travel. As a result, organisations are increasingly looking to align with destinations that are leading the charge in delivering just that.

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...

Contact

Email: info@sitesouthernafrica.com www.sitesouthernafrica.com www.siteglobal.com

A major trend shaping the incentive industry is the desire to engage authentically with diverse cultures when visiting a destination.

Giving back to the community

Londocor Event Management initiated a new, eco-friendly way of exhibiting. After organising hundreds of congresses over 27 years, and seeing the wastage after each congress, Londocor decided to introduce a new and novel way to give back to the community.

By Sonja du Plessis, managing director of Londocor Event Management (Pty) Ltd.

In 2021, the organising committee for the National Psychiatry Congress proposed a congress where they could drastically reduce its carbon and plastic footprint.

Londocor suggested a novel idea of building sustainable, environmentally friendly, nonplastic stands, with the aim of reusing the material towards a classroom building project to support a local community.

All exhibition stands were built by an accredited housing company that were then assembled onsite, dressed, and branded by BB Projects and handed over to each exhibitor.

The exhibition stands were disassembled after the congress and transported to Amahlubi Secondary School and were reused to build beautiful classrooms for this very needy secondary school.

The classrooms were fitted with all the wooden furniture from the exhibition stands, including tables, chairs, bookshelves, counters, lights, etc. All congress bags were also donated to the school. The congress participants eagerly contributed towards the needs of the community by donating shoes, clothes, tinned food, toiletries, etc.

An additional amount of R185,000 was also raised at the congress dinner, from participants, to build bathrooms for the school.

Since 2021, most of their other congresses have followed suit and are enthusiastically supported by delegates, trade and most certainly appreciated by the community to which these structures are donated and have been used to build clinics, shelters for abused women and children, community halls and storerooms.

Events of all kinds depend on teamwork

As an industry, we have an incredible ability to work at 200 per cent capacity for long periods of time. This is generally done when we are busy with build-up, show days and during break-down of our events. We push our minds and bodies to the limit to ensure a successful event, exhibition, conference, or show. We are able to sustain this pressure and, once the event is concluded, we are able to revert back to a ‘normal’ workday.

By Mark Anderson, project director at Specialised Exhibitions and AAXO treasurer.

This year, it has been an incredible experience to observe how the industry has reopened. There were ‘teething problems’ and many of us struggled to get into fifth gear. Some of us had forgotten what it was like to work at 200 per cent and almost had to relearn how to go about our daily job.

So, as the year approaches the last few months, we need to remember the good things that happened. We need to learn from our mistakes and, instead of repeating them, let’s rather pioneer new opportunities.

The industry will continue to grow into 2023. This will lead to new staff joining the ranks. Companies that had originally downsized will be looking to upskill current staff, and everyone is on the lookout for top talent.

As people change roles within companies and new staff join the ranks, it is vital that the culture of the organisation remains the same. Teams need to be able to work together and trust each other.

Events of all kinds depend on teamwork to ensure their success.

Let’s grow the exhibition industry by investing in our young professionals.

A project director cannot deliver an event without a highly motivated and competent team behind them. Teambuilding has the ability to play a big role in cultivating a positive culture within any organisation. It also helps in developing trust and promoting teamwork. This all leads to better communication and hopefully, a smoother build-up, excellent show days and a simple break-down.

EXCO AND HEAD OFFICE

Chairperson: Kim Roberts e: info@mise-en-placesolutions.com c: +27 (0)82 652 2008

Vice-chairperson: Minister Kganyango e: mkganyago@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)79 513 8708

Treasurer: Jaques Fouche e: jaques@be-moved.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542

Public officer: Alistair Stead e: alastair@scandisplay.africa c: +27 (0)73 236 6618

Chief executive officer: Glenton De Kock e: ceo@saaci.org c: +27 (0)82 575 7565

Membership services consultant: Alshanthé Smith t: +27 (0)71 299 0601 e: members@saaci.org

BOARD MEMBERS

Chairperson: Kim Roberts e: info@mise-en-placesolutions.com t: +27 (0)82 652 2008

Vice-chairperson: Minister Kganyango e: mkganyago@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)79 513 8708

Treasurer: Jaques Fouche e: jaques@be-moved.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542

Public officer: Alistair Stead e: alastair@scandisplay.africa c: +27 (0)73 236 6618

Eastern Cape Chairperson: Melissa Palmer e: melissa@becbc.co.za t: +27 (0)82 437 7600 +27 (0)41 404 2431

KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson: Irene Vallihu c: +27 (0)79 692 4604 e: irenev@icc.co.za

Gauteng Chairperson: Neil Nagooroo c: +27 (0)82 929 5241 e: neil@nxlevel.co.za

Western Cape Chairperson: Angela Lorimer c: +27 (0)74 550 1000 e: angelajacobson862@yahoo.co.za

Coopted Youth Ambassador: Minister Kganyango e: mkganyago@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)79 513 8708

Coopted Learning Ambassador: Esti Venske e: venskee@cput.ac.za c: +27 (0)83 482 9276

EASTERN CAPE Chairperson: Melissa Palmer e: melissa@becbc.co.za t: +27 (0)82 437 7600 +27 (0)41 404 2431

Vice-chairperson: Claire Kivedo e: claire@overallevents.co.za c: +27 (0)82 4641 504

COMMITTEE:

David Limbert e: david@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 9064 198

Gill Dickie e: gilld@bidvestcarrental.co.za c: +27 (0)79 527 7619

Wanda Fourie e: registration@easternsun.co.za c: +27 (0)72 608 1641

Claire Kivedo e: claire@overallevents.co.za c: +27 (0)82 464 1504

GAUTENG Chairperson: Neil Nagooroo c: +27 (0)82 929 5241 e: neil@nxlevel.co.za

Vice Chairperson: Mary Mahlangu c: +27 (0) 81 574 9493 e: mary@flockplatform.com

COMMITTEE:

Rendani Khorommbi Joburg Tourism t: +27 (0)11 883 3525 c: +27 (0)82 773 2999 e: rendanik@joburgtourism.com

Zaida Enver

Pure Grit Events and Exhibitions Management t: +27 (0)82 555 1049 e: zaida@puregrit.co.za

KWAZULU-NATAL

Chairperson: Irene Vallihu c: +27 (0)79 692 4604 e: irenev@icc.co.za

Vice-chairperson: Gill Slaughter c: +27 (0)83 269 0279 e: gills@turnersconferences.co.za

Treasurer: Sibusiso Mncwabe c: +27 (0)83 477 5536 e: sibusiso@marketingwell.co.za

COMMITTEE:

Tarannum Banatwalla c: +27 (0)83 254 9462 e: tarannum@jellyfishcatering.co.za

Mabuyi Mosia c: +27 (0)71 117 7509 e: mabuyi@ikhono.co.za

Kavitha Dhawnath c: +27 (0)83 607 200 e: kavitha.dhawnath@gearhouse.co.za

Wiseman Mnguni c: +27 (0)78 220 2162

e: mboniseni.events@gmail.com

Sandile Dlamini c: +27 (0)79 104 5510

e: sandile@anzomode.co.za

WESTERN CAPE Chairperson: Angela Lorimer c: +27 (0)74 550 1000

e: angelajacobson862@yahoo.co.za

e: salesmanager@ lagoonbeachhotel.co.za

Vice-chairperson: Alex Wrottesley

c: +27 (0)21 430 2060

e: alex@intoafrica.co.za

COMMITTEE:

Ansu Colditz c: +27 (0)82 457 8071

e: ansuc@millenniumtravel.co.za

Esti Venske t: +27 (0)21 460 3518 e: estivenske@gmail.com

Zimkitha Bavuma c: +27 (0)72 172 5746

e: zim@live.co.za

Esmare Steinhofel c: +27 (0)84 056 5544

e: esmare.s@iccaworld.org

Andrew Gibson t: +27 (0)860 111 625

e: Andrew@magnetic.co.za e: andrew.msct@gmail.com

Gheeta Payle t: +27 (0)86 123 7890 e: gheeta.payle@inhousevtm.com

Lara van Zyl Paragon Africa t: +27 (0)82 223 4684

e: lvanzyl@paragong.com

EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

EXSA OFFICE

www.exsa.co.za

EXSA Association Manager Lee-Ann Alder t: +27 (0)82 550 0349

e: info@exsa.co.za

EXSA Chairperson and KZN forum head:

Sibusiso Mchwabe (KZN)

Marketing Well t: +27 (0)83 477 5536

e: sibusiso@marketingwell.co.za

EXSA Deputy chairperson, Head of WC forum: Jacqui Nel (EC)

Exhibition Freighting G.S.M. t: +27 (0)21 552 7248

e: jacquinel@ef-gsm.co.za Deputy head KZN forum: Sandile Dlamini

Anzamode t: +27 (0)79 104 5510

e: sandile@anzomode.co.za

Deputy Head WC forum: Liam Beattie Hott 3D t: +27 (0)76 577 0989

e: liam@hott.co.za

Immediate past Chairperson: Doug Rix DK Designs t: +27 (0)82 579 7071 e: dougrix@wol.co.za

Directors: Kerry-Lee Bester

Brilliant Branding t: +27 (0)72 265 6600

e: kerry@brilliant-branding.co.za Beert Kuiken Octanorm t: +27 (0)82 387 5324

e: beert.kuiken@octanorm.co.za

www.businesseventsafrica.com

SOUTHERN AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE CONFERENCE INDUSTRY

SOCIETY FOR INCENTIVE TRAVEL EXCELLENCE ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN EXHIBITION ORGANISERS

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

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

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS & CONVENTION ASSOCIATION

179 Jan Smuts Ave, Parktown North, Private Bag X7000, Parklands 2121 t: +27 (0)11 447 4777

e: info@eventgreening.co.za 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

SACIA – Southern African Communications Industries Association

M16 Ticketpro Dome

Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding t: +27 (0)11 083 6418 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

e: hello@saeventscouncil.org

Chairperson: Raylene Johnson, CEO: TEBCO-SA Vice-chairperson: — –

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

ICCA African Chapter

Chairperson: Taubie Motlhabane Cape Town International Convention Centre t: +27 (0)21 410 5000

e: Taubiem@cticc.co.za

Deputy chairperson: Jacinta Nzioka

Kenya National Convention Bureau t: +254 722464221 e: jacinta@kncb.go.ke

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

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS 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

M16 Ticketpro Dome Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding

Executive Director: 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

Chief executive: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

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

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 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 M16 Ticketpro Dome

Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding t: +27 (0)11 083 6418

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

EVENT GREENING FORUM

Brett Delport joins Hilton as regional director

Hilton has appointed Brett Delport as regional director of sales operations for Africa and Indian Ocean (A&IO).

Mr Delport brings on board over 10 years of hospitality industry experience to Hilton. He has worked across the hospitality value chain, having held positions in various functions, from guest and hotel operations to sales and marketing.

In his new role, Mr Delport will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of strategic sales plans that maximise profitability for owned and franchised hotels, with an objective of achieving budgeted revenue and market share targets across the region.

Jan van der Putten, vice president, operations A&IO, Hilton said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Brett to the team. He demonstrates a strong work ethic and ability to work in diverse environments. I am excited to see what the future holds for Brett, and I am confident that he is going to deliver exceptional results in growing our

business further in Africa & Indian Ocean.”

Mr Delport said: “I am honoured to embrace the new challenge of leading our sales operations strategy in 12 countries and across 18 hotels in A&IO region. I look forward to collaborating with the team to

deliver excellent performance for the business.”

Mr Delport has held various positions in various hospitality chains in subSaharan Africa prior to joining Hilton on 1 September 2022 in his new role.

Index of advertisers and contributors

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The future of conferencing

Virtual conferencing holds a great many benefits outside of the obvious, post-Covid-19 safety factors. From a lower carbon footprint to cutting down on travel logistics and costs; more efficient time-usage by speakers and better focus by breakaway groups.

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

Premier Hotels & Resorts, has confirmed that its business events business is exceeding its late 2019 performance, with the government sector proving stronger than the corporate market — which is still lagging. Although meaningful comparisons are difficult, we have seen growth of 29 per cent in 2022 business events performance, compared to the 2021 last four months trading, as restrictions eased.

Overall, corporates largely remain cautious of big events, conference gatherings and many prefer the hybrid approach — with training and meetings taking place online or at their offices. This is expected to improve markedly in the second half of the year — notwithstanding the current energy crisis and their need to rebuild and strengthen their teams, exchanging ideas in person and building new networks.

That being said, out of all the feedback we’ve received from returning conferencing clients and from personal experience in the space, we can safely say that faceto-face conferencing is still superior.

Forward pipelines are still not as robust as 2019, but we are extremely encouraged by the demand for our flagship ELICC and Premier Hotels in East London. We also welcome an upsurge in sport, association and NGO business, which is encouraging.

International incentives and groups continue to lag due to restricted airline capacity and other country Covid travel restrictions — with the major nodes of Sandton, Durban and Cape Town still to recover thoroughly.

Exactly when we will once again be able to host ‘bigger’ face-to-face conferences in our venues, remains to be seen. So here are a few things to consider when it comes to conferencing in the short- to medium-term future:

Innovation is key

If Covid has taught us one thing, it is to innovate. Those entrepreneurs, brands and businesses who are adaptable, dynamic and innovative despite the past 18 months (or because of it) are the ones that will thrive, now and in the future.

Much like the live entertainment industry (we’re not talking about ‘regular’ business

meetings here — a clear distinction needs to be made between conferences and business meetings) the conference sphere was forced to go virtual — moving to video-chat screens, with digital presentations and typed, chat-style Q&A sessions. Those companies that managed to do this in the most userfriendly and engaging ways are the ones that will (and have to date) garnered the most engagement from their dignitaries.

Smart use of technology

There is a wealth of conferencing technology and apps out there and the quality of the voice and video imaging continues to improve. Being able to follow crisp, clear presentations in real-time is why conferencing is back in demand. In addition to the face-to-face sessions, there will be digital recordings so that delegates can revisit the sessions post event, and it offers the opportunity for experts to dial in from all over the world. Venues have geared up to meet all these factors. At Premier Hotels & Resorts, we have various conference-specific venues across the country and all are well-equipped with the latest in AV and streaming equipment to facilitate both the in-person and the hybrid model.

Around the water cooler

One of the biggest benefits of ‘traditional’ (face-to-face) conferencing is the off-the-mic time. The networking, team-building and impromptu strategy sessions that occur away from the structured sessions. This is simply not possible in the virtual realm. Not on the same level of depth, anyway.

Hybrid or bust

It is from the learnings of previous events in the conferencing and entertainment space (and from the current remote-working philosophy of day-to-day business) that it is also likely we will see a ‘hybrid’ model of sorts, going forward. A model that incorporates both physical and virtual aspects. The ‘best of both’ if you will We remain committed to our government partners and believe that this sector will also show good growth in the second half of 2022.

Our primary focus remains on growing our

market share in the corporate market and we believe our national footprint, and properties in the primary business nodes – including the newlyopened Umhlanga properties and refurbished Sandton hotels – positions us favourably to compete head-on with the larger hotel groups.

Who is Samuel Nassimov ?

Samuel Nassimov is the managing director of one of South Africa’s fastest growing, independently owned hotel groups, Premier Hotels & Resorts. In 1990 he acquired the Carlton Hotel in East London which was later revamped and renamed as the King David Suites & Conference Centre.

From a humble beginning of 40 bedrooms, Sam has grown the group’s portfolio to encompass 25 hotels and resorts, providing almost 2,000 bedrooms to discerning business and leisure travellers and employing in excess of 1,500 employees. Undoubtedly, the jewel in the crown is the East London International Convention Centre and adjacent Premier Hotel EL ICC which was developed in 1992.

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