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SANCB BIDDING IMPACT REPORT
The Bidding Impact Report
Welcome Message
South Africa has a well-established professional and trade association industry spanning across various sectors. The South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) focuses on attracting conferences in economic sectors that the government has identified as priorities for future development. Hosting major events in these sectors can significantly accelerate macro-economic benefits for the country.
South Africa is a developing country, and we learn from the knowledge these association meetings bring into the country.
However, the bidding process has many daunting, admin-intensive steps. Therefore, it is important to have a bidding partner who can support you through the process to enable you to host a successful business event.
The SANCB is here to partner with you by making the bidding process simpler and easier so that business events can be hosted seamlessly right here in South Africa. The SANCB offer bidding, convention planning, and delegate boosting support services to win worldclass business events.
In this Bidding Impact Report, we focus on the SANCB’s Bid Support Programme, from why bidding is important, to historical bidding data, to how associations have made use of the Bid Support Programme, ensuring the success of their events. Furthermore, this report unpacks the Bid Support Programme criteria, and an overview of the events secured from now until 2029.
The SANCB
The SANCB is a strategic business unit of South African Tourism, the Destination Marketing Organisation for the country. The SANCB is mandated to market South Africa as a premier business events destination and to secure international and regional meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions.
The SANCB is a ‘one-stop solution’ for independent information and assistance, providing neutral advice on all aspects of hosting and organising any business event in South Africa.
Why is Bidding important?
Winning bids forprestigious events has positioned South Africa as a leader in specific industries such as medical, mining, pharmaceutical and, most recently, astronautical sectors, attracting further investment and fostering knowledge exchange. The competitive nature of bidding has driven innovation and collaboration among local stakeholders, uniting them towards a common goal within the meetings industry.
This process has, over the years of delivering memorable meetings and events, catalysed improvements in facilities, services, and policies that benefit not only visiting delegates but also residents, leaving a lasting positive legacy for the many city and regional destinations in South Africa.
The South Africa National Convention Bureau’s Bid Support Programme continues to serve as a gateway for destination South Africa to attract high-profile international business events, which has brought significant economic, social, and reputational benefits since its inception. Many of these successful bids have resulted in an influx of visitors, boosting local economies through increased spending on accommodation, transportation, dining, and tourism activities in South Africa.
Moreover, hosting these international events continues to enhance South Africa’s global visibility, which has led to long-term growth in tourism and business opportunities. The future needs and enhancement of the bidding process in the coming years will continue to encourage event professionals to refine their offerings, improve infrastructure, and develop expertise in meeting management, contributing to overall destination development for South Africa to lead the continent sustainably.
Glenton De Kock, Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Africa Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)
Bidding can play a critical role in destination selection, particularly in contexts like tourism, event planning, and business relocation. Here are some key points, highlighting its importance:
Bidding can play a critical role in destination selection, particularly in contexts like tourism, event planning, and business relocation. Here are some key points, highlighting its importance:
1. Evaluation of Options
Bidding allows organisations or stakeholders to evaluate multiple destinations based on specific criteria such as cost, facilities, accessibility, and attractions.This helps in making informed decisions about the best location to meet their needs.
2. Competitive Offers
Destinations can compete to attract business events by submitting bids that showcase their unique offerings, incentives, and amenities.This competition can lead to better deals and improved services for the key decision makers.
3. Tailored Packages
Through the bidding process, destinations can provide custom packages tailored to the specific requirements of the business event or group, which may include accommodation, transportation, and activities.This allows for a more personalised experience.
4. Cost Efficiency
By allowing multiple destinations to bid, organisations can negotiate better pricing and value for their budget.This is particularly important for large events or conferences where costs can quickly escalate.
5. Quality Assurance
Bidding can aid in assessing the quality of facilities and services offered by different destinations.Evaluating proposals helps ensure that the chosen destination meets high standards forsafety,comfort,and experience.
6. Stakeholder Input
The bidding process often involves input from various stakeholders, allowing them to voice their preferences and priorities. This collaboration can lead to a more satisfactory final decision regarding the chosen destination.
7. Long-term Relationships
Competitive bidding can foster economic growth by promoting local businesses and attractions within the selected destination. Events bring in visitors, which can enhance the local economy through increased spending.
9. Sustainability Considerations
Bids can include options for sustainable practices and eco-friendly initiatives, which are increasingly important in destination selection.This emphasises the importance of responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
In summary, bidding in destination selection is essential for fostering competition, ensuring quality, customising experiences, and promoting transparency and fairness, all of which contribute to successful outcomes for events and tourism initiatives.
Tes Proos, President of Site Africa
Bidding is very important, as it raises the profile of the bidding destinations at international level. It puts you at the centre stage of the key decision-makers. Whether you are bidding for an international scientific conference or a major sporting event, the process you go through allows you to showcase your destination at the highest level.
Bidding is also a catalyst for the transformation of destinations.Typically, the bidding process takes a long lead time, and this allows destinations to prepare the infrastructure that is needed to host global conferences and events, and these infrastructures remain for the local communities; hence enhancing city development.
Lastly, bidding drives legacy and has a positive impact on destinations. Bidding for global events and conferences allows destinations to build cases for the legacy projects they want to establish in their host cities and the longterm impact attached to these projects.
Frank Murangwa | Regional Director:Africa, ICCA— International Congress and ConventionAssociation
Bidding is key to me as an event planner in assessing the best a destination can offer for my event. It helps me learn more about a destination and its capabilities in terms of infrastructure, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, local support, financial incentives and a compelling attendee experience, ensuring my event meets its goals.
It’s through bidding that destinations can also present their value propositions clearly, demonstrating their various uniqueness and ability to meet different requirements that are essential to your event. This could lead to better decisionmaking for your team.
I believe that a good bidding process should highlight the socio-economic benefits that the event will take to the host destination, ensuring that the selected location can maximise these opportunities.
Jeffers Miruka, Managing Director — African Associations Management Co. (AFAMCO GROUP) and Executive Director & Founding President — African Society of Association Executives (AfSAE)
Historical Bidding
In 2016, the National Treasury of South Africa invited National Government Departments to present projects that could help the country achieve its economic development goals. One of the initiatives
presented was the Bid Support Programme (BSP) by the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB). The BSP aimed to attract business events in key economic sectors. South Africa has hosted several
international and regional business events thanks to the BSP. These events have helped attract trade and foreign investment and have raised the country’s profile as a leading business events destination.
What is Bid Support?
Bid support is a financial or non-financial programme to attract international business events to a destination.
What does Bid Support include?
The support programme generally includes the provision of subsidies to organisations/corporates/associations for the execution of projects aligned to government policies and priorities.
How can Bid Support be used?
Furthermore, the support can be utilised for insurance against possible financial risks, civic receptions, direct subsidies, and marketing support.
Bidding Performance
Since the start (April-August 2024) of the 2024/2025 financial year, the SANCB in conjunction with the SA business events industry has sourced and submitted 48 bids for international business events to be hosted in South Africa between 2024 and 2029.The 48 bid submissions have a combined estimated economic impact of R586,464,000 and can potentially attract 22,795 international and regional delegates to South Africa between 2024 and 2029.
Thus far, South Africa has won 25 of the bids submitted for the 2024/25 financial year. These secured business pieces will contribute R241,024,000 to South Africa’s economy between 2024 and 2029, and attract 10,290 international and regional delegates.
The SANCB invested R5m in bid submissions through its bid support programme to attract business events linked with the National Government’s development priorities.
The secured conferences will also contribute to the regional spread of business events and will be hosted in Johannesburg,Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town, Port Alfred, Gqeberha, Polokwane, Muldersdrift and Stellenbosch.
Bid Support Compared to ROI
06 to 10 May 2024, CapeTown International Convention Centre, SouthAfrica
The International Child Neurology Congress, was held for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa.The local committee member of the International Child Neurology Congress 2024, Prof. Kirsty Donald, shared her insights into the 18th International Child Neurology Congress.
What is the International Child Neurology Association?
The International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) was founded to provide a global forum for neurologists dedicated to the care of children with neurological conditions. ICNA’s mission is to improve the quality of care for children with neurological disorders by promoting clinical and scientific research, encouraging high training standards for child neurologists, and facilitating international communication among professionals in the field.
The International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) was founded to provide a global forum for neurologists dedicated to the care of children with neurological conditions. ICNA’s mission is to improve the quality of care for children with neurological disorders by promoting clinical and scientific research, encouraging high training standards for child neurologists, and facilitating international communication among professionals in the field.
The Sector which the ICNA operates in
The International Child Neurology Association operates in the Medical and Life Sciences sector. South Africa has always actively contributed to the growth of sciences and technology. Ever since the country’s monumental contribution to the surgical industry in 1967 with the world’s first humanto-human heart transplant performed by South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard, the country hasn’t stopped innovating in this space.
The ICNA is focused on child neurology, that is a rapidly evolving field with an emerging but severely under-resourced base of expertise. This is especially true across the African continent, a region which is projected to have 40 per cent of the world’s children by 2050. The growing burden of neurological and developmental risk in our populations is an ongoing challenge for the practicing clinicians in the region, but also an opportunity to find solutions with global impact.
• Estimated Micro Economic Impact of the Congress — R21,568,000
• Breakdown of numbers (attendees) — 674 from 71 countries
• 576 international and 98 SouthAfrican delegates (14% of the attendees)
The ICNA Congress
ICNA’s primary activity is organising international congresses, providing a platform for sharing knowledge and advancing the practice of child neurology, globally. The ICNA presents an International Child Neurology Congress every 2-4 years (since 1975). Previous congresses have recently been hosted in Antalya (2022), Mumbai (2020), Amsterdam (2016), Iguazu (2014) and Brisbane (2012). It was first held on African soil, with the 11th International Conference in North Africa in Egypt in 2010.
The ICNA Congress 2024 was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 06 to 10 May 2024, for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa, with a renewed focus on growing capacity in the paediatric neurological disciplines in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
This was indeed a developmental milestone for child neurology and child development in Africa. This event offered a unique regionwide and global platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, capacity development, strategic action, and cooperation.
Value to the South African economy
The ICNA Congress 2024 provides a global forum for neurologists dedicated to the care of children with neurological conditions.
The 2024 event drew 674 neurologists from 71 countries; 98 delegates were from South Africa.
The International Child Neurology Congress was held for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa. It boasted a rich scientific programme, comprising three workshops, 79 sessions, an exhibition with two sponsored barista bars, an opening ceremony and networking event, an ICNA General Meeting, a Joint Presidents Closed Meeting, a Congress Awards Dinner, and a Closing Ceremony.
In alignment with the theme of the Congress, ‘Footprints to the Future’, a legacy project, was initiated in collaboration with Smart Steps and Gift of the Givers. The project was administered and coordinated by Sue McGuiness. Delegates were encouraged to contribute to this initiative by making donations during registration or directly at the congress venue. The project aimed to provide school shoes for underprivileged children. The R125,000 raised from this project was translated to nearly 2,000 pairs of shoes that were distributed to children affected by the severe flooding in the Western Cape in July.
From an educational perspective, ICNA managed to raise enough money to support 79 junior delegates who were from LMIC (Low- and Middle-Income Countries) settings from across the world. Over half of these were from Africa.
The SANCB focuses on attracting conferences in economic sectors that the government has identified as priorities for future development. Hosting major events in these sectors can significantly accelerate macroeconomic benefits for the country.
The SANCB focuses on attracting conferences in economic sectors that the government has identified as priorities for future development. Hosting major events in these sectors can significantly accelerate macroeconomic benefits for the country.
Medical and Life Sciences events such as these aid in fulfilling the mandate of increasing arrivals to South Africa, bolstering the economy, and positioning the country as a world-class events destination. The impact cannot be underestimated.
In 2023, South Africa hosted 98 international and regional association meetings and conferences that met the International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA) criteria. These meetings contributed significantly to the South African economy, with an estimated economic impact of just over R2 billion.
For the 2023/24 financial year, the South Africa National Convention Bureau sourced and submitted 95 bids for international business events, to be hosted in South Africa between 2024 and 2032. So far, South Africa has won 19 of the bids submitted, with a combined economic contribution of R84,1 million between 2024 and 2025 and attracting over 3,000 international and regional delegates.
According to Allied Market Research (AMR), South Africa’s business events industry was valued at an estimated R72 billion in 2022 and R122 billion in 2023 — a 69% increase.
Partnering with the South Africa National Convention Bureau
The SANCB supported the 18th International Child Neurology Congress and made a significant contribution to the event’s success.
The value of the ICNA Congress 2024 bid was recognised by the South African National Convention Bureau — which was supported by the bid support programme.The programme was set up to provide financial and non-financial support to qualifying organisations, to attract international meetings to South Africa. SANCB’s bid support strengthened the bid and showed South Africa’s commitment to this congress. Having the support of the SANCB from the outset made it easier to proceed with confidence.
The SANCB’s contribution to the 18th ICNA Congress:
• Bid support
Assisted in compiling the bid document with the local organising committee.
• Delegate boosting
Assisted the local and international association with marketing and promotional initiatives, and assist in promoting the event to potential delegates.
• On-site event support
Assisted with elements of the on-site logistics, such as an airport welcome desk, welcome entertainment, branding.
Outcomes
The 18th International Child Neurology Congress recognised enhancements in the neurological community within South Africa, and the continent at large.This event elevated South Africa as a representative of the Continental African Association of Neurosurgeons. Furthermore, this event offered extensive knowledge sharing between all attendees, fostering debate and intellectual collaboration in respect of neurosurgery.The event also featured cuttingedge innovations, training the next generation, career sustainability, global initiatives and diverse perspectives.
For more information on the Bid Support programme, please click here.
Bid Submissions
Since the start of the 2024/25 Financial Year, the SANCB sourced and submitted 48 bids for international business events to be hosted in South Africa between 2024 and 2029. The following graphs are an analysis of the 48 bid submissions based on the delegate numbers, sectors and business events segments.
The Bidding Process
A step-by-step guide to the bidding process for international business events.
41st Roundtable Conference of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM)
06th – 09th December2022,The University of theWestern Cape,CapeTown,SouthAfrica
Prof.John Molepo, local committee member and executive director of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM), shared his insights into the 41st Roundtable Conference of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) held in Cape Town.
What is the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM)?
The African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) is a premier international professional organisation that promotes best practices and excellence in public administration and management in Africa through research, publications, training, seminars, consultancy, conferences, and awards.AAPAM membership includes African governments, the private sector, civil society, international organisations, practitioners, academicians, and young professionals.AAPAM operates mainly, but not exclusively, in Africa.
Founded nearly fifty years ago, AAPAM has led efforts to strengthen African public administration’s administrative and management capacities.These efforts date back to 1962, when a group of Permanent Secretaries in charge of Public Services from several African countries, met to discuss two main problems, among others, facing the African Public Services then.
Similar meetings came to be held every year, in rotation, in various capitals of independent Africa, and by 1965 every Head of Civil Service looked forward to attending the InterAfrican Public Administration Seminar, as the meetings came to be known.
The Sector that AAPAM operates in
AAPAM operates in the government sector.AAPAM is a premier international professional organisation that promotes best practices and excellence in public administration and management in Africa.
Public service is a pillar of governance.Without strong public services and committed public servants, there will be no efficient delivery of expected public goods and services, nor implementation of any political commitment, however strongly voiced.
The task of building a better South Africa is enabled by the diligence, care, ethical conduct, and innovation of the country’s 1.2 million public servants.
AAPAM, is dedicated to improving public policy and management by fostering excellence in research, analysis, and education.
The 41st Roundtable Conference of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM)
The 41st Roundtable Conference of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) was attended by various stakeholders and provided an opportunity for networking and deliberations on important issues. The conference was held over four days, with 564 delegates in attendance, and 123 virtual attendees, with plenary sessions in-between. The conference delegate breakdown comprised ambassadors, academics, and students.
• Breakdown of numbers (attendees) — 374 international and 190 local delegates.
• Estimated Micro Economic Impact of the Congress — R14,438,400
The value of business events extends to the acceleration of a country’s economy. South Africa has a well-established professional and trade association industry spanning across various sectors. The SANCB focuses on attracting conferences in economic sectors that the government has identified as priorities for future development. Hosting major events in these sectors can significantly accelerate macro-economic benefits for the country.
Macro Economic Impact
The value of business events extends to the acceleration of a country’s economy. South Africa has a well-established professional and trade association industry spanning across various sectors. The SANCB focuses on attracting conferences in economic sectors that the government has identified as priorities for future development. Hosting major events in these sectors can significantly accelerate macro-economic benefits for the country.
South Africa is a developing country, and we learn from the knowledge that association meetings such as AAPAM bring into the country. When these meetings are convened in SA, our local experts get an opportunity to learn from international experts, and international experts get to learn from our local experts.
For the 2023/24 financial year, through South African Tourism’s National Convention Bureau, SANCB sourced and submitted 95 bids forinternational business events to be hosted in South Africa between 2024 and 2032. So far, SouthAfrica has won 19 of the bids submitted, which have a combined economic contribution ofR84,1 million between 2024 and 2025 and attract over3,000 international and regional delegates.
Background
Preparations for the 41st AAPAM Annual Roundtable Conference took place in the backdrop of a global pandemic — COVID-19.AAPAM was forced to suspend most of its training programmes, together with the primetime Roundtable Conference.The 41st AAPAM Annual Roundtable Conference in Cape Town was the first after the pandemic.The 40th AAPAM Annual Roundtable Conference, held in Cairo, Egypt, took place in December 2019.
Partnering with the South Africa National Convention Bureau
The bidding process has many daunting, admin-intensive steps. Therefore, it is important to have a bidding partner who can support you through the process and ensure that you are able to host a successful business event.
The South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) supported the 41st AAPAM Annual Roundtable Conference and made a significant contribution to the regional event’s success.
The SANCB also contributed to the 41st AAPAM Annual Roundtable Conference, through delegate boosting, on-site event support, and site inspection flight support. This support made this event possible.
Outcomes
The Roundtable conference witnessed the thirteenth (13th) AAPAM Innovative Management Award (IMA) Ceremony and the AAPAM sixth (6th) Gold Medal Award.
The IMA promotes excellence and best practice by recognising and celebrating institutional creativity in enhancing service delivery in the continent, while the gold medal is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Public Administration and Management in the continent.
The new Executive Committee and Council were elected at a General Assembly by AAPAM members.
High-level presentations from senior government officials and academics were presented during the event.
Masters and PHD students were invited to various workshops. Practitioners had sessions about their disciplines.
Legacy
As part of the legacy of this event, the DPSA and AAPAM will continue to jointly host a series of seminars. The annual seminars have always created a platform for all to share and exchange knowledge and discuss cross-cutting areas. South Africa continues to host such seminars and workshops to enhance regional and continental integration and help realise the achievement of the two global goals — namely the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063.
Testimonial
“The bid support was a huge benefit to us. I would recommend this support programme, and the benefits are vast. Through the financial contribution, it allowed for site visits and delegate boosting, which wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the support. The bid support afforded us the opportunity to host the best conference, and set the bar high for the next one. The SANCB steered us to improve our processes. We have learnt a lot from the process,” Prof. John Molepo, executive director of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM).
