EDITOR’S COMMENT

In-person events are here to stay

Over the years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved, with advancements in machine learning algorithms, expert systems, computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics. Today, AI has applications in various industries, including business events, and is considered one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century.

As much as various AI applications can contribute to the business events sector, one thing that they cannot do is create and maintain in-person human connections.

This is where the exhibitions, events, conferences, meetings, and incentives still thrive! It connects people in a way that technology can never do. Meeting someone for the first time, looking them in the eye, greeting them with a handshake or a hug, and having a physical connection is generally the foundation of any relationship — work or personal.

Our continent, Africa, still works very much on this principle of personal connection. People on our continent prefer to do business with people they have met in person.

I recently attended the 7th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) & Awards 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana. It was wonderful to feel part of the bigger African community again. As an African, I felt the unity, the warmth, and the community spirit. This reminded me of what our past president, Thabo Mbeki envisaged when he spoke about the African Renaissance. Unfortunately, not everyone saw the potential at the time. However, I still see the potential, and when I chat with fellow Africans, we are all so passionate about our continent and growing its tourism and business events industries.

ATLF 2024 was themed‘Charting a new path forward for Intra-Africa Travel, Tourism & Investments’. The forum focused on innovation, collaboration, and driving sustainable growth in Africa’s tourism sector. Over four days, key discussions and networking sessions helped set the stage for the future of African tourism. This forum reiterated once more, that Africa should look to Africa to grow the tourism and business events sectors.

This month is Heritage Month in South Africa, and our continent has the most incredible culture and heritage. Something that we often overlook.This is something that presented itself at the Forum. We should be doing more to promote our culture and heritage.

A quick mention, Gaborone remains one of the cleanest African cities I have ever visited. The locals are so welcoming, and they are so patriotic. The city is growing, and new hotels have been established since I last visited. Business events are definitely part of their tourism agenda. I look forward to seeing what they achieve over the next few years. 

The business events sector is powerful, as its reach is far greater than most realise. It doesn’t just touch one sector but touches most, if not all sectors that you can imagine.

In this edition, Business Events Africa features the latest SANCB Bidding Impact Report. In this Bidding Impact Report, we focus on the SANCB’s Bidding Programme, from why bidding is important, to historical bidding data, to how associations have made use of the bidding programmes, ensuring the success of their events. There are also two association case studies that reiterate the importance of business events and the SANCB’s bid support. Furthermore, this report unpacks the bidding programme criteria, and an overview of the events secured, currently to 2029.

The Bidding Impact Report offers an overview of the current status of the SANCB Bidding Programme.

In conclusion, as much as the world changes and AI technologies advance, one thing remains certain: in-person events are here to stay.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com