Event Africa Issue 1 - 2020

Issue 01 | 2020

MEET

INGS

AFRIC

A

+ MEET IN MAURITIUS This Idyllic Island Getaway is a Haven for Business Events

+ LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Industry Experts Weigh in on What’s to Come

Event Africa | An Official Publication of African Society of Association Executives

It’s been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. The CTICC offers the ideal platform to do just that.

Every aspect of the centre’s offering has been considered – from the more than 140 000m² of flexible space across two state-of-the-art buildings to world-class technology, delicious cuisine, and servicedriven staff. Turn your knowledge and vision into potential with events that shape your future at the CTICC.

Call +27 21 410 5000, email sales@cticc.co.za or visit www.cticc.co.za and connect to possibilities.

CONTENTS

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Katie Reynolds Da-Silva speaks to the experts to find out what

01

02.

Women in Tech Africa 2020

04.

Industry Snapshot

08.

Meetings Africa 2020

10.

Outside the Meeting Room

12.

Looking to the Future

16.

Events To Diarise

20.

Stellenbosch: The Silicon

lessons they’ve learned and are taking into 2020.

MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS An incredible island paradise with a vibrant tourism economy, Mauritius is now actively pursuing the business events sector.

Valley of South Africa

MALAWI: BEYOND TOURISM A warm, friendly nation with a host of inspiring tourism offerings,

24.

Rise of the Festival?

26.

SITE Africa Hosts Tourism Masterplan Workshop

Malawi has now turned its eye to the meetings sector for growth.

28.

How to Leverage LinkedIn

30.

Association News

32.

Directory Of Advertisers

RISE OF THE FESTIVAL With the festivalisation of business events ever on the rise, we unpack how things are changing based on UFI’s latest Global Barometer.

02

SPOTLIGHT

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WOMEN IN TECH Get inspired by the vibrant and talented African women in tech community, liaise with top tech companies, enhance your skills portfolio whilst celebrating diversity in all forms within the technology industry.

About Maddox Events The conference is organised by Maddox Events - the world’s only B2B company exclusively dedicated to creating large-scale conferences which champion diversity.

Must-See Speakers Lillian Barnard Managing Director at Microsoft South Africa Cathy Smith Managing Director at SAP South Africa

Celebrating Women Women in Tech is Africa’s biggest celebration of the successes and innovations being engineered by women from across the tech sector, taking place on 18-19 March 2020. The two-day exhibition and conference is hosted at the Century City Conference Centre. Women in Tech Africa 2020 is set to become the most progressive conference for women in technology on the continent, with game-changing sessions, inspiring speakers and cutting-edge technology all under one roof. Whether it’s keynotes from industry heavyweights, interactive technical workshops, practical careerdevelopment advice, attendees will leave truly prepared to take their place

Content Pillars • •

• •

The Roadmap To A Digital Africa Diversity & Inclusion: Defining The Tone Of Your Company’s Culture Next-Generation Work and Talent Get Startup Ready

as a leading participant in Africa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Back With a Bang Following the success of the inaugural event in 2019, the second edition of Women in Tech Africa will be in Cape Town to support the continent as it turbocharges into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

“As Africa embraces this new era driven by disruptive technologies, the time for change is now. Africa must work to position itself as a global frontrunner in the commercialisation of tech innovations. To do so, the gold standard must be promoting diversity across all business functions to unleash the continent’s economic potential,” says Frances Booth, Lead Producer.

“Through lively keynotes from industry heavyweights, interactive technical workshops, practical career-development advice and presentations on revolutionary business strategies, you will leave inspired and ready to supercharge your career in technology! Be part of Women in Tech Africa and become an active participant in a global movement for diversity in tech.”

Ocea Garriock Solution Engineering Director for Technology at Oracle Mimi Omokri Head of Business at Uber Pila Booi Partner Sales Manager at Nokia Enterprise in Southern, East and West Africa Handri Prinsloo Senior GIS Engineer at TomTom Lee-Anne Mckinnell Managing Director Space Science at South African National Space Agency Monika du Toit Data Scientist at Capitec Bank Lindiwe Matlali Commissioner for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, South African Government and Founder at Africa Teen Geeks

The Reserve at Taj Cape Town is Cape Town’s Luxury Meeting and Events Space World-class refinement deeply rooted in its local heritage The Reserve at Taj Cape Town is Cape Town’s luxury meeting event space in the heart of the Cape Town city centre. Occupying the grand African Banking Corporation Building which was built in 1894 later becoming home to the Standard Bank in 1927, it underwent meticulous restoration to preserve the heritage of this landmark building while introducing the latest technologies and conveniences.

The Reserve comprise of the ABC Bar, the Bank Hall, the Vault and the Chairman’s office. The original grand Bank Hall allows for a variety of event formats within its marble interior and high ceilings. A total of 422m on the ground floor can host up to 400 guests in a lavish cocktail event, or up to 220 guests at a glamorous banquet. The venue can be optimised for events to cater for up to 300 cinema seated guests, or up to 170 guests seated in a schoolroom style. Furthermore, the Bank Hall an be subdivided into three separate spaces to cater for smaller parties or different streams of events.

In addition to this Taj Cape Town offers 7 meeting rooms and banqueting facilities. These business facilities and banqueting rooms consist of a range of well-proportioned and equipped spaces. The rooms are able to host a variety of meetings, conferences and events and can accommodate from 8 to 100 delegates.

These facilities include: • Data projector and screen.

• Audio visual control panel in every room.

• ISDN line suitable for HD video conferencing.

For more information, floor plans and reservations, 021 819 2000 res.capetown@tajhotels .com www.tajhotels.com

• Fast, reliable and consistent WiFi internet access.

• Complimentary shuttle service within a 10km radius.

The Taj Cape Town’s exceptional accommodation comprises of 176 rooms and suites that offer a retreat from the lively bustle of the city centre. The historic structure of Taj Cape Town is home to the exquisite Heritage Rooms and Suites, Luxury Tower Rooms and Suites, The Presidential Suite and the Taj Club Rooms and lounge. All rooms and suites are beautifully decorated and replete with every luxury amenity.

Jiva Spa is the perfect retreat to unwind, destress and relax.

Jiva Spa is one-of-a-kind in Africa and offers a complete range of signature treatments and therapies using traditional Indian techniques.

Dining offers the choice of the finest Indian cuisine at our newly refurbished and expanded Bombay Brasserie where meals are prepared using traditional ingredients to create the most authentic and delicious dishes outside of India, or a more casual all-day dining experience at the Mint Restaurant and Terrace.

The Lobby Lounge and bar, exuding opulence with its restored marble columns and high ceilings, transforms into a glamorous evening venue and is the perfect location for an cocktail or pre-dinner aperitif. To end the evening, one can retire to the formal Cigar Lounge for a night-cap and a wide selection of cigars, cognacs, liqueurs and spirits.

04

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

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INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT We take a quick look at what’s happening in the venues, business events, and exhibition spaces.

Southern Sun Rosebank’s - Lounge © Tsogo Sun

VENUE UPDATE Southern Sun Brand Takes Root in Rosebank The trendy and burgeoning Rosebank precinct will become home to one of southern Africa’s most iconic local hotel brands – Southern Sun – when Tsogo Sun Hotels rebrands and refurbishes its Crowne Plaza The Rosebank property into Southern Sun Rosebank from 1 February 2020.

As part of the rebranding of the hotel, it will undergo an extensive refurbishment that will include the reception and lobby areas, the Circle Bar, the Fresh Restaurant, and the opening of The Grill Jichana, based on the highly acclaimed restaurant of the same name at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani.

“This 318-room property provides us with the perfect opportunity to take this full-service brand into Rosebank, which has great potential for business tourism,” says Ravi Nadasen, Tsogo Sun Hotels’ COO. Shamwari’s Long Lee Manor Welcomes First Guests After 13 months of extensive renovation, Long Lee Manor has welcomed its firsts guests to unsurpassed luxury, comfort, and views of its surrounding plains which teem with wildlife, including Africa’s iconic Big Five.

Rendering of The Harri - Penthouse Roof © Sepia and Silk

“The reopening of Long Lee Manor is a proud moment for us: it marks the completion of the US$25 million investment in refurbishment by the reserve’s owners, Investment Corporation Dubai. The first guests have arrived and are delighted by what they’ve found,” says Joe Cloete, CEO of Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

The accommodation includes a family suite, a poolside bar, a boma for braais, a fitness centre and spa, and a kitchen garden with a herb garden so staff and guests can forage for exotic and indigenous produce.

Kempinski Appoints Sustainability VP Kempinski Hotels has appointed Julia Massey as Vice President Global Sustainability. As part of the Operational Strategy team, Julia will be responsible for driving and developing a complete set of sustainable standards and initiatives to instill sustainability across the company’s guest journey and operations.

Julia Massey brings to her new career experience of 14 years in consulting and management in the area of sustainability and climate change.

The Harri Officially Launched A unique co-working/co-living development in Cape Town’s East City precinct has been launched. Perfectly in pace with Cape Town’s booming co-working office market, The Harri, a 39-unit studio/penthouse apartment development, will go up on Harrington Street in the thriving East City Precinct between the CBD and District Six. “The Harri is very appealing to many professionals working for established creative, technology and design firms in the area, as well as visitors wanting a different inner-city tourism experience,” says Jeff Kleu, Co-Developer with Steven Lampert, both of propertydevelopment company Sepia and Silk.

The Harri is scheduled for completion in October 2020.

Julia Massey - Vice President Global Sustainability © Kempinski Hotels

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

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Cape Town Air Access won three awards

05

Cape Town Carnival 2020 has launched its theme

TOURISM MOVEMENTS

foresee a harmonised approach to the issuing of multiple entry visas

Cape Town Air Access Wins at Routes Africa Cape Town Air Access(CTAA) received the prestigious Overall Winner Award for the second consecutive year at the annual Routes Africa 2019 Awards ceremony in Mombasa, Kenya on 9 December 2019.

Cape Town won three awards during the ceremony, including Best Airport in Africa in the 4-20 million passenger category for Cape Town International, and the Destination Marketing Award for CTAA. There has been a key focus on the African market for Cape Town Air Access, with the initiative assisting in bringing five new African airlines and eleven new African destinations into the network, resulting in a capacity increase of 450 000 African seats. The African passenger market grew by 4% during the first eight months of 2019, with business class passengers showing exceptional growth of 16% during the same period.

with lengthier validity to regular travellers with a positive visa history.

More information can be found on www.SchengenVisaInfo.com.

South Africans Pay More for Schengen Visas South Africans will be subjected to several changes in terms of visa application procedures, rules and benefits, starting from February 2020. They will pay a fee of €80 instead of €60 when applying for a Schengen Visa from South Africa. The increase also affects children.

The new rules also permit South Africans to submit an application up to six months in advance of their trip, instead of three as it is now. Officials

EXHIBITIONS

Cape Town Carnival Launches 2020 Theme The Cape Town Carnival, which attracts thousands to the Mother City every year, has announced the theme for 2020: Incredible Journey: The Sounds of South Africa. It will showcases the music, song, dance and art of our country – from marimba to marabi, uhadi to riel.

Since June last year, the crew and 2 000 performers from more than 50 talented community-based groups have been designing floats, making costumes, synchronising moves, and perfecting melodies. Those who wish to join the festivities can meet the parade on 21 March 2020 at 7pm on the Green Point fan walk to experience the creativity and talent on display.

“It is an honour to be elected chairperson of AAXO. Having been in the industry for over a decade, I understand the important role that an organisation like AAXO provides in growing the industry. Together with my newly appointed board, I will strive to provide the leadership and governance needed to assist African exhibition organisers to continue to bring world-class exhibitions to the country,” says Pather.

The other members on the new AAXO board include Phetogo Khubeka (Synergy Business Events) as Vice Chairperson, Mark Anderson (Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery) as Treasurer, and Devi Paulsen-Abbot (dmg Events), Suzette Scheepers (Messe Munchen SA), Leatitia van Straten (Reed Exhibitions) and Desiree Suzanne Reuvers (SA Confex Services) as Directors.

Projeni Pather Named Chairperson of AAXO Projeni Pather, Founder and Managing Director of Exposure Marketing creators of the MamaMagic Baby Expo - was named as Chairperson of the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) at the AAXO AGM last year. Pather has been in the exhibition industry for over 15 years and has served on the AAXO board for the last four.

Projeni Pather, MD of Exposure Marketing

MEET HERE. GROW ANYWHERE. SANCB SANCB SANCB VALUE VALUE VALUEPROPOSITION PROPOSITION PROPOSITION

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08

SPOTLIGHT

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MEETINGS AFRICA 2020

© 3V Communications

I

n recent years, the global meetings industry has begun to recognise Africa as a sought after destination.

Meetings Africa showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products where African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform our continent.

Who Attends?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

National, provincial and local tourism authorities African Tourism authorities and products Convention and visitor bureaus Conference and exhibition centres Hotels and accommodation providers Destination management companies Event management specialists Professional conference organisers Transportation companies Business events service providers Cruise liners Spa resorts Trade associations Travel trade publications

© OneTwo Photography

More importantly, these events contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth. At Meetings Africa it was revealed that business tourism contributed an astonishin R115-billion to the country’s economy, underlining an incontrovertible fact – business tourists spend more than leisure tourists; their money is commonly spent at hotels, conference centres, restaurants, country clubs and convention centres.

Consequently, the benefits of the MICE sector can be felt in many South African industries: healthcare, mining, academia, to name a few. In essence, the meetings industry is a key component of the knowledge economy since it facilitates the sharing of knowledge, collaboration and information dissemination.

Meetings Africa is no exception. It has enabled African decision-makers to keep abreast with what their counterparts in other parts of the world are doing, thereby lending one huge voice to a continent many rightly regard as dynamic and ripe for further growth.

Building on Success

A Shared Economy

Over the years, the South Africa has hosted many high-profile events – such as the historic World Cup in 2010, World Aids Conference, COP 17, World Economic Forum – that have greatly enhanced the stature of South Africa in the eyes of the world.

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, the Chief Conventions Bureau Officer, knows fullwell the importance of Meetings Africa and particularly delighted about the event’s 15th year milestone. “Meetings Africa is geared to enhance the collaboration between African

countries and African associations so as to create more shared economic benefits for the continent’s MICE sector, it is where the world comes to buy Africa.”

For the 15th Meetings Africa, exhibitors from 17 African countries will take part.

There will also be hundreds of buyers.

One thing is clear: Meetings Africa lives up to its mission of making it possible for delegates to advance Africa together.

Who Will You Meet?

• • • • • • • • • •

African, international and local meeting and event planners Association buyers who organise international conventions Local corporate executives who book business travel Travel agencies specialising in incentive, business and conference travel In-house event co-ordinators Incentive houses Conference organisers Sales and promotion agencies Marketing companies PR agencies

When it Kicks Off 24 February 2020: BONDay 25 - 26 February 2020: Exhibition www.meetingsafrica.co.za

EVENT GREENING FORUM

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09

EVENT GREENING AT

MEETINGS AFRICA

T

he South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) has been working closely with the Event Greening Forum (EGF) NPO to make Meetings Africa a sustainable event that upholds many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This has involved implementing a mix of tried-and-tested best practice strategies and some completely bold, new ideas.

1. Water: Everyone who is at Meetings Africa 2020 is encouraged to fill their cups and bottles from the water coolers provided, rather than buying bottled water.

During the production phase, it takes roughly three bottles of water to produce a single prepackaged bottle of water. Drinking tap water is a more efficient way to use this precious resource.

If you absolutely have to drink bottled water, it will be available with a surcharge of R15.

2. Waste: Meetings Africa 2020 will have recycling bins throughout the venue, and a woman-owned BEE company will ensure it is correctly separated back of house. The organic food waste will be composted by Earth Probiotic’s event composting solution; recyclables which will be sent directly to a recycling facility; and, finally, only unavoidable waste will be sent to landfill.

Last year, Meetings Africa 2019 successfully diverted 71% of its waste from landfill, through this system.

3. Energy: Although Eskom will power Meetings Africa 2020, SANCB will also purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from an independent renewable power supplier. The amount of green energy procured will be the equivalent to what the show requires, All exhibitors can also buy miniRECs to ‘power’ their stands.

4. Transportation: In addition to its world class facilities, the Sandton Convention Centre is close to a number of hotels, so delegates can walk to and from the venue daily. It is also close to the Gautrain’s public transport system.

Where side events are hosted off-site, the organisers have arranged shuttle buses to transport guests. This will minimise the number of vehicles on the road.

5. Eco-procurement: Buying goods and services from local companies, and where possible black-owned SMEs, is an important aspect of the Meetings Africa procurement policy. For example, a woman-owned BEE SME called the Soweto Sewing Company is responsible for sewing all of the uniforms for the Meetings Africa team.

6. Sustainability Village: Meetings Africa has perfected the art of responsible gifting through its Sustainability Village. The 2020 Village will host 16 SME businesses, who offer a range of beautiful, handcrafted, locallyproduced items – often with sustainable elements. Meetings Africa will give gift vouchers instead of gifts, which can be redeemed onsite at the Village.

7. Paperless: A Meetings Africa 2020 app is freely available for download for all visitors. Not only does it streamline the visitor experience by providing all of the information they need in one place, but it is helping the event go paperless.

8. The Green Awards: Meetings Africa has decided to only give out Green Stand Awards at the show – sending a clear message that the best stands are not only beautiful, but are sustainable, too! Hopefully the show’s exhibitors will be increasingly motivated to make sustainable improvements to their stands, operations, and marketing efforts.

9. Carbon offsetting: SANCB will do a partial offset of the show’s carbon footprint, by procuring trees from Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) to plant in disadvantaged communities around Johannesburg. FTFA’s programme includes ongoing care and maintenance of the trees they plant.

Exhibitors, hosted buyers and visitors can also purchase a tree or more.

10. Eco-assessment: An eco-assessment of the event will be conducted by an independent third party sustainability consultant. The final report provides critical lessons on what worked and what can be done better, so the sustainability of the event continues to improve year on year.

11. Communication: Finally, communication is integral to all of the event greening efforts being made at Meetings Africa 2020, to help everyone to the event understand what is being done and why. This not only encourages support and buy-in into these activities, but it raises awareness about sustainable issues that exist beyond the show.

For more information, please contact: Pippa Naude Tel: +27 (0)74 369 6369, Email: pippa@eventgreening.co.za Web: eventgreening.co.za

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SPOTLIGHT

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OUTSIDE THE

MEETING ROOM

The impact of social spaces on your event has far-reaching effects, according to the team at Hyatt Regency Johannesburg.

T

he physical aspects of meeting spaces are changing, and with this, the expectations of what a meeting or event is meant to achieve. Beyond perfect execution and playful finger foods, events are expected to deliver enriching and meaningful connections – to the space, the people, and the content. Despite shrinking budgets across the industry, the bar has been raised, and planners are feeling the pressure to adapt in order to stay relevant.

This shift is driven by advances in technology and the evolving needs and motivations of younger generations, according to US-based event management company Eventbrite. In response, event professionals are embracing new tools, techniques and trends to create social spaces and memorable experiences.

An Enabling Environment Understandably, the first consideration often concerns the physical space and meeting environment. “No longer is it enough to offer simply a well-dressed room and adequate AV – the space must represent the intended objective of the meeting itself. It must enable education, collaboration and communication – often achieved through layout, design or interactive elements,” says Raylene de Wet, Director of Event Sales at Hyatt Regency Johannesburg.

In order to stay competitive, many of the branded venues are adopting a flexible approach to room design. This, along with location and accessibility, are some of the key elements that planners must consider when arranging a meeting space. Simple solutions such as high tables, couches, standing

meetings, or even providing fewer chairs than participants can encourage more productive engagement, explains de Wet. Social spaces outside of the meeting room serve as extensions of the environment and should be leveraged to encourage ‘the linger effect’ – where discussions, networking and the sharing of insights can continue after the planned event concludes.

Interactive Tech Access to interactive technology is cited as one of the most important elements.

Intended to facilitate audience participation and collaborative communication, tech tools such as an event app, mixed reality (e.g. virtual or augmented reality), or customised social media content (e.g. a smart photo booth or Snapchat geo-filter) are becoming popular.

Through live streaming and 360-degree video, events can now attract remote participants, adding a new dimension to the experience.

De Wet explains how tech has revolutionised the industry by increasing the reach and access of an event: “South African event organisers can invite a speaker who is based in China without having to fly him or her in. With Internet connectivity constantly evolving and 5G on the horizon, we can expect to see more of a blurring of the lines between visual events and physical events.”

And Internet. Guaranteed, highquality, and free Internet is a must.

Let’s Talk Sustainability In recent years, ethical and sustainable practices have begun to influence venue selection greatly. In this time of

SPOTLIGHT

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11

Despite shrinking budgets across the industry, the bar has been raised, and planners are feeling the pressure to adapt in order to stay relevant.

This shift is driven by advances in technology and the evolving needs and motivations of younger generations.

Raylene de Wet environmental consciousness, both planners and attendees are calling for reducing the footprint of events. This has a big influence on catering options, with planners sourcing local and more sustainable food, as well as ensuring minimal food waste.

It is also becoming best practise to evaluate the social impact an event has on the local community. Larger, well-funded events are well-positioned to partner with local non-profits and even help stimulate growth in the area, but there are plenty of opportunities for smaller events to also engage with and give back to local communities.

Personalised Experiences Event professionals are striving to craft

bespoke events to which attendees build a personal connection. This can be achieved through the presentation of content in an engaging and immersive fashion and the adoption of more flexibility.

De Wet explains that flexibility is a cross-cutting theme – from room layout, to dietary preferences and requirements, to something as seemingly straightforward as the scheduling of break times. “Essentially this is about responding to the diversity of people in attendance and recognising individuals rather than a static consumer segment.”

Bridging the Generational Gap It is a primary focus for the industry to maintain relevance with incoming generations, while not alienating other demographics. The overall experience of an event is the most important aspect for younger generations. Keeping sessions concise, personalising content, and introducing interactive, sensory and tech elements are some ways in which both younger attendees and planners themselves have influenced meeting formats, says de Wet. There is also more

All images © Hyatt

demand for aspects of wellness such as mindfulness, movement and healthy meal options.

According to Jessie States, CMP, CMM, Director of the MPI Academy at Meeting Professionals International, “We’ll continue to see millennials drive the demand for educational and networking experiences as opposed to traditional conferences and meetings. It’s probably past time for us to begin discussing the impact of digital native Gen Z, as well.”

States highlights how important it is for the industry to stay current on emerging trends and be proactive about responding to the needs of incoming generations.

Meeting and event organisers have a considerable task. They must create an enabling environment where a community of people come together, connect, and depart having had a transformative experience of both personal and professional development.

If you would like more inspiration to design the perfect experience inside and outside the meeting room, check out Hyatt Regency Johannesburg on www.hyatt.com.

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LESSONS LEARNED

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#EVENTPROFS:

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Despite some real challenges, the business events sector has come back stronger and more determined. Katie Reynolds Da-Silva speaks to the experts to find out what lessons they’ve learned and are taking into 2020 with them.

Minister Kganyago, Business Development Manager, CSIR Illustration designed by rawpixel.com via Freepik

I

n 2019, the South African businessevents sector saw incredible success despite myriad challenges – a weakened rand, political instability, and investor uneasiness to name a few. But we once again proved that as a nation, we are stronger together. With a renewed sense of collaboration, national pride, and excitement for a new decade, the industry has reenergised and reinvigorated itself. A few of our country’s businessevent experts share their lessons learned, and their mindsets for 2020.

Minister Kganyago, Business Development Manager, CSIR Business events in turbulent economic times has been a challenge to say the least.

Price wars have been erupting from corner to corner causing service quality to decline enormously amongst those who aim to service the industry delegates. What we learn from this situation is that things can get worse and perhaps instead of looking at the glass half empty, businesses within the industry should start to see the glass as half full and embrace the atmosphere as an opportunity to become even more innovative, an opportunity to reinvent their business models to suit the current economic environment. An opportunity to find out how much of collaboration can be brought into for added value to exist, how much of industry contributions can they make in order to break through the clutter.

Gone are the days of faceless profit-making organisations. In 2020, decision-making

processes should be even faster given the fast-paced business environments due to technological advancements of 4IR that continue to affect consumer needs and wants. Otherwise, keeping a positive outlook in the midst of these turbulences, can go a long way for businesses.

Kim Weber, Business Optimisation Manager, Century City Conference Centre & Hotel We’re moving into an era of revolution where today’s decisions, both operationally and strategically, are made with a future guest in mind.

Agility is more important than ever before. Not only has it assisted us in adapting to the macro climate but to ensure our customers’ needs are anticipated and then exceeded. This

LESSONS LEARNED 13

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Kim Weber, Business Optimisation Manager, Century City Conference Centre & Hotel

Zelda Coetzee, PCO, Southern Cross Conferences and Events

Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism

was put to the test with the recent water crisis coupled with the additional supply of both accommodation and conference venues in Cape Town.

The success of our business is our people. Everyone is talking personalisation and we’ve seen that this works best with human interaction and not just in the tangibles. Our teams are empowered to make decisions and through our people, we have continued to nurture existing relationships and secure new business.

Sustainability never goes out of fashion and as a responsible business, it is a necessity. Through our sustainable design and as a 4-star Green Building, we have seen how we can include this not only in our design phase but in our day-to-day operations. Examples are through our effluent water supply as well as our solar panels which since its commissioning in July 2017, has produced over 800 000 kWh of clean electricity, saving over 700 tonnes of Carbon Emissions.

Lastly, we have seen how our legacy is in the contribution to our community. We will continue to look for ways where we can make the most impactful contribution, as this will remain a priority for 2020.

instant and as a business partner we always have to be prepared for change.

Going into 2020, we will be mindful of how change affects everything we do and build resilience to manage, and process change as smoothly as possible.

taking strain. USA’s politics, US China trade wars, Brexit, etc., all contributing to negative economic sentiment.

All of this, domestically and internationally, has to bring out the resilience in us South Africans that we have become well known for. We have to be smart and patient. Keep our focus on delivering quality marketing platforms for our clients. I firmly believe that if we stay true to this, the upswing is just around the corner.

Craig Newman, CEO, Johannesburg Expo Centre 2019 has been a particularly tough year on the South African economy. With all the political unhappiness, service level protests, and the dismal performances of state-owned entities, the economy has taken quite a beating.

What my travels throughout the world as UFI President has taught me this year, is that South Africa is not alone. Economies all over the world are

Zelda Coetzee, PCO, Southern Cross Conferences and Events Our biggest learning in 2019 was that change within an organisation can be Craig Newman, CEO, Johannesburg Expo Centre

Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism Thank you to the men and women who, in their area of work, go the extra mile to ensure that tourists that travel to our country enjoy a memorable experience.

Providing real authentic experiences is what will sustain and grow our tourism sector. All of us should do this cognisant of the fact that visitors have no obligation to choose South Africa as a destination.

Tourism is a very competitive sector and demands from all of us to offer a distinct, authentically South African experience so that they can return to our country again and again, or even better entice others to come along with them in their subsequent visits.

As we cast our eyes into the future, we must continue to ensure that we transform our sector inclusively and to showcase more authentic and uniquely South African experiences.

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DESTINATION CASE STUDY | MAURITIUS

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Mauritius

RATHER MEET IN

MAURITIUS

P

lanning an incentive trip to reward your top performers, an international conference for a few thousand delegates, an exclusive high-level meeting for a government delegation or a product launch event?

Look no further than the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Here you will find the perfect venue, staffed by a professional and dedicated support team, to deliver a unique, world-class event, with a touch of island-style elegance and flair.

The paradise island of Mauritius is fast becoming one of Africa’s tourism and meetings jewels with its scenic beauty, hidden treasures to explore and

an exotic melting-pot of cuisines and cultures. It’s a short flight from South Africa’s three major cities, and visa -free for South African passport holders.

MICE MARKET Mauritius offers the MICE buyer the infrastructure to cater for a variety of groups and sizes, all year round. As a MICE-friendly destination, the island has the key ingredients to host successful meetings, incentive groups, conferences and events. The quality and variety of accommodation, the attention to detail in service delivery, state-of-the-art

conferencing venues, professional and friendly staff, and the additional activities on offer, all guarantee a unique experience.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES Boasting the largest and most modern convention centre in the Indian Ocean region, the Swami Vivekananda Conference Centre, this centre provides all the facilities needed for large, international conferences, accommodating up to 5 000 people.

Other venues include the International Conference Centre in Grand Baie (up to 600 people), the Freeport Exhibition in Mer Rouge (up to 1 000 delegates) and

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Trianon Convention Centre in Trianon (up to 3 000 delegates). Many Mauritian hotels also offer conference facilities and can cater for up to 800 people at a time, with spectacular marquees and set-ups on the hotel properties.

ACTIVITIES The island also boasts a variety of activities specifically geared for MICE groups,

DESTINATION CASE STUDY | MAURITIUS

ranging from golf to adventure sports such as quad-biking, trekking, mountain biking, trail-running, zip-lining, fishing, kite-surfing, parasailing, canoeing and skydiving, together with a host of water sports.

The island also offers stunning outdoor locations for interactive and adrenalin-fuelled activities and adventures perfect for team-building exercises.

There are also many cultural festivities and spiritual festivals that take place on the island that can be enjoyed.

Rebate Scheme The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority has an attractive incentive scheme in place for the MICE segment.

This applies to bookings for large groups of 100 people or more to the island, and includes a 15% VAT rebate, on the ground assistance and cash incentives, if three nights or more at the same hotel are booked for the group.

More details are available through the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority office.

WHEN TO VISIT Mauritius has a tropical climate, with warm weather all year round. The best months to visit are from May to December, when the weather is cooler, dry and sunny.

Enjoy everything that Mauritius has to offer as your ideal MICE destination, combining quality, elegance and style, in a paradise island setting! #RatherMeetinMauritius – the idyllic Indian Ocean destination for all your MICE needs

Contact Details Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority – SA Representative: Janet de Kretser / Philippa Piguet – Meropa Communications Tel: +27 11 506 7300 Email: mauritius@meropa.co.za Web: www.tourism-mauritius.mu / www.ratherbeinmauritius.co.za

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EVENTS TO DIARISE

FEBRUARY INVESTING IN AFRICAN MINING INDABA 3–7 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA GEORGE OLD CAR SHOW 9 – 10 GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA SIGN AFRICA 12 BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA

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B2B MARKETING CONFERENCE 19 – 20 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AFRICA LIGHTING EXPO 20 – 21 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA CLARENS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL 21 – 23 CLARENS, SOUTH AFRICA MEETINGS AFRICA 24 – 26 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

HBS AFRICA BUSINESS CONFERENCE 14 – 15 MASSACHUSETTS, USA

DESIGN INDABA 26 – 28 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

ESMO SUMMIT AFRICA 14 – 16 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

HOMEMAKERS EXPO 27 – 1 MARCH JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

CAPE TOWN ART FAIR 14 – 16 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

TRAVEL EXPO 28 – 01 MARCH JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

ICIN CONFERENCE 19 – 20 PARIS, FRANCE

MARCH HOSTEX 1-3 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA AFRICA ENERGY INDABA 3 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN IN ENERGY CONFERENCE 3–4 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA ITB BERLIN 4–8 BERLIN, GERMANY THE BLOCKCHAIN AFRICA CONFERENCE 11 – 12 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA SIGN AFRICA DURBAN 11- 12 DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA SECUREX WEST AFRICA 17 – 18 LAGOS, NIGERIA CSAE CONFERENCE 22 – 24 OXFORD, UNITED KINGDOM CIES 2020 22 – 26 MIAMI, USA

EVENTS TO DIARISE

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CTW CHINA 24 – 26 SHANGHAI, CHINA AGROFOOD NIGERIA 24 – 26 LAGOS, NIGERIA IOT FORUM AFRICA 25 – 26 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA DEVCONF 31 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AFRICA SOLAR SHOW 31 – 1 APRIL JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA POWER AND ELECTRICITY WORLD AFRICA 31 – 1 APRIL JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA THE SOLAR SHOW AFRICA 31 – 1 APRIL JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA THE WATER SHOW AFRICA 31 – 1 APRIL JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

APRIL ICMEI 1–3 LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET 19 – 22 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

ILTM AFRICA 2-4 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE MALAYSIA 19– 24 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET AFRICA 6–8 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

SALES SUMMIT 23 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

SPORTS AND EVENTS TOURISM EXCHANGE 6–8 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

HUNTEX 24 – 27 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

IBTM ARABIA 6–8 ABU DHABI, UAE ECOMMERCE MONEYAFRICA CONFEX 8–9 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA THE RAND SHOW 8 – 13 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

AFRIKABURN 27 – 3 MAY TANKWA, SOUTH AFRICA NIGERIA MANUFACTURING AND EQUIPMENT EXPO 28 – 30 LAGOS, NIGERIA

Image by Fredrik Ohlander via Unsplash

IT&CM CHINA 24 – 26 SHANGHAI, CHINA

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DESTINATION CASE STUDY | MALAWI

www.theevent.co.za

Malawi

MALAWI’S WARM HEART

WELCOMES MICE

K

nown as ‘the warm heart of Africa’, Malawi is a country of diverse natural beauty, from rivers, mountains and valleys to spectacular wildlife experiences – not to mention its vibrant culture and people who are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.

Malawi also boasts some of the most modern conferencing and events facilities in its major cities like Lilongwe and Blantyre, as well as along the shore of the majestic Lake Malawi. According to the Malawi Department of Tourism, the MICE industry is considered an integral part of the tourism sector and strategy for economic growth.

A HOTBED OF EVENT ACTIVITY “Malawi hosts several events in a year,” says Isaac Katopola, Director of Tourism at Malawi Department of Tourism. “These range from annual meetings and conference, sporting events, cultural events and music festivals. These events are organised by various groupings.” Some of the key lifestyle events that take place annually include Mount Mulanje Porter’s Race, Lake Malawi International Sailing Marathon, cultural festivals like Umthetho wa Ngoni, Mulakho wa Alhomwe, Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni and music and arts festivals like Lake

of Stars Arts Festival, Sand Music Festival, Likoma Music Festival among others.

In the world of business events, it is the Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo that attracts regional and international MICE and leisure interests each year. “The event has grown to become Malawi’s biggest tourism event as it attracts the largest number of industry players as well as exhibitors from sectors that offer support services to the tourism industry,” says Katopola. Malawi also hosts many regional and international meetings through government departments, professional bodies and the private sector. These include

DESTINATION CASE STUDY | MALAWI

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TOP VENUES AND CAPACITIES CITY

VENUE

CAPACITY

Lilongwe

Bingu Wa Mutharika Convention Centre Sunbird Capital Hotel Ufulu Garden Crossroads Hotel River Side Hotel Bridge View Hotel and Conference Segocoa Golden Peacock

2500 760 285 1500 200 250 700

Blantyre

Sunbird Mount Soche Crossroads Hotel Malawi Sun Hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Lotus by Serendib Amaryllis

1225 350 775 110 400 212

Salima

Sunbird Livingstonia Hotel Kabumba Hotel Blue Waters by Serendib

100 205 200

Mzuzu

Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel The Grand Palace Hotel

270 380

Kasungu

Chikho Hotel

250

Mangochi

Sunbird Nkopola Lodge Makokola Retreat Sun n Sand Holiday Resort

350 252 1000

Mponela

Linde Motel

700

Mulanje

Hapuwani

500

professional groups like doctors, economists, accountants, and even fashion designers.

industry and energy development, transport and ICT, and healthcare.

WORKING TOWARDS A FUTURE IN BUSINESS EVENTS

A BOOM IN INFRASTRUCTURE

Although Malawi has not yet established an official convention bureau, one of the key recommendations in the National Tourism Policy is the establishment of a Malawi Tourism Authority, which will be mandated to carry out destination marketing and industry standards enforcement, with one of the proposed divisions within the Authority being a bonafide convention bureau. According to the 2017 National Tourism Report, business travellers account for about 69% of the arrivals in Malawi – further solidifying the potential the country holds in this sector.

“Malawi has not yet started launching official bidding for big events, but it is now positioning itself towards such processes,” says Katopola. “In the meantime, expression of interest to host events is being done independently.”

One of the key issues that internationals struggle with when choosing the perfect destination for an event are the perceptions they have of Africa. Malawi is committed to creating a positive impact in this regard, through the implementation of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy III. This will focus on infrastructure for agriculture, water development, climate change management, education and skills development,

Most recently, several roads will be revamped to assist with the growing need for infrastructure in Malawi. Major airports like Kamuzu International Airport and Chileka International Airport are also undergoing major upgrades to manage greater traveller numbers. An added boon is the online e-visa service which was launched in November 2019 to assist in ease of travel.

“The last decade has seen an increase in the number of hotels with bigger conference facilities, such as the construction of the Bingu International Convention Centre, Amaryllis Hotel, Crossroads Hotel in Blantyre and the Sunbird Nkopola lake shore conference centre, among others,” he adds.

SCORES OF INCENTIVE OPTIONS Malawi offers a host of incredible incentive activities for visitors to experience. Some of the most popular offerings include visits to the incomparable Lake Malawi and its breath-taking nature reserve, as well as up-close and personal wildlife experiences with hippos, elephants and cheetah, museums and cultural experiences, and the unmatched beauty of places like Cape Maclear, Majete Wildlife Reserve, Likoma Island, and Monkey Bay – to name but a few.

The Makokola Retreat is one such

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gorgeous destination on the shores of Lake Malawi, with idyllic views and a range of luxury rooms that cater to every taste. It is an ideal venue from which to base an incentive package, with guests arriving at the Makokola International Airport from Lilongwe or Blantyre. At the facilities, visitors can enjoy time at the Lake Spa, the squash, tennis or beach volleyball courts, the soccer field or the Mlambe Golf Club, or even at the two poolside bars. Tours include visits to fishing villages, kayaking, bird watching, speedy boating, Boadzulu Island tours, or visits to the nearby Llwonde National Park, or the towns of Zomba or Mangochi.

Contact Details Malawi Department of Tourism Tel: +265 177 5499 Email: info@visitmalawi.mw Web: www.visitmalawi.mw

Goals for the Future Malawi Tourism has several strategies it will be using to further grow its business events offering to attract more international congresses and association meetings to its shores. These include: • Continue to develop infrastructure • Further engage local and international stakeholders • Improve the business enabling environment • Strengthen tourism capacities, coordination and efficiency • Enhance Malawi’s attractiveness as a tourism investment destination • Increase visibility and awareness of local tourism products and experiences

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STELLENBOSCH KNOWLEDGE REGION

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STELLENBOSCH:

THE SILICON VALLEY OF SOUTH AFRICA Stellenbosch has been named as one of the top 10 cities in Africa for business tourism events by the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) Country and City rankings. Katie Reynolds-Da Silva explores its capabilities in more depth.

I

n last year’s ICCA rankings, Stellenbosch secured the number seven position for hosting association meetings, ahead of cities like Cairo, Kampala and Tshwane. A total of 48 international association meetings have been hosted across the continent and Cape Town claimed the number one spot. ICCA rankings are regarded among the most important benchmarks in the international association meetings market.

“Stellenbosch 360 recognised that business tourism (conferences, meetings, events, incentives and exhibitions) is an important segment of our ‘total product offering’,” says Annemarie Ferns, former CEO of Stellenbosch 360. “We recently launched a unit to promote and actively drive Stellenbosch’s vision to become a leading conference, events and incentives destination, with the ultimate objective of increasing the prosperity of the region.”

Stellenbosch retains its status as the jewel in the crown of the Western Cape, but for reasons that go beyond food and wine. International best practice and research indicated that strong knowledge regions are supported by: • • • •

• • • • •

Knowledge centres, including academic thought leaders and research Critical mass of spin-out companies Entrepreneurs and mentors Funding mechanisms such as venture capital, angel investors and private equity funds The presence of multinational companies Infrastructure such as the LaunchLab Cluster policies and government support Strong networks Quality of life

*Source: Gibbons – Saxenian-Hinoul

Stellenbosch offers a cross-sector and inter-disciplinary opportunity that naturally brings people together from business and academia to meet each other and share ideas. This encourages collaboration and partnership for greater shared success and in support of a stronger innovation ecosystem and inclusive economic growth for the region. In turn, this aids in positioning Stellenbosch internationally as an innovation hub and knowledge region in Africa.

Innovus Innovus is Stellenbosch University’s university-industry interaction platform for the commercialisation of the university’s assets. Innovus has a vision to further build out the Stellenbosch ‘Knowledge Region’ around pockets of excellence in fields such as Education, Biomedical Engineering, Sport, Fintech, Media and

STELLENBOSCH KNOWLEDGE REGION

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AgriScience. The Innovus team works with all the stakeholders required to host a business event and, in turn, enhance and showcase our knowledge region. The various local stakeholders are as follows.

1. Innovus, SU division guide and support the following stakeholders: Thought leaders, distinguished professors from a pool of four hundred and fifty-one NRF researchers in 2017.

Fourteen researchers are regarded as World leaders, while 120 researchers are considered as experts in their fields. In addition, SU boasts seven Centre’s of excellence with thirty-nine research chairs guiding South African research in their field of expertise.

Stellenbosch Town Evaluation: •

•

•

•

•

•

Internal environment: Stellenbosch University has distinctive competences with word-class thought leaders producing fundamental and applied research in many fields of study and access to talent.

SU ranked 2nd best university on the African continent according to QS World Rankings and ranked under the top 350 universities in the world according Times Higher Education.

The university is considered a research-intensive university owing to a third of 30 000 students being post graduates and more than a 1 000 academic staff, from 10 faculties on 5 campuses.

SU has 451 NRF-rated researchers, 14 of which are regarded as World Leaders, while 120 researchers are considered as experts in their fields.

SU boasts 7 Centre’s of excellence with 47 research chairs guiding SA research in their field of expertise.

SU is the most researchproductive institutions nationwide according to the DHET’s assessment, 2017 as well as the national leader with 111 PCT applications from 2009 - 2018.

SU post graduates and international student cohorts are actively contributing to research under the guidance of thought leaders.

In 2017, a group of 10 440 post graduate students assisted to strengthen the SU knowledge region in many fields of study.

2. Innovus (Pty) Ltd guide and support the commercialisation of university research, entrepreneurial students and entrepreneurs at large. SU young talent are stimulated to innovate and their innovations are shaped in the SU incubator, LaunchLab, currently incubating 44 start-ups nationally.

3. Innovus in both capacities, continuously work on building internal and external relationships with local and international industries, who recognise the value of being surrounded by the above to access the collaborative effort and enhance strong local industries.

focusses on getting talented student programmers, designers, builders, scientists and engineers to come together to learn, build and share their creative ideas, while solving industryrelevant problems innovatively. Industry partners are involved in this initiative in a hands-on manner, not only through providing sponsorship for the event, but also through the provision of that challenge framework and mentors for the students throughout the event.

This enables students to network and create close ties with industry, while becoming cognisant of the problems that industry face. The industry in turn is able to identify talented students for employment and market their company culture to the students.

Target Environment: •

Encouraging Promising Ideas Innovus, Technology Transfer Office focus on research commercialisation from the pool of four hundred and fifty-one NRF researchers in 2017 and also offer entrepreneurial development and support to the researchers. This includes technology transfer, which is the commercialisation and the management of the University’s intellectual property portfolio through patent protection, licensing and the formation of spin-out companies.

•

•

•

Ideation A collaboration between Innovus, The Lauchlab and Industry, to host focused events, in order to increase the entrepreneurial and innovation culture across Stellenbosch University (SU) campus is of great importance. It helps successfully create and sustain an innovation knowledge region in the greater Stellenbosch area. It is Innovus’ and The LaunchLab’s goal to increase the amount of quality ideas entering their business development and support programmes by providing entrepreneurship support and creating an innovation culture among the students across all faculties at Stellenbosch University.

For example the annual SU Hackathon

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•

•

•

Stellenbosch has a competitive advantage that can be leveraged in conjunction with the above distinct competences, offering a unique value proposition.

LaunchLab business incubator to start and grow new ventures; incubated 177 businesses successfully since 2015, contributing 155 direct jobs.

8 multi-billion Rand international company head offices are situated in the region.

Stellenbosch ranks 3rd among all African cities in fDi Intelligence’s study of global biotech locations (cluster).

Emerging business tourism hub and ranked in the top 12 cities on the African continent for business meetings and conferences according to the ICCA. Strategically situated near Cape Town and only 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.

World class facilities: apart from the 5 campuses with teaching, learning and research facilities SU also has a theatre complex, a conservatorium complex and extensive sports facilities to name a few.

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STELLENBOSCH KNOWLEDGE REGION

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A World Class Centre of Excellence From assessment of the entrepreneurship and innovation arena, it is evident that the seeds have been sown in Stellenbosch for at least nine of the ten ingredients that make up a world-class knowledge region economy. One of the ingredients that appears to be almost absent in the region is the frequent networking between the innovation stakeholders and role-players making up the knowledge region. Based on this, Innovus recently established the Stellenbosch Network with the mission and objectives focusing mainly on strengthening the network, as the consortium members believe that this will catalyse the further development of the Stellenbosch region.

Networking and Matchmaking The Stellenbosch Network connects people and companies for research and partnering through a database of comprehensive knowledge of local expertise and also plays an active role in matching the capabilities and requirements of respective role-players through the dynamic mapping of the region’s various clusters, with focus on uplifting female- and black-owned SMMEs.

Storytelling and Awareness The Stellenbosch Network spreads news, success stories, experiences, lessons learnt and accomplishments pertaining to the innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives of its members to the community/member population. These stories strive to inspire to actively

Innovus economic impact confirmation Stellenbosch university has a shareholding of around R100m in the 25+ companies.

In 2018 a combined turnover of about R274m, a 21% increase from 2017 (R226m), keeping in mind that many of the companies are very young and have no or limited revenue.

The companies directly employ around 283 people.

contribute, participate and build the Stellenbosch knowledge region.

Empowering Local Communities Business events enable value creation and growth, that empower local SME businesses who in turn will create employment opportunities in the region.

Furthermore events can foster an entrepreneurial spirit on campus and create entrepreneurial awareness in the student community and may also lead to job creation opportunities for graduates, parallel career development for young researchers, and a positive impact on the local developer community through encouragement the sharing of innovative ideas and networking within the community.

The Event Africa would like to thank Christi Wiechers, Commercialisation Senior Project Manager, Innovus Technology Transfer (Pty) Ltd, Stellenbosch University, and Annemarie Ferns of Stellenbosch 360 for their valuable contributions to this article, and the images provided.

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The Next Chapter Stellenbosch 360 closed its doors on the 31st July 2019 to pave the way for a new organisation Visit Stellenbosch. They will in future be the DMO for Stellenbosch.

Stellenbosch 360 has however laid the foundation for the town to become a ‘Living conference, events and incentives destination’. “We also pride ourselves in being the Food, Wine, Art and Sport capital of South Africa, besides being a university town and as a result, have become a hub for conferences and events,” says Annemarie Ferns. Its proximity to the airport makes it an ideal second tier city, and through its multi-cultural diversity, scenic beauty, and iconic attractions it is an ideal space to engage with locals, immerse oneself and allow for preand post-conference time to enjoy the countryside and diverse offerings, still with close access to Cape Town.

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Western Cape region can capitalise on the Stellenbosch competitive advantage by aligning all the academic institutions in proximity as well as the surrounding industries.

Four Universities and the Medical Research Council within 40 minutes’ drive from each other.

Centrally located and encircled by towns such as Paarl, Somerset West, Caledon, and Wellington placing it in the middle of a growing market.

Word class conference and meeting venues Ease of communication with English as a business language Similar time zone as Europe and UK Value for money / Affordable Logistically (airlift) well connected with major airlines 1st world comforts with diverse cultural experiences A typical Mediterranean climate with a dry, hot summer (max. temperature 27 °C) and a wet mild winter (min. temperature 7 °C).

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THE KERZNER@UJ

Conference Schoolroom © Jessica Notelo Photography

Stellenbosch Room © Jessica Notelo Photography

THE KERZNER@UJ – VENUES AT THE KERZNER BUILDING Meeting Space

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ABOUT THE KERZNER@UJ The Kerzner@UJ offers a broad range of 4-star graded, HACCP certified Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events venues, complemented by its food and beverage specialty services. It is a commercial entity of the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg.

The main conference venues are located in the Kerzner Building, at the UJ Auckland Park, Bunting Road Campus. These facilities are ideally placed to cater for the academic, corporate meetings and events market in the Joburg CBD vicinity and surrounds.

The venues are especially designed to enable flexibility and optimal space usage can accommodate conferences,

banquets, exhibitions and other special meetings events of varying capacities.

Adjacent to the conference rooms is the Kerzner Bistro, which combined with the conference space opens up to an even larger space, extending to the UJ Alumni Bar and Waterford Restaurant.

In close proximity to the conference rooms is the Stellenbosch Executive Boardroom, which offers video conferencing facilities, providing a seamless and easily accessible MESE experience for every event organiser. All venues provide complimentary wireless internet access and secure parking.

Every venue booking counts at The Kerzner@UJ! Committed to

providing a unique experience with unparalleled quality and service, every booking confirmed contributes to bolstering our talent pool of prospective tourism and hospitality graduates.

FACILITIES • • • • •

4x City Lodge Syndicate Rooms Waterford Restaurant UJ Alumni Bar Design Café (Coffee Shop) Center for Culinary Excellence Industrial Kitchen for hire

CONTACT US Tel: +27 11 559 1141/1142 Email: sthreception1@uj.ac.za Website: www.thekerzneratuj.com Facebook: thekerzneratuj Instagram: thekerzner@uj The Kerzner © Jessica Notelo Photography

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AfSAE: FESTIVALISATION OF EVENTS

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RISE OF THE FESTIVAL? In mid-February UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released the latest edition of its Global Barometer Research. Highlights include a strong industry performance overall in 2019, uncertainties ahead, and the rise in the festivalisation of business events.

Image by Vonecia Carswell via Unsplash

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FI’s latest Global Barometer shows that the industry performed well in 2019 overall.

That said, there are regions where there are challenges ahead – particularly Asia-Pacific* and Latin America. According to Kai Hattendorf, MD and CEO of UFI, the slowdown is

expected for the beginning of this year.

“The novel coronavirus outbreak, which has already led to many shows being postponed or cancelled in China or Asia, will impact this as well,” he says. “We all hope this situation settles quickly, as the exhibition industry is using these results to shape its general development plans

and how it’s adapting to the continually evolving classic business model.”

Regardless of the coronavirus setback, companies have indicated uncertainty with the state of the industry. Issues include local economic issues, competition within the industry, and global economic developments.

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AfSAE: FESTIVALISATION OF EVENTS

Image by Krists Luhaers via Unsplash

A New Kind of Exhibition The exhibition model is changing, too.

According to the study’s results, there is more use of conference stages on or near the show floor, more open meeting spaces are being used, followed by catering and designated food spaces, as well as growth in the popularity of off main site events.

“Call it ‘Festivalisation’, call it ‘ConfEx’ – the business model of exhibitions keeps evolving,” says Hattendorf.

“The Barometer shows that, globally, the core elements of these trends are by now well understood around the world…but their use differs.”

Show organisers are increasingly looking to develop new activities, whether that means opting for programming within the traditional model, or trying something new entirely. Broken down by region, 93% of respondents in the Americas intend to do this, while 90% in Europe, followed by 87% in the Middle East.

East experienced a sharp downturn during the first half of 2019. In fact, only 24% of South Africans declared an increase of more than 10% of their operating profits, with event fewer in the UAE (11%).

In terms of the evolution of the exhibition business model and how many companies are incorporating this into their

Outlook for Africa According to the Barometer, contrary to the rest of the world, Africa and the Middle Image by Danny Howe via Unsplash

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events, Africa and the Middle East lag behind the global average. Less than 10% of exhibition floor space is used on three of these trends – catering / designated food spaces, open meeting spaces and off main site events.

But it’s not all bad news. 45% of African and Middle Eastern respondents use between 10 and 25% of their total exhibition floor space for conference stages – more than the global average (33%). This could be due to many forces – efficient or creative use of a limited space, or to create a buzz on the show floor. It’s a fact that African exhibitions are warm, vibrant and exciting. They’re full of life and having a conference or an event on the exhibition floor certainly adds flavour. With this in mind, there’s no doubt that many more exhibitions will take up some of the other trends which ultimately encourage more casual and personal relationship building.

Data sources: TSNN, UFI. To read the full report, go to www.ufi.org. *This research was conducted before the coronavirus outbreak, which may impact the outlook.

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AFSAE: LESSONS FROM SITE AFRICA

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SITE AFRICA

HOSTS TOURISM MASTERPLAN WORKSHOP SITE Africa recently unpacked essential keys for growing the tourism industry in a recent workshop in Cape Town. Musawenkosi Gebuza reports.

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he Tourism Master Plan Workshop took place at Pigalle Restaurant in Cape Town on 28 January 2020.

The workshop was aimed at assisting the tourism industry as a whole, as well as other institutions to target national and foreign investors for the development of the tourism sector.

Dean Allen, Author, Historian and Lecturer at the University of South Africa; Ilse van Schalkwyk, Chief Director of the Economic Sector Support at Western Cape Government; and Amanda KotzeNhlapo, the Chief Convention Bureau Officer at the South Africa National Convention Bureau; were the speakers

at the workshop. Here’s a look at the highlights from the afternoon session.

Prioritise Investment Although South Africa already has the competitive advantage of well-developed infrastructure, with the recently set goal to attract 21 million tourists to South Africa by 2030 there is room for capacity expansion to support higher and greater volume of tourists. Investment is required to build more visitor accommodations, increase airport capacities and expansion in the public transportation sector as well as investment towards new products.

Ilse Van Schalkwyk said: “Greater budgetary support for tourism agencies is required and measures should be introduced to protect their budgets from the negative impact of currency fluctuations given their impact on marketing in foreign destination.”

“It is also important to implement focused and flexible industrial and trade policy to promote competitiveness and facilitate growth in the long run,” she added.

Relationships and Partnerships The underlying momentum to partner, or the key motivator to co-operate, is that

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all partners, whether from the private or the public sector, will benefit from the alignment of resources. Partnerships, in fact, form for a variety of reasons.

“Partnerships can be formed to create new products or services, to achieve higher levels of efficiency or economies of scale, to open markets that were previously inaccessible or to simply pool resources,” said Ilse, elaborating the importance of partnerships and relationships in the industry.

Adding to her point, Dean Allen said that, “Amongst many other ways of encouraging relations and partnerships in the tourism sector, it is by driving inclusive growth of a sustainable and responsible tourism industry, and, in so doing, addresses transformation and ensures benefits flow to communities.”

He added that sports is one of the key elements in forming partnerships and relations for greater outputs.

It is also integral that the public tourism sector is driven through to working collaboratively with the private sector, partnering with South African Tourism, the Department of Tourism, the provincial tourism authorities and departments, and with municipalities with active tourism departments and entities. A well-functioning operational partnership between the private sector and government is necessary to market a country as a key destination of interest and draw on industry’s expertise and synergising marketing activities.

Destination: Position and Promotion Township entrepreneurs have mushroomed in recent years to cater to the curiosity of both local and foreign travellers.

There are now many knowledgeable tour operators and world-class accommodation establishments in townships.

Tourism bureaus all over the continent now distribute pamphlets and booklets about attractions in various

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Partnerships can be formed to create new products or services, to achieve higher levels of efficiency or economies of scale, to open markets that were previously inaccessible or to simply pool resources. townships, along with tips on how to get the best out of the experience.

“This is extremely important in terms of South Africa’s overall tourism experience, as it adds to the authenticity of any tourist’s experience. They have become major visitor attractions, offering everything from clean, comfortable and homely B&Bs and eateries, to fascinating historical sites and a vibrant nightlife,” Ilse explained.

New Product Offerings Rural tourism strategies have earmarked the importance of heritage and cultural offerings as some of the fastest emerging competitive niche tourism products within the global industry, while abundant natural resources act as a primary attraction for visitors.

“To achieve this, the Ministry’s blueprint speaks of a need to promote a ‘culture of travel’ among locals, a policy requiring

higher levels of investment and resources at all levels of the industry. The new resources would be used for expanded marketing campaigns and for choosing and supporting priority segments,” said Ilse.

Campaigns such as ‘It is your province, enjoy it’ in the Northern Cape, are new attraction products and are focused on the various routes in the region. These entice travellers to veer off the beaten track to explore the hidden gems and subsequently spend more time in said province.

They usually connect little towns and villages between South Africa’s highways and offer visitors a glimpse into the heart, culture, and history of this magnificent province.

SITE Africa brings value both to the global and local chapter level by networking, online resources, education, certification and advocacy. For more information visit www.siteglobal.com

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AfSAE: SOCIAL MEDIA 101

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HOW TO

LEVERAGE LINKEDIN With nearly 660 million members and over 30 million companies listed, LinkedIn is the largest professional networking platform. Here’s how to make it work for your association.

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bastion of professionalism in the social media landscape, LinkedIn has been connecting the workforce for ages. But did you know that there are several ways in which LinkedIn assists non-profits?

According to Tatiana Morand of Wild Apricot, LinkedIn is, “the place to establish your non-profit as an impactful organisation, your executive staff as thought leaders in your industry, and enlist high-quality members, board, volunteers, and staff.”

Set Up Your Non-Profit Page Setting up a LinkedIn page is easy and can be done in about half an hour. Be sure to take the time to complete it fully, since pages with complete information get 30% more weekly views. The two main sections to complete are the ‘header’ and ‘about’. “In the header section, you will provide the name of your organisation, a tag line, and a button to add your website to your page. In the about section, you will provide a brief description of your organisation’s mission and more details like contact information, company size, and industry,” Morand explains.

Add the relevant images to your profile image and banner. Be sure to use the correct dimensions so that both are seen in their entirety. The recommended profile image/logo size is 300 x 300 pixels, while the recommended cover image size is 1536 pixels wide by 768 pixels high.

Once this is complete, it’s time to use LinkedIn as a resource. Here, users engage with leaders and colleagues in their industry and causes they care about. There are about 90 million senior level influencers on the platform, 63 million decision makers, 17 million opion leaders, and 40 million mass affluent, among others.

LinkedIn as an Outreach Tool According to Nick DeSarno, Director of Digital and Policy Communications at the Public Affairs Council, LinkedIn is a must for your association engagement strategy. “It’s where your members are. Gone are the days when your members come to you. Your association

needs to be active where your members are spending time and consuming content,” he says. “In addition, since many of the users provide extensive amounts of professional information in their profiles, LinkedIn has unmatched professional user data.”

You can find new members through LinkedIn’s robust search function that allows you to search by industry, company affiliation, interests, degrees or certifications, and job titles. It also has a specific Volunteer Marketplace designed to help likeminded people find you.

You can use the paid-for job posting feature in addition to posting organic job opps on the site. LinkedIn has

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helped 80% of hirers receive a qualified applicant in just 24 hours, so if efficiency is what you need, they’ve got it.

Keep Followers Updated Keep your audience updated on activites, news, successes and other relevant posts.

LinkedIn pages that share content weekly will double engagement on both their page and posts. Try to include media like images, videos or links. Images especially have twice the engagement rate while multiple photos perform even better.

Build Through Thought Leadership Association heads can leverage their status and influence in the industry by contributing to movements and trends and commenting on them. The development of a company’s thought leadership strategy can give them a sense of authority on certain subjects.

Sharing opinions, resources and innovative

ideas will set your business apart from the crowd.

Chairpersons, CEOs, Presidents and even Board Members can do this easily by creating long form articles directly to their personal LinkedIn pages. This can be done by clicking ‘write an article link’ under the ‘start a post’ section. Your organisation’s page can then share this to your wider network for further engagement.

It is also important that staff members ensure their profiles are up to date. When a member lists your organisation as an employer, they automatically become a follower and your network will grow as theirs grows.

Relationship Building Did you know that LinkedIn can be used for fund raising? It may not be the ideal platform for cold appeals, but it is a great place to cultivate individual and corporate donor relationships. The LinkedIn Sales

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Navigator feature helps map out your organisation’s network so you can make introductions. It also provides you with updates on key prospects and donors.

“LinkedIn allows donors to communicate what causes are important to them and NFPs can enhance these natural connections by providing donors with information in formats that make it easy for them to share,” says Nicole German, previous Global Head of Enterprise Marketing at LinkedIn. Through the Navigator’s search function, you can find and reach out to CSR or corporate partnership teams of companies for event sponsorships, donations, etc.

Last but not least, LinkedIn provides grants to umerous like-minded organisations with a track record of support job seekers who are facing barriers to economic opportunity. If your organisation qualifies, head over to Nonprofit Partnerships, LinkedIn Social Impact to apply.

CGASA TO CO-CHAIR GLOBAL CITRUS BODY

The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa has been appointed Co-Chair of the World Citrus Organisation (WCO).

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his was announced during the official founding of the WCO at the international fresh produce trade show Fruit Logistica in Berlin this February. According to the CGASA, South Africa is the second-largest global exporter of citrus fruit. The association played a leading role in the formation of the WCO

and through its co-chair role will continue to spearhead a new path for the sector.

The WCO is the first global platform aimed at increasing coordination, dialogue and action between citrus-producing nationals worldwide. The organisation already represents 70% of all citrus growers including Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia.

The organisation will be discussing common issues affecting member countries, preparing for the next decade’s market trends, and fostering dialogue on policy issues – as well as promoting research and innovation projects. A World Citrus Conference is also being planned for late in 2020 or early 2021.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

THE AAXO ROAR AWARDS ANNOUNCES ITS 2019 WINNERS The ROAR Awards, in conjunction with EXSA’s EXSA-LLENCE Awards, were held on Friday, 31 January at the Gallagher Convention Centre under the umbrella of the Exhibition Industry Awards.

The AAXO ROAR Awards aim to recognise and acknowledge merit in exhibition organisation, exhibitor participation and service excellence.

The annual exhibition industry gathering has become renowned for the opportunities that it offers for association members to network, celebrate their successes, be recognised through awards and raise the bar for the year ahead.

According to the event, the cast of sponsors for the evening were integral to the evening’s success. The ‘007’ theme was prominent because of the décor that was sponsored by Unlimited Events, as well as the audiovisual and staging that was sponsored by Brandex and EPH. The event was hosted was the Gallagher Convention Centre and the menu was prepared by its catering team. In keeping with the theme, the team at Barmotion welcomed guests with cocktails on arrival and cappuccinos.

Scan Displays sponsored menus and programme table cards, and comedian Donavan Goliath — the MC for the evening — was sponsored

by ExpoGuyskept. Guests dressed to fit the ‘007’ attire and arrived on a mission with the ‘licence to win’.

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Over 370 guests attended, having registered on the EXBO reservation system. They were welcomed by registration staff sponsored by Provantage Proactive staffing.

According to the event, the Exhibition Industry Awards was a “perfect gathering of the industry to celebrate the best of the best in 2019”.

The evening was captured on video and photo by the team sponsored by Orange Orbit. The winners’ moments were captured against the logo wall and registration desks were sponsored by GL Events.

Additionally, the security team was sponsored by Lodge Security.

The AAXO 2019 ROAR Awards exhibition winners include: • 2019 Best Exhibition of the Year — World Travel Market Africa by Reed Exhibitions • Best Trade Exhibition under 6000 sqm — Africa Ports and Rail Evolution by dmg events • Best Trade Exhibition 600112 000 sqm — World Travel Market by Reed Exhibitions • Best Trade Exhibition over 12 000 sqm — Africa Utility Week and Powergen Africa by Clarion Events • Best Consumer Exhibition 600112 000 sqm — MamaMagic Baby Expo Johannesburg Winter by Exposure Marketing • Best Consumer Exhibition over 12 000 sqm — ComicCon Africa by Reed Exhibitions • Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition under 6000 sqm — Design Joburg by Media 10 • Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition 6001-12 000

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sqm — FIBO Global Fitness Africa by Reed Exhibitions Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition over 12 000 sqm — Decorex Joburg

by Reed Exhibitions Best Table Top Exhibition — International Luxury Travel Market by Reed Exhibitions Best Africa Bound Exhibition — Electra Mining Botswana

by Specialised Exhibitions Best Social Media Campaign — ComicCon Africa by Reed Exhibitions Best industry member venue — Ticketpro Dome

The silent auction, which ran on the sponsored app by Necta, raised a total of R13 690. The items were donated by sponsors for the newly launched Industry Education Outreach Fund. This fund aims to provide grants to individuals who cannot afford to pay for the AAXO training programmes.

The awards have congratulated all of those who entered and “stood proud of their efforts in 2019. The industry salutes you, celebrates your success and will continually support you in your efforts for excellence.”

Source: Media Update For more information, visit www.aaxo.co.za.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

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It is ICCA’s tradition to host a group of associations to visit the annual trade show, taking place from 12-14 May 2020.

Being part of ICCA Hosted Buyer Group offers you the advantage of arranging your own individual appointments. They also invite you to attend the Association Day, a customdesigned education and networking sessions programme for international association executives taking place on the Monday before IMEX opens for business. To register your interest in joining the ICCA Hosted Buyer Group you can email Ksenija Polla, CMP. For more information visit www.iccaworld.org

SATSA OFFERS INSIGTFUL ADVICE FOR LOAD SHEDDING Eskom is faced by constrained power system challenges said to affect South Africa until substantial new power capacity is available, leading to what we know as ‘load shedding’ or stages in which controlled power outages take place. The highest level of load shedding announced in South Africa was Stage 6 in December 2019, scheduled over four-day periods for four hours at a time.

In December SATSA offered business and leisure travellers advice for dealing with load shedding, and what to be aware of when these blackouts take place. Advice includes information on what is affected during load shedding,

such as WiFi and elevators, and why travellers should be proactive and prepared for when they take place.

Thankfully your fully charged cell phone is not affected, says SATSA, adding that travellers can take advantage of the amazing outdoor activities South Africa has to offer.

It is always a good idea to know when power cuts are due and to plan accordingly, as well as ensuring that petrol tanks are well-fuelled. To read SATSA’s FAQs about load shedding, or to find out more, visit www.satsa.com.

Image by Savannah Koomen via Unsplash

JOIN ICCA’S HOSTED BUYER GROUP AT IMEX FRANKFURT

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