Looking to the Future

#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.

Illustration designed by rawpixel.com via Freepik

In 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

Minister Kganyago, Business Development Manager, CSIR

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

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.

Zelda Coetzee, PCO, Southern Cross Conferences and Events Our biggest learning in 2019 was that change within an organisation can be 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.

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

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.

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.

RATHER MEET IN MAURITIUS

Mauritius

Planning 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

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,

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