Meetings July/Aug 2016

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JULY/AUGUST 2016 • Issue 68

SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

SUCCESSFUL year ends start with you

A place to shape ideas Women in MICE making a difference

BIG INTERVIEW Each client is entitled to the undivided attention and dedication that has become a hallmark of Ripcord’s service offering.”

Estelle Lötter, managing director of Ripcord Promotions

R50.00 (incl. VAT)

CAPE TOWN’S EXTRAORDINARY CONFERENCE HOTEL, NEED WE SAY MORE. NOT YOUR AVERAGE CONFERENCE VENUE... IS IT? African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa is one of the leading and sophisticated conference venues in Cape Town.

Perfectly located and easily accessible, a mere 15 minutes from Cape Town International Airpor t, Cape Town CBD and the V&A Waterfront.

Designed with the exacting business traveller and conference delegate in mind the hotel’s venues lends itself to meetings, motivational conferences, product launches and social gatherings of all sizes.

AFRICAN PRIDE CRYSTAL TOWERS HOTEL & SPA OFFERS: Eight elegant and distinctive executive boardrooms / A large multi-use conference centre that seats up to 350 delegates / State of the ar t visual systems including data projectors, LCD Screens, DVD players as well as electronic drop down projection screens / Conferencing butlers, assigned to each boardroom / On-site AV assistance ACCOMODATION OPTIONS 180 bedrooms consisting of: 145 Superior / 28 Executive / 4 Suite / 3 Universal access HOTEL AMENITIES TOWERS RESTAURANT

RUBY BAR

LIFE DAY SPA

24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE

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FITNESS CENTRE

POOL

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24 HOUR RECEPTION

BUSINESS CENTRE

POOL BAR

WHY CHOOSE AN ORDINARY HOTEL WHEN YOU CAN CHOOSE AN EXTRAORDINARY ONE.

CENTURY CITY / CAPE TOWN / SOUTH AFRICA To enquire, contact +27 (0) 21 525 3888 or email crystaltowers@africanpridehotels.com.

Visit africanpridehotels.com for more information.

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JULY/AUGUST 2016

IN THIS ISSUE www.theplanner.guru

JULY/AUGUST 2016 • Issue 68

SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

SUCCESSFUL year-ends start with you

A place to shape ideas Women in MICE making a difference

BIG INTERVIEW Each client is entitled to the undivided attention and dedication that has become a hallmark of Ripcord’s service offering.”

Estelle Lötter, managing director of Ripcord Promotions

R50.00 (incl. VAT)

The Planner

ON THE COVER

WOMEN IN MICE

The Sandton Convention Centre is a place to shape ideas. With a team of professionals that will support you, your dream event can become an unforgettable reality.

For more, turn to page 6

The Top 40 Women in MICE are inspiring, innovating and igniting the industry.

Meetings salutes these women.

To see who made the list for 2016, turn to page 19

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NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE CELEBRATING YOUTH MONTH DYNAMIC STAFF FOR A LEADING VENUE WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY...

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION YEAR-END FUNCTIONS

MEETING your Demands.

EXCEEDING your Expectations.

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INCLUDED

WITH THIS ISSUE The Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa’s largest purpose-built exhibition and events venue, is the leading venue of its kind in Africa. It is the proud home of the Rand Show, Ultra Music festival, Electra Mining and BAUMA and many more leading shows.

BEST PRACTICE

EVENT SHOWCASES

29 Creating internal experiences Glenn van Eck

44 Century City Conference Centre The centre

shares ways to increase interaction at events

30 Makings of a successful event Tony Rubin provides a checklist to ensure the smooth running of your next event

31 Stylish events George Sutherland on how to incorporate corporate identity into the look and feel of an event

32 The importance of creativity Natashia Brittion on out-of-the-box thinking

that can

46 Southern Sun Cape Sun Cape Town’s rising sun 47 Southern Sun The Cullinan Events reimagined

FEATURED VENUES 51 President Hotel Memorable and unique 52 Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard Productive events

52 SunSquare Cape Town A unique approach

SERVICE PROVIDERS 33 Engaging, insightful events Meetoo, powered by Lumi, is revolutionising the industry

53 Southern Sun Newlands Conferencing with a difference

54 CTICC A forward-thinking convention centre

34 When did you last stand out? Compex creates distinct and unique experiences

40

DESTINATIONS 38 Holistic halal Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a hotspot for halal MICE travel

FOCUS ON YEAR-END EVENTS 10 Festive adieus Expert advice on how to create memorable year-end events

12 S uccessful year-end events Terry Sutherland

40 G auteng’s playground The West Rand is an ideal meetings destination

42 Welcome to Cape Town A destination rich with history and unforgettable experiences

TALKING POINTS 57 Frank Lee Speaking Orchids and onions 57 AIPC Taking a stand 58 EXSA Use an EXSA member today 58 AAXO Why become a member 59 SAACI With knowledge, it’s possible 59 Event Greening Forum Go green, it’s good for business

shares her top tips

15 Stylish year-end functions CedarWoods of Sandton ensures seamless year-end events

THE BIG INTERVIEW 16 B ehind the powerhouse Estelle Lötter celebrates 25 years of industry success with her company, Ripcord Promotions

31

REGULARS 03 Ed's letter Celebrate your song 04 Tidbits Must-know minutia 36 Sound bite Beverly Hills’ pastry chef Jodi Gillespie 37 20 Questions Durban ICC’s Mala Dorasamy 60 Miss Meet #justsaying

We provide the perfect hospitality solution for your exhibition stand, conferences and corporate events. Allow us to become an extension of your brand by enticing delegates onto your stand to enjoy one of our many mobile bar offerings, each tailored to suite your specific requirements.

0861 WE ROCK (93 7625) | info@barmotion.co.za www.barmotion.co.za

ED'S LETTER Publisher Elizabeth Shorten Editor Martin Hiller (martin@3Smedia.co.za) Head of Design Beren Bauermeister Contributors Natashia Brittion, Rod Cameron,

Justin Hawes, Phumulani Hlatshwayo, Wayne Johnson, Terry Sutherland, George Sutherland, Tony Rubin, Glenn van Eck and Carol Weaving.

Chief Sub-Editor Tristan Snijders Sub-Editor Morgan Carter Client Services & Production Manager

Antois-Leigh Botma

Marketing Specialist Philip Rosenberg Production Coordinator Jacqueline Modise Financial Manager Andrew Lobban Administration Tonya Hebenton Distribution Manager Nomsa Masina Distribution Coordinator Asha Pursotham

Advertising Ruth Baldwin +27 (0)11 233 2600 ruth@3smedia.co.za

PUBLISHED BY No. 9, 3rd Avenue, Rivonia, Johannesburg PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/75 www.3smedia.co.za Meetings July/August 2016 © Copyright.

All rights reserved 2016 www.theplanner.guru SUBSCRIPTION R300.00 per annum (incl. VAT) | subs@3smedia.co.za ISSN 1684-9264 NOTICE OF RIGHTS Meetings is published bi-monthly by 3S Media. This publication, its form and contents vest in 3S Media. All rights reserved. No part of this book, including cover and interior designs, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

The authors' views may not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation and compilation of this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, completeness or accuracy of its contents, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. While every effort has been taken to ensure that no copyright or copyright issues is/ are infringed, 3S Media, its directors, publisher, officers and employees cannot be held responsible and consequently disclaim any liability for any loss, liability damage, direct or consequential of whatsoever nature and howsoever arising.

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All CPD content verified by The MICE Academy

Content Verified Check verification on www.miceacademy.biz

O

N 9 AUGUST 1956, more than 20 000 women marched to the

Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest pass laws that required black South Africans to carry a pass. The historic march was organised by the Federation of South African Women. The federation famously challenged the idea that a woman's place is in the kitchen, declaring it instead to be everywhere.

After dropping off petitions with more than 100 000 signatures at the prime minister's offices, the women stood in silence for 30 minutes. They then broke into a song that was composed especially for the march.

Wathint’ Abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo! (You strike a woman, you strike a rock!) has come to represent the courage and strength of South African women.

For me, this day serves as a reminder of how women have helped to shape our country, and continue to do so. It also sparked the idea for the Top 40 Women in MICE.

INSPIRE TO LEAD

Celebrate YOUR SONG

Our industry is filled with pioneering women who are doing amazing things. Their stories needed to be told. They are stories that inspire, motivate and ignite.

Time and time again, event management lands on top 10 lists of the most stressful jobs. It certainly isn’t always as glamorous as many people think. It’s hard work. It involves long, long hours and a lot of pressure to make sure that everything goes according to plan. If you think about it, an event is the ultimate immovable deadline, making stress levels and patience run a little thin during pressurised times. And it’s for these very reasons that you have to be passionate to be part of this industry.

The women who make it on to the Top 40 Women of MICE lists are entrepreneurs, visionaries and mentors – they are a real force to be reckoned with. They know what it takes to have longevity in this industry.

I hope to grow this initiative into a community of influential women who are determined not only to build fruitful professional and personal relationships with one another, but to be advocates for an exciting new generation of business talent.

No tribute to phenomenal women would be complete without the wise words of Maya Angelou, “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Until next time,

Meetings’ must-know minutia

MILLENNIALS HAVE VOTED Protea Hotels, a member of Marriott International, is the coolest hotel brand in South Africa. This is according to two independent studies published in June, the Sunday Times Generation Next 2016 and the 2016/17 Ask Africa Youth Brands surveys. This is the seventh year and sixth in a row that Protea Hotels has been voted coolest hotel group in the Generation Next survey, a prestigious industry benchmark for South African brands. And it is the second time that the group has won in the Hotels category in the Ask Africa Youth Brands survey, the largest of its kind in South Africa. Danny Bryer, director: Sales and Marketing, Protea Hotels, says the awards are evidence that the brand resonates with the youth.

“Protea Hotels has been listening and responding in its product offerings to what the younger generations are saying. Generations Y and Z, who make up South Africa’s large youth population, want unique experiences and personalised services, and are discerning when it comes to quality. Protea Hotels has been evolving in response and we’re absolutely thrilled that the youth are engaging with positive sentiment towards our brand,” he says. protea.marriott.com

Rotate your face between 350 and 550 depending on the occassion

height (cm)

200 tilt 400

x

(cm) x = height 3.18

4 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

Clico Boutique Hotel & Restaurant offers professional corporate meetings and events facilities, complemented by delectable dining as well as wine pairing options in the new Clico Restaurant, now open to the public. +27 (0)11 252 3300 www.clicohotel.com • info@clicohotel.com 27 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

CHEERS TO SUCCESSFUL EVENTS The SAB World of Beer is a five-star conference venue that stands out as the only beer-themed venue in South Africa. Delegates can enjoy guided beer tastings or beer and food pairings with one of SAB’s brewers. Various packages are available at the Newtown venue, starting with the halfday package for 12 or more delegates, which includes secure parking, venue hire, standard presentation equipment, tea, coffee and snacks on arrival as well as at mid-morning and in the afternoon, and a buffet lunch from in-house catering. Once the work is done, an enjoyable way to end the conference is to send delegates on an interactive tour of the World of Beer, one of the country’s top tourist attractions, which ends with a cold beer or two. This means delegates can enjoy a group beer tour, beer tastings or beer and food pairings, depending on requirements. worldofbeer.co.za

TAKING THE PERFECT SELFIE One of the major trends sweeping the world is the selfie. Many of your delegates or guests will be eager to take that perfect selfie at your event. The Selfy Store has conducted hours of painstaking research so that your event attendees can mathematically take the perfect selfie. Share this handy guide at your next event with them.

STEP ONE Use the formula below to work out your X value. For example, if you are 180 cm tall, then simply divide that by 3.18. The result (56.6 cm) is the distance that you should hold your phone from your face in order to take the perfect selfie. Don’t forget to rotate your face between 35 and 55 degrees at the same time to ensure that you are not looking directly at the camera lens.

STEP TWO Tilt your phone at a 20-degree angle and make sure that the extended arm is at a 40-degree angle. By doing this, you will look up at the camera making your eyes seem bigger and brighter.

STEP THREE Snap away!

Want to give selfie sticks as gifts? fizzpromotions.co.za will source the best option for you.

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COVER STORY

A CONFERENCE CENTRE THAT PACKS A PUNCH The first Arnold Classic Sports Festival in Africa, which was hosted at Sandton Convention Centre from 27 to 29 May, was a striking success.

T

HE FESTIVAL ACCOMMODATED 48 different sporting codes, with 11 250 athletes and participants.

This first-of-its kind festival in South Africa attracted upward of 50 000 visitors. A fitness and trade expo featuring 250 exhibitors meant this festival packed even more punch on the local sports scene.

AN EVENT WITH A DIFFERENCE “The event gave a wide range of both major and minor sporting codes the opportunity to participate on a national platform, attracting competitors as well as large volumes of potential participants and spectators. It also gave spectators the chance to experience sporting codes that they would not usually be exposed to. The overall mood of the festival was one of excitement and enthusiasm, which augurs very well for future events,” comments Debra de Sousa, operations manager, Sandton Convention Centre. The event was organised by Wayne and Michelle Price, both active in South African bodybuilding and in the International Federation of Bodybuilding South Africa.

Michelle says that the inaugural event had its challenges, as it was difficult for people to envisage what the Arnold Classic Sports Festival is all about and what they could expect when visiting it. “But now, we have the statistics and the evidence of our first event – and we can work on making it even bigger and better.

We believe we can double the expo size next year and add even more sporting codes.” She adds, “The response to the event from the

6 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

various participating sporting federations and associations was that the festival has generated excellent exposure for them, particularly the smaller sports, which will help to develop and grow them to a higher level. They are very keen to be part of an even bigger event next year.”

Other sporting codes such as swimming, equestrian events and athletics have shown an interest in the festival and the organisers are exploring options to expand the Arnold Classic Africa to other venues as well.

STAR-STUDDED ATTENDEES The event was attended by sporting celebrities – most notably by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, who is remembered for having won the Mr Olympia title in South Africa in 1975. He made time to visit each sporting code, asking questions about the sport and taking pictures or selfies.

Also in attendance at the festival were David Makhura, Premier of Gauteng; Faith Mazibuko, MEC for Sport for Gauteng; and the Gauteng Sports Council, which ran the festival’s volunteer programme.

Debra says it was easy to see why the Arnold Classic Sports Festivals have built up such a successful following in other countries.

“People are exposed to such a broad selection of sports in one place over a weekend. While many spectators possibly came to visit only one sporting event, they ended up watching many more. This meant there was a lot of additional interest shown in many of the different sports and events, whose exhibitors happily fielded questions and offered insights into their particular field.”

spectrum of the convention centre’s services and facilities. “The Sandton Convention Centre is becoming accustomed to hosting major international events – but this one had added challenges related to accommodating more than 11 000 athletes and participants, as well as their support structures and, of course, the thousands of visitors. We are delighted that we were able to present an event that met the unprecedented demands and expectations on our resources. We are also thrilled that we will once again be hosting the Arnold Classic in May 2017 – and we look forward to greater participation and larger spectator numbers. A warm SCC congratulations to Michelle and Wayne Price for organising such a successful ‘first time in Africa’ sporting festival,” concludes Debra.

The Prices note that Arnold and the international partners are extremely happy with the festival’s results and say that the South African team has more than met their expectations.

PROUD AND CAPABLE HOSTS Debra notes that this was a brand-new experience for South Africa and that the Sandton Convention Centre was proud to host such a world-class and widely entertaining event. Practically every section of the venue’s 22 000 m2 of flexible event space was used during the Arnold Classic, as well as a full

+27 (0)11 779 0000 l scc.info@tsogosun.com saconvention.co.za

www.theplanner.guru

ABOUT THE ARNOLD CLASSIC The Arnold Classic was launched 27 years ago in Ohio, USA, by legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger (after whom the event is named) and his partner Jim Lorimer. It features a range of sporting codes that include strongman and bodybuilding events, martial arts, dancing, chess, table tennis, softball, baseball, cycling, aerobics, and many others. Arnold Classic Sports Festivals take place annually in the USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and now also in South Africa and Malaysia.

5

REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT THE SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

1 LOCATION The SCC is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms, is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment sites and provides 10 600 secure parking bays. It offers easy access to O.R. Tambo International Airport and the Sandton Gautrain station.

2 UNLIMITED POTENTIAL With over

22 000 m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space, the SCC, which was designed to international standards, is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.

3 TECHNOLOGY The SCC offers some

of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on the four main levels and up to 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time.

4 HIGHLY-TRAINED STAFF Expect a

high standard of service from the staff who are there to provide you with support services.

5 CATERING There is always a wide

variety of food available and the menus are innovative. The chefs will often use their initiative to add an extra something to the mix.

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MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

7

EZEMVELO KZN WILDLIFE CONFERENCE CENTRES

A CONVERGENCE OF BUSINESS AND ADVENTURE

8 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

www.theplanner.guru

Let Ideas Expand Beyond the Office We have the freshest of air, an abundance of wildlife, the best adventure tracks and trails, breathtaking sights and scenery, but most importantly, we have conference centres in these magnificent tranquil surroundings.

Didima Conference centre accommodates delegates from 120 classroom style, 60 U-shape style to 120 seated cinema style configuration.

Ntshondwe Conference centre offers a cinema style seating arrangement for up to 140, a lecture style for 90 or a single U-shaped for 45 delegates.

Ntshondwe’s two breakaway rooms offers a cinema style seating arrangement for 30, lecture style for 18 and single U-shape for 16 delegates. Both Conference facilities offer various accommodation options, are fully serviced and can comfortably be adapted from one-day events to multi-day workshops.

Ntshondwe Conference Centre & Wedding Venue: (034) 983 2540 Ithala Game Reserve

Didima Conference Centre & Wedding Venue: (036) 488 8000 Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site Giant’s Castle Wedding Venue: (036) 353 3718 Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site Hilltop Resort Wedding Venue: (035) 562 0848 Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Make your big day perfect with unlimited privacy, breathtaking scenery, birdlife, wildlife, scenic trails, comfortable accommodation, delicious food and personalised service.

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Central Reservations: 033 845 1000 w w w.kznwildlife.com

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

9

F O C U S O N • Y e a r- e n d e v e n t s

Festive Before we know it, the silly season will be upon us, bringing with it a slew of corporate year ends. Meetings asks the experts how to create memorable year-end events.

D

ECOR, ENTERTAINMENT AND AV requirements

may be some of the biggest and most challenging components that you will face as an event planner. Knowing what to look out for and what to include in your brief to your venue and suppliers is paramount.

Always get three different quotes for your suppliers; it also helps to see what the suppliers have done in the past. Don’t be afraid to call the references to make sure they have done the work they say they have.

DID YOU KNOW? You can create wonderful lighting and themes with a few simple par can lights scattered around the venue and behind your entertainment.

It can really liven up a standard venue.

any changes that may occur. If you will be having a band at the event, check if they will be bringing all their own equipment. If not, make sure that they supply you with their technical rider, so you know what you are expected to supply. Some of the most commonly requested items from corporate clients for their year-end functions are either popular recording artists or DJs. Booking these already busy performers during peak season requires timely planning.

THE BOTTOM LINE Budget is always important when it comes to an event, no matter how big or small. Clients want the very best on a shoe-string budget. It’s amazing how you can trim the budget when you pool your resources. Working together

MEET THE EXPERTS What is your top tip for successful year ends?

LOUD AND CLEAR Once your venue has been confirmed, book your AV supplier, and do a site inspection with them. By doing this, you will secure the AV equipment you need for your event. The AV supplier will also need to see the loading area in order to be able to manage the logistics required for bringing the equipment into the venue. If you need to get structural and electrical certificates of compliance, ensure that you do this timeously.

Remember to keep your AV supplier up to date with

10 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

Be sure that your decor company always has extra decor pieces in case guests who did not RSVP show up on the day and another table (or two) needs to be prepared at the last minute. Augustine Masilela-Chuene, owner of Fabulous Weddings and Events

For fresh and cost-effective solutions for your events, keep your eyes peeled throughout the year for ideas and brainstorm with your team and suppliers.

Create an environment that allows for out-of-the-box thinking. Irene Hattingh, owner of Irene Hattingh Management Services

Do a full floor layout to ensure that tables, the dance floor and buffet station will all fit in the room. Playing tetris during event set-up is stressful for not only you, but for suppliers too. And please feed the technical crew.

Musa Tshapela, owner of Mevana AV

www.theplanner.guru

with suppliers is very important, as they are an integral part of the team. Maintaining great relationships with suppliers who go the extra mile is critically important. It’s always about relationships and leveraging on them.

Always try to book your AV equipment, decor items and entertainment as far in advance as possible. This will allow you more time to negotiate price. Booking the day before can hurt your budget.

Using local suppliers means that you will not be charged for the extra travel and accommodation. Try sourcing as many of your items as possible from one supplier, cutting down on multiple set-up and delivery costs. Using one supplier also gives you the opportunity to negotiate a better price for your client. Often, clients try to reduce costs by handling the invitations and RSVPs by themselves but end up mismanaging this integral part of the event because they are not aware of the intricacies that are involved.

Assisting your client with RSVP management can alleviate any problems. If budget is an issue, offer to brief them on the way to manage this – a separate email address so they don’t get lost in a host of other emails, and proper capturing (this includes spelling) of names and surnames for place cards , among others.

Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, situated in the Cape Winelands, offers luxurious hotel accommodation and a truly unique winelands hotel experience.

This luxury Hotel features 63 en-suite, elegantly finished rooms and suites, and two lavish villas. Each boasts breath-taking views over either the towering Franschhoek Mountains, or manicured gardens.

Le Franschhoek Hotel is elegantly portrayed in their fine dining eatery – Dish Restaurant. Offering diners an opportunity to indulge in a scrumptious a’ la Carte menu, this Franschhoek restaurant is complimented by warm service, and picturesque placement. The menu is seasonal and under direction of Executive Head Chef, and experienced gastronome, Scott Shepherd.

MAKING THE BIGGEST SPLASH Each organisation is different. It is, therefore, important to work with your client to find a theme that suits their organisation, its objective and its people.

The most popular types of year-end functions currently are team building or a group activity followed by lunch or dinner, as well as hosting the event at the company’s premises. This is usually a late afternoon event with entertainment and something different and fun on the side. Games or themes help to spice up the event.

For the perfect year-end function, there needs to be a lot of pre-planning and you need to be innovative, think creatively and follow good lines of communication.

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MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

In addition, it is an ideal destination for a team building, corporate function or even a fairy tale wedding, boasting 5 world class conference venues, seating from 20 to 120 delegates.

GET IN TOUCH EMAIL: reservations@lefranschhoek.co.za l CALL: +27 (0) 21 876 8900 16 MINOR RD, FRANSCHHOEK

11

www.lefranschhoek.co.za

F O C U S O N • Y e a r- e n d e v e n t s

SUCCESSFUL

YEAR-END

EVENTS

The pressure is on to create jaw-dropping events that'll be talked about long after the fact. Terry Sutherland shares her four top tips to ensure that your corporate year-end functions are a success

1

2

3

countless times: leaving the planning process until a few short weeks before the scheduled event only ever results in disastrous affairs. The best end-of-year bashes are those that have been meticulously planned far in advance. Guests are bombarded with invitations in November and December, which means that if your event doesn't stand out from the myriad of other corporate year-end functions no doubt happening on the same day, you'll be left with dismal attendance rates. One way of ensuring that your event is well attended is to go against the status quo and have it before the official start of the silly season. Planning a year-end function that takes place in late September or October is a great way of guaranteeing that the guests who count make an appearance. If your client is set on having their end-of-year function during peak event season, ensure that you send out save the dates well in advance (preferably, at the beginning of the year).

Unfortunately, guests are fickle and will pick the event that entices them the most, even if they've already committed to another function. While a save the date sent timeously is a good foundation for your event's success, the anticipation you build around the event will be the deciding factor between a full house and a party for one.

Positioning your year-end function as a not-to-missed affair hinges on having secured the best venue, catering and entertainment, as well as frequent communication with guests prior to the event.

thing guests want from corporate year-end functions?

A chance to let their hair down. Unlike other corporate events you hold throughout the year, the end-of-year bash needs to be a celebration.

The last thing guests want is to have to sit through a two-hour presentation or listen to a talk on the brand's success. Shift the focus from the company to the clients (the guests), and treat this function as a light-hearted, festive affair.

PLAN AHEAD This happens

12 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

FREQUENT COMMUNICATION

BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN The number one

4

IT IS ALL ABOUT SIZE More and more clients are choosing intimate, smaller corporate year-end functions over the traditional, largescale extravaganzas. In order to provide their guests with a personal experience, many clients are eschewing big year-end parties and, instead, holding smaller events that are far more personal. Luncheons, wine tasting and high teas are ideal replacements, and facilitate brand acknowledgement and advocacy due to their exclusive nature. Companies who opt for smaller soirees for their VIP clients tend to throw bigger bashes for staff members, where the chance of an inebriated employee embarrassing the brand is entirely avoided.

TERRY SUTHERLAND is the founder of The RSVP Agency and has extensive experience in the development of RSVP solutions for clients across industries.

www.theplanner.guru

LET’S CELEBRATE THE END OF A GOOD YEAR. Book your festive year-end lunch or private dinner function packaged from R360 per person for lunch and R395 per person for dinner. Includes welcome drink and venue hire, minimum of 30 people.

Or book your year-end lunch or dinner at our Fresh Restaurant and don’t pay any venue hire! Packages from R275 per person including welcome drink and our festive decor, minimum 10 people.

Crowne Plaza Johannesburg - The Rosebank Corner Tyrwhitt & Sturdee Avenues, Rosebank, Johannesburg conferencingmanager@therosebank.co.za THEROSEBANK.CO.ZA www.theplanner.guru

@CrownePlazaJHB

Crowne Plaza Johannesburg The Rosebank

CALL: +27 (0)11 448 3600

13

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016reserved.

• Terms and conditions apply. ©2013 IHG. All rights Most hotels are independently owned and operated.

One of the most beautiful qualities of true hospitality is to understand and be understood.

Eat with us, meet with us and stay with us.

Find us at 120 Western Service Road, Woodmead, Sandton, South Africa.

Tel: +27 11 804 3777 • Fax: +27 11 802 1004 www.cedarwoods.co.za • info@cedarwoods.co.za

F O C U S O N • Y e a r- e n d e v e n t s

IT’S YOUR

PARTY STYLISH YEAR-END FUNCTIONS AT

CedarWoods Like it or not, we’re already halfway through 2016 – so why not make an early start and let CedarWoods of Sandton customise a seamless year-end function to suit your needs?

C

ONVENIENTLY LOCATED in Woodmead, near the

Sandton central business district, this familyowned destination offers the comfort of a hotel, restaurant and conference venue in a single location.

A CedarWoods shuttle will collect out-of-town staff flying in from the Marlboro Gautrain station. On arrival at the hotel, welcome cocktails around the pool will set the mood for the evening’s entertainment.

After checking in to their comfortable, modern accommodation, guests will have the opportunity to freshen up ahead of an elegant dinner at your choice of venue.

BESPOKE SOLUTIONS CedarWoods has nine conference venues available to subtly shift the evening’s focus. Once the formalities are over, your clients are free to enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. The next morning, they will be served a generous full English breakfast before departure.

With an invitation to “Eat with us, meet with us, stay with us”, the venue can accommodate 450 year-end function guests. However, if your client prefers a small gathering with a few key people and a more personal offering, skip the frills and formalities and focus instead on an intimate dinner setting with menu to match.

It’s CedarWoods’s flexibility and willingness to create bespoke solutions to suit each client’s needs that makes

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this environmentally friendly establishment an obvious choice to end the year on a high note.

Marielle Du Toit, sales and marketing manager, elaborates: “We are a bunch of ‘yes’ people and pride ourselves on being as super-accommodating as possible.

Our menu flexibility and multiple offerings – hotel, restaurant and conferencing – mean we can always come up with a customised solution to suit any particular need.”

PERSONAL TOUCH The personalised service begins with a dedicated function coordinator taking ownership of each event, from booking confirmation to the departure of the last guest. This affords event organisers the convenience of a single point of contact.

The personal touch doesn’t end there. Fresh flowers from the garden add a homely touch to each room, and the chefs will accommodate special dietary requirements.

If you prefer more structure, no problem – CedarWoods also has fixed packages for you to choose from.

The newly renovated accommodation ranges from single to sumptuous superior deluxe rooms in townhouse-style apartments with views of the countrystyle gardens.

CedarWoods also offers 24-hour security, parking for 400 cars, conferencing facilities for 700 delegates, Level 2 BBBEE compliance and a three-star rating.

CHOOSE FROM FIVE BANQUET OPTIONS, ranging from the Select Package at R325.50 per person to the Connoisseurs’ Package at R545 per head.

The options are increasingly comprehensive, culminating in an all-inclusive venue, staff, decor, menu, dance floor, DJ and lighting deal that covers everything.

Foodwise, a wide selection of starters, roasts and grills, curries and casseroles, salads and desserts can be mixed and matched to suit all tastes and budgets.

If your brief is for a themed evening with menu to match, the only limit is your creativity. From African-style evenings featuring shisanyama, pap and tripe, to Bollywood-style cuisine with butter chicken and rotis, the CedarWoods team loves a challenge.

Excluding food and drink, you’re welcome to bring in outsourced suppliers – from your own party planner and entertainers to decor or a magician… it's your party.

Make your reservation before the end of August to benefit from early booking incentives such as free welcome cocktails and overnight stays for organisers, as well as discounted overnight packages.

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

15

BIG INTERVIEW

Behind the powerhouse In the events management industry, they say you are only as good as your last event, and there is a lot of truth in this. Estelle Lötter is clearly doing something right, as her company celebrates 25 years in the industry this year.

THOSE WHO KNOW ESTELLE, know that passion, attention to detail and professionalism are the essence of her personal commitment to her clients. These values are also threaded through her work and the way she manages her business, Ripcord Promotions.

“As they used to say in the A Team, ‘I love it when a plan comes together’. For me, the most rewarding and exciting thing about events is seeing happy delegates, many of whom come and thank us for a wonderful experience. That makes all the hard work worthwhile,” says Estelle.

PART OF THE TEAM Estelle often jokes about being a control freak but, in this industry, it’s a well-known fact that being on the ball and able to jump between multiple projects and dozens of client requests is a skill that is highly valued and prized.

“Each client is entitled to the undivided attention and dedication that has become a hallmark of Ripcord’s service offering,” explains Estelle. All of Ripcord Promotions’ efforts are focused on the experiences it produces for its attendees, which means the personal touch plays a pivotal role.

“This explains why so many clients keep coming back for more. Many of our clients give us repeat business, which means that we can establish relationships with the delegates, as well as the client and suppliers, and understand their preferences in any number of aspects – from the hotel and room type they like to stay in, to the golf course they like to play on.”

Many of Estelle’s clients see her as part of the team and appreciate that she always goes the extra mile to ensure that their events are a success.

“While we have contracts and a list of things to do for them, they know that we will do what needs to be done, regardless of whether it is part of our duties. For instance, I have been known to write copy for websites, even when my role is limited to proofreading someone else's copy.”

MULTISKILLED Being a great events manager means that you must be able to multitask and cope under immense pressure. “Attention to detail is critical in the execution of successful events, to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Along with that, a good dose of patience, and a thick skin also help.

An event manager has to be a project manager, computer boffin, and sometimes a psychic, because some attendees expect us to know what they want without them telling us,” says Estelle.

THINKING OUT OF THE BOX All of these defining characteristics proved crucial for an event Estelle organised in 2010. The Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland had erupted and, in the process, halted most air travel out of Europe.

16 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

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ABOUT #ONESTOPSHOP RIPCORD PROMOTIONS “Our keynote speaker for the Monday morning was on the daylight flight from London to Johannesburg, to arrive on Sunday evening, in time for his presentation the next day. At about 08:30 on Sunday morning, he called to say that his flight had been cancelled due to the volcanic ash over Europe and he would not be able to travel,” Estelle reminisces.

After a few deep breaths and some creative thinking, thanks to the amazing, professional technical crew on-site, Estelle and her team were able to make arrangements for him to join the conference via Skype from his office in London. Had level heads not been kept, this could easily have derailed an otherwise successful event.

CHALLENGE? NO PROBLEM For many event planners, this event experience may be listed as the most challenging of their career. This is not the case for Estelle.

She won a tender for a provincial government event in 1997. It had a very short lead time and, at the time of responding to the RFP, Estelle was unaware that an informal invitation process had already begun and some acceptances were already confirmed.

“We designed a beautiful invitation that contained my contact details, and people started responding. A few days before the event, they sent me their list of acceptances, which I then dovetailed with mine. Once we started registering on-site, it became clear that the names we had been given contained many errors, duplicates and omissions. Instead of 400 delegates, we were closer to 500,” says Estelle.

It took some pretty fancy footwork to set up more seating in the conference room and advise the venue of the increase in catering numbers. Besides the registration fiasco, her client had rejected the costing proposal to produce the material for the delegates expected – 400 manuals of 400 pages each.

They decided to do it themselves.

“At 16:00 on the afternoon before the event, the client called to say that their photocopier had packed up, and ask if we could still produce the manual. A reliable supplier worked through the night and delivered the material on-site the next day, shortly after the start of the conference,” says Estelle.

This was one of the occasions that the day was saved by committed, reliable suppliers. And, after all those initial hiccups, Estelle regards this event as one of her most successful .

MOVING WITH THE TIMES Obviously, having been in the game for a while, Estelle knows more than most that the industry is constantly changing and evolving. Keeping

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up with the changes equals staying ahead of the game. One of Ripcord Promotions’ biggest changes over the past 25 years has been in technology. There is now an app for almost everything, and this means that distance has been placed between the event players – the PCOs and delegates particularly. It has removed the personal touch in many cases.

“When I started doing association conferences 20 years ago, delegates used to fill out forms, fax them to our office, and we would process them manually and then fax the invoice and confirmation back. Now, it is all done online, with limited manual intervention,” says Estelle.

All good and well, but client service and that face-to-face interaction is still important, even in this highly technological age. Ripcord Promotions ensures that clients still receive that personal attention, hands-on approach and creative, innovative solutions.

Each client is entitled to the undivided attention and dedication that has become a hallmark of Ripcord’s service offering

QUALIFIED FOR SUCCESS Estelle also qualified as a Certified Meetings Professional (CMP) in 2009. This has helped her up her game in a cutthroat industry.

She believes that qualifications, of whatever nature, set one apart from the rest. She does, however, add that having a degree or certificate doesn't mean that you can do a job better than the next person, but it does indicate that you are keeping yourself current and educated in your field.

The CMP course is a tough and demanding one, and qualification standards are high.

Obtaining this qualification certainly sets you at the very top level in the meetings and events industry worldwide.

Estelle notes, regrettably, that CMP does not have the same profile in South Africa as it does abroad. That is about to change and it is important if one wants to do business with clients beyond our borders. It certainly says something about you if you are a CMP. Being recognised as one of the Top 40 Women in MICE in 2015, as well as being inducted in to SAACI’s Hall of Honour, has also

Ripcord Promotions was started in 1991

by Estelle and a partner, who left the company shortly thereafter. After working in the corporate market for the first few years, the company started doing smaller association conferences, which has now become almost the exclusive focus, albeit that the size of the events has grown.

The very first conference was a strategic planning meeting for six people, and a more recent one was over 1 200 for an association. Estelle project manages all conferences and events run by Ripcord, and this includes a full turnkey event management service.

lent itself to increasing Estelle and Ripcord Promotions’ visibility and reputation. Estelle is truly a doyenne of this industry.

SOME ADVICE What would Estelle say to individuals wanting to pursue a career in event management?

Everyone has to start somewhere, and because there are no real barriers to entry to the events industry, her advice to newcomers is to read, research and learn as much as possible. Make sure that you fully understand the service you wish to provide, and how to set yourself apart from the rest.

“Not everyone wants to be a full-service PCO. However, because there are so many who are not, it is a potential gap, although it does come with a lot of responsibilities. There are many courses available for new entrants to educate themselves and make sure that they understand the full scope of what is expected.

But always remember that this is theory and there is no substitute for experience,” explains Estelle. “Also recognise your limitations and don't take on projects you are not able to deliver successfully - that is debilitating for client, PCO and all concerned”.

A TRUE TESTAMENT Ripcord Promotions has been pulling strings for the last 25 years and there is no doubt that it will continue doing so for many years, thanks to the unshakeable resolve and dedication to improving client and attendee experiences that Estelle is known for.

+27 (0)11 482 2835 l estelle@ripcord.za.com ripcord.za.com Ripcord Promotions

Estelle Lotter

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

17

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WOMEN IN MICE

Dynamic dames The Top 40 Women in MICE for 2016 are inspiring, innovating, and igniting the industry.

T

HREE YEARS AGO, Martin Hiller, editor

of Meetings, had an idea. He wanted to acknowledge hardworking event professionals as he felt that, as an industry, we don’t often reflect on our achievements and pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.

Added to this, is that various research reports have revealed that the percentage of women in top management positions in South Africa is still inadequate.

The Top 40 Women in MICE was born out of a need to recognise the important role women play in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry. Today, this initiative plays an important role in providing a platform that motivates, inspires, and supports women in the industry to achieve both personal and professional goals. It also connects women in the industry to leverage their reach and resources,

creating a global community of economically empowered women. This is a tall order and finding these phenomenal women is no easy task. This industry is filled with dedicated, passionate and innovative individuals. Based on reader nominations and follow-up research, we considered everything from the ability to motivate those you work with and the influence you have over your peers and clients, to the amount of money you generate, or simply the passion you have for the industry.

When looking at this year’s top 40 women, we are reminded of this quote, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” The following 40 women know this and that is why they are the best in their respective fields. To the Top 40 Women for 2016, Meetings salutes you.

BRONWEN GOGLE

CARLA ROSSOUW

Director at Africa Event Xcellence Event planner

Owner of Vespasian Consulting Event planner

Bronwen has honed her skills to the point where she can manage each and every element of meetings, conferences or event projects from the original creative concept all the way through to on-site management and post-event evaluation.

This attention to detail allows her to manage diverse projects, ranging from a few, high-powered corporate executives meeting at a bush lodge through to thousands of delegates at one of South Africa’s world-class convention centres.

Having been in the events industry for more than 20 years, Bronwen has exceptional knowledge about the industry and will always go the extra mile to achieve her clients’ goals and outcomes.

She enjoys networking with people from whom she can learn and grow.

FAST FACT Bronwen’s first job in the events industry was in the Banqueting Department at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in 1984.

20 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

Effectiveness and efficiency are at the core of everything an event planner does.

Coupling these with integrity, high energy levels and an ability to think on your feet, any and all situations are taken care of swiftly. Carla understands this; now in her 12th year in the industry, she has grown from strength to strength. Carla has long-standing relationships with her clients and has managed a wide variety of conferences and events. She also creates bespoke incentive travel experiences. Carla travels locally and internationally, constantly visiting venues, writing reviews, attending travel workshops, exhibitions and local and international trade fairs to stay abreast of emerging trends and fabulous destinations.

FAST FACT Carla started her professional career in HR management and seized an opportunity in 2004 to become involved in the business events industry. She serves as an executive member of the PCO Alliance Network.

ANDY APPALSAMY Managing director of Old Shanghai Events Company Event planner Event management is in the top five of the most stressful careers – you really have to live, sleep and eat events in order to be successful at it.

Andy is passionate about her company, her people and loves what she does. She runs her business with complete integrity and transparency, which is why most of her clients have been with her for over a decade. Andy quickly builds relationships with people and displays good ethics, accountability and innovation in her thinking. She is a good mentor, providing staff with life coaching as well as performance skills. Andy leads from the front but is not afraid to work alongside staff and be a part of the team.

FAST FACT In the last 12 months, Andy has lost over 25 kg while managing the daily demands of her company, not to mention being a wife and mom to two children and three very demanding fur kids.

CAROLINE GREYVENSTIEN Regional event manager: South Africa, Africa & UAE for Bloomberg LP Event planner Caroline has a knack for detail in all that she does. She is a methodical self-starter, who is able to multitask and match her skills with an event’s overall strategy and goals. Caroline is able to deliver on projects and is great with client interaction at all levels.

She ensures that all the finer details are planned for and that her clients, whether internal or external, experience the best possible service. Caroline’s professionalism and commitment are unquestionable. She displays excellent creativity and always has fresh, innovative ideas that set her events apart. Caroline’s passion is to challenge the impossible. She is always willing to offer her assistance and has an excellent relationship with many clients and suppliers.

FAST FACT Caroline has played a pivotal role in events involving President Jacob Zuma, British prime minister David Cameron and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

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#40WIM

CELESTE WHITAKER

CLAIRE ALEXANDER

Managing member of Fizz Marketing Event Planner

Co-founder of Firecracker Event planner

After nine years and various positions within the TML Reed portfolio, as well as a brief stint at an exhibition consulting business, Celeste decided to harness the experience she’d built up over the years to form her own company. In 2000, Fizz Marketing was born. Sixteen years later, the company has grown from strength to strength and now expertly manages corporate occasions for both large and small companies. Celeste has developed a rapport with clients and believes that personalised and detailed service is what makes events remarkable. Whether you want to make a marketing statement or host a memorable event, Celeste has the experience, expertise, contacts, patience and passion to make it happen.

FAST FACT Celeste began her career in the events industry in 1991, starting out as the office administrator of Computer Faire, which was South Africa’s largest Information and Technology exhibition at the time.

FAST FACT Claire trains in mixed martial arts, which keeps her super fit for a demanding event industry. She has one "child" – a pitbull terrier called Douglas.

GILL MARTINI

HESTELLE ROBINSON

Owner of Phambili African Events Event planner

Exhibition manager for Homemakers Exhibition planner

Gill’s expert strategic planning, renowned organisational skills and knowledge of international protocol have all played an integral part in the success of the highprofile events she has been involved in.

She has highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with an excellent ability to motivate and lead teams in line with the strategic vision and corporate goals of her clients. With over 30 years of experience, Gill is committed to growing the industry, ensuring the highest levels of corporate governance, professionalism and ethics.

FAST FACT Gill was appointed to project-manage global events such as the inauguration of former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, the highly successful COP17 held in Durban, heads of state visits by former US president Bill Clinton, Queen Elizabeth, former French president Jacques Chirac, and former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

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Claire originally hails from Scotland, where she earned an honours degree in marketing and company law from Strathclyde University Business School in Glasgow. After graduating, Claire followed her heart to explore new horizons, which strengthened her love for culture and people. She has held various roles in the UK, USA and Australia before immigrating to South Africa in 2007.

Claire brings a wealth of experience to managing high-profile events for agencies, charities and corporates. Whether it’s a celebration, ceremony or campaign, she has managed them all. With her well-earned reputation as a hands-on and personable event manager, Claire leads her event team and supplier network with real passion and enormous energy.

CORNÉ ENGELBRECHT Executive event manager at Conference Consultancy SA Event planner Energetic and highly motivated, Corné has extensive experience in the industry. One of her greatest skills is that she is a great listener who takes in lots of ideas, input and advice, and then acts on it. Corné knows that the true purpose of an event is to achieve your client’s goals and deliver the best experience to the intended audience.

This is why she is constantly educating herself about all the various aspects of event management. Corné strives to ensure a pleasant organising experience for all concerned, from her suppliers to her clients. One of her strengths is that she provides clients with post-event evaluation reports – including successes, learning points and opportunities – for each event, in order to illustrate a ROI for future event planning. Corné’s versatile experience and meticulous attention to detail are why clients keeping coming back to her.

FAST FACT Corné is a Certified Meeting Professional.

JOANNE HOLROYD Senior programme manager: Incentives for Tourvest IME Event/incentive planner

Hestelle is known as much for her sense of humour as her dedication – two character traits that secured the company's reputation as South Africa's biggest home enhancement exhibition group and premier home lifestyle event. She started her Homemakers career in 2001 as the PR manager and then headed up the Digital Department. At the end of 2011, she decided to take a break to focus on her family. After a four-year hiatus, she returned to Homemakers as the exhibition manager. Hestelle is passionate, honest, ambitious, tough on herself and others, has a wicked sense of humour and is slightly stubborn – traits that are needed to be successful in this ever-changing industry.

Having been in the industry for 20 years, Joanne is all about creativity and relationships. Creativity is the life blood of the industry, and she strives to find innovative ways to present the incentive programmes she is involved in. This industry is run on relationships, which are key in everything Joanne does. Anyone can sell a hotel room, a conference room, or a product, but it is the relationships built around that, that make incentives and events run smoothly.

Preferring to get her hands dirty running programmes, Joanne’s mantra is: “You don’t need to always lead from the front,” and many people in the industry have her to thank for their mentoring and training.

FAST FACT Hestelle denies that she is a workaholic, stating: “It's perfectly normal to work 12hour days and watch TV with your laptop open and smartphone next to you – isn't that what everyone does?”

FAST FACT In the last 12 months, Joanne ran two sets of back-to-back incentive trips. She was on the road for over six weeks – multiple hotels, countries, time zones and passengers, and all done with a smile.

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WOMEN IN MICE

LAUREN TSIE-NKOMO Events director at Black Pepper Management Event planner

LESLEY WATERKEYN Founder and CEO of Colourworks Event planner

LIEZEL SHORT Project events manager at Red Hot Events Event planner

With over 10 years’ international events management experience, Lauren has the expertise, talent and passion to deliver unforgettable events. From conceptualisation to successful execution and reporting, she delivers solutions that embrace her clients’ brand. Nothing pleases Lauren more than providing her clients with the opportunity to connect with their customers through events.

There is no such thing as second best or compromise when it comes to client expectations. She is a hard worker with an extremely positive attitude and outlook.

Lauren is known for thinking on her feet and coming up with creative solutions.

For Lauren, creating amazing event experiences is what she lives for.

Lesley is a natural rainmaker whose generous and infectious entrepreneurial spirit uplifts and inspires others to do more than they imagined possible. Over the past 18 years, she has steered the transformation of Colourworks from a small print agency to a fully integrated marketing agency, specialising in strategic brand experiences.

A lifelong learner and active member of the world’s largest peer-to-peer entrepreneurial network, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, Lesley is passionate about unlocking the potential of Africa’s young people. She is also the co-founder of Over the Rainbow, a social enterprise that empowers young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and connections that will enable them to succeed.

For Liezel, the devil is in the detail. She is a perfectionist who is obsessed with creating exceptional events. She prides herself on the unparalleled relationships she has built with suppliers, venues, service providers, operators and, most importantly, her clients. Liezel is skilled in dealing with problems in a resourceful manner and negotiating to achieve beneficial agreement. She is known for providing creative solutions and innovative ideas, as well as her meticulous management of client budgets, allowing long-lasting relationships to be formed. Liezel is versatile, analytical and hardworking, with a practical, handson approach. She always perseveres to achieve the best results.

FAST FACT Lauren has managed and executed successful events in over 25 countries in Africa, the USA, Europe and the Middle East.

FAST FACT Among many other accolades, Lesley was recently an Africa’s Women of Influence 2015 finalist and 2015 Fairlady Women of the Future (South Africa).

FAST FACT Liezel holds a BMil Hons in Security and Africa Studies, with a strong focus on SADC peacekeeping operations from the University of Stellenbosch.

LIEZLE BOTHMA Show director at Conker Exhibitions Exhibition planner To make it in this industry, you need to be prepared for hard work and long hours.

Something Liezle knows all too well. With over 21 years’ experience, having worked both at an exhibition venue and exhibition company, she has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Liezle is passionate about each expo that she organises. She provides well-designed and efficiently managed exhibitions that provide good value to visitors, and result in positive returns for her clients, exhibitors and sponsors. Over the past eight years, Liezle has worked on a variety of expos, ranging from running and cycling, bridal and motoring to home and leisure expos.

FAST FACT Liezle was part of the opening team of the Durban ICC in 1997 and was part of the team that managed the Durban Exhibition Centre from 2001. This is where her real love for the exhibitions industry began.

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NATALIE KENSLEY

PROJENI PATHER

Research, marketing and sales manager for The Conference Company Event planner

Founder and managing director of Exposure Marketing Exhibition/event planner

Besides being known for her attention to detail, dedication, commitment and great organisational skills, Natalie’s ability to solve any crisis underpins why many clients trust her and The Conference Company with their events. Having been involved in the industry for over 18 years, she is a constant source of new ideas and suggestions, as she knows what works. Natalie thrives on challenges and failure is not an option for her. Everything she does is done with integrity and passion. Natalie is an excellent communicator, able to multitask and handle duties under tight deadlines and pressure.

Natalie exudes positive energy that inspires those around her, which acts as the catalyst for successful events.

As a devoted mother of two, former teacher and marketing specialist, Projeni combined her extensive skill set and motherly intuition to create what would grow to become Southern Africa’s largest pregnancy and parenting exhibition – MamaMagic, The Baby Expo. Passionate about what has become Africa’s largest baby and parent exhibition, Projeni’s enthusiasm and energy rub off on everyone working around her. The idea for MamaMagic came from her own frustration at the lack of readily available information, resources and products on pregnancy and parenting. Only a visionary dream-chaser like Projeni could turn a small idea into a profitable and growing business.

FAST FACT Natalie was awarded the Personality of the Year award for 2012 by SAACI. In 2014 and 2015, she was awarded the EXSA Best Supplier Project Management Employee award.

FAST FACT Launched in 2004, Projeni has grown MamaMagic into the biggest and most informative exhibition of its kind, reaching over 110 000 visitors annually – with two expos in Johannesburg and one in Durban and Cape Town each year.

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#40WIM

SUE AERTS Managing director TS&A Events Event planner Using imagination, passion and the driving force of creative excellence, Sue pushes her creative boundaries and skills to make events seem effortless. Her extensive experience and career in the events industry have resulted in her reputation as a cando professional. She has managed and produced many high-profile events over the years, and is respected and trusted by her clients. Sue has juggled numerous events simultaneously without dropping the ball, always making each client feel like they are her only client. Her abilities to delegate effectively and keep a level head, as well as a good sense of humour, have been key to making the impossible possible, by creating the teamwork that makes magic happen.

FAST FACT Sue has worked through the night to put a playlist together for a client who decided, at the last minute, that each awardee should have their own song played while receiving their award.

ZODWA MSIMANG Managing member of Ikhono Communications Event planner Zodwa is committed to continuous professional development and strives to keep abreast of the ever-changing dynamics of the industry. After starting her operations with a small local client base, over 15 years ago, she now has three fully operational branches (Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town), servicing high-end corporate functions, large-scale international professional conferences and intricate exhibitions. Zodwa inspires and motivates her team and those around her to continually achieve their goals. She believes in exceeding her clients’ expectations by offering quality, flair and creativity, while being prompt, efficient and professional.

FAST FACT Zodwa employs 75% of young women from disadvantaged backgrounds. With the intention of improving the quality of their lives, she provides promising young employees with an opportunity to further their studies.

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SUE MARILLIER

VIVIENE BARBERIS

Managing director of Sue Marillier & Associates Event planner

General manager of Cardinal MICE Event/incentive planner

Sue is passionate, hardworking and very capable – three qualities that are vital but not always easily found in the events industry.

They are the pillars of her success, though by no means her only attributes. Sue is blessed with creativity, inspirational leadership and an ability to manage the details without getting bogged down in them. Sue is very positive, motivational to be around and has bags of can-do attitude. Those who have worked with Sue know that the magic doesn't always lie in the budget, but in what you do with your budget. She focuses on those things that make your event go from “wow” to spectacular. Things get done with Sue around and they invariably get done exceptionally well. For Sue, actions speak louder than words.

FAST FACT Living by the mantra, “Inspiration is random; creativity is premeditated,” Sue’s limitless thinking has been the backbone of a career spanning over two decades.

AGNES NTOMBELA Operations manager at SAACI Association When one thinks of Agnes, a Maya Angelou quote comes to mind, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Having been with the association for over five years, Agnes is a friendly, familiar face at SAACI. She is an energetic, ambitious person who has developed a mature and responsible approach to any task that she undertakes, or situation that she is presented with. Agnes is always willing to jump in and provide support to the SAACI team and its members.

She is adept at managing multiple, diverse tasks simultaneously and works well under pressure. Agnes positive outlook motivates those around her.

FAST FACT Before Agnes found her home at SAACI, she was the sales coordinator for Hilton Sandton, conference coordinator for Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, as well as for Emperors Palace.

Viviene has won over numerous clients due to her in-depth knowledge, hands-on approach and sincerity. Clients have come to trust, respect and seek out her advice, suggestions and project management ability.

Certain clients go so far as to completely hand over their events and conferences – in their entirety – safe in the knowledge that Viviene and her team will deliver solutions that exceed expectations. Beyond the planning and management requirements, her enjoyment for delivering personal and creative decor solutions shines through. The ability to impress with her own signature designs and themes, as unique as the clients themselves, provides Viviene with immense pride and satisfaction in completing the perfect event or occasion.

FAST FACT In 2015, Viviene was a finalist in the 702 Sage One Small Business Awards. The awards programme honours small businesses that consistently achieve success in their respective industries.

CAROL WEAVING Chairperson of the Association of African Exhibition Organisers Association Spanning over 30 years, Carol’s career has expanded through many sectors within the industry, and her knowledge and expertise spans across marketing, exhibition management, events, conferences as well as venue and facility management. With her proven ability to innovate and lead big teams, Carol brings a unique and unstoppable force to the teams she manages. A strategist at heart, Carol delights in growing both personally and professionally, as well as empowering her team to reach new heights and develop their own path to success. Those closest to Carol can bear testimony to her commitment to living out her daily mantra, carpe diem, to the full.

Carol is also on the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) committee and is a past chairperson of EXSA. FAST FACT Carol is also the managing director of Thebe Reed Exhibitions – one of the largest and most successful exhibition and venue management companies in Southern Africa.

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

23

WOMEN IN MICE

CHRISTELLE VAN ZYL Marketing executive at Unlimited Events Group Service provider Decor at an event is necessary for setting the mood, framing the emotion and underscoring the importance of the event.

Christelle understands this, and has made it her mission to transform ordinary events into memorable experiences. When dealing with her, there is no need to spend hours on Pinterest finding decor ideas as she is filled with amazing ideas - nothing is impossible. Christelle treats each event that she is involved in as her own and many of her repeat clients give her carte blanche on their decor, knowing that their expectations will be exceeded. Her innovative ideas keep the many events that the company is involved with fresh and unique. She is hardworking, creative, passionate and persistent – traits that have helped her establish herself as an avant garde decor specialist.

FAST FACT Christelle has been with Unlimited Events for 18 years and during this time she has been exposed to various event decor trends.

DESRAE MCDONNELL

Exhibitions and events manager at Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) Venue From the Rand Show to Ultra South Africa, the JEC is known for its outstanding hospitality and professionalism. Desrae plays a vital role in bringing these and other events to life at the centre. She is a creative, self-motivated manager with proven success managing corporate events and trade shows.

Throughout the years of planning and implementing events at the JEC, she has had the privilege of working with people from all around the world and has hosted events that have achieved acclaim from clients, guests, media and colleagues. Over the years, she has developed extensive, nationwide networks of creative and production suppliers. These relationships are important to Desrae, as they form the backbone of successful events.

FAST FACT Having spent 16 years at the JEC, Desrae has invaluable knowledge of the centre.

She uses this to help her clients create events that exceed their expectations.

24 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

CORNÉ KOCH Head: Convention Bureau at Wesgro Convention bureau Under the direction and leadership of Corné, Wesgro markets, promotes and develops Cape Town and the Western Cape as a premier business events destination.

The agency has benefited immensely from Corné’s extensive experience in business events, communication, marketing and key stakeholder engagement. The agency won the 2016 SAACI award for the best convention bureau. Corné knows that when you put your all into everything you do, you will essentially be putting your personal seal of excellence on your products or services. This is the reason why she gives 100% to everything she does. As a well-respected professional, Corné has played a key role in the successful bidding of local and international conferences.

FAST FACT Corné was the trade development and partnership manager at the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) before joining Wesgro in her current role.

DORCAS DLAMINI

Director: Group Sales at Protea Hotels Venue Having started out her working life with Protea Hotels, Dorcas has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the ladder at the hotel company, and brings a great deal of skill and knowledge to her role. With a bubbly personality and a can-do attitude, Dorcas has the Midas touch. She is a champion for industry standards and, as a result, was elected as the vice-chair of the SAACI board, and heads up SAACI’s advisory committee.

Dorcas is passionate about her job and lives the brands she represents.

She is well versed in negotiations, planning and development, relationship management, operations, and logistics coordination and scheduling. In 2014, she was the recipient of the Association of South African Travel Agents’ Future Leader in Travel award.

FAST FACT This Durban-born trailblazer enjoys spending time with her son, walking with her dog and indulging her love for seeing new places.

DEBRA DE SOUSA Operations manager of Sandton Convention Centre Venue After 16 years of loyal service, Debra’s wealth of knowledge of the SCC, and the business events industry as a whole, has allowed her to approach the variety of events hosted at SCC with innovation and creativity. Her ability to think on her feet, make effective decisions in pressurised situations and her attention to detail have ensured smooth running and uninterrupted service delivery at the SCC. Debra’s ability to put clients first in all her dealings and her steadfast attention to detail have proved invaluable in forming great relationships with clients. She is held in high esteem by her colleagues and truly leads by example.

FAST FACT Debra has worked her way through the ranks in SCC, having joined the centre in 2000 as a senior event coordinator, taking over the position of event manager in 2005 and then becoming operations manager in 2008.

EMILY NAIDOO

Sales manager: New Business at CSIR ICC Venue Emily is a conscientious and self-motivated individual with great enthusiasm and determination to succeed. Her passion is inventing new, more powerful and profitable ways to listen to clients and creatively turn these insights into ensuring memorable event experiences. She believes that, in order to stay ahead in this industry, you need to continually learn and grow, utilise your skills and experience to develop and maintain business relations for the greater good of your employer and the business events industry. She currently serves on the Tshwane SAACI committee and is studying towards her Certified Hospitality Sales Professional certification through the International Hotel School.

FAST FACT In 2003, an opportunity of a lifetime arose – one that Emily could not pass up. She took up the position of assistant groups and events manager at The Royal Livingstone hotel in Zambia.

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#40WIM

GAYLE DEFRANCESKI

JEANA TURNER

JULIE-MAY ELLINGSON

Owner of Joburg Conferences & Events Service provider

Sales manager of Avianto Hotel and Conference Centre Venue

CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre Venue

Gayle is passionate about the industry and is always willing to support and lead whenever and wherever she is needed. She wants to bring her clients’ eventing ideas to life by dedicating her time and effort to ensure their conferences and functions are always a memorable success. In 2005, she established Joburg Conferences & Events – an innovative, female-owned company that provides cutting-edge conference and event solutions that are tailor-made to suit her client’s budgets and requirements.

Gayle has received several awards from venues, due to the large amount of business placed within a specified period.

She is one of the founding members of the PCO Alliance Network.

FAST FACT Gail started her career as a secretary, moved on to advertising and then entered the business events industry as the marketing manager at the grand dame of Johannesburg hotels, the Carlton Hotel.

KAREN HEALEY

Managing director of Resource Design Service provider After qualifying as an interior architect in 1984 at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Karen started her career as a designer in the hospitality environment for several years, before entering the exhibition industry. With some 25 years of experience, she now focuses more on project management and the day-to-day responsibilities of running a company. Her strength lies in her strong conceptualisation skills and managed implementation of solutions across a wide spectrum of exhibition and brand-building arenas. Karen is a greenie at heart and runs her company along the lines of a David Brower quote, “There is no business to be done on a dead planet”. Under her guidance, her team designs and creates amazing structures that have minimal impact on the environment.

FAST FACT Karen is currently the chairperson of EXSA Western Province.

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In order to carve a successful career in the business industry, you need to have a tremendous amount of passion and love for it. Jeana takes pride in everything she does and her work ethic is a clear reflection and extension of who she is as a person. She is a dedicated, confident, highly driven individual with practical, hands-on customer service experience. Resourceful and proactive, Jeana is able to combine effective communication skills with detailed product knowledge to identify commercial opportunities and deliver satisfactory outcomes for her clients, suppliers and company. Her clients appreciate that she is highly flexible and has the ability to stay calm and focused in stressful situations. Although her job is very demanding, Jeana still finds time to serve on the SAACI Tshwane branch committee.

FAST FACT Jeana was a part-time lecturer at CBM Training and specialised in entry-level event management.

KIM ROBERTS

Operations director for the forum company Venue While it is well known for its world-class venues, the forum company is also highly rated for its phenomenal food. Playing a leading role in this pivotal function within the forum company is Kim, who relishes the challenge of managing large-scale events and projects that require intricate planning and implementation. Having been involved in the hospitality and events industry since 1994, Kim joined the forum company nine years ago in the role of executive chef. Her goal is to continually deliver consistent, top-quality, friendly service and value to clients within her business environment.

She maintains an exceptional work ethic that sets an example to those around her, inspiring them to rise above their own expectations. Kim serves on the SAACI board and acts as its intelligence champion.

FAST FACT Kim is the co-author of AKA Cookery Book – a collection of her regular clients’ favourite recipes.

The CTICC has, through Julie-May’s drive for excellence, had its best ever results in its 13-year history, with a net profit of R42 million – R28.3 million above the target. Since the opening of the CTICC, it has not only contributed tremendously to the local economy, but it has firmly rooted itself as a centre where Africa and the world meet. Julie-May is spearheading this and, more specifically, looking to the future with the CTICC East’s R832 million expansion project set to open in March 2017. Going forward, Julie-May will be at the forefront of the centre’s vision to become one of the world’s top 10 leading long-haul international convention centres by 2020.

FAST FACT As a newly appointed member to the board of the International Association of Conference Centres (AIPC), Julie-May’s passion for the industry exceeds her work as CEO of the CTICC.

MARIELLE DU TOIT

Sales and marketing manager at CedarWoods of Sandton Venue Marielle has been in the events industry for 12 years and has worked on various events, ranging from intimate weddings to corporate functions attracting more than 6 000 people.

In 2009, she was part of the team that launched Shepstone Gardens, where she gained valuable experience in the day-to-day running of an event venue. Marielle finally had enough of all the bridezillas and joined CedarWoods of Sandton in 2013. Here, you will find her at the coalface of every event at the venue. Marielle is a highly motivated individual who is always determined to find innovative solutions to any challenges. She always goes the extra mile for her clients. With service delivery and customer satisfaction as her key focuses, Marielle always delivers on time and within budget.

FAST FACT Marielle is currently studying towards her Certified Hotel Administration certification through the American Hotel and Lodging Education Institute.

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

25

WOMEN IN MICE

MARNIE TAIT

NAUME MOAKAMEDI

National sales manager: Groups at Sun International Venue

Manager: Infrastructure Services at Scan Display Service provider

Marnie is a conscientious and caring individual that has dedicated her business focus and energy to the Sun International brand for many years. She is always available to assist with any queries on hand, no matter how big or small. She is resourceful and creative, with an eye for detail and the ability to adapt quickly to new situations.

Marnie started out at Sun International as a call centre agent. She worked herself up the ranks, first by being appointed as a sales coordinator, then key account manager specialising in association business and then, finally, to her current position, where she manages a large sales team that focuses on all aspects of Sun International’s Groups portfolio – associations, national corporate conferences, government groups, and events and entertainment.

In order for a company to be successful, every department needs to be a well-oiled cog.

Scan Display understands this, and it is the very reason why it invests in its staff. Naume has been with the company for 12 years and has grown from strength to strength. Naume is a dependable, productive worker whose honesty and integrity provide for effective leadership and excellent client relationships.

She is an innovative problem-solver who can always find workable solutions. Her peers consistently recognise her as a passionate and hardworking individual, with an upbeat, positive attitude.

FAST FACT Marnie’s did her internship at Brookes Hill Suites in Port Elizabeth. She was the receptionist.

NOMONDE KUNENE

FAST FACT Naume joined Scan Display in December 2004, straight out of school and with no work experience. She has moved up the ranks, from accounts assistant to her current position. She now manages the services and furniture orders for the company’s infrastructure projects. She continues to play a critical role in the accounts department, managing the debtors.

TAUBIE MOTLHABANE

NICOLETTE ELIA-BEISSEL

Operations director of Durban ICC Venue With her impeccable management style, Nicolette has earned respect from peers and colleagues as a competent leader who does not hesitate to get involved with sharing tasks or resolving challenges. She started at Durban ICC in 2008, first as exhibition manager and then moving to her current role in 2012. During her tenure, Nicolette has been instrumental in growing the Operations Department.

Nicolette is passionate about business events and thrives on the dynamics of operations, a portfolio that includes: food and beverage, IT, technical, security, health and safety, parking and cleaning services. Nicolette boasts over 16 years' experience and has had the privilege of contributing to the industry as a board member of various industry associations.

FAST FACT During big-scale events, like Tourism Indaba, the project teams are treated to candy and chocolates – to maintain energy levels and to keep motivation elevated – all provided

by Nicolette.

ZOE BROAD

Account manager for Lumi Technologies Service provider

Executive director of Tshwane Convention & Vistors Services Bureau Convention bureau

Committee member of Event Greening Forum (EGF) Association

Nomonde has successfully reinvented herself during her few years with Lumi. She started as a very shy logistics coordinator in 2014 and proved, very quickly, to be a valuable member of the team – so much so that she got promoted to the sales team in the beginning of 2015. Nomonde is a customerfocused account manager, acknowledged for talents in inspiring staff to excel and to adapt to the demands of a diverse and challenging workload. She has excellent communication and organisational skills, a strong work ethic and a determination to succeed.

These unique capabilities have proved to be a major asset, as they have improved client satisfaction and service. Nomonde is constantly on the lookout for new opportunities to add value to her clients. As a result, Lumi has certain clients that prefer to deal with her… and in some cases, only her.

A natural extrovert, passionate marketer, event manager, vibrant public speaker, programme director and panel discussion facilitator, Taubie loves people and places.

Combine these traits with over 25 years’ experience in marketing, communications, public relations and events management in various industries, and it becomes clear why Taubie is the ideal person to establish Tshwane as a leading business events destination. She understands the importance of networking, cultivating, nurturing and maintaining relationships that result in longterm partnerships between stakeholders and businesses. One of her passions is working with clients and agencies to make dreams come true and achieve aspired goals. Taubie is well known for her quality and strength in delivering projects and strategic work. She is a true inspiration to her team.

Possessing outstanding communication skills, superior presentation abilities, a passion for excellence and contagious enthusiasm, Zoe is not only tenacious but resourceful, approachable and helpful – traits that are essential when educating the industry on why event greening is important. She plays an integral role the promoting the EGF and the events and activities associated with this forum. In addition to her role at EGF, Zoe is also the marketing manager for Scan Display. Her ability to blend creative and administrative abilities to achieve outstanding results for clients has added to the growing success of the company. All her hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed.

Zoe won the SAACI Young Achiever Award for 2016.

FAST FACT Nomonde is currently studying for a BA General Management at Unisa.

FAST FACT Taubie is a self-confessed rugby fan and Victor Matfield is her favourite player.

FAST FACT Zoe proved instrumental for the greening initiatives for Meetings Africa 2016.

26 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

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Experience Extraordinary There’s a place where meetings, conferences and corporate events are transformed from ordinary gatherings into extraordinary experiences. A destination, at the tip of the mighty African continent, where two oceans meet in the shadow of one of earth’s seven natural wonders. Where creativity comes to life, the unforgettable is experienced, and the impressions created last a lifetime.

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To transform your special event into an extraordinary experience contact CTICC: +27 21 410 5000 sales@cticc.co.za www.cticc.co.za

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BEST PRACTICE

Creating internal EXPERIENCES Glenn van Eck shares his top ways to increase interaction at your client’s next internal event.

W

HETHER EDUCATING ABOUT a new

product, celebrating corporate success or motivating teams for the future, internal events create brand advocates, build trust and cultivate culture.

The most effective way to disseminate messages, build camaraderie and unify your internal audience is through connecting in person. But there’s more to it than that; when executed properly, corporate conferences, sales meetings and internal training sessions build strength within teams and organisations.

In a world that has adopted email as the primary source of communication, face-to-face interaction can powerfully align influencers, stakeholders and teams with a common goal.

To elevate your next internal conference or event:

ESTABLISH AN IDENTITY AND BUILD EXCITEMENT The first and most important step is creating a clear and authentic identity that elevates your event’s purpose and message. Develop a name and theme for your event, extending the creative treatment to fully branded emails, registration sites and mobile applications for the team. To excite teams and increase enthusiasm leading up to the event,

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create an event countdown and leverage usergenerated content such as contests and trivia.

DON’T TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY Even though the message may be serious, explore ways to incorporate entertaining and engaging elements to inspire a playful environment.

Find simple ways to keep your teams smiling through small activations.

GIVE EXPERIENCES WORTH SHARING Incorporate elements beyond the traditional general session that teams will want to write home about (or at least share on social media).

Interactive demos and breakout sessions, such as tai chi and yoga classes or themed parties, allow your attendees to network, relax and have fun. They also provide photoworthy opportunities for social sharing, so don’t forget a unique event hashtag.

GIVE GUESTS A PLATFORM TO PARTICIPATE ON Incorporating digital elements allows guests to interact beyond the physical space. Attendees can create and share experiences, and ultimately drive your message further after the conference ends.

Consider live streaming the content and then make it available for post-event download.

Offer the opportunity for attendees to give virtual high-fives through an accolade wall that’s aggregated and projected for everyone to see.

CREATE A CALL TO ACTION OR A PLATFORM FOR ENGAGEMENT Determine your goals and objectives from the onset of the programme and integrate those into calls to action. If your goal is to inspire your guests or discover purpose, turn it around and ask attendees what inspires them and gives them purpose? Create brainstorm sessions where they can actively participate. This not only drives your message further, but also lets your guests know that their opinions matter.

CAPITALISE ON THE FACE TIME It’s not every day that employees get to interact with C-suite and senior-level staff. Provide a space for teams to interact with these individuals one on one. It will help maintain your company’s mission and values, and give your internal brand ambassadors a reason to carry the message forward.

GLENN VAN ECK is the group director of Magnetic Storm – a multifaceted audiovisual and events company. He is the national treasurer for SAACI, and SAACI EC and he is on the SAACI national board. Glenn is a Certified Meetings Professional.

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

29

BEST PRACTICE

The makings of a successful event For Tony Rubin, making your event memorable and enjoyable starts long before the delegates arrive – it begins when you decide where to host it. He shares his checklist to ensure the smooth running of your next event.

WHAT KIND OF ATMOSPHERE DOES MY CONFERENCE REQUIRE? You first need to decide which would be more suitable – a vibrant inner city venue or a more secluded country retreat.

NUMBER OF DELEGATES Numbers also often dictate the venue. Select a venue that comfortably fits the size of your party

CATERING REQUIREMENTS If you want your conference to run into the evening, perhaps with a closing dinner, you need to know if the venue has the needed capacity.

DO YOU NEED BREAKAWAY ROOMS? Breakaway rooms might also need to be provided, for delegates to divide up in to groups and move apart to discuss issues.

MEET WITH THE CONFERENCE COORDINATOR Meeting with the venue’s conference coordinator in person is a vital part of the reservations process. This will ensure that a relationship is formed, as well as give the coordinator the opportunity to fully understand your needs.

PARKING AND SAFETY OF CARS Delegates will not fully enjoy the event if they have to worry about their cars. If the venue does not have accessible safe parking, organise a shuttle service to bring delegates to the venue.

30 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

TONY RUBIN is the general manager of SAB World of Beer. He previously was the managing director of Maropeng. Tony has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry.

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THE VOICE OF CREDIBILITY & PROFESSIONALISM FOR EXHIBITION ORGANISERS

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Taking AAXO to Africa & bringing Africa to AAXO For membership enquiries: membership@aaxo.co.za For more information visit www.aaxo.co.za or contact Annamari Erwee on +27 (0)11 549 8300

NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE CELEBRATING YOUTH MONTH DYNAMIC STAFF FOR A LEADING VENUE WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY...

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION YEAR-END FUNCTIONS

MEETING your Demands.

EXCEEDING your Expectations.

NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE

BAUMA

ELECTRA MINING

Besides hosting international music festivals and large-scale industry events, the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) prides itself on hosting industryrelevant trade exhibitions and conferences.

T

HE JEC IS South Africa’s largest purpose-built exhibition, conference and events venue, known for hosting entertainment showcases such as Ultra South Africa and the popular, family-favourite Rand Show.

However, the centre has also been home to world-class trade shows and events, such as Automechanika, BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA, Interbuild Africa and Electra Mining.

RISE OF THE CONFEX “The trade exhibitions that we host and the international conferences that run alongside them are remarkable,” says Craig Newman, CEO, JEC. “I have been highly impressed with the calibre of conferences that I’ve seen at these shows, which allows professionals to gain critical industry insights.

The conferences alongside the expos provide high-quality content and knowledge, adding value to the visitor experience,” says Craig. “They also act as a meeting point for visitors and exhibitors where new developments and challenges are addressed and shared.”

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES With the sheer size of the JEC and the variety of spaces it offers, it’s no wonder that it serves as the perfect venue to host shows of this nature. “Over time, the JEC has kept pace with the remarkable growth of the industry, evolving into a world-class facility that offers exhibitors, visitors and delegates a first-rate experience,” says Craig.

“It is the ideal venue to host trade exhibitions with the workshops, seminars and industry-relevant conferences that go with them.” Having hosted the likes of Automechanika and Electra Mining for several years, the JEC has given potential clients a better idea of what it can accomplish. n

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“In 2015, we welcomed more visitors of an even higher quality than previous years,” says Stefan Rummel, managing director, Messe München.

From 15 to 18 September 2015, the JEC hosted BAUMA, an international B2B event that welcomed 14 300 visitors from 75 countries. The second edition of this International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Construction Vehicles proved to be a major success.

Visitors from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana, as well as Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique and Nigeria and were able to view 68 000 m2 of exhibition space, making this one of the largest events for the sector in sub-Saharan Africa, There were over 600 exhibitors, with products and innovations from South Africa, China, Germany, Italy, the UK, India, the US, France, Turkey and Spain.”

“Electra Mining has grown dramatically to become the second largest mining show in the world. It is the ultimate meeting and marketplace for all stakeholders involved in mining, construction, industrial machine tools and power generation industries, and it is recognised as a gateway into Africa for local and global investors. The JEC has been the perfect home for Electra Mining for over two decades,” says Gary Corin, managing director, Specialised Exhibitions.

Electra Mining returns to the JEC from 12 to 16 September this year. The show is considered to be the biggest mining, industrial, electrical and power trade show in Southern Africa.

Electra Mining Africa is supported by a programme of value-adding conferences and workshops that run alongside the exhibition, focusing on topical issues that are of benefit to those involved in the industry.

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CELEBRATING YOUTH MONTH AT THE JEC Aside from its capacity for entertainment, the Johannesburg Expo Centre is well equipped to host trade and industry shows, as well as educational initiatives. This was made clear when the JEC hosted the Gauteng Youth Programme in 2015 and 2016.

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FLEXIBLE VENUE

AUTOMECHANIKA

AST YEAR, the JEC welcomed thousands of learners from 8 to 16 June for a Youth Programme organised by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG). The event, themed ‘Youth Moving Gauteng City Region Forward’, attracted government officials, youth, educators and a number of high-profile speakers who gave lectures on jobs, careers and entrepreneurship. It attracted over 6 000 learners per day, providing them with essential information for their ongoing development and empowerment. Speaking at the 2015 event, the Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Molebatsi Bopape, said, “As we honour the anniversary of the June 16th student uprising, we remember that the youth were the ones who eventually drove this country towards democracy in 1994.” The event also featured a number of cultural activities such as movies, games, volleyball, chess, rugby, soccer and storytelling.

GAUTENG YOUTH PROGRAMME 2016

EXCEEDING YOUR EXPECTATIONS “This is an important event that proves just how flexible the JEC is as a venue,” says Craig Newman, CEO, JEC. “We can handle large-scale entertainment events but also cater to the needs of educational expos and industry exhibitions. We are proud to be associated with this kind of initiative.” With its multipurpose facilities, the JEC provided the perfect platform to host the learners. “The Youth Programme would simply not have been possible at any other venue,” says Simon Molefe, director: Youth Development, GPG. “The JEC facilities and its staff were exceptional. We had everything we needed to ensure that this event was a success.” n

FROM LEFT: Spotted at the 2016 Gauteng Youth Programme: Panyaza Lesufi,Gauteng Education MEC; David Makhura, Premier of Gauteng; Craig Newman, CEO of the JEC and Parks Tau, Mayor of Johannesburg

RAND SHOW

ULTRA FESTIVAL JEC is the proud host venue of the Gauteng leg of Ultra South Africa

Johannesburg Expo Centre

Johannesburg Expo Centre

expocentre.co.za

DYNAMIC STAFF FOR A LEADING VENUE The team at the Johannesburg Expo Centre share their most memorable moments

HANNES VENTER General manager

"The centre is the most versatile, flexible and only custombuilt venue of its kind in Southern Africa. It is the ideal venue to experience worldclass business-tobusiness brokering, and deal-making opportunities".

LIESEL DA COSTA

VANESSA WILSON

Marketing and communications "The JEC is a truly flexible venue. I enjoy working at the JEC because I am always learning about new shows and industries. The JEC is diverse in its offering and I am proud to be a part of the team".

REFILWE MOKGAOTSI

Marketing and communications

"The atmosphere at Ultra Music Festival. was something to experience. It’s difficult to describe it in words. It was electric, to say the least. The JEC is the perfect venue to host this event".

TRACY TLADI

PA to the CEO

Finance and administration

“The 2010 FIFA World Cup was my favourite event hosted at the JEC. The International Broadcast Centre was on the JEC property; there was so much activity and excitement with regard to the set-up and registration.

We proved that we have the skills and capacity to provide world-class service.”

"I love the aspect of working to a deadline every day. I feel that I am appreciated and allowed to take initiative to get things accomplished. Each day, I am presented with new challenges and situations, which really helps me to stay focused and interested".

CRAIG NEWMAN

CEO

"Versatility is a key competency of any successful business.

The team at the Johannesburg Expo Centre has lived by this mantra for over 30 years, delivering a consistent supply of exceptional exhibitions, conferences and events to a diverse portfolio of clients and their audiences. It’s fair to say that the JEC is a unique and flexible venue.

In one year, we have hosted an internationally acclaimed electronic music festival, the familyoriented Rand Show, Jehovah’s Witness Church conventions, the Boat Show, an international building and construction trade fair, and a corporate relay.

There is simply no limit to what we can accomplish here".

Expo Centre Nasrec

TRACY MALEBANA

DESARE MCDONNEL

Exhibitions and events manager

"Not only does the venue offer a number of multifunctional platforms suited to all events and exhibitions, it also comes with a dedicated team, focused on delivering exceptional experiences for all clients".

@jhbexpocentre1

Marketing and communications "I enjoy working at the JEC because it’s a centre that can meet any requirements, no matter what type or size of show. I love seeing the centre transformed for the various shows that call it home, from the Rand Show to Ultra Music Festival, and even Sexpo".

LINDA BOUWER,

BELIEVE SIBIYA

Marketing and communications "The JEC is an exceptional venue, with the ability to host any kind of event. I have come to see and experience just how versatile the venue is. I am proud to be a part of the JEC team. Exceptional experiences for all clients".

Finance and administration "During Automechanika, I got to meet all the international exhibitors and see their products. It was very interesting and I enjoyed experiencing it".

CHRISTO VENTER

Maintenance manager

"Propak is my most memorable exhibition. It is a beautiful show and is amazing to see. The JEC hosts various shows and the venue is flexible in what it can do".

expocentre.co.za

PETRONELLA MALEBADI

Office assistant

"I love working at the JEC; I have been here for many years.

The staff are very professional and the events and exhibitions that take place here are amazing".

BAUMA

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY...

ZIAD KHAN

Cleaning ZF Cleaning

"The Rand Show is one of my favourite shows at the JEC. The centre was custom-built for this show, so you know that it is indeed going to be Joburg’s biggest day out. My kids have a blast".

DIAN BEKKER

Food & Beverage Main Event Catering "The JEC is a multipurpose venue; it is amazing to see how the space is transformed for every event taking place".

Johannesburg Expo Centre

The JEC meets all of the logistical and infrastructural requirements of construction machinery and mining machine trade fairs such as BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA. Elaine Crewe, CEO, BC Expo South Africa The event was such a great success that General Motors is coming out to do it again in November. We were delighted by the spectacular response and the fantastic service we’ve come to expect from the JEC. Gugu Zulu, spokesperson, General Motors We participate at a number of international mining exhibitions worldwide and have been supporting the Electra Mining brand for a number of years.

The venue has always been great from an accessibility point of view, considering the size of the equipment we bring in.

Cindy Bailing, marketing services representative, Joy Global The JEC continues to be one of our favourite facilities to use for warehousing. Not only because of the convenience we enjoy in terms of proximity, but also because of the ease of access.

Christo Visser, manager: Operations and Logistics, Polyoak Packaging

Johannesburg Expo Centre

The inaugural show provided timeless memories and we continue to raise the bar. We plan to grow the event in South Africa for many years to come so that Ultra South Africa becomes a destination festival that music fans should experience at least once. As Ultra expands to other parts of the globe, giving the festival new heights, there may not be a more beautiful location in South Africa than the JEC. Russell Faibisch, founder and CEO, Ultra Music Festival and Ultra Worldwide We were delighted to introduce China Sourcing Fairs to the JEC. This is the ideal venue for this unique brand, meeting all our requirements as well as those of our exhibitors and visitors.

Wendy Lai of China Sourcing Fairs

Gala dinner

Interbuild The SAB Extravaganza went off seamlessly and the team at JEC is a pleasure to work with.

It’s a well-designed, world-class venue that is perfectly suited to hosting large crowds of people.

We will definitely be back.

Bibi Burness, organiser, South African Breweries Extravaganza The versatility of the JEC venue enabled this year’s theme, featuring cars and racing, to be executed with style, as artists and performers were driven on stage in a range of vehicles.

Organisers of Channel O Africa Music Video Awards

expocentre.co.za

LIGHTS, CAMERA...

ACTION

The JEC is adding film production to its arsenal of services with the launch of Studio Joburg – a fully fledged film and television content hub.

T

HE RESULT OF collaboration between

the owners of the Johannesburg Expo Centre and a consortium of leading film practitioners, Studio Joburg, will mean that Johannesburg has its very own Universal Studios in its backyard. Joining Craig Newman, CEO of JEC and his team, in this endeavour, is Eddie Mbalo, a film and television production expert, with over 30 years’ experience in the industry.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

PERFECT LOCATION The JEC provides the perfect location for this new venture. Its multipurpose facilities provide more than 50 000 m² of indoor space, more than 100 000 m² of versatile outdoor space, as well as a multipurpose arena that can accommodate up to 20 000 people. It is accessible from all major highways and conveniently located 30 minutes away from both O.R. Tambo International Airport and Lanseria Airport. There are also a number of three-, four- and five-star hotels all within 15 minutes from the venue.“In addition to the sheer size of the venue, it’s extremely practical,” says Eddie. “There is an adequate power supply with

ABOVE: The JEC has also proved its worth among film producers in the past, having provided facilities for the famous sciencefiction thriller District 9

BELOW: Halls 6 and 10 at the JEC are ready to be used for filming

Hall 6

Hall 6

Expo Centre Nasrec

@jhbexpocentre1

access to plug points all over the venue and a sufficient water and ablution supply. There are also halls that are ready to be used, so production can begin immediately.” Studio Joburg will see facilities within the JEC converted into a filmmaking hub, with additions made to include a film school, post-production facilities and office space. There are also plans in place to create an amusement park with studio tours, park rides and themed precincts.

“Our vision, in the medium to long term, is to create a place where families can spend the day together, eating in themed restaurants and seeing films being shot,” explains Eddie. “The themed precincts will include recreations of London, Paris and New York major landmarks.”

Craig believes that the studio will be an important development for the people of Soweto and the surrounding areas, in terms of job creation and skills development. “The film value chain consists of several support services that are crucial to the completion and success of each film project,” explains Craig. “These services include set building, painting, catering, wardrobe, design and lighting, to name a few. Each of these support services brings about several job opportunities for people in the area.”

As a venue catering to the exhibitions, conferences and events industry, Craig says business will continue as normal. “The studio will not affect our core business in any way. Our main focus is still on exhibitions and events, but we believe that Studio Joburg – in the not-too-distant future – will become an important drawcard for Gauteng province. We can’t wait to get started,” he concludes. n

Hall 10

Hall 10

expocentre.co.za

PLANNING YOUR YEAR-END PARTY? Wow your clients and show appreciation to hardworking staff with a memorable year-end event at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.

per person

per person

per person

• Main course and dessert buffet • 2 complimentary drinks • Stage with sound, AV and lighting effects

• Main course and dessert buffet • 4 complimentary drinks • Stage with sound, AV and lighting effects

• Pre-plated starter • Main course and dessert buffet • 4 complimentary drinks • Stage with sound, AV and lighting effects

ENJOY! LIVE IT UP! HAVE FUN!

Ensure that your year-end celebration is a spectacular success by hosting it at Milner’s Restaurant at the JEC. There are various year-end packages that cater for 250 guests or more and are tailored to suit your palate and budget.

BOOKINGS

011 494 1920 or info@expocentre.co.za Ts & Cs apply l expocentre.co.za

B E S T P RCAOCL TUIM CN E

events

George Sutherland knows the importance of incorporating a client’s corporate identity into the look and feel of an event.

A

NY SUCCESSFUL EVENT plays with all the senses, and decor is a sure way to achieve this. Decor has an influence on the enjoyment and success of any event. As the saying goes, “A picture paints a thousand words”. Give guests something to talk (and tweet) about.

TOP TIPS FOR EVENT SUCCESS 1 PLAY WITH COLOUR Use lighting

to create ambience. Coloured wine glasses are also a quick and easy way to incorporate a company’s colour.

2 LESS IS MORE Invest in a few attentiongrabbing focal points.

3 GO BOLD If you dare go for printed

linens, go bold! Oversized flower and foliage, large geometrics and cubism inspired prints are trending. But be careful with the rest of your table decor – keep it monochromatic and bold with simplicity.

4 G O GREEN Recycle and reuse where you can.

5 C OMMUNICATION IS KEY If you are using an external decor company, ensure that they meet the client and are included in event briefings and meetings so that they can also get a clear understanding of what is expected in order to give valuable input.

PURPOSE OF EVENT The first step is to completely understand what your client’s company does and what they want to achieve with the event. Will the year-end function be an awards ceremony to acknowledge good performance and boost staff morale or an event to entertain and strengthen client relationships? Once you know what the objectives are, you can start with the deliverables.

Remember to think differently. Instead of hosting the event at a restaurant or conference venue, use the client’s storeroom or workshop.

SELECTING DECOR With the venue selected, it’s time to think decor.

There are two approaches that can be followed: •T HE USUAL APPROACH Use visuals on walls, banners, focal points and centrepieces that depict what the client does or manufactures.

•T HE CREATIVE APPROACH Look around the client’s premises. You might be able to use the objects they manufacture for alternative purposes, adding to the decor as well as saving your client costs. Packaging crates and display plinths make great tables and smaller objects can be used as table decor.

interesting table in rustic wood, Scandi plywood simplicity or high-gloss finishes.

• CHAIRS No more chair covers. There are plenty of chair styles to choose from.

• TEXTURE Mix your table linen textures but stay in the same colour palette. Light will play with your textures to give it another dimension.

•T AKEAWAY DECOR Create centrepieces as the gifts, be it recycled paper bags with cookies, potted plants or a combination of candy-filled glass containers.

•A RTS & CRAFTS Support the local community and street vendors. They make amazing items that can be included or used solely as table centrepieces.

• LIGHTING All events, corporate or private, and weddings require additional lighting to make them come to life. It is the magical tool that highlights the good and hides the ugly.

• TECHNOLOGY Interactive graffiti walls, live streaming, LED backdrops, holograms and social media applications add a different dimension to events. Use these to decorate, educate and elevate your event.

STAY ON TREND No matter which approach you go for, you can still incorporate various design trends, including: • TABLES Think rectangular or square. Use an

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MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

Event Wizards exists to design wonderful celebrations. We are resourceful enough to deliver delightful results where others thought it was impossible and with an agility that seems almost…like magic!

CONTACT DETAILS

TEL : +27 (12) 4605335

GEORGE SUTHERLAND is the managing director of Event Wizards. He is passionate about event design and is assisted by a super-efficient team with talent that knows no boundaries.

info@eventwizards.co.za www.eventwizards.co.za

31

BEST PRACTICE

The importance of Being in the business of people, Natashia Brittion understands and acknowledges the importance of creativity and what this means to the bottom line.

E

VENT BRANDING, be it for an awards ceremony, incentive trip or congress, assists in the elevation and promotion of the brand, provided it is implemented well by a group of people who properly understand the client’s vision.

EVERY EVENT TELLS A STORY Every client wants their event to provide inspiring experiences that not only move people to action but also emotionally connect them to the brand.

Gone are the days where the number of attendees at an event determines the success.

The creative side of executing an event is about telling a story through imagery. What is the client’s

CAN CLIENTS PLAN THEIR OWN INCENTIVES, CONFERENCES AND EVENTS? COST-CUTTING HAS LEFT many corporates investing in their own in-house eventing department and creative design studio, which is understandably justified. This being said, making use of a professional MICE company yields many benefits that are not always accessed by an internal events division.

For example, clients have access to preferential rates,

which have been secured due to long-standing supplier relationships. Tourvest I.M.E provides logistical operations together with the intellectual creativity of 481 years of collective professional experience through 60 skilled planners who have designed global and local concepts that elevate client strategies. We know that our experience, research, supplier strategies

32 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

and ongoing passion to strive towards excellence mean we will better service clients than in-house events teams.

Tourvest I.M.E aims to be the partner of choice in the global MICE industry by transforming ordinary incentives, meetings, conferences and events into extraordinary experiences, while making the client the hero of every experience.

story and how will you narrate their road to success? There are no shortcuts when establishing the foundation of the understanding of the client’s vision. Every event concept is uniquely conceptualised by a collaboration of programme managers, creative designers and supplier partnerships. These brainstorm sessions assist in preventing personal tastes and preferences that may deviate from the client’s vision. The aim is to translate the client’s objectives into a legacy.

Here are three ways that you can bring an event to life: 1 INTELLIGENT AND IMAGINATIVE STRATEGIES Professional, creative teams never lift their fingers from the pulse and are dedicated to seeking out creative ideas that are both imaginative and intelligent. Having the right combination of talent to give life to an event is central to the success of any memorable experience.

2 SUPPLIER PARTNERSHIPS Suppliers are an extension of one’s creativity. Idea generation through collaboration is passed through a series of insight gathering and research about where the client has been, where they are now and their vision for the future. Our role is to ensure their vision is realised through intelligent creativity and strategic analysis.

3 EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING The focus has shifted from merely reaping immediate returns on investment for what is measured as a successful event by simple metrics of attendance numbers or cost-saving benefits.

Experiential marketing focuses on the bond that is formed between client and recipient, which yields long-term brand loyalty and greater returns. It’s about immersing the client and their stakeholders in a moment of excitement that they will remember for years to come.

NATASHIA BRITTION is the manager: Creative and Marketing at Tourvest Incentives, Meetings and Events (I.M.E). She understands that this industry is really about one thing – impacting on and influencing human beings through extraordinary experiences.

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S E R V I C E P RCOOVLIUDM EN R

ENGAGING, INSIGHTFUL EVENTS Whether you’re looking to liven up your meetings, encourage more audience interaction or simply give your next PowerPoint presentation the wow factor, Meetoo is the real-time polling and messaging app that connects and empowers – anytime, anywhere.

E

ASY TO USE and available wherever there’s an internet or mobile connection, Meetoo turns meeting and conference attendees into active participants and is already helping to transform businesses.

From corporate functions to global webinars, Meetoo’s live polling capabilities mean that everyone can get involved, allowing you to see exactly what your audience is thinking about any topic and generating instant results to enable faster decision-making.

The group chat function gives attendees the opportunity to share their thoughts and comments, fostering a more open discussion, encouraging the exchange of ideas and allowing every member of the audience to get involved.

Likewise, the Q&A platform is a powerful tool for your meeting or event organiser, allowing them to leverage the power of the “group mind” to make insightful, informed decisions.

That’s not to say your meeting will suddenly turn into a free for all. Meetoo’s intuitive dashboard and moderation features ensure the power remains firmly in the hands of the meeting or event organiser, allowing them to prioritise or flag questions to keep the conversations focused and on topic.

REAL-TIME FEEDBACK Put simply, better meetings are easy with Meetoo.

Just share the meeting ID with your attendees and they can join in straight away, using either the iOS or Android app or via the web. And it’s not just your audience that will benefit from this ease of use. Meetoo’s PowerPoint add-in lets you seamlessly incorporate any number of different polls into your presentations. With the ability to create new polls in seconds, it makes for a more agile, flexible presentation, allowing the presenter to react to audience feedback and questions as they happen, providing formative feedback and ensuring attendees remain fully engaged.

With an Excel report of your meeting available at the click of a button, you can extend the

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conversation with attendees by viewing the messages you received, or simply download the poll results to digest at your leisure once the dust has settled.

The benefits don’t end there. Meetoo is also enabling companies to connect with their employees like never before. Whether you’re hosting a town hall meeting or want to engage an entire global workforce, it’s easy to get everyone together in a single meeting with Meetoo.

CANDID DISCUSSIONS The live polling and Q&A features create a collaborative platform that helps to break down silos and open up channels of communication.

Meetoo’s group chat function promotes discussion and the exchange of ideas, while the detailed anonymity settings give every employee a voice, encouraging candid, more accurate feedback that generates invaluable insight for employers, while empowering staff.

Easy to use and accessible, anywhere, whatever the meeting, whatever your goal, Meetoo can help transform your business.

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

33

Stop bad meetings from happening to good people Gauteng: +27 12 349 1093 I Western Cape: +27 21 554 4964 I hello@lmeetoo.com

SUPPLIER PROFILE

When last did you stand out?

At Compex, they know that distinctiveness makes a company unique. They value that every project and client they partner with is distinct and fabulously unique.

T

HIS IS WHY their highly experienced, knowledgeable, passionate, talented staff pride themselves in working with you to find the best possible event or exhibition solution – tailor-made just for you and your needs.

EXHIBITING MADE EASIER Whether you own a business or work for one, Compex understand just how important it is to represent your brand consistently and favourably.

They know how the wrong pantone colour or incorrect use of furniture can have a huge impact on the overall outcome or how a simple orchid can add just a little something to the overall look and feel of your stand. By having a team behind your efforts that know just how important it is to make the most out of every centimetre, they hope to assist you in enjoying each minute of your exhibiting experience.

• Compex's shell-scheme solutions ensure that your exhibiting space can be transformed to

34 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

tell your brand story. They pride themselves in taking the time to understand your uniqueness and your participation objectives and then work with you to design a stand that has been customised to suit your budget and on-site requirements. Some of the factors they take into account include furniture, graphics and audiovisual placements, as well as lighting, flooring and storage solutions.

• Handcrafted from the ground up, Compex's design and custom stands are designed to be flexible yet transform an exhibition space into an experience that engages and delights attendees. They combine different materials such as glass, wood, fabric and Perspex to portray a stylish, multifunctional utilisation of space. They view every project as unique and, although exhibiting can be daunting, you can be assured that they are here to assist and help along the way. Compex will assign a dedicated account specialist to work with you along

your exhibiting journey, suggesting solutions and designs to meet your unique exhibiting objectives. This attention to detail ensures your stand isn’t just inspirationally designed, but is engineered to ensure safety and functionality.

BE OUR GUEST Being one of the most important yet uncelebrated items that contributes to an event, conference or exhibition, your furniture choice can make an area feel highly personal yet entirely practical.

At Compex, they offer a broad range of very carefully chosen furniture items to ensure that you have a variety of choices when it comes to selecting tables, bar stools, chairs, couches and custom-made furniture items. To provide an elegant and clean finish, each of their custombuilt items gets painted before going to site and can be customised regarding pantone colour and finish, as well as have vinyl graphics applied to

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#STANDOUT your whole event or trade show is intricately powered. Compex can help you organise your next gala evening, book your speakers and entertainment, set up an LCD screen, display your logo across your stand’s floor or build your unique staging solution to add just a little glam and sparkle to your next conference.

When it comes to electrics, they know that safety is crucial; this is why their staff are trained to work at heights, wear their PPE and why every job they work at gets a certificate of compliance issued.

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION At Compex, they love options and have decided to provide their clients with numerous flooring options and colours. Different floor hiring options are plentiful, and they will work with you to ensure the best choice to suit not only your design but also your brand's corporate identity. The flooring makes a huge difference to the aesthetic appeal of an event or exhibition; some of the options you may consider include carpeting, tread plates, glass, vinyl, wood-effect vinyl, custom-printed, raised floors and artificial grass solutions.

THE NUTS, BOLTS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN

items to ensure brand representation. They know time is always of the essence so they have also put some effort into putting together a range of preselected furniture packages that are ideal for most stand types. It's important to remember that when you hire your furniture from Compex, you are hiring for the duration of your event. The price is inclusive of cleaning, packaging, delivery and on-site support.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION The lighting, sound and power solutions at any event or exhibition play a crucial role in the type of experience, atmosphere and overall appearance created. Compex's audiovisual and electrical specialists provide clients with lighting, sound and audiovisual equipment. They have a reliable team of technicians who are just as passionate as you are about getting things right when it's showtime. They can install a simple plug point on your exhibition stand or ensure that

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We often overlook event infrastructure but, ultimately, it’s the necessary items behind the scene that help bring your event or exhibition to life. Elements such as air conditioners, portable toilets, dustbins, fridges, picket fences and generators all play crucial roles in ensuring an event runs smoothly. Compex speak from experience – if these essentials are not there, people do notice, regardless of how beautiful your set-up or decor may be.

One lesson they have learnt, and continue to learn, is that it’s essential to not only understand what you need but also look beyond the norm, as it's the small details that make the difference.

GET NOTICED FOR THE RIGHT REASONS Getting your brand (be it for organisers or exhibitors) noticed doesn’t have to be as complicated as everyone thinks. More often than not, it’s about doing things slightly differently and attracting the attention of your intended target audience.

Compex's graphics department is one of the teams that thrive on sleepless nights and many a cup of coffee. When your artwork is late, these are the guys who make sure printing and sewing machines are running at all hours of the night to ensure delivery and subsequent installation take place. The graphics you decide to use on your stand or at your event are pivotal to not only brand identity but also to communicating

important information, such as directional signage. Compex can print on most materials and have a team of experts to help you decide what may be the best option, especially regarding colour use, application and possible reuse. They also have a team that focus on creating artwork to help plan your messaging and position your brand.

They will also help position your finished artwork onto your stand design.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS It's said that the devil is in the details and, at Compex, they have come to learn that it's the small things in plans that are often overlooked, which can cause serious problems later on.

This is why they believe in providing project management solutions to help you along the way.

As an organiser, you may be interested to know that Compex have dedicated project managers who will assist you with all your trade show arrangements. They hope to provide you with some peace of mind by helping to ensure that your exhibitors not only know what they need, but have all the critical show information, can order their graphics, furniture and other necessary items and can speak to one dedicated person about any queries or concerns they may have. They can also assist with registration, ensuring every stand is 100% ready prior to the show and be the general "run arounder" for you.

As an exhibitor, or an organiser for that matter, you may be interested to know that help is at hand with all your deliveries and collections too.

Need to get your extra goodies to site, but not sure how to work out the logistics? Well, Compex's logistics team and their "Beat the Loading Bay" project has ensured that, many times over, their clients do not waste time queuing in loading bays or, worse still, lose important items along their eventing or exhibiting journey. Simply give them a call, share what needs to be delivered or collected and they will do the rest. They will even send you confirmation when everything is sorted out.

The delivery or collection request form has all the information they, and you, need. It provides information on packing and labelling instructions, venue addresses, times for delivery or collection, empty box storage and placement instructions, and helps ensure you arrive on-site with absolutely no worry or hassles.

Find out how Compex can help you STAND out +27 (0)11 234 0604 l exhibit@compex.co.za compex.co.za Compex

@Compex_

MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

35

SOUND BITE

Pastry chef Jodi Gillespie transports the guests of the Beverly Hills hotel to a place where sweet fantasies and splendid realities blend in a dance of dessert tango.

H

ow has the food and beverage industry changed over the past five years? The food and

beverage industry in Durban has changed for the better in that we are starting to take notice of international trends and standards, and in putting them within our establishment to create world-class food and drinks not just in the workplace but at home as well.

What makes Beverly Hills’ catering different? Food is part of our brand essence; therefore, it has always been a pillar of strength at the hotel. We strive to be the best within the industry and we are always pushing the boundaries. Our dishes tend to be classical to suit the hotel, yet we always put a modern, innovative twist on them.

in terms of who the clientele are and generally under-catering. Also, trying to overcomplicate the menu – conferencing food should be nutritious yet simple and efficient.

How can one present plain food in a way that is appealing to delegates?

It’s all in the garnishing. Using a lot of colour always makes food more eye-catching and mouth-watering. Clean plating is always key to getting your line structure correct.

What is your favorite dish to make?

ABOUT CHEF JODI It was not her sweet tooth that led Jodi Gillespie to a fascinating career in pastry making; it was not even anything she envisaged she would do. A short-notice emergency and a colleague in need brought the young and aspiring commis chef into the world of decadence, elegance and sweet seduction. Having lived and studied around the globe, Jodi trained under Eric Gouteyron, who was ranked as the ninth best pastry chef worldwide. She was also part of the Fairmont Zimbali Resort’s team. Jodi, who is only 28 years old, achieved first runner-up out of 173 competitors for the Hilton F&B Masters 2013 – winning both dessert rounds. She won best regional bread for the InterHotel Challenge 2014 and has cooked for Michel Roux Jr and Heston Blumenthal, among others.

I find it satisfying every time I get to build a cake. The satisfaction of getting the layers right and the cake coming out smooth every time is truly gratifying. It can be any cake, from simple chocolate gateaux to a large wedding cake; each finished product makes for a very happy pastry chef!

trying to get the sugar correct that, when I looked up, I nearly dropped the whole display as it was none other than world-famous chef Marco Pierre White.

pastry chef at the Beverly Hills is a humbling experience. We have guests who have been coming here for over 50 years; they know what they like and what they enjoyed on their last visit.

Making sure that I remain relevant to the new clientele as well as please our regular patrons is a most thrilling challenge for me.

What is your number one catering tip?

Did you eat your veggies as a child?

It’s all in the mise en place. Make sure you are well prepared and know who you are catering for.

Of course. I wasn’t allowed dessert otherwise.

What are some of the current trends in the food and beverage industry? The

What is your favorite food? Anything

What do you enjoy the most about working at the Beverly Hills? Being a

What dish are you most often asked to make? My crème brûlée. It is always a

What is your favorite kitchen equipment or gadget? I cannot live without my palette knife or bread knife.

crowd pleaser.

What is your funniest kitchen incident?

use of local produce, going back to basics with classical cooking as well as a lot of consumers wanting to eat clean with regard to having more organic, non-processed items.

What would you identify as the primary mistake people make when catering for conferencing? Not doing their research

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What is your favorite food memory?

I was working in a kitchen where the chefs wore ear pieces with microphones. I was on my way to the kitchen and when I walked in, the rest of the chefs were singing along at the top of their voices to what I had been singing in the lift. Apparently, I hadn’t realised my microphone was on.

I was doing sugar work while in a competition in Dubai when someone walked past me and told me I was being very brave. I was so involved in

What is one ingredient you cannot cook without? Butter.

that is pickled. I may be a pastry chef but I have the biggest savoury tooth in the world and would take a jar of pickled onions over a slab of chocolate any day!

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Leading the way

20 QUESTIONS

Durban ICC’s Mala Dorasamy is passionate about what she does, evidenced by her many career successes.

H

ow do you see the industry at the moment? We are seeing

technology and millennial thinking influence every facet of the hospitality industry, from the way our business operates and our understanding of niche markets to the way we interact with guests and fulfil our purpose of humanising our brand.

What drew you to the business? The dream of serving a purpose by working in a job I love, meeting new people and travelling the world.

South Africa and Durban on the international map. It really pushed the limits of service excellence and showcased what was possible with teamwork and great planning. COP17/CMP7 also showcased a special portion of teamwork among the staff of the Durban ICC.

What has been the best advice you have received? My father once told me, “There are only two choices in life. These are to be happy and put your best foot forward or to live with the consequence of any other decision.”

What quote best describes you? “Be What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry? New research, conducted by Grant Thornton International Business Report on women in business, reveals that the percentage of women in senior management positions in South Africa is still inadequate. The study reveals the proportion of business leadership roles held by women stands at a paltry 27%. However, the Durban ICC has shattered the glass ceiling, with women representing 67% of its senior management team. Overall, women represent 57.5% the centre’s total workforce.

the change you want to see in the world,” by Mahatma Gandhi.

Who is your celebrity lookalike? I get told anything from Deepika Padukone to Priyanka Chopra.

What superpower would you like to possess? To heal people from sickness

with the accent; it sounds so poetic.

Why should one host their next event at the Durban ICC? We are a world-class,

and thought it was mushrooms.

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Antalya in Turkey or Barcelona in Spain. I cannot get enough of the beauty and tranquillity of both places.

What do you do in your spare time?

Being a working mum is not easy so I love spending time with my family or parents or my “me time” on spa treatments and reading.

What three things would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island? Water, a satellite phone and a giant box of matches.

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Dog person.

What would your obituary say? Dedicated mother, daughter, wife and sister who lived a purposeful life serving her passion.

and my amazing children.

come to mind include: managing several highlight events while at Sun City; being a part of the team that opened the Durban ICC in 1997; being appointed marketing, sales and events director at the Durban ICC in 2013; as well as helping build the legacy of Durban as a leading business tourism city and the most liveable city by 2030.

Conference in 2000 and COP17/CMP7 in 2011. I managed the International AIDS Conference, the largest event of its kind at the time, and it put

Where is your favourite holiday spot?

What are you addicted to? Passion for life

If you could speak any language, what would it be? I’d want to speak French fluently

What has been your most memorable conference? The International AIDS

quality time with my kids and uplifting their spiritual knowledge on values of life, as well as cooking and baking.

and suffering.

What have been your career highlights so far? There have been many. A few that

multipurpose venue, offering an authentic yet seamless experience at value-for-money rates.

Tell us something about yourself that few people are aware of. I love spending

Who would be your ultimate dinner guest? Richard Branson, as he has such a wealth of knowledge to share.

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? Escargot, while I was a vegetarian

ABOUT MALA Mala Dorasamy is the marketing, sales and events director at the Durban International Convention Centre.

Having moved through the ranks of sales and event coordination, and having spent several years in the role of the centre’s marketing and sales manager, Mala brings a wealth of first-hand knowledge and insight to her position. She was also one of the Top 40 Women in MICE in 2015.

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DESTINATION • Abu Dhabi

With the recent holy month of Ramadan, the specifics of specialist MICE travel have become even more pertinent and really cast an eye on Abu Dhabi as it seeks to bolster its position as a key destination for halal MICE travel.

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#INABUDHABI

I

N THE RECENT ICCA rankings, Abu Dhabi climbed to 73rd position. This is due to the fact that the destination is gearing up its status as a leading destination for halal tourism, a fast-emerging concept in the tourism industry that offers a range of packages adhering to Islamic beliefs and practices.

For delegates and vacationers alike, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) has been collaborating with hospitality groups and tour operators to offer tailor-made packages to halal tourists who do not wish to compromise their Islamic values while away.

CULTURAL INTEREST Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director: Promotions and Overseas Offices, Abu Dhabi TCA, confirms that the organisation is “working on a specific strategy for halal tourism. The strategy includes bringing together a range of products that would qualify as halal tourism but have never been collated to make a substantial offering.”

This is where Abu Dhabi is seemingly entrenching itself in this growing niche in the tourism industry and, by inference, the MICE industry – in light of the fact that many activities that could be included as incentives are not strictly a matter of religion, but rather of cultural interest and relevance as well.

Halal tourism, and the increased focus thereon industry-wide, requires an intricate knowledge of the cultural and religious specifications in order to deliver the best service. Abu Dhabi has an advantage in this regard. As a destination, it is well versed in the requirements of Islam and any related beliefs and suppliers can manage the MICE delegates far better in terms of halal requirements. MICE travel is as much about

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Camels in the desert, Abu Dhabi skyline and the Emirates Palace

theatre-style seating as it is about managing sensitivities, whether they be religious or cultural.

Abu Dhabi has embarked on some significant initiatives to gain this position in the halal tourism market. The most basic requirements of being halal, like halal food and non-alcoholic beverages, are intrinsically met by all establishments in the emirate, and specifics such as separate leisure facilities for men and women, visits to mosques and places of Islamic heritage are offered upon request.

Current packages to Abu Dhabi now include an increased number of offerings including tours to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and other culturally important sites across the capital and the heritage heartland of Al Ain. “We can meet specific Muslim demands on a number of fronts and halal catering is just one of them. We also have a number of high- and medium-quality alcohol-free hotels and segmented sessions for women,” adds Mubarak.

As growth in this sector increases, he has noticed interest growing from tour operators along with their package offerings, now including showboat cruises through Captain Tony’s, which now offers a ladies-only tour of the Corniche.

Furthermore, the famed Yas Island also caters to the halal traveller by offering ladies-only sessions at Yas Waterworld aqua park, and on Wednesday nights at Yas Marina Circuit. post-Haj and post-Umrah breaks will also see a new segment of travel into Abu Dhabi opening up and the TCA is continuing talks with key stakeholders in this regard, according to Mubarak.

SO MUCH ON OFFER Often regarded as a stopover destination, this emirate offers halal travellers a destination that is tuned in to their needs.

Not only can Abu Dhabi link Muslim countries from all directions via Abu Dhabi International Airport with the offer of halal-friendly experiences, but it is actively targeting tho se groups who choose to break their journey in the emirate or host their entire incentive or meeting in the destination.

+27 (0)11 463 1170 JMartins@tcaabudhabi.ae tcaabudhabi.ae/en

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DESTINATION • West Rand

GAUTENG’S PLAYGROUND TOP FIVE

With the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountain ranges and the Skeerpoort and Crocodile River valleys, the West Rand boasts some of Gauteng’s most beautiful scenery.

Meetings shares its top venues in this ideal location.

PICTURESQUE VILLAGE Surrounded by the Zwartkoppies, on the banks of the Crocodile River, lies Avianto. This European-inspired village has established itself as a creative stimulus for intimate getaways, gorgeous wedding celebrations, focused team-building conferences and glittering functions. Avianto consists of the Village hotel (with 29 luxury rooms and five suites), the famous Banquet Hall, a magnificent ballroom, the Fireside Room for the more discrete personal function and the new, stateof-the-art conference centre. Following on a successful 17-year history as a premier wedding venue, Avianto has become the obvious choice for a function or event of importance. Select the menu, the wine, the music, then sit back and enjoy the company of your treasured friends and colleagues while the skilled and amiable staff at Avianto take care of the rest. A list of preferred suppliers makes life easy for the individual whose time is limited but who expects nothing but the best for their event. +27 (0)11 668 3000 l info@avianto.co.za avianto.co.za

IDYLLIC RUSTIC ESCAPE The forum company has become synonymous with iconic venues, each carrying a signature blend of art, style, fine food and architectural style that makes them uniquely South African. Located in Lanseria, only a 20-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of central Sandton, the forum white light is ideal for picture-perfect weddings and elegant private functions, such as birthday parties or anniversaries, and is also the venue of choice for occasional pop-up lunches. The white light team, comprised of event experts, is dedicated to creating functions that are uniquely tailored to the specifications of the individual client.

In order to achieve this, the space is a blank canvas. This gives the team and its clients room to create the event of their dreams. The venue is a renovated, old farm cottage that has been transformed into an intimate space able to accommodate up to 140 guests. The dining hall has enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the area with natural light and, as is necessary for any successful functions, there is a dance floor. Menus can be created with and tailored to the needs of the client, with the help of the expert function planner. +27 (0)11 575 3888 l info@theforum.co.za l theforum.co.za

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#TOPFIVE SPLENDOUR OF AFRICA Tucked away in the countryside just beyond Johannesburg, Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa is a luxurious retreat with rustic charm and natural elegance. Whether planning a romantic getaway or a corporate retreat, this picturesque country hotel offers the best sanctuary of luxurious comfort and tranquillity to rejuvenate the soul. The hotel offers 23 African-themed conference, banquet and event spaces, including the Pelindaba Conference Centre, which caters to 800 people, and the 1 000 m2 exhibition centre, which will meet all your exhibition requirements. Misty Hills is a magnificent setting for inspiration and celebration. Accommodation is available in one of the 199 stone-built, thatched rooms and suites, each elegantly furnished to complement the indigenous surroundings. Treat delegates to a meal at the world-famous Carnivore restaurant, which is situated on the hotel’s grounds. Labelled as Africa’s greatest eating experience, Carnivore has received many awards and can seat up to 500 guests. +27 (0)11 950 6000 l sales@rali.co.za l recreationafrica.co.za

A FRENCH AFFAIR Nestled in the Magaliesberg mountains on the banks of the Magalies River rests Green Leaves Country Lodge & Venue. The venue offers comfortable accommodation, productive conferences and special events. The graceful, French-style architecture opens on to picturesque gardens, landscaped and manicured all year round to ensure the perfect country setting. The Provance venue, complete with state-ofthe-art conference facilities can seat between 10 to 40 delegates and the Tuscan Venue can seat 10 to 60 delegates. The Green Leaves staff will ensure your event is a great success by focusing on excellent planning, personal attention and the highest level of professionalism. Fourstar accommodation at Green Leaves ensures peace and tranquillity in a relaxed country environment. The 40 rooms have all been carefully decorated to enrich your experience, from the ornamental lanterns above the beds to the spacious, earthy wash rooms. +27 (0)12 207 1987 l info@greenleaves.co.za greenleaves.co.za

RETURN TO YOUR ORIGINS The magnificent Maropeng Conference Centre is located inside the iconic Maropeng Visitor Centre in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

The location is perfect for an intensive strategy session or a small executive getaway. The state-of-the-art conference centre is just a short walk from the elegant boutique Maropeng Hotel, which offers guests and delegates some of the best views in Gauteng, attentive fourstar service, and a fabulous dining experience. The dedicated events team is experienced at turning your conference, strategy session or team-building event into an unforgettable experience. With a variety of seating options, state-of-the-art facilities and full catering amenities, the venue is ideal for a small, intimate meeting or an event hosting up to 500 delegates. In addition to the conferencing facilities and luxury hotel, the centre also has a host of activities to keep you and your guests entertained either before or after your conference; meet world-renowned scientists and hear some of their stories over a relaxed dinner, go on an adventurous journey of discovery through ancient times, or take a breath-taking hot-air balloon ride over the beautiful Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg mountains. The Sterkfontein Caves, the most significant hominid fossil site in the Cradle of Humankind, is just a short drive away and has conference facilities for up to 120 delegates. +27 (0)14 577 9000 l info@maropeng.co.za l maropeng.co.za www.theplanner.guru

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TOURISM

TOURISM

TOURISM

TOURISM

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D E S T I N A T I O N • C a p e To w n

MUST-USE VENUES Sitting on the buzzing Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The Table Bay hotel has one of the best locations in Cape Town, with views of Table Mountain, the harbour and Robben Island. The neo-Victorian architecture exudes old-world elegance, as does the attentive service, which extends to helicopter transfers, personal shopping and the therapies at Camelot Spa. Dining and cocktail options include The Atlantic, Camissa Brasserie, two bars and a lounge for afternoon tea. The hotel is also home to a great selection of function and conference venues in Cape Town.

Whether you're hosting a conference for up to 300 delegates or planning your annual office cocktail party, The Table Bay has a stylish venue to suit your needs. Top-class chefs will be able to cater for your awards lunches or dinners to impeccable standards. suninternational.com/table-bay

TO CAPE TOWN Let delegates lose their heart on the mountain, their stress in luxurious accommodation, and themselves as they discover a destination rich with history and unforgettable experiences.

OTHER MUST-USE VENUES INCLUDE: Century City Convention Centre and Hotel (p44), CTICC (p54), Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard (p52), Southern Sun Newlands (p53), Southern Sun The Cullinan (p48), SunSquare Cape Town (p52), The President Hotel (p51).

Situated in the heart of Cape Town, the Southern Sun Cape Sun hotel offers worldclass hospitality, outstanding service, and breath-taking views of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. This city centre hotel has 368 elegantly appointed en-suite rooms and suites. Picturepostcard views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and Table Bay contribute to an unforgettable stay, along with easy access to Cape Town’s top attractions. Hotel guests are invited to make use of facilities like the indoor pool, fitness centre and Camelot Spa. For business needs, the hotel offers nine fully equipped conference venues, the only such hotel in Cape Town with space to accommodate up to 650 delegates. The Riempies Restaurant offers a daily breakfast buffet, as well as delicious lunch and dinner menus, while drinks can be enjoyed at the New York-style Le Bar and Lounge. For more about this venue, turn to page 54. tsogosun.com Memorable experiences await you at the Westin Cape Town. This hotel offers outstanding conference facilities with 19 individual venues accommodating from 12 to 1 335 delegates. The newly opened World of Wine shop offers top-class boutique wines for conference gifting in quality packaging. Westin clutter-free meetings help planners and guests stay organised and productive with an openroom design and layout, and socially conscious amenities.

Streamlined stations provide paper, pens, glasses, water and other thoughtful touches, keeping the main work area uncluttered and organised. The culinary diversity will also delight. Besides the large variety of restaurants in Cape Town, the hotel has a great selection of elegant restaurants and bars on offer, from brasserie-style Thirty7 to ON19 with its panoramic views. Begin a wonderful Cape Town evening or round off your day in one of the bars: Louis B's & Terrace or Raleigh's Cigar Bar. westincapetown.com

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#DISCOVERCTWC

WHEN IN CAPE TOWN EXPLORE The open-top, double-decker buses of City Sightseeing are one of the best ways to see the many highlights of Cape Town. With the sun on your shoulders, and an elevated view of your surroundings, you’ll see why the CitySightseeing bus is the most popular official tour of Cape Town and is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Buses are equipped for wheelchair access and tour commentary is available in 16 languages.

There are three routes covering Cape Town’s iconic attractions and destinations. citysightseeing.co.za

TASTE Nestled in the glens of Table Mountain, The Roundhouse Restaurant is steeped

6

REASONS TO PLAN YOUR EVENT, TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITY OR INCENTIVE IN CAPE TOWN

1 SEA VIEWS Let delegates enjoy the fantastic views of

in a rich history as old as the Cape itself. It is this very location that led to the building’s creation as a guardhouse in 1786 by the Dutch East India Company. With its sweeping views of Camps Bay and the expansive Atlantic, it was ideally situated to safeguard the Cape of Storms from attack. Since then, the building has also functioned as a hotel, dance hall and, most famously, Lord Charles Somerset’s hunting lodge. This history of luxury and hospitality is still fundamental at The Roundhouse today, offering guests extraordinary cuisine, fine wine and spirits, and exceptional service. The outside dining area at The Roundhouse, The Rumbullion, eases up on the fine dining and offers guests a tapas-style menu, while unwinding in the sun on the lush lawns. The entire property is also available for exclusive bookings, tailored for you to create bespoke memories. The Roundhouse invites you to come relive a time of romance and royalty, enveloped by the same breathtaking scenery that caused its initial inception. theroundhouserestaurant.com

the sea. Numerous venues take advantage of their sea views with panoramic windows that let in natural light, allowing delegates to enjoy the fantastic scenery.

2 GREAT GARDENS Cape Town is recognised globally for its rich biodiversity and is the only city in the Cape Floristic Region. The region was declared a natural World Heritage Site in 2004, and includes Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

3 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS From kayaking with African

penguins to watching whales and riding ostriches, Cape Town and its surrounds offer something for everyone.

4 CREATIVE Share in Cape Town’s cultural riches – let

5 6

your delegates learn African drumming, participate in Cape Malay or African cooking workshops, take private art classes, learn African beading or even enjoy an evening of local poetry and storytelling.

BSOLUTE ADVENTURE With fantastic mountains, A beaches and over 3 000 hours of sunshine on average each year, Cape Town is a top destination for adventure incentives.

UISINES As a result of the cosmopolitan mix of people C and cultures, Cape Town’s numerous restaurants and food hubs offer varied mouth-watering cuisines.

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WINE TASTING Award-winning wine paired with innovative food is what you’ll find at the Spier tasting room. Relax in the airy lounge area and enjoy stunning views of the Helderberg mountains, or take your glass outside on to the sunny patio and gaze across the rolling lawns. For wine tasting, settle in at the parquet tables and admire the iconic Heath Nash chandelier – made from 334 recycled Spier wine bottles and weighing 370 kg – which hangs above the tasting counter. You can either enjoy a set wine tasting with or without a food pairing, or order whatever you like with an olive, cheese or cured meat board. This is a great conference venue – Spier boasts 12 meeting venues with different capacities and ambience. Its on-point team gives attentive backup to small conferences and meetings, workshops, launches and exhibitions. Packages all have a built-in environmental and community benefit. spier.co.za MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 •

43

EVENT SHOWCASE

The centre that CAN Century City Conference Centre’s bold architectural form is matched only by its even bolder unseen features – world-class connectivity, electric creativity and unparalleled choices make any event truly unforgettable.

Leigh du Plessis shares her experiences with the centre.

THE BRIEF The venue needed to be able to accommodate a conference, breakaways, an exhibition and a gala dinner. It also needed to be in close proximity to reasonably priced accommodation.

WHAT WAS THE EVENT? The fifth Annual Congress for the Faculty of Consulting Physicians. It ran over three days during May and consisted of a conference, exhibition and gala dinner. The congress was attended by 220 delegates.

WHY DID YOU USE CENTURY CITY CONFERENCE CENTRE (CCCC)? With the CCCC being the latest venue in Cape Town, I wanted to see what it could offer.

Combined with the well-trained, friendly and experienced staff, the centre exceeded my expectations. It is ideally

44 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

located, just off the N1 highway and is a 10-minute drive from Cape Town CBD.

WHAT MEETING AND EVENT SPACE DID YOU USE? It is easy to take over the venue and transform the spaces to suit your client’s vision. The centre can be customised to meet the needs of any event, through combining rooms and halls or using them individually. I used Hall A for the plenary sessions, the exhibition was in Hall B and C as well as in the foyer. The breakaways were held in Room 8 and 9 and we held boardroom meetings in Room 6.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR CATERING? There are plenty of options on the standard menu, but I wanted to create a custom menu with the focus being on Banting. I appreciated that Chef Abbas Abrahams, the centre’s executive chef, takes pride in incorporating local ingredients and adding a South African flair to his menu.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR ACCOMMODATION? Delegates were able to stay at the new 125-room Century City Hotel, which is adjacent to CCCC. What I liked about

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THE ORGANISER

this, is that the delegates were able to stay on-site during the congress and didn’t need transport.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THE STAFF AT THE CENTRE? The staff at CCCC are a dream to work with. They have the perfect combination of dedication and charisma. One of the reasons why my event was a success was due to the hard work of the staff and the outstanding organisational skills of Zenda du Plessis, the centre’s meetings and events coordinator.

Being in the medical industry and having lots of red tape with compliance and our marketing code of ethics the venue understood our sometimes bizarre requests and actioned them seamlessly.

In the entire process in dealing with CCCC, I didn’t get a single “no”. Everything was always possible – even if a little compromise had to be made.

While the centre was being built, I made a suggestion that Room 8 and 9 should be made divisible by foldaway

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doors. I was asked to make that request in writing, and shortly thereafter I got an email to say that they had taken my feedback to heart and would be putting in stacker doors. This proved to me that as clients, our input, feedback and suggestions are valued. CCCC is a venue where flexibility and client communication are important.

WOULD YOU USE CCCC AGAIN? Absolutely – no question about it. I have been so impressed with the service that I received that I have booked the event there again for 2017.

+27 (0)21 204 8000 events@ccconferencecentre.co.za ww.ccconferencecentre.co.za

LEIGH DU PLESSIS is a senior project manager at Londocor Event Management. She has been with the company for five years and deals with the following portfolios: specialist physicians, psychiatry, sports medicine and cardiothoracic medicine.

“Century City Conference Centre is a world-class venue. The staff are very sensitive to what would be deal-breakers for their clients. I appreciate that they offer free storage for exhibitors as well as a free office space for the organisers – things that would be charged for at any other venue.

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EVENT SHOWCASE

THE BRIEF SHINING A SPOTLIGHT on the organisation’s achievements over the past year and focusing on the theme: “360 degrees on 365”, the event needed to highlight Cape Town’s hallmark events that take place in the city each year. These events are: the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Town Carnival, Design Indaba, and Cape Town Jazz Festival.

The networking spaces needed to be transformed to reflect these five events. It was the event team at Southern Sun Cape Sun who came up with the idea to invite five leading decor companies to showcase their creativity by completely reinventing the venues according to each of the hallmark events. The guests then chose their favourite themed room experience.

Cape Town’s

RISING SUN Elegant, warm, welcoming hospitality and superb facilities combine to form an exquisite hotel ideal for any type of event.

C

APE TOWN TOURISM’S annual general meeting is a major event for the organisation because here it celebrates its achievements and shares its vision for the future. It is also where it elects a new Cape Town Tourism board. The 2015 AGM was attended by 450 of Cape Town’s industry stakeholders – tourism product owners, commercial partners as well as political and administrative leaders of both the City of Cape Town and the provincial government.

WHY SOUTHERN SUN CAPE SUN? Climbing 32 floors into the African sky, Southern Sun Cape Sun offers imposing views of Table Mountain, a bustling harbour and Robben Island. It is one of the Mother City’s

46 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

landmarks and has a long and proud history. It offers unique and different spaces, which can be transformed quite easily to showcase a completely new experience to guests. The hotel is also easily accessible and there is ample underground parking.

The hotel preserves customary Cape hospitality of the highest standard and flawlessly captures the grandeur of the surrounding city. From the moment you step into the lobby, you recognise that this is a world of prominent guests, significant events and glittering galas.

• MEETINGS AND EVENT SPACES Nine well-appointed venue options, each boasting ample space, various seating layout options and plenty of style are available.

This proved essential for Cape Town Tourism as it used all of the venues for the event. The hotel’s lobby was even transformed into the AGM’s registration area.

• CATERING Southern Sun Cape Sun went the extra mile by inviting Tsogo Sun chefs from sister hotels to present a menu representing each of the hallmark events. The organising team met with the region's head chef, David van Staden, who took the various

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THE ORGANISER

presented dishes and created a completely unique menu for each of the themed rooms.

• ACCOMMODATION Guests were able to stay the night in one of the hotel’s 368 en-suite rooms all providing spectacular views of either Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean or the renowned Cape Town Stadium. Each tastefully furnished room is elegantly styled, providing a comfortable stay.

• ENTERTAINMENT The entertainment options were recommended and supplied by the hotel through its network of contacts. A pianist was used in the main venue for pre-drinks and guests were entertained until the early hours of the morning by Cape Town jazz artists in the Cape Town Jazz Festival-inspired room.

the venue through to the post-event meetings, everything was handled professionally. The Southern Sun Cape Sun events team met regularly with Cape Town Tourism to provide updates on the event. A special preview of the rooms was organised the day before the event for the approval nod and to accommodate any final changes. On the day of the event, the team made sure that guests were well looked after and comfortable.

They even organised to assist guests from the parking area to the hotel. This was not part of the brief and shows the level of dedication the team at Southern Sun Cape Sun has to ensure that clients’ events are not only successful but memorable.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE The dedicated events team was on hand to provide its expertise, ensuring that any event held at Southern Sun Cape Sun runs to perfection. As you can imagine, in running any event, most of the work is in pre-planning, with a team you can trust to carry your vision. From the time of booking

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+27 (0)21 488 5100 sscapesun.reservations@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

FATIMA BOREZ is the marketing campaign manager for Cape Town Tourism. This resultsdriven marketing project manager has more than 12 years’ experience within a marketing and events environment. "As an event specialist, you need a winning team that is able to translate your vision.

Challenges can creep up at events, before or on the day. I always felt that Southern Sun Cape Sun had our best interests at heart, often providing advice and solutions, which made our event even more spectacular. If you are looking for a smoothrunning event, without any hassle, with an efficient team to make your dream event a reality, Southern Sun Cape Sun is the venue."

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EVENT SHOWCASE

WHY SOUTHERN SUN THE CULLINAN?

Southern Sun The Cullinan is one of Cape Town’s premier conferencing venues.

THE BRIEF THE VENUE NEEDED to be an outdoor space that could be transformed into an elegant dining experience. It had to embrace the beauty and magic of a perfect summer’s evening in Cape Town.

O

NE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS for the organisers of the Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT), the world’s largest timed cycling race, is the VIP dinner that is held prior to the race. The dinner provides an opportunity for the primary sponsors and partners, international visitors and media to network. It is also used as the platform to inform all parties about where the funds raised by the CTCT Trust will be donated for that year. The trust is owned by the Pedal Power Association (PPA) and Rotary Club of Claremont and, each year, all surplus funds are divided equally between PPA and Rotary.

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Offering exceptional service, warm hospitality and breathtaking views, Southern Sun The Cullinan was an obvious choice for the CTCT VIP dinner.

•M EETING AND EVENT SPACES Elegance and style is evident in the hotel’s marbled foyer, with its majestic columns and lavish decor, rich furnishings and intricate metalwork. This provided the ideal backdrop for the registration and welcome drinks. The gala dinner was held on the secluded and spectacular pool deck. It was a perfect fit – a stylish design with a beautiful pool as a centrepiece, luscious palm trees and a breath-taking view of the night sky were exactly what the organiser had envisioned. In addition to the pool deck, there are nine flexible venues and event spaces on offer at the hotel.

Meeting rooms offer private, fully serviced facilities for smaller groups of 12 or less, while reception areas are able to host up to 155 guests with ease. There is also ample parking.

• CATERING At Southern Sun The Cullinan, the chefs are culinary visionaries. They are leaders in their field; they stay on top of international culinary trends and display creativity with their menus. The chefs and management took the time to fully understand what the organiser wanted to achieve with this function and they designed a unique menu based on that. The menu tasting, that the hotel provides before event day is always an exceptional experience.

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• ACCOMMODATION The hotel’s 394 stately en-suite hotel bedrooms provided any guests who decided to stay the night an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation.

There are 18 luxury suites that include a butler station as well as a fully stocked mini-bar.

• ENTERTAINMENT The hotel's in-house pianist played during the guest arrivals and during intervals. The main act was four members of the Heavenly Quartez – who all grew up in Khayelitsha – who added a little drama to the evening with their heavenly voices.

PART OF A FAMILY The attitude of all the staff is obviously a reflection of the hotel’s progressive leadership – the staff are friendly, welcoming and always prepared to go the extra mile. It sounds like a cliché – but at Southern Sun The Cullinan, you truly are made to feel like part of a family. In all the years of working with general manager Garry Reed, food and beverage manager Lindsay Venn, and Joan Barker from banqueting, the organiser boasts that her decor, event layout or menu ideas have never been met with a “no”.

"The team are always interested in embracing new ideas and are quick, enthusiastic, and ready to contribute even bigger ideas. Even the mention of synchronised swimmers in the pool or a violinist in a bubble floating on the pool could not evoke panic or any degree of flinching from Garry," says the organiser.

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+27 (0)21 415 4000 sscullinan.reservations@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

ADRI BOOTSMA is the marketing, media and sponsorship manager at the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust. She describes herself as an unashamed workaholic, fanatical foodie, shopaholic, closet design queen, fitness freak and ranidaphobic.“I highly recommend Southern Sun The Cullinan. The event and banqueting team deliver 110%, all the time.

Doing something properly is the only option for them. They become an extension of your own team – the delivery and success of your event is all that matters to them. They take pride in their work, are reliable, trustworthy and just the nicest group of professionals I have had the pleasure of working with.”

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PHOTOS: Karin Schermbrucker/CTCTT

THE ORGANISER

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SPIER HOTEL & WINE FARM CONFERENCING Spier has 12 different meeting venues varying in capacity. From the conference centre to the historic Manor House, we can cater for large and small conferences, business meetings, workshops, seminars and exhibitions.

Spier’s Conscious Conference package includes environmental and social components, supporting our sustainable business ethos. Conference on a historic wine farm, just 40 minutes from Cape Town, and 20 minutes from the airport.

Spier is one of the oldest wine farms

in South Africa with a recorded history dating back to 1692

SPIER HOTEL Village-style buildings, lush green lawns and spacious rooms situated next to the calming Eerste River are the defining characteristics of the 4 star Spier Hotel. Our rooms are clustered around six courtyards, each with its own swimming pool.

The design is reminiscent of the Bo-Kaap or Mediterranean villages where pedestrians have right of way. The Spier Hotel is situated on the historic Spier wine farm in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands, just 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.

CONNECT NOW

Micro-enterprises linked to Spier.

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R310 Baden Powell Road, Stellenbosch , 7600 t +27 (21) 809 1100 | f +27 12 809 1134 | e conference@spier.co.za • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016 www.theplanner.guru www.spier.co.za

F E A T U R E D V E N U E S • C a p e To w n

MEMORABLE AND UNIQUE The President Hotel offers an enticing selection of restaurants and event spaces to make your next Cape Town event one to remember.

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ESTLED BELOW the majestic Lion’s Head, with sweeping views stretching over the endless horizon of the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, the President Hotel is the ideal venue to host your next conference in the Mother City.

event set-up requirements. Perhaps the gardens, poolside terrace or Senate Bar would be perfect for your next summer event? The events team will be delighted to help you plan and ensure your vision becomes a reality without the added stress.

ACCOMMODATION LOCATION Situated in the exclusive and wind-free suburb of Bantry Bay, the President Hotel is a peaceful haven just a step away from the buzz of Cape Town’s CBD. Its perfect location offers easy access to explore, discover and experience all that Cape Town has to offer.

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES Host a business meeting, conference or celebration in one of the conference and banqueting venues. At the President Hotel, spaces are flexible and lend themselves to various

Experience four-star luxury in any of the hotel’s 349 rooms and apartments. The hotel will be rolling out one of the fastest Wi-Fi infrastructures of any hotel in Southern Africa within the next few months.

CATERING With a choice of tantalising dishes, delegates can expect a culinary affair at any of these President Hotel eateries: •S enate Bar offers an extensive selection of beverages for everyone’s tastes, whether you’re in the mood for classic cocktails or artisanal

coffees, you will always find something to sip while enjoying the endless ocean views.

• Delegates can enjoy a relaxed and casual atmosphere while indulging at the Islands Restaurant. There are a variety of menu options to suit your palate and preferences, whether it is a buffet or á la carte or our blackboard specials of the day.

• Botany Café is a burst of freshness and innovation in the deli scene. The focus is on all things fresh out of the garden and farm: organic, artisanal, seasonal and bursting with flavour. The menu is a delight to explore, brimming with enticing options that range from light and healthy to hearty and filling. And the coffee lover will think he has arrived in the preliminary stages of paradise.

VENUES AND CAPACITIES Room name President 1 President 2 President 3 President 1+2+3 Boardroom

School 60 60 60 200 -

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Cinema 100 100 100 350 -

U-shape 30 30 30 70 10

Cocktail 60 60 60 350 -

Banquet 100 100 100 220 -

+27 (0)21 434 8111 sales@presidenthotel.co.za presidenthotel.co.za

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Productive and A fresh and memorable events unique approach Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard features different conference venues, which cater for a variety of business and private gatherings.

With its warm and friendly atmosphere, SunSquare Cape Town combines affordability and comfort with modern conference facilities.

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FFERING EASY ACCESS to major highways, this Woodstock hotel is a mere 15-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport, and is close to the city centre.

OCATED IN THE VIBRANT and cosmopolitan suburb of Gardens, on

the edge of the Cape Town city bowl, this trendy hotel offers a fresh approach to conferences, creating memorable experiences for delegates.

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES With a total of six rooms you will be able to choose the size and layout that best suit your requirements. Delegates will stay connected with free Wi-Fi. Room name Adderley Boulevard Castle Duncan Lilliebloem Warwick

Cinema 50 50 50 100 300 100

Schoolroom 20 20 20 60 250 60

Banquet 180 -

Cocktail 30 30 30 60 200 60

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES The hotel’s four conference venues are ideal for hosting anything from boardroom meetings to workshops, seminars, training sessions, conferences and other events. Conference delegates will be connected with free Wi-Fi and have the added benefit of free, secure parking.

Room name Chapman's Peak Lion's Head Signal Hill Table Mountain

Cinema 50 50 50 50

Schoolroom 24 24 24 24

Boardroom 30 30 30 30

ACCOMMODATION

ACCOMMODATION

The 292 rooms have views over the magnificent Table Bay, Devil’s Peak or the historic Robben Island.

The hotel offers a choice of 136 en-suite rooms. All rooms have great views of either Table Mountain or the vibrant city centre.

CATERING

CATERING

Banqueting menus are available. At Harbour View restaurant, delegates can expect a relaxed, quality dining experience. For private functions, a variety of menus are available.

Banqueting menus are available. Delegates can also enjoy meals at Zepi Grill & Bar. An outdoor terrace overlooking the pool is the ideal place to enjoy sundowners.

+27 (0)21 448 4123 gcnelsonmandelaboulevard.reservations@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

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+27 (0)21 465 1311 sunsquarecapetown.reservations@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

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Conferencing with a difference Accessible, conveniently located and professionally serviced, Southern Sun Newlands facilities are suitable for business functions, special events and a variety of meetings.

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ITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, as well as a reputation for welcoming and efficient service, Southern Sun Newlands is an obvious choice for your next event.

event types and sizes. It also boasts spacious, stylish accommodation, affording conference delegates the opportunity to relax in an idyllic setting while enjoying the spectacular view of Devil's Peak.

LOCATION

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES

Nestled in leafy Newlands, in Cape Town’s southern suburbs, Southern Sun Newlands is centrally based yet sheltered from the busier urban areas of the city. The hotel is 20 km from Cape Town International Airport and 10 km from the city centre. In addition to its location, the hotel’s nine venues cater for a variety of

Whether you are planning a board meeting with six people, or a banquet or conference for up to 160 guests, this hotel is the ideal choice for professional eventing. Six of the nine venues have natural light and look out over Table Mountain. In addition to all the standard conference equipment that is available, extra

VENUES AND CAPACITIES Room name 12 Apostles Devil's Peak Maiden's Cove Newlands Forest 1 & 2 (D) Newlands Forest 1 Newlands Forest 2 Protea 1 & 2 (D) Protea 1 Protea 2 Boardroom Jasmine

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Cinema 50 24 24 120 60 60 160 90 70 10 boardroom 6 boardroom

Schoolroom 30 12 12 70 35 35 80 42 36

Banquet 12 12 50 30 30 60 36 24

Cocktail 40 20 20 120 60 60 150 90 60

services and facilities can be easily arranged on your behalf. Guests will stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi. Each event is carefully planned and tailored to meet your requirements, giving you a uniquely crafted experience in a creative and energetic environment. At Southern Sun Newlands, you will be assisted with menus, themes, teambuilding contacts, plus a host of activities designed to ensure that your event will be a success.

ACCOMMODATION With 162 en-suite rooms, each furnished in warm shades, with rich, hand-picked decor touches, guests can look forward to a comfortable stay. Facilities on offer range from a business centre to a selection of dining options, as well as free access or all guests to the gym at the Sport Science Institute.

CATERING The hotel also has a wide variety of catering and dining options to suit every taste, appetite, occasion and celebration. Delegates can make use of the Newlands Café and Bihari Indian Restaurant or select an option from the range of banqueting menus available. Tailor-made menus are also available.

+27 (0)21 683 6562 ssnewlands.reservations@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

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A FORWARD-THINKING

CONVENTION CENTRE S

INCE OPENING in June 2003, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is proud to be the number one destination for conferences in Africa. The CTICC expansion is expected to be completed at the end of 2016, with commissioning taking place between January up until mid-March 2017. The opening will be at the end of March 2017. This expansion is aligned to the CTICC’s goal to be one of the world’s top 10 long-haul international convention centres by 2020. This position will be further cemented through the innovative design concept of this expansion and the high-calibre line-up of architects to augment the CTICC’s in-house team.

A BUILDING OF THE FUTURE The first phase of the expansion commenced with sod turning in July 2014, continuing throughout 2015. The principle building contract was awarded to Aveng GrinakerLTA on 11 December 2014, with over 60%

54 • MEETINGS l JULY/AUGUST 2016

Once completed, the expansion of the Cape Town International Convention Centre will transform the city’s skyline as a distinctive icon commemorating South Africa’s unique Cape Floristic Kingdom.

of construction time having already lapsed.

Building completion is anticipated towards the last quarter of 2016. This CTICC expansion will add 10 000 m² of multipurpose conference and exhibition space, divided into six halls on two levels of 5 000 m2 each, and approximately 3 000 m2 of formal and informal floor space – increasing its attractiveness for events and doubling the CTICC’s existing capacity. In addition, the CTICC will be constructing a sky bridge across the Heerengracht to connect CTICC West and East.

The increased capacity will result in the CTICC having the ability to host even larger events, as

well as multiple large events concurrently. The CTICC expansion has also been a catalyst for other developments in the foreshore precinct. Over the past year, the Media24 building has been significantly upgraded, the new Netcare Christiaan Barnard Hospital is under construction and the old Chevron building is soon to be totally refurbished. In addition, the roads in the area are being upgraded and

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Since the opening of the CTICC, it has not only contributed tremendously to the local economy, but it has firmly rooted itself as a centre where Africa and the world meet. CTICC CEO Julie-May Ellingson (left) is spearheading this and, more specifically, looking to the future, with the CTICC East’s R832 million expansion project set to open in March 2017. Going forward, Julie-May will be at the forefront of the centre’s vision to become one of the world’s top 10 long-haul international convention centres by 2020

realigned to take into account the developments within the precinct.

SUSTAINABLITY IS KEY FOR THE CTICC The CTICC regards sustainability as a fundamental part of doing business. In December 2015, the CTICC expansion – commonly known as the CTICC East project – was awarded a four-star Green Building rating by the South African Green Building Council. The CTICC is very proud of this and is working hard to deliver on all elements of sustainability. Much attention has been paid to climate-control measures, especially concerning the extensive use of glass for natural light and minimising direct sunlight during daylight hours.

The design also includes energy-saving devices, electrical sub-metering, water conservation, waste separation at source, and local sourcing of products.

TOURISM AND JOB CREATION HUB The CTICC is a partnership between the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government,

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with the objective to add to economic growth and job creation in the province, achieved by attracting international meetings and events to Cape Town. It is through delivering high-calibre events that the CTICC boosts tourism and visitors to the city while raising the profile of Cape Town as a leading meetings destination.

Julie-May Ellingson, CEO of the CTICC, conveys this, “Since its inception, the CTICC has contributed a cumulative amount of R28.8 billion to the national GDP and R25.6

billion to the local GDP. The expansion is a key way in which the CTICC will continue to raise the global competitiveness of Cape Town as a premier, world-class meetings and events destination.”

The CTICC has already created and sustained over 91 000 direct and indirect jobs since inception, and will continue to grow this contribution with the hosting of national and international conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs and a variety of other event types.

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TA L K I N G P O I N T S

Orchids and Onions

FRANK LEE SPEAKING

An exhibition industry expert's frank views

Forget the traditional industry awards, Frank Lee dishes out some much needed trophies.

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FRANK LEE is not a member of the Meetings publication team and is a completely free-minded and independent individual who is here to encourage change.

INDUSTRY VIEWS

OST OF YOU – because you actively consume the media that address the industry we’re all in – will be familiar with Brendan Seery’s Orchid & Onion Awards published in the Saturday Star, Weekend Argus and on BizCommunity.

Well, for this issue, I’ve taken a page from Brendan’s book (well, newspaper) and awarded my own Orchid and Onion.

Drum roll, please…

THE ONION And the Onion goes to an exhibition and conference venue for its decision to tax its suppliers. There’s a 10% levy that will be charged on infrastructure and a 5% levy charged on all design stands. The exhibition industry is under extreme strain due to a failing economy and a general global downturn. Suppliers and organisers are on such tight margins that this levy would have to be passed on to the exhibitor, who is already under extreme pressure to meet budgets and turnover.

And another thing, it has been said that extensive market research prompted the introduction of this model. Oh really? Exactly what market research? As much as I have

As for the Orchid… well, I need a bunch of them, not a single one.

A big shout-out goes to every supplier and exhibition organiser who is voicing their opinion about these new levies. The industry cannot accept this.

As it is, build-up times are being cut down to barely attainable timelines, and most service providers don’t get to charge for any overtime. This is to say, they absorb it instead of passing it on to the exhibitor, organiser or venue. Enough is enough, guys – well done for taking a stand.

In Rod Cameron’s opinion, there are three ways the MICE industry must react to terrorist actions.

T

ERRORISM IS PUTTING our industry in danger. This is clearly not a situation that will allow us the luxury of passively sitting back. These incidents appear to have become part of a new reality, and the key question is: what can and should we do in response? I’d suggest there are three things we need to consider:

PERSPECTIVE The approaches now being taken by terrorists mean that no major destination is truly immune – we can’t operate on the assumption that there are safe and unsafe options. At the same time, media hype notwithstanding, most incidents have been relatively contained – frightening in their viciousness and seeming randomness but, in reality, affecting only a tiny proportion of the population, even in the most dramatically affected areas. It remains the case that visitors are far more likely to be impacted by any number of other events than the actions of terrorists.

VIGILANCE We need to accept that we all have a responsibility to our members, clients and delegates to

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THE ORCHID

Taking a stand on terrorism

AIPC on the role of conference centres

ROD CAMERON is president of Criterion Communications Inc., and serves as an executive director of the Joint Meetings Industry Council and AIPC.

pointed fingers at EXSA in the past, I am sure EXSA was not consulted either, or this would have been brought to the members’ attention.

However, I must concede that the presentation I saw claimed that the levies would be utilised to repair the damage done to the venue, presumably by the contractors. If that’s the case, surely a refundable deposit against which penalties could be deducted, linked to a proper venue handover prior to set-up plus a proper hand back after break-down, would have been a preferable route?

take and support every reasonable measure to manage and minimise direct threats in any way we can. Organisers, facilities and suppliers all have a major obligation to not just secure their own operations but to coordinate with other agencies that would potentially be involved, should an incident occur – in fact, a better coordination of efforts seems to have been one of the top recommendations arising from incidents that have already taken place.

DEFIANCE The clear message is that we have a key role to play in defying the disruptive purposes of terrorist acts by refusing to respond as they would like us to. This means showing leadership in maintaining our event schedules and our rotations in ways that demonstrate our collective commitment to global engagement and participation.

None of this will be easy – fear is a powerful motivator, as those responsible for these incidents know only too well. We risk becoming part of a reaction that produces the kind of success the terrorists are looking to achieve – and for the sake of our industry’s future, we must lead the resistance.

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TALKING POINTS

INDUSTRY VIEWS EXSA - giving a voice to the industry

Use an EXSA member today Phumulani Hlatshwayo explores why you should use a professional at your next exhibition.

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HEN PLANNING YOUR stand, you may be tempted to do it yourself. But, by engaging the services of EXSA’s professional exhibition stand contractors, you will get an innovative design that will create the right impression, visibility and interest in your product or services – maximising your ROI.

THEY KNOW WHAT WORKS Exhibition stands need to be PHUMULANI HLATSHWAYO is the new general manager of EXSA. He brings a wealth of experience in the development and implementation of robust operational processes to the association.

creative and effective to enable you to get the results you want. According to Shannon Correia, marketing coordinator, 369, a good stand builder will know what works, “Your stand is designed with your brand in mind. Vibrant graphics, multimedia displays and lighting enhance your products and services and attract quality, targeted attendees straight into the capable hands of your sales staff.”

PLANNING, HEALTH AND SAFETY “There are certain rules, regulations and safety requirements that need to be followed,” says Irene Klue, sales manager, M and M Expo. A good stand builder will ensure your stand complies with all

INDUSTRY VIEWS AAXO - for the exhibition organisers

INSURANCE Thankfully, most exhibitions and events proceed without incident but sometimes things can go wrong. Public Liability Insurance costs a fraction of the price compared to paying large claims if your company is found negligent. EXSA insists that its members carry public liability cover.

TIME MANAGEMENT Engaging an exhibition stand contractor to build your stand will allow your team to get on with what they do best – earning you money. “Stand builders understand the importance of showcasing exhibitor products and in keeping a company’s image in line with its corporate identity. The exhibitor should not waste time building the stand and managing it when they could be focusing on selling their products,” says Irene.

Why become a member Being a part of AAXO affords exhibition organisers access to the expertise and skills required to offer cutting-edge solutions, writes Carol Weaving.

A

CAROL WEAVING is the chairperson of AAXO and is also the managing director of Thebe Reed Exhibitions.

current regulations and will liaise with organisers, submitting all necessary relevant documentation including all health and safety requirements. “This means the stand builder is liable for the stand rather than the actual exhibitor. We are the professionals and know what procedures need to be followed”, says Irene.

AXO WAS FORMED to provide a platform to represent the interests of exhibition organisers on the African continent. It’s an organisation of organisers driven by organisers, and its members represent 80% of exhibitions held in South Africa.

Since its formation, AAXO has made incredible strides towards cementing its position as the governing authority on exhibitions across the continent. Its strategy of creating partnerships with like-minded organisations gives members access to a network of resources and connects them to the best in the industry internationally.

BENEFITS Exhibitions offer incredible opportunities for businesses seeking to gain direct access to the market. Organisers play a vital role in facilitating this process and can create incredible value by providing a world-class experience for exhibitors and customers alike. Not only do AAXO members benefit from its unparalleled knowledge and expertise of the industry but its full understanding of the unique challenges and needs that organisers face gives AAXO a distinct advantage.

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AAXO is committed to fully understanding the exhibition industry and keeping abreast with trends; as such, much effort is directed towards ongoing research and keeping a close eye on the industry. In addition, the organisation prides itself in its efforts to keep up to date with the latest technologies and advancements to support the exhibition trade. Information acquired is used to benchmark standards against global best practices and tailor-make solutions for the industry. AAXO’s training forums and other events offer an excellent platform to impart this knowledge and equip event organisers with the skills to run professional events.

Furthermore, member organisations can display the AAXOapproved badge, a recognisable symbol of the credibility and quality of an exhibition. It gives exhibitors the assurance of quality service and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the event receives the best attention. Additionally, AAXO’s code of conduct holds all member organisations to account for the events that they host and ensures that members act within set standards.

The exhibition industry is growing significantly and AAXO is excited to be contributing to this growth.

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TA L K I N G P O I N T S

With knowledge, it’s possible

INDUSTRY VIEWS

With content being king, the 30th SAACI Congress presented a programme that was relevant and topical, writes Wayne Johnson.

SAACI's take on keeping current

I WAYNE JOHNSON is the chairperson of SAACI. After 18 years in the hospitality industry and 10 years of fulfilling various roles within SAACI, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

N 1985, under a willow tree in the Free State, the idea of SAACI was born through our original founders: Nick Stathakis, Keith McCusker and Godfrey King. They recognised the need to professionalise the South African conference industry and had a further desire to advocate the importance of this sector. A year later, the first SAACI Congress – known as the conference of conferences – was held. This year, SAACI returned to its birth province, for the 30th SAACI Congress.

GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY EDUCATIONAL TOPICS The theme for this year was “with knowledge, it’s possible”.

Content has become the single most important aspect of any business event and, so, our programme complemented our theme. We are proud that 80% of the content was directly linked to the continuing education units of our world body, the Convention Industry Council.

EMPOWERING THE INDUSTRY Integrity | Intelligence | Innovation | Sustainability

The SAACI Academy plays a vital, empowering role in the industry, by providing quality education to individuals

GREENING VIEWS

keeping green with Event Greening Forum

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As we took the time to reflect on our association’s 30 years of existence, the consensus was that there’s simply no two ways about it – the positive value of business meetings, trade shows, exhibitions and conferences is undeniable in the growth of any economy.

By rallying industry advocates, conducting research and working with stakeholders, SAACI aims to bring the industry together to emphasise our importance as a leading contributor to the economy, growing the industry through integrity, intelligence, innovation and sustainability.

Go green, it’s good for business Need to know how to green your event or exhibitions? Then this year’s EGF conference is for you, writes Justin Hawes.

D

JUSTIN HAWES co-founded the EGF to promote sustainability in the South African events industry.

He is currently the forum’s chairperson.

throughout the field. The academy is an online resource to improve skills and obtain relevant qualifications in the industry through courses in a range of fields, with a number of accredited certificates and diplomas.

SAACI has partnered with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions to offer accredited and internationally recognised qualifications, and is addressing the skills gap in the industry, reducing education shortages.

ELEGATES AT THE 4th Event Greening Forum (EGF) Conference will be addressed by events sustainability experts on this year’s theme: “Go Green, it’s good for business”.

The EGF is delighted that Roger Simons, director: Regional Sustainability at MCI and president of the Green Meetings Industry Council, is the conference’s keynote speaker. He will share how global brand communications strategies are evolving in the 21st century, and how events are increasingly an important component of major brands’ sustainability strategies.

WHY ATTEND This year’s conference is particularly important. Not only is this our first standalone conference, but we have managed to secure an international sustainability guru who will share what leading brands and organisations are doing.

There has been a shift in organisations, with sustainable practices now playing a crucial role in their operations.

Delegates can expect to learn more about the most upto-date international green trends, the recently launched

Minimum Standards for Sustainable Events, how simple it can be to green an event, the cost-benefit implications of hosting sustainable events, and the steps required to ensure a truly sustainable event.

The EGF Conference will be attended by corporates, event planners, venue managers, and a range of service providers who operate within the events industry.

MASTER CLASS Roger will also be hosting a MICE Excellence Master Class at the SAACI Association Hub on 20 July 2016. The workshop is aimed at venues, convention bureaus and planners. He’ll be covering topics including: key leadership trends in MICE, sustainable food, ISO 20121 – what it is and how it works, and how to communicate your sustainability strategy.

BOOK NOW DATE: 21 July 2016 VENUE: Hackle Brooke Conference Centre, Johannesburg TO BOOK: eventgreening.co.za/events or email Lynn McLeod on info@eventgreening.co.za.

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#justsaying T H E B A C K PA G E

Miss Meet finds herself going through hundreds of emotions before, during and after events. She takes a look at the light side of these emotions using emoticons.

Illustration: Nicolene Louw

Your SOS face when the proverbial hits the fan.

The pressure you feel when your client wants more than what you can deliver on the budget they have approved.

When you wake up on Saturday morning and realise you actually have the day off.

This emoticon is reserved for that Saturday morning off – the only day you actually have time to do your hair!

Attending an event that you did not organise.

What you think you look like on day four of your conference.

What you actually look like during the four-day conference

When you realise – on the day of the event – that you forgot to send through the special dietary requirements that need to be ordered in by the hotel.

When you are called over to the table to explain why the kosher meal is not there.

When you’re dying to say something to a difficult delegate, but you know you need to zip it.

After that four-day conference.

The pride and satisfaction of organising that four-day conference!

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS AAXO 30 African Pride Crystal Towers IFC AKTV OBC Barmotion 2 Bounce Ink 28 CedarWoods of Sandton 14-15 Century City Convention Centre 44-45 Clico Boutique Hotel 4 Compex 34-35 Crowne Plaza Johannesburg - The Rosebank 13 CTICC 27, 54-55

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Event Wizards 31 Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife 7-8 Fine-line Illustrations 3 Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard 52 Gauteng Convention Bureau 40-41 Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa 11 Lumi 33 Monte de Dios IBC Peermont 5 President Hotel 51 Ripcord Promotions 16-17

Sandton Convention Centre OFC Southern Sun Cape Sun 46-47 Southern Sun Newlands 53 Southern Sun The Cullinan 48-49 Spier 50 SunSquare Cape Town 52 Tourvest IME 32 Unlimited Events Group 56 USB 1, 18

JOHANNESBURG EXPO CENTRE PULL-OUT www.theplanner.guru

087 654 4457/8/9 • info@montededios.co.za • www.montededios.co.za

Don’t

pack light,

as these are not

your average conference venues

Say goodbye to

dull conferences

ATKV Resorts allows you the opportunity to offer a truly unique conference experience to staff or delegates at your next corporate event. No need for anyone to envy the holidaymakers at our resorts as our tailor-made conference packages include corporate visitors in all activities throughout their stay.

www.atkvresorts.co.za Winston Meyer – Manager: Marketing and Conference Sales Tel – 011 919 9084 | Cell – 071 120 3387 | Fax – 011 919 0201 | Email – winstonm@atkv.org.za