9 minute read
Ed’s Comment
Managing Editor Shanna Jacobsen (shanna@3smedia.co.za) Digital Editor Pippa Naudé Chief Sub-Editor Tristan Snijders Head of Design Beren Bauermeister Contributors Aloysius Arlando, Glenton de Kock, Michelle Hinrichsen, Lynn McLeod, Thami Nkadimeng, Projeni Pather, Arnold Tanzer, Gary van der Watt Production & Client Liaison Manager Antois-Leigh Nepgen Group Sales Manager Chilomia Van Wijk Financial Manager Andrew Lobban Bookkeeper Tonya Hebenton Distribution Manager Nomsa Masina Distribution Coordinator Asha Pursotham
Advertising Vanessa De Waal +27 (0)84 805 6752 | vanessa@3smedia.co.za
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It is with sadness that I am writing this ed’s comment, as it will be the last in my capacity as editor of Meetings magazine. After working with my team for two years to produce 12 wonderful editions of Meetings, it is only fitting that I leave you with an issue I can be proud of and that I hope inspires you to deliver the most exceptional eventing experiences. Our very own showcase on page 58 of our upcoming Top Women in MICE Awards 2020 features a stellar line-up of truly inspirational women and industry partners. They are the reason why we bring this event together each year and it has been incredibly rewarding to have been part of a growing and evolving story that is setting the standard for the meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions industry.
Deriving key outcomes utilising business events as a
platform is a unique
blend that is both an art form and exact science. To help inform these outcomes, our focus
feature on page 13 explores just some of the aspects to consider when producing an
ideally tailored
event to engage with and
invigorate our audiences.
An element that is often hit or miss among attendees is food, so identifying and selecting what sort of sustenance you are going to provide for your guests is good to have checked off. Our Best Practice piece on page 15, with accompanying menu suggestions, is certain to satisfy all appetites.
Having worked with numerous venues across the industry, I can say with conviction that a venue is hugely important to addressing the bulk our concerns around event preparation. On page 22, we profile an array of offerings that offer both large and small capacity options that are suited to a range of events, limited only by imagination.
As is the case with most events and venues, hosts aim to create a memorable and longlasting impact, and for those looking to incorporate a travel experience for their delegates, look no further than page 46. Closer to home on page 27, we travel to the Cape provinces to unpack all that the region has to offer.
I would like to thank the 3S Media team for all their hard work in bringing together each issue of the magazine because they are the beating heart of our operation.
And now, without further ado, I bid you, our readers and valuable stakeholders, adieu – and my best to you!
Shanna
MEETINGS l MAR/APR 2020 • 3
TROPHIES -AWARDS - MEDALS
Downings Marquee Rentals is celebrating a major milestone, as the company turns 20 in 2020! Meetings talks to the Downings team to understand what it takes to deliver an exceptional service offering that has stood the test of time and become a market-leading marquee infrastructure company.
Starting out with just one small marquee tent in the year 2000, Richard Downing launched Downings Marquees. The company has since grown to be a leading marquee infrastructure supplier in South Africa, owning some of the largest temporary structures to exist in the country. This includes a structure that - at 50 m x 220 m – is larger than two rugby fields, and then some.
“In 1998 after I had finished studying civil engineering, I worked abroad for a marquee company. On returning to South Africa I saw the potential in the events industry for tents and started Downings with a traditional peg and pole marquee tent. During my time in the UK I was exposed to the use of aluminium frame marquee structures and their advantages for events. Using my technical drawing knowledge, theory and practical experience, I designed our
GIVING BACK
Giving back is an important part of the Downings culture. Each year, a percentage of client spend is donated to charity and community upliftment. In addition, Downings works within its local communities to increase their knowledge of marquee installations and create jobs. The company also donates the use of older structures that are no longer suitable for their clients’ events to these communities, who can put them to good use. Over the past 20 years, the company has both delivered its services to the highest of standards and seen to it that people benefit on every level of engagement. It has been this combination that has helped to take Downings Marquee Rentals to the top of the industry. first aluminium marquee structure, which we manufactured ourselves and installed in 2001,” explains Richard Downing, CEO and founder of the Downings Group.
The capacity and know-how to fabricate its own structures in-house have been part of the business from the get-go. By the time it was established as a fullyfledged business, Downings Marquees was able to design, develop and deploy a solution for any temporary structure. This included the frame structure, tent, glass marquees, flooring, level interlocking decking system, solid and glass sides, doors and more.
“I found that the best way to meet my clients’ demands and high expectations was to design and manufacture in-house,” Richard explains. The success of this manufacturing and fabrication initiative lead to the founding in 2005 of the group’s manufacturing company, Speed Structures.
FROM INCEPTION Richard’s love for metalwork and creating structures was nurtured from an early age. “My dad had an equipment and tool hire business that he started in the 1980s, and every weekend I would be involved in some sort of metalwork project, whether building or welding. I’ve always been innovative and proactive in finding and creating the best way of doing something,” he says.
Innovation is what excites the team at Downings the most and, although he’s been with the company for less than half a year, having been part of the Downings story has been an interesting journey for the new group COO, Gerald Steyn.
“Having come from a range of industries – from services to IT and manufacturing – and seeing how Downings is at the forefront of innovation is massively exciting,” says Gerald.
The marquee business certainly presents an interesting growth opportunity, with some of Downings’ most recent projects including the recent wedding of our former Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh, and her husband Tim Tebow, as well as the Match in Africa between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal that took place in Cape Town.
“This saw a new world record being achieved with 51 954 fans attending the tennis match and we provided the hospitality marquee and infrastructure for 1 800 VVIPs,” says Francois Marais, branch manager at Downings Cape Town, proudly.
ONE OF A KIND Downings Marquee Rentals works hard to ensure the materials it uses are of the best quality available to the market. This has also enabled the company to provide some of the most creative and beautiful structures in the country.
“We don’t accept the norm – we want to offer our clients and their guests something unique and memorable while making it something that is proudly South African. That is not something you can put a price on… I knew when I started working with Downings that I would be aligned to an industry-leading marquee company in South Africa,” emphasises Richard Mons, branch manager at Downings Johannesburg.
Downings’ marquees are at the cutting edge of the offerings available to the market in South Africa, Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Operating to European standards, Downings offers structures that exist nowhere else in these territories.
“Our marquees are really architecturally distinct and just about everything we do is different to what is available, which, I can assure you, goes a long way in enhancing the overall experience for our clients and their guests,” says Richard.
SETTING THE BAR At Downings, the training and the upskilling of its team are important, especially where health and safety is concerned.
“We adhere to the highest regulations in safety; the way in which we train our staff to work at height and with scaffolds is an aspect that we cannot overlook,” says Richard Mons.
To ensure its reach extends as far as possible, Downings Marquee Rentals has branches in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, allowing for delivery and installation nationwide. From its impressive range of marquee infrastructure options and exceptional client service, to the management of its marquee staff and all the finishing touches, it is no surprise that Downings has distinguished itself from its competitors.
Visit our new website at
downingsmarquee.co.za
+27 (0)81 365 6777 planner@downings.co.za
Business Express Lunch
WORK WELL If you don’t have time for a long leisurely lunch, have a client you’ve been meaning to impress, or you just want to treat yourself on your next lunch-break, then join us for an express 60-minute wholesome business lunch at Louis B’s which includes complimentary mineral water and a coffee “to-go” to finish your meal.
