24 minute read
Take a walk on the wild side With a vast amount of wilderness
Zaina Lodge Ghana
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
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With a vast amount of wilderness that remains intact and protected from development, Africa offers some of the best natural experiences in the world, which, together with your meeting or conference, could make for your best business event yet.
Africa is becoming a destination of choice and it shows in the numbers, with international arrivals to the continent among the highest in the world.
If you’re looking to include an experience with your next conference, a trip to the furthest reaches of Africa may just be the touch you need to set the tone for your delegates. Meetings treks across the continent to unearth its gorgeous treasures.
Avani Pemba Beach Hotel SOUTHERN AFRICA Not to be missed is The Royal Livingstone in Zambia. Just 25 minutes from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, the resort is easily accessible, with Johannesburg just a short flight away. Enjoy a seamless business meeting in one of The Royal Livingstone’s state-of-the-art spaces, with its largest accommodating 450 people. The venue’s dedicated team will help you perfect every detail of your event. And for a not-to-be-missed experience, dine on a classic steam train while travelling through Africa’s magnificent wilderness. For an exclusive luxury bush experience in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Tintswalo Safari Lodge has every amenity you can think of. The untouched surrounds are worlds away from a corporate boardroom and – with a variety of finedining options, world-class facilities and the pristine wild just a few steps away – it is easy to lose yourself at this incredible venue. Ideal for meetings, corporate functions and weddings, Tintswalo Safari Lodge is as versatile as it is beautiful. Avani Pemba Beach Hotel in Mozambique offers an idyllic white sandy beach setting in which you and your colleagues can enjoy a meeting or function of up to 60 pax. The three contemporarystyled rooms have flexible spacing options and the venue’s conference offering is supported with multimedia equipment, secretarial services and an in-house team to take care of your every eventing need.
EAST AFRICA Immerse yourself in unspoiled beauty at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge in Tanzania. With five restaurants to choose from and a space that seats 70, your delegates can experience the best of Africa’s natural beauty while discussing pressing industry issues, and they certainly won’t go hungry!
The lodge offers a range of exciting experiences to keep its guests busy, including visits to the local village on a tuk-tuk, nature walks, hikes as well as biking, jogging, painting and cooking lessons. Further down the East African coast is the Fairmont Mara Safari Club in Kenya. Providing 119 m 2 of space at its conference tent, its conferencing package includes audiovisual equipment as well as Wi-Fi connectivity for an incomparable meeting experience in the famed Maasai Mara. The venue also offers 51 luxury tents with en-suite facilities and private decks overlooking the Mara River, where hippos are often seen. Guests can also enjoy game drives as well as access to an outdoor swimming pool, lounge, and scenic sundowners and bush dining experiences. Travelling inland, the Akagera Game Lodge in Rwanda calls itself “a contemporary Big 5 experience”. Two hours away from the main city of Kigali and the only reserve in Rwanda where all the big five can be found, it is an ideal escape from the concrete jungle. With 60 rooms, a conference centre, restaurant and bar, the venue forms the perfect home base while guests can find out about and take part in its conservation efforts or simply relax alongside the lodge’s pool.
WEST AFRICA Towards the west of Africa is the Zaina Lodge in northern Ghana. Tailor your business event at its conference centre or opt to make use of the meetings tent that seats up to 40 people – perfect for leadership retreats and intimate board meetings. The venue also caters for team-building events and high-level private functions. In addition, it also offers on-site activities that extend to its community and exciting dining options, including its ‘Moments of Magic’ bush banqueting.
The Cape Verde archipelago is an increasingly popular destination for travellers, and international hoteliers such as Hilton understand the benefits of having a venue in such an exciting location. The Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort provides personalised service across its six stylish spaces, which are fit for everything from extravagant galas to meticulously run meetings and private functions.
NORTH AFRICA Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt is famed as a resort town. Situated between the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea, its sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs make for an exceptional snorkelling experience. The Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa ticks all the boxes when it comes to conferencing and through the hotel group’s event management tools, planning an event has never been so easy. Morocco, meanwhile, is home to numerous venues offering a variety of experiences, including the
Tintswalo Safari Lodge
Fairmont Mara Safari Club Hilton Cabo Verde
Hôtel du Golf in Marrakesh. The venue is situated in the Palmeraie complex and can accommodate any event of any scale. The Palmeraie Conference Centre has 5 000 m 2 of flexible space that caters for large-scale congresses, conferences, seminars and shows. With 38 meeting rooms, the five-star hotel, together with the Palmeraie Palace, offers a host of activities among its unique natural setting.
Akagera Game Lodge
You’ve been part of the MICE industry for over 25 years. How has the industry evolved and how do you see it growing over the next few years? When I first started in the MICE industry many clients didn’t know what a PCO, MICE or an event manager was. Fast-forward to 2020, and we now work in a multifaceted, multibillion-rand industry that employs over 2.26 million people in our country. Over the years, we have seen huge technological advances, going from nothing more than simple decor and an overhead projector to using projection mapping, facial recognition and artificial intelligence. Technology continues to play a pivotal role when organising even a small conference or event.
I believe that we will see even greater growth and disruption in the next 5 to 10 years, with technology again playing a major role in streamlining events and making them ‘wow’.
Managing director at Hospitality Zone
Clients have also become far more focused on meetings, events, conferences and incentives having to meet set objectives, produce tangible outcomes and have a return on investment.
In my opinion, the MICE industry is still one of the most exciting, fun and rewarding industries.
What daily challenges do you often experience and how do you achieve a worklife balance? For me, the most challenging aspect of my work life is wearing so many different hats. Besides wearing the single mom, daughter and friend hats, I also have to switch between being a business owner, relationship builder, sales executive, financial manager and administrator.
To balance this, out I make sure I spend quality time with my family be it by preparing a meal, playing a game of cards, reading or watching a movie. Just knowing that we are together makes me happy.
What are some of your career highlights? There have been so many highlights
but I can honestly say that being honoured with a Top 40 Women in MICE award in 2016 was one of the greatest. In addition, I had the opportunity of serving the industry on both the SAACI and SATSA boards and found this incredibly rewarding.
I was also blessed to meet former President Nelson Mandela when I was part of the team organising his farewell event from his staff. His kindness and humility will always stay with me, and it is an experience I will never forget. What most inspires you? I aspire to be the best ‘me’ possible and work towards this by constantly pursuing personal and emotional growth through training and coaching.
Growing up, I always looked to Dr Myles Munroe as a role model. He often taught about a purposedriven life for true success and always said, “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose.” He has encouraged me to live a fulfilled life. What do you most value? For me, my relationships with my family and close friends are far more cherished than material possessions – the two most important values in my life are love and ethics. My mother has always taught me that “love conquers a multitude of sins”. What is one of your favourite memories, and why?
In December 2017, my son, Jordan, and I took a 10-day road trip to Namibia. We both agree
this was our best holiday ever. Namibia is an amazing country with so many interesting places to visit, and we especially enjoyed spending quality time together while experiencing the stark beauty of the country. ’Kill them with kindness’ was the best piece of advice I ever received from one of my first GMs, Thomas Overbeck, when I worked at the Indaba Hotel many years ago. This advice has served me well.
Coming this August…
The Top Women in MICE Awards achieved new heights in 2019. With the high calibre of nominees and a beautiful awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of these women, we are looking forward to the next instalment of this exceptional event.
To nominate your candidate, please fill out the nomination form below, scan and send this back to wim@3smedia.co.za. Alternatively, download the nomination form from www.theplanner.guru.
in MICE VERSION 2.0
Nominee name
Is the nominee a service provider or buyer/event planner? Qualifications Is the nominee an association member; if so, which association? (SAACI, EXSA, SITE, PCO Alliance Network, ICCA, etc.) Category (select one of the 15 categories listed at https://theplanner.guru/women-in-mice/nominate)
Current company
Current position
Career to date
Nomination Form
NOMINEE INFORMATION
CAREER INFORMATION
Significant achievements in the last 12 months
LEADERSHIP PASSION CREATIVITY INTEGRITY MENTORSHIP RELATIONSHIPS
Carefully considering the above criteria, please provide a motivational paragraph about the nominee. Where possible, please provide examples of where the above traits/achievements were exhibited/made.
YOUR NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS
Please include a high-resolution photograph of the nominee. All nominations must reach wim@3smedia.co.za by 30 June 2020.
Hard hats and corporate wear were replaced with black tie glamour, as the South African exhibitions industry turned up for the fifth ROAR Awards ceremony, held on Friday 31 January 2020 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand. ROARING SUCCESS
Hosted jointly by the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) and the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), the ROAR Awards (which stands for Respect, Opportunities, Achievement and Recognition Awards) is the biggest annual industry event that recognises and celebrates examples of exhibition excellence. This year, the competition was fierce, and the anticipation to see who would walk away with an award on the night was palpable.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING 2019 ROAR AWARDS WINNERS: AAXO BEST EXHIBITION AWARDS 2019 Best Exhibition of the Year: World Travel Market Africa by Reed Exhibitions Best Trade Exhibition (under 6 000 m²): Africa Ports and Rail Evolution by dmg events Best Trade Exhibition (6 001–12 000 m²): World Travel Market by Reed Exhibitions Best Trade Exhibition (over 12 000 m²): Africa Utility Week and Powergen Africa by Clarion Events Best Consumer Exhibition (6 001–12 000 m²): MamaMagic Baby Expo Johannesburg Winter by Exposure Marketing Best Consumer Exhibition (over 12 000 m²): Comic Con Africa by Reed Exhibitions
FIBO Global Fitness Africa team
Best Trade & Consumer Exhibition (under 6 000 m²): Design Joburg by Media 10 Best Trade & Consumer Exhibition (6 001–12 000 m²): FIBO Global Fitness Africa by Reed Exhibitions Best Trade & Consumer Exhibition (over 12 000 m²): Decorex Joburg by Reed Exhibitions Africa Bound Exhibitions: Electra Mining Botswana by Specialised Exhibitions Best Social Media Campaign: Comic Con Africa by Reed Exhibitions Best Industry Member Venue: TicketPro Dome EXSA-LLENCE AWARDS: EXSA Hall of Fame inductees: Brad Alder, Jacqui Nel and Patrick Cronning EXSA Chairperson’s Award: Justin Hawes and Chad Botha Best Overall Design Stand of the 2019 Year: Caesarstone stand at Decorex 2019 by Smartbuild Best External Stand (any size): Interoll stand at Propak 2019 by ConCept G Best Custom-Built Stands (12 m² & under): Investec stand at Batseta 2019 by The Exhibitionist; Siemens Healthineers stand at SASUOG 2019 by ConCept G; and Siemens
Africa Utility Week and Powergen Africa team
Africa Rail and Rail Evolution team
Healthineers stand at SMLTSA 2019 by ConCept G Best Custom-Built Stands (13–24 m²): Janssen stand at Biological 2019 by Brilliant Branding; and Kirion stand at ICE 2019 by Brilliant Branding Best Custom-Built Stand (25–50 m²): IFM stand at Africa Automation 2019 by Brilliant Branding Best Custom-Built Stands (51–100 m²): Aberdare Cables stand at AUW 2019 by SSQ; and Caesarstone stand at Decorex 2019 by Smartbuild Best Custom-Built Stands (101–200 m²): PRASA stand at Africa Rail 2019 by Compex; and SA Tourism stand at Tourism Indaba 2019 by Blu Cube Best Custom-Built Stands (201 m² and over): SA Tourism stand at ITB Berlin 2019 by Blu Cube Best Pavilion Stand (any size): IDC Pavilion at RSA Investment 2019 by GL events Best Outdoor Stand (any size): VW stand at NAMPO 2019 by GL events
Note: Where a category did not receive any submissions that reached the required standard, no award was presented in that category. This was unfortunately the case with System-Built Stands (any size).
Comic Con Africa team
“Naturally, we’re thrilled to be recognised in this way and we’d like to thank AAXO as well as congratulate our fellow industry winners. We put maximum effort into realising our vision for Decorex Africa and ensuring that our exhibitors, trade visitors and members of the public enjoy a superlative experience with us, whether they’re looking for a commercial opportunity, pure inspiration or practical solutions. We look forward to welcoming everyone back again for our 2020 shows.” Sian Cullingworth, portfolio director: Lifestyle, Design and Retail Exhibitions at Reed Exhibitions
The ROAR Awards ceremony takes place around the beginning of each year and recognises the achievements of the exhibition industry’s best shows, stands and service providers.
This year’s awards took on a 007 angle and its theme, ‘Licence to Win’, saw all agents dressed to the nines. Upon arrival at Gallagher’s Estate Ballroom, guests were served kiwi and strawberry daiquiris, with nonalcoholic options available, while organisers of the event kept guests guessing before opening the doors to the beautifully done-up venue. Fitting posters of James Bond himself and striking black, red and gold accents complemented the 007 theme.
Dining on the finest meal of brie cheese and ostrich carpaccio starters, followed by a fillet steak and chicken breast duo for mains, with an assortment of delightful desserts to top it all off, guests’ appetites were well satisfied at the awards.
Donovan Goliath from the famed South African Goliath family of comics entertained guests throughout the event’s proceedings and kept the pace and spirit of celebration going with his announcements of each category winner and witty one-liners, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained. Meetings magazine would like to congratulate each of the winners of the ROAR Awards. We wish you everything of the best going forward and look forward to seeing you at next year’s event!
A stellar success
HOMEMAKERS Expo reports on a year of success for its Johannesburg show.
Living and working in a world that is better connected than ever before, the InHabit themed Johannesburg HOMEMAKERS Expo proved the place to be during the leap-day weekend. The Expo connected visitors with the products and services that help them own the spaces they occupy while mingling with experts and connoisseurs to get the best out of their Expo experience.
This year’s Expo was about improving the way people live in their homes and how they connect with everything around them and extended to the topic of the year’s theme of environmental sustainability, supporting local businesses and being better informed about product origins.
Hestelle Robinson, COO at HOMEMAKERS, says that the team took a fresh approach to the Expo this year.
THE HIGHLIGHTS This year’s Johannesburg Expo brought many highlights, making choosing favourites difficult. The InHabit Workshop and The Garden Table were packed every day with inquisitive visitors looking to learn something new. While the Designer Spaces Challenge brought inspiration to visitors looking to add a truly African flair to their home. Here are some of the highlights: InHabit Workshop was another success for the 2020 HOMEMAKERS Expo. Artisans and experts such as Jana Nel, Joe Strydom and the team from Vermont Sales and World of Decorative Concrete gave visitors demos on the best DIY projects for homeowners. Demonstrations included talks on concrete products, techniques for clay and ceramics, woodworking, revamping old furniture and even adult doodling.
The Garden Table featured live demos by garden gurus such as Tasha Tollman, Terry Moller, Sandy Roberts, Paul Vlok, JJ van Rensburg, Brenda Niehaus, Jan Lubbinge and Matthew Keulemans, as well as food fundis Izelle Hoffman and Johan Du Preez. The Garden Table theatre was packed every day with visitors eager to learn more!
Made possible by DIY Garden Designer, Malanseuns, Bark Unlimited Organics, Fern Lily Design & Landscaping and Lighthouse, the feature entertained and educated visitors on a variety of topics. The Designer Spaces Challenge was a great way for visitors to see how to create the ultimate living space. The theme was inspired by Africa and the designers delivered truly beautiful designs. Visitors had the chance to vote for their favourite designer with the bonus of winning a cash prize. An Expo favourite by far! This year, the winner of the Designer Spaces Challenge was Lindiwe Ludonga from Blooming Oaks Inc.
A favourite place for gamers, the best PlayStation console, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) games were found in The Play(AR) Zone. What started as an area dedicated to the magic of AR turned into an endlessly fun zone for kids and adults alike. Visitors could also decorate and bring their own interactive AR animal to life in real time, which they could take through a fun virtual gaming course right inside The Dome, take a ride on the VR bike or pods, or play their favourite PlayStation games.
Missed the Johannesburg Expo? Find out more about the 2020 Cape Town HOMEMAKERS Expo and Pretoria HOMEMAKERS Expo later this year.
Media contact: Samantha van der Merwe pr@homemakers-sa.co.za
LEGAL MATTERS The CPA and you
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA; No. 68 of 2008) extends to event indemnity and does not just apply to the individual but to everyone in the events industry. Pippa Naudé speaks to Advocate Louis Nel to unpack this further.
You are likely familiar with the many types of indemnities in the events industry, some examples being: contractual clauses that exhibitors must sign; the terms and conditions that delegates must accept when registering to attend a conference; or the signage at a venue stipulating that, by entering the building, event attendees are accepting responsibility for certain risks.
Indemnities are a way for event organisers and suppliers to limit their liability should something go wrong. Typically, they address the issues of ‘any loss, damage or injuries suffered’ while attending their events and using their services. In South Africa, organisers and their suppliers have misused indemnities in the past, and structured them in such a way as to exempt themselves from any liability – even in instances of gross negligence. Carefully worded contracts that did this could be upheld in court; however, this is no longer the case. The CPA has curtailed this legal freedom by introducing restrictions to what an indemnity can and cannot do.
But what does this actually mean? Meetings spoke to the man known as Louis the Lawyer to find out what businesses in the events industry should be doing to ensure they are properly protected against the risks inherent to their work.
THE WHOLE SUPPLY CHAIN CAN BE LIABLE “The first thing I need to stress is that the CPA refers to the liability of the supply chain, and has a very broad and encompassing definition of what the supply chain is,” says Louis. This is:
This means that venues, stand builders, decor companies, caterers, security staff and event sponsors could, for example, be held liable for damages suffered at an event. All of these suppliers need to make sure they have sufficiently fulfilled their responsibilities as outlined by the CPA – and it is not only the event organiser’s responsibility to do this.
ALWAYS BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT ANY RISKS Second, it is important that any risks in attending an event be made evident to potential event attendees. “You cannot simply address these risks in an indemnity or waiver clauses in your terms and conditions,” says Louis. “The CPA requires the supplier to bring all elements of risk to the attention of the consumer at the earliest possible opportunity so that the consumer can make an educated decision (‘receive and comprehend’) as to whether or not to continue with the purchase and/or activity.
“Accordingly the consumer must be advised at the earliest opportunity of any possible risks (section 49) – such as when the consumer (a) enters into the agreement (e.g. registers for an event); (b) starts engaging in the activity (e.g. attends the event); (c) enters the facility (e.g. walks into the venue); (d) is required to make payment.”
This is especially urgent when these risks are dangerous.
Louis adds that all communication during this process “must be in plain language, conspicuous and be ‘likely to attract the attention of an ordinarily alert consumer, having regard to the circumstances’.”
PREVENTION AND PREPARATION CRITICAL Note that merely warning attendees of any risks is not adequate. You will need to do your best to avoid them and be prepared to handle them should they happen. “Therefore, you should also ensure you have adequate risk management practices, trained staff and insurance,” Louis advises.
ULTIMATE entertainment
VOD Media are the largest hospitality service and guest experience provider in the 150+ room market in Africa. With a passion for phenomenal digital experiences, their quality and affordable solutions will ensure you enhance your guests’ experience through powerful platforms.
Aside from exceptional service with all the trimmings, it’s the personal touch that can take a guest’s hotel stay to the next level by providing an out-ofthis-world experience.
VOD Media is quickly forming part of this success story and, through an array of digital entertainment options, the company
Everything that hoteliers and guests want from the network – delivered through a single company
is providing an added element for hotels to include alongside their existing offerings. Partnered with a vast number of global brands and hospitality experts, VOD Media provides world-class platforms to international and independent hotel groups, schools, universities, retail and corporate clients, which deliver an end-user experience that will exceed expectations and stay relevant and upgradable for years to come. FUSION PLATFORM VOD Media are a premium Hoist partner, offering a versatile and intelligent network services platform called Fusion. The Fusion Platform covers the most critical guest and staff applications as well as hoteliers’ digital strategy needs, giving them full control over their network and services. It provides shared interfaces with hotel systems, with external digital systems and potentially with any third-party IP application suitable for hospitality.
The Fusion Platform is the only converged platform that covers the essential network and application needs for guests, visitors and hotel staff. It combines the most advanced technologies, which it continuously develops in tune with rapidly evolving user needs.
The Fusion Platform can serve one to four modules: Internet, Connected TV, Interfaces and Controls. The whole platform is owned, developed and managed by Hoist Group for hoteliers. It builds on VOD Media’s long and close working relationships with many of the world’s leading hotel brands and
Effortlessly upgrade your hotel’s analogue signal to digital high definition which boasts crystal-clear image quality and providing guests access to a wider range of channels.
HIGHLIGHTS
SERVING… • 100+ hotels • 25 000+ guest rooms • Leading hotel chains and independent hotels
FUSION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTS… • 40 million unique sessions per year • 150 000 concurrent users across partner hotels, with peaks above 200 000
INTERFACING WITH… • 120 hotel PMS and customer databases, on-site and above property • Third-party services – e.g. telephony and call rating, roaming, building management systems, room controls, digital signage, mobile apps, phones, tablets, etc.
Hospitality TV VOD Media offers a large selection of hospitality TVs and IPTV compatible platforms. Fusion TV provides hotel guests a personalised viewing experience, by linking guest room TV sets to the IP network without any extra cabling.
Cast to TV Enhance the guest experience by enabling your guests to cast their content on to the hotel TV, simply by using their favourite apps on their device. Managed networks VOD Media’s network engineers will ensure that the infrastructure is of world-class standards, meeting current and future needs to complement the offered solutions.
Digital signage VOD Media incorporates various digital signage solutions into IPTV systems, eliminating the need for multiple suppliers. Digital headend The Chameleon digital headend offers limitless available channels that can be broadcast to an unlimited number of TV units.
Electronic locks The Hoist RFID lock provides a secure and reliable solution while giving guests a more comfortable and pleasant stay. This is compatible with the Hoist Mobile Key Solution.
operators, as well as supply-side industry partners.
The Fusion Platform is a shared infrastructure and product platform that enables cost sharing among multiple applications. Moreover, managing an array of services through one platform gives both VOD Media and the hotelier centralised control over the network, with all associated IP guest and staff applications. This enables unequalled stability and scalability, higher service quality and consistent service delivery.
Developed on technology standards and meeting relevant certification requirements, Hoist Group is bringing together awardwinning technologies and market-leading solutions to satisfy the needs of both hotel guests and hoteliers, while empowering hotel chains to leverage technology more effectively for their brand and improve guest loyalty. Everything builds on VOD Media’s expertise as a provider of premier networks and profound hospitality experiences.
For more information, visit the VOD Group website: www.vodmedia.tv
Some of VOD Media’s happy clients include:
Internet access VOD Media’s systems are built specifically to address the needs of an increasingly connected world and the demand for strong, reliable Wi-Fi.
Conference tool Take full technical control over your meeting spaces and set up a conference network and customised access codes with just a few mouse clicks.
