Tidbits

Meetings’ must-know minutiae

EventMB rebrands to Skift Meetings

A popular content resource for planners and those within the live events space, EventMB, is rebranding to Skift Meetings. This follows the acquisition of EventMB by Skift in 2019 and ushers in a new era for the consolidated company that will emphasise innovation and adaptability. It is hoped that the decision to rebrand to Skift Meetings will continue to inspire meetings professionals and event organisers while drawing on Skift resources.

“Being more closely connected with Skift and all of its stakeholders means that we are connected to a much larger global audience of travel executives. This closer connection not only gives a larger reach but allows us to interact across sectors, which is a perfect match for a horizontal industry like meetings. This will allow us to look far beyond the meetings industry and breathe fresh air into the space,” it was noted in an official announcement.

New Limpopo hotel on track to open doors in May 2023

African Century Group has broken ground on a development that will result in the eventual opening of a four-star Premier Hotel in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Residents and visitors can look forward to a 120-room establishment, following a sod-turning ceremony that took place on Friday, 22 April 2022.

It is hoped that the construction of the hotel will provide around 480 jobs, allowing local construction workers to develop the skills needed to build a hotel.

Once the hotel is open, it will have close to 8 697 m2 of usable space, with a conference space large enough to host up to 450 delegates, a business suite, bar and restaurant, outdoor pool, and gym facility. The premises is just a stone’s throw away from the Kruger National Park’s Punda Maria gate and is said to be “a major milestone in the tourism sector”.

RX Africa’s Daniella Galante secures UFI grant

Following the conclusion of its judging process, Daniella Galante, senior digital marketing executive at RX Africa, has become one of six recipients of UFI’s Next Generation Leadership (NGL) Grant programme.

“The UFI NGL Grant promotes next-generation leadership in the exhibition industry, rewarding professionals who show clear initiatives in driving change and innovation in their area of activity. This year, the focus of the NGL project is to develop a new talent narrative for the exhibition industry, a topic of critical importance to the future of our sector,” notes UFI on its website. The full list of grant recipients is as follows: 1. Monika Baro, VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co. – Thailand 2. Daniella Galante, RX Africa – South Africa 3. Joseph Kowalsky, Emerald X – USA 4. Justine Rabel, Eventmaker – France 5. Maria Victoria Piñeres, Costa Rica Convention Center/Grupo Heroica

Volio & Trejos – Costa Rica 6. Jon Yahirun, Clarion Events – USA.

Ethiopian Airlines mulls deeper commercial ties with India

Ethiopian Airlines, voted Africa’s top airline by both Business Traveller and the Skytrax Awards, is considering a commercial venture with several India-based operations.

One of Africa’s top carriers, Ethiopian Airlines is reportedly exploring “commercial tie-ups” with domestic budget carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet, a company representative has said. This is off the back of its codeshare agreement with Air India, owned by Tata Group. The airline also said it would be considering prospects around setting up aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities on the subcontinent.

“India is one of our strategic markets in Asia and we have been providing critical air connectivity between India and Africa for decades. It is one of the critical destinations for the passenger and cargo services for Ethiopian Airlines,” Tigist Eshetu, regional director: Indian Subcontinent, Ethiopian Airlines, was quoted as saying.