Meetings September October 2022

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The Exhibition Planner is an essential tool for exhibitors. Information is packaged in an easily digestible format addressing the entire process of planning and arranging a show stand, what to do pre-show, during and post-show. Published annually.

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THE GEAR YOU NEED FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL

has always been a risky activity:

the inconvenience of lost baggage to far more serious concerns around safety –especially security and medical emergencies.

it comes to the latter, there are

can take to protect

and your family. Meetings

OPPORTUNITY TO DO BETTER

back.

Meetings speaks to

learn more about

as

significant

grappling with,

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND

One industry insider told me that, in many ways, the past year has been harder than the two years of lockdown. It’s true that the hard work has started in earnest now – but we are all still here because we love it.

The National State of Disaster was lifted on 5 April 2022, which is a mere six months ago. And yet it feels like a lifetime has passed – even though the after-effects of the Covid-induced lockdowns continue to have a huge impact on our professional lives, and likely will for appreciation of face-to-face events. This has resulted

Hopefully our industry can channel this into building a robust pipeline for future events.

We are also seeing a surge in so-called revenge travel, and especially bleisure travel, which presents new opportunities for the MICE sector (find out more on page 12), while our coastal coverage highlights some of the world-class venues and hospitality that our country offers to support this growth (page 14).

Other after-effects are far less welcome. Exhibition standbuilders, for example, are grappling with several serious (and in one case dangerous) risks, which EXSA shares with us on page 6. One of the best ways to solve these kinds of challenges is through collaboration, and associations such as EXSA present the perfect vehicle for this. Now is the time to join and get involved with your industry associations. Your business and your chosen profession will both benefit from this.

GET READY TO END THE YEAR WITH A BANG

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.

MEMBER OF

recent SAACI National Congress (which you can read page 9) and

After all the busyness and stress that the past few years have created, I think we can all agree 2022 needs to end with lots of celebration and fanfare. If you haven’t yet planned your year-end party, now is the time to do it! We have some solid advice from the pros on page 24 to help you make it extra special.

Lastly, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any issues you would like to share, questions or general feedback. This being my very first issue of Meetings magazine, I would love to hear from you!

Until next time,

IN COLLABORATION WITH

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Entries open for the IDIA Awards 2023

The International Federation of Event and Exhibition Services (IFES) has announced the second edition of its IFES Development + Innovation Award (IDIA).

The IDIA Awards 2023 are open to all exhibition and event industry players, not only IFES members, who have an innovative project, production process or service. This includes designers, developers, manufacturers of products and services, as well as end-users (who have applied a product or service in an actual project).

Four categories exist, and entries may be made in one or more. The categories are: Product, Service, Management/Production Process, and Out of the Box.

Registration is now open, and more details can be found at ifesnet.com/events-all/idia.

ILTM Africa 2023 location announced

Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTMA) will return to the spectacular Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in 2023, offering exhibitors, travel buyers and visitors a taste of the beauty and luxury the host city of Cape Town has to offer. The luxury show, which will take place from 31 March to 2 April, will focus on what luxury means to travellers in a new world.

As a strategic value-add, the bespoke travel trade show will take place slightly earlier than WTM Africa, which is scheduled to run from 3 to 5 April. Find out more at iltm.com.

Air Belgium launches new South African route

On 15 September, Air Belgium launched its new triangular route between Brussels, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Belgium is currently South Africa’s sixth largest trading partner, as well as the Western Cape’s seventh largest European export market. Brussels is also considered a gateway to Europe, with high-speed trains connecting the city to hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam in a couple of hours. Fares start at R11 569 for an all-in return ticket between Johannesburg and Brussels and passengers are allowed 30 kg free baggage allowance.

Meetings’ must-know minutiae

Electra Mining a resounding success

Electra Mining Africa, which turns 50 this year, saw thousands of buyers and sellers coming together at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg, from 5 to 9 September.

Gary Corin, managing director of Specialised Exhibitions, a division of the Montgomery Group, says, “The industry came out in full force in support of the show with over 650 exhibitors occupying just less than 30 000 m² of indoor and outdoor exhibition space, and with over 30 000 visitors through the gates. Although we’ve come out of a very tough period following the pandemic, the sense of anticipation and the positivity that has been expressed on the floor of the exhibition throughout the show has been enormous.”

BON Hotels adds the iconic Grand Daddy to its portfolio

Previously known as the Metropole, the iconic property has now rebranded to the Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel by BON Hotels.

Founded in 1895, the hotel is famed for its landmark Victorian architectural grandeur, its quirky decor and antique furnishings, as well as its unique Rooftop Airstream Trailer Park and cinema.

Guy Stehlik, CEO of BON Hotels, says, “The best thing about BON Hotels is that each of our properties is so different, catering for different aspects of tourist or business travel. Grand Daddy is perfect for the visitor looking for something completely different and completely memorable.”

BON Hotels’ South African footprint now includes 11 establishments.

New US-SA flights announced by Delta

Delta Air Lines is increasing its flight capacity to South Africa with the introduction of a seasonal triangular route from Atlanta-JohannesburgCape Town-Atlanta. The four-times-weekly route will start on 2 December, providing non-stop service from both Cape Town and Johannesburg to Atlanta.

Additionally, a non-stop Atlanta-Cape Town service will begin on 17 December, operating on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

The you need for global travel

ABOUT THE COMPANY

GEAR is new to the scene of travel assistance and response, but SPS Global Assistance Group – the creator of GEAR – has been around for a very long time and is no stranger to travel risk.

SPS Global Assistance Group has provided integrated risk, security, medical and crisis response solutions to its clients in more than 130 countries for over 30 years. It has guided and protected people in what can be described as truly extraordinary and often terrifying circumstances.

Travelling has always been a risky activity: from the inconvenience of lost baggage to far more serious concerns around safety – especially security and medical emergencies. When it comes to the latter, there are proactive measures you can take to protect yourself, your staff and your family. Meetings finds out more about one such solution.

Thanks to the pandemic, traveller safety has come under the spotlight. Covid hindered travel globally, but business travel is on the rebound, and never before has the duty to care about staff been more important. The inherent risks are not limited to Covid or other medical conditions. Business travellers need to ensure they have comprehensive cover for all kinds of worstcase possibilities, including natural and man-made

disasters, violent crime, political instability, terrorism and more. Fortunately, there are options available that offer more than just financial cover. One such example is GEAR – Global Emergency Assistance and Response. GEAR is a travel assistance membership that has been designed specifically with the global traveller in mind. As well as providing financial cover, it provides travellers with real-time 24/7 emergency support and assistance through an easy-to-use smartphone app – GEAR Tech.

HOW IT WORKS

By using an app, GEAR is always within hand’s reach. Should a GEAR member require emergency assistance, they can open the app and instantly contact the Global Response Centre. A team of experts is available 24/7 to advise, guide and – if required – send medical or security support to move them to a place of safety. This means GEAR members benefit from immediate support, without the stress and hassle of a claims process or having to cover unforeseen costs during a crisis. The potential risks that GEAR can expertly manage include:

• natural and man-made disasters

• violent crime

• political risks, terrorism, riots

• emergency accommodation

• wrongful detention

• missing persons

• evacuation and medical expenses

• kidnap and ransom response.

The Group’s purpose is to “calmly and efficiently support you and your team before, during and after something goes wrong. We are big enough to provide a global service but small enough to operate in an agile way, which ensures our rapid response to any situation,” according to its website.

SPS GLOBAL ASSISTANCE GROUP IN A NUTSHELL

• A world leader in integrated risk, security, medical and crisis response solutions

• Established in 1991, with over three decades’ worth of experience

• In over 130 countries, it has supported individuals, families and organisations

• Offices in the UK, UAE, Singapore, Ireland and South Africa

• A 24-hour GEAR (Global Emergency Assistance and Response) Centre is maintained with failover procedures in place

• Proprietary technology and expert specialists power the GEAR Centre, proactively and efficiently handling the emergency assistance and response needs of clients worldwide

When looking at the latest Travel and Tourism Development Index, which was released in May 2022 by the World Economic Forum, it is easy to see why a specialist offering, such as GEAR, is needed for the international traveller. All the African countries have ranked in the lower half of the index, as have many of South American and Eurasian nations.

travel to any country will inherently carry risk, travellers to these particular regions should be concerned by the low health, hygiene, safety and security conditions. Travellers will want definitive access to a swift escape if the need arises (be it security or medical in nature), which is exactly the kind of support the GEAR packages offer. Travelling to these areas without GEAR or GEARx would be a risk if one truly thinks about it carefully.

of the risk rankings from the Index:

AFRICA

Egypt

Mauritius

South Africa

Botswana

Kenya

Tanzania

Namibia

Rwanda

Zambia

Ghana

Senegal

Nigeria

AMERICAS EURASIA

Colombia

Panama

Peru

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Trinidad and Tobago

Bolivia

El Salvador

Guatemala

Macedonia

Republic

Leone

However, GEAR members don’t only receive help during emergencies; they are also given the right information to help proactively prevent emergencies. For example, members can ‘check-in’ and share their location with the Global Response Team. This allows live location-based safety alerts to be sent to them. These could be anything from infrastructure and transport disruptions to natural disasters, civil and political unrest, terrorist threats, and health risks. By arming members with this targeted information, they can more easily avoid potentially dangerous situations.

features on the app include up-to-date Global Alerts and Local Alerts pages, Country Advisory pages (with country-specific advice, including recommended vaccinations, security and medical information, cultural dos and don’ts, language, climate, visa and passport requirements,

and transportation advice, currency conversion, public holidays and festivals), and access to the Assistance page. Additional packages

also available, such as GEARx for comprehensive medical assistance, as well as the GEARx Consult option for 24-hour telemedical issues with an in-house practising medical team of doctors and nurses.

real-time and reliable information on hand like this not only helps members make more informed decisions but it can streamline their travels while alleviating some of the stress associated with travelling.

WHO NEEDS IT?

is specifically built around the threat of crisis and medical emergencies far from home, which is what makes it suitable for the following entities:

Multinational organisations, including travelling employees, shareholders and board members or expats relocating. GEAR provides enhanced duty of care, with professional, experienced and immediate responses to an incident that includes both medical and security support within a single membership. GEAR also ensures any necessary costs are covered so as to prevent any delays in receiving the assistance that is needed.

Travel businesses, such as consortiums, travel agencies, tour operators, travel insurers and airlines. The same benefits mentioned above apply here. However, in addition, GEAR can provide a revenue stream through commissions, while promising peace of mind to your clients (and yourself). Commissions are scalable in line with memberships sold.

Individuals, from families and couples to individual global travellers.

www.sps-global.com/gear

you’d like to get an instant quote

find out more about the benefits

features of the GEAR & GEARx membership options, including the optional extra GEARx Consult. You can also call +44 203 889 7025 or email

AN OPPORTUNITY to do better

by a client and have subsequently been unable to deliver a completed stand – providing only a half-built structure, for example, by the time the show opens. She believes that this is a result of standbuilding companies taking on too much work after having had no income during lockdown, and which they simply cannot deliver on.

This has been a busy year for the exhibitions industry, not least the Exhibitions & Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), a professional association that represents the industry. Sibusiso Mncwabe, chairperson of EXSA, agrees, saying, “The recovery of exhibitions has been very encouraging. Shows are happening back to back, and some in conjunction with others. It is exciting to be able to interact in person again and many companies are starting to recover financially as well.”

However, the recovery process has been far from smooth he adds, “Although exhibitions are open and running, it is not without risks. There has been a huge shrinkage of experienced people that had to pursue other career options, and this has left a gap in industry that will take a while to train new

staff. Another risk is that the build-up and breakdown times are often shortened due to demand of venues. This is a health and safety risk for suppliers. And of grave concern is non-delivery, which is harming our industry’s reputation.”

Another challenge facing standbuilders is the need to implement design fees, in order to ensure a fair practice of paying for a professional service.

Lee-Ann Alder, association manager of EXSA, says, “At EXSA, we definitely view problems as an opportunity to do better, so we have been tackling these issues head on.”

#1: SERVICE NON-DELIVERY

Of huge concern to the exhibitions industry are the present levels of non-delivery. LeeAnn shares that there have been repeated instances where standbuilders have been paid

Non-delivery tarnishes the exhibitions industry as a whole, as the negative publicity can deter future clients from exhibiting. This especially as exhibiting carries a substantial cost and time investment. For this reason, some organisers and venues are banning guilty suppliers from working at their shows and premises.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Lee-Ann says, “EXSA members seldom have service delivery issues. Where there have been situations where there was a risk of non-delivery, members have worked together to ensure completion. If there was a case of non-delivery, EXSA also has processes in

Exhibitions are back. It’s been a welcome change, but one that is fraught with challenges. Meetings speaks to EXSA to learn more about four significant risks the standbuilding community is grappling with, as well as some of their proposed fixes.

In South Africa, build-up and breakdown times are not governed by an act, a standard or even a best-practice guideline. This means there is no agreement on what is fair.”

place and can deal with these kinds of issues. “Unfortunately, we have no authority over non-EXSA members, and we cannot intervene on the behalf of clients or organisers to rectify the situation. It is for this reason that we always encourage organisers to use EXSAaccredited suppliers. All EXSA members are vetted and approved before they can join the association. For example, they must provide evidence of safety files, be POPI compliant, have evidence of tax compliance, and sign a code of conduct. By joining EXSA, they are upheld to certain standards and there is some recourse should anything go wrong.”

Lee-Ann adds that either she or another EXSA board member is present during the build-up of most shows across the country. This also ensures that should any issues arise with an EXSA member, they can be resolved quickly and before becoming a more serious problem.

#2: WAIVING DESIGN FEES

Liam Beattie, MD of design agency HOTT3D and an EXSA board director, explains that, historically, exhibition design fees were always billed for. Then, in the 1980s, a new South African company started offering free designs, which allowed them to capture a

significant portion of the market. Ultimately, this became a competitive practice and caused free stand designs to become an industry norm.

While the practice has become a problematic cost for companies, it has been hard to reverse as it requires a majority of businesses to agree to reinstituting these fees collectively, yet no one wants to ‘blink first’. Fast-forward to the present day, where exhibition stand design companies have had to retrench their staff due to the prolonged lockdowns. Many of these companies are now subcontracting to previous employees as freelancers, and billing for design work that is being billed is suddenly a more logical step.

Liam says, “This has become a catalyst to driving change, and it has highlighted the value of designers. They study for four years to become qualified and have to use expensive software and computers, so it makes sense that designs are fairly paid for.”

PAYING PROFESSIONALS FAIRLY

He adds that other related industries such as interior design and architecture always charge for designs, and furthermore have gazetted fees that they are legally bound to charge. His vision is to align EXSA with the African Institute of the Interior Design Professions (IID) and the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) to reach a point where the exhibitions industry can also introduce a mandatory minimum design fee.

To make this happen, Liam has formed a committee within EXSA that is creating a set of guidelines on how to charge for design. Once done, they will share this with the wider industry to debate and gain buy-in, after which they hope to publish it. “This will then give companies a tool that they can take to their clients to give them some ground to stand on,” he adds. Ultimately, he hopes these

fees will also be gazetted. In the interim, many companies have started to implement design fees. Liam says that, since doing this at HOTT3D, most of his clients have been receptive to the practice. He says, “It’s actually improved the whole design process, as clients are now giving us better and more detailed briefs. Everyone wins.”

#3: SHORT BUILD-UP & BREAKDOWN TIMES

Another challenge that has plagued the exhibitions industry for years is standbuilders not being given enough time for build-up and breakdown. Unfortunately, this is happening more regularly since Covid. Kerry-Lee Bester is the director of standbuilding company Brilliant Branding and an EXSA board director. She admits it would be in no one’s interests to have excessive build times – including the standbuilders – but says that often these times are squeezed to a point that becomes unreasonable. She shares a recent example where a show allocated 12 hours for a build with custom stands. This was an impossible ask for the standbuilders involved, so they were forced to say they would not be able to build any stands. Eventually a compromise was reached, and they were given two full days’ build time.

Kerry-Lee’s frustration is that this continues to happen and, each time it does, EXSA must get involved to negotiate a more reasonable time allowance. She says, “The crux of the problem is that, in South Africa, build-up and breakdown times are not governed by an act, a standard or even a best-practice guideline. This means there is no agreement on what is fair, and venues and organisers are free to set these times as they wish. It is somewhat arbitrary.”

AN ARGUMENT FOR PROACTIVITY

She continues, “Exhibitors want showstopping, beautiful stands. These make the organisers and shows look good, as well as our industry. But often people don’t understand what goes into a build, and the complexities and limitations we deal with. If they did, they would be in awe that we as an industry manage to pull off what we do. Yet limited build times are an avoidable danger.

“I keep asking, ‘Where will this end?’ My concern is that, one day, someone

(a standbuilder) will get seriously hurt. The teams are put under tremendous pressure to deliver so much in so little time. And we don’t want to do our clients a disservice by taking shortcuts and producing a poor-quality stand.

“A further concern is that if (or when) an accident happens, it could ultimately lead to extreme interventions from external bodies that could be very hard for our industry to accommodate – not only standbuilders but venues and organisers too.”

For this reason, Kerry-Lee believes that self-governance is the far better option, and says, “If we can all sit around a table together, we could come up with our own way to manage this challenge. This approach would likely be far more in all of our interests than if government or another body were to be reactively involved after an accident. We all need each other, so let’s all work together to make our industry better, and safer.”

Until this happens, Lee-Ann says that EXSA will continue to address these issues as they are raised and deal with them on a case-bycase basis.

#4: INDUSTRY SKILLS SHORTAGE

Another effect of the extended lockdowns is that many event industry professionals have found employment in other industries. Now, as events resume, there is a shortage of staff to provide key skills.

In many ways, this is a great opportunity to onboard unemployed youth, but new recruits need to be developed and upskilled quickly. Some EXSA members are successfully doing this through learnerships and internships. Learnerships are for students who are still busy studying and are required to gain a certain amount of work experience to complete their qualification. Internships are

for graduates who are seeking employment opportunities. Common practice is to take on both learners and interns for a limited time frame, such as 6 to 12 months, with no expectation of employment afterwards. Paying them a small stipend is also recommended so that they can cover their expenses.

A STRATEGY THAT WORKS

These kinds of work opportunities are an invaluable way to give potential employees on-the-job training and industry experience, while also giving employers a chance to see if someone is a good fit for their company and the role they are looking to fill.

SETA is an acronym for Sector Education and Training Authority, and the Services

SETA is the channel through which exhibition standbuilders can apply for funding for learning programmes. To find out more about this, visit www.servicesseta.org.za.

For those looking for more formal qualifications for their new recruits, EXSA is busy developing an NQF level 5 event and exhibition course. Lee-Ann shares that the intention is for it to be a fully accredited programme, and she is in communication with the Services SETA towards this end.

WILL YOU JOIN?

“Any association is only as strong as its members. If you have concerns and criticisms of the exhibitions industry, and even of EXSA and what we do, we encourage you to join us. It is only by working together, from the inside, that we can solve these problems. Collectively, we are so much stronger,” says Lee-Ann Alder, association manager at EXSA.

To find out more about EXSA and how you can get involved, visit exsa.co.za or contact Lee-Ann on info@exsa.co.za.

other, so

all

together to make our industry better, and safer.”

SAACI National Congress 2022 RECOMMITTING & REBUILDING

The SAACI National Congress 2022 was an invaluable opportunity for industry professionals to gather “to make new memories, while old friendships were rekindled, and new friendships forged”. Meetings takes a closer look at what unfolded.

Advocate Gesie van Deventer, Mayor of Stellenbosch, warmly welcomed the delegates to the historic town

The Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) held its 35th national congress on 14 to 15 August 2022 at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study. The theme this year was ‘Eventing into the Future’, with the association using the event as an opportunity to create a framework for the industry to move forward – among other objectives.

PROMOTING IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS

Glenton de Kock, CEO of SAACI, describes the event format as an experiment that paid off. “We know that in-person events are ‘in fashion’. People want to get together and it is critical to organise networking activities for delegates. These can be a combination of formal and ad hoc activities for attendees. With that, entertainment is a very welcomed

component, and not just a band. Other entertainers or entertaining activities can effectively form part of the conference programme,” he says.

Based on this, the organising committee decided to launch the programme with a lunch on the Sunday, followed by sessions and going directly into the welcome event at Amazink, South Africa’s first township dinner theatre. Glenton explains that this opportunity to connect with people over lunch, and before getting into the talks, set the tone for the rest of the event.

Other ways that engagement was prioritised was by having shorter talks of 25 minutes with a Q&A (much like the popular and punchy TED Talks), as well as break-away huddle groups to discuss ‘What clients want?’, an after-lunch ‘screen-free zone’, and an ‘outside activation’ with nature, which included a grounding exercise of walking barefoot on the grass.

“Next year, we want to build on this, creating more networking opportunities and more conversation hubs. But, overall, we believe our new formula worked well, and we will just need to build on it and make some refinements for the next event,” adds Glenton.

DESTINATION-SPECIFIC EVENTS

Another highlight Glenton notes was the incredible support SAACI received from the destination, Stellenbosch. The town relies heavily on tourism, and during lockdown it had to find a way to help its tourism and hospitality businesses survive. The outcome was a novel campaign, which Jeanneret Momberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch, unpacked in her talk ‘Doing things differently’. Glenton adds that SAACI wants future events to be destination-specific.

It has been confirmed that next year’s event will be held in the Eastern Cape, but the exact location is still to be decided.

INSPIRING CONTENT

At the start of the event, Advocate Gesie van Deventer, Mayor of Stellenbosch, and Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, introduced the Western Cape and Stellenbosch. This was followed by Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer for the South Africa National Convention Bureau, who shared insights into the organisation’s bidding programme, and the keynote address

‘Your Future Story’ by Bruce Wade, current president of the Professional Speaking Association of Southern Africa (PSASA), where he encouraged the audience to find ways to do things differently.

Other topics that were presented included how to monetise events (Judy Lain, Prosek), an overview of South Africa’s volatile politics

L-R: Delegates Sunette Kriel and Chantal Langlois (both from The Westin Cape Town) take a selfie

Taubie Mothlabane (CTICC) was also a panellist

L-R: Monika Luel, Wrenelle Stander and Corne Koch (all from Wesgro)

L-R: Lindelwa Mthethwa (Minor Hotels), Thandubuhle Mgudiwa (Johannesburg Tourism Company) and Thami Nkadimeng (MC)

Rashid Toefy (Western Cape Government Department of Economic Development and Tourism) facilitated the panel discussion

L-R: Zukiswa Ntwasa (Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency), Ella Tshishiku (Limpopo Tourism Agency) and Esmare Steinhofel (ICCA)

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer for the SANCB, spoke about the SANCB’s bidding programme

Message architect Thami Nkadimeng was the MC for the Congress

L-R: Lara Van Zyl (SAACI Western Cape), Michelle Booth (freelance conference, incentive and event management professional) and Corne Koch (Wesgro)

and economics (economist Daniel Silke), the power of localisation (Happy Ngidi, Proudly South African), making events more accessible (Professor G Mji, Stellenbosch University and director of the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, and Hillary Lane, AfriNEAD) the metaverse and other technological opportunities (Lebo Lekoma, Sea Monster), ‘Purpose in a time of turmoil’ (Dr Debbie Human-Van Eck, Stellenbosch University), sustainability and climate change (Melissa Baird, GDS-Movement and the GDSAcademy), experiential design (Vincent Truter, Orlando.Joburg), and insights into AfrikaBurn (Brian Palmer, AfrikaBurn).

A panel discussion also explored the ‘Changing Landscapes’ that are impacting the business events industry, led by Rashid Toefy (Western Cape Government Department of Economic Development and Tourism) and joined by Bheki Dube (Curiocity), Bheki Twala (Township Events Business Council SA), Taubie Mothlabane (CTICC) and Thandubuhle Mgundlwa (Johannesburg Tourism Company).

THANKS TO THE SAACI NATIONAL CONGRESS 2022 SPONSORS

SAACI gives special thanks its partners and sponsors: South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau (Wesgro), Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (Stias), Minor Hotels, Hazendal and Magnetic Storm.

The craving to meet in person isn’t exclusive to delegates; only two speakers joined online. Glenton observed that being in the room helped speakers read their audience and feed off their energy and enthusiasm.

The congress finished at 15:00 on Monday, allowing time for wine safaris and additional networking later that day. This also meant that attendees effectively only missed one day of the work week, while still benefiting from a busy and packed programme.

To find out more about the congress, including access to the full programme, speakers and photo gallery, visit saaci.org/ events/annual-national-congress.

L-R: Jacques Fouche (Be-Moved), Minister Kganyago (CSIR International Convention Centre), Melissa Palmer (B and E Conference Centre), Glenton de Kock (SAACI), Angela Lorimer (Hotel Sky), Kim Robberts (SAACI), Gheeta Payle (Inhouse VTM), Esti Venske (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) and Irene Vallihu (Durban ICC)

Bheki Twala (TEBCO-SA) was one of the panellists for the ‘Changing Landscapes’ discussion

GETTING AWAY FOR WORK AND PLAY

WHAT IS DRIVING THIS TREND?

Bonnie Smith, GM of Corporate Traveller, says, “The pandemic caused everyone to lose out on the opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest for well over a year, whether that meant having to put much-anticipated adventures on hold or not being able to spend time with loved ones living far away. Now, as traveller confidence continues to rise, we are seeing a huge increase in demand for corporate travel.”

Bleisure travel is on the rise and can take different forms. Meetings investigates what these can look like, and what opportunities they present the local MICE industry.

The term ‘bleisure tourism’ was coined in 2009 and refers to trips that include a blend of business and leisure activities. Its popularity has continued to grow, and more recently has been fuelled by the pandemic.

Traditionally, bleisure travel looked like a business trip with some extra days added on (booked as leave and at the individual’s own cost) for sightseeing or visiting family. However, new forms of bleisure travel have emerged in response to the opportunities that remote work offers. For

instance, workcations (another portmanteau –work and vacation) have been on the rise, where employees work remotely from a destination with good internet connectivity. This allows them to continue earning an income while also being able to explore a new location in their downtime.

Some professionals are taking this further and becoming digital nomads. Similar to workcations, digital nomads work remotely from any location in the world. However, the term implies it is a lifestyle choice, while workcations are temporary escapes.

WHAT MAKES FOR A GREAT BLEISURE DESTINATION?

Bonnie adds that many employers are actively supporting this as a benefit for their staff, and explains, “Companies have started to introduce more flexible work and travel policies. This means employees have more freedom to add a few days’ bleisure to their work trip or even plan a workcation. Whereas before companies would ‘consider’ bleisure trips, we see that they are now encouraging it and proactively offering it as an employee perk. Not only is it an important shift in terms of employee well-being but it’s becoming increasingly important in terms of attracting – and keeping – the right talent.”

As travel costs increase, affordable travel options are becoming more attractive to employees. Mandeep S Lamba, president of hospitality consultancy HVS (South Asia), writes, “Bleisure is poised to take off because it enables people to enjoy a quick getaway with family and loved ones at much lower costs because travel and lodging costs are partially covered by their employer. This is especially true for people attending in-person conferences and MICE events in domestic or international destinations after a two-year hiatus.”

Remote workers funding their own travels can also benefit from lower travel costs, as they are

able to travel outside of peak season and take advantage of discounts for extended stays.

BLEISURE IS BIG BUSINESS

Future Market Insights shares that the bleisure tourism market accounts for roughly one third (30-35%) of the global business travel market. Additionally, the estimated size of the bleisure tourism market in 2022 is US$497.5 billion (R9.03 trillion) and is expected to reach $2.97 trillion (R53.98 trillion) in 2032, which is a compound annual growth rate of 19.5%.

A 2018 survey of 2 551 bleisure travellers by Expedia Group travel platform shares that 60% of US, UK, German, Indian and Chinese business trips turn into bleisure trips. Interestingly, two-thirds (67%) of these trips are originally for conferences, with external meetings (46%), sales trips (42%) and internal meetings (30%) following – and only 5% are for ‘other’ purposes.

Meanwhile, 89% of global business travellers have indicated that they wanted to add a private holiday to their business trips over the next few months, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2022 State of the Hotel Industry report.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE LOCAL MICE INDUSTRY

Hospitality: Extending tourist stays at a destination provides a clear benefit for the local tourism industry – not least because accommodation providers will “be optimising capacity more consistently, as opposed to generating the majority of their income at very specific times throughout the year,” says Bonnie.

This especially as most business travellers (82% of US travellers, according to the Global Business Travel Association) would prefer to stay at the same accommodation throughout their trip, and avoid the hassle of checking in to a

different establishment. In response to this trend, many hotels are now marketing their desk space, high-speed internet, meeting rooms, complimentary parking, easy access to leisure activities, and discounts or other perks for longer-stay guests, to attract this market segment.

Other businesses are exclusively targeting the remote worker niche, such as Ideas Cartel, a Cape Town-based cooperation with several hotels, indoor coworking spaces, co-living and business clubs. It offers 330+ coworking desks, 30 hotel rooms, 124 private offices and 17 meeting rooms.

One of its accommodation options is Cartel House Hotel, which offers guests complimentary access to coworking spaces, the Cartel Club members’ lounges and bars, as well as the rooftop pool, plus a fully equipped gym with live workouts, personal trainers and even private fitpods.

Meanwhile, Coworking Days offers 4-, 10- and 14-day digital nomad safaris that promise to deliver a perfect balance “between work, life, wellness and adventure with all activities planned around your working hours.”

Conferences and events: Providing pre- and postshow tours is not a new practice for the business events industry; however, in light of the growing

SOUTH AFRICA’S DIGITAL NOMAD VISA

In February 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced certain visa reforms, including the creation of a digital nomad visa for professionals who want to make South Africa their home away from home. While no confirmed details have yet been released, it’s anticipated it will be a year-long visa with the option for dependents and family to join them. Requirements will include a minimum salary (expectations are it will be in the region of US$3 000 a month), proof of employment outside of South Africa, and health insurance.

popularity of bleisure travel, marketing these add-ons up front and early on could help to attract more attendees and give them time to make the necessary arrangements for an extended stay.

Planners can also work closely with their chosen accommodation partners to create appealing options for guests who would like to extend their stays. Sarah Howell, a business travel expert and founder of Road Warriorette business travel blog, suggests that if a discount is not possible, complimentary perks such as inclusive breakfasts or a welcome glass of wine are also incentivising. Another of her suggestions is to consider a hotel that caters for spouses and children who want accompany business travellers, such as having an on-site children’s holiday club and suitable activities for their partners.

When it comes to digital nomads, event industry associations could look at tailored membership options to encourage these professionals to join their association and open the door to greater knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. Incentives: From an incentive travel perspective, Anh Nguyen, head: Customer Success at twine, encourages bleisure opportunities to be incorporated into incentive programmes. In a blog post on siteglobal.com, she writes, “What if we, as an all-remote organisation, relocated our top performers once or twice per year to a destination of their choice and funded a longer-term stay in their chosen destination?

“This seems like a potentially compelling new form of incentive travel, albeit one that’s different than the traditional all-expense weeks in the Caribbean or fancy cruise ship voyages. However, this type of incentive might be just as compelling – or even more so – for the digital nomads now populating our teams.”

She adds that the generations now entering the workforce (millennials and Gen Z) “seemingly care less about prestige” and are far more motivated by the opportunity to gain new life experiences.

KEEPING IT coastal

Meetings explores some of the gems on South Africa’s meandering 3 200 km of coastline, to find out what they have to offer the MICE sector.

CAPE TOWN

WHY MEET HERE?

As well as being a business hub and a centre of learning with its four world-class universities and research institutions, Cape Town also offers modern infrastructure and a huge range of facilities and services for hosting your next event. Testament to the city’s popularity is its collection of awards, including ICCA’s number one city of Africa for business events (2010-2019), World’s Leading Festival & Events Destination at the World Travel Awards (2018), and Best Destination in Africa at the World Tourism Awards (2019).

VENUES & ACCOMMODATION

Conference and meeting planners are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the right

ATTRACTIONS

• Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Cape winelands

Robben Island, a World Heritage Site and museum

V&A Waterfront

venue in Cape Town. From small, boutique hotels with intimate meeting spaces, to multifunctional venues that can accommodate large exhibitions and conferences, there is something to suit every event.

Myriad accommodation options are also available for delegates, as the city has roughly 20 000 three-, four- and five-star hotel bedrooms, as well as a broad selection of boutique hotels, rated guesthouses and B&Bs, serviced apartments and over 18 000 Airbnb

rooms. Most of these are located in the City Bowl.

For those seeking something a little different, Avenue at the Two Oceans Aquarium (www.aquarium.co.za) can seat a maximum of 400 delegates looking directly into a stunning 1.6 million litre ocean exhibit of sea life at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Alternatively, the Old Mutual Conference and Exhibition Centre at Kirstenbosch (www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch) can also cater for up to 400 guests and its gorgeous botanical backdrop is ideal for conferences, banquets, product launches, workshops, meetings and presentations.

If you’d prefer to host your guests in the same building as your event, the five-star Pepperclub Hotel & Spa (www.pepperclub. co.za) on vibey Loop Street is a popular option. It caters to business, leisure and therefore bleisure travellers alike with its private cinema, spa, rooftop pool and gym, as well as on-site flexible meeting solutions that can host up to 180 guests for cocktail events and 170 delegates for conferences.

For large conferences and exhibitions, the Century City Conference Centre (CCCC, ccconferencecentre.co.za) and the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC, www.cticc.co.za) both have much to offer. The CCCC is centrally located in the greater Cape Town metropole, and offers a comprehensive, full-tech solution including plentiful secure underground parking, free Wi-Fi, and restaurants, bars and coffee shops alongside the manmade waterfront, as well as 650 hotel bedrooms within walking distance. Its 20 venues offer versatile event options. Some 1 900 guests can be comfortably accommodated in a single venue while Century City Square has 1 200 m² of floorspace for outdoor events.

The behemoth CTICC is the city’s biggest exhibition venue. Its largest exhibition hall has a 11 399 m² footprint and can fit 9 500 delegates seated in theatre style or 7 300 guests for a cocktail function. Additional perks to hosting your event here include its on-site business centre, medical assistance, free Wi-Fi, expansive parking facilities and prayer rooms. Several premium accommodation options surround the CTICC, including Hotel Sky Cape Town, Southern Sun The Cullinan and The Westin Cape Town.

GETTING THERE

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) offers 182 direct international flights a week (and growing) and is 20 minutes from the city.

Most recently, United and Delta have increased their flight frequency to the Mother City, while Belgium Air’s new triangular flight route between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Brussels promises improved connectivity to the whole of Europe.

BUSINESS EVENT SUPPORT

Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau

T: +27 (0)21 487 8600

W: wesgro.co.za/convention-bureau

Century City Hotel

Pepperclub Hotel

Pepperclub Hotel

Pepperclub Hotel

Avenue at the Two Oceans Aquarium

CCCC CCCC

GQEBERHA

WHY MEET HERE?

Previously named Port Elizabeth, this city’s other names include ‘the friendly city’ and the ’15-minute city’ (because of the speed of commutes by road). One of its biggest selling points is its subtropical and temperate climate, which means visitors can enjoy warm, mild weather year-round.

Nelson Mandela Bay (the municipality for Gqeberha) is also a known marine diversity hotspot, and so often attracts associations that represent the ocean – such as the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science

Association and the Sustainable Seas Trust, which is hosting its next event in Gqeberha this October.

VENUES & ACCOMMODATION

Nelson Mandela Bay offers a number of venues along the coastline, from beachfront seaside resorts to private game reserves. Most of these cater for 70-300 delegates, although smaller and bigger venues are also available.

A range of one- to five-star hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, township lodges and self-catering accommodation is available, providing more than 15 000 beds within a

TOP ATTRACTIONS

• Malaria-free big 7 game viewing

• Rich history and culture, including the birthplace and resting place of Nelson Mandela

• Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site

• Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Reserve

• Addo Elephant Park

• Bloukrans Bridge – the highest commercial bungee jump in the world

20-minute radius of Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.

If you’re looking for a venue infused with history, look no further than the Tramways Building (www.nmbt.co.za/listing/the_ tramways_building.html). The Mandela Bay Development Agency invested R40 million in its rejuvenation, which was completed in 2019. It now provides an ideal venue for conferences (maximum 600 pax), exhibitions (1 000 m²), food markets, night markets, craft shows, music events, cocktail events, product launches and more.

The Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre (www.suninternational. com) is one of the larger venues in Gqeberha, and offers flexible, fully equipped meeting venues, top-class catering, and a superb setting for gala dinners, awards evenings, promotions, product launches and more. The Boardwalk Conference Centre has venues suitable for as few as 8 or as many as 1 600 people, and also offers a professional on-site banqueting team, free Wi-Fi, safe on-site parking and 140 hotel rooms (all sea-facing) at The Boardwalk Hotel.

Another popular venue that provides both a meeting space and accommodation is the Radisson Blu Hotel (www.radissonhotels.com). The property has 173 hotel rooms and is a mere 300 m from picturesque Blue Flag beaches. It also offers easy access to entertainment, golf and shopping. Its multiple venues can cater for 5 to 180 delegates, and all benefit from state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, free Wi-Fi, the option of natural daylight and air-conditioning.

GETTING THERE

Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) is a five-minute drive from the central business district of Gqeberha and the beachfront. It receives direct flights from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre

Boardwalk Hotel

Radisson Blu Gqeberha

Gqeberha beachfront

Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump

#COASTALMICE

TOP ATTRACTIONS

BUSINESS EVENT SUPPORT

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) Convention Bureau

T: +27 (0)41 582 2575

E: info@nmbt.co.za

W: www.nmbt.co.za/nelson_mandela_bay_ conference_bureu_services.html

DURBAN

Research by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal shows that this coastal province continuously has the best hotel occupancy rates in the country, which is no surprise given its wonderfully warm and sunny subtropical coastal climate, beautiful Blue Flag beaches, and huge range of activities to choose from.

Business tourists also benefit from its award-winning facilities that have attracted major events like the International Aids Conference at the Durban International Convention Centre twice – which was only the second time in the event’s history that it returned to the same city.

VENUES & ACCOMMODATION

According to a Tourism KwaZulu-Natal report published in December 2021, the province has 248 hotels, 308 guesthouses, 197 lodges, 586 B&Bs and 322 conference venues.

The biggest eventing venue in the province is the internationally acclaimed Durban International Convention Centre (ICC, icc.co.za). It offers the largest column-free, multipurpose event space on the African continent, and has successfully hosted international and national conventions, exhibitions, sporting events, concerts and special occasions of every kind, while its stateof-the-art technological capabilities allow for live-streaming events, remote-presentation events, hybrid events, and video-on-demand.

The Durban ICC has scooped up various accolades, including being voted ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre’ by the World Travel Awards no fewer than 17 times. It is also ranked in the world’s Top 15 Convention Centres by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC).

It is a 30-minute drive from King Shaka International Airport, and a 10-minute walk to over 3 600 hotel rooms.

For smaller (but not exactly small) events, it’s worth considering escaping to Zimbali Estate (zimbali.com), which is a 50-minute drive from Durban up the North Coast.

The elegant Capital Zimbali Hotel includes a Conference Centre with five venues and two meeting rooms, which can host upwards

• Golden Mile beachfront promenade

• Largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere at uShaka Marine World

• Moses Mabhida Stadium, home to the world’s only stadium swing

• Valley of 1 000 Hills

• PheZulu Safari Park

Durban beachfront

Zimbali Estate’s Valley of the Pools

Durban ICC

Durban ICC

of 700 delegates or 500 in banquet style. The recently revamped hotel has 154 luxury rooms, apartments, presidential suites and penthouses, as well as several luxury villas, plus eight food and beverage options, a tranquil Mangwanani Signature Spa, and the gorgeous Valley of the Pools, which overlooks the Indian Ocean and is the perfect place for sun lovers across all seasons.

The estate also includes Zimbali Lodge, which caters for conferences of up to 90 delegates, as well as the Zimbali Country Club, which boasts an 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course and a luxury contemporary clubhouse suited to hosting social events.

An exciting new Durban offering is the Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga (www.radissonhotels.com), which is the first phase of a R4.5 billion Oceans Umhlanga mega development. The hotel is the first internationally branded five-star hotel to open in Durban since the Hilton Hotel in 1997, and features 206 luxury hotel rooms and 95 stylish suites, a 36 000 m² mall, and approximately 500 apartments. It also offers eight state-ofthe-art meeting facilities, with the ballroom accommodating 600 delegates in cinema style.

It would be remiss not to mention one of the most celebrated hotels in South Africa –The Oyster Box (oysterboxhotel.com). This five-star luxury establishment on Umhlanga’s beachfront is known for its charm and nostalgia of a bygone era while offering all the comfort and amenities modern guests expect. It’s a great location for memorable celebratory and business events and has 86 rooms and suites, as well as a tantalising collection of dining experiences.

GETTING THERE

King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the Durban city centre and has a capacity capability of 7.5 million passengers a year.

BUSINESS EVENT SUPPORT

Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau

T: +27 (0)31 366 7500

E: info@zulu.org.za

W: zulu.org.za/convention-bureau

On shores

Strand Hotel Swakopmund is the perfect venue for anyone wanting to explore Swakopmund in luxury.

Taste the wonders of Swakopmund with a fine dining experience like no other. Our 3 unique restaurants serve a delectable range of cuisines for even the most descerning of pallettes. Unwind to the rhythmn of the ocean in one of our 125 en-suite room. With 74 Standard rooms, 2 Enabled rooms, 40 Luxury rooms, 6 Junior suites, 2 Luxury suites and 1 Presidential suite. Host your events in style, from meetings, conferences, launches and banquets, our state-of-the-art business facilities are spread over an area of 440sqm, perfect for any gathering. Our multi-functional spaces transform for convenience and ease, all the while serving a unique wave of rejuvenation.

The Oyster Box

The Oyster Box

Radisson Blu Umhlanga

HONOURING OUR HERITAGE THROUGH TRULY SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCES

September heralds Heritage Month; a month set aside to celebrate our nation’s diverse culture and extraordinary heritage. This is also the month where South Africans celebrate tourism, an industry that was severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a brand, ANEW Hotels & Resorts celebrates its heritage, culture fusion and brand unity by honouring the environment of each of its unique properties.

ANEW Hotels & Resorts recently celebrated its fifth birthday. The brand launched from a family business originating in 1952 and is known for having a culture driven around its solid values and its heritage deeply rooted in South Africa. Madri Mostert, social media manager at ANEW, shares some of the extraordinary cultural facts about the brand’s properties and how each one truly honours its environment and history.

ANEW CELEBRATES DIVERSITY THROUGH ITS PROPERTIES

• ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest began as a roadside motel, built by Len Louwe in 1973. The Armour family, which owns timberland and treatment plants in the area, purchased the motel in September 1992 after it became apparent that it had significant potential. In recent years, the motel was renovated and refurbished, adding new rooms, restaurants, a conference centre and a chapel, which transformed it from a motel to a lodge – and ultimately to a resort.

• ANEW Hotel & Resorts’ second property, ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe (The Old Lady), includes a five-star safari lodge that used to be the family home of current partners, the Eliot family. Here, the group employs residents from the area, who can truly amplify their guests’

experience, like the completely self-taught safari team. The Hluhluwe property also features a tree of life, expected to be about 100 years old, situated close to the swimming pool.

• ANEW Resort Hunters Rest is situated at the foothills of the majestic Magaliesberg Mountains in Rustenburg, in the North West. “This stunning property is based very close to the Cradle of Humankind,” Madri says.

• ANEW Hotel Hilton is an architectural jewel built in 1936 in the heart of the historical Hilton village. The property’s signature Tudor-style facade has become a beacon of connection (and celebration) for many local and foreign travellers who frequent the KZN Midlands Meander.

• ANEW Hotel Green Point gives you the experience you want when visiting Cape Town. Completely different in look and feel to the other properties in ANEW’s portfolio, the hotel is within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront and many famous local landmarks such as the Green Point Urban Park, Sea Point Promenade, and a host of other experiences.

THE ANEW LEGACY CONTINUES

ANEW Hotels & Resorts added its 15th property to its portfolio this year, with ANEW Resort Vulintaba Newcastle, and the group is continuing on its upward growth trajectory. The brand’s continued growth is a testament to its respect and appreciation for its various properties’ culture and history. The team aims to continue to innovate and leave a lasting impression, both in South Africa and beyond, by honouring each environment its properties are set in.

minutes with…5

JOHAN CRONJE, CLUSTER GENERAL MANAGER FOR THE MARRIOTT MELROSE ARCH COLLECTION

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MEETINGS AND EVENTS INDUSTRY CURRENTLY?

We are now finally starting to see a strong recovery in local meetings and events. Due to the longer lead time generally associated with international incentives, as well as association events and conventions, I think that this segment will still take a little time to recover. It is, however, really reassuring and exciting to see business pipelines building up in 2023 and beyond.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS?

I think it is fair to say that globally we are still in a stage of economic recovery. Some markets seem to be recovering faster than others but I do believe the further we move away from the pandemic, the better the meetings and events industry will continue to do.

ABOUT JOHAN

I still think that there is a lot of pent-up demand out there. I think that, to some extent, 2023 will still be a year of recovery in the corporate segment but I’m confident that we will see phenomenal growth for a number of years beyond that. South Africa continues to be very attractive both as a destination and in terms of price. We should continue to see our fair share of business as the industry recovers and grow beyond what we experienced in 2019.

WHAT ROLE OR INFLUENCE DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR ORGANISATION PLAYS IN THE INDUSTRY?

With the addition of the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and Marriott Executive Apartments Melrose Arch, we now have a total 705 bedrooms within the confines of the Melrose Arch precinct. We have in excess of 24 venues consisting of large ballrooms, meeting rooms and boardrooms across the precinct

hotels. I think that we will continue to expand our role in the MICE industry and take our place as the safe, premium meetings and events destination in Johannesburg.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF WHAT YOU DO?

We operate 4 of the 31 different brand offerings within the Marriott portfolio within the precinct. They are The Autograph Collection, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott, Marriott Hotels and Marriott Executive Apartments. It is very important that we deliver on each one of those unique brand promises. It is sometimes difficult keeping these ‘swim lanes’ clear. I feel like I have split personality disorder sometimes, but I believe we get it right most of the time…

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

I would definitely say the people management aspect of things. I really enjoy seeing our associates grow and develop. It is a real privilege to play a small role in getting people to where they want to be in life.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?

Someone once told me that whenever you start a new job, you should spend the first 60 days only taking notes and marking down questions. If you still want to make all the changes you originally had in mind, only do so after these 60 days. I’ve found that to be very sound advice.

Johan Cronje has a long history with Marriott Hotels. He joined Protea Hotel Fire and Ice by Marriott Cape Town in 2010. In 2012, his dedication to his role was recognised with the prestigious Protea Hotel General Manager of the Year award. From then on, he continued to work his way up the ladder, being appointed general manager of Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Menlyn in 2015, taking on the role of regional manager for Protea Hotels in 2017, opening the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and Marriott Executive Apartments as general manager in 2020, and, most recently, taking on the role of cluster general manager for the four hotels in the Melrose Arch precinct in 2021.

ALL

throughout all 55 members of the AU might be viewed as a game changer for the continent’s MICE industry. According to research done by the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2018, the MICE business is of enormous relevance and value to the travel and tourism industries, and supports the various African economies by creating around 24.3 million jobs on the continent.

GROWING AFRICA’S

SAATM, a significant development for the African aviation industry, was introduced by the African Union (AU) Commission to alleviate the difficulties of travel throughout Africa. The initiative, which was launched by the AU in 2018 as its first flagship project, aims to liberalise African civil aviation to create a single, integrated air transport market in Africa. Since the creation of SAATM, there has been a strong push for all African airlines to unite under one partnership that will help the growth of the aviation industry on the continent (The SAATM Handbook, 2018).

The International Air Transport Association, the African Civil Aviation Commission, and the African Airlines Association have all provided significant assistance for this project to ensure that the complete implementation of SAATM is a continental undertaking. According to the AU, the goal of these stakeholders is to work with state parties, bodies of the AU, the regional economic communities, airlines and industry associations, and air transport service providers in order to fast-track the signing of the agreement by other member states.

WHAT DOES THIS NEW INITIATIVE MEAN FOR THE MICE INDUSTRY OF AFRICA?

The effective implementation of SAATM

Even though MICE is a profitable segment, airlines on the continent have faced numerous challenges with group bookings in their dayto-day operations due to flight access and connectivity on the continent. Since several African regions focused on the MICE industry have worked hard to position themselves as preferred destinations, increased flight access and air connectivity facilitates large-scale movements of people across the continent (InterVISTAS, 2018).

A 2018 study conducted by Deloitte showed the benefits of SAATM in tourism:

• Air transport can open and connect markets, enhance connectivity, facilitate trade, and increase trade and tourism across the continent.

• Increased connectivity reduces air travel times, giving businesses access to a wider marketplace.

• Better transport linkages enable investment and human capital to flow more freely across borders, improving returns on investment for some projects.

Many MICE professionals and key stakeholders experienced tough times accessioned by Covid-19 and news that some airlines were not being allowed to fly or had to shut down over the past two years has been devastating for the business events industry. We only hope that the administration of this crucial continental agreement will create a positive impact by

Rivania Govender, research specialist at Niche Partners, explains what the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is and how it can help to boost business events and tourism.

AIRLINK

Launched: 2006

Fleet: 55 aircraft (29-90 seats)

Ticket options: Business class service is available on selected flights

Onboard catering: Complimentary Free baggage allowance: Economy – 20 kg, Business – 30 kg

Airlink is South Africa’s largest privately owned airline serving a comprehensive network of more than 45 destinations throughout Southern Africa. It’s the most punctual Southern African airline with an on-time performance consistently better than 95%.

Airlink currently has codeshare agreements with United, Qatar Airways and Emirates, and interline and commercial agreements with 17 other global carriers. On 28 September, Airlink also announced its acquisition of 40% strategic equity holding in privately owned Windhoek-based FlyNamibia, which will expand its services to, from and within Namibia. Domestic routes: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Hoedspruit, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Mthatha, Nelspruit, Phalaborwa, Pietermaritzburg, Polokwane, Richards Bay, Sishen, Skukuza and Upington. Regional routes: Luanda (Angola); Gaborone, Kasane and Maun (Botswana); Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo); Maseru (Lesotho); Antananarivo and Nosy Be (Madagascar); Beira, Maputo, Nampula, Pemba, Tete and Vilanculos (Mozambique); Walvis Bay and Windhoek (Namibia); Jamestown (St Helena); Sikhupe (Swaziland); Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); Entebbe (Uganda); Livingstone, Lusaka and Ndola (Zambia); Bulawayo, Harare and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

A SNAPSHOT OF SA’S AIR CARRIERS

CEMAIR

Launched: 2005

Fleet: 25 aircraft (19-90 passengers)

Ticket options: Economy, First-class (Premium) and Business

Onboard catering: Complimentary Free baggage allowance: 21 kg

CemAir is best known for its flights to smaller airports around South Africa. It has signed a cooperation agreement with SAA and interline agreements with Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

Domestic routes: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, George, Gqeberha, Hoedspruit, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Margate, Plettenberg Bay and Sishen.

Regional routes: Luanda (Angloa) and Lusaka (Zambia). CemAir also flies to Gaborone (Botswana) on a codeshare with Air Botswana and to Maputo (Mozambique) on a codeshare with LAM Mozambique.

FLYSAFAIR

Launched: 2014

Fleet: 23 aircraft (165-189 passengers)

Ticket options: As a low-cost airline, the seats and service are the same for everyone, but three tiers of fare are available according to various add-ons such as luggage allowance, priority boarding and fee-free changes. These are: Lite Fare, Standard Fare and Business Class Fare.

Onboard catering: Paid for Free baggage allowance: Lite Fare – 7 kg, Standard Fare – 20 kg, Business Class Fare – up to 2 bags @ 23 kg each

Although FlySafair launched in 2014, Safair, the company behind the airline, was established in 1965 to offer specialist airlift services. The airline’s mission is to provide low-cost air travel, and it has announced plans to increase its fleet and routes in the coming years. FlySafair has also entered into interline agreements with several international carriers, including Emirates, Qatar, KLM and Air France to name a few.

Domestic routes: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.

Regional routes: Port Louis (Mauritius).

Meetings gets acquainted with our local air carriers and what they have on offer.

LIFT

Launched: 2020

Fleet: 3 Airbus A320 (162 seats)

Ticket options: Economy with bag, Economy without bag, and Premium

Onboard catering: Complimentary Free baggage allowance: Economy with bag –23 kg, Premium – two 23 kg bags, plus an additional 23 kg for special/sporting equipment

This new kid on the block took its first flight on 10 December 2020. One of its biggest selling points is a flexible cancellation policy that allows passengers to receive a full refund (into their Lift wallet) if they cancel up to 24 hours before their

flight with an Economy ticket, or any time before their flight with a Premium ticket.

Domestic routes: Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (SAA)

Launched: 1934

Fleet: 7 carriers* (120-253)

Ticket options: Economy and Business

Onboard catering: Complimentary Free baggage allowance: Economy Class – 23 kg, Business Class – two 32 kg

On 23 September, SAA celebrated a year since it had resumed flying after emerging from a business rescue process. During the past year, it has operated eight routes in Africa (six regionally and two domestically), flying over 500 000 customers safely to their destinations.

Additionally, the airline has codeshare agreements with Emirates, Air Mauritius, LAM Mozambique, Egyptair, Ethiopian and Singapore Airlines, and has entered into a unique partnership agreement with Kenya Airways, which includes an active codeshare as well as cooperation on aircraft maintenance services, cargo uplift and lounge access. Domestic routes: Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

Regional routes: Accra (Ghana), Harare (Zimbabwe), Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Lagos (Nigeria), Lusaka (Zambia) and Port Louis (Mauritius).

*Accordingtoplanespotters.net

WHAT DOES AN INTERLINE OR CODESHARE AGREEMENT MEAN?

Interline agreements mean passengers can book connecting flights through either of the partnering airlines, while checked-in baggage will be handled seamlessly between the two carriers. For example, a passenger could purchase a single ticket from Dubai to Richards Bay, despite travelling on two different airlines to reach their destination.

Codeshare agreements are when two or more airlines market and sell tickets for a single flight, which is operated by one of the airlines. The ‘code’ refers to the flight number. This approach allows all partners to profit from ticket sales. For example, a passenger could purchase a ticket through SAA but fly on a Kenya Airways carrier.

YOUR WETLAND PARADISE AWAITS

A UNIQUELY AFRICAN EXPERIENCE OF LUXURY

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This spectacular location ensures amazing views of an untamed Africa, available from the lodge and each of the 16 exclusive Water Villas. Chobe Water Villas is nestled quietly under magnificent shading Acacia Trees. The Water Villas all feature a 180° degree unobstructed view of the Chobe river and into the

Chobe National Park. Suspended over the Chobe Embankment stilts over the water’s edge, the Villas’ elevated view includes the world-renowned Sedudu Island.

Amenities include free Wi-Fi and tea & coffee station, Amoir, hairdryer, electronic safe, multi 220v plugs.

A time to celebrate!

If ever there has been a year that needs celebrating, 2022 is it. Meetings shares some experts’ advice on how to throw a fabulous year-end function – with some finance-friendly tips.

2022 has been a wonderful year because the global lockdowns have finally come to an end, and many businesses now have more reason to celebrate than they did a year or two ago. It also means we can get together in larger numbers without the same level of fear that this idea used to inspire. So, gather your team and get ready for a much-needed year-end celebration.

TRENDING IN 2022

When planning your year-end function, looking at event trends can be a good starting point to give you some inspiration into what is resonating with South Africans right now.

Mignon Nell, creative designer at Unlimited Events Group, shares, “We have seen a rise in demand for themes that have been inspired by recent TV shows. We have done quite a few TopGun events, as well as Bridgerton events. There is also still a hunger for black and gold events. And we have

also done quite a few futuristic events this year.” Sipho Hlatshaneni manages Salute, a new event organising company that successfully launched in the middle of lockdown. He says outdoor events and curated food and drink experiences are proving very popular. “We have noticed a high demand for art, food and alcohol pairing events from our clients. It must be engaging, educational and empowering. With the diversity of work environments we have in South Africa, this is the one theme that seems to work across the board,” he explains.

LESS – BUT BETTER – IS MORE

On the topic of food, Executive Chef Renzo Bico at the newly opened @Sandton-Hotel in Johannesburg shares his advice for catering, and says, “Using less and tasting more is a strong focus now. Simply said: only use five ingredients in a dish, don’t overthink or complicate the dishes, trust in the quality of the

ingredients used and allow the natural flavours to come together in a simple yet heart-warming dish.”

He adds, “Gone are the days where your guests want a huge selection. Year-end functions are there for people to enjoy themselves and to relax without thinking too hard about what they are going to have for lunch on the day. Quality is king, and your guest will appreciate good-quality food over a variety of food prepared using poorquality ingredients.”

HOW TO PLAN A PERFECTLY PRICED, PERFECT PARTY

In our current economic climate, budgets are a common concern. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to manage your costs.

When it comes to planning an event, Sipho strongly advises working with an experienced production company, as “they will understand all the tricks of the trade and can come up with creative but cost-effective solutions.”

One such trick he shares is, “Use a venue that has pretty much everything to avoid unnecessary production costs. I always advise my clients to go to where the money has been spent.” Framed this way, you can see how the lowest quote you get

could end up costing you more in the long run. Mignon agrees that using an event organiser is one of the best ways to ensure your event is a success. She also recommends you choose a supplier with their own in-house stock to help keep your costs down.

START BIG, AND THEN REFINE Mignon also recommends you cut down from a big quote instead of trying to see what you can fit into a tight budget. She suggests you first clarify the aim of your event: “Do you want to make your employees feel special? Do you want something memorable? Do you want something the guests can participate in? Or do you want a wow event? Once you have found the reason behind your event, it will be easier to understand where you can cut down on costs.”

Finally, Sipho adds that you also need to be reasonable and realistic about the type of event that can work for your budget. Understand that you might need to compromise on some things, but the end result can still be spectacular.

Top Tip: If you haven’t yet started planning your year-end event, visit theplanner.guru and browse our venue and supplier listings to find the professionals you need.

THE VALUE OF CELEBRATING

If you need to be convinced on the value of a year-end celebration, consider Deloitte Insights’ article titled ‘Why reporting workplace well-being metrics is a good idea’ (2022), which reveals that when employee well-being is disregarded, productivity suffers, absenteeism increases, and employees are more likely to quit.

One way to quantify just how big these impacts can be is in terms of cost. For example, the article shares that presenteeism – when unwell staff come to work and are unable to perform – has been estimated to cost US employers $150 billion a year. Meanwhile, the ‘Great Resignation’ is seeing some four million workers voluntarily leaving their jobs each month in the US.

Obviously year-end parties alone are not going to ensure employee well-being. But they are one of the tools that employers can use to make their staff feel valued, which is an important ingredient for engendering a happy and healthy workforce.

And that’s not all. Company events also help to build company culture and give teams an opportunity to socialise and strengthen their relationships outside of a work environment. This last benefit will be even more keenly felt if it’s a very new team (thanks to the ongoing Great Resignation) and if they have been working remotely.

Happy celebrating!

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The gold rush millionaire who didn’t dig for gold

One day in early 1848, when customers wanted to pay for their supplies in Samuel Brannan’s store with the gold nuggets they had found near Coloma, California, he realised his life was about to change. When people heard about the gold strike, most rushed off to the gold fields to seek their fortunes. In fact, his local newspaper, the California Star couldn’t even run the story of the discovery as all the staff had left in the pursuit of personal enrichment.¹

But Brannan saw a far greater opportunity.

RUSHING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION

He quickly travelled around and bought up all the picks, shovels and pans he could get his hands on. He then put the gold nuggets into a glass bottle and travelled the hundred miles back to San Francisco.

As he stepped off the ferry, Brannan swung his hat, waved the bottle and shouted, “Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!” By the middle of June, three-quarters of the male population had left town for the mines.²

As the owner of the only store between San Francisco and the gold fields, and having sold the pans at $15 apiece (which he had bought at 20c each), he quickly made an enormous fortune.

When everyone else was searching for gold, he became the first millionaire by selling the tools they needed to get the gold.

When everyone else was searching for gold, he became the first millionaire by selling the tools they needed to get the gold.”

WHAT’S THE LESSON HERE?

There are some great lessons you can draw from this story. There are two I want you to consider. The first is that by helping others get what they want first, you might just be getting what you want too. The second is that Brannan gave the people a framework and then sold them the tools to go after the opportunity. The framework was:

• There is gold out there for the taking.

• You need picks, shovels and pans to get the gold.

• Here is where you can get your tools. How can you apply these lessons in your context?

• Are you helping people get what they want first?

• What are the ‘golden’ opportunities that exist in the market today?

• What is the framework you can give people to help them understand those opportunities?

• What are the ‘tools’ you have in your store that help them capitalise on those opportunities?

For example:

• E-commerce in South Africa is currently a R46 billion industry, which experienced a 52% year-on-year growth in 2021. (Sounds like a great opportunity!)

• You need an online business to start getting your share of this lucrative and rapidly growing industry.

• We can get your business online with an e-commerce store, a sales funnel, or a membership site.

CONCLUSION

Don’t miss these lessons from Samuel

Brannan. Spend a little time thinking about how they apply to your industry and your business specifically.

Avoid going for the obvious opportunities like the rest of the herd. Take a moment to consider how you can help others get what they want first and what framework you can give them to achieve their dreams.

If you are interested in working through this process to develop your unique frameworks and tools, then consider giving us a call. After all, we’re here to help you get what you want.

References:

1. “SamuelBrannan.”Wikipedia.AccessedSept15, 2022.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Samuel_Brannan

2. “SamuelBrannan:GoldRushEntrepreneur.” AccessedSept15,2022.https:// www.pbs.org/wgbh/ americanexperience/ features/goldrushsamuel-brannan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Langley is the director and founder of Kaizen Alpha Marketing. When he’s not coaching, consulting or building digital sales funnels, he enjoys spending time with his family or falling off a surfboard at his local beach break.

If you want help crafting your unique offer, please reach out to him at scott@kaizenalpha.com or follow this link: www.KaizenAlpha.com.

Sometimes the obvious business opportunities are not the ones we should pursue, writes Scott Langley.

HOW TO CREATE EVENT longevity

One way of considering event longevity is in terms of how long an event has been running since it first launched.

When an event has been long-standing, it is likely it’s successfully responding to the needs of its target audience.

A RECURRING EVENT IS A HEALTHY EVENT

“Events have become a meeting place for the industries that they focus on, in both the B2B and B2C sectors, offering invaluable networking opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. Not only are events the ideal platform for commercial activity, but they also provide a platform to facilitate important industry decisions, discussions and lobbying,” says Devi Paulsen-Abbott, vice president of dmg Events.

She adds that it is therefore critical that events be held regularly and constantly, to

support the industries they serve in this way.

On the flip side of the coin, John Arvanitakis, founding director of Chat’r, also frames event longevity as a business necessity for the event planner. “An event becomes more economically viable in the long term, as it ensures a better ROI with respect to the costs involved with planning and hosting the event. It also enables you to grow your audience (and therefore profits) as you gain more exposure and can use past events and their data as a selling tool for future clients,” he says.

John adds that successful events can also provide spin-off event (and business) opportunities.

EVENT IMPACT AT THE PERSONAL LEVEL

However, there is another way to measure event longevity, and that is in terms of its psychological impact on the event attendees. No event planner wants their attendees to walk out of their event and simply forget it. They want their event to have an impact –they want it to be memorable, and preferably for as long as possible.

Estelle Lötter, CMP, founder and owner of Ripcord Promotions, is one of those organisers who recognises the value of memorable events. She recalls Maya Angelou’s famous quote: “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.”

“Participants who leave with a warm, fuzzy feeling will be more likely to return for the next event, and encourage others to come too,” Estelle says. She adds that a relationship and rapport must be built up between the client, organiser and delegates – all of which will make the experience more memorable.

Every event planner wants their events to have longevity, in terms of both continued existence and impact on attendees. Meetings magazine uncovers the best ways to achieve these results.

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.”

Maya Angelou

HOW TO IMPROVE – AND MEASURE –EVENT LONGEVITY

Just as there are different ways to define event longevity, there are different ways to grow and measure it.

A macro perspective: Devi says it is important that you evolve with the sector you are serving: “If your event focuses on an issue of the day (a fad) rather than a sector’s deeper needs, for example, there may be little scope for it to run beyond a specific timeframe.”

Some of her strategies to evolve in this way include continual research and development, finding new buy and sell profiles to bring groups of people together who don’t normally meet and who can benefit from this, and looking for partnerships and collocation opportunities that can expand your reach to new audiences.

Devi adds that you’ll know you are succeeding based on the amount of business being conducted at your events, as well as

growth in terms of commercial opportunities, geographic spread and attendance numbers.

A micro perspective: Estelle believes that a memorable event is one that has all the basic building blocks of a good event in place – from being organised and communicating effectively, to having a relevant and informative programme, selecting presenters with stature and credibility, and offering many networking opportunities – while still paying attention to all the small details.

“Taking note of special requests and making people feel special will ensure a good experience and most likely continued participation at the event. This means you need to deliver on delegate requirements continually and successfully – meeting or exceeding their expectations. For example, accommodation booked correctly, name on

badge spelt correctly, dietary requirements arranged and managed. PCOs play a very important role in this,” she says.

To ensure an event remains memorable, she also stresses the importance of ongoing communication – “from the beginning of marketing to delivery of the event on the day, post-conference communication and feedback, and early notice of next event(s).”

Estelle adds that her benchmarks for success are a blend of assessing the quality of the event as well as quantifiable indicators such as growth in attendance numbers and profit.

A digital perspective: Online events present a new opportunity to both extend events over time by being available at any time, and make events more memorable because attendees can keep dipping back in to the content to refresh their knowledge and understanding.

If your event focuses on an issue of the day (a fad) rather than a sector’s deeper needs, for example, there may be little scope for it to run beyond a specific timeframe.”

THE SCIENCE BEHIND MEMORABLE EVENTS

Victoria Matey is a consultant and co-founder of Matey Events (https://matey.events), where she uses behavioural science tools to create more memorable events. She says, “Two things determine event longevity from a psychological standpoint: how long it stays in people’s minds, and how far it impacts their behaviour.”

Event memories can impact behaviour. “What sticks in our minds affects our next actions,” says Victoria. And when an attendee changes their behaviour as a result of attending an event – perhaps by changing how they work, or their habits, or attitude toward a specific subject – then it can be described as the event’s legacy.

One behaviour that memory strongly impacts is whether attendees decide to return to an event for its next iteration. And yet, Victoria says event organisers traditionally tend to overlook the importance of memory at their events. “Event professionals pay too much attention to the active stage of the event life cycle – when the event is actually delivered – and not enough to what comes before or after. It’s understandable – this has been an industry practice forever. But as we learn more about the human mind thanks to advancements in brain and behavioural science, and as we become more aware of brain-friendly design, it’s time to change,” she adds.

HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?

Victoria suggests, “To give your event a longer lifespan, ensure your event has a solid pre- and post-event strategy in place, and design for how people think.

“As an example, scientists agree that the human memory deteriorates over time and is unreliable. After learning something new, people generally remember about 60% of it the next day. How is that relevant? It certainly affects your attendees’ learning experience. They may not remember most of the great content you prepared for them, and your effort will be wasted.

“In other words, you need to apply event psychology tools to aid their memory and mitigate, at least to some extent, such negative effects. You can, for instance, provide a follow-up article or convert your event content into another format that will reach your audience afterwards.”

Victoria shares the example of Event Design Summit, which was recently held online by Skift Meetings. A few days after the event, the organisers published a summary article covering all sessions, and a podcast episode of one of the sessions. “It is an excellent example of helping people remember the event’s content, and it will definitely increase the event’s longevity,” she adds.

There are many other brain-friendly design examples that event planners can incorporate into their events to make them more memorable. These include: balancing the agenda with more and better-quality breaks, spreading out event content over time, and integrating emotions into your design intentionally (think surprise moments, humour, anticipation and anything else that can be relevant to your audience).

If you would like to learn more about the psychology of event planning, Victoria offers an online course called ‘Event Psychology Lab’, which shares sciencebacked tools for creating remarkable events. You can find out more about it at eventpsychology.thinkific.com.

You can also join her Event Psychology Club, which shares exclusive access to curated content and a community of like-minded event professionals, at eventpsychology.gumroad.com.

Chat’r was one of the companies that ventured into the virtual and hybrid space during the lockdown, and this is a service the company continues to offer. John notes that recording a virtual event or the online component of a hybrid one gives organisers a powerful resource to expand an event’s longevity, as these recordings can provide a wealth of content to repurpose and reshare over time.

“Having a recording enables both delegates who attended and those who were not able to attend to gain access to the event content and outcomes post the event and at their leisure,” he says, highlighting the wider reach that a digital library offers you.

He recommends organisers create highlight videos to use in their digital communication, from social media posts to mailshots, while also using it to create media opportunities. And if there was no event recording, he suggests using photographs, press releases and other post-event coverage in a similar way. Because this content is shared electronically, it is also easy to capture reach and engagement metrics, notes John, from the number of views, likes and comments on social media posts, to the opens and click-throughs on email campaigns.

CONCLUSION

Ideally, event planners need to build longevity into their events in all its ways and forms, as memorable events tend to be popular and successful, while long-running events tend to attract regular attendees who in turn have increasingly strong memories and feelings about the event in question.

What sticks in our minds affects our next actions.”

EMERGING EVENT TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

2

Events have evolved rapidly in recent years. Gone are the days of checking in with pen and paper, hauling around printed manuals, and manually compiling metrics. Planners now have the ability to drastically revolutionise the individual experience of event attendees. They also have a wealth of information available to them and can analyse data with the click of a button. What is the driving factor behind this, you might wonder? The answer is simple: technology!

The world has swiftly transitioned into the technological era, and the events industry has jumped on board. New technologies and tools are emerging left, right and centre, and have the potential to add some extra flair to your events.

Here are five tech trends that are currently revolutionising the industry.

1 VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual reality (VR) has the ability to unite

the in-person and virtual experience, not to mention the extra ‘cool factor’ it adds to your event. Once attendees have put on their VR headsets, they have the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in another environment.

Facebook has recently announced that it is investing in VR technology for attendees who want to show up to their virtual meetings or conferences as avatars. The program, called Horizon Workrooms, allows for the perfect opportunity to meet up with people across a virtual table while they are quite literally from across the world.

How this trend affects event planners: VR opens the door for event planners to engage with attendees on more platforms than ever before. Although VR headsets aren’t household items yet, they are sure to become much more common in the future. For now, you can include a VR component as an add-on to your event, or as a special offering to VIP attendees who aren’t able to attend your event physically.

EVENT-SPECIFIC APPS

It’s time to say goodbye to cumbersome paper event guides once and for all. Give your attendees the opportunity to access various agendas, speaker information, sponsors and other relevant information on their

Mike Lysko shares his top pick of tech innovations that have exciting applications and implications for the events industry.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

smartphones. Flock’s customisable mobile app has over 30 integrated features that allow attendees to access all the information about an event in one place.

How this trend affects event planners: You can guarantee that every event delegate has a smartphone, and so an event app is a convenient way to ensure they also have all event information (constantly updated) at their fingertips.

Flock’s customisable mobile apps come with many handy features, including:

• Mobile event management allows you to upload speaker presentations, exhibitor brochures, delegate packs, training manuals and more.

• The app replaces traditional and slowmoving microphones with instant Q&A during sessions.

• Attendees can take part in live polls, enter chat rooms and ask speakers questions using the app.

• The easy-to-use platform allows you to livestream videos and connect your event to your audience via the mobile event app.

Top tip: Event planners should conduct research to find the most cost-effective app platforms. They also need to think about how the app can continue adding value to the user after the event has ended.

3 SHOWCASE PRODUCTS DIGITALLY

Highlight your latest innovations digitally to your online attendees. Many event platforms

To help you understand the latest tech trends, and how to implement them, you can sign up for Flock’s informative newsletters and access the brand’s free online resources and blog at www.flock.events.

now support this feature. Virtual attendees will be able to view products that are showcased at a hybrid event in a digital manner. They will also be given all the necessary information about these products. Not only does this improve the engagement rate of your online attendees, but purchases are likely to follow from digital showcases too.

How this trend affects event planners: Event planners can track which products are drawing the most attention, and ultimately determine which products are being purchased most frequently. It helps them to anticipate what is attractive to certain types of buyers. Showcasing products digitally will also give the exhibitors the peace of mind that they will receive a strong ROI.

4 LIVE TRANSLATION

Virtual events have brought us many opportunities to expand events and reach wider audiences. However, language barriers are still a factor that have to be overcome. While English is probably the most widely used language in the events industry, it is incredibly valuable to express certain concepts in your

attendees’ native language. It is even more important to slot live translation into your event if you want to connect with attendees who would otherwise miss out on the experience completely.

How this trend affects event planners: Live translation opens the door for event planners to invite non-English-speaking attendees to their event, ultimately providing them with the ideal opportunity to reach attendees from multiple regions across the world.

5 QR CODES

QR codes might not be a new technology trend, but they have made a comeback worth mentioning. The reason for their resurgence is that they no longer require a third-party app to scan them. You can now snap QR codes with nearly any smartphone on the market. People have quickly become reacquainted with these nifty little codes. Hooray for the event industry!

How this trend affects event planners: QR codes provide a seamless way to arrange registrations. Event planners can implement QR codes as marketing elements on flyers, business cards and postcards for event leads. These codes will pull through to landing pages, persuading attendees to purchase their tickets there and then.

QR codes can also provide attendees with venue maps, contactless check-in solutions, brand experiences and additional product information on exhibition floors, to name a few use cases.

Mike Lysko is the founder and CEO of Flock Eventing Platform, an easy-to-use software that streamlines the event planning, implementation and management process.

EATING WELL FOR YOU AND THE PLANET

Executive Chef Adrian Schreuder shares some of his planet-friendly cooking tips with Meetings, as practised at Cape Town’s Hotel Verde.

MEET ADRIAN SCHREUDER

Adrian was in the kitchen from a young age. He says, “From about 10 or 11 years of age, I started helping with food prep and saw how the cooking was done. As I got older, I felt very comfortable in the kitchen. This spurred my father-in-law to prompt me (while I was studying mechanical engineering and technical drawing) to go to do casual work in a professional kitchen during the holiday.”

Needless to say, the experience saw him change careers and he went on to become a classically trained chef, garnering experience at Table Bay Hotel, working under Richard Corrigan in the UK, and as executive chef of Two Oceans Restaurant. Next, Adrian joined Nuovo Restaurant at Hotel Verde Cape Town when it first opened. This gave him the opportunity to develop a strong, sustainable framework for the kitchen’s operations – in line with Hotel Verde’s positioning as a green venue.

SERVING UP A GREEN MENU

“We always look at what is good for the guest, the environment and the hotel. That is the base we start from,” says Adrian.

Based on these criteria, Adrian shares some of the eco-friendly strategies he has implemented in Nuovo’s kitchen:

1. Ourbiggestfocusisonourpurchasingofproduce.Webuyfromascloseas possibletothehotel(within160km)tokeepourcarbonfootprintsmaller.

2. Weusemoregasthanelectricityinthekitchen.Andweuseinduction cooktopsforthebuffet,whichuselesselectricitycomparedtoregular electrical cookers.

3.Werecycleandrepurposewhereandwhatwecan,tomaintainour>90% waste-diversion-from-landfillscore.Foodwastegetscompostedbyanoutside serviceprovider.Wesendallourrecyclingtotherelevantstreamservice providersandthesefiguresallgetrecorded.

4.Wealsohopethat,throughseeingwhatwearedoing,ourguestswilllearn moreaboutgoinggreenandsupportcompanieswhofurthertheseinitiatives.

PLANT-BASED PERFECTION

While meat dishes are available at Nuovo Restaurant, Adrian has also developed enticing meat-free (and therefore carbon-lite) options – including his personal favourite. “I really love our mushroom and coriander spaghetti. We have a local grana padano with it; it’s just amazing. It’s meatless and so satisfying, like comfort food,” he shares.

We are not inheriting the world from our forefathers; rather, we are borrowing it from our children. That is the view we must take to live more sustainably. We have, as individuals and as a company, a responsibility towards our current and future generations.”

Mr Delicio, founder and owner of Hotel Verde

After the pledge comes the real work

At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, the events industry – represented by both individual organisations and three global industry associations – formally pledged to become carbonzero by 2050 by applying the following steps:

BRINGING THE VISION TO LIFE

As from September, the next phase will start with the launch of eight workstreams. These workstreams will focus on turning the roadmap into reality. There will be three transversal workstreams: measurement, reporting and carbon

From an organisational perspective, the initiative was lifted to the level of the Joint Meeting Industry Council, providing the adequate platform for the next steps: the definition of an industry-wide roadmap (which will be presented at COP27 later this year, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt) and the creation of eight workstreams delivering on that roadmap.

A ROADMAP TO KEEP US ON THE SAME PATH

The latest version of the roadmap – which is close to finalisation – provides a comprehensive framework, allowing all parties involved to ‘speak the same language’ with regard to the objectives to be achieved. The roadmap sets out both a company pathway and a series of priority action areas. The company pathway provides guidance to individual companies as to the progress they should plan to make by certain milestones. At the same time, achieving the objectives will of course also require collaboration within the events industry and with other industries (e.g. aviation) on certain topics. These have been grouped into priority action areas.

offsetting. The other five are linked to the priority action areas defined in the roadmap: venue energy, production and waste, travel and accommodation, food and food waste, and logistics. Progress reports and tangible plans are expected as from December.

The objectives of the five workstreams are:

• compiling best practices

• identifying specific steps to be taken

• building scenarios of what net-zero would look like in each case

• developing or consolidating industry guidance

• collaborative initiatives with stakeholders outside the events industry to drive progress.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

It is clear that both the interim and final objectives of the initiative can only be achieved with the full support of the events industry. In that sense, it is encouraging that, since the start of the initiative, 388 companies and organisations – including the biggest industry players – formally supported the initiative. But more is needed, and we encourage all event industry stakeholders to sign the pledge today.

SVEN BOSSU is the CEO of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC).

The roadmap to net zero Sven Bossu shares a status update on the work that has been done to support the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge and invites all parties who have not signed up yet to join the initiative.

MORWESI RAMONYAI is the chairperson of the Event Greening Forum (EGF).

Venues lay the foundation for green events

and measurable way. And what is more, event planners do not need to pay anything extra for these benefits, whereas trying to introduce greening initiatives to a venue that is not set up for it can carry a cost – and be more challenging.

This last point is not to say you cannot try to implement event greening at a venue that has no sustainability measures in place. Many factors can determine your ultimate choice, including availability. But it is a simple truth that piggybacking off existing green infrastructure is likely to be far easier, more economical and yield a higher success rate.

is the chairperson of the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO).

Choosing a venue that has already adopted a sustainable approach to how it manages its water and energy use, as well as waste output, means your event will automatically benefit from these decisions. For example, EGF member CTICC has an upcycling programme that diverts event waste from landfill by upcycling exhibition items, such as wood from custom stands and leftover furniture. Spier, another EGF member, installed a black- and greywater recycling system in 2007, which recycles 100% of its wastewater. These are just two examples, but it is clear to see how events held at these venues will automatically benefit from these initiatives (among the many others they offer) in a clear, substantial

To help you verify just how sustainable a venue is, you can download our free Green Venue Checklist on the ‘Downloads’ page under ‘Resources’ at www.eventgreening.co.za.

You can also join us for our next event: Our Green Venue Workshop is a hybrid event that will answer all your questions on choosing and using sustainable venues for events.

Event: Green Venue Workshop

Date: Thursday 10 November

Time: 09:00 to 11:00

Venue: CTICC & Online

For more info: www.eventgreening.co.za

Africa alive with possibility

The UFI African Exhibition Outlook reaffirmed that the exhibitions industry is rife with opportunities.

AAXO was pleased to participate in and support the UFI African Exhibition Outlook seminar on 13 September 2022, at Johannesburg Exhibition Centre. A cross section of the industry participated, including organisers, suppliers, venues, tourism authorities, associations, the media and representatives from government.

The gathering not only provided an opportunity to reconnect as an industry, but also allowed us to reflect and openly share our outlooks on the opportunities, pitfalls and path ahead for exhibitions in Africa.

Panellists throughout the day agreed that there is a desperate need for the African market to grow and this can only happen through better cross-border collaboration, skills sharing, best practices, benchmarking and far more accurate impact research.

According to UFI’s 2019ImpactReport, the US$200 billion (R3.6 trillion) of total GDP supported by the global exhibitions sector would rank the sector as the 55th largest economy globally.

Although Africa accounts for a small percentage of this, it is far from an insignificant sector. It was host to 7 million visitors and 300 000 exhibitors, with an estimated GDP of nearly $3 billion (R54 billion), as well as being responsible for tens of thousands of jobs.

AFRICA RISING

This was underscored by an incredibly inspiring keynote presentation by financial journalist Bruce Whitfield, who spoke of how we are well poised as Africans to take smart ideas global.

The ever-increasing international interest in the African economy signals growing attention for investment and access to resources, infrastructure, agribusiness, retail and services, which is very good news for the entire exhibition value chain. We are paramount to driving economic growth in Africa via the platforms that connect buyers, sellers and regulators. Exhibitions are indeed economic enablers.

As a region, however, we need to make sure that we own our narrative and even though some of the challenges we face seem insurmountable at times (unreliable infrastructure, venue capacities, security), we have an innate ability to find solutions and ensure we deliver world-class exhibitions.

Just as Dr J Nozipo Maraire’s quote, “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter”, encourages us as a continent to chronical our own our tale of development and progress, so can we as an industry ensure the story we share is one of growth, success and opportunity.

When planning any kind of event, there is one decision that will have an outsized influence on how sustainable it will be. That decision is which venue to use, writes Morwesi Ramonyai

DEVI PAULSEN-ABBOTT

GLENTON DE KOCK is the CEO of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI).

Continuous adaptability

professionals is that a full return to normality will not really happen until well into next year or even the first quarter of 2024.

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

With Covid-19 becoming a strange memory, virtual meetings will not disappear. So, event organisers will need to make ongoing adjustments to match customer strategies as they determine their needs.

Henry Ford created the two-day weekend for his workers. This was not entirely out of his own beneficence, but because if the two-day weekends spread across American workers, then it would be worth buying a car.

Henry Ford asked a different question, which was not, “How I can get my workers to work as hard as possible?” He asked the question, “Is it possible to create more leisure in wider society so that it is worth owning a car in the first place?” How often do we need to ask more interesting questions? Things like what it takes to consistently be adaptable in our current operating environment.

Despite the surge in demand we have seen in meetings, exhibitions and incentives from March 2022 onwards, conventional wisdom among many corporate event

Will we see more in-person meetings? Will our clients still request the need for a virtual meeting as travel budgets remain under pressure with rising flight costs? Or will regional in-city- or in-province-only domestic grouped events, with a virtual element (commonly termed hybrid), be required and delivered?

Evidently, change is in the air. The industry is not going to be the same as it was and industry players need to prepare for that now, rather than be caught off-guard.

Adaptability is the new future for event companies. Smarter use of resources, resizing for anticipated demands and reconfiguring services – even around bespoke solutions –are necessary to maximise efficiencies around the use of technology, creativity, service delivery as well as resourcing efficiency.

The future may well look quite different for the players, but the customers will continue to benefit.

MICE events are changing. Glenton de Kock encourages events industry professionals to ask interesting questions so they can prepare for and adapt to whatever comes next.

industry in flux

VIEWS

5Rules for managing clients

This should happen from the very first meeting, so that everyone is on the same page, and you aren’t likely to disappoint your client at a later stage.

#2 KEEP IT REAL

words, communicate effectively. The insights you gain will be invaluable when it comes to designing an event that will tick all their boxes, and they’ll no doubt be blown away by your attentiveness.

2022 has been a year when many clients want a lot, very soon, and preferably at a discount. If you’re as eager for work as I am, your knee-jerk reaction will probably be to say yes before they have finished asking. However, I always make sure I stick to these five self-imposed rules to protect myself and my professionalism.

#1

BE THE EXPERT, SET THE EXPECTATIONS

As an event planning professional, you’re the expert and so you should be the one to set your client’s expectations for an event.

Just as an architect will tell a developer what is possible in construction, you need to do the same.

Always be honest. This isn’t only about telling the truth, but it’s also about taking the time to explain why you want to do something, what the challenges and complexities are, how your solutions are suited to the outcomes… You know the deal. By being open and transparent in this way, you’re more likely to get your client’s genuine buy-in and support.

This becomes even more important if your client wants something that is simply not possible, or even advisable. It’s your job to make sure they understand why, and then to get them to fall in love with the amazingly creative and clever alternative that you have cooked up.

#3

LISTEN AND LISTEN SOME MORE

Keep your friends close, but your clients even closer… Well, maybe not, but you certainly need to make sure you spend a lot of time listening to your clients and what their wants and needs are, as well as their pain points. Ask questions, clarify and confirm. In other

#4 HAVE BOUNDARIES

I find it helps me to have a few basic boundaries in place, which I share in the initial meeting. These can be things such as no emails or calls outside of office hours, excluding the week prior to the event (for example). I find most people react very respectfully towards these requests. If they are unhappy with these boundaries, you can always suggest a 24-hour availability VIP package for an additional fee!

#5

BE PREPARED TO SAY NO

As much as it will hurt, there may come a time when it will be in everyone’s best interests to walk away from a job. This could be due to your capacity or your client’s impossible ask. You’ve probably spent years building your reputation, so it’s an investment you need to protect. This can also happen if your client isn’t meeting you halfway with signed contracts, deposits or other necessary ‘green lights’.

When this happens, always be gracious and keep the door open for future opportunities –just in case.

Do you have ‘difficult’ clients? More importantly, do you know how to handle your difficult clients? Miss Meet shares her strategies for maintaining professional client relations.

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