Meetings Sa Jan/Feb 2014 by 3S Media

www.saconference.co.za

JAN/FEB 2014 • Issue 53

ONCE UPON A TIME...

industry myths debunked

must-visit incentive destinations

TREND ALERT MICE industry predictions

GREENING

All you need to know

SPAZE

a Gwefey function venue Sandton’s best kept secret in conferencing

HOT SPOT GAUTENG

A gold mine for event planners and destination managers R40.00 (VAT incl)

1350 delegates and can now accommodate up to 750 delegates at the foot

everyone to enjoy.

years with the clubhouse rated in the top five 19th holes in South Africa. So whether you are wearing your

Tel: 036 468 8000 Fax: 036 468 1169 l www.champagnesportsresort.com

Images: supplied, I Love Soweto campaign

in this issue

ON THE

COVER

SPAZE, a Gwefe S Gwefey ey func function c venue, offers state-of-the aart r conferencing facilities, award- winning catering aand n magnificent views of the northern areas of Gauteng. For more, turn to page 4 G

FOCUS ON GREENING 08

Greening 101 The event planners’ guide to greening

Green gifts From recycled to biodegradable

09 10

Catering 10 ways to ensure green catering

gifts, we got you covered

Venues Top picks of venues with green credentials

11 12

PLACES OF INTEREST

Mandela tribute

Exhibitions How to build a green stand INDUSTRY TRENDS

Transport Go Gautrain, go green

Top 10 MICE trends

REGIONAL FOCUS

Must-use venues for event planners

IN THE KNOW

8 reasons to plan your event or incentive Top 5 team building activities

TOP 10 Mice Trends Helen Brewer looks into the proverbial crystal ball

AV Trends What conference organisers can

Happily Ever After John Fisher retells some

Frank Lee Speaking An insider’s view into the exhibition world

INDUSTRY TRENDS

AV trends

Talking Points The importance of developing your workforce

expect from audiovisual this year

REGULARS

industry myths

Ed’s Letter Green is the new black

Sound Bite Oyster Box’s Chef

MEETING PLACES

Kevin Joseph

GAUTENG

Top destinations Keep staff motivated with extraordinary travel

INDUSTRY TRENDS 22

A MICE fairy fairy tale

INCENTIVE TRAVEL

GAUTENG

15 15 19

INDUSTRY IND DUSTRY TRENDS S

Johannesburg Expo Centre is a flexible,

In the News Information you need

•

multipurpose venue, a perfect space to

for your event

create your own masterpiece KWAZULU-NATAL

Scan Display Shining bright at the 2013

•

Africa Travel Week What to expect

EXSA Awards

Pumula Beach Hotel has stunning views and is ideal for stress-free conferences

INCENTIVE TRAVEL

Top destinations

WESTERN CAPE

•

Champagne Sports Resort offers personal service and turnkey solutions

Club Mykonos offers a variety of conferencing facilities to suit any

Unique Speakers Bureau Top speakers

Miss Meet Don’t lose yourself in the bright lights of Vegas

REGIONAL FOCUS

Gauteng

business function

Cape Town International Convention Centre is celebrating a decade of success

SERVICE PROVIDER 35

Intercape is safe, dependable and affordable

MEETINGS MEETINGS ll NOV/DEC JAN/FEB 2014 2013 •

ED'S LETTER

Creatiting Experience i cess

Publisher Publisher Publis her Eli Elizabeth Elizab zabeth t Sh Shorten hort orten en Editor Martin Hiller (martin@3Sm (martin@3Smedia.co.za) Smedi edia.c a.co.z o.za) Head of Design Frédérick Danton Contributors Helen Brewer, John Fisher,

Sigal Nassimov-Gena, Jacqui Higgins and Stephanie Moss

Chief Sub-Editor Claire Nozaïc Sub-Editor Beatrix Knopjes Senior Designer Hayley Mendelow Designer Kirsty Galloway Client Services & Production Manager

Antois-Leigh Botma

Production Coordinator Jacqueline Modise Financial Manager Andrew Lobban Administration Tonya Hebenton Marketing Manager Hestelle Robinson Digital Manager Esther Louw Distribution Manager Nomsa Masina Distribution Coordinator Asha Pursotham Advertising +27 (0)11 233 2600

saconference@3smedia.co.za

PUBLISHED BY No. 4, 5th Avenue, Rivonia, Johannesburg PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/75 www.3smedia.co.za Meetings Jan/Feb 2014 © Copyright. All rights reserved 2014 www.saconference.co.za SUBSCRIPTION R290.00 per annum (incl. VAT) | subs@3smedia.co.za ISSN 1684-9264 NOTICE OF RIGHTS Meetings is published bi-monthly by 3S Media. This publication, its form and contents vests in 3S Media. All rights reserved. No part of this book, including cover and interior designs, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation and compilation of this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, completeness or accuracy of its contents, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. While every effort has been taken to ensure that no copyright or copyright issues is/are infringed, 3S Media, its directors, publisher, officers and employees cannot be held responsible and consequently disclaim any liability for any loss, liability damage, direct or consequential of whatsoever nature and howsoever arising.

Green is the new black

HIS YEAR PROMISES to be an exciting yet challenging one for the MICE industry. With clients wanting more innovation and even more bang for their buck, event planners need to think unconventionally and be able to embrace new ways of working. Meetings will continue to bring you top tips, trends and fresh ideas to stay ahead of the game and boost your business. For me, one of the most important issues that need to be tackled in 2014 is greening. This edition of Meetings is filled with ways that your next meeting, exhibition and conference can go green (page 8). Just as Wi-Fi is now a non-negotiable addition for most event planners, green initiatives must be as well. MICE doyenne Helen Brewer agrees. She shares more of her 2014 predications for the industry this year on page 22. Another trend that I would like to see is a Madiba-inspired year. Whether you called him Nelson Mandela, Tata Mandela or Madiba, he will remain South Africa’s most beloved person. When hosting your MICE activity, why not consider incorporating a ‘Madiba site’ to pay homage to a man that inspired a nation. Meetings shares its top sites on page 7. In order to keep you at the forefront of the happenings STAY INFORMED AND CONNECTED CO in the MICE industry, this SA Conference Directory S issue is jam-packed with provides user-friendly industry insights. On page 14 information that will assist you in your day-towe showcase the best MICE day da task of sourcing venues, offerings in Gauteng. Incentive products, produc services, speakers travel is becoming a popular and team builders. bu The affiliated website, www.saconference.co.za, form of reward for staff and keeps you in touch with the latest on page 38, Meetings shares industry news and information, and its top incentive travel destinations – there are also listings of venues and service providers in searchable and comparable format. from Thailand to Cape Town. SIGN UP TODAY SA Conference Update, a weekly Until next time,

OUT NOW!

newsletter, provides you with the latest news, events, developments and specials. SA Conference

SAConference

ENDORSED BY

TECHNOLOGY Evoko Room

MY FAV

FINDS

Manager is a new system for booking rooms that displays booking status clearly outside the meeting room on touchsensitive screens. You book meetings just as you have always done in Microsoft Outlook. The Evoko Room manager also makes it possible to check the booking status directly on the touch-sensitive screen. s You can also report a fault on the projector or other technical equipment e in the meeting room with a touch of the relevant symbol.

MEMBER OF

In each issue, Meetings offers advertisers the opportunity to promote their company’s products and services to an appropriate audience by booking the prime position of the front cover, which includes a twopage feature article. The magazine offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure for their brand. Please contact Antois-Leigh on: +27 (0)11 233 2600 | antois-leigh@3smedia.co.za

EARN CPD POINTS BY READING MEETINGS

Take the online Q&A Test and start accumulating credits today. Wherever the red CPD sign is shown, the opportunity for recognition and reward is available. Go to saconference.co.za/cpd and follow the requirements.

RECOM MEETINGS RECOMMENDS With the Evoko Room Manager there will be no more double booking, interrupted meetings or wasted slots. For more information, Jacques Booysen +27 (0)71 961 8555 or jacquesbooysen1@gmail.com

VENUE Kloof Street House is an eclectic colonial inspired restaurant and bar set in a magnificent Victorian house in Cape Town. Enjoy business lunches in the beautiful garden or just relax in the cosy lounge after a day of conferencing. MEETINGS RECOMMENDS With its inviting, homely feel and welcoming service, Kloof Street House is the perfect venue for business lunches or dinners as well as a haven to relax and unwind. kloofstreet.co.za MEETINGS ll NOV/DEC JAN/FEB 2014 MEETINGS 2013 •

SPAZE

The Johannesburg room offers panoramic views of Sandton’s CBD and beyond

Conferencing

with a view

Gwefey Function Venue SPAZE is a contemporary, upmarket and unique conferencing event centre that offers panoramic views in one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the Sandton CBD.

ISING OUT OF THE Sandton skyline,

Sinosteel Plaza is home to SPAZE. This function venue not only offers state-ofthe-art facilities but magnificent views of the north of Gauteng, making it the perfect setting for conferences, business and private events. “Our views make all conferences, training sessions or meetings an enjoyable and unforgettable experience,” says owner Louis Liu.

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION SPAZE is on a Gautrain bus route and is less than five minutes’ drive from the Sandton Gautrain Station. Shuttle services to and from the airport

4 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

COVER STORY

The SPAZE-cony provides over 1 000 m2 of great outdoor space

5 1

REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT SPAZE

PANORAMIC VIEWS SPAZE’s views make all conferences, training sessions or meetings an enjoyable and unforgettable experience

AWARD-WINNING CATERING Gwefey Redefined Asian Cuisine restaurant, which won the best business lunch award in the Best Of Joburg Readers’ Choice Awards, provides the food for all events held at SPAZE

EXPERIENCED AND FRIENDLY STAFF The on-site conference coordinator will ensure that all your needs are met

Dimensions Description Banquet (m) Ideal for mediumPort Elizabeth sized training, Durban 5x6 16 corporate meetings or Bloemfontein breakaway room. With great views and filled with ample natural light, Johannesburg 10 x 6 this room is equipped with 40 flip charts, white board and audiovisual system. It is a great training Cape Town 10 x 5 room or venue for 40 corporate meetings. Room name

TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN There is free Wi-Fi for all conference delegates and delegates can enjoy the latest state-ofthe-art AV.

The Auditorium

Cinema

Boardroom

U-shape

10 x 9

Ideal for breakfast meetings and presentations.

100

11 x 16

Fitted with multiple light settings, latest audiovisual technology, stage, PA system with two roaming microphones and six HD TVs, this room gives you everything you need for large seminars and workshops.

100

106

200

N/A

Pretoria

UPMARKET SETTING All function rooms are fully furnished with luxury fittings and furniture

Schoolroom

can be arranged on request. Ample and secure parking is free for all delegates.

CATERING Offering traditional dishes from all across Asia – from Beijing and Shanghai to Thailand – SPAZE has created a sensual trip through the Eastern continent via the palate, which is bound to satisfy your every gastronomic whim, courtesy of Gwefey Redefined Asian Cuisine restaurant. Catering can be anything from finger snacks to tailor-made menus, with creative and delicious fusion food from the West to

The Auditorium is perfect for large seminars and workshops

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

COVER STORY

the East. “All our food is made on the day of the event and organisers can rest assured that their delegates will only receive the best,” says Liu.

SPAZE's floor layout allows for great branding opportunities

ACCOMMODATION SPAZE does not provide guest accommodation; there is a number of fivestar international hotels and exquisite guest houses and B&Bs in close proximity. “Our friendly team can assist you in arranging accommodation that suits you,” says Liu.

CONFERENCE AND EVENT FACILITIES On the sixth floor is the SPAZE-cony, over 1 000 m2 of balcony, making it perfect for cocktail parties and product launches. “This is the biggest restaurant balcony in Gauteng,” boasts Liu. On the 12th floor are four conference rooms and ten boardrooms. Most of the rooms can be configured to banquet, cinema, U-shape, boardroom and classroom type setting. Every boardroom is equipped with an in-room cappuccino machine. On the 15th floor is a venue room that can be used for events for up to 400 people. This space is ideal for small exhibitions, larger training groups, cocktail functions as well as banquet and gala events.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

SPA SPAZE SP PAZE oﬀers state-of-the-art st sta tatete-ofof-the the-conferencing facilities, award-winning rd d wiinni nning ng catering and magnificent views of the northern areas of Gauteng, making it a venue of choice for 2014.

All rates exclude VAT Full-day conference package R450 per person • Arrival tea and coffee and snack • Mid-morning tea/coffee • Lunch • Afternoon tea/coffee • Screen and projector Half-day conference with lunch R375 per person • Arrival tea and coffee and snack • Mid-morning tea/coffee • Lunch • Screen and projector

TEAM BUILDING

Half-day conference package with no lunch R345 per person • Arrival tea and coffee and snack • Mid-morning tea/coffee

Thought-provoking and exciting team building activities are available on request. gwefey.co.za/spaze.html

SPAZE has hosted functions for the following companies: • China Africa Development Fund • China Nuclear Power Group • Cowan Harper Attorneys • Liberty Holdings • Nedbank • PPC • Rand Merchant Bank • Sinosteel Group Africa • South African Breweries • South African Marine Safety Authority • Standard Bank • Werksman Attorneys Attorneys. y .

6 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

2014 conference rates

Did you know? In Western culture, 13 is considered unlucky and 14 is unlucky for some Asian cultures. This is why there are no 13th and 14th floors at Sinosteel Plaza.

TRIBUTE 2

must-see

MANDELA attractions A man of vision, on, a man of integrity, r it y, a man of his people, e , a man man of this world, Nelson s o n Mandela Mandela has left a legacy a cy tthat ha t not n ot only South Africans, a n s , but b ut the th e whole world can a n be b e proud proud of. Meetings shares a re s iits t s ttop op Mandela attractions. attractions.

1 Naval Hill, Bloemfontein Facing in the direction of Waaihoek Methodist Church where the ANC was founded in 1912, you will find a 3 m high statue of Mandela 2 Howick, KwaZulu-Natal Marking the site where Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962, is Marco Gianfanelli’s Release. The sculpture comprises of 50 uneven steel columns of varying height. At 35 m, the columns line up to create an image of Mandela 3 Fox Street, Johannesburg The 6 m Shadow Boxer stands between Chancellor House and the Magistrates’ Court. Chancellor House is where Nelson Mandela and his partner Oliver Tambo had their law offices during the 1950s. This was the only black-owned law firm in South Africa at the time 4 Union Buildings, Pretoria Unveiled on 16 December 2013 – Day of Reconciliation – the 9 m high statue pays tribute to Mandela 5 Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha About 40 km from Qunu, the birthplace of Mandela, you will find a statue of Mandela with a

child. He was a champion for children’s rights and founder of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund 6 Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton To mark 10 years of democracy in 2004, a 6 m high statue of Madiba was unveiled 7 Groot Drakenstein, Paarl Outside the former Victor Verster Prison, where Mandela took his first steps as a free man, is a 3 m high statue of the former statesman 8 Nobel Square, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town South Africa has numerous Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Mandela shares this honour with Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk. The laureates have been immortalised by artist Claudette Schreuders 9 Donkin Reserve, Port Elizabeth Simply entitled Voting Line by Anthony Harris, the 38 m long metal sculpture of South Africans of all shapes and sizes, connected together. At the end of the queue is a metal cut-out of Nelson Mandela standing tall and victorious. This sculpture represents the first democratic elections in South Africa

Images: Lenynne Vorster, supplied

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

GREENING • Overview

The event planners’ guide to GREENING Greening is no longer just a buzz word in the MICE industry. Many companies are insisting that their events are green. Martin Hiller takes a looks at what you can do to have a green event.

REENING YOUR EVENT involves

incorporating social, environmental and economic responsible decision making into the planning, organisation, implementation of and participation in the event – no matter what size. To ensure success, event greening should start at the inception of the project and involve all the key players, such as clients, organisers, venues, subcontractors and suppliers.

CATERING When hosting an event remember, local is lekker and green. Always use local and seasonal food, free-range meat, chicken and

NEED GREEN GIFTS? Authentic green gifts for delegates can be sourced from a number of social upliftment programmes such as art and craft community projects, including beading, embroidery, leather crafts, wire art, weaving, wooden carvings, African fashion and decor. E'Yako Green and Intelligent Marketing are leading eco-gift providers. They provide quality green alternatives to products commonly used in corporate marketing and promotion. All products are made from recycled, biodegradable or renewable materials. eyakogreen.co.za and iamgreen.co.za

8 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

seafood that is on the SASSI green list. Give preference to Fair Trade products and locally produced beverages.

CONFERENCE AND MEETING VENUES Many conference venues have significantly increased their sustainability by instituting on-site recycling facilities, limiting the use of bottled water, implementing automated light and temperature controls to reduce electricity consumption and upgrading of telecommunications equipment to facilitate videoconferencing, which helps to reduce carbon emissions generated by air travel. This makes choosing a green venue easier.

EXHIBITIONS

Many conference venues have significantly increased their sustainability by instituting on-site recycling facilities

If you are organising an exhibition, make sure that your chosen venue is equipped to host a green event. Have an eco-procurement policy – give preference to materials, products or services that do not have a negative impact on the environment. Don’t produce printed marketing materials, rather email the event brochure and encourage exhibitors to use QR codes to take visitors to their online marketing resources. When designing a stand, ensure that it is reuseable and that materials and decor used are environmentally friendly. Use energyconserving technology and ensure that any transport of the stand has minimal impact on the environment. Scan Display and On Show Solutions are at the forefront of greening exhibitions, having won the best green stand and best green exhibition (Meetings Africa) at the 2013 EXSA Awards respectively.

TRANSPORT Getting to and fro from a meeting, conference or exhibition means that delegate will be contributing to his/ her own carbon footprint. According to the American Public Transportation er of a Association: “If just one commuter household switches from driving to using public transport, the household’s carbon

footprint will be reduced by 10%.” With this in mind, encourage delegates to use public transport. Delegates in Gauteng can use the Gautrain, which provides safe, fast and reliable transport for delegates on the move, as well as Rea Vaya buses. In Cape Town, the MyCiTi buses provide delegates with a more costeffective and greener option than if they were to use a car. Of course, public transport is not for everyone and AVIS has the perfect solution. Their green fleet includes hundreds of new, environmentally friendly cars which have low CO2 emissions. Meetings would like to thank the Event Greening Forum (EGF) for their valuable input. The EGF developed the accommodation questionnaire and the catering. For the full questionnaire and checklists, visit eventgreening.co.za

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

WAYS TO ENSURE GREEN CATERING BE SEASONAL Ensure that all your catering requests include seasonal foods. GO FREE RANGE Avoid red meat if possible, but if it is provided, request free-range meat or chicken. Ensure that all seafood is on the SASSI green list. GO LOCAL Always give preference to local food and beverages. GO REUSABLE If possible use reusable cutlery, crockery and napkins. NO SACHETS Offer condiments and sugars in large dispensers. GO ECO-FRIENDLY Ensure that all your packaging is eco-friendly. ALWAYS RECYCLE Where disposable items cannot be avoided, ensure that these are sent for recycling. FOOD DISPOSAL Ensure that food waste does not go to landfill, but is suitably composted. USE GLASS Provide water in jugs or consider the use of on-site filtering and bottling for your bottled water. EDUCATE DELEGATES Provide information about the greening initiatives that you are implementing.

NEED HELP? The Event Greening Forum (EGF) aims to promote and embrace sustainable and ethical business practices within the events industry in South Africa. Members enjoy access to information about the latest greening practices, obtain discounted prices for EGF courses and events, gain recognition for their greening efforts and have access to networking and promotional opportunities under the umbrella of the association. eventgreening.co.za

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

GREENING • Venues

Venues with green credentials 10

GREEN QUESTIONS TO ASK

When booking accommodation for events ask:

1 2

KWAZULU NATAL The Oyster Box may not look very environmentally friendly, but in fact a lot of effort went into ensuring the hotel was as green as possible when the hotel was rebuilt. The hotel makes use of sustainable water and electricity techniques while a number of smaller practices are performed at

the hotel including recycling and the planting of indigenous vegetation. State-of-the-art performance glazing has been used in windows and doors to assist in maintaining constant interior temperatures and reducing noise. The hotel can accommodate up to 200 delegates cinema style. oysterboxhotel.com WESTERN CAPE Opened in July

2013, Hotel Verde at the Cape Town International Airport is one of Africa’s greenest hotels. There are wind turbines, a vegetated green roof, an electric airport shuttle, a grey water recycling plant, occupancy sensors in the rooms and a regenerative drive on the elevators. The hotel boasts seven meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 120 delegates cinema style. hotelverde.com

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

DO YOU PROVIDE toileteries in bulk refillable dispensers? If individual bathroom products are provided, ensure that they are not replaced before they are empty and that containers can be reused. DO YOU IMPLEMENT a towel re-use policy for guests and is this clearly indicated in all of the rooms? DO YOU HAVE low-flow showers and aerators on taps for guest rooms? ARE ALL toilets water efficient? DO YOU HAVE energy-efficient lighting? DO YOU PROVIDE a paperless check-in, check-out and billing process? DO YOU USE water-wise plants in your garden area? DO YOU PROMOTE the use of ‘green’ taxi operators? ARE YOU WITHIN walking distance from the conference centre?

WESTERN CAPE Located in the luxury lifestyle precinct of Century City in Cape Town, African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa boasts numerous greening initiatives. Some initiatives include using recycled paper for conferencing pads and flipcharts, whiteboards have been replaced with glass and all venues have dual flush toilets. The venue also serves filtered water in refillable glass bottles and serves only Fair Trade coffee to delegates. Banqueting menus reflect seasonal produce. The hotel also offers clients the option of adding a donation per delegate to their conference package, to be donated to the Endangered Wildlife Trust. africanpridehotels.com

GAUTENG Situated in Melrose is the trendy and upmarket The Peech Boutique Hotel. The hotel’s water is heated by solar geysers, grey water is used for watering the garden food waste gets processed into garden fertiliser and the hotel bottles its own water on site. Its fully equipped boardroom accommodates up to 18 delegates. The hotel oﬀers an intimate meeting space, The Green Room, which has been designed so that under normal weather conditions it needs no light and no heating, even in winter. The room is ideal for small meetings where a creative space is needed and can seat up to six. thepeech.co.za WESTERN CAPE With a focus on eco-friendly hospitality and conferencing, Townhouse Hotel has installed energy-saving light bulbs and a ‘future-fit’ greywater system on its premises. The hotel has also partnered with Trees4Schools as part of its extensive eﬀorts to reduce its impact on the environment. The partnership sees the hotel donating R1 on behalf of each delegate at its conference centre to Trees4Schools. The conference centre’s modular venues convert to any size and function you require. The centre can accommodate up to 250 delegates cinema style. townhouse.co.za

10 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

DO YOU HAVE a recycling programme for major waste like glass, tins, plastic, paper and organic waste?

GREENING • Exhibitions

The Department of Environmental Affairs stand at the Climate Change Response (CCR) Expo at COP17 won a Bronze award for the Exhibit Design Green Stand Awards in 2012 and illustrates design with dematerialisation, as well as local procurement, reuse and eco-friendly products.

10 1

How to build a green stand Scan Display shares its top tips about what to consider when designing and building green stands. PROCUREMENT Where you source your stand materials, decor and furniture from is hugely important. You should be thinking local, local, local. The more local the source, the better it is. You also need to consider whether the materials you use are environmentally friendly, in terms of the following criteria: • Where and how they are sourced Sustainable resources are preferable to those that are finite. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) wood is cultivated in a more sustainable manner than other woods,

2 making it a preferable product. • Manufacture Energy intense and polluting processes are obviously less desirable than the converse of this. Ask your supplier questions about the manufacture and origin of their materials before making a purchasing decision. • Final product Is the final product healthy for the people using it and the environment? For example, many paints contain lead. Research the materials you commonly use and let this guide your choices. • Lifespan: When part of the stand is no longer needed, what will happen to it? Ideally you want to reuse it or, if this is not possible, the next best option is to recycle it. The last, and worst, option is to send it to landfill. You should always avoid this if you can.

REUSABILITY Stands should be designed to be reusable. There are a number of considerations to keep in mind here: • Modular design This makes it easier to rebuild the stand and, if necessary, to create different configurations to fit different spaces. • Durable The more robust the design, the better it will last over multiple builds. • Easy to disassemble and reassemble If the stand can be taken apart and put back together easily, you improve your chances that this will be done without damaging the structure. • Lightweight and packs small This makes transporting the stand for rebuilds easier, more cost-effective and more carbon-effective – as less petrol should be needed with smaller, lighter loads.

DEMATERIALISATION This refers to using fewer materials for your stand, such as avoiding unnecessary walls and structures. This is

4 5

6 7 9 10

WAYS TO ENSURE A GREEN STAND CHOOSE A MODULAR STAND This type of stand is long-lasting and economical. RECYCLE All bespoke elements must be recycled. REUSE Ensure materials chosen are being reused from elsewhere, and/or there are plans to reuse/recycle them after the stand is no longer needed. REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT Ensure that the manufacturing of materials is not energy intensive, nor does it create harmful by-products. LIGHTWEIGHT Ensure that the stand is lightweight and can be flat packed to ensure that transport related to the stand has minimal impact on the environment. NON-TOXIC MATERIALS Use ‘green’ water-based paints. ENERGY EFFICIENT Install low-wattage lighting or LED energy-efficient lighting. GO PAPERLESS Don’t produce printed marketing materials. GREEN GIFTS If giving gifts, ensure that they eco-friendly. SPREAD THE WORD Promote your green credentials and spread the word about sustainability.

environmentally beneficial because your stand requires fewer resources, less manufacture, less transport and so on.

Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. saconference.co.za\cpd

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

CAPE TOWN +27 21 409 1200

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Products

JOHANNESBURG | justin@scandisplay.co.za

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G R E E N I N G • Tr a n s p o r t

MAMELODI

Sandton – Honeydew Ruimsig – Samrand Samrand – Tshwane East Rhodesfield – East Rand Mall – Boksburg 5. Westgate – Park 6. Naledi – Ruimsig 7. Tshwane East - Mamelodi 1. 2. 3. 4.

HATFIELD D PRETORIA RIA

7. TSHWANE EAST EA T

CENTURIION IRENE

3. SAM SAMRAND BLUE HILLS

PRIORITY OR RDER

Go Gautrain, go green

FOURWAYS

FOR DELEGATES ON THE MOVE For most airport passengers, the Gautrain is the first choice of transport because of its convenience, time and cost effectiveness. There are also numerous conferences, expo centers and hotels along the Gautrain route. Using the Gautrain as a mode of transport for attending a conference is not only convenient but saves time and it’s friendly to the environment. The Gautrain, bus and parking services are all fully integrated and may be used separately or jointly by transferring from one to another. Delegates can access the system by means of a Gold Card which can be purchased from all ticket offices and ticket vending machines at any Gautrain station as well as at selected retail outlets in the vicinity of the bus routes. Bulk tickets for conference groups are also available. The Gautrain buses service a number of venues along the Gautrain routes. Information on the routes is available on the Gautrain website and the Gautrain app.

SUNNINGHILL

12 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

MAR M RLBORO

RANDBURG H HONEYDEW

LAKESIDE

ROODEPOORT

SANDTON S

PARK WESTGATE

OR TAMBO

RHODESFIELD ROSEBAN NK

EAST RAND MALL

BOKSBURG

NALED DII D

IMPRO IMPROVED OV TRANSPORT NET T NETWORK

MICE TAX CUT Sustainability is no longer just a buzz word in the MICE industry. The Department of Energy has introduced a tax incentive for companies that are committed to going green and saving energy consumption. This means that the MICE industry will have an opportunity to get tax cuts provided they can show measurable energy savings.

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT Considering that the traffic volumes are still escalating by approximately 7% per year in the corridor between Johannesburg and Pretoria, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from road-based vehicles will increasingly contribute to global warming. Carbon emissions from Gautrain are considerably lower per passenger transported, than for private vehicles, notwithstanding the higher speeds and even when For more F there are no major traffic on Gautrain incidents. Energy use by rail stations and venues located is three to five times more near them and efficient than cars per person on the Gautrain kilometer based on full capacity. bus routes, visit Travelling with Gautrain saconference. co.za/gautrain/ reduces your contribution to or read our climate change.

WANT MORE??

gautrain.co.za

M MIDRAND

RUIMSIG

The Gautrain is not just a train, but a symbol of sustainable development in both transport and the environment. AUTRAIN IS COMMITTED to sustainable development and its commitment is not only critical to environmental protection and social upliftment, but to an integrated approach, which considers the inter-relationship between transport, the environment, the economy and society as a whole.

COSMO

September/ October 2013 issue

A de detailed assessment and analyses of the current an transport network in Gauteng tr was done as part of the w province’s proposed 25-year pr Integrated Transport Master Inte Plan (ITMP25). The plan was unveiled in August 2013. The proposed rail network extensions will comprise of: • A link to the high-speed rail from Johannesburg and Durban proposed by the National Department of Transport. • A rapid rail link including Gautrain and its extensions for the high-mobility corridors. These extensions are: - A link from the existing Gautrain Park Station to Westgate in the Johannesburg CDB; - A link from the existing Rhodesfield Station to Boksburg; - A rapid rail link from Naledi in Soweto to Mamelodi via either the proposed Gautrain Samrand Station or the existing Gautrain Midrand Station; - A link from the existing Gautrain Sandton Station to Randburg. - A metropolitan railway system based on the existing PRASA/Metrorail A commuter rail network that provides mobility between concentrations of residential and employment areas. This will enable a shift from private vehicles to public transport and non-motorised transport that will reduce congestion, enhance eﬃciency and promote sustainability. It I also means planning for the transport of people and considering person trips, as opposed to vehicle trips which will have a huge eﬀect on the reduction of the carbon footprint.

2477 | iww cp

Caring for thetravel futureas usual It’s business Having been part of Gauteng’s urban fabric for three years, Gautrain is starting to change the lifestyles of people living, working and playing in Gauteng.

When rushing to work and back, between meetings, to the airport and home for family commitments, congestion is the worst enemy. Getting caught up in the traffic adds unnecessary stress and can be Bringing quality to life prevented. t Limiting greenhouse gas emissions to minimise the negative impact on the climate t Reducing road trafﬁc congestion and the resulting congestion costs

Take the Gautrain convenient predictable travel times. Leave the traffic behind. t Reducing signiﬁcantlyfor theanumber of roadjourney accidents,and fatalities and injuries Gautrain, for Business People on the Move!

t Improving mobility levels of the entire community, and narrowing the division between mobility levels in our society t Improving accessibility to primary services of health, education and employment for the entire community t Reducing conventional emissions and transport-related noise so that Gautrain does not create concern to the public health.

Gautrain, for people who care!

www.gautrain.co.za Call Centre: 0800 Gautrain www.gautrain.mobi

SMS “Alert” to 32693 for service updates

REGIONAL FOCUS • Gauteng

ENDLESS

Gauteng offers unique and innovative spaces. Martin Hiller explores the MICE possibilities – from inner city sanctuaries to luxury hotels and indoor arenas.

ITH THE LARGEST population in South Africa, Gauteng is a melting pot of culture. Visitors will experience various cultures, art, food and music. The province’s rich history and heritage is complemented by modern design and innovation. Delegates are treated to state-of-the art meeting facilities, cultural villages, casinos, townships, exclusive golf courses, fivestar spas, shopping and vibrant nightlife. With this is mind, it is no surprise that Gauteng is the first choice for many event organisers and destination management companies.

THE REGION

SNAP SHOTS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

Randlords offers spectacular views of Joburg, making it an ideal venue for cocktail parties and product launches A movie at the Bioscope in Braamfontein forms part of a perfect overnight incentive

Gauteng is divided into five districts – City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and West Rand. The majority of MICE activities ttake k place in the following areas: Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg CBD, Rosebank, Sandton, Midrand and Pretoria.

Pretoria is famous for its Jacarandas For delicious local food, Arts On Main in the the Mabobeng district is the ideal location

14 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

TRANSPORT Gauteng offers a world-class road infrastructure, making it easy to get around the province. Public transport includes buses, the Gautrain, trains and taxis. For those wanting use of a private car, all major car hire companies are located at OR Tambo International Airport and throughout the province.

POSSIBILITIES

8 1

When in Gauteng... No matter what type of meeting or exhibition you are planning, there is a perfect venue for you.

EKURHULENI InterContinental Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport is perfectly situated for meetings and conferences. It is a 69 m walk from the international arrivals and 300 m from the Gautrain Station. Seven boardrooms, two conference rooms and a private cocktail restaurant cater for varied requirements. The main conference room can seat 130 delegates. intercontinental.com

Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre has 60 meeting rooms

Images: gauteng.net, supplied

and has become renowned for its expertise in delivering outstanding service, be it for a meeting, conference, banquet or social event. The centre can seat up to 3 000 delegates. The hotel boasts 665 guest bedrooms. birchwoodhotel.co.za

Emperors Palace, for conference and exhibition planners, is the only place to meet. The exhibition and conference centre provides a diverse range of exciting, multipurpose venues, small executive breakaway rooms and theatrical venues, which can be customised for individual requirements. Venues can cater for up to 3 000 delegates. Emperors Palace excels in the essential ingredients for successful conferences and entertaining – superb cuisine, impeccable service, and an elegant atmosphere.

emperorspalace.co.za

7 8

REASONS TO PLAN YOUR EVENT OR INCENTIVE IN GAUTENG

A BUSINESS S CAPITAL L Despite being the smallest province, Gauteng has a population over 10 million and is the economic powerhouse of South Africa. According to Gauteng.net: “Gauteng has the highest population density, highest disposable income and highest contribution to the national GDP.” With such impressive stats, it is no wonder why business tourism and MICE industries are booming in Gauteng. OR RIGINS OF F HUMANK KIND With over 440 attractions in the Cradle of Humankind, business travellers and conference delegates will be spoilt for choice. A visit to the Origins Centre will reveal the largest collection of rock art in the world, with what is believed to be some of the first images made by humans in South Africa. FREEDOM M STRUGGLE E Delegates can tour Constitution Hill or Liliesleaf Farm, where Nelson Mandela and other political heroes once held secret meetings, or visit Freedom Park and the Apartheid Museum. A day in Soweto is a must, with stops at Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial, Nelson Mandela’s former home in Vilakazi Street and finally a shebeen. WO ORLD-CLA ASS VENU UES Gauteng boasts world-class conference venues that can cater for small to very large events be they in major centres or in the bush. Venues range from conference centres to facilities at accommodation establishments and educational institutions. Whatever event needs you have, you will find the perfect venue. GR REAT TRA ANSPORT It’s easy to get to and around Gauteng. According to Gauteng.net: “About 70 international airlines fly to OR Tambo International Airport, where the Gautrain offers a fast transfer to major centres.” Transport includes coaches, buses, car hire, hotel shuttles and taxis.

GETTING THERE

THE PEO OPL LE Gauteng is a true melting pot of culture. Delegates will experience the heartbeat of the people through the many art and craft establishments. Your guests and delegates will be attended to by friendly staff. INN NOVAT TIVE ENVIRONMENT From mine dumps, to bush, rivers and roof tops, Gauteng’s unique landscape is perfect for unique team building activities. INC CENTIVES S DESTINA ATION With five-star luxury accommodation, one of the largest man-made forests, lakes and rivers, nature reserves, botanical gardens and a mountain range on its doorstep, Gauteng offers many opportunities for unforgettable incentive destinations.

For more information, visit Gauteng.net

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

REGIONAL FOCUS • Gauteng

the forum | turbine hall was once the power

JOBURG CENTRAL & SURROUNDS Constitution Hill oﬀers charming historical venues for your unique event. As a multipurpose Heritage Site, the venue oﬀers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues available for conferences, live performances, banquets, product launches, cocktail evenings, private functions and corporate events. The site boasts 13 venues spread over three buildings ranging in capacity from 20 to 1 200 guests. constitutionhill.org.za

station for the city in the late 1920s and now forms part of Johannesburg’s architectural history. It has become the location of choice for corporate launches and conferences. The venue has been designed to accommodate a wide range of requirements and oﬀers five-star service, state-of-the-art technology, exceptional food, decor and style. Facilities comprise conference rooms and function venues. theforum.co.za

Randlords, perfectly perched at the highest point in Braamfontein, is an exclusive rooftop bar and lounge venue, located on the 22nd floor of South Point Towers. Breathtaking during the day, the venue comes alive at night and is ideal for cocktail parties and product launches. The space can facilitate a plated dinner for 120 people, or a cocktail party for 450. Ample oﬀ-street parking is located on two basement levels. randlords.co.za Elevate Venue is located on the 16th floor of African Sky Reef Hotel, Johannesburg. From cocktail parties to product launches, guests will be treated to spectacular views of Joburg. The venue is suitable for functions for 50 to 300 guests and can be divided into private rooms for intimate events. Safe parking is available. reefhotels.co.za Johannesburg Expo Centre oﬀers over 42 000 m2 of covered space and an additional 80 000 m2 of outdoor, multipurpose space. All infrastructural requirements are provided, including banking facilities, telecommunication services, in-house catering and parking for up to 20 000 vehicles. With so many venue choices, accommodating from 10 to 10 000 guests, Johannesburg Expo Centre is the ideal place to host an unforgettable exhibition or event. For more, turn to page 29. expocentrejhb.co.za

16 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

PLAN YOUR INCENTIVE DAY EXCURSIONS CITY EXPERIENCE

Organised by Soweto Tours will take you on Soweto tour a journey that will delight all your senses. Some of the stops on this tour include: Vilakazi Street, where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived, as well as the Hector Peterson museum, Diepkloof, Kliptown Squatter Camp and Kliptown Museum. soweto.co.za

SANDTON & ROSEBANK Clico Boutique Hotel is fitted with the best conferencing equipment. This venue also lends itself to intimate events ranging from special occasion lunches and dinners for up to 32 guests, cocktail parties for around 50 guests, tea parties, christenings or intimate weddings with a diﬀerence. clico-boutiquehotel.co.za

Hyatt Regency Johannesburg

features an unmistakable air of professionalism and sophistication. Whether planning for a large or a small group, the Hyatt can assist you with quick and convenient service. The Hyatt can accommodate up to 150 delegates. johannesburg.regency.hyatt.com

Images: gauteng.net, I Love Soweto campaign supplied

Sandton Convention Centre has over 22 000 m² of convention, exhibition and special event space. The Pavilion can seat 4 500 patrons. The Ballroom can seat 2 000 banquet guests and the 13 other meeting rooms can accommodate up to 350 delegates. The two exhibition levels have a combined floor space of 11 000 m². This 12-storey structure is designed and built to provide convention, exhibition and special event space over five main levels. saconvention.co.za

The Maslow’s conference centre and meeting rooms oﬀer an unexpected oasis setting for business and social events with spacious facilities able to accommodate banquets for up to 400 people and cinema seating for 650 people. The 13 meeting rooms are located away from the conference centre and provide the perfect business retreat for seminars, management meetings, training events and workshops. whereyoushouldbe.com

BUSH EXPERIENCE Anyone that goes on one of Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris will forever have a cherished Bill memory. The Harrop's company’s original balloon tagline safaris epitomises its attention to detail and bespoke incentive experience: “If you’re going to celebrate, do it in unassailable style with a winning team.” balloon.co.za

OVERNIGHT EXCURSIONS CITY EXPERIENCE Feel the heartbeat of Joburg CBD by spending a day and night in the Maboneng Precinct. Meaning ‘place of light’, Maboneng is home 12 Decades to several independent Hotel retail, restaurant and entertainment venues as well as a museum and creative factory spaces in an urban landscape. Joburg’s only independent cinema, The Bioscope, which screens local, international and classic films that don’t make it to the mainstream cinema circuit, calls Maboneng home. After a full day of exploring and it’s time to call it a night, The 12 Decades Hotel will blow you away with its uniqueness. The 12 rooms have been decorated by South African artists and designers and each room should be compulsory viewing. The hotel boasts a great restaurant. mabonengprecinct.com, thebioscope.co.za, 12decadeshotel.co.za BUSH EXPERIENCE The only free roaming Big Five reserve in the Gauteng province, Dinokeng Game Reserve boasts 18 500 hectares of idyllic Mongena Game bush. The best part: it’s Lodge only 90 km from Joburg and 40 km from Pretoria. Stay at the four-star Mongena Game Lodge, which promises excellent game viewing in the distinctive African bush. dinokengbig5.com, mongena.co.za

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

REGIONAL FOCUS • Gauteng

Gauteng is popular for MICE events because of OR Tambo In International’s unrivalled st status as the African av aviation hub. They come bec because we are an African and international i hub, because tthey have ha headquarters here or because there the has been a bid for it [MICE business]. You can also fly overnight here from lots of places.”

SHE SAID IT

Nonnie Kubeka, executive manager of the Gauteng Convention Bureau as quoted in buyingbusinesstravel.com

Diep in die Berg is the ideal

MIDRAND & PETORIA

facility for your out-of-theoﬃce conference and training requirements. The all-purpose conference centre consists of seven conference rooms and a boardroom, and can accommodate up to 450. There is accommodation on site. diepindieberg.com

Centurion Lake Hotel has been a favoured destination for business travellers for years due to its excellent location, tranquil setting and commitment to personal service. Six fully equipped conference rooms are available and can accommodate up to 200 delegates in comfort and style. Delegates can be accommodated in the 160 deluxe rooms. centurionlakehotel.co.za

Tshwane Events Centre, with over 82 000 m2 covered exhibiting space and open multi-purpose areas, can accommodate 50 000 visitors simultaneously and safely park 3 500 cars. With eight conference rooms, an executive boardroom and 11 halls varying in size, the facility can handle any size event, to suit any budget – big or small. The centre oﬀers comprehensive turnkey services. tshwane-events.co.za

Gallagher Convention Centre has five purpose-built ground floor exhibition venues

Images: gauteng.net, supplied

oﬀering approximately 25 000 m2 of exhibition space and 19 multi-purpose venues. Gallagher can accommodate up to 12 000 visitors. With 12 versatile conference and boardrooms, the Gallagher Grill, a Ballroom, an auditorium and various tranquil venues for intimate celebrations, Gallagher Convention Centre provides the perfect setting for both business and family functions. gallagher.co.za

18 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

The CSIR International Convention Centre oﬀers superb facilities and quality service with conference, function and exhibition venues that can accommodate as few as 10 delegates and guests to events of 500, with groups as large as 1 000 being accommodated at times. Flexibility, service excellence and professionalism are integral to what the centre oﬀers its clients. csiricc.co.za

REGIONAL FOCUS • Gauteng

GAUTENG TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES

From m min mine ne dum dumps mps to forests, botanical botaniical gardens garrdens offers unique team building building g and budget. Meetings shares its top five picks.

COOKING Are you tired of climbing up walls, rafting down rapids and fearing for your life in order to build team spirit? Why not turn this trend around and focus on your team’s inner strengths with sustenance from food. At Taste-Buds Cook Club the cooking sessions are designed to promote unity among teams. Preparing a meal together works wonders to boost team spirit and foster productivity. Your team will later enjoy the meal they have prepared in a relaxed environment. taste-buds.co.za DRUMMING For hundreds of years, drumming has proven to be the most effective team building activity in all cultures. It transcends all boundaries: personal, organisational or cultural. Drum Cafe teaches staff to increase productivity and efficiency through better team work and interactive team building. drumcafe.com

4 CANOPY TOURING Ideal for corporate team building events, the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour

and bushveld, Gauteng Gauten ng activities that suit any size

CHOCOLATIERING With Laser Adventures unique team building activity, you can express yourself with chocolate. Team members will create a special pledge that has to be decorated and decoded by the opposition. They will also get to try their hand at chocolate painting or making designer chocolate slabs containing crunchies, biscuits, cashew nuts and other goodies. laseradventures.co.za

resembles a Tarzan and Jane style adventure that essentially involves sliding from platform to platform in zig-zag formation across the top of Ysterhout Kloof, while stopping at each platform to admire the expansive views and surrounding ecology. Two trained guides accompany each tour ensuring your safety while, at the same time, keeping you entertained with interesting facts about the history of the range and its protected fauna and flora. magaliescanopytour.co.za MODERN MAZE-ING Team building exercises with mazes help to build trust and encourage group thinking and problem solving. At Honeydew Mazes, the courtyard area has smaller puzzles and games to keep you entertained while the main maze can be tailored to suit any particular message you might want your team to learn. The mazes’ multi-station format is perfect for distributing rewards or forfeits. This is truly a unique team building activity. honeydewmazes.co.za

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

Constitution Boardoom – African Presidential Roundtable

Freedoms that so many imprisoned here had fought for and won. Not only is Constitution Hill a National Heritage it is also home to the Flame of Democracy and beam of light outside the Constitutional Court in the Awaiting Trial block which were lit by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe with a flame ignited by former President Nelson Mandela. The Flame signifies the commitment of the country to Democracy, Human Rights and Constitutionalism. The Mahatma Gandhi bust in the Number Four prison was unveiled by Her Excellency, Ms Pratibha Devisingh on 3 May 2012. This is a poignant reminder to all who pass through the prison walls of Constitution

Peter Morey www.petermoreyphotographic.co.za

owhere can the story of South Africa's turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. Situated on a hill overlooking the bustling Johannesburg city and the fostered suburbs, Constitution Hill provides a unique perspective of Johannesburg and its rich history. Constitution Hill is one of South Africa’s most education-orientated heritage sites. Thousands of citizens including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Albertina Sisulu, Fatima Meer, Esther Barsel, and many more were imprisoned at Number Four, Women’s Jail, and the Old Fort, now known as Constitution Hill. The site that once stood firmly and supported segregation and later apartheid is today the Home of the Constitutional Court, the guardian of the basic Human Rights and

Woman’s Jail

Human Rights Conference

Hill of the sacrifices and contribution made by this physically fragile icon but who had through his teachings and life made such a phenomenal impact on the world as we now know it. The fight for Freedom in all its forms is not the fight of the minorities, but should be embraced by all in an endeavour to upholding the Constitution and entrenching Democracy, Human Rights and Freedom. As a multipurpose and unique Heritage Site Constitution Hill offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, available for hire. This is a prestigious location for your meetings, conferences, performance events, receptions, screenings, parties and product launches. Constitution Hill offers

Old Fort Parade Ground – 1200 pax room

dramatic venues in three prisons and heritage buildings, dating back 100 years. Some of these spaces are used to host gripping exhibitions with themes that reveal South Africa’s rich heritage and advocate human rights. Furthermore, Constitution Hill is an imperative platform for Heritage, Education, and Tourism related programmes. Constitution Hill is in Johannesburg and is ideally located with easy access from your major highways and from the airport. The Gautrain bus stop is in close walking distance to Constitution Hill which makes access to and from the airport very convenient and onsite secure basement parking is available.

CONSTITUTION HILL 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg | t +27 (0)11 381 3100 | f +27 (0)11 381 3108 info@constitutionhill.org.za | www.constitutionhill.org.za

SOUND BITE

Celebrities, royalty and delegates Describing his cooking style as classic with a twist of modern, Kevin Joseph, executive chef at The Oyster Box, is passionate about food and cooks from the heart.

HAT ARE some of the trends you see in the food and beverage industry? The focus is on healthier eating, with smaller portions, sustainable purchasing and consideration for curbing your carbon footprint by sourcing local. Food is going back to basics, whereas the beverage component of the business is moving towards the WOW factor. Show cooking is a growing area, allowing chefs to showcase their skills to guests, by preparing

conferences, so it’s important to have offerings that cater for the specific requirements of each individual client. Tailor-making packages to suit your clients’ needs also differentiates you from the rest of the pack. You need to do things differently in order to give the client a completely new experience every time.

How do you present ‘plain’ food in a way that makes it look appealing to

What would you say is the number one mistake people make when it comes to catering for conferences? Not enough choice for clients; not all companies have unlimited budgets for

questions before your guests arrive, such as gender balance, age of the guests and so on so that you can design your offering correctly. Always get first-hand feedback from the delegates, so that adjustments can be made for the benefit of the guest.

What are some budgetbusting conference ideas? Mornings: Instead of

What dish are you asked to make most often? Our traditional Natal

whole fruit being served and being

Lamb Curry or any curry for that matter; everyone who visits the hotel wants to try our famous curries.

Aw Award-winning executive chef, Kevin exe Joseph has been at The Oyster Box for almost 10 years. During his career, he has accumulated a wealth of hands-on experience at leading hotels in South Africa and around the world. These include The Peninsula Hotel in Cape Town, the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the Michelin-starred Tamarind and Claridges Restaurants in London. Joseph is a member of the South African Chef’s Association and the International Wine and Food Society.

delegates? Presentation is key to a good meal, as most people eat with their eyes first. We look at different ways to serve our food, as well as serving the food in smaller portions, advising our guests to lean towards plated meals as opposed to buffets. The key factor is also to use the freshest, best-quality ingredients and that speaks for itself.

What has been one of your difficult catering challenges? Preparing a conference for 200 delegates at an outside venue 300 km away from my kitchen and upon arrival being told that the hired stoves had not arrived. After purchasing all of the fire wood from a local garage, lighting fires and almost succumbing to the smoke, it all ended in success. I never want to be in that situation again!

CHEF KEVIN

Tailormaking packages to suit your clients’ needs also differentiates you from the rest of the pack. You need to do things differently... their food in front of them, as entertainment.

What are your catering top tips? Ask the important

cream and cone station to give delegates a boost to their energy levels for the afternoon session.

wasted by most people, offer skewered fruit, breakfast pastries, and muesli and yoghurt served in shot glasses. Tea break: In the past at tea breaks, sandwiches were served. Now, hotels offer an array of freshly baked biscuits, which are more cost effective with tea or coffee. Afternoon tea: Try serving freshly made popcorn or an ice

What is your signature dish? Being close to the sea, seafood features predominantly on our menus, pecorino prawns served with a Bouchard Finlayson cream, pesto tossed rocket and Grana Padano floss.

How did you decide you wanted to become a chef? I started out in the navy. On leaving, I needed a job and ended up working as a waiter. After some time I decided to try my hand at cooking and 22 years later I can’t see myself doing anything else. Since then I have worked around South Africa as well as internationally. I have also had the privilege of catering for a number of celebrities and even royalty. oysterboxhotel.com

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

MICE trends in 2014 Recognising the change in the meetings and event landscape, the 2014 trend forecast by Helen Brewer of the MICE Academy will assist players in the industry develop a future-oriented strategy that can generate business and economic success.

TREND

ALERT

1 MICE PROGRAMMES More participation will lead to greater satisfaction among delegates as message retention levels become more important for successful programme outcomes. Unless a high-powered, well-established expert the likes of Bill Gates is on the platform, the ‘sage on the stage’ is becoming a negative factor as there is a tendency to be talking at the delegation not to them. Timing of commencement and completion may alter if delegation numbers drop due to traffic congestion patterns, which are expected to continue in 2014. The manner and methods of including participation will become a vital programme component, spearheaded by experienced designers of audience participation methodologies.

2 PRESENTERS Presenters will be carefully selected and political rhetoric could be under scrutiny. Generic presentations that are not geared to the target audience will be frowned upon. Professional presenters in particular will have to dig deeper to satisfy corporate and

22 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

INDUSTRY TRENDS

4 EVENT MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

7 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Greater

Intermediaries (third parties/professional conference organisers/Independent planners) will need to up their game and market their skills more positively as corporate and association event management departments become more prominent. Personal relationships may take a back seat if competitive intermediaries can sell a better deal. As the potential client becomes savvier as to the planning tasks to be undertaken, sweeping unsubstantiated claims of abilities may prove the downfall of a number of intermediaries.

emphasis on time and motion will be deciding factors in relation to decisions of the most appropriate venues to use. 2014 is seen by the economists, especially with elections in the early part of the year, to be a troublesome time with economic growth in the doldrums. Cutbacks by government departments are likely to witness noticeable shifts in MICE spend. The smart venues and service providers will seek innovative charge structures, while absorbing certain elementary costs, so as to provide more ‘bang for the buck’.

Technology will continue to play a major role in shaping the meetings industry, with the worlds of virtual and live events becoming ever more blurred

association requirements. So presenter guideline briefs will become more specific and finite for which presenters will be urged to deliver accordingly.

3 VENUES Besides the mega-capacity MICE venues, the plethora of competition continues unabated. Therefore, venues both with and (in particular) without accommodation should not be complacent in 2014. • Signage Poor internal and especially external direction signage will impact far more negatively in 2014 than what has been tolerated to date. • Access The advent of e-tolls could have a profound effect on those venues accessed from the national highways during the first half of 2014. Innovation regarding alternate routes will be welcomed and is likely to turn an enquiry into a confirmed booking. This is an important issue which should not be ignored by MICE venues. • Food and beverage There will be a bigger emphasis on healthier food.

5 TECHNOLOGY Great for the industry, yet manual back-ups will continue. Cloud ‘buy-in’ will remain a challenge as lack-of-security suspicions continue. However, the industry per se will encourage delegates – irrespective of level – to convert to laptop/iPad/smartphonegenerated applications during workshops and in-depth sessions. Technology will continue to play a major role in shaping the meetings industry, with the worlds of virtual and live events becoming ever more blurred. Globalisation is also key, with the increasing ‘interconnectedness’ of different cultures and people from around the world affecting the way planners shape their meetings. 6 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE Simple, costeffective systems that indicate a positive PR spin is the real way in which the industry will conform. Greening could be taken seriously within the gambit of the individual employees sphere of influence. A new position of a green audit officer attached to a current job description within an organisation – similar to a health and safety officer – is not unlikely where effectively implemented.

8 PROCUREMENT The procurement aspect for utilising MICE suppliers and services will become more significant. With the plethora of various services available, the events manager would be wise to investigate the procurement policies of their potential clients going forward.

9 INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS Member associations, most of whom cater mainly for the suppliers and services within the MICE industry, will have to provide tangible benefits for current and potential members. The economic climate envisaged to continue well into 2014 indicates that members may find the cost of networking too high a price to pay in member fees, especially if the majority of members are not in decision-making positions within their respective companies. Introvert interests of office bearers is becoming more noticeable among members and association loyalty is likely to take a back seat in comparison to high benefit expectations. 10 ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATIONS The higher education authorities and their various agencies are likely to establish a policy for verifiable CPD (Continuing Professional Development). It is therefore prudent for the industry not to pay lip-service to the CPD process. Merely handing out certificates is likely to be frowned upon by corporate, association and government buyers, when the misguided intention for certification is viewed as securing more participants without credible substantiation.

HELEN BREWER is a director of the MICE Academy. She has been involved in the MICE industry for over 35 years and has immense knowledge and experience to assist with best practice.

Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. saconference.co.za\cpd

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

INDUSTRY TRENDS

In 2014 conference organisers can expect amazingly clear and bright presentations

BIGGER

, better

Technology is moving at breakneck speed and the audiovisual landscape is seeing interesting and innovative technical advances. Jacqui Higgins shares what conference organisers can expect from audiovisual this year.

TREND

ALERT

event equipment can be what pushes a business above and beyond its competition. One thing is certain, it’s vital that events planners and audiovisual suppliers stay at the forefront of the curve. “It’s important to be able to advise clients on the latest trends and innovations in the technical landscape to allow them to understand what’s available and what the options are to make their event memorable and showcase brands in the best possible way,” says Collyer.

HIL LE SOM ME COM MPANI PA IES S are new

to audiovisual technology, others are on the cutting edge, always seeking the latest, greatest trends to wow the crowds. “Equipment is improving quickly, and the ante has been upped. It is no longer adequate to simply provide a comfortable setting for meetings – it is now essential to incorporate powerful audiovisual technology to punctuate your message and make a lasting impression,” says Michael Collyer, CEO of TechRig Technical Solutions Agency. Michael Collyer, Using the most impressive CEO, TechRig Technical Solutions Agency technology and

It’s important to be able to advise clients on the latest trends and innovations...”

24 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

BETT TER R QUA ALIT TY There is an expectancy spiral on the part of the general public, including the people who attend meetings and events. This is based on the fact that people now have home theatre systems and flat panel displays, so their own day-to-day system quality, image and sound are increasing to the point where they expect that level of quality when they go out to a meeting or event. As such, companies are now chasing this spiralling expectancy. They’re looking for brighter projectors, higher resolution, more HD presentations and more technologies.

SENS SES S SE ENS SORIU UM One of the very latest in technology is the Watchout System, which allows for extensive

AV TRENDS IN 2014 1

2 3

external commands in and out of the timeline, which effectively means virtually any type of interactivity is now possible with your screen production. Very exciting new features support 3D mapping and stereoscopic projection, all of which are part of creating the senses sensorium. This means putting more sensational technologies into events, because people’s perceptions and expectations have changed so dramatically. “In my opinion, conference organisers can expect amazingly clear and bright presentations with out-ofthe-ordinary projection canvases, setting a new standard in what’s possible and basically creating the extra-ordinary” says Dylan Finlay of Penmac AV Services.

TECH HNIICA AL PER RSO ONNEL Using standard PowerPoint presentations is not going to hack it if you want to be taken seriously, you need to use the full spectrum

TAKE NOTE

of technology. This highlights another Techniccal preepro oductio on is key. major change in C l ie e n ts s m u s t alw wayys the audiovisual g iv v e a d e ta a il l ed d brieef spectrum: t o t h e t ec c h nical technical c o m p a n y . A ll a udio personnel. Gone and vissual checkks are the days mustt bee donee prio or of technicians to going g livve. It is being standard thereffore im mpo ortan nt operators, they to have th he are no longer necesssary im mages, doing basic filees and inform matio on jobs. There is preparred welll beforre a new breed the datee of use. of technician, or rather activator, that can mould your presentation into an interactive experience. They now form an integral part of the brand activation process, especially in the preproduction phase.

7 Jozi born and bred, JACQUI HIGGINS worked as a journalist for 15 years working various magazines. She has a love innovative technology and building brands in unexpected ways. She hates bullies, bribery and corruption.

Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. saconference.co.za\cpd

IMAGES: TECHRIG TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS AGENCY

Today's events require projectors to have razorsharp and ultra bright images guaranteeing a spectacular visual experience

PIX XEL L/P PRO OJEC CTIO ON MA APP PING G Projection or video mapping technologies are some of the most exciting available at the moment, allowing you to project images on any multi-dimensional shape or form. Any object can become a display leading to visual effects that make events memorable. GE EST TUR RE MED DIA This allows the speaker to manipulate the presentation with body movement rather than a mouse, keyboard or slide advancer. MU ULT TI-IIMAGE DIS SPLAY Y PR RESE ENT TATION SO OFT TWA ARE E This is the use of software that runs on multiple projectors or other display devices like video walls and plasma screens. Meeting planners can work with their AV tech to create a fully orchestrated, multi-image presentation. LE ED LIG GHT TING G Audiovisual professionals can integrate LED lighting with video systems, allowing them to colour match LED lighting to suit screen content and themes, further branding the meeting and the experience. LED lighting is more energy efficient. TO OUC CH--SCR REE EN TECHN NOL LOG GY It’s like using your iPad or tablet to pull up information with your fingertips, but on a large screen. It could be used for an information kiosk at a meeting or in workshops or sessions. With multiple touch points on the display screen, multiple people could access different information at the same time without interfering with one another. WIIDE ESC CREE EN TEC CHNOLOG GY The trend toward widescreen presentation is actually driven by the ongoing conversion to HD technology and the fact that the market is shifting from the old 4:3 aspect ratio of the traditional TV screen to the 16:9 ratio of the new generation of HD TV sets, which are modelled on the same ratio as a movie screen. PO OWERFUL L PR ROJ JECTIO ON The quality of projectors is rapidly improving. The state-of-the-art level is now between 26 000 and 40 000 lumens, according to Collyer, who cited the Barco HDF-W26 and HDQ-2K40, the brightest projectors in the world, as the reigning champions for good-as-it-gets visuals. They ensure razorsharp, ultra-bright images – guaranteeing an unequalled visual experience.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

INDUSTRY TRENDS

ONG, LONG AGO in the mythical world

of Conferenciana, there was always lots of work to be done and no-one was poor. The people needed little excuse to meet together and relax. The ‘important ones’ regarded the cost of meeting up as an investment in their own future prosperity and they were happy to risk a very small part of their organisational wealth in order to reap a modest return. So convinced were they of the value in bringing people together that they ran contests, winners could travel to the farthest reaches of the then-known world as a reward for good performance or simply to talk. Others envied their travels and strived to qualify or attend the following year to become well-travelled themselves. Business improved year-on-year and everyone was happy.

Happily ever after

AMAZING AND SPECTULAR

John Fisher retells some industry myths about MICE trends over the years to guide us all towards a happier future

In the days of plenty, small cooperatives sprang up, family concerns in the main, who became experts in the traditional arts of event management. This was the Age of Start-up. The ‘important ones’ decreed that they had their own concerns to manage and that the most efficient way to organise meetings and events was to ask the experts. As there was no such thing as the Internet, running a smooth event relied upon informed knowledge of venues, airlines and ground services as well as a dash of creativity. In this way, the right event could be matched to the specific profile of an event attendee. The skill resided in the application of knowledge and experience in order to first imagine, then create a successful outcome. In almost all cases, the people the ‘important ones’ spoke to were the actual people who operated the events and so were fully in the picture with regard to the various likes and dislikes of the patrons. They even accompanied the travellers themselves. Amazing events were organised and some truly spectacular activities took place, the like of which had rarely been seen, beyond the confines of the rich and famous.

TROUBLE BREWING A great darkness fell across the land, the lights went out and the Age of Complications began. As the family concerns

26 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

made way for larger cooperatives, smaller organisations either dissolved or merged to form bigger groups that offered wider services. Workers became specialists, managing relationships with the ‘important ones’ was given to salespeople with no knowledge of running events, those with hands-on experience became operations managers, venues were booked separately from the event organisers and creative presentation was handed over to external design concerns under licence. Events were contracted to agencies by corporate fire-breathing dragons called Procuros. During this period, ‘running events’ was relegated to a small corner of the office in order to make room for ‘strategy’,

‘compliance’ and ‘account development’. Of course, the finance teams grew as did the IT support units, in tandem with the need for processes and systems to deal with pulling all these services together. As a result, the cost of managing events ballooned. One day, a corporate planner decided enough was enough and looked around for their own internal organiser who could run their own events internally without the need for external help and the associated costs. They recruited ex-agency event organisers looking for the stability of regular work and a better salary. The internal

events team concept was born. This was the Age of In-house.

FALSE HOPE Meanwhile telecommunication improvements were evolving, which opened up access to information previously denied to the ordinary corporate organiser. The Internet made available to any organiser the information needed to book air tickets for a group; book a hotel, wherever it was; engage with creative presentation experts and deal directly with local country ground handlers. The time of the corporate organiser blossomed. Sitting spider-like in the middle of the event management supply chain, it was easy for a corporate organiser to appoint a handful of supplier agencies to search out and find the best deals. It then became a simple financial exercise to add up the relevant costs of the components to deliver an event on budget. Because all the coordination work was being done by corporate organisers, there was no need to have agency organisers and the old skills and experience were lost. Nobody wanted bespoke event management anymore. It was time of multi-layered, multi-faceted, deal-saving, cheap-as-chips

THE END IS NIGH The larger agencies, as we now know, split up into warring factions and disintegrated. In the aftermath, many workers left the event management industry completely. Those who remained set up boutique operations that combined venue knowledge, presentational skills and people management techniques to become ‘event practices’ who employed event architects. The formal training for people new to the industry took seven years; event purveyors, as they are called, needed to be licensed and carry all the usual financial indemnities. They do, of course, all now report to the Ministry of Events. Procuros eventually simply ran of steam as all the costs were now all transparent, thanks to the Internet and there was nothing, event-wise, to compare. As a result, travelling overseas had become less important than the degree to which participants had changed their attitude to specific corporate ideas and products as it became law to monitor the shift in perception change. If there was no change, or it got worse, sponsors now paid a fine to the Ministry, as you might expect. The job of internal corporate organiser withered away as there was no need for organisations to diversify into disciplines outside their core strategy. The event architects could do it.

MEMORABLE EVENTS

Amazing events eve were organised d and a some truly spectacu ular activities took spectacular place, th he like of which the had rarely rare ely been seen events. Delegates were delivered at the cheapest cost to the cheapest venue for the cheapest meals and witnessed the cheapest presentations. The trouble was, it didn’t work. Because travel was so inexpensive, few people were impressed by overseas services that were fully available even on a standard consumer holiday package. Eating in so-called fourstar hotel restaurants was no different to eating in a good local restaurant, sometimes much worse. Hotel rooms were no better than being at home. They had all seen the ‘famous sites’ before. Information exchange on the Internet was as good if not better than expensively staged presentations. Some delegates rebelled and chose not to attend.

And so the people were happy, events were measured meaningfully and creative, life-enhancing experiences became once more a small but important part of corporate life. From time to time some groups still travelled to Rome for one night, paid little for the privilege, bought their own food en route, took a public bus to the hotel because it was free and came back exhausted. But no-one wanted to go again the following year. How we all laughed when we heard about it. This article is reproduced by kind permission of Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine (copyright CAT Publications) JOHN FISHER is a director of FMI Group. He has 30 years’ business experience, as both client and consultant. He has also written a number of business books, speaks French and German, and spends most of his leisure time in Italy.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

JEC

Johannesburg’s greatest day out, the Rand Show

An unforgettable Do you want a venue that offers complete choice, flexibility and considerable experience to meet your demands and exceed your expectations? Then look no further than the Johannesburg Expo Centre. The JEC has a venue for any type of event

O MATTER WHAT your event needs are, the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) has versatile facilities and experienced staff that will ensure the successful execution of a memorable event. The JEC is known for its vast space that allows the venue to host anything from 10 to 100 000 visitors. “We pride ourselves on being the largest exhibition, conferencing and events centre in South Africa,” says Craig Newman, CEO of the JEC.

DIVERSE EVENTS The JEC is continuously able to assert itself as a leading world-class venue. Its accomplishments are noticeable in the number of successful exhibitions and events that were held at the venue in 2013. From the

28 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

JEC is the home of Johannesburg International Motor Show

experience popular Rand Show and Soweto Festival Expo to the leading health, sexuality and lifestyle expo, SEXPO, and the renowned Johannesburg

The JEC is known for its vast space that allows the venue to host anything from 10 to 100 000 visitors International Motor Show, the JEC has a proven track record of professionalism, flexibility and hospitality.

ANTICIPATING 2014 This year the JEC will be adding two new shows to its already growing calendar of exhibitions and events: Ultra Music Festival South Africa and China Sourcing Fair. The world’s premier electronic event, Ultra Music Festival will make its African debut in

February. The decision to have it at JEC was simple. “South Africa has the infrastructure in place to put on an event like Ultra. This thriving scene, coupled with the fact that the venues we’ve found for the first edition are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever come across, made the decision to expand into Africa an extremely exciting one to make,” says Russell Faibisch, CEO of Ultra Music Festival. Newman adds: “We are very excited to be hosting an event of this magnitude. It just goes to prove how versatile the Expo Centre really is.” China Sourcing Fairs are organised by the business-to-business trade-media company Global Sources. China Sourcing Fairs are exhibitions where suppliers and buyers come together to network and do business from April to December each year. Global Sources connects exporters from Asia and buyers from all parts of the world in an attempt to facilitate business deals in a less-intimidating setting. Under the umbrella label of China Sourcing Fairs,

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

REASONS WHY THE JEC IS UNIQUE LOCATION Less than 40 minutes drive from Lanseria and OR Tambo airports. ACCESS The JEC can be accessed from all major Gauteng highways. It is also close to many tourists attractions. SIZE The JEC covers over 50 000 m2 of covered space and over 100 000 m2 of outdoor space. CATERING Five-star in-house catering ensures that your delegates will treated to a culinary affair. UNFORGETTABLE EVENTS The JEC is an event and exhibition specialist that partners with your brand ensuring that your needs are meet. PERSONAL SERVICE With friendly and efficient service providers, the JEC team will not only meet your needs but exceed your expectations. FLEXIBILITY The JEC can cater for a small intimate event for 10 people or large events of up to 100 000 people. PARKING There is safe parking for up to 20 000 vehicles.

AWARDS The JEC has won the following awards: • Voted best exhibition and event venue in subSaharan Africa with the PMR Diamond Arrow Award in 2007, 2011 and bronze in 2013 • Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition 12 000 m2 and over: SA Shows for the Johannesburg International Motor Show at JHB Expo Centre • Best Trade Exhibition 12 000 m2 and over: Dogan Exhibitions and Events for Automechanika

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

MEET THE TEAM ME

From in-house catering to hands-on staff, all your event needs are taken care of

T safety of all visitors to the The JJEC is a top priority for Dan N Nsthanana, security manager The JEC's financial Th mana manager's assistant, Tracy Tladi, assists a great deal in controlling and streamlining the financial matters of the company. Her professional and warm approach to all matters is always highly recognised by the JEC team and its clients. The attention to detail that general manager Hannes Venter gives to each and every exhibition, as well as to the logistics, helps make the events the succeses that they are.

separate fairs are held throughout the year. These specialised fairs include baby and children’s products, fashion accessories, electronics and components, gifts and home products, hardware and building materials, and underwear and swimwear.

EXTRA VALUE In order to give extra value and convenience to organisers, exhibitors and visitors, the JEC team continuously keep up to date with the latest local and international trends and technological advancements. This ensures that your event is on par with international standards. One of many conferences held at JEC

STRATEGIC PARTERSHIPS Newman recognises that service delivery needs to be proactive and professional, and as a result, the JEC has formed numerous strategic partnerships in order to meet the demands of its clients. “The entire client experience before, during and after the event is associated with the venue and, as a result, it is vital to have partnerships that aid in the successful execution of events,” says Newman. Some of the partnerships include the on-site catering Main Event Catering, Baddow Trading for electrical supply, Topaz Sky for Wi-Fi, BFree Events Group to provide safe and secure parking for patrons of major events including those held at Soccer City and ZF Cleaning Services.

GIVING BACK

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

T property The aalone is not what makes the JEC one off the th he most mo preferred international venues; it boasts some of the most dedicated staff. The JEC team is constantly on call, ready to assist.

For the past five years, the JEC C and its partners have hosted the SAPS Widows and Orphans for a wonderful day at the Rand Show. In addition to this, the JEC makes donations to surrounding communities g and ensures that its surrounding environment is well-maintained. The JEC’s past and future successes fuel its future achievements. “Our own success results in success for all our clients. We aim to use our professionalism, flexibility and hospitality to give every client the services and experience they demand”, concludes Newman. expocentre.co.za

30 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

Exhibitions and events manager, Desrae McDonnell’s logistics experience is monumental in the planning process. She advises and helps clients plan and see their event come to fruition – an extremely important role. Karabo Moikangoe, marketing and sales executive, handles the JEC’s business development. He secures new venue clients and builds on existing relationships too – it’s all about keeping the client happy. Cleaning the JEC is a massive task. Ziad Khan from ZF Cleaning is a valuable service provider. Khan keeps the grounds, halls, buildings and toilets in a constant state of cleanliness for both visitors and clients. Main Event Catering owns the food and beverage rights at the JEC. Dian Bekker and his team from Main Event Catering work closely with the JEC team to ensure that all events are successful. And then there’s the glue that holds everything together: JEC’s CEO Craig Newman. “The JEC’s mission has always been to offer professionalism, flexibility and hospitality so that we can provide our clients with worldclass service and ensure that their experience exceeds expectations each and every time,” he explains.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • KwaZulu-Natal

CHAMPAGNE SPORTS RESORT

Perfect combination With 16 state-of-the-art conference rooms and various leisure options, event organisers are spoilt for choice.

ESTLED AT THE FOOT of the Drakensburg Mountains with picturesque views, Champagne Sports Resort offers professional service and turnkey solutions for an unforgettable event, no matter the size.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING Accommodation for up to 750 delegates is available. Delegates are treated to mouthwatering menus.

CONFERENCE AND EVENT VENUES There are 16 conference venues, which can accommodate various seating plans.

• The Buttress Centre with a floor space of 1 200 m2 seats up to 1 400 delegates and banquets 850 guests at round tables • The Sentinel Room seats up to 1 000 delegates • The Monks Cowl Centre seats up to 550 delegates • The Summit Room seats up to 400 delegates. There are more intimate venues ranging between 150 delegates to private boardrooms seating up to a maximum of 20 people. Delegates have internet access in the hotel and all venues, and may utilise the business centre.

PUMULA BEACH HOTEL

Refreshing conferences With its stunning views of the Indian Ocean, this seaside venue is best for relaxing, stress-free conferences.

HE LOCATION, great service and

fabulous cuisine that the award winning, Pumula Beach Hotel offers makes it the ideal location for conferencing, team building or any corporate event.

32 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING There are a variety of room options to suit all needs. These rooms are the perfect place to unwind after a day-long seminar. The hotel is able to assist with specialised menus and events.

TEAM BUILDING AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES From the 18-hole championship golf course to the roaming herds of blesbok and impala and the rare birdlife that inhabit the estate, there is something for everyone to enjoy. champagnesportsresort.com

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS Whether your delegates are wearing a golf cap or thinking cap, they will find inspiration at Champagne Sports Resort.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

You can confidently arrange your conference or event knowing that Pumula Beach Hotel will cater for your every need.

CONFERENCE AND EVENT VENUES Pumula Beach Hotel offers four conference venues equipped with standard conferencing equipment. There is an outdoor space that is ideal for product launches.

TEAM BUILDING AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES There are numerous activities on site to keep your delegates entertained. Staff at Pumula Beach Hotel are able to assist in themed evenings and professional team building activities. pumulabeachhotel.com

MEETING PLACES • Western Cape

CLUB MYKONOS

A touch of Greece in the Cape

Known for its scenic surroundings and for the extensive list of activities and facilities that it has to offer, Club Mykonos offers a variety of conferencing facilities to suit any business function.

N 2013, Club Mykonos completed a R100 million investment in refurbishing and upgrading the property and its facilities. This has taken a total of three years to complete, and Club Mykonos is thrilled to finally show off its lavishly renovated resort, which signals a renewed outlook for the property and its facilities over the next few years.

LOCATION Set in Langebaan Lagoon, Club Mykonos is less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING At the holiday resort, guests can choose from hundreds of luxurious Kalivas (apartments) of various sizes to suit each guests needs, and can be rented out on a self-catering basis. From new tiles and light fittings, to wooden furniture and art, and completely refurbished bathrooms, guests will feel welcomed by the spacious living area with a modern take on its colours and decor. A lot has gone into the rejuvenation of dining options, which includes the facelift of the Bouzouki restaurant on the Marina, now under

new management. A new Italian restaurant, Little Venice, also opened recently, adding further variety for guests. The Leisure Café is proving popular.

CONFERENCE VENUE The Athene Conference Centre has recently been renovated, with new carpeting, curtaining and general maintenance. This makes Club Mykonos a welcoming space for workshops, conferences, private functions and weddings, with its beautifully laid out rooms that overlook spectacular harbour views. The conference centre can accommodate over 500 people in a calming environment and offers a 24-hour package that includes meals and accommodation. All delegates also have access to some of the resort’s wonderful facilities.

GREENING Club Mykonos places an importance on ensuring that its environmental impact is minimised. From encouraging guests and conference delegates to use resources wisely, to a more hands-onapproach to promoting biodiversity in its Fynbos-

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

The recently renovated, Club Mykonos offers world-class conferencing and various team building activities, all set against the picturesque Langebaan Lagoon.

rich surrounds, the resort aims to operate in the most sustainable manner possible.

TEAM BUILDING The resort has upgraded the health and leisure outdoor spaces. All six outdoor swimming pools were relined, the two tennis courts and minigolf course were resurfaced and an all-new synthetic soccer pitch installed. New change rooms, wooden decking for the indoor pool and a significant investment in new gym equipment was also made. There is a casino for those who are in the mood for playing the slots. The main perk of having your business meeting, conference or function at Club Mykonos is that guest are entitled to use some of the facilities at the resort, at no extra cost. With so many entertaining activities, Club Mykonos guarantees that all guests will never run out of things to do. The New Year brings in great things for the resort, as the revamp of facilities mean that more delegates will get to experience its magic. clubmykonos.co.za

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • Western Cape

CTICC

A decade of success The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) ended 2013, its tenth year in operations on a high note. Meetings takes a look at its successes.

VER THE PAST decade the CTICC has contributed over R22 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and over R7 billion to the Western Cape Gross Geographic Product. “It is our goal to add a further R22 billion to the country’s coffers over the next five years and in doing so realise our vision of becoming the best long-haul international convention centre by 2020,” explained CTICC CEO, Rashid Toefy.

STANDARDS OF BEST PRACTICE In 2013 the CTICC achieved an unqualified clean audit for the fiscal year. The 2011/2012 General Report on Local Government Audit Outcomes recently revealed that only 5% of local government have achieved clean audits. Of the 278 Municipalities audited in the report, only 17 received clean audits.

spend was awarded to black and womenowned suppliers.

MORE SUSTAINABLE The centre also set the bar for sustainability reporting when it became the first convention centre in the world to produce an integrated annual report, which is aligned to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. The report has been externally assured against comprehensive and stringent criteria that meet the highest standards for international organisational reporting. “We have improved our performance by achieving a Level B+ Application last year”, said Toefy.

EXPANSION CONTINUES The expansion of the CTICC is set to start and will be ready to trade in 2017.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

NEW CTICC CHAIRPERSON

The centre was also awarded a Level 2 BBBEE certification for the second consecutive year. More than 70% of the centre’s procurement

Gary Fisher, Head of Public Works for the Provincial Government of the Western Cape has been appointed as the new CTICC Chairperson. Fisher has extensive experience in the property and financial sector having played an instrumental role in the start-up of various local and international property consortiums. “It is an exciting time in the centre’s history as the expansion kicks off and I am privileged to be at the helm of a company with such a sterling track record”, said Fisher.

From left to right, Rashid Toefy, CEO, Past Chair, Ashley Seymour and New Chair, Gary Fisher

cticc.co.za

34 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

The CTICC is an innovative venue offering a comprehensive array of services for international and locally based clients, playing host to prominent global conferences, trade shows, concerts and celebrated stage productions.

A year in numbers The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) hit a record high in its tenth year of operations and added R2.99 billion to the national economy and more than R1 billion to the Western Cape’s coffers. The numbers for the 2012/2013 fiscal year • The centre achieved a net profit before tax of R27 million , the highest in the centre’s 10 year history. • In addition, the centre generated revenue and other income in excess of R158 million • Through the centre’s activities more than 7 500 direct and indirect jobs were created • 537 events were held • The centre has a sustainable forward book and several large scale international conferences have been secured till 2020.

S E R V I C E P R O V I D E R S • T R A N S P O RT

INTERCAPE

5 1 2 3 4 5

Safe, dependable and affordable

REASONS TO USE INTERCAPE

SPACIOUS INTERCAPE coaches offer the utmost in luxury comfort AFFORDABLE Ask the friendly sales team for various tailor-made packages SAFETY All Intercape coaches are equipped with the latest safety technology GREEN By using group transport, travellers can halve their carbon footprint FRIENDLY The Intercape staff are always willing to go the extra mile

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS Intercape places l the highest possible premium on its passengers’ safety and comfort. Delegates will get to the event in style and will be relaxed. What more could an event organiser ask for?

With safety and comfort being the top priorities at Intercape, event organisers can rest assured that that their delegates will arrive fresh and raring to go.

N 1979, INTERCAPE was just a shuttle service between Cape Town International and the CBD. Thirty-five years later, Intercape operates in five countries, specialising in passenger, charter and counterto-counter parcel services.

THE LUXURY FLEET The Intercape Charter fleet offers a wide range of coaches, ranging from luxury to super luxury coaches with 44/52 seats singleor 66-seater double-decker coaches. The coaches are equipped with comfortable, luxury reclining seats, air conditioning, family-friendly entertainment and restrooms.

SAFETY Passenger safety is a top priority at Intercape, which is not only adhering to, but exceeding the stringent safety standards. Intercape operates seven technical depots throughout South Africa and safety checks are carried out before each departure. Stringent operational and technical policies are in place to ensure that passenger safety is never compromised.

environment. The coach-chassis yield fuel savings of 5% compared to older models and as a result produce less carbon emissions.

GROUP AND CORPORATE CHARTERS Intercape allows participants/delegates to enjoy the ride, soak up the picturesque landscape and chat to one another, while someone else keeps an eye on the road.

SPORT GROUP CHARTERS GREENING Intercape endeavours to ensure that all operations are conducted in a responsible manner to minimise any impact on the

The company offers a cost-effective group charter for sports teams and schools. intercape.co.za

EVENTS

COACH

CHARTERS

SAFE A

LUXURY

SOURTICA AF DEPE N ND

LUX

BLE DA

Why wait let’s take you there..

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

CHARURY TERS

CONFERENCES DAILY EXCURSIONS CORPORATE OUTINGS YEAR END FUNCTIONS SCHOOL TOURS SPORT GROUPS TOURING

+27 (0) 21 380 4400 charters@intercape.co.za www.intercape.co.za

Extraordinary travel

Mediterranean cruises are popular choices for incentive travel

From the shores of Cape Town to the beaches of Thailand, incentive travel is a longemployed and proven reward and recognition strategy that keeps staff motivated, writes

Stephanie Moss.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

pampered in five-star establishments in exotic destinations and being able to experience the extraordinary is a powerful motivator for many. It is proven that employees feel an increased loyalty towards the company that provides travel rewards. The recession had a huge impact on incentive travel and while companies are still getting back on track, substitutions for incentive travel should be avoided. Instead of overseas trips, stay local. South Africa is a treasure chest of many hidden gems that offer world-class accommodation and experiences.

WHEN IN

CAPE TOWN Nestled between the unspoiled natural beauty of the majestic Table Mountain National Park and the Atlantic Ocean is the award-winning Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. The hotel oﬀers 55 spaciously appointed guest rooms, 15 luxurious suites and a Presidential Suite. Relax by one of the two pools or be pampered with a signature treatment at the outdoor spa gazebo while watching the sun sink into the ocean. The stay includes a full South African breakfast and use of the spa. 12apostleshotel.com

38 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

THE DESTINATION

HE THOUGHT OF being

Think out of the box – incentive travel packages should feel exciting, exhilarating and something winners would aspire to as they wouldn’t be able to afford it themselves or it is a destination they would never go to with their families. There should be an element of luxury and specialness to it. Arrangements need to be superbly and seamlessly executed so that the winners feel treated exclusively throughout. It needs to be an experience. Fully inclusive hotels and packages are a must. Guests and the corporate client alike are wanting seamless costings that include lots of value adds. Tantalizing Thailand

KNYSNA Situated on the Thesen Islands, one of the most prestigious locations on the Garden Route, the Turbine Hotel and Spa is a boutique five-star hotel offering guests an extra-special experience. The hotel is housed in the old power station that had been transformed into a unique space with a massive wow factor. The hotel offers al fresco dining, oysters from their champagne bar and a wide variety of activities on land and on the lagoon. The Amani Spa offers the ultimate escape for pure self-indulgence. turbinehotel.co.za GEORGE Surrounded by the majestic Outeniqua Mountains, the Guesthouse at Tramonto oozes luxury. The guesthouse offers 13 luxury en-suite rooms, each with their own private entrance. Since George is known as the golf capital of South Africa, Tramonto is the ideal venue to accommodate and organise golf trips for golf enthusiasts. tramonto-venue.co.za

INCENTIVE TRAVEL

incentives

TOP

LOCAL INCENTIVE IDEAS

1 CAPE TOWN IS ALWAYS A WINNER. Be transported to a bygone era with Rovos Rail

There’s a myriad things to do and the hotels, restaurants, tours and activities are world class.

2 GEORGE AND KNYSNA are a winning

combination with many genteel facilities and activities on offer. There are also quite a number of good five-star, acclaimed resorts and of course great golf courses and coastline.

3 NON-MALARIA AREA BUSH RESORTS in

close proximity to Gauteng are popular. Welgevonden Game Reserve, in the Waterberg District of Limpopo, has many exclusive lodges perfect for small groups.

4 TRAIN TRIPS ARE GREAT spoils for groups

Exclusive lodges make for great incentives

KEEP IT PERSONAL Achievement needs to be rewarded and incentive travel programmes need to cater for the individual and their personal interests, sport or cultural interests can be taken into account for customised itineraries. Of course, extraordinary experiences are best enjoyed with partners, making familyinclusive travel incentives a given nowadays. With this in mind, group activity and personal time need to be divided in half. As a rule of thumb, the company should pay for all the leisure time options and activities. This will make the incentive even more valued by staff.

MAKE IT UNFORGETTABLE Extraordinary experiences are bragged about, making those people who didn’t qualify for the incentive even more

motivated to work harder. In order to create unforgettable memories, incentive travel should be between five and seven days, depending on the destination and how much there is to do there. Often, incentives get piggy backed, especially STEPHANIE for global companies, MOSS is MD of Stephanie Moss with international Solutions. The conferences in company manages destinations such as product launches, Hawaii or Las Vegas roadshows, conferences, with a side trip for incentives and two to three days for marketing for the local subsidiary a number of companies. office’s incentive.

MAURITIUS The luxury hotel Long Beach nestles on the edge of one of the island’s longest, widest and most beautiful natural beaches. Contemporary and chic, Long Beach has been built around the concept of ‘Italian life’. The lively central square has an air of the dolce vita and is the real heart of the hotel, surrounded by restaurants, bars and boutiques. longbeachmauritius.com THAILAND The five-star luxurious boutique The Impiana Private Villas, in Phuket, is perched above the bay of Kata Noi overlooking the stunning Andaman Sea. The surroundings are set in plush opulence and each villa is designed to make your stay spectacular. All 11 villas come with a personal butler and an infinity pool. Impiana Private Villas is the perfect destination for those seeking exclusivity and serenity. phuketprivatevillas. impiana.com.my

and feel terribly indulgent. Rovos Rail and the Blue Train trips are all-inclusive and because the destinations are often fabulous, one can continue the incentive itinerary for another couple of days.

TOP

INTERNATIONAL INCENTIVE IDEAS

1 MAURITIUS is still a win with South

African groups. It has both luxurious hotels and more basic ones - something to suit all budgets.

2 THAILAND offers great value for money

and an exotic flavour that destinations in closer proximity to South Africa don’t quite emulate.

3 SEYCHELLES is popular for groups with more budget than the Mauritius and Thailand travellers. Seychelles has an exclusive feel to it.

4 MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES on liners such as Royal Caribbean International and Crystal Cruise Lines are gaining in popularity as they are great value for money. Most are fully inclusive when it comes to ‘life on board’ and offer many value adds.

GETTING THERE

SEYCHELLES Located on Mahé, one of the larger islands of the Seychelles, you will find the Maia Luxury Resort & Spa. The resort’s name has mythological roots, named after the most beautiful of Atlas’ seven daughters. Walking through the 30 acres of award winning tropical gardens, you will be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into another world, leaving your own far behind. And that’s exactly what Maia aims to do. maia.com.sc

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

PREMIER HOTEL O.R. TAMBO Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo welcomes you to Johannesburg, the major international gateway to South Africa, offering delegates conferencing venues with tailor made packages to suit your needs. /RFDWHG D PHUH PHWUHV IURP WKH 5KRGHVÃ&#x20AC;HOG *DXWUDLQ 6WDWLRQ DQG NP IURP WKH 2 5 7DPER ,QWHUQDWLRQDO $LUSRUW 3UHPLHU +RWHO 2 5 7DPER RIIHUV JXHVWV D EXVLQHVV DQG Ã&#x20AC;WQHVV FHQWUH VHFXUH SDUNLQJ DQG FRQIHUHQFH URRPV with the latest technology and equipment. &LQHPD 6W\OH | 8 VKDSHG | 6FKRRO 5RRP | Banquet 480 | /X[XULRXV EHGURRPV *ODGLDWRU 6WUHHW 5KRGHVÃ&#x20AC;HOG -RKDQQHVEXUJ _ 7HO _ (PDLO RUWDPER#SUHPLHUKRWHOV FR ]D PREMIER HOTEL PRETORIA 6LWXDWHG LQ 6WDQ]D %RSDSH 6WUHHW GLDJRQDOO\ RSSRVLWH WKH 8QLRQ %XLOGLQJV DQG LQ FORVH SUR[LPLW\ WR WKH HPEDVVLHV FRQVXODWHV DQG JRYHUQPHQW GHSDUWPHQWV DQG NPÂ·V IURP WKH *DXWUDLQ 6WDWLRQ 3UHPLHU +RWHO 3UHWRULD RIIHUV JXHVWV D EXVLQHVV FHQWUH UHVWDXUDQW VHFXUH SDUNLQJ 6 conference rooms and tailor made packages to suit your needs. &LQHPD 6W\OH | 8 VKDSHG | School Room 60 | %DQTXHW | /X[XULRXV EHGURRPV 6WDQ]D %RSDSH 6WUHHW $UFDGLD 3UHWRULD _ 7HO _ (PDLO SUHWRULD#SUHPLHUKRWHOV FR ]D PREMIER HOTEL MIDRAND 6LWXDWHG KDOIZD\ EHWZHHQ -RKDQQHVEXUJ DQG 3UHWRULD WKH WZR PDMRU FLWLHV LQ WKH *DXWHQJ SURYLQFH 7KH PDLQ DUWHU\ LQ *DXWHQJ WKH 1 IUHHZD\ runs straight through the middle of Midrand. Midrand, once a small halfway station, has rapidly grown into a business hub. &LQHPD 6W\OH | 8 VKDSHG | 6FKRRO 5RRP | %DQTXHW | /X[XULRXV EHGURRPV UG 5RDG +DOIZD\ *DUGHQV 0LGUDQG *DXWHQJ _ 7HO _ (PDLO PLGUDQG#SUHPLHUKRWHOV FR ]D

1RZ LQ &DSH 7RZQ .Q\VQD (DVW /RQGRQ 3LQHWRZQ 3RUW (GZDUG -RKDQQHVEXUJ 0LGUDQG 3UHWRULD &HQWUDO 5HVHUYDWLRQV _ LQIR#SUHPLHUKRWHOV FR ]D _ www.premierhotels.co.za

IN THE KNOW

FRANK LEE

An introduction

An exhibition industry expert’s frank views

For the record, I am no youngster to this industry and have a good couple of years of experience. Here are my thoughts...

SPEAKING

OO OFTEN, so much is said in the shadows and not enough is being brought into the light, to enable change. I believe this happens because people are too scared to rock the boat, in case they are ostracised or their life is made difficult on-site during build up. Let’s be honest, this has happened to organisers and suppliers

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

After all, we are only as good as our last event, exhibition or build up alike. We work in a small but rapidly expanding industry. It is of the utmost importance that right now, we make a commitment to deal with important issues in our industry to show our level of commitment to international investors and international organisers. After all, we are only as good as our last event, exhibition or build up. In an ever-changing business world, the speed at which change and decisions happen determine success or failure.

It is better to start something and perfect it along the way than not start anything at all. Let us find solutions for our challenges together, let’s start things together and let’s move forward together. This column has been started to encourage change and plant small seeds that will hopefully grow into great ideas and become the change that we need. I will talk about contentious issues with an open mind and I will not intentionally put anybody or any organisation down. I will not mention any organisations or individuals by name either. This column is strictly about encouraging debate and what better way to encourage debate than a bit of controversy. If I were to use my real name I would not be able to express my views freely. Not because I think I will be ostracised, quite frankly (there it is again) I could care less; it is, however, to keep a level playing field and to allow everybody who reads this column to have an open mind. So I hope you all enjoy my upcoming rants, raves, ideas and inspiration.

TALKING

Develop your workforce

expert’s views

Sigal Nassimov-Geva has seen firsthand the needs and the benefits of sustainable work force development.

POINTS An industry

SIGAL NASSIMOV-GEVA is the Assistant Operations Manager of Premier Hotels and Resorts, and over sees the dayto-day operations of both the Human Resources and Marketing departments.

T PREMIER HOTELS and Resorts we ensure that all our staff have a professional hospitality qualification. Part of my portfolio is managing the HR needs for the group, so I am at the coalface of this development process and I consistently see the value of a strategic and well-managed training programme. Our programmes have been designed to be multi-faceted and include on-site training, formal education and mentorship. We recognise how important training is in staff retention. Several years ago we instituted a partnership with one of the academic colleges in East London that offers the type of tertiary education we need. All the courses are SETA approved and we also have relationships with other top hotel schools around the

country which assist us in identifying valuable trainees. Our onsite training programme is very important and offers massive value in terms of staff retention and development. It allows us to work firsthand with the individuals in the environment, identify where the holes are and fill them effectively. We have also started a mentorship programme, where our highly experienced senior and middle management work with the trainees and up-and-coming staff members to help them identify what facet of the business they should be focusing on. All these elements work together to help us nurture and develop our company’s most important asset: its people. After all, it’s these staff members that will have the majority of interaction with our paying clients and who have the biggest impact on our service delivery.

Our on-site training programme offers massive value in terms of staff retention and development

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

IN THE NEWS

Top speakers for Scan Display your events shines at

T’S A HARD-LEARNED reality that choosing the right speaker for any event can provide the impetus for audience action, be the catalyst for change within a group and be the motivator for forward progress. With a unique understanding of the markets it serves and based on knowledge and experience, Unique Speaker Bureau (USB) has developed the ability to creatively pair the right speakers with the right event – making it relevant, aligned with the client objectives and within budget. The USB Showcase has become a popular and sought after service and for 2014, USB International has taken its showcase to new heights with the staging of the International Speaker Showcase. In what is fast becoming known as the showcase of the decade, 20 incredible international speakers will join 20 of South Africa’s top speakers at the Sandton Convention Centre on 25 February 2014. Not only will USB International offer you guidance in terms of the best speakers with the best subjects for your conference, but it will advise you on how to maximise the experience, ensuring that the impact after the event lives on in a way that all knowledge, experience and strategies are carried forward.

42 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

industry awards

T EXSA’S ANNUAL AWARDS function, Scan Display’s MD, Justin Hawes, was inducted into the EXSA Hall of Fame by EXSA chairman, Nigel Walker. The Hall of Fame inductees are chosen for their contribution to the professionalism and advancement of the industry. Pippa Naude, marketing manager of Scan Display received the Chairman’s Award, in recognition of her dedication to promoting sustainability in

HE SAID IT

Justin Hawes, MD of Scan Display (left), and Nigel Walker, EXSA chairman

the industry through her work for the Event Greening Forum. Scan Display also received three awards for stands it had designed and built. These were: • Best System Stand (under 12 m²): ABSA • Best Mixed Stand (system and custom): Norvartis • Best Green Stand: Standard Bank.

We have five international convention centres, hundreds of four- and five-star hotels – these are star-graded properties with guaranteed quality, excellent airport infrastructure, world-class technology and people with the skills and the experience to deliver the world’s most sophisticated business events. Attracting international events to our country has been a focus of our government since the dawn of our democracy in 1994. According to ICCA, South Africa has hosted 1038 international association conferences that meet their criteria since 1994. We are proud not only of the quantity of events that South Africa has hosted, but of the quality of events we have hosted.” Thulani Nzima, South African Tourism CEO

IN THE NEWS

Bringing Africa to the world Co-lo Co-located wit with A Africa T Travel W Week is IIBTM Afric Africa. C Caroll Weaving, W i MD M of Thebe Reed Exhibitions, looks at what a hosted buyer can expect.

EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE Africa holds

enormous potential for the global business travel, incentives and meetings industry – both inbound and outbound. Africa Travel Week will comprise three co-located shows: WTM Africa (World Travel Market), and ILTM Africa (International Luxury Travel Market) and IBTM Africa (Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings). IBTM Africa will target the inbound meetings, events, incentives and business travel sectors of sub-Saharan Africa, with suppliers from the MICE sector including hotels, venues, convention bureaus, DMCs, technology providers and suppliers of services. TARGETING As a hosted buyer, IBTM Africa provides you an exclusive platform for highvalue pre-scheduled face-to-face meetings with suppliers for three days of business, networking and education. You will get solutions and new ideas to take your meetings, incentives, conferences and events to the next level.

INTERACTING IBTM Africa will be a table-top event similar to IBTM India. This format allows for a focus on a region’s suppliers meeting with quality international buyers of products and services. EXPERIENCING CAPE TOWN Cape Town is considered to be the premier conference destination in Africa, with more than 50 association conferences hosted since 2010. The city is an ideal location for both local and international customers, with great infrastructure. The city is also popular as a first-class incentives destination. PROMOTING SOUTH AFRICA An event of this nature has a positive impact on Cape Town’s restaurants, nightlife, shopping and cultural attractions – and on South Africa – through the promotion it will get during the week. A successful event results in the opportunity for repeat leisure or business travel from everyone attending is of real value.

IBTM Africa will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 28 to 30 April 2014. africatravelweek.com

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014 •

T H E B A C K PA G E

Don’t lose yourself in the bright lights of Vegas Conference flings, broken chandeliers and twerking – Miss Meet has seen it all. Heed her warning: what happens at the event does not stay at the event.

HAT HAPPENS IN Vegas, stays in Vegas” is a saying that has evolved from, “What happens on tour, stays on tour” a phrase used among travelling sports teams in the 1970s, implying that a different code of ethics applies while travelling, especially with regard to sexual and rowdy behaviour. It quickly became associated with Las Vegas, a city famous for partying, debauchery, alcoholism, infidelity and gambling. All taboos that many people don’t want to be accountable for further down the road. Many attendees of office parties and conferences seem to believe that this phrase is their saving grace. Because everything ‘stays on tour’, many believe that they need not display any boundaries when it comes to drinking, amorous cuddles and wild behaviour during these events.

We will happily cut down on the number of single rooms and pre-booked sharing rooms. Should excessive drinking be your thing, we will happily oblige with a number of compulsory fine sessions prior to opening the full bar. Some really cheap shooters with high alcohol content doing the rounds will assist in quickly debilitating those planning to demolish both the company name and the company master account. Also, you may even thank us in the morning, we may actually be saving you from that office fling, because we can ensure that you will be in no state to chat anyone up. And if you’re planning on taking Miley Cyrus’s latest hit, ‘Wrecking Ball’, to heart please inform us. A Greek-themed party with the traditional breaking of the plates is much cheaper than replacing expensive venue ornaments, crockery and furniture.

And if you’re planning on taking Miley Cyrus’ latest hit, ‘Wrecking Ball’, to heart please inform us

MISS MEET, a professional event manager, shares her personal experiences within the meetings, events, incentive and exhibition industry

DELEGATES’ BEHAVIOUR Of course, a lot money can be saved by companies if employees could only be transparent about their planned shenanigans ‘on tour’ to us, the event managers. So, if you’re planning a little conference fling please let us know.

A CAUTIONARY TALE All jokes aside, even though it is commonly accepted that ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’, more often than not, Vegas comes back to haunt us. The wild office-party employee may appear to be very popular at the office party with many hangers-on, but their fans are usually few and far between when they return to the office on Monday. On return to the real world, employees prefer to align themselves to the professional and well-respected employee rather than to the employee who is busy scrapping their name and reputation. And remember that unlike furniture, crockery, cutlery and chandeliers that can be repaired and replaced, the tainted reputation remains in tatters for a pretty long time.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS 3D Group of Companies Cape Town International Convention Centre

43 OBC

ConCept G

Premier Hotel & Resort

Constitution Hill

Scan Display

Gautrain

GL Events Oasys Innovations

Champagne Sports Resort &

SPAZE

OFC IBC

Pumula Beach Hotel

IFC

Intercape

Tshwane Events Centre

Club Mykonos

Johannesburg Expo Centre

Tsogo Sun

44 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2014

Experience Extraordinary There is a place where conferences are transformed from ordinary gatherings into extraordinary experiences. A destination, at the tip of the mighty African continent, where two oceans meet in the shadow of one of earth’s seven natural wonders. Here, creativity comes to life, today’s ideas and visions become tomorrow’s reality, and impressions and bonds are created that last forever. This place is Cape Town International Convention Centre. And to experience it is to experience extraordinary.

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