Our doors are open. We’re ready to host you.
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When you visit South Africa, we’ll open more than our doors... We’ll open eyes. Open minds. We’ll unlock opportunities for growth... For learning... For life.
Our doors are open to live again. Host your next business event in South Africa.
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WELCOME to South Africa where our doors are open!
W
hat an interesting and ‘business unusual’ two years it has been! As I reflect on the twists and turns of our journey over the previous two years, it is incredible to think of what we have achieved not just as individuals but also as the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), as the business events industry, and as a country. During this time, we have been tested and pushed and pulled in numerous directions. The ups and downs of lockdown have seen both the business events and tourism industry take a collective beating, but this has also shown us that we stand far stronger together than apart. The Covid-19 pandemic really taught us a thing or two about resilience and collaboration, which seem to go very much hand in hand. We realised early on that if we are not speaking with one voice, we are going to be challenged in achieving anything constructive. Within this, we understood the importance of having a forum between us and providing a platform for inclusive ideas to drive innovative solutions, and this has formed the foundation for our Open Doors campaign. Open Doors is a showcase of South Africa as an ideal business events destination. From our vast economic potential in key sectors
such as life sciences and manufacturing to our incredible natural and cultural assets, South Africa really does have it all. Beyond profiling the country in this way, and while we hope that Open Doors encourages markets outside of South Africa to visit us and explore what is on offer, we also hope this inspires South Africans to be proud of their nation. We at the SANCB have not rested on our laurels during the past two years, and have rolled out several strategies to continue showcasing South Africa as a destination. This has been done in conjunction with South African Tourism, of which we are the official business events arm and aligned to from both an operational and strategic perspective. We are further aligned to several other role-players and key decisionmakers across the business events and tourism value chains. Our collaborative efforts are paying their dues: in September 2021, we hosted Africa’s Travel & Tourism Summit; we concluded a successful instalment of Meetings Africa at the beginning of March 2022; and we are now looking forward to Africa’s Travel Indaba in May 2022. None of this would have been possible without the support of the industry to which we belong and serve, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the
Open Doors is a showcase of South Africa as an ideal business events destination. From our vast economic potential in key sectors such as life sciences and manufacturing to our incredible natural and cultural assets, South Africa really does have it all.” coming months as we can finally enjoy eased Covid-19 protocols and travel restrictions. Until we meet again, arrive inspired, leave intrigued! Best regards, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer at the SANCB
SOUTH AFRICA’S DOORS ARE OPEN Impact of Covid-19 on business travel
Achievements in the Life Science Sector
The South African government effected measures on the 26th March 2020 to protect its citizens from Covid-19, including restricting local and international travel.
South Africa has sectors that contribute to the gross domestic product. Of these, life sciences faced major challenges during the lockdown. However, the pandemic inadvertently showcased the country’s ability to respond to a changing global landscape to address the challenges of the day.
This introduced extensive challenges for tourism, and business travel was not spared. According to South African Tourism stats, of the 562 recorded business events scheduled between April - December 2020, 64% of conferences and 36% of tradeshows were postponed, cancelled or went hybrid. The world is now trusting enough to open its borders largely due to vaccination programmes rolled out globally. South Africa's borders were opened to international travellers from 1 October 2020. South Africa is ready to welcome the world and rebuild chambers of industries. When you visit South Africa, it’s more than its doors that will be open. Eyes and minds will be open and though one might arrive intrigued, you will leave inspired!
South Africa as a Business Events Destination South Africa is a top contender as a destination for any business event. If you’re looking to host a health conference, doesn’t it make sense to host it in the home country of one of the world’s most inspired thinkers in the fields of public health and infectious disease? But besides achievements, the country is much-loved for its cultural diversity, exceptional business events services, value-for-money, and rich unique experience offering. Added to that all business event venues adhere to strict health protocols to ensure delegates interact safely together with peace of mind.
By cultivating a spirit of optimism, whilst acknowledging collective social and economic challenges, South Africa punched above its weight and built on its incredible achievements - further stamping the country as one of the leaders in medical innovation. South Africa conducted the most testing in Africa for Covid-19, alerted the world of the infectious nature of the Delta variant, thanks to incredible local genomics institutes, and ran its own National Ventilator programme to produce ventilators for local use and export. South Africa is also the home of Dr Salim Abdool Karim, an instrumental advisory figure in the fight against Covid-19, jointly awarded the prestigious 2020 John Maddox Prize for standing up for sound science during the pandemic alongside Dr Anthony Fauci (United States). If you are looking to shape and inspire forward-thinking with your next event to capitalize on opportunities across the globe, look no further than South Africa. Its doors are open, and the warmth of the people makes this a business events destination that moves you as it hosts you. [1] Bartis, H., Hufkie, B & Moraladi, M. (2021).The Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Business Events Sub-sector in South Africa.
HOW THE SANCB IS WORKING TO UNLOCK ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
T
he South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), the official business events arm of South African Tourism, is working together with key role-players along the business events and tourism value chain to promote the country as an ideal destination for meetings, events and incentive travel. Through its Open Doors campaign, the SANCB hopes to showcase the most unique aspects of what each international delegate and traveller can experience when they visit Destination South Africa. Here are just some of the exciting meeting and events experiences on offer in each of South Africa’s 9 provinces: • Eastern Cape - tinyurl.com/SATEasternC • Free State - tinyurl.com/SATFreeState • Gauteng - tinyurl.com/SATGP • KwaZulu-Natal - tinyurl.com/SATKZN • Limpopo - tinyurl.com/SATLimpopo • Mpumalanga - tinyurl.com/SATMP • North West - tinyurl.com/SATNorthWest • Northern Cape - tinyurl.com/SATNorthernC • Western Cape - tinyurl.com/SATWesternC South Africa is brimming with economic
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possibilities. Together with an abundance of diverse natural, cultural and historical hotspots, the country is an exciting destination for business and leisure travellers alike. The SANCB’s Open Doors campaign spotlights some of the country’s top economic sectors as key investment opportunities. Some of these include:
first diamond, the Eureka, in Hopetown in 1867.
LIFE SCIENCES
BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING
South Africa has always actively contributed to the growth of the sciences and technology. Ever since the country’s monumental contribution to the surgical industry in 1967 with the world’s first human-to-human heart transplant performed by Dr Christiaan Barnard, the country hasn’t stopped innovating in this space.
South Africa has established itself as a lucrative outsourcing hub with an incredible overall quality of services offered.
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY South Africa has a well-established and sophisticated information and communications technologies (ICT) sector. It is, in fact, the largest and most advanced on the continent.
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES South Africa’s creative industry is dominated by the film sector, as well as a vibrant arts and crafts industry.
MANUFACTURING MINING & METALS Mining in South Africa has been synonymous with the country since 15-year-old Erasmus Stephanus Jacobs discovered South Africa’s
South Africa has developed an established and diversified manufacturing sector that has proven to be resilient and competitive in the global economy.
The SANCB is well versed in the art of hosting business events and bringing together exciting travel experiences for delegates. With a wide support network, the convention bureau has several means of achieving this:
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BIDDING SUPPORT
In the Bidding Support phase, the SANCB can provide the following support: • Pre- and post-bid support such as bid promotion and handling of requests for proposals • Independent advice when selecting a destination for your event • Bid materials to provide support to members • Government Letters of Support • Bid presentations • Lobbying and promotional support, among other services
02
CONVENTION PLANNING SUPPORT
The SANCB, with the city and provincial bureaux, is perfectly positioned to assist with planning a congress, meeting, expo or convention in South Africa. Their team has effective working relationships with an extensive database of local service providers. The SANCB can also facilitate collateral materials, government liaison and advice on the destination and local issues. Key services during the convention planning stage include: a) Sourcing venues b) Locating suppliers c) Compiling cost estimates conferences d) Submitting and monitoring RFPs e) Coordinating site inspections f) Advising on pre- and posttour opportunities
05
ON-SITE EVENT SERVICES
On-site event services are vital as they add remarkable value to a delegate, especially if the delegate is visiting South Africa for the first time. These services are the little things that can
03
SITE INSPECTION SUPPORT
Site inspections showcase the elements included in the destination’s bid and are part of the SANCB’s service offering. The SANCB, in conjunction with the city and provincial convention bureaux, organises and facilitates site inspections to assist association heads and business-event decision-makers by introducing them to the event professionals who will bring their meeting, conference, event or incentive to life. The SANCB will invite key decision-makers to view options to help confirm the conference offering, including pre- and postshow opportunities. Site inspections are a crucial part of the decision-making process for business events. The venue must be conveniently situated close to transport routes and important amenities and must boast the facilities and luxuries that befit a business traveller and conference delegate. The venue must be secure and attractive, with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology, as well as excellent cuisine and a wide range of culinary and beverage options. Site inspections also reinforce the benefits of hosting a conference in South Africa and dispel negative preconceived notions. The benefits are: • South Africa is a cost-effective destination with attractive exchange rates • South Africa is a world-class destination •D elivery of world-class services and experiences that are on time and bring the WOW factor • S outh Africa is a secure and harmonious nation • The opportunity to leave a lasting impression • Political/economic stability • South Africa is an innovative and advanced nation • S outh Africans are warm, welcoming and professional. Furthermore, well-coordinated site inspections give decision-makers key insights into the wide variety of venues available in the chosen city. This allows decision-makers to make their choices based on the facilities and location that best suits the conference attendees
happen on-site that make a big difference to the delegate’s experience. The SANCB is proud to offer on-site event services as part of its range of support services. The objective of this service offering is to enhance the delegate’s experiences and put into perspective the value of the delegate’s visit to our country, over and above the value of
04
DELEGATE BOOSTING
The SANCB can coordinate efforts to increase the number of delegates attending a business event in partnership with the association. It is in the best interest of all involved to have the maximum number of delegates attend an event, which in turn boosts the success of the event. The SANCB can assist associations to promote and market a convention in a number of ways, including promotional material, special services and cultural displays. The SANCB offers three packages to assist with delegate boosting: • The Standard Package • The Standard Plus Package • The Elite Package The evaluation criteria for choosing one of these packages includes: •B eing part of an international association agenda • Support provided in the bidding phase •D elegate numbers (and the countries they are from) • Seasonality • Duration • Economic development criteria Delegate boosting packages include a range of offerings, including tourism information giveaways, branding, electronic and print marketing material, destination marketing material, and (in the Elite Package) VIP gifting, wine and drinks activations and customised marketing materials.
the conference programme itself. Some examples include: • Cultural entertainment • Welcome stands and airport transfers • Activity/local attraction bookings • Travel arrangements and activities for accompanying persons • Personalised gifts
Destination South Africa: Your next business travel and event opportunity
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