“GOOD HUNTING” MINISTER TELLS MEETINGS AFRICA Marthinus van Schalkwyk minister of Tourism
MEETINGS AFRICA 2012 opened yesterday at a packed Sandton Convention Centre where National Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk told delegates that the continent’s biggest business tourism exhibition had come of age and grown considerably in stature in its ninth year.
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HE Minister welcomed more than 200 international hosted buyers attending Meetings Africa from 18 markets around the world, including the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Kenya, Germany, Netherlands, China, Brazil and Nigeria. He wished them a produc-
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tive and profitable event and invited them to enjoy South Africa, and make the most of their time here. He had one message for exhibitors. “Good hunting,” he said. “Use this opportunity to sell your products, services and experiences. It’s a rich and exciting global market, and this is your opportunity to make the most of it.” “We have superb capability and infrastructure for business tourism here in South Africa. Besides the three big national convention centres, we are home to numerous other facilities that give the world’s meetings and conference organisers the same quality, variety and
choice that South Africa offers across the larger tourism sector. Meetings Africa is a resource for the entire industry to network, exchange ideas, learn from global leaders in the industry and to conduct deals to grow both their own insights into trends and developments in the industry, as well as grow arrivals for the destination. It has become the biggest and most important resource for the industry, and an event we all look forward to with immense excitement and anticipation,” the Minister said. “People fall in love with South Africa, whether they are here on holiday, or as business tourism delegates. Business tourism delegates deliver a return rate of 40 percent, and almost half of them return with a partner – close to double the return rate of a destination such as Australia.” The outlook for the sector was excellent, he said. South Africa had already secured more than 200 international conferences for the next five years. These would attract about 300 000 delegate arrivals and would contribute more than R1.6 billion to the economy. However, the destination was not resting on its laurels and would continue to work to meet its target of supporting at least another 30 bids this year that targeted 18 000 delegates and another R162 million for the economy. “It’s looking good. It’s looking excellent. We are absolutely serious about boosting our global competitiveness in business tourism. And we have every reason to be confident, for South Africa offers what no other destination on earth can – outstanding infrastructure; beauty; capability and warmth; friendship; hospitality and a passionate, dedicated and committed industry.”
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A FULL DIARY FOR DAY TWO OF MEETINGS AFRICA Daryl Keywood
Randlords
Rob Davidson
Amanda Knotze-Nhlapo
GENERAL EVENTS
SAACI EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR
PRESENTATION AREA
Registration for Association Lekgotla 08:00-08:30, Bill Gallagher Room, SCC
Gary Grimmer: The real impact of the meetings industry 08:30 - 08:50, Committee Room, Level Four, SCC
BRICS Panel Discussion 10h30 – 12h30, Presentation Area, Hall 1, SCC Panelists: Carlos Ferreirinha (Brazil), Elena Demidova (Russia). Johnny Wang (China)’ Anita Soni (Brand South Africa)
Association Lekgotla 08:30-16:30, Bill Gallagher Room, SCC SITE AGM 08:30-10:00 Registration for Meetings Africa 09:00, Entrance Foyer, Hall 1, SCC Meetings Africa Exhibition 10:00-18:00, Hall 1, SCC Stand Awards 14:00-15:00, Public Area 2 Event Greening Forum AGM 17:00-17:30, Presentation Area, Hall 1, SCC Network Function 19:00-24:00, Randlords
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Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo: SA National Convention Bureau 08:50 - 09:10, Committee Room, Level Four, SCC Michael Couturier: Marketing Challenges International 09:10 - 09:30, Committee Room, Level Four, SCC Gillian Saunders: Head: Advisory Services, Grant Thornton 09:30 - 09:50, Committee Room, Level Four, SCC Brett Dungan: Facilitated questions & answers 09:50 - 10:00, Committee Room, Level Four, SCC
Meetings & Events Portfolio: Reed Travel Exhibitions 14h00 – 14h30, Presentation Area, Hall 1, SCC Rob Davidson: Meetings Africa 2012 Trends Report 14h40 – 15h40, Presentation Area, Hall 1, SCC Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SRAC): Sports Events Strategy 15h50 – 16h20, Presentation Area, Hall 1, SCC Gauteng Tourism Authority Traveling with a Conscience 15:50 - 16:20, Presentation Area, Hall 1, SCC Justin Hawes Greening the CCR Expo at COP17 17:30-18:00, Presentation Area, Hall 1, SCC
national convention bureau openS for buSineSS AS South Africa looks to pursue a bigger share of the global business tourism market, Minister van Schalkwyk said the newly-established National Convention Bureau (NCB) at South African Tourism would be critical in harnessing national business tourism efforts.
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STABLISHED in November 2011 and headed up by its Executive Manager, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, the NCB will act as a ‘one-stop shop’ for independent information and assistance, giving neutral advice on all aspects of hosting and organising any business tourism-related event in South Africa. The NCB will co-ordinate national bidding, undertake research and collaborate with national convention centres and the business tourism industry to present a united front for destination South Africa. “The National Convention Bureau will add considerable value to the country’s business tourism industry. It will strengthen and support efforts already being made to drive expansion in business tourist arrivals to make South Africa a truly global force. Through confidently staging major events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the United Nations’ COP 17 Climate Change Conference, South Africa has proven its credentials to host events of any magnitude and is well-placed to play host to any local or international Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) event, with world-class business and conference facilities complemented by excellent leisure tourism attractions and hospitable, welcoming, skilled and com-
petent people,” said Minister van Schalkwyk. The NCB will offer the following services (amongst others): •Pre- and Post Bid support - Bid promotion; Handling of Request for Proposals •Provide Destination Expertise - Meeting Planner Website; Meeting Planner Guide; Expertise on Local Products and Services; Access to Local Industry & Government Contacts •Building Attendance •Convention Planning Support - Site Inspections (bid and convention planning) •On-site Event Services South African Tourism has prepared an 18-month implementation plan for the bureau, including the preparation of a national bidding policy and guidelines for the selection of suitable events. The NCB, through an extensive stakeholder engagement process, is now working collaboratively with the business tourism industry on the Bureau’s activation strategy and business plan. Over the next five years South Africa has already secured over 200 international conferences, which is estimated to attract 300 000 delegates and provide an economic boost of more than R1.6 billion. The NCB also set a target for 2012/13 of supporting at least 30 bids, with a potential of 18000 delegates and R162 000 000 direct economic spendt. “South Africa already boasts with a 40% return of delegates as leisure visitors (Melbourne has a 23% return), with and also 43 % of all delegates bringing an accompanying person (leisure tourist, whicho spends R1000 p
The SAT team
er /day during their visit), therefore the profiling of our destination to the conference delegate through i.e. delegate boosting, our emarketing strategy, amongst other aspects, is very important in the service delivery of the NCB. We will encourage business travellers to stay longer to explore our country’s tourist offerings and of course to return with their families, therefore the National Convention Bureau is an important addition to our work at SA Tourism,” said Minister van Schalkwyk. “We want to, through the NCB and through the continued growth of the Meetings Africa platform, make our destination more competitive in this market,” said the Minister. The NCB will officially start to operate in April 2012, but its work will be introduced at Meetings Africa.
Sally Fink
MEETINGS AFRICA / 03
GEARHOUSE WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD John McDermott, George Majola, Ofer Lapid, Thembani Wiseman Lokoza, Andrew Potter
GEARHOUSE SA was once again awarded the accolade of Favourite International Production Company at the TPi Awards, an awards evening considered by many as the premier event for the live production industry..
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HE The event acknowledges and rewards the achievements of the most talented and successful individuals and service companies working within the industry and attracts over 1,100 people from all areas of the live music business. This year’s event was held on the 13th
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February 2012 at The Novotel London West in Hammersmith, London and Gearhouse was represented at the event by John McDermott (Branch Manager - JHB), Ofer Lapid (Joint MD), Thembani “Wiseman” Lokoza (Senior Structures Technician), Andrew Potter (Operations Manager - Structures) and George Majola (Lighting Crewboss). “We were proud to have even been considered a contender in the company of industry players of the stature of Ampco Flashlight, Clair, Firehouse (N.Y.), Melpomen and Roadrunner Belgium and absolutely honoured to
have won.” says Gearhouse Marketing Manager Robyn D’Alessandro. Joint Managing Director, Ofer Lapid adds “This is the second time we have won this award and it is fantastic to realise that European and British industry players appreciate our endeavours to match international standards. However, looking past the warm and fuzzy feelings, I believe that this is not only a recognition of Gearhouse achievements but an acknowledgement of the achievements of the South African Events industry as a whole and of the country as a world class event destination. It means that they realise that artists/ speakers can arrive in this country and receive exactly the same quality and service and equipment as in other countries they have been touring.” He attributes the company’s success to the service Gearhouse provides as well as to the experience gleaned from international tours and to the company’s drive to keep up to date with the latest equipment and methodologies. But first and foremost, he emphasises that their success is due to “the attitude and dedication of our amazing crew, who each individually deserve this award for delivering professional service through both good times and bad!” Visit Gearhouse at stand 318.
Sally Fink
MEETINGS AFRICA / 05
AFRICAN ASSOCIATIONS RESEARCH 1200 NEW associations are born every year, says Marcel Vissers from HQ Magazine in his introduction to African Associations Research as part of Meetings Africa’s Association Lekgotla.
Marcel Visser
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CCORDING to HQ Magazine and South African Tourism (SAT) research, Europe leads the world for the highest number of association headquarters. Belgium is the most populated with 1800 headquarters of international associations. For his presentation, Marcel asked the question, ‘Where is Africa in all of this?’ “Meetings Industry people in Europe and USA are selfish, and that needs to change in order to support emerging continents,” he says. In 2011 South African Tourism (SAT) agreed to conduct research into associations in Africa. The results showed that East Africa is most active, with the starting point of association meetings being South Africa. The research looked at 54 countries, but only 34 of those countries had association headquarters. Marcel says, “We found 1450 headquarters in Africa, but that number had to be filtered down based on whether they organise regular congresses or not. The initial figure was filtered down to 775 from 36 countries in Africa.” Out of these countries, South Africa leads with 154 association headquarters, followed by Kenya with 121 and Egypt with 80. In South Africa, Joburg leads with 50 head-
quarters, followed by Cape Town with 33, Pretoria with 30 and Pretoria 10. Surprisingly, it’s the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that dominates out of Africa with 114 headquarters. “These figures give a new face to Africa,” says Marcel. Following on from Marcel, was Willy Cortus from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), who spoke about ICCA’s role in supporting Africa’s association meetings industry. The role of ICCA is to provide opportunities for members to get in touch with associations and suppliers. “We organise education and ensure our members get the promotion that they need,” says Willy. She says that anyone that represents an association, or who organises an association conference, will form part of the ICCA data-
base. “The more information in that database, the more useful it is to our members,” says Willy. The database features associations of at least 50 participants, who hold regular annual conferences that moves between at least three countries. In this database, there are approximately 10 281 online international associations and 15 791 online series. Of those associations 226 series rotate within Africa. “Associations can help by sending us updated information about new associations. In this way we hope to increase the rankings of African countries,” says Willy. South Africa is the top ranked African country according to ICCA at 36th place with 86 association conferences taking place on an annual basis.
EXSA LAUNCHES TIP-OFF LINE THE Exhibitions and Event Association of Southern Africa recently launched its tip-off line.
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N association with Deloitte accounting firm, EXSA launched their own unique “Tip-off” telephone line for any acts of theft; fraud; harassment; or unethical behaviour. EXSA decided to do this totally independently using Deloitte who have really had a lot of experience in rolling out these initiatives in the work-place. Deloitte are willing to visit EXSA’s larger member companies and explain how it all works to their staff, and they also have a DVD that members can show to their employees. This all emanated from several
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incidents of theft that seemed to be on the increase last year from venues, and in particular with regards to plasma screens, lap-tops, furniture, going missing from all around the country. By tackling the situation this way, no-one feels under threat to report anything they see going on – as the call is completely anonymous and goes into the Deloitte Call Centre prior to coming through to the EXSA office who will take the appropriate action where necessary. As well as EXSA’s own unique telephone number – 0800 777 115 – they will also have an email address – exsa@tip-offs.com; and a website – www.tip-offs.com. Visit EXSA at Stand 1002.
EXSA Chairman Nigel Walker
SPOTTED AT MEETINGS AFRICA 2012
Nina Freysen-Pretorius cuts the cake commemorating SAACI’s 25th birthday
Joburg Convention Centre’s Redani Khorommbi & Pumla Ntsele
Wendy Simpson & Loretta Joubert
CTICC’s Arno Ruiters & Lindy Geyer.
NH Hoteles’ Angela Jacobson
Complete Exhibitions’ Robert Walker, Melissa Crafford & Nigel Walker
Event Dynamics’ Ilana Myburgh & Bryan Coetzee
Khaya Ibhubesi’s Anel Knoetze & Angelique van der Merwe
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