The Event April 2012

R22.80 April 2012 www.theevent.co.za

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INDABA SET TO PUT SA ON THE GLOBAL MAP TRADE SHOWS INDABA takes place from 12-15 May 2012 at the ICC Durban. The show, owned by South African Tourism (SAT) and organised by Witch & Wizard Creative, attracted 13 000 delegates last year and the numbers are expected to grow. This year 197 international hosted buyers will grace our shores.

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HE National Department of Tourism has its sights set on bringing 15 million foreign tourists to South Africa, and increase tourism’s total contribution to the economy to R499 billion by 2020. Government recogonises the economic power of tourism, which is why there have been calls across the board for companies to buy into the ethos of Destination SA, which sees individuals working together to secure business for the country. The recently established National Convention Bureau has also echoed this call to the business tourism sector Tourism is a big job creator and one of the fastest growing industries in the world. According to the Department of Tourism, the industry is one of the sectors that has a higher yield for fiscal investment through its multiplier effect on other sectors of the economy. For every job created in tourism there is scope for at least 1.2 more jobs in the feedback chain.

This is the reason why destination marketing shows such as Indaba are so important. Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar

Indaba

and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. It showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa’s best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world.

At this year’s Indaba, South African Tourism (SAT) will be rallying the tourism industry with its call for collaboration in order to increase South Africa’s competitiveness as a global tourism player.

“We must continue our strong 2011 returns of 3.3 percent arrivals

growth,” says Thulani Nzima, CEO at South African Tourism. “Indaba gives the larger national industry an unprecedented opportunity to meet; to do business with partners both at home and from abroad; to strategise; and to plan for increased sales and sustained growth.”

He believes that partnership is the key to success. “Tourism, more perhaps than most other industries, demands industry collaboration for success. The South African industry already does an excellent

job working together to make this destination one of the most desirable and successful on earth.

However, the spirit of partnership and collaboration needs to be cemented and ingrained in the way we all do business. Hence the special focus on partnerships and collaboration.”

The SAT stand will focus on star grading, product databases, research, social media, global marketing campaigns, and regional and domestic marketing.

Delegates will also be intro-

duced to the newest phase of the ‘Welcome!’ campaign.

This year’s show highlights include The emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of Year (ETEYA) Award, announced during the Opening Ceremony, TripAdvisor training workshops as well as mathchmaking marketing sessions focused on sustainable and responsible tourism; culture and history tourism; and adventure tourism.

Another highlight is the Indaba opening party which will be hosted at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

Organisers Witch & Wizard Creative are aiming to make Indaba as paperless as possible, so all collateral will only be available electronically.

Following on from the technological advancements introduced last year, Indaba 2012 will have a dedicated Indaba group set up on LinkedIn where delegates can get the most updated show information, and where they can e-meet each other; set up face to face meetings; and network prior to the show.

In addition to the LinkedIn group, delegates will be invited to download a free South African Tourism Indaba App and use it for any and all information they need about the exhibition. The App – or ‘Indaba in your Pocket’ – lists exhibitors (by category) and information on each one; the Indaba floor plan; event times and venues; and a ‘what to do at Indaba’ section. The app can be downloaded from the Indaba website.

Sally Fink

CTICC EXPANSION FORGES AHEAD Proposed Cape Town International Convention Centre expansion

VENUES IN March the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) announced the design architects for the expansion project, which will see the centre doubling in capacity over the next three years.

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TICC CEO Rashid Toefy announced the awardwinning Cape Town trio of architects – Piet Bakker of Stauch Voster Architects, Anya van der Merwe of Van der Merwe Miszewski Architects and Mokena Makeka of Makeka Design Lab – who were awarded the contract for the design of the expansion.

“It is the goal of the CTICC to be

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the best long-haul international convention centre by 2020 and this expansion project and the calibre of architects who have been appointed to lead the process, are essential to achieving this goal,” he says.

As a municipal entity majority owned by the City and Province, the appointment was made after a thorough open public tender process in line with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). An independent advisory panel was convened to assist in the selection process.

A total of 19 tenders were received, including submissions from overseas representatives, of which five were shortlisted to present their concept and design.

Rashid says the expansion is set to create an iconic convention centre

within the redeveloped Foreshore precinct, which will comprise 10 000 square metres of retail space, a hospital, hotel and an office tower. It will also contribute to the regeneration of Founder’s Garden, which will connect the Artscape precinct with the new, larger CTICC. “We are looking forward to the positive impact this project will have on the marketability of the Western Cape and South Africa as a year-round business and leisure destination,” he says.

The expansion is the final catalyst in the regeneration of the Foreshore as the business hub of the central city, and will go some way to helping Cape Town absorb some of its additional hotel bed capacity.

The extension will primarily add flexible multi-purpose exhibition

space to the centre, in line with international trends. “The increased centre will not only create much needed capacity for larger events that we’ve not been able to accommodate, but it will also allow multiple large events to be hosted at the CTICC simultaneously. Both outcomes are in line with the needs of local and international meeting and event organisers.”

The winning architects were given an opportunity to showcase their designs. Criteria included the integration of environmental, social and economic sustainability in the design and the creation of exceptional client and guest experiences. The design also had to adhere to strict budgetary and spatial guidelines.

Piet Bakker explained the partnership established by the three architects in order to enter the bidding process together and Mokena explained the concept for the design, based on the theme of DNA Identity and the Cape Floral Kingdom, while Anya spoke of the technical design.

Mokena said the architectural concept was entitled “6211” which is a design interpretation of the globally unique biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Kingdom. “Using the DNA code of the 6210 plant species endemic to the Cape Floristic kingdom plus one dedicated to humanity, 6211 transforms the convention centre into an iconic living artwork that celebrates and raises awareness about humanity and nature for the passive enjoyment of local and global audiences,” he said.

Anya says the new buildings are designed as a seamless extension of the CTICC to provide complementary space for large exhibitions or conferences, whilst also being able to operate as an independent facility.

The double storey facility will comprise 10 000 square metres

over two levels. Included in the expansion is a 17 storey glass tower of combined offices and a hotel, at the very top of which will be a rooftop venue with views of the harbour and Table Mountain.

Since opening its doors in 2003, the centre has contributed to the creation of more than 60 000 direct and indirect jobs and has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of Cape Town and the Western Cape as a globally competitive meetings destination. The expansion is likely to increase the number of direct and indirect jobs created by the centre from about 7 000 to about over 10 000 per annum by 2018.

Highlighting the economic benefits of a larger CTICC, Western Cape MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde says, “As part owner of the CTICC, the Western Cape Government is delighted that it is to be expanded. The CTICC plays host to events such as the Cape Town Jazz Festival, Design Indaba and others - events that bring hordes of local and international tourists to Cape Town. The expansion of the CTICC means that there is space for even more tourists. More tourists mean more economic growth and more opportunities for employment for the citizens of the Western Cape.”

The next step is the appointment of Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers. It is anticipated to have a spade in the ground in one year.

Construction is expected to take place between 2013 and 2015.

“Convention and exhibition spaces like the CTICC are our modern day cathedrals or city halls – this is where we go to meet, learn and be inspired. And we are confident this new space will be an iconic meeting place on the African continent,” says Rashid.

HOW TO ENTER NEW MARKETS? SCAN ON SHOW EXHIBITIONS ATTENDS ITB AT the UFI Congress held in Cape Town in March, Douglas Emslie, group managing director of the Tarsus Group, drew upon his experience with Labelexpo to speak about introducing trade shows in emerging markets.

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ABELEXPO was described by Business Week as the only truly global brand in the exhibition industry. Started over 30 years ago in London, Labelexpo now has ten events around the world. The largest events are in Brussels, Chicago, Shanghai and Delhi. 2012 sees the brand launch in South Africa.

“Normally exhibitions cater for domestic suppliers looking for domestic buyers,” says Douglas, “But in order to be successful, expos have to have unique characteristics that can be marketed on a global basis.”

“The key to drive business forward has been globalisation, the American market and an increase in demand in labels, technology and digitalisation, as well as the growth of supermarkets,” he says.

What also sets Labelexpo apart from the copy cat exhibitions that have emerged over the years is trust.

“Our exhibitors see the benefit from having continuity in our team for the last ten years. Its helped us be able to take the business global.”

Labelling is about printing. “The people in our industry like printed products. It’s an important tool.

When we went into China we had a Chinese edition of our magazine. Its key in terms of leadership in the industry.” Douglas says that magazines are a key beachhead when going into a new market. “Our magazine is 33 years old and we’ve just printed

our largest issue ever.”

Douglas says exhibitions wanting to move into new territories have to stay focused and have courage in their convictions. “What we’ve done is create an exhibition in five editions that’s over 10 000 square metres. Last year we had 18 000 printers attend,” says Douglas.

In 2007 Labelexpo acquired Gulf Pak and Gulf Print which merged together to form Pak Print. “It was important to our label customers as it’s a new sector. It’s more efficient to print on label machines. This is a new industry that wasn’t there before, done with labelling equipment.”

It’s this diversification that has aided growth. “Today we have over 20 different products covering various emerging markets. We are still seeing lots of opportunities to launch new products.”

Douglas says that when launching, buying and partnering in new markets, branding is key and can take the show to the next level. “You need to have a presence in the market. It’s important to open an office in the country you want to launch in so that you’re seen as adding value, rather than create the impression that you’re only there to take the money and leave. Speak to your customers all the time, forge relationships with local associations and become local industry champions. It’s the only way to take the market forward and to grow the show.”

It can be done, but it takes a lot of research. “We launched in China in 2003. The associations we approached said we couldn’t launch the show without partnering with them. We went ahead and launched it on our own. There were no existing competitors and we had the backing of industry.

Within one year we had four com-

EXHIBITIONS

Douglas Emslie

peting shows,” he says.

In India there was already an existing show, the India Label Show.

“We looked at buying it. We also looked at launching a new show. It took us four years and four court appearances to buy the show,” says Douglas. “Local industry supported us. The original show was local and we managed to draw in internationals and that changed the economics. In one year it had tripled financially because we could take in international customers. What the Indian market wanted was recognition on a global stage. Putting the Labelexpo stamp on it gave it that step up.”

Labelexpo has now moved to South Africa. “We thought South Africa was an interesting market because of the wine industry. It’s a small number of buyers that spend a lot of money.”

Douglas says he looked at launching in Cape Town in 2009, but it was bad timing because of the economic recession. “People were being cautious with their budgets.”

Instead of launching or buying, it made sense for Douglas to work together with Label Summit Africa, already in existence. “We own the event 100%, but the conference has also been encapsulated 100%.”

TOURIST visitors from Germany are perceived as wanting a destination that offers wildlife, scenery, cultural experiences and sunshine – Southern Africa provides all of these elements and more, says Jacqui Reynolds, managing partner of On Show Solutions.

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TB Berlin is the annual gathering of the global tourism industry in Germany attracting the European travel trade and German consumers for what the organisers call ‘The World’s Leading Travel Trade Show’.

At this year’s ITB Berlin, the regional pavilion Southern Africa On Show showcased a range of African tour operators, boutique hotels, game reserves, tourist attractions and train adventures to meet the demand of the German market.

Feedback from the marketplace is encouraging showing early signs that the German trade is on a positive upward swing. “Africa is definitely back in the German psyche”, says Rene Breuer of Shongololo Express. Nils Heckscher of Winchester Mansions reported that “t’s refreshing to witness the renewed interest in our destination from the German market”.

Chris Anagnostellis from An African Anthology found that the “quality of buying is better than the last two years.” He elaborated that the German market is looking at South Africa more seriously now with operators reporting better growth from South Africa than Namibia – a traditionally strong market. Chris added

Jacqui Reynolds and her team in Germany

that Tanzania is being well received and Botswana is steady and growing annually.

The key to working with the European market, as with so many markets, is to build strong reliable partnerships with the operators – both the big players and the smaller niche leisure operators. Ute Latzke of Wilderness Safaris stated that there is confidence in the market despite the economic downturn. “Even in the luxury segment, we’re seeing a late booking trend – not last minute but late booking.” Ute attributes their success in recent times to their ongoing relationships with the trade. Christine Macvicar from Sefapane Lodge & Safaris reported similar findings that the Germans are very selective in who they work with and relationships are essential. She says, “We’ve certainly grown our market at this year’s show but also see how the German market in general is increasing.”

The Event | 03

HOW SMARTPHONES CHANGED EVENTS Corbin Ball

TECHNOLOGY MEETINGS guru Corbin Ball, named

by Meeting News and Successful Meetings Magazines as one of The 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry, was in Cape Town in February to talk about how technology is moving into event space.

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ECHNOLOGY is revolutionising the event industry. Most meetings and trade show attendees are carrying web-

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enabled phones. “These microcomputers are increasingly being used for networking, lead exchange, electronic ticketing, way finding, audience polling, surveys, pocket programmes, pocket exhibit guides, course notes/literature collection and much more,” says Corbin. “And new phone Apps for events are emerging daily.”

“Our industry is a mobile one,” he says. “We do business away from our offices and from our computers on a regular basis. Most of us don’t carry around notebook

computers at events for a number of reasons: weight, security, the inability to access easily while standing, etc.”

Corbin explains that exhibitor brochures are now paperless.

Course notes are electronic and available in mobilised versions.

With the iPad’s touch navigation and multi-media capabilities, it will be natural to see self-service information demos in a booth or elsewhere. If the attendees like the demo, they can electronically request more product information or even load the App and take it with them. “Attendees and exhibitors do not have to be tied to a particular area of the booth for demonstrations. Multimedia presentations can be given anywhere due to the iPad’s portability,” he says.

Corbin explains that mobile technology is a value add for exhibitors and convention centres should have Apps available providing local area information, event information, floorplans, speaker files and GPS coordinates. Most importantly, it should be free.

“Major MPI conferences use iPad Apps. They are much better than any paper guide and are easy to use,” he says. “Paper conference programs go out of date as soon as they are printed. They are heavy to carry around, difficult to use, and they usually end up in a landfill after the event. Mobile phone apps, although helpful, have limitations due to small screen size.” “iPads open a new range of possibilities. Not only can the conference program be included, but also easy links for more information about the speakers, topics, session handouts and other events. Videos of the speakers with slides and tran-

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scriptions can be included after the event. Surveys of the presentations can be included as well,” he says.

“A single-event App may be more appropriate for organisations that do not yet use mobile Apps and have a substantial number of events during the year,” he advises. iPad Apps are also being increasingly used by hotels. “Guests can check their room amenities, order room service online and even Tweet about the hotel. It enhances the overall experience,” says Corbin.

Not only that, social media has mobilised, and if an event is not on Twitter or has an App for iPhones and iPads, it’s already behind in the times.

Other innovations making their their way to our shores is Bump technology, which has become a convenient way for exhibitors and buyers to swop information. It’s a free App available from iTunes, that enables users to literally bump phones together for simple, easy lead exchange.

Perhaps the strangest technological innovation is Augmented Reality. Corbin spoke about Google Goggles, a free App for Android phones that features a visual search application. “Say you’re at a network function and you see someone across the room that you recognise but you can’t remember their name. With Google Goggles you can take a picture of them with your phone, and using face recognition technology, you will be able to find that person on the Internet in seconds.”

“Its not science fiction. Look how far we’ve come.”

Sally Fink

GENERAL INDUSTRY IF you have any news highlights to share please visit our web portal www.theevent.co.za and load your own stories for consideration in next month’s edition.

Sugen Pillay joins Thebe SUGEN Pillay, formerly the global manager: Events at South African Tourism, has been appointed as Business Development Director at the Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG).

In addition to developing new business and growing existing events, Sugen will offer strategic support and direction to the annual Sports and Events Tourism Exchange. “I believe my background in tourism, especially in the public sector, will add value to the group. I am passionate about positioning South Africa as a mega events destination and am particularly looking forward to growing the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange in this regard,” he says.

SAT says Air Passenger Tax is unfair SOUTH African Tourism (SAT) supports the global call for a review of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) taxes imposed on international tourists by the UK, says SAT CEO, Mr Thulani Nzima.

“These unilateral taxes have a detrimental effect on international travel at a time when the world tourism industry is recovering from the global economic crisis,” he says.

Initially introduced as a ‘green’ tax by the UK, SAT believe this tax is now aimed at revenue–generation.

“SA Tourism would like to put it on record that we support all initiatives to reduce carbon emission as long as the process is consultative and transparent,” he says.

SAACI ROUND TABLE ON OUT-THE-BOX CONFERENCES Speed Marketing

Speed Marketing

Zelda Coetzee

ASSOCIATIONS IN its 25 years, the South African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) Western Cape has done much to support the business tourism sector with its seminars and annual conferences. In the spirit of knowledge sharing, Western Cape chairperson, Zelda Coetzee hosted a media round table to introduce new ways in which organisers can present conferences.

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ELDA and SAACI board member Beryl Eichenberger of HIPPO Communications, hosted a lunch on the spectacular nineteenth floor of The Westin in Cape Town, where she schooled media on current industry developments.

“The conference industry is changing,” says Zelda, who put together a well researched presentation on current conferencing trends, which she hopes will be of

use to the association’s members and also show the value of the association to would-be members.

She introduced the SAACI Forums, which meet regularly to discuss issues pertaining to Transport, Venues, Services, Conference and Events, Exhibitions, Technical and Destination Marketing. The benefits of these Forums are varied, and offer an understanding of the realities of doing business in these sectors.

Zelda also spoke about the SAACI workshop on the Safety at Sports & Recreational Events Act (SASREA) and its repercussions for industry which took place in early April. The workshop was presented by Brigadier Bert van der Walt, Section Head: Legal Support: Crime Operations SAPS and Colonel Anand Siva, Section Commander: Major Events, who spoke about event planning, risk profiling and determining the responsibility for event safety.

During the media lunch, Zelda introduced the concept of Pecha Kucha, a new way of presenting

information at conferences that ties in to the digital era where consumers want their information faster and in smaller bites. Pecha Kucha, which was used to great affect by CTICC CEO Rashid Toefy at the 2011 SAACI Conference, sees speakers present their talks and slides in twenty second increments, giving them less than seven minutes to deliver their information.

She also touched on Smartphones, mobile lecture rooms, and the livestreaming of events for participants who can’t attend the conference. “These developments offer more variety for delegates, especially those accustomed to managing their lives on their phones. Speakers have to be prepared for this and venues have to relook at Wi-fi,” says Zelda. Other factors to consider are official hashtags and Twitterfalls.

Food is also becoming increasingly important. “People are more aware of what they’re eating,” says Zelda, who advises Low GI menu choices for sustained ener-

gy throughout conferences. “Organisers need to work closely with chefs to create menus. They also need to look at the waste component as sustainability is important to international delegates.”

But food doesn’t necessarily have to be a serious topic. Zelda reports that the current rage for desserts is Lolly Bars, where delegates can choose from a range of confections on sticks, such as Cake Pops. “It’s time to put some fun back into conferences,” she says.

On this note, Zelda encouraged organisers to take another look at how they configure their conferences. “It’s not just classroom style or cinema style anymore,” she says.

For the CNN/Time Global Forum in 2010, Zelda chose a relaxed lounge style, where delegates could watch the proceedings on individual screens. She believes it was the intimate touch that made the event a success.

Another successful SAACI initiative and an excellent way to

make new contacts, is Speed Marketing. SAACI Western Cape hosted its second annual speed marketing event in March. Meeting 20 new suppliers in one afternoon, enjoying decadent snacks at the Vineyard Hotel and Spa and standing a chance to win a trip on the glamorous Rovos Rail or a private sightseeing tour of Cape Town were just some of the incentives which inspired PCOs, DMCs and event organisers to sign up for the event.

Each delegate had seven minutes to present their products or service before moving on to the next in line. Speed Marketing is a fun way to make contacts, catch up with old ones, and to discover the latest developments in industry without sitting in a half an hour presentation.

Speed Marketing is just another innovative way that SAACI engages its members, and keeps them up to date with conference industry trends.

Sally Fink

The Event | 05

EVENTING: HOW TO STRIKE IT LUCKY Leah McCrae

OPINION THE success of a superlative event can be measured by the positive feedback of the invited guests; says Leah Mc Crae, director at Strike Alliance. There are many factors that contribute to its triumph, such as the venue, theme and concept, but the most important one is often left to the last few weeks of planning: the technical component.

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LITZ and glamour are definitely not associated with technical suppliers, says Leah, whose team comprises highly competent stage and lighting designers, but yet they are the ones who are going to make the magic happen, whatever the concept. “It is

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essential that the event planners include their technical team from the beginning. Brainstorming and coming up with fantastic ideas is a complete waste of time unless significant technical solutions can be supplied by the experienced team present at the start,” she says.

Budget is often a thorny issue, so it seems senseless not to include a technical expert who can guide both the client and event planner with regard to the likely cost of a particularly hi-tech product launch.

Leah explains that event planners can benefit from working closely with technical suppliers from the planning stage. “When it comes to event planning, the working relationship between event planners and technical suppliers is incredibly important. We need to work together very close-

ly to ensure that the event runs smoothly. In my experience, when the technical team is involved from the very beginning, there is a greater chance that the event will run seamlessly and the technical solutions will be of a higher quality. In this way, the client will feel that there has been a holistic approach taken to realise the successful result.”

Most of the time, technology and logistics are the hinge on which the whole event pivots, so the advice of a technical professional is invaluable and will contribute to the realisation of the “dream” function.

For instance, if the idea for an event is conceived without knowing what the technical requirements are, the result will be compromised by additional or “hidden costs” that creep up at a later stage, leaving the client with a feeling of disillusion.

“If an event planner has a particular vision and proceeds without consulting a technical team, this could be a recipe for disaster. The delighted client would have great expectations, but would soon be disappointed as the technical problems come to the fore. So then it would have to be back to the drawing board with a revision of budget and timeline, in addition to a disgruntled client,” says Leah.

“As technology gallops ahead at an incredible pace and we find ourselves in the era of tablets and iPads, you can be certain that the Strike Alliance team will be up to date with the latest equipment,” she says.

TOP GREEN TRAVEL TRENDS GREENING AS a ‘green wave’ continues to sweep across the globe, and consumers increasingly look for ways to minimise their impact on the environment, the tourism industry is undergoing a significant shift in the way it operates and in the types of travel packages it offers.

Gavin Bell, marketing co-ordinator of ecoAfrica, takes us through the trends.

Voluntourism GAVIN says that one of the key changes in the tourism industry is that many travellers are more focused on value – both in terms of value-for-money as well as their own values and principles.

“We are increasingly seeing travellers wanting their holidays abroad to be meaningful experiences that offer opportunities for self-growth and helping others.”

Walking safaris GAVIN mentions that walking safaris are proving very popular.

“The guides share a wealth of bush culture and knowledge while tourists get to see and experience nature first-hand. It serves the dual purpose of bringing people closer to nature while also educating them on the current challenges and issues that our sensitive environment is facing, often turning tourists into nature activists.”

Guilt-free travel THE on-going prevalence of ‘green’ as a global trend means travellers are placing ever-greater

Gavin Bell

importance on the effect that their holidays have on the environment.

“We have recently noticed a major increase in people asking for holiday experiences that ‘do no harm’.”

African environmental issues AFRICA is one of the last places on Earth where people can see and experience the untouched natural environment in all its splendour.

“This has helped bring African environmental issues to the forefront of the tourism market,” explains Gavin.

“Tourists become invested in the natural beauty once they’ve experienced it for themselves, and want to do their part to address the major environmental issues facing Africa.”

THEBE SURGES AHEAD DESPITE TOUGH MARKETPLACE EXHIBITIONS THE exhibitions market is tough out there, which is why the news that Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) having secured three new exhibition management contracts for 2012 comes at just the right time.

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HEBE Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) have been on a roll of late, having launched The Sports and Events Tourism Exchange, Retirement Expo and the Design in Hospitality last year, and the adrenaline filled Atomic Junkies in early April.

Both The Sports and Events Tourism Exchange and Retirement Expo will be returning in 2012, but that’s not all the event organisers have up their sleeves.

This year Thebe have even more new shows on the cards.

The new exhibitions contracts for 2012 include the reformation of the Cape Town Book Fair, to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 15-17 June 2012, the International Small Business Congress Exhibition (SBCE) at the Sandton Convention Centre from 15-18 September 2012; and the Cape Wine & Vindaba from 25 -27 September 2012 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The new exhibitions come hot on the heels of a recent string of successes.

Thebe’s flagship exhibition, Decorex Joburg, was named the Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition: 12 000m² and over at the 2011 awards of the Exhibition and Event Association of South Africa (EXSA). At the ceremony manag-

ing director Carol Weaving was inducted into the EXSA Hall of Fame.

To top it off, Carol was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards earlier this year.

The Event Newspaper spoke to Carol about how she does it.

What is the state of the exhibition marketplace in South Africa?

THE exhibition industry, like every other, has been hit by hard economic times.

Recent years have seen a number of organisers going out of business and many shows struggling to survive.

In addition to this, perhaps ironically, South African consumers are far more sophisticated nowadays than just a few years ago, which poses other challenges to organisers of consumer shows.

My feeling is that trade shows have not been affected quite as drastically, although times remain challenging.

However, despite all these circumstances, some exhibitions continue to grow and a few organisers, like ourselves, are even initiating new projects with a significant measure of success.

Why did you decide to reinvigorate the Cape Town Book Fair?

WE are managing the Cape Town Book Fair this year on behalf of the Publishers’ Association of South Africa.

The fair was established in 2005 and attracts visitors and exhibitors from all over the world. It has undergone a major revamp and this year will see some 200 events on the programme, as well as a buyer meets seller programme.

Research has shown that the

market is huge and we aim to grow the fair in years to come.

Carol Weaving

Are consumer shows doing well compared to trade shows?

SOME consumer shows have become very tired. Consumers want to be entertained, they want more value for money and they want to have an experience along with show specials and discounts.

There are still opportunities for consumer shows in our market but they have to be innovative and “different”.

Trade shows are affected by the economy so therefore companies are buying slightly smaller stands and the international visitor numbers are reducing due to travel costs being cut by companies.

However, with all emerging markets and in particular Africa, there are a great deal of opportunities in certain industry sectors and we are aggressively entering these markets.

What show works best in this current climate?

WHETHER it is a trade or a consumer show – the show that offers the best match between the exhibitor and the visitor works best.

As always, it boils down to the basics – proper research, a welldeveloped business plan, understanding of the industry, effective marketing and professional event management.

Sally Fink

The Event | 07

IS IT TIME FOR AFRICA? Dirk Elzinga

GENERAL INDUSTRY THE UFI Open Seminar in the Middle East/Africa and Expo Summit Africa, organised by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, in collaboration with Manch Communications, was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 15–17 March 2012.

The event attracted more than 70 participants from 18 countries.

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EO of the CTICC, Rashid Toefy, stepped in on behalf of speaker Dirk Elzinga to deliver a presentation on the state of the African exhibition scene. Rashid started off with a few statistics. There are 54 countries

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in Africa, which equates to 1 billion inhabitants (14% of the global population). 1.5% of the global exhibition space exists in Africa. That’s 500 000 square metres divided among 25 venues. Only one venue is 50 000 square metres, while the others are smaller. This figure doesnt include the innumerable other venues with 5 000 square metres or less space.

South Africa comprises a total of 178 000 square metres exhibition space which is 0.5% of the global exhibition space, but only one third of Africa’s. In other words, there’s plenty of room to do business in Africa.

Out of Africa’s 54 countries, 50 have cities with more than 1 million inhabitants. Cairo, for example, is home to 152 million people, while Joburg appears lower on the list with

7.6 million.

“By 2050 there will be 2 billion people in Africa; an unprecedented growth rate that will surpass global powers,” says Rashid.

The statistics already illustrate the potential of the African market.

“41% of our 1 billion people in Africa are under 50. They are the users of technology, the future exhibition attendees and organisers. This a young upwardly mobile demographic,” says Rashid.

There are only very few international operators active in Africa, such as UBM-Montgomery, Informa, Reed, and Clarion-Spintelligent. The industry is mainly active in North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco) in order to be closer to European markets, Nigeria and South Africa and even less African operators are active across the continent.

Rashid believes that there is a lot of potential for growth, and this belief is echoed by industry. A recent UFI survey revealed an increase in dollar spend and also an anticipation of growth in the exhibition sector.

In the past ten years, six of the ten world’s fastest growing economies were Sub Sahara African.

These are: Angola (11.1%), Nigeria (8.9%) Ethiopia (8.4%), Chad (7.9%), Mozambique (7.9%) and Rwanda (7.6%). The IMF predicts that in the years 2011-2015 Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, DRC, Ghana, Zambia and Nigeria will (again) be in top ten with GDP growth above 7%.

The fastest growing sectors are Agriculture, Telecommunications, Mobile, Banking and Healthcare.

The exhibition industry is a new market as many African consumers have never been exposed to the concept of an exhibition before, and South African organisers would be wise to jump on this opportunity.

There are new meeting facilities on the drawing board for Addis Ababa, Mombasa, Windhoek, Kigali, Vic Falls, Dar es Salaam, and Lilongwe.

According to HQ magazine there are currently 775 African Associations with 400 International headquarters in African cities.

These statistics reveal a growing African membership of international Associations.

Another element assisting growth is the increasing African Middle Class, which is estimated to reach 300 million by 2030. In 2008 consumer spending in Africa peaked at $860 billion; in 2020 it is estimated to reach $1.4trillion.

In 2020, there is estimated to be 128 million households with discretionary income.

According to The Economist, The African continent will soon take the lead in growing the world GDP and overtake Asia. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, the discovery of enormous oil reserves, political stability and visionary governments, and the fact that African economies are diversifying to attract increasing inward investment.

Travel has also improved. In the last two years 130 daily flights were added to African destinations; not only in the North and South but also East and West Africa. More and more African carriers dominate the African skies. “Additional daily flights makes the continent more accessible. Intra-Africa traffic is also starting to change,” says Rashid.

Dirk’s meticulous research points to previously unknown trade corridors, such as Chad/CAR/Cameroon/Gabon/Congo Brazzaville/ DRC/Angola.

There are many more reasons to be optimistic.

Growth is underwritten by rising

commodity prices, while capital flows in from BRIC economies, such as major interests China and India.

There has also been a recent rollout of sizeable infrastructure development, coupled with intra-regional trade networks, have seen a deepening of capital markets. There are currently 20 African companies with revenues of at least US$3billion.

There are pitfalls which can have an adverse affect on growth, says Rashid. “There are quite a few obstacles to emerging markets. Political instability can affect our industry. Would an event organiser book a conference in an African country in 2019 if they don’t know who the new president is going to be? Weak rule of law, safety and security are all issues, but this too can change. In the last 17 years, there hasn’t been a year where South Africa hasn’t gotten better from a safety and security point of view.”

He says that countries across Africa are turning around. Rwanda, for example, has seen major development happening. “There is a very pro-active president in place, and lots of investment taking place, such as a new convention centre, and the Microsoft head office,” says Rashid. In addition, Rwanda just formed a convention bureau, the second African country to do so.

Another example is Angola, which grew its economy tenfold over the last few years from 8 billion to 80 billion.

“African economies are starting to mature. We are seeing lots of inward investment, and China is a big player. The resource rich areas of Africa are a big draw card for investors,” says Rashid.

Sally Fink

A QUICK LOOK AT AFRICAN VENUES VENUES CONFERENCE and event venues in Africa are attractive, not only for their affordability, but also for the hospitality. Today, most of the larger and established venues have all the facilities and equipment needed to run a world-class event. We rounded up a few top venues in East Africa.

ETHIOPIA THE capital city of Addis Ababa is the home of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). More than 95 embassies from all over the world have their missions here. The United Nations Conference Centre in Addis is modern and sophisticated. Its largest conference room seats 600 delegates, plus 180 in the gallery. The second largest room seats 400, plus 48 in the gallery. Four conference rooms each have seating capacity of 114.

All the above have simultaneous interpretation facilities. There are small breakaway rooms for 2030 people, briefing rooms, office suites, a press centre, a business centre, cafeteria, lounges, a delegates’ dining room, a press bar, and an exhibition area.

Addis Ababa is easily accessible with daily flights to and from cities in Europe.

The Sheraton in Addis’ conference venue is smaller but luxurious.

Up to 500 delegates may be seated in the main hall and they have small executive boardrooms and simultaneous interpretation facilities. The Sheraton Addis overlooks the city.

The hotel has three restaurants, a gazebo where light meals can be taken by the swimming pool, a musical fountain, cozy bars, and a health centre.

KENYA THE Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) is a 30-storey building situated in the central business district of Nairobi. It has a capacity for 4000 delegates and is within walking distance of several five-star hotels. In addition to the standard conferencing facilities, it has a helipad and an amphitheatre. The tiered seating has a capacity of 771 people. The KICC has been awarded sixth place out of 162 in 2010/2011 for best performing State Parastatal.

The Kenyan government is seriously aiming to grow their tourism industry and they have targeted conference tourism. MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and Exhibitions), has a newly formed committee in Kenya, which has been given the task of making Kenya a significant and internationally competitive MICE destination. And as a bonus delegates can break away to have a picnic at the foot of the graceful Mount Kilimanjaro or enjoy game drives through some of Kenya’s most beautiful natural parks.

The development of a Mombasa International Convention Centre is on the cards. While we wait, the Serena Hotels Group has the perfect conference venue at the Mombasa Serena Hotel consisting of three air-conditioned event or conference spaces.

I spent a week at the hotel and it is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also has fully equipped state-of-the art conference venues and the best service I have come across in Africa.

And it is a little slice of paradise for the business traveler. It is a little more expensive than most hotels in Mombasa but it is magnificent; complete with a swimming pool on the beach front, stunning gardens with palm trees, an endless stretch of sandy beaches and turquoise water. Away

from the conference there is a range of activities to partake in.

TANZANIA DAR Es Salaam International Convention Centre in Tanzania, is located close to to five-star hotels, banks, embassies and diplomatic missions.

It has six conference rooms, three of which are inter-connecting. It has modern conferencing equipment, its own restaurant, that can seat 250 people, and reasonable pricing has made it one of the most competitive establishments in Dar es Salaam.

250 people may be seated classroom style in the conference venue and the specially allocated car park can take up to 80 vehicles. Tanzania is right up there with Kenya when it comes to unspoiled natural beauty and friendly service.

The Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Tanzania was established under the Public Corporation’s Act, 1969. It is 100% government owned, but operates as a fully-fledged commercial entity without any subsidies from the Government. AICC is in the middle of the bustling Arusha city’s CBD and it is surrounded by a number of hotels, from luxurious to affordable. There are ten conference rooms in total which can accommodate between 10-1000 people. The largest is the Simba Plenary Hall which can take a maximum of 1000 people theatre style. And of course Tanzania has some of the finest wildlife sites such as the Ngorongoro Crater, with its high density of predators in Africa, as well as black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, wildebeest zebra, eland, and more.

MALAWI LAKESHORE International Conference Centre is situated in Blantyre, Malawi. The Main Conference Hall

covers 422.4 square metres in area and can be used as a single entity housing 350 people U-shape set-up, 300 people in a banquet set-up, 510 in cinema style, 320 class room set-up and 1 000 for a cocktail reception.

The venue has seen banquets and conferences, music concerts and major exhibitions. It can be subdivided into four separate rooms and its four spacious breakaway rooms can be customised into boardrooms and/or secretarial rooms to meet specific needs of different groupings. The Conference Centre has a wide coverage of wireless internet services with very good signal reception. A one stop business centre provides the conference centre with internet service and other secretarial services. Travel support, banking and gift shop services are also available at the Conference Centre. A district hospital and banking services can be accessed in Mangochi Boma 24 kilometers from the Centre with a shuttle bus. Malawians are very friendly and receptive to visitors.

BOTSWANA IN Botswana, the Gaborone International Convention Center (GICC) is situated at The Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort. The GICC is a multi-faceted convention facility which can host up to 1 800 people cinema-style. A business centre is located in the heart of the GICC offering computer workstations with internet and e-mail facilities, a boardroom and ‘office-away-from-office’ station. The GICC also has smaller meeting rooms.

Botswana has one of the strongest African economies and it is an interesting mix of shanty towns and modern buildings, where old meets new. Delegates can take time out from business to do a Okavango Del-

Entrance to the Sheraton, Addis Ababa

ta safari where they are sure to spot herds of buffalo, zebra, Eeephants and hippos.

MOZAMBIQUE MOZAMBIQUE’S Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre is set on the beachfront in Maputo. It can host up to 1000 delegates. State of the art AV facilities and translation services are available. Maputo has a wide selection of three, four and five star hotels and there are many new hotels on the cards, including the five star Radisson Blu hotel right next to Joaquim Chissano. Mozambique is renowned for its golden beaches and excellent SCUBA diving.

Astrid Stark

The Event | 09

EVENT LISTINGS DIARISE APRIL IT & CMA China 17-19 April, Shanghai World Expo Pavilion Theme, China

MAY How to Apply Knowledge of HIV/ AIDS in a Sector/Workplace 3 May, Protea Hotel Victoria Junction, Cape Town 3 May, Protea Hotel Regent, East London

Andy Rice is the keynote speaker for SAMRA Conference in August

3 May Protea Hotel Kimberley 3 May, Protea Hotel Nelspruit, Mbombela 4 May, 20 Eaton Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 8 May, Services SETA offices, Durban 8 May, Protea Hotel BFN Central, Bloemfontein 8 May, Fusion Boutique Hotel, Polokwane 15 May, Protea Hotel Marine, Port Elizabeth IMEX 22-24 May, Frankfurt, Germany

JUNE Markex World of Events 12-14 June, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg AIBTM 19-21 June, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD

JULY SAACI National Conference 29-31 July, Indaba Hotel, Fourways, JHB

AUGUST IT & CM India 21-23 August, India Expo Centre & Mart, India

SEPTEMBER Sports & Events Tourism Exchange 12-14 September, ICC Durban Site International Conference 14-17 September, Beijing, China

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April The Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts: Hot Water and Wrestlerish 1 April, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town World Toilet Summit 2 April, ICC Durban ABSA Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race 2 April, Oak Valley, Western Cape Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo 4-6 April, Good Hope Centre, CPT Shoppex 2012 5-9 April, ICC Durban, Kwazulu Natal

Zayn Adam celebrates his 50th Anniversary with Music Alla Kaap at GrandWest in May

The Congress of World Association for Infant Mental Health 17-21 April, CTICC, Cape Town Taste of Cape Town 19-22 April, Green Point Cricket Club, CPT Huntex 20 April, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand Mpumalanga Wine Show 20-21 April, Ingwenyama Sports Resort, Mpumalanga Conversations on Architecture 26 April, CTICC, Cape Town Decorex 26-29 April, CTICC, Cape Town

Atomic Junkies 6-9 April, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

Expo 18 Golf Expo 27-29 April, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

Rand Show 6-15 April, Johannesburg Expo Centre

SA Cheese Festival 27-30 April, Sandringham Farm, Paarl

International Multi-Faith Conference 10-14 April, CTICC, Cape Town

May

MTN Radio Awards 14-15 April, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Trucker’s Forum 14-15 April, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Annual IT Summit 15-17 May, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB International Committee on NonDestructive Testing 16-20 April, ICC Durban IT & CM China 17-19 April, Shanghai World Expo Pavilion Theme, China

Financial Due Diligence Seminar 3 May, CTICC, Cape Town QS APPLE Conference 3-4 May, UKZN MDG Summit & Exhibition 3-4 May, CTICC, Cape Town The Joburg Wine Show 4-6 May, Coca-Cola dome, JHB Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) 6-10 May, CTICC, Cape Town Franschhoek Literary Festival Book Week for Young Readers 7-10 May, Franschhoek, Western Cape

Henry Rollins returns to South Africa in May

Pieter Dirk Uys will be appearing at the Franschhoek Literary Festival in May

West African International Telecommunications Exhibition & Conference & NISE: Nigerian ICT Business Solutions Expo 8-10 May, EKO Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria

National Occupational Safety, Health & Environment Board Conference & Exhibition 22-23 May, Silverstar Casino, Krugersdorp

Marketing Indaba 9-10 May, CTICC, Cape Town

IMEX 22-24 May, Frankfurt, Germany

Africa Health 9-11 May, Johannesburg Expo Centre

Fine Brandy Fusion 23-25 May, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Franschhoek Literary Festival 11-15 May, Franschhoek, Western Cape

Working World Wxtravaganza 24-25 May, Hudson Park High School, East London

Indaba 12-15 May, ICC Durban

Good Food & Wine Show 24-27 May, CTICC, Cape Town

Security Summit 15-16 May, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Rising Stars Careers Expo 25 May, Protea Edward Hotel, Durban

Hostex Cape 15-17 May, CTICC, Cape Town

Grand Designs Live 25-27 May, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

Nampo Harvest Day 15-18 May, Nampo Park, Welkom

Baba Indaba 25-27 May, Johannesburg Expo Centre

Henry Rollins: The Long March 16 May, Bassline, Newtown, Johannesburg The Baby Expo Mammamagic 17-20 May, Coca-Cola dome, JHB Henry Rollins: The Long March 18 May, Baxter Theatre, Rondebosch, Cape Town Henry Rollins: The Long March 19 May, The SunZone, Suncoast, Durban African Utilities Week 21-24 May, Johannesburg Expo Centre SATCOM 22-23 May, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Royal Show 25 May-3 June, Royal Show Grounds, Pietermaritzburg Music Alla Kaap 26 May, GrandWest Arena, CPT Facilities Management Show 28-30 May, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Land Forces Africa 28-30 May, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand WAMPE 30 May–1 June, International Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana SA Property Owners Association Conference 31 May- 2 June, ICC Durban

Comrades Marathon 31 May - 2 June, ICC Exhibition Centre, Durban Bonitas Comrades Expo 31 May-2 June, Durban Exhibition Centre

June Moody Blues 1 June, Coca-Cola dome, JHB Roxette 3 June, Coca-Cola dome, JHB NUMSA National Congress 4-8 June, ICC Durban Roxette 5 June, ICC Arena, Durban Jeff Dunham: Live in South Africa 5 June, GrandWest Grand Arena, Cape Town Jeff Dunham: Live in South Africa 7 June, ICC Durban

Taste of Cape Town

Africa Rail 26-29 June, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Jeff Dunham: Live in South Africa 9 June, Sun City SuperBowl

Disney on Ice 26 June - 1 July, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

PRISA annual conference 11-12 June, Johannesburg

July

Markex World of Events 12-14 June, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Disney on Ice 6-8 July, CTICC, Cape Town

SA TB Conference 12-15 June, ICC Durban

International Wildlife Management Conference 9-12 July, ICC Durban

Jeff Dunham: Live in South Africa 14 June, Carnival City Arena, JHB

Comics Choice Awards 10 July, Teatro Montecasino

Cape Town Book Fair 15-17 June, CTICC, Cape Town

Bafunny Bafunny 11-14 July, Teatro Montecasino, Johannesburg

Top Gear Festival 16-17 June, Durban IFSEC South Africa 19-21 June, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

Eid Shopping Festival 12-15 July, Coca-Cola dome, JHB Southern African TB Conference 12-15 June, ICC Durban

OSH EXPO Africa 19-21 June, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

AFM Women’s Conference 13-15 July, ICC Exhibition Centre, Durban

Exchange World Africa 19-22 June, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) 15-17 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

International Congress of Psychology 22-27 June, CTICC, Cape Town International Cost Engineering Council World Congress 25-27 June, ICC Durban Africa Ports & Harbours Congress 25-29 June, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

BRICS Africa Export Import Forum 15-17 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand Africa Mining Congress 16-19 July, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Future Ed 19-21 July, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

World of Dogs and Cats and Pet Expo (WODAC) 20-22 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand Intl Federation of Teachers of French Conference 23-27 July, ICC Durban

Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) Conference 16-17 August, Rosebank Crowne Plaza, JHB Andre Rieu 17 August, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

National Boat Show 7-9 September, Coca-Cola dome, JHB Eastern Bridal Fair 7-9 September, ICC Exhibition Centre, Durban

Bafunny Bafunny 24-25 July, GrandWest Arena, Cape Town

IT&CMA India 21-23 August, India Expo Centre, Delhi

International Aquarium Congress (IAC) 9-14 September, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town

Eskom KZN Regional Expo for Young Scientists 27 July, ICC Durban

Sign Africa Expo 22-24 August, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Electra Mining 10-14 September, Johannesburg Expo Centre

Bafunny Bafunny 27-28 July, ICC Durban

Africa Print Expo 22-24 August, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Sports & Events Tourism Exchange 12-14 September, ICC Durban

Limpopo Wine Show 27-28 July, Meropa Casino, Polokwane

Cape Homemakers Expo 23-26 August, CTICC, CPT

SAACI National Conference 29-31 July, Indaba Hotel, Fourways

Good Food & Wine Show 22-26 August, ICC Durban

Banking Outlook Africa 30 July- 3 August, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Wedding Expo 25-26 August, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

August

Sustainable City Exhibition 30 August-1 September, ICC Durban

Conversations on Architecture 8 August, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand Decorex 8-12 August, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand OppiKoppi festival - Sweet Thing 9-11 August, Northam, Limpopo Interbuild Africa 15-18 August, Johannesburg Expo Centre

The Getaway Show 31 August - 2 September, CocaCola dome, JHB

Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo 13-16 September, Coca-Cola dome, JHB Medunsa Refresher Course 14-16 September, CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria ISBC 15-18 September, Santon Convention Centre, JHB Creative Week Cape Town 15-23 September, Cape Town Planning Africa 16-19 September, ICC Durban

September

SA Council of Shopping Centres Congress 19-20 September, ICC Durban

SA Orthopaedic Association Congress 3-7 September, ICC Durban

Pendoring Awards 21 September, Cape Town

Intermodal Africa 5-7 September, ICC Durban

Durban Business Fair 21-23 September, ICC Exhibition Centre, Durban

BT Africa Expo 6-7 September, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Soweto Festival 21-24 September, Johannesburg Expo Centre

The Event | 11

PRISMS RECOGNISE LIVE EVENTS

AWARDS THE Prisa Prism Awards, which recognise excellence in communications, took place on 25 March 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Johannesburg.

Three Event Management campaigns cracked a nod.

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HESE days creating an award winning brand communications campaign takes a lot more than a press release and social media buzz. Sometimes the best strategies are those that feature a live event component. This was evidenced at the Prism awards in March, where three PR companies shone above the rest.

PR Worx were awarded a Gold Prism award for their work on the Platafrica Jewellery Design Awards 2011

for Anglo American Platinum Limited.

PlatAfrica, the Oscars of the jewellery industry, hosted by Anglo American Platinum Limited (Platinum), celebrates and rewards the most talented professional and student jewellery designers in South Africa.

The team at PR Worx put together an event which was attended by 280 guests, an increase of 47%. A comprehensive communications plan ensured that all target audiences were kept informed about the event, award winners, and what Platinum is doing within the jewellery industry.

The theme for the event, held at Arena Royale, was “Platinum Romance”. The awards ceremony included models that showcased all the winning designs down the runway, as well as through the crowd.

The PlatAfrica Jewellery Design Awards was so successful that a deci-

sion was taken to host it again in 2012, where it was previously decided that 2011 would be the final year.

The campaign generated R4, 845,298 worth of coverage (AVE 1:1), which exceeded the actual event cost by R3, 166,627.49 or 289%. In total, PR Worx generated an ROI of 2 354%.

Atmosphere Communications were awarded a Silver for the “Shopping Mall” campaign for Capitec Bank.

The team created and executed an innovative campaign to attract a new breed of ‘bank for life’ clients. The team did this by bridging what set Capitec apart – free debit card swipes and low fees – with the recessionary mindset of the youth: an anti-bling culture that focused on the simple and free things in life.

The solution was The Live Free

NEWS Project - an integrated communications campaign that amplified Capitec’s values of simplicity and affordability among young people. To make ‘free’ compelling for the tough Johannesburg crowd, the team identified what Jo’burgers did best – shop – and piggybacked on National Saving’s Month to launch The Swapping Mall. While it looked like a real Mall, everything could be swapped, not bought. No money was exchanged.

The event attracted 700 people and the supportive PR generated 1 643 362-million interactions and increased Facebook fans by 41,7%.

Capitec cited it as a significant driver behind the bank’s repositioning among young people, helping it attract up to 100 000 new clients per month.

Finally, Plato Communications were awarded a Bronze for their Jacobs Mandela Day Mosaic for Kraft Foods.

Jacobs Krönung premium coffee got a head start in bringing Mandela Day to life at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton by creating an impressive 2700-cup mosaic artwork of the world’s favourite statesman.

The creation, which was overseen by renowned South African artist James Delaney, was built solely from cups of Jacobs coffee.

The PR team pulled the event off in just two weeks from the date of agreement to the date of installation.

The entire mosaic took three hours to complete. For the first 67minutes spent creating the mosaic, R1000 was donated per minute. The Kraft foods corporate affairs director Pat Senne was so impressed that she sponsored the R67 000 from the company’s CSI budget.

An AVE value of R456,254.45 was achieved.

Sally Fink

David Sand

GENERAL INDUSTRY IF you have any news highlights to share please visit our web portal www.theevent.co.za and load your own stories for consideration in next month’s edition.

David Sand named SITE president IN 2013 David Sand, CEO of Incentives Company Uwin Iwin, will take on the prestigious post of president of the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives (SITE).

In his role as president, David will manage the SITE board, made up of global incentive travel executives.

“As a South African I will be able to rub shoulders with some of the biggest incentive companies in the world,” says David. “Your peers are serious players from big companies. It gives you a global perspective and great learning. My perspective on South Africa has changed a lot. We need to catch a wake up and become a global player before we miss the boat.”

David believes most South African incentive travel companies dont realise how good their product actually is. “Our standards are amazing,” says David. “The overarching thing that is missing is teamwork. We need a unified approach in order to call ourselves Destination South Africa.”

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS GENERAL INDUSTRY IF you have any news highlights to share please visit our web portal www.theevent.co.za and load your own stories for consideration in next month’s edition.

South Africa shortlisted for global WACS congress in 2016 SOUTH Africa has been shortlisted as one of the four countries to host the WACS 2016 Congress between 4-10 March 2016.

South Africa will be competing against Greece, Hungary and Australia. The bid will include proposing Johannesburg as South Africa’s city of choice.

WACS, the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, represents a global network of chefs associations first founded in October 1928 at the

1 2 | The Event

Sorbonne in Paris. Today, this global body has 87 official chefs associations and its biannual congress is a hallmark tradition of WACS. The congress in 2016 will attract almost 500 global delegates.

Four International Conferences for ICC Durban DURBAN ICC has been secured as the host venue for four international conferences including the World Toilet Summit in 2012, the 6th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria in 2013, the World Association of Cooperative Education in 2013 and the International World Leisure Conference in 2016.

In addition together with the Durban KZN Convention Bureau and other city partners the ICC is in the final stages of contracting one additional international conference which will take place in 2014.

In excess of 5,800 delegates are

expected to attend the five conferences.

“Our success in securing these international conferences has been reliant on great teamwork with the Durban KZN Convention Bureau and the support of all stakeholders in the city and province which is key when competing for these events on an international stage.” said ICC Durban’s, chief executive, Julie-May Ellingson.

The delegates attracted to these five conferences over a full 15 day period will generate an estimated R217.5-million in economic impact, based on a per day delegate spend of approximately R2,500 for the City of Durban.

Cape Town wins bid for Paediatric Cardiology Congress THE 6th World Congress of Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Sur-

gery will take place in South Africa in February 2013. This international congress will be the biggest event in heart health to have ever been held in South Africa and indeed, on the African continent.

The Congress will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) between 17-22 February 2013

will play host to the 30th International Congress of Psychology (ICP). 5 000 delegates are expected to attend.

In 2013 Paragon Conventions Africa will be the local organiser for the 18th Commonwealth Law Confer. In addition, Paragon has secured the hosting of the very first World Conference on Personality, to be held in Stellenbosch from 19-23 March 2013.

Paragon secures high-profile international conferences PARAGON Conventions Africa has secured the hosting of a number of international conferences in South Africa that will attract thousands of international delegates.

Between 17-21 July 2012, the 21st congress of the International Association of Cross Cultural Psychology will take place in Stellenbosch. Approximately 450 delegates will attend.

From 22 -27 July 2012, Cape Town

Cape Town secures IFES Conference CAPE Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) has secured the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) annual meeting taking place in Cape Town in 2013.

THE IFES Congress will attract approximately 130 delegates from 42 countries for information sharing.

The 2013 congress will be the first time that IFES will hold its annual meeting in Africa.

Sally Fink

CTIJF CONTINUES TO GROW LIVE EVENTS THE Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) took place from 3031 March 2012 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

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AST year the annual event contributed R498 million to the Western Cape economy and in eleven years has increased attendance from 14 000 in 2000 to 35 000. MEC for finance, economic development and tourism Alan Winde praises the festival, saying: “It has become the stage upon which the business world meets Cape Town, a place where international deals are brokered to the sounds of jazz ¬saxophonists.”

CEO of ESP Afrika Rashid Lombard announced that the primary sponsor for the festival was the SABC. “We are extremely proud to have the SABC on board again in 2012.

The SABC’s contribution in terms of its national footprint is significant. This is especially true when it comes to creating awareness for the training and development programme that supports the festival each year.”

The SABC also sponsored the Festival’s Golf Day caddy programme in association with the Caddy Foundation and live broadcast the festival on its numerous radio stations.

The popularity of the CTIJF is evidenced by the fact that tickets sell out weeks before the event and it continues to grow, with crowds clambering to get inside the festival complex.

CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Rashid Toefy, says that the centre’s expansion will finally give the Jazz Festival the room it needs to grow. “Events like the Jazz Festival can be bigger,”

he said. “Our philosophy is to create memorable experiences rather than just being a space for events.

It’s important for us to work with events that are important to Cape Town’s brand. With the expansion we will be capable for multi-simultaneous events and give the Jazz Fest the space it needs.”

And with more space, comes capacity for a bigger crowd, and with that, the demand for bigger artists.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has attracted top international talent over the years, including, among others, Esperanza Spalding, Earth Wind and Fire, Youssou N’dour, and George Benson. This year organisers ESP Afrika, took a different approach, choosing to shift the focus to more commercial artists.

This year’s event sold out even before the announcement that Grammy Award winning singer Lauryn Hill would be replacing headline act Jill Scott, who pulled out a week before the event. It was a coup.

Ms Hill, as she likes to be called, performed to a full house, belting out some Fugees favourites as well as some of her solo work. The singer caused a delay at the start of the show after complaining about the quality of the sound, but returned in good spirits to complete her set.

Nouvelle Vague, whose name literally translates to ‘New Wave’, performed on the outdoor Bassline stage to an intimate crowd.

Formed by Marc Collin in 2004, Nouvelle Vague is a collaboration of French artists that cover new wave and post punk classics with a distinct French style that evokes Paris in the Golden Age. Guest singers have included Vanessa Paradis. Their music is a favourite of Hollywood, with songs contributing to among others, Planet Terror, Bridesmaids, The Inbetween-

ers, Nip/Tuck and Gossip Girl.

Marc was accompanied on the South African tour by Liset Alea and Melanie Pain, whose breathy lyrics added a smoky final note to many of the songs. The distinct Parisian style covers included treatments of The Sister’s of Mercy’s Marian and Depeche Mode’s I just can’t Get Enough.

For those wondering what a French Bossa Nova band were doing at a festival devoted to jazz were silenced by Liset Alea’s energetic performance of The Cramp’s Human Fly, which saw the artist belt out lyrics as if she was channelling Billie Holliday herself. This is not surprising, since the Cuban born beauty was trained at The New School Jazz Conservatory in New York.

But festival fans seemed to think local was more lekker. South African rising star Zahara snagged a much larger crowd for her performance on the Manenburg stage, which overlooked the N1 highway. The songstress released her debut album Loliwe in 2011 which went double platinum after two weeks, selling over 100,000 copies in South Africa.

Legend Hugh Masekela, and arguably the only true jazz artist that performed at the event, also played to a capacity crowd.

The CTIJZ is one of the few events that has buy-in from the entire city.

One of the official after parties took place at the most unconventional venue, the Two Oceans Aquarium, where guests listened to the soft sounds of jazz surrounded by the gently cartwheeling jellyfish and languid rays. It only goes to show that Cape Town is a treasure chest during the day, but the jewels really come alive night.

Nouvelle Vague © Warren Talmarkes

Sally Fink

The Event | 13

GEARHOUSE ADDS ITS TENTH COMPANY

McCloskey Coal

GENERAL INDUSTRY THE ideal and complete conference and event solution, from registration to audience response systems, has taken shape in the newly formed company, Gearhouse ICS.

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ALKS about a merger between INHOUSE Venue Technical Management IT (IVTM IT) and Global ICS started late last year. Gearhouse SA Pty (Ltd) directors, Ofer Lapid and Nasser Abbas, and MD of INHOUSE Venue Technical Management, Ashraf Omar and MD of Global ICS, Thabiet Waggie are the key

players in this - the Gearhouse Group’s tenth company.

Ashraf Omar explains, “I saw an opportunity within the information technology rental fields and contacted Thabiet to discuss our options. Thabiet has extensive IT rental experience and has been in the industry for a long time.”

Ashraf then asked Thabiet to look at the equipment so a decision as to the project’s plausibility could be made. “I suggested to Thabiet that we ensure we obtain the best technology for the project.”

“It was a natural fit,” says Thabiet, “since both companies service the conference and events industry. IVTM IT Rentals takes care of hardware rentals and Global ICS

has developed a number of applications, including a registration system and a presentation management system for conferences.”

On 1 March 2012, Gearhouse ICS Pty (Ltd) was officially opened.

The new company now provides IT hardware, software, and project management services. Their newly developed products include; EventsCentral, which is the online and onsite delegate management and registration system and MediaVue, the online and onsite presentation and content management system.

Ashraf says that at the initial development phase business was somewhat erratic, “but we could see it would be profitable,” he ex-

plains. “We are already receiving great international interest and forsee many more potential markets. Thabiet, in my opinion, is the best person to run this as you need someone with passion and love for the business; he has both.”

Thabiet, who has more than ten years experience in the industry, explains that these applications were developed specifically for the South African market. “We have our own team of developers who look after our product,” he says.

Adrian de Vries is the lead software developer for both EventsCentral and MediaVue “When we developed the software for EventsCentral, we really kept the end-user, our client, in mind,”

Adrian explains. “We have developed it so that the front-end is very easy to use, but it has full functionality. The client should not assume that it is lacking in any functionality because it is so easy to manage.

EventsCentral can be customised exactly to our client’s needs.”

Adrian also developed MediaVue, which took about a year to finalise. “This program eases the process for presenters who can upload their presentations at a central point,” he explains, “Then the presentation is delivered over the network to the relevant room, eliminating the usual running around with memory sticks. This system is unique in South Africa but it is on par with international standards. We do constant updates and modify it as we go along.”

Thabiet says Gearhouse ICS Pty (Ltd) is committed to improving the events industry by using efficient information technology to raise the level of professionalism.

Gearhouse ICS has offices in Cape Town, Gauteng and Durban.

A full list of the company’s services include: Website Design and Development, Online Registration Systems, Online Event Payment Gateways, Online Presentation Upload System, Abstract Management Systems and Peer Review Systems, Web Application Development, On-demand Video, Graphic Design, Onsite Registration Systems, Onsite Ticketing, RFID, Barcode and Bio-Metric Tracking Systems, Onsite Presentation Management System, Live Video Streaming, Interactive Services, Hardware Rental and General IT Services, Copier and Printing Services and Cable and Wireless Network Infrastructure.

Astrid Stark

INTERNATIONAL NEWS GENERAL INDUSTRY IF you have any news highlights to share please visit our web portal www.theevent.co.za and load your own stories for consideration in next month’s edition.

KLCC Wins Best Convention Centre In Asia THE Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre was awarded the Best Convention Centre in Asia at the MICE Report Awards 2012. Malaysia as a whole was also voted Best MICE Country in Asia.

“Subscribers were influenced by factors including capacity, facility and service, and based on their own experience at the various convention centres listed,” said editor of the MICE Report, Cliff James. “The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre received

1 4 | The Even t

the highest number of votes in the Best Convention Centre in Asia category, beating other facilities in the region for its state-of the art facilities and exceptional service.”

Four-City Alliance targets International Science Conventions THE convention bureaus of Adelaide, Australia; Daejeon, South Korea; Hyderabad, India, and Toulouse, France have formalised a partnership to tap into science-related international conventions.

The four bureaus say over 60 per cent of international conventions are science-related and that the ‘Science Alliance’ is designed to share information, develop networking opportunities and promote the destinations to this lucrative field.

IFES combines with 5expo IFES welcomed Expocentre to its of-

fice in Brussels to kick off the joint IFES Annual Meeting to be held from 13 -15 June 2012 at Expocentre Fairgrounds in Moscow, Russia within the framework of the 6th International Forum of Exhibition Industry ‘5pEXPO-2012’.

“We are all very enthusiastic about the fact that IFES will hold the 2012 AGM in conjunction with the 5P Expo and the international congress and convention organised in partnership with Expocentre, our new member in the boyant Russian and Moscow exhibition market. We are looking forward to have a very well attended convention and exhibition from all over the globe,” says Bruno Meissner, IFES President.

The three-day event offers IFES members and delegates joint conferences with Russian exhibition industry leaders, educational sessions focused on the BRIC market, and a

large exhibition. The programme offers the chance to meet quality contacts and the chance to learn about the Russian market and trends.

QNCC boosts Qatar as global business destination THE newly opened Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) is fast transforming Qatar’s meetings and events industry to be a global premier business destination.

To date, the Centre has hosted 52 events with more than 30,000 visitors. The estimated delegate spend from overseas visitors is over QR 41 million (US11.2 million).

This year, the Centre will play host to a number of international events including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII) from 21-26 April 2012 and the 25th Universal Postal Congress (UPU) in September 2012.

Rezidor Hotel Group named one of World’s Most Ethical Companies THE Rezidor Hotel Group, a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, remains one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.

The US-think tank Ethisphere Institute awarded Rezidor for the third consecutive year for real and sustained ethical leadership. The Honouree Dinner took place in New York City in March.

“We are very proud that we have maintained our status as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies since 2010. We are on a long term basis committed to a responsible way of doing business. We translate words on ethical practices into action, create innovative ideas to benefit the public, and raise the bar for standards within our industry,” said Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor.

WEDDING SHOWS STILL A HIT WITH CONSUMERS CONSUMER SHOWS LOVE springs eternal. Proof of that came from the lengthy queue of people waiting to pay R100 to enter the Wedding Expo in Johannesburg in April.

I

T seems no matter how the economy is behaving, there is a continual market of starry-eyed young romantics planning their perfect wedding.

By Saturday lunchtime the sprawling car parks at the Coca-Cola dome were full, and people were squeezing past each other in the aisles to look at 320 stands displaying all kinds of wedding paraphernalia.

It will be the same story in September when the twice-a-year Wedding Expo returns, with 70% of exhibitors taking part in both shows each year.

Director and founder Amanda Cunningham never expected the shows to grow this large when she started in 2002. Her first event attracted 77 exhibitors and 3,200 visitors. This year’s expo attracted 15,000 people to the two-day fairs, a record breaking figure.

“The growth in the industry in the last five years has astounded me. Years ago a lot of brides were youngsters coming out of school or university, leaving home and getting married and they didn’t have a job.

Now all the girls are working nine to five and they need someone to help them plan their wedding.”

The average wedding costs about R150,000 and with at least 200,000 weddings a year in South Africa, that’s a R30 billion industry, Amanda says. Yet her only real competition is the smaller Bridal Indaba held at the Indaba Ho-

tel and Oakfield Farm Bridal Expo north of Johannesburg.

Most brides spend six months to a year planning their wedding, which is why in 2005 the exhibitors asked for a second event later in the year to cater for those marrying in the summer months.

“The visitors used to be brides with their mums but now it’s very much brides with grooms, maybe with a mother tagging along,” Amanda says. “Grooms now want to be involved in the planning. I think they’re realising it’s quite fun and it’s their day too.”

The average bride is 22-32, and they’ll change their minds 100 times as they look at all the different options on offer. Older brides in their late 30s or mid 40s tend to know exactly what they want and go straight to the stands that can give it to them.

The Wedding Expo stages fashion shows four times a day, two of them for imported gowns and two purely for local creations to encourage the local industry.

This year a new Wedding Cake Competition attracted 30 entries, and a coffee area run by Annica’s Designer Cakes let visitors linger over elegant refreshments rather than the Dome’s usual fast food selection.

Cakes by Pat produced the winning cake both from a taste and aesthetic point of view. The beautiful lace embossed cake with intricate flower work impressed all three of the judges.

“The iced Arum Lilies were realistic and true to nature. The design was clean, uncluttered but very sophisticated. The taste and skill used in the baking of this traditional Baumkuchen cake was of an exceptional standard,” says judge Franco Lambiase represent-

ing South African Cake Decorators Guild (SACDG).

In 2010 Amanda tested the Cape Town market by staging a Wedding Pavilion as part of the Women’s Show, but that experiment hasn’t been repeated.

“We’d love to do Cape Town and Durban, but the markets aren’t as big as in Gauteng. We have a very successful formula here and we’d have to make certain those markets are ready for it and find the right venues for it.”

Cape Town seems to be successful with events held in shopping malls, but the Bridal Expo doesn’t attract casual foot traffic.

“These people are here because they are getting married – they’re not here because they have nothing else to do today.”

Originally a small magazine was handed out to visitors, until

Amanda realised it had the potential to be a success in its own right.

Now that magazine, Wedding Inspirations, is published four times a year at R49.95. The magazine hosted two workshops during the Expo to discuss trends in décor, flowers and fashion.

As for fashion trends, this year it’s back to the traditional look. “A few years ago we saw some very wacky dresses with polka dots, minis and black. This year there’s no doubt the British Royal Wedding is having a knock-on effect.

The dresses are all terribly elegant and feminine, although there’s quite a lot of bling.”

About 95% of the exhibitors are entrepreneurs, including one-man bands and some that have grown into bigger teams over the years.

“I’m always astounded by how creative they are with their unbeliev-

able stands,” Amanda says. “There’s something new every time and they make the show spectacular.”

The stands really did look stunning, with exhibitors ensuring their displays offer the glamour young brides are seeking.

There were dresses and cakes, outfits for the groom, venues and honeymoon destinations, wedding planners, car hire, caterers and gifts for the guests.

There was even a stand handing out advice on pre-nuptial contracts, but it wasn’t doing a roaring trade from the love-struck ladies.

Lesley Stones

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Scandinavia creates world’s first Sustainable Meetings Region CONVENTION bureaus, destination marketing organisations, venues and agencies from the five Scandinavian member countries of ICCA (the International Congress and Convention Association) signed an Accord to create the world’s first sustainable meetings region.

The Accord is the first of its kind in the world, and aims to advance sustainable development within the meetings and events industry.

The Accord was signed at the annual meeting of the ICCA Scandinavian Chapter in Tampere.

EIBTM sees record breaking attendance EIBTM has announced record breaking attendance following the official results of their ABC Audit – confirming them as the largest audited exhi-

bition in the meetings sector.

The Total Unique Attendance for EIBTM tipped an all time high with 15,219 industry professionals (6.9% increase on Total Unique Attendance for the previous year) attending the show over the three days.

Reed Exhibitions acquires stake in All-Energy Australia REED Exhibitions has acquired a majority stake in All-Energy Australia, Australia’s single largest clean energy event, taking place in Melbourne from 10-11 October 2012.

All-Energy Australia joins the recently launched Australian Sustainability in the Energy/Sustainability portfolio at Reed Exhibitions.

Gdansk CB first In Poland with Foursquare and Google+ THE Gdańsk Convention Bureau claims to be the first Polish conven-

tion bureau to sign up to the social media portal based on geo-location, Foursquare.

The bureau has also recently joined search engine Google’s own social networking site, Google+ with the aim of attracting the attention of the international meetings industry.

The bureau says social media is an effective tool for communicating with professional meeting planners and delegates in Gdansk and that it allows the bureau to conduct an intensified promotion for both business products and destination themselves.

Pacific World appointed agency for IFRA Expo PACIFIC World has been appointed the official Destination Management Company (DMC) for IFRA Expo 2012, the leading international exhibition for the newspaper industry and its

QNCC

suppliers, which takes place from 2931 October 2012 in Madrid. Around

10,000 visitors from over 90 countries are expected to attend.

The Event | 15

EVENTING AS EASY AS ABC Mark de Menezes & Andrew Berry

LIVE EVENTS WHAT do you do when concert organisers keep bringing the same old has-beens to South Africa year after year? You book the bands yourself, of course.

T

HAT’S exactly what Andrew Berry and Mark de Menezes did when they contacted the booking agent for American indie rock group Clap Your Hands Say Yeah with the idea of bringing the band to Cape Town to perform for an intimate crowd of fans.

Andrew Berry co-founded the photo-blog ‘We-are-awesome’ with Sean Sassen in 2007 as a way of documenting the Cape Town indie scene. The website was an overnight success, with party-goers clambering to get their faces featured on

1 6 | The Event

the site. Soon Andrew started adding pages devoted to fashion, the inside of notable Capetonian’s homes and popular eateries for the artistically inclined. We-are-awesome receives thousands of unique visitors a month, and the numbers keep growing.

Most recently, Andrew slotted in video and events tabs to the site, adding event organiser to his list of achievements.

“We-are-awesome create our own original content. This drives a stronger presence online and also takes the brands we work with into a different space. The scene is too big for just a blog. We want to be outside of that,” he says.

Andrew believes the next logical step is events, not only to set himself apart from other blogs, but to make a shift in the industry.

Andrew teamed up with Mark de Menezes, member of The Dirty Skirts and co-owner of the now defunct Your Friends (the company that brought indie rocker The Tallest Man on Earth to South Africa) to form Weare-awesome Events, with the idea of running their own events targeted at the alternative market.

The team approached adidas All Originals and pitched the idea of hosting a series of events over 2012 featuring top international artists.

The brand was keen to collaborate as they had worked with We-areawesome before on smaller scale events, and cater to the same alternative market, traditionally a hard nut to crack.

Andrew and Mark believe that collaboration is key when organising events. “Its very hard to do events in South Africa without sponsors because of the expenses involved,” says Andrew. Naturally maintaining good relationships with partners and sponsors is essential.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The first We-are-awesome Event will see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah performing in Cape Town, a band which most people would never have heard of, but as Andrew explains, these events are targeted towards a niche market often ignored by big band promoters.

“We want people to experience new music,” adds Mark, who goes on to explain that a lot of people misunderstand the term indie. “The term describes independent thinkers, music, and design,” he says.

Andrew says these events, of which four are planned for 2012, will be about the experience, rather than making money. “Its not about the numbers, its about the audience. We want to explore the overall look and feel of things and how that comes through to the audience. We’re doing things from a different angle and take a holistic approach to incorporating music into the experience.”

To achieve this, the team will look at different types of venues, ways to add depth, intimacy and experience as well as the overall vibe.

Drawing on his tour experience with The Dirty Skirts, Mark believes the best venue the band ever played was the intimate Armchair Theatre in Observatory, where the audience formed part of the show.

“It’s about taking people out of their comfort zones,” adds Andrew, whose long term goal is to grow Weare-awesome into a fully-fledged media company where creatives have the room to do new things.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah will perform at the Wittebome Civic Centre in Wynberg on 13 April 2012 to an audience no bigger than 2500 people.

Sally Fink

GENERAL INDUSTRY IF you have any news highlights to share please visit our web portal www.theevent.co.za and load your own stories for consideration in next month’s edition.

ICCA President at SAACI congress ARNALDO Nardone, president of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), will address delegates at the 2012 annual SAACI congress in July.

To be held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg from 29-31 July 2012, the theme of the congress is ‘Shifting Paradigms’.

Congress chairman Wayne Johnson of SAACI’s Northern Territories Branch says Nardone’s acceptance to address the congress is indicative of South Africa’s stature in the international meetings industry. “We are truly pleased that he will address us. Delegates will get an accurate glimpse of the state of the industry worldwide.”

ELICC hosts NASA THE East London International Convention Centre (ELICC) managed by Premier Hotels and Resorts hosted The Annual Congress of the Neurological Association of South Africa (NASA) in March 2012.

This was the first ever NASA conference to be held in the Eastern Cape. The NASA membership is estimated to be between 100 and 130 neurologists.

The 650 seat auditorium proved ideal for plenary discussions while the high ceiling in the convention hall proved perfect as exhibition space.

The Annual Congress featured breakfast symposiums, cocktail receptions and a gala dinner grand finale.

Arnaldo Nardone

The ELICC was awarded Best Congress & Convention Centre, Africa in the prestigious Business Travel Awards 2011, awarded by international publication Business Destinations with the category criteria including the range of services for the business traveler, quality of facilities and reliability as well as environmental awareness and overall support for sustainable business.

New CMP board members CERTIFIED meetings professional (CMP), Mandy Barrell, who is employed as manager – Co-ordination at Gallagher Convention Centre has joined the CMP Network SA Advisory Board.

Mandy commenced her CMP programme in late 2010 and was seated for her CMP exam at Prometrics testing facilities in Johannesburg in July 2011.

Stand Innovations Sponsored by 3D Group

3D DESIGN STAND INSPIRES GLOBAL STANDARD

A STAND designed and constructed by 3D Design has inspired a major global motor industry group to develop a similar look-and-feel as standard for all exhibitions and trade shows around the world.

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STABLISHED in 1995, 3D Design is a group of strategic business units specialising in the supply of a comprehensive range of products and services for exhibitors and exhibition and event organisers alike.

These include furniture hire, exhibition stands, lighting solutions, portable displays and more. It has the capacity to design, construct, project manage and execute up to 400 events, or exhibitions, or exhibits a year.

The stand at the centre of attraction is one it developed for SAF-Holland, a leading supplier to the local commercial vehicle industry and their customers, the transport companies.

A relatively young company, SAF-Holland was established in 2005 as SAF Axles South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a branch of the Germanybased Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik, to supply axles and suspension systems for trailers and semi-trailers. It has quickly made a name for itself among domestic manufacturers of trailers and semi-trailers.

In 2006, SAF and Holland Group Inc joined forces worldwide. Today, as the local subsidiary of the global group, it has expanded its product line to include kingpins and landing gear, as well as fifth wheels for trucks, high quality components and perfect system solutions for vehicle manufacturers and their customers the transport companies.

The SAF-Holland tradeshow booth by 3D Design made its debut at the Johannesburg International Motor Show.

The dramatic design, high impact and ease of use so impressed the group’s head office team in Germany, it inspired the look-andfeel as its global stand standard, which it then debuted at the MidAmerica Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

“This is a feather in our cap for 3D Design,” said sales director, Conrad Kullmann. “It’s a tough environment out there currently, and everyone is looking for ways to stretch their marketing budgets.

“Having a striking stand that cuts through exhibition clutter is one way ... and we’re delighted that our extra efforts for SAF-Holland locally, which worked well for the team here, have been picked up by the global group.

“Recognition of this kind makes the long hours and hard work

worthwhile,” he said.

March was a busy month for other companies in the group as well, particularly at the PowerGen Africa Expo. Here, 3D Shell provided the infrastructure – shell scheme, electrics, furniture, etc – for 223 exhibitors totalling 2300 me-

tre squared.

Impressively, 3D Design built 12 design stands in the space of two days with most of the tireless crew working solidly for 48 hours.

At the same time, other crew members were in Mthata in the Eastern Cape for the Telkom ICT

Careers Expo. Here, 3D Exhibitons & Events hosted, for the Telkom Foundation, 1200 learners from the rural areas in the province to an exhibition on the importance of mathematics and science.

Petra Peacock

The Event | 17

IMEX TURNS TEN

OPPORTUNITIES GENERAL INDUSTRY IF you have any opportunities to share please visit our web portal www.theevent.co.za and load your own stories for consideration in next month’s edition.

Early bird registration for SAACI Conference open THE Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) Annual Conference will be held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg from 29-31 July 2012.

The deadline for early bird registration closes on 4 May 2012.

Members can also register online on www.saaciconf2012.co.za.

EXHIBITIONS IMEX takes place from 22-24 May 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany and is expected to attracted 3 500 visitors from 150 countries.

I

MEX is considered by many to be the essential global exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events. With a total exhibition space of 17,500 square metres, who’s going to argue?

Last year’s show boasted some interesting statistics, such as 3 887 hosted buyers from 68 countries, and 5 057 trade visitors from 81 countries.

For its special tenth year dei-

tion, organiser Ray Bloom and his team have announced further growth in the hosted buyer programme, a strong and diverse exhibitor line-up plus new features for the Imex Vision programme.

The show’s hallmark hosted buyer programme is set to bring almost 4000 hosted buyers to the event.

The technology area of the show will be 10% larger than in previous years with a sold out Tech Tap, plus the IMEX technology pavilion showcasing products and services from Amiando, ATIV Software, EventMobi, Evenium, Konnect and Video Tattoo.

A new iPad Bar, sponsored by

QuickMobile together with PSAV, will provide hands-on education on Apps for events. In addition, the Imex App will be available for iPads for the first time.

To commemorate its tenth anniversary a special ‘Celebration Hour’ will take place during which exhibitors are being invited to provide entertainment, food and drink to help create a party atmosphere on the show floor.

South African Tourism (SAT) has identified Imex as the platform for participation on the international arena. Scan On Show, who organise Meetings Africa for the association, manages the national pavilion.

Positions available at National Convention Bureau THERE are a number of vacant positions available at the recently established National Convention Bureau (within South African Tourism). These are: •Coordinator: Business Development & Research •Coordinator: Sales & Marketing •Manager: Marketing Services •Senior Manager: Meeting & Convention Sales •Manager: Meeting & Convention Sales - Europe For more information contact Ishara Paparam on ishara@southafrica.net Loeries Call for Entries ENTRIES for the Loerie Awards open on 15 March 2012. All category information, preparation guidelines, entry deadlines and fees will be available from this date on the Loeries website www.theloerieawards. co.za.

Event Management Course PRISA is offering an Event Management programme that will focus on a range of event management issues including strategic alignment with business objectives, operational planning and implementation, event risk management and event evaluation and measurement.

Questions will be answered on how to align events to the vision and the business objectives of the organisation and how to ensure a return on investment. Case studies will be used as illustrations.

The course will take place from 7-8 May 2012 at ProComm House in Randburg.

For more information please email cpd@prisa.co.za Reputation Management Course PRISA is offering a one-day workshop reflecting on the traditional views of reputation management before switching the focus to the impact of the web on organisational reputation.

The workshop will take place on 11 May 2012 at ProComm House in Randburg.

An early bird rate will be offered to those who book and pay before 13 April 2012.

For more information please email cpd@prisa.co.za Loeries announce new Africa and Middle East category THE Loerie Awards has introduced a separate category for entries from outside South Africa - the rest of Africa and the Middle East.

Work in this category will be judged separately.

For more information visitwww. theloerieawards.co.za.

Sally Fink

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DIRECTORY LISTINGS DESTINATION MARKETING COMPANIES COMPANY

REGION

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

9T9 Events

Johannesburg

+27 11 789 6900

info@events9t9.co.za

www.events9t9.co.za

Accor Services

Johannesburg

+27 11 535 5521

info-za@edenred.com

www.accorservices.co.za

Actual Events

Johannesburg

+27 11 888 8020

events@actualevents.co.za

www.actualevents.co.za

Adventure Works

Cape Town

+27 21 790 9015

barry@adventureworks.co.za

www.adventureworks.co.za

Africadabra DMC

Cape Town

086 1000465

info@africadabra.com

www.africadabra.com

The Business Tourism Company

Nationwide

+27 82 820 2265

colette@thebusinesstourismcompany.co.za

www.thebusinesstourismcompany.co.za

Cape Destination Management

Cape Town

+27 21 886 7457

info@cape-dmc.co.za

www.cape-dmc.co.za

Creative Incentives

Johannesburg

+27 11 463 0759

info@creativeincentives.co.za

www.creativeincentives.co.za

Crystal Events & Incentives

Cape Town

+ 27 21 555 3617

tes@crystalevents.co.za

www.crystalevents.co.za

The Destination Marketing Organisation

Cape Town

+27 21 426 5639

Destination Marketing Services

Cape Town

+27 21 5562254

info@destinationmarketingservices.co.za

www.destinationmarketingservices.co.za

Dragonfly Africa

Johannesburg

+27 11 219 5600

info@dragonfly.co.za

www.dragonfly.co.za

Giltedge DMC

Nationwide

+27 21 713 0296

dmc@gilt-edge.com

www.giltedgedmc.com

Green Route Africa

Cape Town

+27 21 447 4021

info@greenroute.co.za

www.greenroute.co.za

Grosvenor Tours

Cape Town

+27 21 460 4888

peter-John.mitrovich@grosvenortours.co.za

Incentive World

Durban

+27 31 764 6977

Kuoni Destination Management

Cape Town

+27 21 528 2200

Email form on website

www.kuoni-dmc.com

Leading Incentives and Events

Johannesburg

+27 11 022 9264

info@li.co.za

www.leadingincentives.co.za

Mint Productions and Destinations

Johannesburg

+27 21 422 5742

helen@mintproductions.co.za

www.mintproductions.co.za

Nutshell Travel and Incentives

Port Elizabeth

+27 41 379 5424

info@nutshelltravel.com

www.nutshelltravel.com

Ovation South Africa

Cape Town

+27 21 532 0880

Neulah.Mallinson@ovationdmc.com

www.ovationdmc.com

Platinum Africa

Johannesburg

+27 11 465 8666

tersia@platinum-africa.com

www.platinum-africa.com

Scatterlings

Johannesburg

+27 11 463 5084

info@soafrica.com

www.soafrica.com

Siyabona Africa

Cape Town

+27 21 424 1037

Email form on website

www.siyabona.com

Terra Nova Tours

Cape Town

+27 21 4489965

info@terra-nova.co.za

www.terra-nova.co.za

Travel Ease

Cape Town

+27 21 709 0463

info@travelease.co.za

www.travelease.co.za

Travel Motives

Johannesburg

+27 11 679 3344

enquiries@travelm.co.za

www.travelmotives.com

Uwin Iwin Incentives

Johannesburg

+27 11 557 5700

info@uwiniwin.co.za

www.uwiniwin.co.za

Uyaphi

Cape Town

+ 27 21 788 3580

Email form on website

www.uyaphi.com

Walthers DMC

Johannesburg

+27 11 467 8867

info@walthers.co.za

www.walthers.co.za

The Winners Group

Cape Town

+27 21 447 0551

info@thewinnersgroup.com

www.thewinnersgroup.com

Zabwino African Travel

Cape Town

+27 21 671 2880

info@zabwinoafricantravel.com

www.zabwinoafricantravel.com

www.tourismcapetown.co.za

www.grosvenortours.co.za www.incentiveworld.com

TOURISM AUTHORITIES COMPANY

REGION

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

Cape Town Tourism

Cape Town

+27 21 487 6800

info@capetown.travel

www.capetown.travel

Johannesburg Tourism

Johannesburg

+27 11 214 0700

Email form on website

www.joburgtourism.com

KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority

Durban

+27 31 366 7500

kznta@iafrica.com

www.zulu.org.za

Malawi Tourism

Johannesburg

+27 11 2348577

malawicons@mweb.co.za

www.visitmalawi.mw

North West Parks & Tourism Board

North West

+27 18 3817340

mmantambo@nwptb.co.za

www.tourismnorthwest.co.za

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

Johannesburg

+27 011 6169534

info@zimtourism.co.za

www.zimbabwetourism.net

DIRECTORY LISTINGS - ADVERTISERS COMPANY

REGION

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

3D Design

Nationwide

+27 11 608-1588

3d@3ddesign.co.za

www.3ddesign.co.za

Antelope Park Marketing

Cape Town

+27 21 785 4319

laura@africanimpact.com

wwwantelopepark.co.zw

Arcadia Hotel

Pretoria

+27 12 326 9311

marketing@arcadiahotel.co.za

www.arcadiahotel.co.za

Bertuzzi

Cape Town

+27 21 552 2948

info@bertuzzi.co.za

www.bertuzzi.co.za

Bidvest

Johannesburg

+27 11 731 7600

Email form on website

www.bidvest.com

CTICC

Western Cape

+27 21 410 5000

info@cticc.co.za

www.cticc.co.za

ICC Durban

Durban

+27 31 360 1000

mktg@icc.co.za

www.icc.co.za

Expovent

Gauteng

+27 11 553 5200

expovent@expovent.co.za

www.uniquelyspectacular.co.za

Folio Translation

Cape Town

+27 21 426 2727

admin@folio-online.co.za

www.folio-online.co.za

Gearhouse South Africa

Nationwide

+27 11 216 3000

robyn@gearhouse.co.za

www.gearhouse.co.za

Gift Bucks

Nationwide

+27 860 392 737

geoff@giftbucks.co.za

www.ewards.co.za

Heli

Cape Town

+27 21 935 1619

info@heli.co.za

www.heli.co.za

iKapa

Cape Town

+27 21 508 1106

info@ikapa.co.za

www.ikapa.co.za

IMEX

Frankfurt

+44 1273 224956

teresa.kwok@imexexhibitions.com

www.imex-frankfurt.com

Intercape

Nationwide

+27 861 287 287

info@intercape.co.za

www.intercape.co.za

Litha

Gauteng

+27 11 480 4922

teresa@lithacommunications.co.za

www.litha-communications.co.za

Oasys

Nationwide

+27 83 413 1908

info@oasys.co.za

www.oasys.co.za

Premier

Nationwide

+27 43 705 5000

info@premierhotels.co.za

www.premierhotels.co.za

Presclean

Johannesburg

+27 11 796 0000

andrew@presclean.co.za

www.bidvestprestigegroup.co.za

Sandton Convention Centre

Gauteng

+27 11 779 0000

vino@saconvention.co.za

www.saconvention.co.za

Shamwari Group

Cape Town

+27 21 418 5072

tom.jager@shamwarigroup.com

www.shamwarigroup.com

Tshwane Events Centre

Gauteng

+27 12 327 1487

ricky@tshwabac.co.za

www.tshwane-events.co.za

Vineyard Hotel

Cape Town

+27 21 657 4500

carolw@vineyard.co.za

www.vineyard.co.za

Webtickets

Western Cape

+27 861 2255 98

info@webtickets.co.za

www.webtickets.co.za

List your company here and on www.theevent.co.za at R350 excl. VAT

The Event | 19