The Event Issue 1 by Film & Event Media

ISSUE 01 | 2015

+ PLANNING YOUR EVENT IN AFRICA An A-Z Guide

+ GOLF CONFERENCING IN SOUTH AFRICA Bringing Branding Exercises to the Fore!

+ SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST GUEST SPEAKERS The Top 10

08 12 16

KIM MULLER DIGS THE DIRT

LOOKING FOR PLANNING YOUR EVENT IN AFRICA? A GUEST SPEAKER?

ON THIS VALUABLE BRANDING

KIM MULLER GIVES YOU THE RUNDOWN

GOLF CONFERENCING

IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN CHASING

A BALL DOWN THE FAIRWAY.

LOOK NO FURTHER THAN PAGE 16,

AND BONDING EXERCISE. IN A HANDY A-M GUIDE.

WHERE WE LIST THE

TOP 10 IN SA.

CONTENTS | 01

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02. An Interview with Goldfish at Shimmy Beach Club

03. BestCities & PCMA on Top of the World

07. Tech Talk: Travel Anytime, Anywhere with Romoss

08. Golfing Events: A Branding Exercise that Lasts a Lifetime

11.

2O 22

12. An A-M Guide to Planning Your Event in Africa

16. South Africa’s Top 10 Speakers Revealed

18. 2015 Events: Pull-Out Supplement

20. South Africa’s Top Meeting Venues

22. Pete Goffe-Wood unveils

24. LIFE DIGESTED TOP VENUES

FOR CORPORATE MEETINGS

IN THIS NEW MONTHLY FEATURE, WE TURN THE SPOTLIGHT ON TWO OF THE CAPE’S

GRANDE DAMES, LANZERAC WINE ESTATE

CARRYN GABRIELS STIRS

Gearing Up for Ultra South Africa 2015!

Life Digested The Conference Company’s Association Management Workshop

THE POT WITH PETE 26. KwaZulu-Natal: Cultural and

GOFFE-WOOD, AND DETAILS HIS

AND NH THE LORD CHARLES. NEW INCENTIVE OFFERING.

Sophisticated

28. East Africa: A Business Events Triple Threat

30. Event Greening Forum: Getting up to Speed for Meetings Africa 2015

31. Meetings Africa 2015 32. Events 34. Associations 36. Directory

02 | NEWS

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The Event interviews

GoldFish at Shimmy Beach Club

The Event: Please tell us about your recent travels. GoldFish: We just got back from Sweden actually. We were in America in November, and then we went to Europe and we filmed in London, Scotland, Munich, Kossen Burg, Zurich, and a few other places and then we came home. The Event: So where would you say you got the best reception? Where do they love you most? GoldFish: We have an amazing following in Amsterdam, and the whole of the Netherlands; that’s pretty insane. And that’s probably our biggest territory outside South Africa. Then I’d say is probably Brazil, Sao Paulo specifically. London has been on fire lately, we’ve done some amazing shows there this year. We were lucky enough to play in San Francisco which is really rocking as well. We’ve had some amazing gigs, and it’s just getting bigger and better there. A lot of coasts in the United States have been working very well for us. Specifically the East Coast is really rocking. We’re going back to New York in January. We’re opening for Grammatic which is like 3 500 people, so that should be pretty awesome. The other cool thing is we’ve done quite a lot of shows with Wankelmut.

The Event: How did “Submerged Sundays” come about? GoldFish: Submerged Sundays started six or seven years ago. Dave and I, and our manager, Raymond, thought there’s something missing from the Cape Town nightlife scene. Like a Sunday night party, or some sort of regular party every night a week. I mean, we started doing residencies in Camps Bay on a Thursday night. Seven or eight years ago Camps Bay used to rock big time, and Thursdays were one of the biggest nights. Then we thought, what’s the best night for us? What’s the best night for Cape Town? And we though Sundays because there’s very little competition, there aren’t many people throwing parties on a Sunday, so there are not many places to go. And we were always free on a Sunday. And it’s always a beach day. If the weather’s good, all you do is party. And to be honest, we’ve actually finally succeeded in what we set out to do in the beginning with Submerged, which is having the party on the beach. We tried, and obviously there wasn’t a venue until two years ago. Last year we got involved with Shimmy Beach Club and it’s been awesome. The advantages of this venue, I mean, there are so many. It’s secluded so we don’t get the sound issues; it’s sheltered from the wind. It’s a world-class venue; I mean you could

compare this venue to any in the world. And it surpasses them when you do compare it. The Event: GoldFish has been around for 10 years. Do you find that you fight more or are you more harmonious? Or have you settled into an old married couple routine? GoldFish: It’s been about eight years since our first album. Definitely, we’re an old married couple. Sometimes on tour in America we have to snuggle together, and that’s fine. Musically, we’re just getting into our groove. When we started, I think we had a super groove then, and for Caught in the Loop and Perceptions of Pacha, and the EDM happened in about 2008 or 2009, and set us adrift because apparently our sound wasn’t that common, or cool. And I think over the last few years the more organic side of House has really taken the fore, and it almost made things easier for us. The Event: So what’s next for GoldFish? GoldFish: We’re doing Matric Rage, and then Dubai, and Submerged every Sunday. We’re opening for Pet Shop Boys in Durban. We finish up here on the 25th, and then we head to New York. Then we’re doing Ultra Buenos Aires in February, hopefully Chile as well. Then in March we’re going to Austin Texas for SXSW. And then we’re going to tour around the States and end up at Ultra Miami, and New York and Boston. And then after that probably Europe. The Event: How do you fit making music and making albums during all of this travelling? GoldFish: It’s tricky but things look a lot more possible with technology. Also we’re not really in album mode at the moment. We’re doing individual tracks and remixes. We’ve done four albums, so we feel like we don’t need or have that pressure to put out an album straight away again. There’s more freedom for us at the moment to just work on one song at a time. Collaborations, remixes, singles, and doing things we haven’t done before, and just mix it up. Also if it’s just one song it allows us to release a slightly more deep track or whatever, and it’s not “ooh, what is GoldFish doing?” you know. If your whole new album is just like totally different, it freaks them out.

NEWS | 03

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BestCities PCMA

and on top of the world with new strategic partnership

Karen Bolinger, BestCities Board Chair and Sherrif Karamat, PCMA Chief Operating Officer

estCities Global Alliance and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) chose a meeting on top of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain to announce a landmark agreement that will see the first global alliance/trade association partnership of its kind take effect from 1 January 2015. With PCMA’s mission to deliver superior education and BestCities’ world renowned network of convention bureaux and destinations, the two industry leaders are set to make a formidable team. “The signing of this strategic agreement with PCMA is significant for BestCities as it comes at a time when we are embarking on our next five year plan (2015-2019) with

a clear consensus that our customers are at the forefront of everything we do,” says BestCities Board Chair, Karen Bolinger. “Our aim is to seek new markets, expand our portfolio of business development activities and form new partnerships that provide tangible benefits for both our partners and clients whilst continually growing our brand awareness. “Becoming a PCMA partner means having a vested interest in strengthening, supporting and educating the industry and BestCities’ own mission to deliver the world’s best service experience for the meetings industry aligns perfectly with PCMA’s core values,” said Ms Bolinger. “The partnership between our two

organisations embodies the synergy not only in our individual business development strategies but also our shared commitment to our customers, partners and industry. This assurance is shared across all ten Alliance partners who uphold, and are accountable for, the standards under the BestCities’ Quality Management System which underscores the value proposition for every client who chooses to hold their meeting in a BestCities destination.” With representation across all five continents, BestCities’ global network will also provide support and resources for PCMA’s international development strategy as they too continue to grow their global community. “In a world where most meeting organizations are seeking to extend their global reach, PCMA’s partnership with BestCities brings together two iconic industry organizations, who will jointly deliver the best education to assist meeting executives with ease of doing business and showcase opportunities on the global stage,” said Sherrif Karamat, PCMA Chief Operating Officer.” “The timing and setting here in Cape Town couldn’t have been more perfect for our two organisations to come together. PCMA‘s attendance and educational delivery at our Client Workshop reinforces the benefits and strengths of our new partnership and we are looking forward to a very productive future together,” concludes Ms Bolinger.

06 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE, SOUTH AFRICA

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THE RIGHT EVENT VENUE Can Add Prestige to a Brand

“

ou have to stay true to your heritage; that’s what your brand is about.” Alice Temperley, British designer. Selecting the right venue for a conference, an event, or an exhibition is important for building, maintaining and protecting the image and brand of the host organisation, says Dr Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of the Sandton Convention Centre. “The venue says something about how organisations view themselves – and how they want to be viewed by their audiences, whether the event is for their own staff or for other stakeholders. If for instance, a company is launching a new product or service that is aimed at the high profile market, the launch venue must compliment the message the organisation intends to convey.” She suggests that while the venue in itself and the facilities, services, and level of customer service it offers are vitally important to the decision-making process, what must also be taken into account is the location of the venue. For instance, what does the area surrounding the venue offer? Located in the heart of the business hub of South Africa, with a vast array of shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment, parking, and accommodation within easy walking distance, the Sandton Convention Centre tends to be an ideal venue for many major events. A recent new development for the SCC

was the phenomenally successful Days of the Dinosaur lifestyle exhibition which attracted over 185 000 visitors over four weeks and offered them an experience “more exciting and moving than visiting a museum”. Contributing significantly to its success, says Nyazema, was the fact that the SCC is in such a family-friendly location, where families could make a day of the outing, taking the Gautrain to Sandton and then exploring the malls and local entertainment offerings after visiting the exhibition. “We were also aware that for the parents of the many thousands of school children who came by bus to visit the exhibition, the SCC was considered a safe and secure environment for the children.” Nyazema adds that the most telling factor for her regarding the success of this exhibition was the fact that the organisers had booked the venue for the next five years before the Days of the Dinosaur was over at SCC. An event that in September this year moved to Sandton Convention Centre because of its changing profile over the years is the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, which has outgrown its venue in Newtown. “Moving the venue has saved the festival about three weeks of set up and preparation time, which has seen a significant cost saving for the organisers. This is a case of an event that has matured beyond its present venue and a move has enabled a wider array of musical shows to be offered – while also providing easier access to guests from the

by Nicole Turner

northern suburbs of Johannesburg.” At the other extreme was the recent hosting at Sandton Convention Centre of the new business-to-business Southern African Funeral Expo in August. The SCC – with its location in South Africa’s business centre and its wide range of facilities and services both at the venue and beyond it – proved to be an ideal venue and the expo was a big success. Nyazema adds that with the growing number of international events held in South Africa, it has become important to ‘sell’ the destination with all its facilities and services together with the venue. “Johannesburg as a burgeoning and easily accessible world-class city and Sandton as its vibrant business hub are proving to be appealing for international event hosts. We are finding a wider range of events, conferences, and expos are trusting the Sandton Convention Centre with their brands – and we are always prepared to prove to them that they made the right choice,” she says. For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on www.facebook.com/ SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents. Issued on behalf 0f Sandton Convention Centre by Strategic Public Relations. For further information please contact Nicole Turner on (011) 672-2037 or nicole@stratpr.co.za

TECH TALK WITH KIM | 07

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ROMOSS:

Freedom to Travel, Anytime, Anywhere and shape. It is roughly the same as a highend smartphone (with a few extra ounces), and has a single micro USB input port and two USB ports which also double as the Sailing’s internal charger. When it comes to functionality, the Sailing 5 packs some serious punch. Armed with an original Samsung cell that guarantees longevity, its rapid charging function reduces the charge time of any given rating by 50%, which essentially doubles the portable power supply’s efficiency. To break things down, I managed to charge my phone, my husband’s phone and our portable wireless router at least three times before the battery gave out. And this was in the space of a couple of days while the Sailing’s power wasn’t even at full capacity. It also incorporates IR adaptive charging technology, which means that the power supply is compatible with most digital devices with a 5V DC input. If that isn’t enough, the device offers protection from a range of everyday electrical problems we simply cannot control. These include over-discharge, overcharge, overpower, over-current, overvoltage and short circuit protection, ensuring everything you

All images © Romoss

n our fast-paced and incessantly interconnected world, it can be difficult to keep up with your laptop or phone battery levels. The last thing you want to do is get stuck on a business trip or on an expo floor with no way to contact anyone for help. Enter Romoss. The company has created a range of unique products suited to various digital devices – smartphones, iPhones, laptops and tablets, among others. The Romoss Sailing 5, which I had the privilege of playing with, is a highperformance external battery with a simple but much-needed function: to charge your device to full capacity while you’re on the run. The Sailing 5 came to me at a particularly good time. My husband was leaving on a trip to Johannesburg and needed a charger he could use anywhere. So I packed the sleek, white Sailing in for him. Let’s just say he was pretty impressed with it on his return. Not only is the charger an ideal size for popping in your handbag or carry-on, but its intelligent sleep mode eliminates the need for cumbersome buttons and helps reduce power consumption when not in use. Another great thing is its convenient size

plug into the ports will be super safe all the time. Plus, with such a wide range of Romoss chargers available in SA through companies like Syntech, it’s not at all difficult to get your hands on one. And the final verdict is… If you’re a regular traveller with multiple business trips, international expos, trade shows and beyond, the Rosmoss Sailing 5 is definitely a gadget worth investing in.

08 | FEATURE

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GOLFING EVENTS: A Branding Exercise that Lasts a Lifetime © stockvault.net

s the world slowly drags itself out of the global recession, the golfing industry, too, has seen development in various sectors. Despite a number of clubs merging thanks to a decided drop in club membership and time spent on the course, the golf conferencing and events industry has remained surprisingly resilient. According to Bradley Forge, one of the Owners of Corporate Golf Solutions, an event management company in the golf sector, many golf clubs are ramping up their conferencing facilities in order to cater to business meetings and golf days. “Clubs have had to reinvent themselves a little bit,” he explains. “The club that we’re affiliated to is Bryanston Country Club – a well established club in the north of Johannesburg, and the whole corporate and conferencing side of their business has now become a very important income generator.” He goes on to say that because core revenue has taken a knock, some clubs have invested millions in upgrading their corporate and conferencing facilities – and more often than not, it has proved a successful endeavour. “Conferencing and functions have become an important part of what they do because they cannot just rely on their members coming to play golf. So unless you’re very fortunate, this has been a lifesaver for certain courses,” Forge says. He says that there are certain types of golfing events that have become rather popular over the years. These are tournaments of sorts, some with the core focus of brand communication and customer loyalty, and some with a great charitable cause behind them. But whatever the case may be, there is no other sport quite like golf, especially for companies who really want to get to know their clients. “Golf is unique in that it is one of few sports where you’ve literally got half a day with your customer. The social element

FEATURE | 09

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to the golf is why the sport is used to do business. It’s a great relationship builder and you’re able to enjoy the company of your customer for a long period.” Corporate golf events usually are CRM initiatives which reward customer loyalty, but can also be brand loyalty exercises or can be used to attract potential clients.

“

Golf is unique in that it is one of few sports where you’ve literally got half a day with your customer. The social element to the golf is why the sport is used to do business. It’s a great relationship builder and you’re able to enjoy the company of your customer for a long period. Although Corporate Golf Solutions is involved in planning and managing any number of golfing events at one time, one of their main clients is a luxury car brand that hosts an annual series of invite-only golfing tournaments, with many clients and ‘prospective customers’ anticipating the event. “The golf club is a very tightknit

environment and people talk about where they played. Quite quickly word gets around in the golfing community,” Forge explains. This gives this event a kind of exclusivity that the company is happy to have. The tournament is also part of a global event, taking place in over 50 countries around the world.

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says Forge. “You will find companies that want to put together a golf day – particularly companies that haven’t done this before – and ask for a proposal and a selection of venues. We then give them a proposal and a proposed budget and often they are surprised by how much it costs. So that’s the first challenge: has the company set aside the right kind of budget, and to every company our advice is, if you’re not going to put the money towards promoting your brand in the right way, rather don’t host the event.” General event management processes and logistics apply to the golf industry in much the same way as the business events industry. However with a golf event, there are added complications when someone is confirmed to attend and then doesn’t arrive – this directly affects their fellow participants and their ability to compete and therefore enjoy the event. Forge says that the digital era has really helped in this department and golfers receive emails, SMS’s, tweets and Facebook notifications to ensure they are fully informed. And if that’s not enough, Corporate Golf Solutions has gone one step further to acquire the license for a product called VPAR Live Golf Scoring. “Golfers capture their scores on a ‘scorepad’ instead of an actual scorecard, but because it’s all being captured electronically, they are able to view a live leaderboard and monitor their performance through real-time scoring. So it’s created a whole new dimension to our business.”

“

VPAR has been functional in South Africa for three or four years, and, according to Forge, it’s great for adding excitement to events by keeping all the golfers engaged – not just those who are playing well.

“

A variation of this kind of word-ofmouth brand communication is helping a charitable cause. “We’re involved in an event called the Duke of Edinburgh, which is also part of a worldwide series of events,” says Forge. One of the country’s leading hotel groups purchased the license for this event in South Africa and has used it as a platform for their various properties to host their respective customers and raise funds for key CSI projects. The event is also marketed to the general golfing public – it is built up and advertised in the months leading up to it, golfers visit the tournament website to register, pay their fee, and play – provided they have an official handicap. “Obviously there’s an element of the “host company” inviting their tip top customers to play and those customers don’t pay, but outside of their own people, the tournament is open.” Although there are numerous CSI golfing events that take place across South Africa, Forge says that the main challenge with these is that many feel that one can simply ‘knock a golf day together’ and raise a hundred grand. To add to this issue, golfers in particular are being targeted because they are “perceived to have the money, so there are tonnes of corporate days which are charity-based.” But perhaps one of the biggest challenges that Corporate Golf Solutions faces on a regular basis when approached to run an event is client expectations. “It’s about managing expectation in terms of budget and what you can and can’t do,”

He even goes on to predict that this device could change the way golfers interact. “Soon, I think, you’ll see people just doing everything electronically. The app is coming out now where people can download it to their iPhone – and it won’t be far away where everyone is just capturing their scores on their phone.” VPAR has been functional in South Africa for three or four years, and, according to Forge, it’s great for adding excitement to events by keeping all the golfers engaged – not just those who are playing well. “Previously if the participants were having an ‘off-day’ they would often lose interest.” Now through VPAR, they are constantly monitoring their progress on the leaderboard. As a whole, the golf industry on the continent is gaining momentum, with a

number of countries like Nigeria and Kenya focusing on the sector. “Kenya seems to be taking quite a strong view on golf where they want to market themselves as a possible golf destination,” Forge says, “Obviously the markets there are not as good or as developed as they are here, but you can see as Africa is developing and business is improving that there will be more people who play golf because they can afford it. So by virtue of that, we will begin to see more corporate events starting to happen in these areas.”

SPOTLIGHT | 11

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Gearing Up

ULTRA 2015!

for South Africa

aving hosted the largest electronic music festival in African history in 2014, Ultra South Africa™ is returning for its 2015 edition with even grander plans; kicking off with the announcement of a storming Phase One lineup! With over 40,000 attendees passing through the hallowed Ultra gates across the two-day event earlier this year, Ultra South Africa™ returns to the striking landscapes of Ostrich Farm in Cape Town and the Nasrec Expo Grounds in Johannesburg on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th February 2015 respectively, with every intention of making history again! Headlining the First Phase are some of dance music’s most sought-after acts, with current DJ Mag #1 Hardwell set to make his first appearance at the festival alongside fellow debutants Armin van Buuren and Axwell^Ingrosso. Furthermore, firm favourite Martin Garrix will be returning to the grounds where he so memorably whipped the locals into a frenzy during his sets at the previous edition. The eclectic and diverse sounds of the festival that were so strongly established in its first outing will also remain prominent, with the headliners big-room sound finely balanced with the inclusion of some of South Africa’s

biggest and best talent. This includes the Cape Town-based funk duo Goldfish, underground tech-house star Black Coffee, as well as, an appearance from the legendary house outfit Fresh & Euphonik. Other acts to round out the truly spectacular Phase One include hometown mix specialist Roger Goode, budding house superstar DJ Kent and renowned producer Protoculture. Ultra SA Founder and DJ legend Shaun Duvet had this to say: The Event: Ultra 2015 is just months away, what does mean for you as the MD of the event? Shaun Duvet: This means that my team and I are working day in and out to produce what promises to be the most incredibly magical experience for everyone who attends the festival. We are constantly thinking of cool ways to make the festival a better experience for everyone through production, music, build up parties and much more. The Event: What does the selection process entail for attaining some of the world’s best DJ’s to perform at this festival? Duvet: It’s a lot of hard work, you really need to know what you and your market want, plus

it needs to match up with the intense touring schedules of the artists. Months of planning go into this process. The Event: This may difficult for you to judge as this is your event, but how does Ultra South Africa compare to, say Ultra Europe? Do you use the international Ultra festivals as inspiration/guidance for the Ultra South Africa? Duvet: Every festival is different and the beauty of being part of the Ultra family is that we share best practice of all the different festivals across the world. For instance we share marketing strategies with Ultra Europe, ticketing ideas from Miami, production concepts from Japan. It’s one big, exciting family. The Event: What can EDM fans look forward to from Shaun Duvet in 2015? Duvet: You can expect some incredible artist and DJ tours across South Africa with ELECTRIC, loads of club shows and concepts at my club, COCO in Cape Town, A lot of high profile brand events with Jameson, SKYY Vodka and more with my business ANYTHING GOES, tons of exclusive DJ sets and I have been in studio recently working on new music. Plus, of course ... ULTRA.

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PLANNING YOUR EVENT IN AFRICA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AN A-M GUIDE Part 1

by Kim Muller

rom venues selection and logistics, to budget, marketing and more, event planning can be a harrowing ordeal if not done correctly. Most

companies or associations tend to hire a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) or at the very least, a company with some experience in event management. But

whether or not youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re speaking to the experts, there are a few basic things that everyone needs to know before planning their event on the African continent.

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This is one of the first things anyone will need to consider when planning an event in Africa. Although there are usually private taxis, airport shuttles and other modes of public

transportation between the central business district of any major city in Africa and its respective international airport, it is prudent to always double check a convention’s

accessibility. Easy access to accommodation options is also important, especially since most delegates will want to know where they can stay well ahead of the event.

Another important part of the planning process, nothing can be done without an initial budget plan. If you’re unsure

of what to allocate where, it always helps consulting an industry expert, or even fellow event organisers to see

how they have budgeted – just to get an idea of where you should be headed.

In this fast-paced, digital era, communication is always key. Says Xavier Gallery, an event planner who also works in web development: “The transfer of accurate information is vital in the presentation of the final product. This

includes communication between the planner and the facility coordinator, as well as the planner and the attendees. A breakdown in either one of these channels can create unnecessary problems.” He goes on to say that some of the most common

shortcomings in this area are failures to provide the likes driving directions, venue signage or vital contact information. “The most efficient planners assume ignorance with these issues and plan accordingly,” he says.

The number of delegates you expect in attendance will have a direct impact on all of the above – from choosing a venue with maximum accessibility to the overall budget and marketing strategies. Any organiser wants as many delegates at their event as possible,

and there are a number of ways to boost this such as choosing a location that appeals to your demographic, getting the support of a national or local bureau or looking to related industries. Chelsea May, Marketing and Communication Manager at MCI Australia

says that sometimes it’s as simple as asking. “Tap into different markets within the industry and spread the word about the event by simply asking other relevant associations and organisations to promote the event through their communication channels,” she says.

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Although this is seldom considered important, it’s imperative that an event planner has an idea of what a visually-

pleasing event would look like and how to execute it. “[You] should know how to set up a creative, classy and attractive

scene which will please clients and their guests,” Lisa Mooney of Demand Media says.

One of the top qualities any event planner should have is flexibility. “Be creative and flexible,” says James Minella, an Event Operations Director. “I think these two go together because

in the event business things are always changing, which requires you be flexible to develop a solution – and solution comes about as a result of your creativity.” Susan Patrick, a

seasoned Meeting & Event Planner agrees, “There are always going to be ‘fires to put out’, things that change, and people who don’t do what they say they are going to do.”

With so many options to choose from, it can be daunting to plan an official opening ceremony, a gala or an award ceremony that runs in conjunction with your event. “When we think about awards ceremonies, the Academy Awards come to mind,” the Community Tool Box writes in an article on holding

award ceremonies. “Not all awards ceremonies have thousands of guests gathered in a gala atmosphere, but all award ceremonies surely have their stars and memorable moments. Usually, there’s more to an awards presentation or activity than meets the eye.” Elements to consider when planning this section

of an event include money, location – especially if the event is not taking place at the conference venue – and the types of awards to fit the occasion. Number of guests, food, waiters and support staff, tables and chair arrangements, key speakers and the order of presentation should also be considered.

According to Siyabona Africa, it’s important to appoint an “A Team” to begin preparation on your event as early as possible, and no less than six months in advance. “Create a conference plan and appoint a team of conference organisers. Allocate each person specific portfolios with deadlines,” they write. Speakers and entertainers or MCs also need to

be squeaky clean and politically correct, therefore it’s suggested that you ask for CVs and contact references – even personally interviewing and auditioning when possible. Some of the key staff needed for a business conference or expo include the following: • Event Manager • Planning Team

• • • • • • • •

Africa is a continent with incredibly high linguistic diversity and despite the fact that most people speak English, French or Portuguese, there are an estimated 1 500 to 2 000 African languages. And, although French

and Portuguese interpretations are common at conferences, the continent has been branching out and looking for other mother tongue options like Zulu, Xhosa and Swahili. As such, it is imperative that any conference researches the

major languages spoken in its host country and plans accordingly to accommodate these delegates. According to Philip Zeitman, managing Director at Folio, a translation and

Presentation Team Publication / Website Production Team PR Team Onsite Management Team Finance / Sponsorship Committee Registration Management Team Exhibit / Tradeshow Liaison Technical Support Staff for AV, support, trouble shooting, etc.

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interpretation company that has been working in the industry since 1989, these arrangements should be made well in advance. He says that event planners need to understand the difference between translators and interpreters – often mistook for being the same thing. Translators generally work in the written form of the language, poring over dictionaries and thesauruses to find the best descriptive word, while interpreters tend to summarize the meaning verbally so that people can understand what speakers are saying from a general viewpoint. Interpreters also tend to work in pairs, a fact that is often overlooked by conference organisers. “Translators and interpreters are all tertiary

educated and it’s important to have mother tongue speakers,” Zeitman explains. “You [as a South African] can’t go up to Kenya and learn Swahili and speak it professionally. Above the mother tongue language, you must be tertiary educated in the other language. Your mother tongue will always be your best language, the one in which you can make jokes, use idioms, and even write like a child – like a doctor who specialises in ear, nose and throat. So you will have a speciality language, and even within that you would specialise in certain fields, for example, a legal, medical or commercial translator.” When it comes to interpreting, however, different rules come into play. “With

interpretation we have no control over what the conference will be,” Zeitman says. One also needs to have a strong, vibrant personality to be a successful interpreter, especially since the time you have to figure out correct words is limited. “The interpreter in our experience makes a rather bad translator. They tend to sum up and get to the point – which is exactly what a translator should not do. He doesn’t look at the deeper meaning of that word because there’s no time to do it. So they are two different species.” Folio currently has a core set of project managers and thousands of freelancers across the world, meaning they can offer one of the most comprehensive translation and interpretation services to any business event.

“An event planner is often more like a juggler than anything else,” says Sandra Green, a Toronto-based event planning

provider. “It’s common for multiple projects to be on the agenda on any given day at any given time.” Focusing

on one element of an event is a big no-no, otherwise the event will never be completely planned.

Any event, whether an African event or international one, will require the organiser to have a well of mental and physical energy

to draw from in order to deal with all sorts of things – from basic problem solving to running about the exhibition floor. Passion

for the job is one way of ensuring you stay sprightly and engaged, while looking after your physical health always helps, too.

When the conference is over and the meetings have all been attended, delegates often like to kick back and enjoy the myriad of sights and sounds around them. Enter leisure activities. Planning an afro-centric

leisure experience might come in the form of a post- or pre-event trip to a renowned national park to see South Africa’s Big 5, or it might be a glitzy evening out in the city, complete with gourmet restaurants

and historical, art, or cultural tours. Leisure activities will naturally vary according to the event’s location, but ensuring your guests have an unforgettable experience is all down to great planning.

Event organisers often work with a host of different people, from service professionals to clients. A good planner will be able to keep themselves motivated, as well as

those working with them. “For an individual to be able to work effectively within a group, the group should be composed of individuals with proper attitude towards

work. A positive working environment is one factor of having a productive team of event organizers,” says Arwin Adriano of the Event Checklist.

Part 2 will be published in full in the February edition of The Event.

16 | FEATURE

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SOUTH AFRICA'S TOP 10 SPEAKERS

1. Michael Jackson Michael Jackson – no relation to the King of Pop – is a stalwart in the speaking industry with over 15 years of experience under his belt. He’s worked with many Fortune 500 companies and has an ability to weave his materials directly into a client’s event theme. He is also a Master of Ceremonies and has a DVD called Challenge of Change: Understanding Today’s Business World, while his new book Presentation Skills Masterclass has helped boost his demand as a speaker.

he highlight of any event or conference is often its speaker line-up. These range from sports heroes to tech buffs, but each come with the simple objective of educating or informing attendees in a particular subject. A speaker can often make or break an event, which is why it’s imperative to ensure the speaker matches the event, says Paul Mc Connon of Unique Speaker Bureau (USB). “It’s a hard-learned reality that the right speaker will provide the impetus for action, be the catalyst for change and motivator for progress,” he explains, “With a unique understanding of the markets it serves, and based on knowledge and experience, USB has developed the ability to creatively pair the right speakers with the right event, making it relevant, aligned with the client objectives and within budget.” Booking a speaker can also be somewhat of a process for event planners, especially since they will need to take a number of items into account including a detailed brief of the conference objectives and the cultural fit of the speaker. This is why it helps working with a speaker bureau with the expertise to lighten the load. Mc Connon says that some of this expertise includes an in depth understanding of the sales and marketing industry, a hands-on approach and a long term vision for the future. In terms of speakers, USB has found that those with a strong sense of professionalism and the ability to stay relevant in a changing world are winning qualities. Without further ado, here are ten of the continent’s most sought-after conference and business event speakers.

Michael Jackson

Ryan Hogarth

3. Ryan Hogarth Another one of USB’s top speakers, Ryan Hogarth is the author of How to Win Influence and Friend People. He focuses on topics like change, communication and social business, writing and speaking about the new connected world of consumers and workers. In addition to his role as a keynote speaker, he has also emerged as a popular Master of Ceremonies and oversees interventions, workshops and seminars.

2. Justin Cohen One of Unique Speaker Bureau’s founding speakers, Justin Cohen is a South African Speaker Hall of Fame Inductee. His keynotes What’s Your Story? and The Psychology of Success have consistently been booked by top companies, which in turn has allowed him to speak in 14 countries to 8,000 people annually.

Alex Granger

4. Alex Granger

Justin Cohen

Alex Granger has over 18 years of experience in sales and marketing, business strategy, travel and tourism, and conferencing. The motivational speaker, MC and facilitator brings new insights to business and is a champion of relevant change.

FEATURE | 17

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5. Vusi Thembekwayo

9. Justice Malala

Vusi Thembekwayo is known as ‘the rock star of public speaking’. As the youngest JSE director in South Africa, his expertise in sales, strategy and human resources has him influencing over R4.27bn in capital through board appointments. Vusi is also one of the Dragons on the popular Mzansi Magic Channel’s Dragon’s Den in South Africa. As a business speaker, he is comfortable with those in the top tier of their companies as well as the ordinary workers at the factory floor. He also easily relates with most South Africans thanks to his background and education.

Justice Malala is one of South africa’s most respected political analysts and newspaper columnists. As an award-winning former paper editor, Malala currently heads up Avusa’s stable of 56 magazines. Aside from this, he also writes for The Times and Financial Mail, presents a weekly political talk show – The Justice Factor on eNews – and is a resident analyst for eTV and eNews. On top of this, Malala has still managed to give talks and act as a political advisory for international and local institutions like JP Morgan, Liberty, Lehman Brothers and Edcon.

René Carayol

7. René Carayol

Vusi Thembekwayo

Specialising in leadership, culture and business transformation, René Carayol has a compelling philosophy built on his own board level experience in the UK and the States with the likes of Marks & Spencer, Pepsi, IPC Media and the Inland Revenue. He has also enjoyed the privilege of working with some of the world’s most esteemed leaders, from former US president Bill Clinton and Sir Richard Branson to former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

Justice Malala

6. Kevin Gaskell

10. Debora Patta

Kevin Gaskell speaks on leadership, highperformance teams, building a brand and achieving the extraordinary. He became Managing Director of Porsche at the age of 32, turning a failing company into the UK’s most profitable car brand. As one of the ‘Top 40 Managers Under 40’ he led BMW to a 500% performance improvement, founded a dotcom which became the market standard and built a global online data company among other achievements.

Former host and executive producer of Third Degree, Debora Patta is a hard-hitting current affairs journalist with a penchant for probing interviews and putting those in power in the hot seat. A motivational speaker and media trainer of note, Patta has facilitated dozens of international and local workshops given her 20 years’ experience in broadcasting. Her skills as a speaker have been in demand across the board - from summits on white collar crime to womens’ conferences, medical companies and more. Patta is smart, well-researched, and able to ad-lib if necessary, as well as ask questions and moderate debates skilfully.

Pieter-Dirk Uys

8. Pieter-Dirk Uys

Kevin Gaskell

South African icon and recipient of the prestigious Truth and Reconciliation Award in 2001, Pieter-Dirk Uys has been a powerhouse of communication since 1972. Better known as Evita Bezuidenhout, he tackles South African issues in a funny, inspiring way that encourages reflection.

Debora Patta

18 | 2015 EVENTS: PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT

JANUARY KENYA MICE EXPO 2015 23 – 25 January Kenyatta International Convention Centre

WORLD CONGRESS NEPHROLOGY 2015 13 - 17 March Cape Town International Convention Centre THE WEDDING EXPO 14 – 15 March Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

FEBRUARY

HOSTEX JHB 15 – 18 March Sandton Convention Centre

ECOMMERCE AFRICA CONFEX 3 – 4 February Cape Town International Convention Centre

DECOREX DURBAN 19 – 22 March Durban ICC

INVESTING IN MINING AFRICAN INDABA 2015 9 - 12 February Cape Town International Convention Centre

CONNECTED AFRICA 2015 25 – 26 March Sandton Convention Centre

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A’SAMBENI AFRICA BUSINESS TOURISM EXPO 21 – 25 April Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe DECOREX CAPE TOWN 24 - 27 April Cape Town International Convention Centre AQUELLE TOUR DURBAN EXPO 24 – 25 April Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, Durban 18TH AUTOEXPO AFRICA 2015 27 – 29 April Kenyatta International Convention Centre

SATCOM AFRICA 2015 26 – 27 March Sandton Convention Centre

MAY

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL 15 February Expo Centre, Johannesburg

APRIL

MINING COPPERBELT TRADE EXPO & CONFERENCE 5 – 6 May Mist Gardens, Kwite

BREAKBULK AFRICA 2015 16 – 19 February Sandton Convention Centre

OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON EXPO 1 – 3 April Cape Town International Convention Centre

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL 14 February Ostrich Farm, Cape Town

AFRICA ENERGY INDABA 17 – 18 February Sandton Convention Centre JOHANNESBURG HOMEMAKERS EXPO 26 February - 1 March Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

2015 RAND SHOW 3 – 12 April Expo Centre, Johannesburg

DESIGN INDABA EXPO 27 February – 1 March Cape Town International Convention Centre

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DES CONSEILS EN PROPRIÉTÉ INTELLECTUELLE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS (FICPI2015) 11 – 19 April Cape Town International Convention Centre

MARCH

INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL MARKET L AFRICA � 13 - 15 April Cape Town International Convention Centre

NJW BRIDAL SHOW 7 – 8 March Durban Exhibition Centre CARDS & PAYMENTS AFRICA 2015 10 – 11 March Sandton Convention Centre RETAIL WORLD AFRICA 2015 10 – 11 March Sandton Convention Centre FUTURE BANK AFRICA 2015 10 – 11 March Sandton Convention Centre

INCENTIVES, BUSINESS TRAVEL & MEETINGS EXPO AFRICA� 13 - 15 April Cape Town International Convention Centre WORLD TRAVEL MARKET �AFRICA� 15 - 17 April Cape Town International Convention Centre 19TH WORLD CONGRESS ON DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE 21 – 24 April Cape Town International Convention Centre

AUTOMECHANIKA JOHANNESBURG 6 – 9 May JHB Expo Cente 18TH KENYA INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXHIBITION 7 – 9 May Kenyatta International Convention Centre INDABA 9 – 11 May Durban ICC COATINGS FOR AFRICA 11 – 13 May Sandton Convention Centre AFRICAN CONSTRUCTION EXPO 12 – 14 May Sandton Convention Centre IFSEC SOUTH AFRICA 12 – 14 May Gallagher Convention Centre OSH EXPO 12 – 14 May Gallagher Convention Centre MAMAMAGIC, THE BABY EXPO 14 – 17 May The Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

2015 EVENTS: PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT 19 EVENTS | 41

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21ST BAPTIST WORLD CONGRESS 22 - 26 July Durban International Convention Centre

GRAND DESIGNS LIVE – JHB 29 – 31 May The Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

GAUTENG MOTOR SHOW 2015 24 - 26 July Rock Raceway, Brakpan, Gauteng

ELECTRONIC & GAMING EXPO 29 – 31 May Cape Town International Convention Centre

MAMAMAGIC, THE BABY EXPO 31 July – 2 August Durban Exhibition Centre

JUNE

AUGUST

MARKEX 9 – 11 June Sandton Convention Centre

DECOREX JOBURG 6 - 10 August Coco-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

KWAZULU-NATAL INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION 9 – 12 June Durban Exhibition Centre

CRAFT COLLECTIVE Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg 6 - 10 August

SOURCE AFRICA 10 – 11 June Cape Town International Convention Centre INSPIRE FURNITURE + DECOR + DESIGN TRADE EXPO 10 – 12 June Gallagher Convention Centre SOUTH AFRICAN BOOK FAIR 19 – 21 June Sandton Convention Centre FPI 2015 EXPO 24 – 25 June Sandton Convention Centre THE AIRPORT SHOW AFRICA 2015 30 June – 1 July Sandton Convention Centre AVIATION OUTLOOK AFRICA 2015 30 June – 1 July Sandton Convention Centre

JULY MEDIATECH AFRICA 2015 15 - 17 July Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, Gauteng MINE ENTRA 22 - 24 July Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre

100% DESIGN SOUTH AFRICA� 6 - 10 August Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg

FILM SUMMIT AFRICA 25 - 27 September Cape Town http://filmsummit.africa.com/ WORLD CONGRESS ON PUBLIC RELATIONS 27 - 29 September Sandton Convention Centre

OCTOBER JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW 14 – 25 October JHB Expo Centre SKÅL WORLD CONGRESS 2015 18 - 23 October Mombasa, Kenya INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT EXPO 2015 23 - 25 October Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, Gauteng

LOERIES CREATIVE WEEK 10 – 16 August Durban

SPORTS EVENTS AND TOURISM EXCHANGE 27 - 29 October Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

SEPTEMBER

MAMAMAGIC, THE BABY EXPO 30 October – 1 November Cape Town International Convention Centre

ELECTRA MINING BOTSWANA 1 - 3 September Botswana, Fairground Park 11TH AFRICAN GAMES 4 – 19 September Brazzaville, Congo THE WEDDING EXPO 5 - 6 September Coco-Cola Dome, Johannesburg AFRICA OIL & GAS EXPO 2015 8 – 9 September Sandton Convention Centre BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES & FRANCHISE EXPO 10 - 13 September Coco-Cola Dome, Johannesburg IFAT ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY FORUM AFRICA 15 - 18 September JHB Expo Centre BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA 15 - 18 September JHB Expo Centre

NOVEMBER DURBAN MOTOR SHOW 1 - 30 November Durban Exhibition Centre DISCOP AFRICA 4 - 6 Novemeber Sandton Convention Centre AFRICACOM 2015 17 – 19 November Cape Town International Convention Centre MAMAMAGIC, THE BABY EXPO 26 - 29 November Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg GRAND DESIGNS LIVE – CAPE TOWN 27 – 29 November Cape Town International Convention Centre

AFRICA LABORUM 27 – 29 May Cape Town International Convention Centre

20 | FEATURE

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NH The Lord Charles

South Africa's

TOP MEETING VENUES W

ith a new year, come fresh new features in The Event. We are pleased to reveal the first in a new series of bi-monthly features that will focus on South Africa’s top corporate meeting venues. This month, The Event is turning the spotlight on some of Cape Town’s grande dames: Lanzerac Wine Estate and NH The Lord Charles.

NH The Lord Charles NH The Lord Charles in Somerset West offers a refined, contemporary style to any business function or special event. Situated a convenient 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, the Lord Charles is the perfect blend of winelands charm and undeniable opulence. Visitors can experience

the best of the area year-round, the highlights of which include wine tasting, cellar tours, and whale-watching in the nearby town of Gansbaai. The hotel is well positioned to enjoy city highlights such as the Somerset Mall, which is the second-largest shopping mall in the Western Cape, as well as a host of worldclass restaurants. Its country location and stone’s throw distance from the Cape’s famed Winelands allows one to enjoy languorous afternoons doing the Stellenbosch, Paarl or Franschhoek wine routes. In addition the hotel has as many as five world-class golf courses in a 10km radius. NH The Lord Charles Hotel is the secondlargest conference venue in the Western Cape and is internationally renowned for its

conferencing capabilities. The nine hectares of manicured lawn allows NH The Lord Charles Hotel to accommodate conferences of up to 1 500 delegates. The interior is stylish, comfortable and equipped with the latest audiovisual equipment. “Its layout has made it a safe and popular venue to host world leaders, honoured guests include Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, to name but a few”, says Marketing Manager Jaco Du Plooy. “The Grand Ballroom – with its oversized chandeliers, dance floor and outside flow onto the courtyard – makes the ideal venue for tailor-made formal dinners and glamorous weddings”. The hotel’s fully equipped conference centre comprises 12 meeting rooms that can

FEATURE | 21

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Lanzerac Hotel & Spa

accommodate small groups as well as groups of up to 600 delegates. The conference centre has a spacious pre–assembly area, as well as a courtyard for tea breaks, lunches and cocktails. Meeting rooms are equipped with whiteboards, projection screens, flipcharts, PA systems, microphones, TV monitors, lecterns, data projectors and an onsite technician.

Lanzerac Hotel & Spa A historic treasure rich in natural splendour; Lanzerac Hotel & Spa is a hotel, conference venue, idyllic wedding locale, spa and esteemed wine cellar. Set in the majestic Stellenbosch winelands, Lanzerac provides visitors and guests with an experience that is hard to match. Jo-Anna Looms, Marketing Manager for Lanzerac, states that there is an abundance of reasons for booking the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa for your next corporate function. “The Lanzerac Hotel & Spa inspires business creativity with its breath-taking natural beauty, scenic vistas and tranquil setting”, says Jo-Anna, “Exceptional winter accommodation rates and

conference packages are on offer until the end of September. Each event can be tailored to suit your budget and specific requirements.” With maximum seating capacity for up to 140-150 delegates, there are a range of different venue options available on the estate that are ideal for private conferences and corporate functions. These venues embody privacy and quietness, ideal for hosting management strategy meetings, corporate conferences and themed product launches. Lanzerac offers delegates and professional conference organisers a wide variety of conference and meeting venues specific for all requirements, namely: The Manor House Boardroom 1, Manor House Boardroom 2 and the Cellar Hall. The Manor House has two boardrooms, with high quality facilities – solid yellowwood tables and leather back conference chairs. The Cellar Hall was fully refurbished at the end of 2014 and offers delegates exquisite amenities and state-of-the-art facilities. It has a private entrance, toilets and a fully equipped separate banqueting kitchen. Extending from the cellar is a large patio and garden area, perfect for

breakaways and breaks. Another venue available for casual management meetings is the Esquire Bar. Complete with comfortable seating, this is the perfect venue for a strategy think-tank or corporate cocktail evening. The Lanzerac Hotel & Spa also houses other private patio areas which can be used for informal BBQ’s or buffet-style corporate events and expanses of lawns for fun team-building events. Venues on the estate all share one thing in common, the commitment to service excellence. Delegates can put their trust and confidence in Lanzerac’s professional banqueting team of supervisors, and enjoy a smooth and memorable occasion. The rate for a full-day conference includes hot beverages and a snack on arrival, a two-course business or buffet lunch, water and cordials, flipcharts and pens, and complimentary Wi-Fi. A skilled and professional team of in-house banqueting coordinators ensure seamless execution of all events. All dietary requirements can be catered for including Vegetarian, Halaal and Kosher requirements.

22 | SPOTLIGHT

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Pete Goffe-Wood unveils

itchen Cowboys, an industrial building turned minimalistic food haven, was the setting for the launch of South Africa’s favourite Chef, Pete Goffe-Wood’s new book, Life Digested. Sports personalities, TV presenters, friends, critics, and the rest of us arrived, warmly welcomed by the impeccable staff of the restaurant offering us our choice of poison. After a few hellos, introductory speeches, and a glass or two, the smells and sounds of steaks sizzling over flames wafted over us.

LIFE DIGESTED

The pretty garden-like scene in Woodstock, Cape Town, was festive with its draping fairy lights and touches of greenery. Craig Fraser, the photographer for the book, proudly welcomed the man of the hour, Pete Goffe-Wood with a few words, expressing his pride in the book, and its “collaboration of great food and great stories”. Pete, humbly accepted the mic and effortlessly entertained us with his own words on the book he described as more than an anthology of recipes. Cooks and amateurs alike can enjoy stories that one of the country’s most acclaimed chefs

has written over the past 10 years, before indulging in the master’s recipes. He selfeffacingly thanked his team by name, and owed the book’s completion and launch to the collaborative effort of all of them. “I don’t think we cut any corners. I don’t think if we had twice as long to do it we would’ve done it any different,” he assured. I managed to squeeze in a chat with the MasterChef judge about the corporate incentives he hosts. Corporates and companies approach Goffe-Wood and, as opposed to the typical corporate golf-days, they want to participate in something

SPOTLIGHT | 23

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different. “Cooking is a great equalizer. It’s something everyone can relate to. Even if you don’t like cooking, you can stand in a team of five with a glass of wine in your hand and stir a pot”, says GoffeWood. Be it for team building or corporate entertaining, the chef and his team will host you for an unconventional, tantalizing experience. This alternative incentive serves as a platform to break barriers between staff members, or clients and corporates to foster all sorts of relationships in a comfortable yet engaging setting. As a South African female with limited skills in the kitchen, I had to get the MasterChef’s opinion on braaiing. “Do you consider braaiing to be cooking?” A silly question in hindsight, as he informed me that his favourite meal is anything cooked

on fire, and that his first house was sans stove so he braaied for a year! “I think there’s always a fascination, a mistaken fascination, that whatever happens elsewhere is better than here. I think there needs to be an instilled pride in what we can deliver here. People spend their lives wishing they could come to deepest, darkest Africa, and we should be proud of that” Goffe-Wood intoned. Although not a fan of trends or fads, Pete shared his view on where cooking is going, and what he believes South Africans and Africans are doing and should do: “I think we’ve become more authentic. We’ve simplified food. We’re looking for stuff that has a smaller travel radius; we want ingredients grown in our back garden. We’re going back to basics with food in

“

I think there’s always a fascination, a mistaken fascination, that whatever happens elsewhere is better than here. I think there needs to be an instilled pride in what we can deliver here. People spend their lives wishing they could come to deepest, darkest Africa, and we should be proud of that. terms of where stuff comes from.” Inspiring and humble, with a large presence about him, it was clear that Life Digested is something very special to the chef, food critic, and avid braai-master. It’s also significant in that the launch shares the celebrations of the year Pete celebrated his 50th birthday and 30th anniversary of cooking. Anyone who finds themselves in the kitchen, be it for the tedious task of deciding what’s for dinner for the family, or being under the pressure to impress that special someone, or just to put together a snack on your way out, here’s something to lift your spirits. From the South African food guru himself: “Food is current. Food’s exciting. Everyone can relate to some kind of food experience.”

24 | SPOTLIGHT

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THE CONFERENCE COMPANY’S ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP: Overview and Strategic Tools for Associations

he Conference Company, professional conference organisers, hosted an interactive workshop attended by delegates from across the spectrum of associations and relevant industry professionals, at the gorgeous Tsogo Sun Waterfront Hotel. Spearheaded by Nina Freysen-Pretorius (CEO), The Conference Company is a team of dedicated and skilful professionals centred on service excellence. Such excellence was

experienced first-hand by all who attended the light-hearted, interactive, fun-filled, educational discussion. Speakers included Freysen-Pretorius; Greg Talley, CEO and President of Talley Management Group in the USA; Grant Fowlds from the Rhino Foundation; and Sue Geuens president of Data Management Association (DAMA). Not your average ‘death by powerpoint’ presentation, Freysen-Pretorius conducted a short, humorous introduction to the

workshop, sharing highlights of the Durban and Johannesburg workshops, and thanking her team from The Conference Company, and sponsors Logico and Tsogo Sun for their hospitality and efforts. Freysen-Pretorius spoke briefly on The Conference Company, reiterating that this is not a party-planning company. It’s about growing business, assisting businesses achieve their goals, and asking the right questions; that was a golden thread throughout the workshop.

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Talley’s strategic tools included the following: • Net Promoter Score This is a bold strategy that involves the company asking its members and stakeholders how likely they are, on a scale from 1-10, to recommend you to someone seeking your services, and why. Its aim is to help communicate what areas others find value in your company. Net Promoter Score is worth adding to your business strategy, as it is imperative to understand your stakeholders. • Membership and Stakeholders It is important to understand not only your members, but broader stakeholder groups, and ask the right questions. What do broader stakeholders want? How can you provide that? If you’re already in their line of interest, it is not necessary to spend time and resources trying to convert them to members. Find your

“

It’s about growing business, assisting businesses achieve their goals, and asking the right questions; that was a golden thread throughout the workshop.

“

Natalie Kensley, EXSA award winning Research, Marketing and Sales Manager at The Conference Company, and facilitator for the day, introduced the next speaker, Greg Talley. Talley, the enthusiastic CEO of family-run Talley Management Group, an association management company that offers everything from finance to programme reviews, and “from soup to nuts,” he joked. Talley spoke on the perceptions and workings of Not for Profit (NFP) organisations, and touched on topics applicable to all associations and businesses. His opening points were that associations are about human connection, creating and driving communities, and they have to operate like a business. NFP organisations are known to be not very nimble and prompt with action and decision making. Despite the assumption that a large board of directors slow down the decision-making process, this is not necessarily the case as the efficacy of a board is independent of its size. Talley stressed the importance of the board knowing their purpose, and suggests the need for a “champion” on the board to drive things and make decisions. Talley discussed the need for strategy and provided strategic tools for associations and businesses, which we as delegates un-packed in smaller groups, scribing our views, questions and experiences on large pieces of paper with colourful markers before presenting them to the larger group.

SPOTLIGHT | 25

value add and keep them there. Membership is not necessarily an indicator of being accomplished. • Credentialing This sets the standard for the industry; including education, training, trends, and skill development, as these may serve as a revenue opportunity. • Cooperation Referring to cooperating and to competition; the aim is to learn from competition, seek opportunities, and ask questions. Are you being effective? Are you staying relevant? • Relevance Relevance is dependent on understanding your market. Know you members’ and stakeholders’ needs, what it takes for them to be successful and how you are contributing to that success. • Measurability First and foremost, establish and understand what should be measured. Assess the right metrics, and review the changes every six or so months. Measuring is pointless without reviewing changes.

• Board of Directors It is imperative that the board of directors understand its function. Often the board are the worker bees as well. Differentiating those roles is a necessary exercise. The board has three responsibilities: 1. Strategic vision This where the board establishes why they exist, and what success looks like 2. Goals How will the board provide and allocate resources to attain the above mentioned vision? 3. Measurements Following the above establishments, the board then measures their delivery. Also, measure your own progress to the change of the environment. What has changed since your vision? Are you still relevant? Talley’s enlightening talk, and the respective group’s reflections were followed by delicious snacks compliments of Tsogo Sun, represented at the workshop by Elmarie Delport. Grant Fowlds, the ‘white Zulu’, from the Rhino Art foundation presented a heartwrenching presentation about rhino poaching in Africa. This addition to the workshop was to highlight the importance of including corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the associations industry and in businesses as a whole. Sue Geuens, president of Data Management Association (DAMA) shared the structure and innovation of the nonprofit organisation she chairs. In summary, she urged that NFP organisations’ need to change their way of thinking. “It’s not about not making profit. It’s about using the profit profitably”, she said.

26 | REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

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KWAZULU-NATAL: Cultural and Sophisticated

“

flanked by the cobalt Indian Ocean. Not only one of the continent’s most cosmopolitan provinces, KZN has become a powerhouse in the meeting’s industry and South Africa’s domestic tourism leader.

What’s Happening Now? Durban’s jewel, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, recently celebrated its 5th year of magnificent existence. The stadium, named after the KZN politician and activist against

“

outh Africa’s Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), teems with postcard-perfect beaches, game reserves, national parks, and a diverse cultures. KZN is a motif of western, eastern, and Zulu culture. Among its soaring peaks, KZN boasts world-class hotels, internationally competitive conference facilities, and two magnificent World Heritage Sites - greater St Lucia Wetlands Park and the Ukhahlamba Mountain Range,

Among its soaring peaks, KZN boasts world class hotels, internationally competitive conference facilities, and two magnificent World Heritage Sites.

by Carryn Gabriels

the old regime, combines the history of the Zulu kingdom with modernity and active pursuit of contributing to the economy. Built as KZN’s signature stadium for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, the stadium with its “arch of triumph” was completed just seven months before the biggest single-event competition. The Moses Mabhida stadium and Big Rush pair have become a major tourist attraction, as the world’s highest swing, beyond its capacity to accommodate 85,000 people in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Key Venues: Durban International Convention Centre Situated in the KwaZulu-Natal’s gateway city, the Durban ICC is one the most comprehensive and sophisticated

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT | 27

www.theevent.co.za

Did you know? KZN’s gateway city, Durban is not only Africa’s busiest port, but home to the largest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, with a skate park designed by Tony Hawk.

conference venues on the continent. Its 27 meeting rooms, accommodating groups up to 500 delegates, encompass class and comfort together with all the latest audio visual equipment. Boasting 800 computer internet stations, plenary halls accommodating between 1 300 and 1 900 delegates, are all features constituting to this venue being the leading meetings and conferences centre in South Africa. Tsogo Sun Elangeni & Maharani Poised along the Golden Mile in Durban, the unmissable Tsogo Sun Elangeni & Maharani offers sheer conference luxury. Enjoy sweeping views and a choice of 14 versatile conference venues with state-ofthe-art technological facilities. This worldclass hotel flaunts conferencing trained

staff dedicated to the provision of luxury to guests.

Getting to KwaZulu-Natal by Air King Shaka International Airport King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) is the third largest airport in the country. This state-of-the-art aviation station resides in La Mercy, just 35 kilometres away from Durban’s bustling city centre. Formerly Durban International Airport, KSIA in its magnitude, processes up to 7.5 million passengers a year. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport Situated in Ulundi, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport is ideal for travellers interested in seeing historic Zulu attractions

and bountiful game parks including Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park, and others.

Climate Known to have tourist-friendly temperatures all year round, KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a subtropical climate. Warm, humid summers averaging 28 degrees Celsius endure more of the region’s annual rainfall, while winters are dry and clear at 23 degrees Celsius on average. High mountains display picturesque snow-capped peaks in winter. The kingdom’s climate is dependent on the expanse of the warm Indian Ocean, which along the coast averages 21 degrees year round.

Population 10.3 million (Stats SA, 2014)

28 | COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT

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omprising 20 territories, East Africa is home to some of the continent’s most nature-rich countries. East Africa flaunts the world’s longest river, and countless tourist attractions. Three countries booming in the Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition/Expo (MICE) sector reside in the eastern region of Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

Tanzania: Situated in the African Great Lakes Region and the southern-most part of East Africa, Tanzania rests on the warm Indian Ocean. This colourful and inviting country is home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro, and offers world-class hotels and conferencing facilities in the business events hub of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania also holds a place in top 20 of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and has displayed resilience to regional and global turbulence. Saba Trade Fair Grounds Covering 36 100m² with multiple exhibition halls and outdoor space, Saba Trade Fair Grounds offers a versatile, contemporary conference with skilled staff that are available to support event planners in the county’s principal port and commercial city of Dar es Salaam.

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Tanzania also holds a place in top 20 of the world’s fastestgrowing economies, and has displayed resilience to regional and global turbulence.

Uganda: The Pearl of Africa

Tanzania rests on the warm Indian Ocean

Kenya: Rested on the equator and flanked by the Indian Ocean, Kenya has the largest South East and central African economy by GDP. This diverse country is home to the bustling capital, Nairobi, an East African businessevents focal point, as well as the tranquil islands Mombasa and Kisumu. Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) The KICC is perfectly positioned in the centre of the country’s shopping and business district in the capital city of Nairobi. This outstanding landmark boasts the country’s heritage and its innovation and modernity. A three tiered auditorium, comfortably seating 770 delegates, vaunts state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities and is designed for conferencing luxury.

Kenya Kenya has has the the largest largest South South East East and and central central African African economy economy

COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT | 29

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Uganda: Deemed the Pearl of Africa; sprawling rain forests, wildlife, and lush land make up Uganda. The landlocked country not only flaunts beauty and biodiversity, but acceleration in its oil sector and a booming tourism industry. Imperial Royale Hotel Magnificence and luxury is housed in the landlocked country’s Imperial Royale Hotel. Accommodating 20 to 2 000 guests in a range of 21 conference venues, the Imperial Royale radiates modernity, comfort, and conference splendour.

What’s Happening Now? Kenya, considered the leader in East African events, is hosting the inaugural MICE meeting on 23 January. An expected 80

exhibitors in the meetings industry are set to focus on bringing together buyers and sellers in the business-events industry. The meeting has been organised by the KICC, as it positions itself as a preferred business tourism frontier globally. “This requires KICC to engage into harnessing Kenya’s MICE potential by aggressively market the destination. The fruit of this proactive marketing has been the facilitation of bids to attract meetings and events to this country as per the National MICE Strategy,” said the KICC managing director.

Climate: The climate of East Africa is rather atypical of equatorial regions. Owing to its high altitude, East Africa is surprisingly cool and dry for its latitude. Temperatures are moderate reaching highs of around 25 degrees Celsius, with the exception on the hot and generally humid coastal belt, and lows of around 15 degrees Celsius. Towering mountains parade snow-capped peaks, reaching temperatures of 21 degrees Celsius maximum in the dry winter months.

Population: Tanzania: 49.64 million Kenya: 45.01 million Uganda: 35.92 million (CIA World Factbook June, 2014)

30 | EVENT GREENING FORUM

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Getting up to speed for

MEETINGS AFRICA 2015 “

Exhibition session feedback Discussions around the potential to green exhibitions resulted in some positive feedback for the Meetings Africa team, with practical feedback around promoting RECs to exhibitors, greening the gala dinner and overall co-ordination of the greening function. Discussions gravitated to the consideration of the different categories considered for the EXSA Green Awards, while Sue Gannon of EXSA was on hand to address any specific questions around the awards process. A strong theme prevalent was the need for more training within the industry surrounding the sustainability of exhibitions.

Accommodation session feedback Major hotel groups were represented in this session, encouraging for all involved with Meetings Africa, as these are the preferred suppliers of accommodation for the hosted buyers that attend the exhibition. The hotel representatives were both interested to learn more and openly discuss their own green initiatives. It was however noted that large hotels are often bound by international policy and are not allowed to simply implement change, such as providing jugs of water instead of bottled water in their rooms. The greenest hotel award was also suggested as an addition to the EXSA Awards, which will be handed to the one of the four hotels that have been selected as hosts for Meetings Africa buyers.

Catering session feedback Terminology surrouding catering, such as ‘organic’ or ‘free range’, as well as the negative perception of tap water were discussed in this session. The clarification of these terms, as well as a more detailed approach to the use of tap water is required for buy-in from both exhibitors and delegates There is a need for Meetings Africa to incorporate more Bokashi bins and Food Bank systems during the course of the

“

he South African meetings industry was recently invited to attend an educational session held by the Event Greening Forum in early November. In association with Meetings Africa, and held at the Sandton Convention Centre, the session covered all aspects of the meetings industry with individual discussions around exhibitions, accommodation and catering. Throughout these sessions, speakers were required to do a short ten-minute presentation on a topic given to them, this was followed by informative round table discussions.

Discussions around the potential to green exhibitions resulted in some positive feedback for the Meetings Africa team, with practical feedback around promoting RECs to exhibitors, greening the gala dinner and overall co-ordination of the greening function.

event, contributing to the sustainability of the exhibition said attendees. These sessions will ensure that exhibitors and suppliers are aware and included in the greening activities for Meetings Africa 2015. Both the Event Greening Forum and the Meetings Africa team noted that the feedback received from these sessions was invaluable, and will go a long way in ensuring greening initiatives at Meetings Africa 2015 is taken to new heights.

SPOTLIGHT | 31

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Images courtesy of jpg.co.za

MEETINGS AFRICA 2015: Africa's Most Successful Business Event Trade Show Celebrates Ten Years of Growth and Achievements

ext month, the continent’s premier business event exhibition, Meetings Africa, will celebrate its tenth anniversary in the economic capital of South Africa, Johannesburg. Meetings Africa 2015 looks forward to not only reflecting on the growth and success of the South African business events sector, but to assessing the country’s potential to expand and continue such growth. The event is also a growth incubator and stimulator, including BOND Day (Business Opportunity Networking Day): which includes a number of seminars, workshops and presentations that offer delegates excellent opportunities to engage each other, and leading global figures in business events, to share intelligence, learn and build partnerships. While Meetings Africa’s stature as Africa’s prime, best established and most widely representative business event trade show is domiciled in the quality of exhibitors and buyers it attracts, BOND Day is a critical, and increasingly anticipated element of the show. It gives all delegates a platform to learn, to share and to mine global, regional and local expertise on industry trends and market dynamics. Key events planned for this day include the Global Media Face-Off which will take place on Tuesday, 24 February directly after Tourism Minister, Mr Derek Hanekom,

concludes a walkabout of the tradeshow floor. BOND Day 2015 will also include an Association Day for the ICCA African Associations; the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leader for Africa Forum; the AIPC Africa Summit, the annual Event Greening Forum; a number of industry round table discussions; and the SITE annual general meeting. The Unique Speakers Bureau (USB) Corporate Buyers will also stage its annual speakers showcase on the 25th February. This is the second time the event is being hosted at Meetings Africa – following phenomenal feedback from event planners last year. The annual showcase brings together over 40 professional speakers including international and local speakers and other leading providers to the conferencing industry including venues, travel and destinations throughout Southern Africa. If you are in the business of planning corporate events and meetings, this show is a must-attend! Having started from humble beginnings, Meetings Africa, after 10 years in showcasing the continent’s capability, competency, and commitment to service excellence and delivery in the business events industry,

is hailed as the best represented business event exhibition. The continent’s share of the meetings industry market is increasing, potential is being reached, and the ambition of Africa’s flagship, Meetings Africa, continues to drive the continent forward in the industry. Final Meetings Africa 2014 attendance numbers, across all exhibitor groups, was up 15 percent on attendance in 2013. South Africa, the host country for Meeting Africa 2015, has thrived from the phenomenal platform provided through Meetings Africa. The event acknowledges the significance of South Africa having celebrated 20 years of democracy just a year prior to Meetings Africa’s tenth anniversary. Meetings Africa assures global competitiveness, and provides the single best platform for global exhibitors to meet buyers by offering the continent’s key players under one roof. Meetings Africa takes place on 23 – 25 February at the Sandton Convention Centre. For more information or to view the detailed programme of events, visit www.meetingsafrica.co.za

32 | EVENTS

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JANUARY CAPE MINSTRELS SECOND NEW YEAR STREET PARADE 4 January 2015 Cape Town, South Africa THE 12TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION ON INDIAN MEDICAL DEVICES & PLASTICS DISPOSABLES /IMPLANTS INDUSTRY 9 - 10 January 2015 Gujarat, India L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE AT KENILWORTH RACE COURSE 11 January 2015 Cape Town, South Africa CLASSIC CAR AND BIKE SHOW 18 - 19 January 2015 Cape Town, South Africa

FEBRUARY

OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA 20 - 22 January 2015 Lagos, Nigeria

INVESTING IN MINING AFRICA INDABA 2015 9 - 12 February Cape Town, South Africa

STELLENBOSCH WINE FESTIVAL 24 January – 2 February 2015 Cape Town, South Africa

AFRICA ENERGY INDABA 17 - 18 February Johannesburg, South Africa

SUIDOOSTERFEES 28 January – 2 February 2015 Cape Town, South Africa

MEETINGS AFRICA 23 – 25 February Johannesburg, South Africa

UP THE CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL 30 January – 2 February 2015 Swellendam, South Africa

JOHANNESBURG HOMEMAKERS EXPO 26 February – 1 March Johannesburg, South Africa

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EVENTS | 33 41

34 | ASSOCIATIONS

ICCA Welcomes New Members The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) welcomed seven members, in one month: November 2014. One of the three new members in the venues category was the new Belgium Meeting and Convention Centre. This large-scale conference centre offers 30 meeting rooms as well as an auditorium housing 20 000 seats. The centre incorporates a magnificent history wing. Two venues in India were welcomed as ICCA members. India’s premier exhibition-cum-conference centre, the decadent Bangalore International Exhibition Centre flaunts 42 00m² of exhibition space, a food court, helipad, technology centre, and

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amphitheatre sprawled over 32 acres of manicured land. The India Expo Mart, the third member welcomed to ICCA, is a multifunctional, state-of-the-art facility sprawled over 23 000m² with parking space for 10 000 cars and 50 buses/trucks. Agenzia Turismo FVG in Italy and Lviv Convention Bureau, Ukraine, were welcomed as members in the Destination Marketing sector. ICCA’s Sector Meetings Management category introduced GAT International Co. Ltd. the PCO of Thailand, to capture international meetings, conference & exhibition events in Thailand and the region. TAV Tourism, Turkey, founded under TAV Operation Services Co. is a new member in the Meetings Support category.

EXSA’s Expo Summit The Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) will be holding an ‘Expo Summit’ for the exhibition industry on the 17 February 2015, following their Annual General Meeting. The joint Venue Forum, Organisers Forum, and the Suppliers and Service Providers Forum will come together and hold a summit to discuss relevant issues in the exhibition industry affecting all areas of the industry and then looking forward to the year ahead. It’s going to be a big year for the industry with many large shows taking place, including bauma Africa and JIMS (the Johannesburg International Motor Show). EXSA takes great pleasure in inviting all EXSA members to participate in the Expo Summit and to bring forward their suggestions and comments. EXSA would like to know what you would like your Association to do for you. “As an Association we look to our members to inform us of things that they would like to improve or change, this is to help create opportunities and grow the exhibition industry,” says Aimee Delagey the Communications Manager of EXSA. In the end the more you put into the Association the more you will get out. EXSA is committed to you! For further information, please call the EXSA office on 011 805 7272 or email: info@exsa.co.za

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ASSOCIATIONS | 35

36 | DIRECTORY LISTINGS

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ADVERTISERS COMPANY

TELEPHONE

WEBSITE

Corporate Golf Solutions

+27 21 430 6015

brad@corporategolf.co.za

www.corporategolf.co.za

Event Greening Forum

+27 74 369 6369

lynn@eventgreening.co.za

www.eventgreening.co.za

Expo Centre Johannesburg

+27 11 494 1920

info@expocentre.co.za

www.expocentre.co.za

EXSA

+27 11 805 7272

exsa@exsa.co.za

www.exsa.co.za

Folio Translation Consultants

+27 21 426 2727

pziets@folio-online.co.za

www.folio-online.co.za

Idea Lab

+27 11 880 0058

diego@idealabevents.co.za

www.idealabevents.co.za

Lanzerac Hotel & Spa

+27 21 887 1132

marketing@lanzerac.co.za

www.lanzerac.co.za

NH The Lord Charles Hotel

+27 21 855 1040

j.duplooy@nh-hotels.co.za

www.nh-hotels.co.za

SANCB

+27 11 895 3000

convention@southafrica.net

www.meetingsafrica.net

Sandton Convention Centre (South Africa)

+27 11 779 0000

scc.info@tsogosun.com

www.saconvention.co.za

Scan Display Solutions

+27 11 447 4777

justin@scandisplay.co.za

www.scandisplay.co.za

UM South Africa

+27 11 235 4699

jane.vanvuuren@umww.com

www.umww.com

Valley Lodge and Spa

+27 14 577 1301

rebecca@valleylodge.co.za

www.valleylodge.co.za

Cover Image: Sandton Convention Centre Courtesy of Sandton Convention Centre, South Africa Publisher: Lance Gibbons lance@filmeventmedia.co.za Executive Editor: Katie Reynolds katie@filmeventmedia.co.za Head of Design: Sheree Steenkamp sheree@filmeventmedia.co.za Writer: Kim Muller kim@filmeventmedia.co.za Editorial Assistant: Carryn Gabriels carryn@filmeventmedia.co.za Production Co-ordinator: Tammi Klein tammi@filmeventmedia.co.za

Brand Manager: Sue-Anne Maree sue-anne@filmeventmedia.co.za Account Manager: Shannon Atkinson shannon@filmeventmedia.co.za Group Sales Manager: Lloyd Kirsten lloyd@filmeventmedia.co.za Sales Co-ordinator: Tracey-Anne Arendse tracey-anne@filmeventmedia.co.za Manager, Special Projects: Taryn Fowler taryn@filmeventmedia.co.za 57 2nd Avenue, Harfield Village, Claremont 7708, Cape Town, South Africa Tel: +27 21 674 0646

Join us www.filmeventmedia.co.za www.theevent.co.za DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed in The Event do not necessarily represent the official viewpoint of the editor or the publisher, while inclusion of adverts/ advertising features does not imply endorsement of any business, product or service. Copyright of this material is reserved. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, The Event and/or its employees may not be held liable or responsible for any act or ommission committed by any person, including a juristic person, referred to in this publication. It and they furthermore accept(s) no responsibility for any liability arising out of any reliance that a reader of this publication places on the contents of this publication.

2015

MEETING IN

AFRICA? MEET

EPG

THE EVENT PL ANNER’S GUIDE TO AFRICA IS THE WIDELY ACCL AIMED PREMIER MARKETING TOOL FOR AFRICA’S BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY. CONTACT RHODA FARRANT

Tel: 021 674 0646 | email: rhodaf@filmeventmedia.co.za