ISSUE 04 | 2014
+ LUXURY AND EXPERIENTIAL EVENTS Come and Play
+ EXCITING INNOVATIONS IN STORE for INDABA 2014
+ NORTHERN CAPE A Land of Extremes
CONTENTS | 01
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2. Accelerated Growth Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa
4. OSH EXPO Africa 2014 5. Pocketplan App Launches in Cape Town
6. Top Event Production & Technical Support Houses Merge
7. The Countdown Begins as Marketers Prepare for Markex 2014
8. World Design Capital’s Programme for April
9. Exciting Innovations in Store for INDABA 2014
10. JEC Proud to Have Hosted Africa’s Biggest Electronic Music Festival
11. Trans Africa gears up for 2014 12. ZITE 2014 14. Durban ICC Best Performing Convention Centre in SA
16. Africa Makes a Play for the Top-Notch Travel Trade
10 Ultra South Africa The Biggest EDM festival on Earth rocks Joburg and the Mother City.
16 Luxury and Experiential Events Africa makes a play for the top-notch travel trade.
22. Jacob Tomsky Shares What Really Happens in Luxury Hotels
24. How Invitation Wording Affects Your Guests’ Response
25. SA Cheese Festival: No Holes in This Event!
26. Zambia: Leading Central Africa into the Future
28. The Northern Cape: Extreme Culture, Adventure & Nature
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26
SA Cheese Festival
Zambia
No holes in this event.
Leading Central Africa into the future.
30. Events 32. Industry Moves 33. EGF Conference’s New Interactive Format
34. Associations 36. Directory
02 | NEWS
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ACCELERATED GROWTH STRATEGY for Sub-Saharan Africa
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he Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s Vice President for Development Andrew McLachlan announced that the group has an accelerate growth strategy for sub-Saharan Africa. “We have grown from 0 to 50 hotels in no time, with highlights that included our arrival on the African continent in the year 2000 when we opened our first Radisson Blu in Cape Town; to our portfolio passing the significant milestone of 50 hotels open and underdevelopment in Africa during 2013”. Other highlights included the establishment of Afrinord Hotel Investments, a financial joint venture between the four Nordic Governments and Carlson Rezidor where funding has been provided to select hotel owners in the form of a mezz debt or subordinated loans. Other highlights included Carlson Rezidor being ranked to have the largest pipeline of hotels under development in sub-Saharan Africa according to an independent study done by W-Hospitality. “Our accelerated growth strategy includes establishing critical mass in the focus countries of Nigeria and South Africa, proactively growing the business in Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia and Mozambique and creating clusters across the economic communities of ECOWAS, SADC and EAC. We are also exploring multi-hotel deals through various business platforms in addition to
rolling out our two new kids on the block, Radisson Red and Quorvus Collection in focus markets” added McLachlan Radisson Red, a “lifestyle select” brand that has been designed and developed to deliver today’s customer the experience of tomorrow, and Quorvus Collection, an expertly curated collection of luxury hotels, will reflect and respond to the true sensibilities of the contemporary global traveller while celebrating the culture of each and every location. With the introduction of Radisson Red, Carlson Rezidor seeks to create a new industry category, “Lifestyle Select,” an upscale, select service concept that boasts a forward-thinking focus on design and detail, the customer experience, personal interaction, personal choice and recognition of the increasingly important role that technology plays in facilitating the best of everyday life. The Radisson Red focus on technology will include a mobile application that will not only allow guests to skip reception for check-in, but order a drink in the bar, food from the deli, flowers through an online concierge or a taxi for the airport; manage their own personal profile and preferences; and manage the environment within their Radisson Red room. The brand, with a contemporary purpose-driven design
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The brand, with a contemporary purpose-driven design focus, will convey an eclectic, modernist aesthetic.
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focus, will convey an eclectic, modernist aesthetic. From arriving in a gallery, to the bar and deli, to the guest connect spaces, to the guestrooms, everything will be designed from the customer’s perspective. Every touch point and interaction has been considered and addressed with an extraordinary list of unique features and options. Quorvus Collection is a new generation of expertly curated luxury, five-star hotels that offer a truly distinctive experience. Each is individual in style, design, heritage, history and architecture and will be reflective of its location and culture through the Quorvus “Eidos” - an essential expression of each hotel’s individualism. All Quorvus Collection hotels will offer a suite of hallmark services tailored to fit perfectly with our guests’ needs. Comprising six core lifestyle elements – Wellness, Replenishment, Style, Inspiration, Entertainment and Connectivity – each will be designed to fulfil the complete needs of guests.
04 | NEWS
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Put occupational health and safety at the top of your agenda with
OSH EXPO AFRICA 2014
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Emergency Care will once again present demonstrations on CPR and AED in the First Aid Demonstration Zone
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avvy organisations prioritise their occupational health and safety (OHS) obligations. Simply put, without fully functioning employees, companies are doomed to fail. Robots have not yet assumed all the roles that employees undertake on a daily basis, so for the foreseeable future, it would be unwise to ignore or neglect OHS in the workplace. The organisers of OSH EXPO Africa realise that most OHS professionals are under constant daily pressure to ensure the wellbeing of numerous and diverse employees as well as visitors to their premises. By bringing together the largest gathering of OHS technology and service providers on the African continent, OSH EXPO Africa simultaneously provides both convenience and time saving. The 2014 OSH EXPO Africa exhibition, being held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from 13 to 15 May, will provide industry with an unprecedented array of health and safety technologies and services under one roof. “Since its inception four years ago, OSH EXPO Africa has proved to be a winning formula for OHS professionals seeking best practice in their field. The combination of exhibition stands, a professional seminar programme and a First Aid Demonstration Zone, have seen the event grow and prosper,”
The 2014 OSH EXPO Africa exhibition will provide industry with an unprecedented array of health and safety technologies and services under one roof.
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said Joshua Low, IFSEC SA Event Director at show organiser UBM Montgomery. The success of any exhibition is dependent on a number of co-dependent elements. Not only do the exhibitors showcase local and international OHS technology and services that reduce the possibility of accidents and fatalities on site, but the complementary seminar programme is of great benefit to visitors. “OSH EXPO Africa works hand in glove with IOSH and SAIOSH to compile a seminar programme that encompasses industrypertinent subject matter. Market research provides feedback on industry concerns and we also include topics on updated legislation to ensure that visitors are kept up to speed on developments. This assists them with their compliance programmes and reduces the OHS risk factor,” Low explained. In addition, the sponsorships by participating exhibitors have a twofold benefit. “Firstly, the exhibitors are provided with a unique opportunity to promote their brands in a very targeted manner. Only one sponsor is permitted per individual sponsorship category, for example, only one company can sponsor lanyards or visitor bags. The visitors also benefit from sponsorships such as the First Aid Demonstration Zone, where Emergency Care provides ongoing demonstrations related to healthcare and first aid issues,” Low pointed out. Dromex is responsible for supplying the branding for the visitor exit wall, the entrance
arch, entrance banners, OSH EXPO Africa registration, lanyards and exhibition bags. The company will be exhibiting its full range of PPE products with particular emphasis given to its wide selection of gloves (including the international Taeki range with their Cut Level 5 options), respiratory systems and increased range of top-quality workwear. The Dromex eyewear, hearing and footwear ranges will also be on display. Visitor interaction is extremely important to the OSH EXPO Africa exhibitors and if the 30% increase in visitors at the 2013 event is an indication of the growing popularity of the exhibition, this year’s event should be extremely busy. “The visitor demographics included predominantly health and safety managers and advisors, followed by company directors and marketing and sales managers. A further 30% of visitors had a strong connection to the health and safety purchasing arena with a diversity of job profiles that included emergency services, occupational health managers and occupational hygienists and nurses,” said Low. Since its inception, OSH EXPO Africa has been co-located with the IFSEC SA exhibition, creating a synergistic crossover of visitors. “We have found that many of the risk managers are responsible not only for specifying OHS technology and services, but similarly, they are tasked with finding solutions to security issues within their organisations. By hosting OSH EXPO Africa and IFSEC SA at a common venue, we effectively reduce the time needed to review products or services from a number of suppliers. This not only provides risk and safety managers with a wider choice but also introduces them to creative application-specific solutions,” Low commented. “The last two months preceding OSH EXPO Africa are typically frenetic, with exhibitors rushing to ensure that they do not miss out on this once-a-year opportunity to captivate their target audience. We encourage visitors to pre-register online at www.oshexpoafrica.com to ensure that their registration is quickly processed at the exhibition,” he concluded.
NEWS | 05
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Pocketplan app launches to offer last-minute event discovery in Cape Town
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ocketplan, a mobile app that aims to change the way people go out, is officially integrating itself into Cape Town’s social scene. Starting from this year’s Ramfest, users can browse a handpicked list of events and purchase tickets directly through their mobile phone. Alessandro Petrucciani, CEO of Pocketplan, explains and elaborates on the foundation of the company, “I found myself hanging out at the same few spots in town; feeling like my nights out could be more. My friends were solely into nightlife, so I tried using all kinds of lifestyle magazines and blogs as guidance to branch out. The problem was, they lack a quality standard and embellish event descriptions. I was never sure if an event was actually going to be great and also had some pretty bland experiences. Eventually, some events even required me to make a long detour to collect my ticket. I started Pocketplan because it was exactly what I was looking for: a convenient answer to every day’s question of what’s happening tonight?” Pocketplan offers a selective number of events happening every day, including everything from live music and comedy shows to peculiar exhibitions and the occasional street magic show. The focus is entirely on last-minute inspirations, listing only events that will happen on the evening of the current day as well as those happening
72 hours from the day. “People don’t plan ahead these days. Everyone’s too busy and because of their hectic schedules, they’d rather avoid making commitments prior to the time,” explains Petrucciani, “but if we know an event will sell out long before, we’ll make sure to allocate tickets in advance so our users aren’t left out.” Pocketplan’s team is comprises a number of curators, each of whom is allocated a specific field in the entertainment industry based on their background. This maintains the company’s quality standards of the suggested events. Candice Heyns, Pocketplan’s nightlife curator and professional DJ, explains, “We focus on our users first, and only list events that will make a difference to them. My own insights into Cape Town’s music scene allow me to understand if a certain festival is something I want to recommend.” The Pocketplan app comes with an integrated ticketing function, which allows users to purchase tickets with only two taps and simply show their phone at the door. Without the need to print or collect tickets; going out becomes more seamless. The team has already secured partnerships with various well-established venues and event organisers prior to its launch, including SEED Experiences (Rocking the Daisies), Galileo Open-Air Cinema, Make-Believe, The Assembly, Endler Concert Hall and The
Rosebank Theatre. Despite its young age, the team plans to expand further within the year, soon live in Johannesburg and later in Bogotá, Colombia. The team already has plans mapped out for the remainder of 2014, one of which is to integrate exclusive car services for an allaround packaged Pocketplan experience. “There is also talk of some very interesting personalities to join the curator board,” says Petrucciani, “and we’re looking at some pretty cool pop-up events that will run exclusively on our platform, including a flash mob and a secret concert.”
About Pocketplan South Africa Pocketplan was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in The Woodstock Exchange, a hub for young emerging businesses in Cape Town. The company currently employs 20 people in South Africa. Contact Fabian Kast on fabian@pocketplan. co.za or +27 021 202 2450 Website: www.pocketplan.co.za iOS App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ pocketplan-cape-town-your/id799522217?mt=8 Android App: https://play.google.com/store/ apps/details?id=co.pocketplan.app&hl=en Facebook: Pocketplan Cape Town https:// www.facebook.com/pocketplan.cpt Twitter: @Pocketplan_CPT https://twitter. com/pocketplan_CPT
06 | NEWS
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TOP EVENT production and technical support houses announce merger
Kilowatt Investment Holdings Group: Justin Jacks (Group COO), Dillon Jearey (Group CEO)
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ilowatt AV - a leading creative and technical support supplier to the event and advertising industries - and Sight and Sound – an audio visual, lighting, staging and video rental specialist - have joined forces to establish Kilowatt Investments Holdings. The move will establish the group as one of the top five technical event support
companies in the country. According to Kilowatt AV MD, Dillon Jearey, the collaboration increases the companies’ market share across the small and larger events markets. “Up to now Kilowatt AV’s primary focus has been concept and production support of premium events. This move forms part of
our ongoing quest to distinguish ourselves from our competitors as it allows us to expand our offering to include day-to-day technical elements for smaller events.” Jearey maintains that the partnership is strengthened by both companies’ solid reputations and their passionate, clientcentric approach. “The majority of our business stems from repeat clients. Our clients can be assured that no matter the size of their event, they will receive the same premium treatment that they have come to expect from both companies, one which aims to deliver only exceptional events.” Justin Jacks, MD of Sight and Sound says that after catering to smaller corporate events for the last 30 years it recognized the need to partner with a company that had a reputation within the larger event industry. “This symbiotic relationship will enable us to cover all event bases, to refer business to each other, as well as cementing our national footprint.” Recognised for national events such as the David Guetta and Deadmau5 concerts, and the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle tour, Kilowatt AV recently manufactured the world’s first mobile skate park for Mountain Dew. Says Jacks, “I envision Kilowatt AV’s creative ethos having a positive influence and hope it will encourage us to be more innovative in order to broaden our offering.”
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The countdown has begun as marketers prepare for Markex 2014
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oburg and Cape Town await the hottest Marketing, Promotions and Special Events Expo in southern Africa, as Markex returns to both cities in this year. Giving suppliers of products and services across a broad spectrum of the marketing, promotions and eventing industry their annual opportunity to showcase their latest innovations, concepts and offerings, Markex is the only face-to-face platform for brands to connect with the thousands of visitors that will descend on Markex at the Sandton Convention Centre and at the Cape Town International Convention Centre respectively.
Just two years away from reaching its third decade in existence, Markex will be held in Johannesburg from 10 to 12 June 2014 at the Sandton Convention Centre and in Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 14 to 15 August 2014. Each year, over 250 exhibitors in Johannesburg look forward to introducing themselves to potential clients and strengthening relationships with existing clients, and this year companies in Cape Town will be afforded the same opportunity. “It’s an expo that gives a guaranteed return on investment, exposing your brand to thousands
of visitors, 91% of whom are advertising and brand managers, business owners, chief executives, copy writers, creative directors, FMCG managers and public relations practitioners, to name a few,” says Brad Hook, Exhibition Director of Markex. “Exhibitions offer marketers unparalleled opportunities, and possibly the most important one is to rapidly accelerate client face-to-face engagement frequency. Meeting prospects face-to-face is probably the fastest and best way to build relationships, and exhibiting at trade shows also gives companies the opportunity to find new prospects and meet new people, thus expanding their business reach,” says Hook, who lists among the reasons to exhibit at a trade show that they offer the perfect opportunity to build your brand in a relevant environment and to sell directly to serious buyers in active buying mode. Hook reports that, although much of the space available has already been booked out, there is still time to secure a stand in both the general access area in Hall 2 and the ‘Trade Only’ section in Hall 1. To be part of the action that will be taking place in Cape Town when the world’s attention is focused on the city as it claims the ‘World Design Capital 2014’ title or to showcase your brand in Jo’burg, the ‘world-class African city’, contact Fran Lurie on 082 570 7942 or e-mail franl@specialised.com Visit www.markex.co.za for more information on Markex JHB and visit www.markexcape.co.za for information on Markex Cape.
08 | NEWS
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WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL 2014 Programme of events for April EVENT
DATE
VENUE
DISCRIPTION
Cape Town’s Future Foreshore
1 -30 Apr
TBC
This partnership between the University of Cape Town and City of Cape Town [Transport for Cape Town (TCT) Directorate] harnesses an inter-disciplinary student project to create new visions and possibilities for the Foreshore Precinct of Cape Town central city. It has huge potential to accommodate residential, employment, tourist and leisure activities in close proximity to the CBD, the Waterfront, the sea and major public transport routes.
Half Square
1 -30 Apr
TBC
Half Square is a global co-created ceramic artwork project that aims to connect local and international artists. Fifteen top designs based on a modular format will be translated into large-scale handmade ceramic artworks by Spier Architectural Arts and exhibited throughout the month.
Investor Readiness Clinics
1-30 Apr
TBC
A series of clinics are being run to assist creative businesses to learn tools to create professional, creative focused business plans. The clinics supply practical guidelines on getting investment and funding for their creative business.
Red Bull Doodle Art
1 Apr – 30 Sept
TBC
Red Bull Doodle Art is a global art project where student artists are challenged to use their artistic skills to create their best doodle. Cape Town will be hosting the finals of this global student art competition that is executed in 50 markets around the world.
100 Good Ideas – Celebrating 20 years of democracy
3 Apr
First Thursdays, Art Walk, Bree Street
50+ creative industry thought leaders have helped choose the top 100 good ideas that showcase South African innovation and creativity. The project includes a coffee table book, a year-long social media campaign, online portal and an exhibition and events programme. The book officially launches on the 3rd of April.
The Greatmore Studios Long Walk Project
5 Apr
47 & 49 Greatmore Street Woodstock
An empowerment project, Greatmore Studios host workshops in armature making and cement work and artists are paid to produce cement figurines and objects. Other artists are commissioned to “clothe” the works in mosaic.
2014 Eat Out Produce Awards
12 Apr
Stellenbosch Slowmarket at Oude Libertas Estate
An annual awards ceremony celebrating outstanding small, independent South African food producers for their integrity, passion and innovation. Winners are those who deliver a consistently high quality product that is SA grown or developed using primary produce from SA. Nominees will showcase their wares.
2014 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon – Designed to Run
18-19 Apr
Main Road, Newlands -Constantia Nek
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, the world s most beautiful marathon, takes place in Cape Town over the Easter weekend and comprises a 56km ultra-marathon, 21km half-marathon as well as various fun runs, trail runs and International Friendship Run
Caesarstone Design and Trend Forecasting Conference
25 Apr
CTICC
Caesarstone is partnering with Decorex to bring brand new, cutting-edge design and trend forecasts to interior designers, interior architects, kitchen designers, stylists, decorators and architects alike. Open to all design professionals, enthusiasts and the public, attendees will be addressed by South African trend guru Dion Chang of Flux Trends and heavyweight international trend forecasting specialists Franklin Till.
100% Design South Africa
25-28 Apr
Launch Pavilion, CTICC
This will be the largest showcase of contemporary design in Africa. Local and international designers will be invited to exhibit the best residential, hospitality, office and product design in South Africa.
WDC 2014 Project Pitching Session
29 Apr
The Pavilion Conference Centre, Clocktower Centre, V&A Waterfront
Cape Town Design NPC, together with facilitator Charles Maisel, have created a series of pitching sessions for the recognised projects within the World Design Capital (WDC) Cape Town 2014 programme. Project owners will pitch to an audience of potential funders, mentors and collaborators under the banner of “Live Design. Transform Life”.
NEWS | 09
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INDABA 2014 will be held at Durban ICC
Exciting Innovations in Store for INDABA 2014
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s one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar, INDABA is a “platform for exhibitors and buyers not only in and from South Africa, but for the whole of the African continent”, says Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, SA’s Tourism Minister. Taking place from 10-12 May 2014, the event showcases the widest variety of the nation’s best tourism products and attracts both international buyers and media from across the globe. Since its inception in 1986, INDABA has grown steadily, with almost 1,500 exhibiting companies in 2013. Twice it has won the award for Africa’s Best Travel and Tourism Show, presented by the Association of World Travel Awards and this year, the show has a few surprises up its sleeves. INDABA stakeholders and delegates can expect a very different event this year, with a new look and feel, as well as an emphasis on the facilitation of business. “For INDABA to maintain its position as the premier travel trade show on the African continent, it has to present sufficient value to the trade. We are recreating an event that has a strategic golden thread running throughout,
connecting all aspects, ensuring each has its specific purpose and fits within the context of the show,” Jan Hutton, Chief Marketing Officer at South African Tourism (SAT) said at a gathering in November last year. True to their word, INDABA has set this change in motion, firstly by joining forces with bespoke travel trade show We Are Africa, a unique collaboration with the theme of ‘Two Shows One Africa’. “The concept of ‘Two Shows One Africa’ is one of the most significant developments in African tourism ever,” South African Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Thulani Nzima said in a recent statement. This strategic alliance means that SA Tourism will be the title sponsor of We Are Africa, taking place in Cape Town from 5-8 May – just before INDABA. Other changes to this year’s INDABA was the recent announcement of a three-day trade show, in line with global trends, as well as two new meeting zones and a premium lounge at the event and combined digital platforms to facilitate seamless meetings. Delegates can expect a busy INDABA programme, beginning with the Annual Sustainable Tourism Certifcation Alliance
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INDABA showcases the widest variety of the nation’s best tourism products and attracts both international buyers and media from across the globe.
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Africa Conference on Thursday, 8 May. The Friday leading up to the show will have an all-day TEP SMME Workshop, while the Saturday begins with a speed marketing session and an early evening opening ceremony. Both the 11th and 12th have various events running concurrently with the exhibition, such as the Africa Albida Tourism Launch and a session on how to go green. INDABA also offers both pre- and postconference tours, including a half-day visit to the famous uShaka Marine World with its stunning exhibits of South Africa’s marine life.
10 | SPOTLIGHT
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JEC proud to have hosted
AFRICA’S BIGGEST ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL T
he first edition of Ultra South Africa, which took place in February, has now officially become the biggest electronic music festival to ever take place on the African continent. According to the show organisers, the show welcomed approximately 40 000 music festival attendees at its sold-out Johannesburg and Cape Town events, with approximately 25 000 of these attending the Johannesburg leg of the event at JEC’s Nasrec showgrounds. Thousands of dance music fans from across South Africa had their first taste of the ‘Ultra experience’, as they watched the world’s best DJs, performing at one of the world’s biggest productions. More good news for South Africa is that Ultra South Africa has been hailed as one of the most successful events in Ultra Worldwide’s 16year history. “We are extremely proud of the first
Ultra South Africa. The response from fans has been absolutely incredible, it truly has been a dream come true and we can ensure you that the future of Ultra in South Africa can only get bigger and better, says Shaun Duvet, one of the five directors of local South African partner company. “We would also like to take this chance to thank our venue organisers, the JEC team, DJs, sponsors and of course all the awesome fans out there! Get ready for 2015!” A further glowing endorsement came from Ultra Worldwide Production director Ray Steinman, “Of all the venues we are using for Ultra Worldwide, JEC is by far the best one. It’s unbelievable the amount of potential we have to grow with the venue. The team is also a pleasure to work with,” he gloated.
Trans Africa gears up for 2014 After hosting its first launch event, the show
organisers have announced that the second Trans Africa exhibition and conference will take place from 7-9 October 2014, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. “Trans Africa aims to unite all transport modalities featuring comprehensive product groupings including road, rail, pipeline, logistics, sea and air transport exhibits. It is the ideal market platform for these sectors providing buyers with an opportunity to see all transport products and services at a single event,” says Andrew Mthembu of Umthombo Exhibitions Events and Promotions. “Its focus is on integration of transport infrastructure and ancillary systems within South Africa and beyond its borders into Africa. The event will also explore investment opportunities within the sub-Saharan region. Trans Africa again enjoys the support of the Department of Transport. The Department, together with the organisers
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of the event, invites all key stakeholders, private sector business partners – both local and international, and the Ministers of Transport as well as transport colleagues from all over the African continent to come together to make the 2014 edition of Trans Africa the most successful ever. Building on the inaugural Trans Africa Conference the theme for 2014 is Integrated Transport Development. The conference takes place on 7 and 8 October and sees a fresh approach with high impact early morning and plenary sessions focused on industry trends and forecasts followed by panel discussions for the various disciplines including road, rail, sea and air transport. “The refreshed approach offers delegates the chance to put knowledge into action immediately by visiting the show floor and making contact with businesses offering the latest technology, developments, products, systems and services first-hand,� concludes Mthembu.
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ZITE 2014
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he Zambia International Travel Expo 2014 is upon us once again; only this time, it is bigger and better. An expo next to none! This year’s expo has also encompassed the first ever LUSAKA CARNIVAL which will run simultanoeusly with the travel expo. In addition, both events will be outdoors, giving the expo a scenic and festive atmosphere – a time to mix business and pleasure. ZITE 2014 has attracted over 150 exhibitors and more importantly the 10 000+ visitors, 50 international/regional buyers and 150 local buyers. Zambia celebrates its 50th year of Independence in 2014. The Zambia International Travel Expo and Lusaka Carnival were identified as some of the prestigious events to commemorate Zambia’s 50th Anniversary.
tourist destination for Africa and the world. ZITE has become the perfect platform for sharing synergies and merging itineraries in SADC that give the tourist more choice and a longer stay in the region.
Theme: Tourism begins here – at home. This year’s theme is “Tourism Begins Here – At Home”. It is for this reason Africast and Zambia Tourism Board attach a great significance to the local tourism market. With a renewed confidence, strong domestic market, and a growing middle class, the local tourism market is ripe with potential. However, tour operators and hoteliers have to come up with rates that are suitable for locals.
Every journey begins with the first step ZITE is not like any other tourism expo, and it will never be. As the old saying goes “Rome was not built in a day” we believe ZITE will soon be the cornerstone of SADC tourism development and will prove crucial for packaging of SADC tourism itineraries. It goes without saying that Zambia and the neighboring countries are a catchment area for local, regional and international tourism. When exhibiting and visiting tour operators create travel itineraries that extend between the neighboring countries, it will give the traveler and tourist more choice and will increase tourist arrivals. ZITE 2014 therefore is the much needed catalyst for this. International, regional and local tour operators are an integral factor and Zambia is well positioned to be the hub for the region.
Good neighbours One country that has succeeded in marketing tourist destinations in other countries is South Africa. South Africa markets the Victoria Falls as vigorously as Table Mountain. With combined efforts to market the region tourist destinations, the SADC region could easily become the prime
Buyers This year, we have partnered again with the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) to take up the hosting of the buyer program for first time buyers and we are proud to announce that for the first time, we are hosting buyers from Russia. We look forward to hosting 50 buyers from Europe and the SADC region. Judging by the interest shown by buyers at Meetings Africa in Sandton – Johannesburg, we are confident of hosting quality buyers. At this and future travel expos in Zambia.
Zite Testimonials Thompsons Holidays (Hosted Buyers ZITE2013) wrote: “THANK YOU so much for hosting us for the 2013 ZITE. You have all outdone yourselves. I am glad I participated this year and got to meet a few hotels and lodges specifically in the Copperbelt and Lower Zambezi that I would definitely include in our portfolio of offerings. Chizy thank you so much for arranging the hotel inspections on Friday, it was good to get an update on the hotels again. I wish you all the best for the rest of 2013 and sure we will meet each other again at some other Trade show” Sun International Zambia (Exhibitor ZITE 2013) wrote: “Thank you so much for hosting such a successful event. It was a great opportunity to meet men and women from the travel and Hospitality Industry. It is our sincere hope that you will continue promoting such events that bring together great ideas about our Industry. Once again, thank you for recognizing Sun International Zambia as a business partner and we appreciate your continued support.”
Minister’s blessings This years ZITE was officially launched by the Minister of Tourism and Arts, Hon. Sylvia T. Masebo, MP at the Radison Blu Hotel on the 20th of February 2014 and will be officially open on the 26th of April 2014. In her speech, Ms. Masebo stressed her governments’ commitment to supporting initiatives like the Zambia International Travel Expo that are spearheaded by the private sector. She also emphasised the importance of the ZITE in the
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tourism sector and extended an invitation to various stakeholders especially those domicile in Zambia. The Honourable Minister also expressed her
Why ZITE? •
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SADC HUB: Zambia and her neighbouring countries are a catchment area for local, regional and international tourism. ROI & DOMESTIC MARKET: To all tour operators and tourism businesses, - we are in the right place at the right time. There is a domestic tourism market In Zambia to be tapped, one that can cushion the impact of a global crisis, a viable one. DEVELOPMENT: Seminars during ZITE ensure stakeholders get the opportunity to address government and policy makers on crucial tourism development matters. Organisers’ ultimate goal is that ZITE becomes a pillar of tourism development in Zambia. You will affect or be affected by the actions taken during these important seminars. DIMESIONAL EXPERIENCE: We all do a good job of selling Zambia on social media, websites, brochures etc. Inviting
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buyers, media and visitors to Zambia during ZITE is the only opportunity to give our valued guests a 3-dimentional experience of Zambia’s beauty and warmth of its people. WIN-AS-ONE STRATEGY: “It occurs to me that our survival may depend upon our talking to one another.” - Dan Simmons. Marketing Zambia is not a solitary task; in order to succeed you need other stakeholders. SYNERGIES: Fast Jet, Kenya Airways, Mahogany Air & Pro Flight make the world an even smaller place. Zambian travel business will be more interesting than ever creating more itineraries and synergies with the region and tour operators from the following countries coming to ZITE: Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and more.
Interactive Seminars ZITE will host interactive seminars and top of the agenda this year is the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) seminar. World class hotels, conference/ venue centres and stadiums make Zambia
a perfect stage for any event, the meetings industry in Zambia is on the rise. By boldly staging events like UNWTO, Cluster Munitions Conference, COSAFA Cup and many more, Zambia is fast proving its credentials to host events of any magnitude. How do we position ourselves strategically with stakeholders to attract international events/conferences? Despite not having a Convention Bureau, ZTB has plans to form a committee that will bid for annual conferences and exhibitions to come to Zambia, to them we say, THAT’S THE SPIRIT! Please welcome our regional panelists as they share their expert views on MICE in Africa, Spearheaded by Zelda Coetzee (SACCI – Chairperson)
Other highlighted seminars at ZITE 2014: • • • • •
Zambia & SADC Travel Trends Sustainable Tourism - Conservation of Wildlife & Ecosystems Tourism Investment in Zambia Sustainable Tourism - Conservation of Wildlife & Ecosystems Pricing Competitively for Domestic Tourism & the SADC Region
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DURBAN ICC once again the Best Performing Convention Centre in South Africa
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fter the stellar results delivered in 2012, the Durban International Convention Centre has continued to sparkle with yet another year of impressive financial performance. The Durban ICC produced an outstanding revenue figure of R157-million and profits before tax of R45-million, once again making it the best performing convention centre in the country. The company also contained expenditure to 15% below budget resulting in a R13-million saving, despite rising strong inflationary pressure. Commenting on the results, Durban ICC Chairperson, Mato Madlala, noted “My congratulations must be expressed to the management and team of the Durban ICC, under the leadership of the CEO, Ms Julie-May Ellingson, for achieving such a strong set of financial results. Despite tough competition, the Durban ICC has maintained its position at the front and once again our ICC Team, stakeholders and most importantly, our clients, have ensured that the Durban ICC remains the best convention centre in Africa.” “The Durban ICC is proud of its strong financial performance over the past fiscal year. Despite the challenging economic environment, the company has worked hard to secure good quality events this year as well as sustainable business for the years ahead. These solid results were attained by achieving above-target revenues and effectively controlling costs at all levels of the company. Remarkably, this was achieved without
compromising on our top priority, namely our clients’ experience. This is demonstrated through the overall client satisfaction rating of 88% and the Durban ICC being voted “Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Venue” for the 12th time by the World Travel Awards”, commented Ellingson. Built to serve as a catalyst for economic prosperity, the Durban ICC once again delivered major economic benefits to the city, province and country this year. The past 12 months saw the Durban ICC contribute R2.94-billion to the national GDP, with the bulk of this benefiting the KwaZulu-Natal economy directly by adding R2.73-billion to the province’s annual GGP. This remarkable economic impact translated into further social benefits by creating and sustaining just under 8,000 jobs over the past year and generating R1.49-billion in indirect household income as a result of the Durban ICC’s activities. The Centre generated over 1.25-million delegate and visitor days in Durban, 36% of which were generated by international visitors. This in turn added R566-million to South Africa’s net foreign exchange earnings and R268-million in tax revenue. In addition to the impact made to macro-economic landscape, the Durban ICC continued its commitment to staff training
and skills development closer to home. The past year saw the company launch a new Graduate Programme which affords young professionals an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and jumpstart their careers. Additionally, in partnership with the Durban University of Technology, the Centre also restructured its Student Programme to accommodate more interns in its experiential learning curriculum. These programmes contribute directly to the skills development mandate of the country’s tourism industry. The Centre once again invested heavily in the training and development of its staff with 300 training days completed, exceeding the target of 150 days by 100%. The sharing of knowledge and expertise was also supported via international exchange programmes and staff attendance at key industry conferences. Finally, the Durban ICC will continue to host high profile events that showcase Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa in the years to come. These events include the Congress of the International Union of Architects in 2014 and the world’s largest aviation exhibition, the World Routes Development Forum in 2015. These, along with the myriad of other events, will continue to bring social and economic benefits to the people of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal.
Financial Performance Highlights Revenue
R 157 million
Operating Expenditure
(R102 million)
Profit before taxation
R45 million
Net Profit for the year
R36 million
Economic Impact Highlights Key Economic Indicators
Economic Contribution 2013 Financial Year
Contribution to GDP
R2.94 billion
Contribution to KwaZulu-Natal GGP
R2.73 billion
Contribution to Indirect Household Income
R1.49 billion
Net Foreign Exchange Earnings
R566 million
Tax Revenue Generated
R268 million
Total Delegate and Visitor Days
1 251 413
Job Creation (Direct and Indirect)
7 670
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“PRO” SPECTIVE | 17
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AFRICA MAKES A PLAY for the top-notch travel trade By Lesley Stones
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frica has long had a bad rap around the world for being a poor continent with a correspondingly poor abilities to host international events. As a result, up to 96% of global business meetings take place elsewhere. Yet if Africa plays its cards right, the continent could leapfrog those mundane meetings and ordinary events and become the go-to destination for high class, highthrills experiences. It’s an audacious idea, but look at the facts: we have scenery and wildlife like nowhere else on Earth. We have fabulous weather, hospitable people, and a playground full of extraordinary experiences. “Unbelievably, as the world’s secondlargest continent blessed with an unmatched abundance of natural and cultural resources, the whole continent receives only 4-5% of world tourism,” says Ryan Wallace, the Event
Manager for Beyond Luxury Media. “We’re convinced that this is the time for Africa to really step forward and claim it’s fair share of tourism arrivals and revenue.” His company is launching the We Are Africa exhibition in Cape Town from May 5-8, an invitation-only showcase of Africa’s best experiences and event destinations. Everybody involved in the show believes that Africa has the potential to attract 10% of global meetings. “For that to happen, Africa needs rebranding, whereby a more progressive and sophisticated image is portrayed and all the tired old clichés in African travel marketing are left behind,” Ryan says. We Are Africa will feature some outstanding African travel brands and match them with some of the world’s top travel trade buyers. South African Tourism has become the
main sponsor, with its CEO Thulani Nzima saying Africa now represents the single most exciting tourism opportunity in the world. Sadly some foreigners still don’t believe Africans can organise and host world-class events, but Ryan says the buyers attending We Are Africa definitely do trust Africa to provide top end services and experiences. “Many of them are heavyweight Africa specialists that have been convincing the world to come to Africa and are leading the charge in that respect,” he says. They expect to see a new vision of travel to Africa at the event, and to forge relationships with highend suppliers so they can sell Africa to the world and convince new customers to place their trust here. The continent certainly has some amazing luxurious offerings and unbeatable experiences. Ryan says his team has spent a lot of time in Cape Town hotels including The
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“ Cape Grace, One&Only, Mount Nelson, The Taj and Table Bay, which all offer unbelievable business-meeting facilities. “The 12 Apostles Hotel and Ellerman House hosted spectacular launch events for us which were perfectly executed, in settings that really had the X-factor and left everyone blown away,” he adds. As for unusual or luxurious experiences that could persuade people to book conferences, meetings or incentive trips to Africa, Ryan says the ‘add ons’ organised
by companies including To Escape To, Grosvenor Tours and The Concepts Collection have blown him away. Grosvenor Tours offers the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River, hot-air ballooning over the Namib Desert, sipping champagne on Table Mountain or riding vintage motorcycles through the winelands. “We create unique Southern Africa programmes beyond what the everyday traveller would be able to experience, and deliver rewards that exceed the expectations
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We create unique Southern Africa programmes beyond what the everyday traveller would be able to experience, and deliver rewards that exceed the expectations of our incentive clients and their guests.
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of our incentive clients and their guests,” the company says. Their winelands adventure can start with the ‘wow’ factor of a helicopter flip from the V&A Waterfront to the helipad of a wine estate. Other ideas include team-building days at Môreson Winery, where guests learn how to make bread, or a team-building cook-off at De
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Volkskombuis Restaurant in Stellenbosch. At the historic Backsberg Estate, incentive groups enter a wine-blending competition guided by the sommelier. Events in Namibia can include marine cruises, kayaking or deep-sea fishing at Walvis Bay. Another treat is a hot air balloon ride over the desert at Sossusvlei, where guests might see oryx, mountain zebra, springbok and ostrich. Other options are microlight flights over Sossusvlei or desert dune drives, quad biking, sand boarding and parasailing. Perhaps the most unusual experience comes from the company To Escape To,
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“ which can organise a night in a cell in Robben Island. More luxurious options include stand-up paddling trips, canoeing the Okavango River, wine-tasting tours by mountain bike and luxury surfing agendas. “Africa is the last frontier for adventure and sports challenges,” To Escape To says. East Africa is the playground for AfriChoice!, which caters for global companies wanting to reward their employees in style. “More and more companies are seeking new and innovative strategies to increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction and remain competitive in the global marketplace,” it says.
Unusual ideas from Travel Motives are dinner by the Zambezi River gorge, a street-party at the foot of Table Mountain with a carnival band, or a desert dinner with five star décor and an orchestra that magically appears from the sand dunes.
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“Nowhere in the world can corporate travel, adventure and leisure travel be so perfectly mixed and matched like in East Africa.”
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Its offerings include dinner in the Maasai Mara with a mock attack by warriors, and dazzling firework displays at the coast in Kenya. Another local operator, Travel Motives, says Southern Africa is one of the most affordable 5-star destinations in the world, offering great deals to the group incentive travel market as a beautiful destination with an unbeatable combination of attractions. Unusual ideas from Travel Motives are dinner by the Zambezi River gorge, with guests seated high above the raging water, a street-party at the foot of Table Mountain with a carnival band, or a desert dinner with five star décor and an orchestra that magically appears from the sand dunes. Other options include abseiling off Table Mountain, shark cage diving and treetop canopy tours. Tes Proos of the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives (SITE) says most international buyers no longer doubt that South Africa can offer first-class experiences and services. A few other African countries are also in that league, although many more have yet to prove themselves. “In terms of conference experiences we have worldclass facilities in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and East London, and the lovely thing is that within a very short distance of all those centres there are really great activities to be enjoyed by international visitors,” Tes says. The incentive-travel business in Southern Africa took a huge knock with the global economic slump of 2008, Tes says. “We are fortunate we had the Soccer World Cup in 2010 but the next two years were really
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tough because the market didn’t have the money to spend on long-haul travel. But we are seeing a comeback. There are definitely more enquiries for long-haul trips.” Despite the temporary slump, incentive travel definitely isn’t fizzling out, she says. “It’s a major motivational tool for companies so I don’t think it’s going to go away in a hurry. But companies are cutting back. Maybe instead of 100 people travelling 50 will travel now, so there are definitely budget cuts although the incentive industry is very much alive.” Her company, Crystal Events, hasn’t seen much demand for really off-the-wall adventurous experiences or thrill-seeking activities, because for most foreigners, Africa’s wildlife is enough of a thrill by itself. “It really depends on the individual, but anybody coming to South Africa or Africa will look for the wildlife experience, so most would try to include a safari,” she says. “The Kruger is the catchword for people wanting to do a safari, although there are also wonderful game experiences in Botswana and Zimbabwe.” Requests for hunting are rare, at least through the ordinary eventing channels, it seems. “There’s certainly a demand for it but we get very few requests for hunting and there are people who frown upon it,” she says. One of the aims of SITE this year is to increase the level of cooperation between neighbouring countries for the benefit of all. “We want to work more closely with other African business partners by making contact with key players and chatting to conference centres and operators on the ground and
having workshops to see how we can operate better,” Tes says. Many high-end hotels are doing very well from the business-travel market, including the Westin, attached to Cape Town Convention Centre, and the hotels near Sandton Convention Centre. The Saxon in Johannesburg also has a very good name among international Destination Management Companies (DMCs). Many large and reputable DMCs such as A&K, &Beyond and Wilderness use the Saxon as their preferred hotel in the city, says Candice Turner, the Saxon’s Public Relations Manager. “They work us into pre- and post-safari itineraries in South Africa and into Africa, and arrange destination packages and MICE. We also have large corporations locally and internationally, like Revlon, Moet & Chandon, IBM and Deloitte who favour us and our unique event space for their conferencing and events. They all cite the beauty of the venue, as well as our professional and attentive service,” she says. Many top dignitaries and businessman book the Saxon because of its exclusivity and privacy and the attentive service. Like its top-end rivals, the Saxon has made its name by paying attention to every detail for business meetings, from selecting the most suitable venue, planning the day’s events, the seamless integration of technology and arranging delicious menus. With such high-class hotels and enchanting, daredevil activities on the agenda, it really is time for Africa to claim a bigger share of the business and incentive travel trade.
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Jacob Tomsky Spills the Beans What Really Happens in Luxury Hotels I started writing. And, since publication I really believe it has been helpful to both guests and hotel employees.
Jacob Tomsky
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f you’re a regular business traveller who knows the ins and outs of the hotel business, you’re wrong. This complex service industry has so many nooks and crannies that only the bravest of souls can navigate. Enter the hotel staff. Jacob Tomsky, who has spent over 10 years working various jobs in New York hotels, recently wrote a revealing book about what really goes on behind closed doors. Head in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and SoCalled Hospitality delves into the darker side of luxury hotels. The Event spoke to Tomksy, who is currently in Cape Town writing his follow-up book. What motivated you to write Heads in Beds? Why share the secrets of a business that’s kept them well-hidden for centuries? There was a moment, while working the front desk of a New York hotel, where I looked around the lobby and realized I understood everything going on around me. All the problems guests were having. What they didn’t know. What I knew. And I realized that if I put all of that knowledge into one book, helping them understand not only how to get the best service from us, but also giving them a glimpse at what it’s like to BE us, then we might both benefit. That’s when I started taking notes. That’s when
How many hotel jobs have you had and which were best (or worst)? I have spent about a decade in the hotel business. I started in valet parking, moved to front desk, pulled shifts in the laundry department, managed the housekeeping department, acted as manager on duty and then, after all of that, settled back in at the front desk, working that job for years, which is the brain centre of the hotel and really gives you equal access to all departments. Though I have never held the position full time, I believe bellman is one of the best. Very little pressure or responsibility, a lot of flexibility, you can roam around and talk to people, and the money is, by far, the best, and most of it untaxed. Housekeeping, specifically being a housekeeper or room attendant, is the hardest. Long hours of very difficult, back-breaking and pretty much thankless work. You never see the guests you are doing so much to help. Very tough job. What is it like being on the inside or the ‘other side’ of the luxury service industry? Any insights you have gleaned from your experiences? It’s amazing. I mean, I was almost never bored. Celebrities, freaks, prostitutes, dignitaries, everyone comes through a hotel and I dealt with them all. And you see how the whole mechanism works, how many moving parts there are, and how difficult it is to get it right. I learned a lot about people, and how to deal with them, how to please them, or how to punish them for poor behaviour in ways they would never discover. I also learned many, many tricks and tips to help people get the most from their hotel stays, all of which I put into Heads in Beds. Some reviews or synopses of your book say that you share “how to get the very best service from any hotel business” – what are some of your secrets (and/or pitfalls)? I could write a whole book about this. I did, in fact, write a whole book about this. They
range from information on how to eat from the minibar for free, to how to get an upgrade, or cancel a reservation without penalty. I think a lot of the tips come down to two things: how to deal with the staff, and money. And how money can actually help you deal with the staff. Sometimes it’s a simple as gaining a broader understanding of each employee’s role in the hotel and how to gain the most from every interaction. Sometimes it’s even simpler such as tipping the front desk agent at check-in to score an upgrade. Have you ever been involved in the conferencing and events side of the hotel business and if so, what have your experiences been, how do you view the industry as a whole? There are always conferences at hotels. And I have dealt with them nonstop in my career. One thing I know is that if you are booked for a conference, you are part of a huge group and, because of that, [you] will be treated, in a general sense, a little bit more like cattle. That’s why interacting with the hotel staff is so important. Most group reservations are assigned the throwaway rooms since the group is so large that everyone assumes there will be some people who are unhappy – plus it’s not likely the entire group will leave just because one person got put next to the ice machine, or even ten people. As far as the industry as a whole it’s really hard to lay out in one article, mostly because it is just that VAST. Everything happens in hotels. People get married. Propose. Get pregnant. Decide to get divorced. Commit adultery. Turn 21. Do drugs. Get promoted. Everything. Anything that happens in life can happen with a hotel at its centre. It’s amazing to watch and so much more than can be explained in one book. I tried really hard though. And I am proud of what I accomplished. Any anecdotes – if you’re keen to share! For this question I would just suggest flipping through the book itself. From blow-up dolls dressed in maids uniforms, to famous celebrities that are actually psychotic, to a bellman urinating in a guest’s cologne bottle while the guest was out at dinner – it was nonstop insanity in that lobby.
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How the slightest change in invitation wording affects your guests’ response By Terry Sutherland appreciation by inviting you to….”, and for those who haven’t yet purchased anything, you could say: “We’re excited that you’ve shown an interest in our brand, so we’d like to take this opportunity to invite you to our latest seminar as a thank you.”
The tone of your invitation wording is the difference between a full and empty guest list.
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o, you’ve designed a brand new, beautiful online invitation for your next event, but have you considered just how important your invitation wording is? The way you word any invitation is the first point of contact your guests have with your event, which means it’s essential that your copy paints an accurate, and more importantly, appealing picture. Just like any other online marketing strategy, the success of an online invitation boils down to the quality of the content.
Think about how you’d like your guests to view your event. Is it a business-like conference for professionals? Or a time-out for employees in the form of a fun-filled day of teambuilding? Or is it a star-studded, celebrity-soaked awards ceremony? Regardless of the type of event you’re hosting, your invitation wording must make your event sound enticing, or it might put guests off attending entirely. Instead of using a generic phrase like “Annual Awards”, get creative and make the event sound like something your guests will want to be a part of. For example: “The X Awards– a night of celebrating our industry stars”, is a lot more appealing.
Your invitation wording should convey the benefits of attending. Your aim is to make your guests feel important. For example, the word “exclusive” appeals to our intrinsic need to belong, whereas merely saying: “You’re invited to our annual golf day” doesn’t convey any sense of exclusivity or privilege. Try these: “You’re personally invited to a private soiree at The Table Bay” or “Join industry heavy-weight Elon Musk for his personal insights into entrepreneurship”. More often than not you need to get your RSVP’s back as soon as possible. An example of your wording could be: “Seating is extremely limited at this sought-after presentation so RSVP soonest to avoid disappointment”
Address your guests as an equal – no one wants to be patronised, or made to feel inferior. Use copy that’ll position them as unique, valuable assets instead of merely a number on a list. Make sure your tone is in line with the type of event you’re holding. If it’s a serious conference, don’t use slang or colloquial expressions. If it’s an informal event however, you can let your imagination run wild and use a conversational tone.
Pay attention to your subject line. Since this is the first thing your guests will see, ensure that your subject line identifies you (the sender) and the event. Make it stand out from the many other e-vites people receive: instead of the generic “Invite – Brand Y Annual Conference”, say something like “Brand Y is excited to see you at our Annual Conference”
Make it personal.
Keep it simple.
Ensure your invitation wording demonstrates that you know your guest and always ensure their name is spelt correctly. Depending on the event, you can word your invites differently to suit the segments of your guest list. For example, if you’re inviting existing customers as well as those who’ve shown an interest in your product to a seminar, your invitation wording should differ. Existing customers could receive an invite that says: “We’re honoured that we’re your brand of choice. We’d like to show our
Above all, strive to keep your copy simple and to the point. No one wants to wade through reams of text merely to deduce that they’ve been invited to a business breakfast. Aim to convey all of your information in as few words as possible. Terry Sutherland is the founder of The RSVP Agency (http://www.rsvpagency. co.za) and has extensive experience in the development of RSVP solutions for clients across industries.
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SA CHEESE FESTIVAL so much more
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or a magnitude of cheese, look no further than the popular SA Cheese Festival taking place from Saturday 26 to Tuesday 29 April at Sandringham outside Stellenbosch. This Cape foodie highlight takes cheese lovers on an unrivalled culinary expedition of cheeses and other mouth-watering products brought together in celebration of the good life. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to explore all of cheese’s possibilities but we’ll undoubtedly impress you with the widest variety, a packed programme of demos by food personalities and all sorts of fun in beautiful surroundings. The Cheese Festival offers so much more. More of your favourite cheeses – more to learn – more to taste – more to experience and more to broaden your culinary expertise in an informing environment. The commitment to an innovative approach keeps cheese lovers coming back for more. The 2014 exhibitors will wow you with their delightful wares.
Dairy Square The air cooled Checkers Cheese Emporium will be bursting at the seams with cheeses from far and wide in celebration of this noble dairy product. Taste to your heart’s content – go back and taste some more – and then buy enough to last till the next picnic or late night snack. Visitors to the Cheese Festival love spending time with a star-studded selection of gourmet gurus in the various theatres. This year, highly interactive sessions in the brand new theatre in the Checkers Cheese Emporium will centre on cheese and its appetizing applications. Experience another side of cheese while using your artistic skills during the daily Ladismith Cheese Carving competition. Join in the fun and in big prizes!
Carnival Park After an exciting tasting and shopping session the desire to just sit back and bask in the autumn sun with friends to discuss
your favourite titbits, is all-consuming. Take a break from browsing and enjoy what you’ve bought and share your highlights with those around the table. High-quality eateries in the Gourmet Lane will ensure that you’ll be spoilt for choice when planning for lunch or early supper. Children love the SA Cheese Festival! And therefore, parents with little ones in tow love it too. The Kiddies Corner offers professionally supervised fun and games close to where you can recline under the shade of one of the canvas parasols scattered around the Ladismith Cheese Music Gazebo. The ever-popular Milk Factory brings the farm right to the children: let them spend time with the cows, sheep and goats and see them being milked.
Meander The Meander is home to the Cooking Pot where super culinary ideas will simmer throughout the weekend. The programme promises to be chockfull of highly entertaining and informative demonstrations by leaders on the food scene. Make sure to set time aside for a session or two. The Meander is also home to the Absa Mall where a multitude of food and drink stands will tempt you from all sides. Taste newly launched products, discuss them with their creators and fill your shopping bag with must-have goodies for an impromptu picnic. For more info, email: cheese@agriexpo. co.za or call +27 21 975 4440/1/2/3
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ZAMBIA Leading Central Africa into the Future
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ambia is a stunning, landlocked country with rich, red sunsets and a bounty of game reserves including the North and South Luangwa National Parks, as well as the Kafue, Lochinvar, Kasanka and Sumbu National Parks. It also shares Lake Kariba with Zimbabwe and Lake Tanganyika – the second largest freshwater lake in the world – with Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The nation also holds natural African landmarks like the mighty Zambezi River and the majestic Victoria Falls, with mile after mile of unspoilt wilderness and towering baobab trees.
But its vast beauty is not its only feature. Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka, is a lively business-events destination and with its vibrant agricultural, mining and hydropower sectors, it often attracts conferences and expos of this kind. The nation is also one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most urbanised countries, with around half of the population concentrated along major transport corridors. It has one of the fastest-growing economies in the developing world according to a recent report, and has recently made a push towards increasing international tourism to the region.
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From live crop trials and demonstrations to livestock auctions, Agritech Expo Zambia is ideal for companies wishing to generate new business and increase profitability.
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What’s Happening Now Zambia International Travel Expo Zambia International travel Expo, better known as ZITE, has become an exciting and anticipated exhibition that facilitates exposure to the niche area of tourism. The show is now in its fourth year and will take place from 25 – 27 April under the theme of “Tourism Begins Here – At Home”. ZITE is the only tourism exhibition in Zambia that brings together a wide representation of Zambian products, showcasing Zambia as a destination for tourist and business travellers. Agritech Expo Zambia 2014 The Agritech Expo, which takes place from 4-5 April 2014 in Chisamba, is a long-time dream of the Zambian National Farmers Union. The interactive, high-profile event has an exclusive business-to-business platform, whereby key stakeholders, retailers, agents and service providers from across the agricultural value-chain can converge in one arena to discuss regional plans for development. From live crop trials and demonstrations to livestock auctions, this expo is ideal for companies wishing to generate new business and increase profitability. 4th Zambia International Mining & Energy Conference & Exhibition From 24-25 June 2014, the 4th Zambia International Mining & Energy Conference & Exhibition (ZIMEC) will take place. Attracting over 75 international and regional exhibitors and “unrivalled networking opportunities”, ZIMEC provides a definitive platform for showcasing Zambia’s mineral and power potential and connecting with industry professionals. The event will feature two conference streams this year focusing on mining and power respectively.
Key Venues Mulungushi International Conference Centre Zambia’s leading convention centre, the Mulungushi International Convention Centre (MICC) has an impressive portfolio of purpose-built venues. It is located about 15km from the airport, close to government offices and about 1km from the city centre. The old wing has seven conference halls and can accommodate up to 2 500 people in its largest hall. A new, state-of-the-art
convention centre adjacent to the old wing has 13 conference halls – the largest with a seating capacity of 1 000. The New Government Complex Conference Centre The New Government Complex Conference Centre is located alongside the government building in the heart of Lusaka. Only recently constructed, it offers the finest facilities combined with a central location. The venue has a main conference hall, a ballroom, four breakout rooms, and several smaller meeting rooms. It can accommodate up to 5 000 delegates.
Getting to Zambia by Air Lusaka is the main entry point to the region via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (formerly known as Lusaka International), while other additional airports cater mainly to regional flights and cargo to and from the copperbelt. The main domestic airports are at Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola, Kitwe, Mfuwe, Kasama and Kasaba Bay, though dozens of minor airstrips allow for
chartered planes. A number of regional and international flights are available, including Zambia’s domestic carrier, Proflight Air.
Climate Zambia is warm all year round, but has three distinct seasons – between December and April the weather is hot and wet, from May to August it is cool and dry, and between September and November conditions are hot and dry.
Population 14,222,233 (July 2013 estimate, CIA World Factbook)
Did you know? Distances between major towns and attractions are large and getting around by car or public transport takes time and patience. If travelling between cities, flights and rental cars are recommended. Railway services are also good and Tazara and Lusaka-Kitwe trains are ideal for travelling between Northern and Southern Zambia.
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THE NORTHERN CAPE Extreme Culture, Extreme Adventure, Extreme Nature
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infamous Big Hole and the Missionary Route from Kimberley to Upington, where visitors can explore small towns with big histories and some rather eccentric shops. The province is also home to the Wonderwerk Cave or “Miracle Cave”, with stone engravings dating back an estimated 10,000 years. The Northern Cape is also known for its extreme sports and has a large skateboard following as well as marathons, canoe races, mountain bike trails, bird watching, and white-water rafting. Kimberley is its capital and is situated near the Vaal and Orange Rivers. It services the province’s mining and agriculture sectors.
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outh Africa’s largest and least populated province, the Northern Cape, is a unique and bountiful region. Often considered one of the more remote areas of the country, its back roads and immense, blue skies beckon business travellers to experience its natural beauty. The Northern Cape is ideal for incentive travellers, too, from the spectacular Namaqualand wildflower display that takes place each spring to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – home of the black-maned lions and an amalgamation of two national parks, one in South Africa and one in Botswana. The Northern Cape is steeped in historical significance, such as the diamond fields, the
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in the country, Mittah Seperepere can accommodate up to 2,500 delegates. This four-star facility has an outdoor auditorium, an on-site chef and dedicated staff, as well as accommodation. Its location directly opposite the world-renowned Kimberley Big Hole is ideal for pre- and post-tours.
SA Tourism © www.greatstock.co.za
What’s Happening Now
Key Venues Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre One of the newest convention centres
Population 1,145,861 (Statistics South Africa, Census 2011)
Climate Because the Northern Cape shares a portion of the Kalahari Desert with Namibia, the region has an arid to semi-arid climate. Although it is mostly hot and dry, the western regions enjoy a high concentration of winter rainfall, while the east sees evening thunderstorms in the summer months. Temperatures in summer can reach over 40 degrees Celsius, while winters are frosty with possible snowfall.
Getting to the Northern Cape by Air Visitors can fly into either Kimberley or Upington Airport. Kimberley Airport handles about 132,000 passengers each year, about
You Need to Know About The Northern Cape night sky is an extravaganza of stars. SALT or the Southern African Large Telescope is located on a hilltop outside the Karoo hamlet of Sutherland – one of a handful of locations in the world that is ideal for stargazing. Tourists can visit SALT during the day, and although the facility is closed to the public at night, visitors can experience the thrill of astronomy by booking a stargazing session on two other telescopes. MeerKAT, the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the southern hemisphere is also under construction in the Northern Cape. It will be used for research into cosmic magnetism, galactic evolution, dark matter and the nature of transient radio sources.
SA Tourism © www.greatstock.co.za
AfrikaBurn From 28 April to 4 May 2014, the TankwaKaroo National Park will transform into a temporary community called AfrikaBurn. The festival aims at building a community through collaborative arts projects in a completely non-commercial environment. Its “gift economy” means that no cash is used and all attendees are expected to participate in whatever way they can.
Mattanu Private Game Reserve For a conference with a kick, the Mattanu Private Game Reserve is ideal. It has tailored packages to suit each traveller, while its conference facility accommodates up to 120 delegates congress style. It also offers a range of activities such as game drives, quad-biking trails, helicopter flips and paintballing for after-hours fun.
three-quarters of whom are business travellers. It is about 6km from the south of the city. Upington Airport is smaller than most but delivers services to aviation that are unmatched anywhere in Africa. The airport is used for large aircraft like 747s and 707s, as well as a training base for the South African Air Force.
30 | EVENTS
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April AGRITECH EXPO ZAMBIA 4-5 GART Research Centre, Chisamba, Zambia THE WEDDING EXPO 05 - 06 Johannesburg INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION 10 – 12 Sandton, Joburg
MAY THE WINE SHOW 08 – 10 Sandton, Joburg
Steenbok near Xaus Lodge, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, SA Tourism © www.greatstock.co.za
ZAMBIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPO 25 -27 Zambia
INDABA 2014 10 - 12 Durban
MILLIONAIRE TO BILLIONAIRE 26 Sandton, Joburg
2014 CEM AFRICA SUMMIT 13 - 14 Cape Town
SA CHEESE FESTIVAL 26 - 29 Stellenbosch, Cape Town
THE BROADCAST SHOW AFRICA 20 – 21 May Sandton, Joburg
AFRICAN TRAVEL WEEK 28 - 03 Cape Town
THE RURAL TELECOMS SHOW AFRICA 20 – 21 Cape Town
AGFOPEX NIGERIA 2014 – AGRICULTURE, FOOD & PACKAGING EXHIBITION 29 - 01 Lagos, Nigeria COSMEX NIGERIA 2014 – COSMETICS, CHEMICALS, CLEANING PRODUCTS & COSMETOLOGY EXHIBITION 29 - 01 Lagos, Nigeria
SATCOM AFRICA 20 – 21 Sandton, Joburg TOTALLY CONCRETE 25 – 27 Sandton, Joburg SECURITY SUMMIT 27 – 28 Sandton, Joburg
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EVENTS | 31
32 | INDUSTRY MOVES
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Brian McDonald joins up with African Agenda
Kristen Tremeer, Brian McDonald & Keith Burton
K
eith Burton, Managing Director of top Professional Conferencing Organising company African Agenda has announced that Brian McDonald, founder of Global Conferences
and conference organising stalwart has joined the African Agenda team This follows on the appointment of Lyrene Zimmermann who recently joined as Marketing and Business Development Director
Gearhouse and Prosound
T
wo of South Africa’s longest standing players in the South African technical services production industry have come together to sign a landmark deal within the local event industry. Gearhouse’s 10-strong Group of Companies is widely recognised as the country’s largest equipment rental supplier and services live events across a wide range of disciplines whilst Prosound is predominantly known for their system integration and design (permanent and temporary) along with their sales, distribution and services role in the proaudio, lighting, AV and associated structures arenas. The Gearhouse and Prosound teams have a long history of working successfully together to service local and international events, each fulfilling different requirements for the same clients. This strategic acquisition sees Gearhouse
“The conference industry is going through exciting times and we at African Agenda are determined to offer world class Professional Conference Organising services. These two appointments are of major significance in our being more professional and aggressive in signing up new business” Keith’s partner, Kristen Tremeer added “Another major step forward for African Agenda has been our successful application to become a member of The International Association of Professional Conference Organizers (IAPCO), the first company in Africa to meet it’s stringent membership criteria” With over 25 years experience in the conference industry, especially working on large and prestigious events such as The World Summit on Sustainable Development (55000 participants) and the International Diabetes Federation Congress (12300 participants), McDonald said “ Retirement has been fun, my golf has improved and my herb and vegetable garden is thriving but I miss the excitement of the conference industry. I feel that I have a contribution to make in assisting African Agenda in their drive to become the most dynamic Professional Conference Organising Company in Cape Town, South Africa and sub Saharan Africa”.
reach landmark deal
Group taking over Prosound’s entire rental operation and establishes Gearhouse as preferred rental supplier for future Prosound event business; putting both companies in a strong position going forward. Prosound intends to develop their already very successful Design, Sales, Distribution and Integration business as their core focus, with the additional support of the Gearhouse Group for any future rental requirements. Gearhouse’ Joint Managing Director, Ofer Lapid, sees this as a very positive arrangement which will promote growth for both companies. “Prosound’s reputation and offerings align well with our own, and with the addition of Prosound’s rental stock, Gearhouse has also acquired new product lines to improve our scope and capabilities”, says Lapid. “It means that we are both able to service our clients more effectively and it also facilitates potential
expansion into Africa. The main beneficiary of the equipment deal within the Group will be Gearhouse Splitbeam as this will enable them to develop into a long term rental company specialising in audio for theatre shows as well as their current Lighting offering. We look forward to a long and successful future working relationship with Prosound.” With Prosound just having celebrated their 40th year in the industry Mark Malherbe, Technical Director commented “It was opportune to revaluate our role in the industry and concentrate on our local and international design, integration and solution capabilities. Recent successful theatre projects between Prosound and Splitbeam proved that collaboration between the two companies would be a reality. This deal signals Prosound’s first step in realigning our core strengths and we’re looking forward to the next 40 years.”
EVENT GREENING | 33
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EVENT GREENING FORUM Conference's new interactive format •
Protection of Private Information Act (POPI) Grace Stead, EGF – A Greener Festival Awards
Panel discussion
Keynote speaker, Les Carlisle, Group Conservation Manager of &Beyond
T
he Event Greening Forum (EGF) held its second Annual Conference on 24 February 2014. The conference took place at Sandton Convention Centre in conjunction with Meetings Africa’s Business Opportunities Networking Day and its theme was Responsible Tourism, with a Focus on Events.
Keynote speaker The conference’s keynote speaker was Les Carlisle, Group Conservation Manager of &Beyond. Les’s long association with &Beyond started in February 1991, with the creation of &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Les was instrumental in reintroducing predators and other species onto the reserve, and established the initial community relationships and development committees. Les’s presentation posed the question, “Can responsibility also be inspiring?” He emphasised the fact that it is not one single action but the accumulation of many small activities that makes a difference. Les believes that responsible and sustainable tourism can be so much more than just a business - it can and should make a difference and inspire both staff and guests.
Interactive session The conference’s second session was the World Café Session, an innovative format which combined presentations with group discussions. Each of the speakers made a short presentation and then hosted a table where they facilitated in-depth discussions on a range of topics. The speakers and topics were as follows: • Quinton Naidoo, Feed Africa Organic Farming – Supporting and growing emerging organic farmers • Bertie Lourens, Waste Plan – Reduce, reuse and recycle at events • Caleb Mabaso, FEDHASA – Green jobs in tourism/events - myth or reality? • Niki Glen, STTP – Implementation of sustainable tourism practices in small accommodation establishments • Lorraine Jenks, Hotelstuff/Greenstuff – How easy it is to build and furnish a Green Stand: what to look out for and where to find it • Monique van der Zon, Heritage Environmental Management Company – Green event certification • Louis Nel, Louis the Lawyer – The
The conference’s final session was the Panel Discussion hosted by Andile Ncontsa of Litha Communications. The panellists were Bekithemba Langalibalele, Director: Responsible Tourism, Department of Tourism; Kathy Bergs, CEO of Fair Trade in Tourism; and Rashid Toefy, CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Bekithemba Langalibalele took the audience through the legislative and regulatory framework for Responsible Tourism from the 1996 White Paper. Kathy Bergs talked about the time and money involved in promoting responsible tourism in Southern Africa and the progress that she has seen in its implementation in the last couple of years. Rashid Toefy spoke about the CTICC’s sustainability journey and how it had received international recognition by winning a coveted UFI 2013 Sustainable Development Award. The conference was a great success with delegates gaining new insight into sustainability in the business tourism sector. Panellist, Lorraine Jenks of Hotelstuff/ Greenstuff, had this feedback: “What a lovely, responsive audience. We had outstanding questions put forward and lively debate and discussion. I wish we had had many more hours.”
34 | ASSOCIATIONS Shutterstock © Soft Focus Photography
SAACI Joins Forces with Associations to Professionalise the Industry Representative business events industry associations have partnered in order to professionalise the industry. The formation of the Council of Event Professionals (CEP) Africa, was announced at this year’s Meetings Africa. Founding members were from the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), and the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI). SAACI National Board Member Glenn van Eck says that CEP Africa will recognise certification for the business events industry and work closely with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Four certification levels will apply to induviduals who apply, namely Event Coordinator, Event Manager, Event Director, and the Convention Industry Council’s Certified Meetings Professional. EXSA will determine the international qualifications that apply best to the exhibition industry for certification by CEP Africa.
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Glenn van Eck has extended an invitation to other associations to join the council, either as fellow founding members with a financial stake in the body, or as non-executive directors. “We encourage them to join us in this bold initiative. It is about making Africa a good event destination.” He says CEP Africa will not certify companies, but courses and individuals. “This will include Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and in this regard we will engage with experts including the Event Management Body of Knowledge Project (EMBOK) and the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council. RPL requires a portfolio of evidence which includes years of experience, published industry articles and serving on industry bodies. SAQA’s Directorate for Foreign Qualifications, Evaluations and Advisory Services will assess recommended foreign qualifications against South African standards.”
ASSOCIATIONS | 35
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ACTE Announces New Asia Regional Council for 2014 New Representative for ICCA Middle East The ICCA Board has announced that a new Geographic Representative for the Middle East has been elected. Mahir Julfar, Director Commercial at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre was nominated by Steen Jakobsen, Director of the Dubai Convention Bureau and seconded by Sian Thomas, Director of Group Sales at the Address Hotels and Resorts. This is the first time that there is both a representative for Africa and for the Middle East as the two were previously represented by one person. “We are sure you will all join in congratulating Mahir – on what is a historic step by ICCA in the recognition of the importance of the Middle East region for the meetings industry – on his new Board position,” the ICCA said. “It’s clear that Dubai, UAE, and the wider region are taking international meetings more and more seriously, and the recent success of Dubai in winning the 2020 World Expo is a catalyst that will take the region to another level,” Arnaldo Nardone, ICCA President, said in a recent statement. “Abu Dhabi and Qatar are incorporating international meetings in their massive higher education development strategies; Oman will soon be opening a world-class congress centre, and Dubai is expecting to nearly double the number of hotel rooms between now and the Expo.”
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives has announced its 2014 Asia Regional Council, which convenes every two months to consider issues of traveller engagement, new developments and other issues. “These are exciting times for this council and all ACTE members,” Greenley Koch, ACTE’s Executive Director said in a statement. “Earlier this week, ACTE announced that its 13th Annual Asia Travel Conference would be held in Hong Kong for 2014 (6 August - 7 August 2014), and that it would be structured on the new ‘Four Pillars’ approach to advanced travel management education and training. The ‘Four Pillars’ constitute separate but equally critical areas of significance. They are Data and Analytics, Industry Innovations, Professional Development For You, and Traveller Centricity.” ACTE’s new Asia Regional Council Members are: • Amarnath Dal Las, General Manager, Accenture (India), Council Chair • Lisa Akeroyd, VP Global Sales & Program Management, CWT (Singapore) • Huilian Duan, Worldwide Sales Manager, Best Western International (China) • John Holden, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs (Hong Kong/ Singapore) • Elaine Huang, Category Manager (GCR) Travel, Microsoft (China) • Aditya Loomba, Director, ECO Rent A Car (India) • Christian Lukey, Commercial Director, HRS (Singapore) • Michael Molloy, Global Category Principal, Rio Tinto (Singapore) • Andy Tan, VP Global Preferred Customers, Pan Pacific Hotels Group (Singapore) • Hiromi Tometaka, Head of Corp Services, Societe Generale (Japan)
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Cover Image: Shutterstock Š ollyy Publisher: Lance Gibbons lance@filmeventmedia.co.za Executive Editor: Katie Reynolds katie@filmeventmedia.co.za Manager, Special Projects: Taryn Fowler taryn@filmeventmedia.co.za Production Co-ordinator: Siyasanga Denga siyasanga@filmeventmedia.co.za Traffic Co-ordinator: Janine Oosthuizen janine@filmeventmedia.co.za
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