The Event Issue 8 by Film & Event Media

Issue 08 | 2017

+ THE GAUTRAIN

Increases EfямБciency for Business Events

+ THE MICE MILLENNIAL Deconstructing Their Role in the Industry

LEADING INNOVATION IN RAPID RAIL SYSTEM

Let your imagination take ďŹ&#x201A;ight Flexible multipurpose conferencing facilities encompassing 4000 m2 Over 50 000 m2 multipurpose exhibition halls World-class corporate facilities with ďŹ ve-star catering facilities and 24/7 security A multi-purpose arena that can accommodate 20 000 guests Home of the Ultra Music Festival with an outdoor space of over 100 000 m2 Winner of the PMR Africa Award in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 Conveniently located and just 30 minutes from all major airports

For a world-class experience, available at the most competitive prices, contact us now:

011 494 1920 marketing@expocentre.co.za | info@expocentre.co.za www.expocentre.co.za

CONTENTS

www.theevent.co.za

02. 04.

BOOK YOUR NEXT BUSINESS EVENT AT THE JSE

05.

The JSE offers a truly unique eventing experience.

08. 18. 20.

THE GAUTRAIN How the rail service increases eventing eﬃciency.

24. 26. 28. 30.

NEW VENUES AND REFURBISHMENTS Susan Reynard turns the spotlight on new venues for business events, and

32.

those receiving major refurbishments.

34.

THE MAGIC OF MPUMALANGA Kim Crowie joins SA Tourism in highlighting this hidden gem.

TGCSA Welcomes 64 New Members Wesgro Secures International Water Loss Conferences for the Cape in 2018 SATSA Conference 2017 Announced The SANCB’s Bidding Support Workshop Highlights Deconstructing the MICE Millennial Bigger, Better, Busier: New Venues and Refurbishments Magniﬁcent Mpumalanga Why Event Professionals Should Enter the Loeries UFI Congress Register Now Insight on the Loeries from CEO Andrew Human Kruger Lowveld: Conferencing Off the Beaten Path Rwanda: Leading African Business Tourism Destination

36.

Events to Diarise

38.

Associations News

40.

Directory of Advertisers

NEWS

www.theevent.co.za

TGCSA WELCOMES 64 NEW MEMBERS 64 new members have heeded the call to pursue excellence in their offerings.

ore South African establishments are opening their doors to TGCSA assessors in their commitment to offer visitors exceptional quality products. As the country’s only recognised and globally benchmarked grading system of quality assurance for accommodation, venues and conferencing facilities, TGCSA has ofﬁcially welcomed 64 new members in June that have heeded the call to pursue excellence in their businesses. “Our new members fall under a diverse number of categories including Bed & Breakfasts, Lodges, Hotels, Guest Houses and Self-Catering establishments,” explains Darryl Erasmus, TGCSA Chief Quality Assurance Ofﬁcer. “It’s imperative that we meet the targets outlined in the National Tourism Department’s transformation programme to increase the number of graded establishments situated in previously disadvantaged areas, while still recognising iconic brands in the hospitality industry.” Lehae Guesthouse embodies what we call a hidden gem, tucked deep in the heart of Sandton, this 3-star guesthouse offers, over and above accommodation,

airport transfers /transportation, tour guide, catering, event management and live band entertainment. Lehae, which means ‘home’ in Sotho, is a warm and friendly guesthouse which invites guests to come and experience a home away from home experience. Situated in the Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate in Bloemfontein, The Royal Fischer Hotel is nestled at the heart of a nature, wildlife and heritage rich town. Named after anti-apartheid activist, Bram Fischer, the 5 star hotel offers luxurious dining experiences, in suite spa services and is a weddings and corporate functions venue. The luxurious Silo Hotel, distinguished by its timeless glamour, is now a 5 star TGCSA graded establishment. This Cape Town establishment at the Waterfront is part of the Royal Portfolio Hotel Group and was named in the Conde Naste Traveller 2017 Hot List. Ross Bowers, the hotel’s Marketing & Communications Manager explains, “The management team of the Silo Hotel were motivated to be graded as we believe that it would be useful for our local and international guests to know that we are members of a credible grading system. It is important for our consumers to know they can trust our product.” Ross also believes that being graded will translate into substantial business growth. “ We are now interested in ﬁnding

out more about other business benefits that come with the TGCSA membership such as the Basket of Benefits and the opportunity to enter our business into the prestigious annual Lilizela Tourism Awards.” Through a vigorous process, the TGCSA appointed assessors travel countrywide to ensure that establishments who voluntarily wish to be graded are heard. “As a new establishment, we believe being graded will boost our image in lodge accommodation available in Bloemfontein,” says Ithuteng Matobakele, Administrative Manager of Monate Nate Oa Phokeng, who describes his lodge as affordable and child-friendly. “TGCSA assessors have reassured us that we are a value for money destination that is able to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. This is truly encouraging. Previously, our visitors would marvel at our gardens with a sparkling pool and lapa area but, business remained slow. Now that we are graded, we know that when travellers see our TGCSA stars they will know that our establishment offers customers the quality they expect.” Grading is an extremely important component in the growth and sustainability of South Africa’s tourism industry. “We call upon establishments across the country to join the quality assurance movement and take full advantage of the benefits of being graded,” concludes Darryl Erasmus.

The management team of the Silo Hotel were motivated to be graded as we believe that it would be useful for our local and international guests to know that we are members of a credible grading system. It is important for our consumers to know they can trust our product.

EASTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA

Dreading your next conference? Bored to tears by yet another excruciating expo or soulless corporate event? Clearly you haven’t discovered the basket of charms that is Buffalo City.

Don’t settle for dull and dreary. If your corporate, cultural, sporting or entertainment event has all the excitement and pizazz of a threeday-old salad, you’re in the wrong city.

Fun, festive and modern, with some of the best facilities under the African sun, Buffalo City is quietly establishing a well-earned reputation as the Go-To Destination for exciting, out-the-box events and show-stopper moments.

Come see why Buffalo City does it better!

Equidistant from Johannesburg and Cape Town, and perfectly positioned between Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Durban, our Metro is the perfect meeting place for events with a national or international footprint. Our mild winters and balmy summers lend themselves to year-round outdoor occasions, while the city’s vast selection of internationalstandard venues and highly skilled professional teams ensure a deft and professional event, no matter what the occasion.

For more information contact the following Tourism Information offices EL Airport: East London Airport Arrivals Terminal Tel: 043 736 3019 KWT: 27 Taylor Street, King William’s Town Tel: 043 642 1215 Dimbaza: Wall of Fame, Main Road, Dimbaza Tel: 040 656 2062 tourismunit@buffalocity.gov.za www.bctourism.co.za

Buffalo City Tourism

DOWNLOAD THE BC TOURISM APP

@bcmtourism

buffalocitytourism

buffalocitytourismBCT

NEWS

www.theevent.co.za

WATER LOSS CONFERENCE SECURED

FOR CAPE TOWN

Wesgro is proud to announce that Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau – a division at Wesgro – has secured the International Water Association’s (IWA) 2018 Water Loss Conference.

his water loss reduction speciality conference will be the biennial event’s ninth in a series, and will take place from 7 to 9 May 2018 at the Century City Conference Centre and Hotel. It will be one of the world’s largest water loss conferences and is expected to attract over 500 participants from more than 50 countries. Many of the world’s leading experts in the field of Non-Revenue Water Management will attend the conference to discuss the latest developments, strategies, techniques and applications of international best practices as well as successful case studies. In addition, they will present a one-day pre-conference workshop on 6 May 2018 to provide an introduction to the issue of Non-Revenue Water Management and an overview of the latest IWA Methodology for reducing water losses from Municipal water supply systems. “The conference is being organised under the auspices of the International Water Association’s Water Loss Specialist Group which has over 1 200 members in over 100 countries. Africa will be the focal point of 2018’s Water Loss Conference, and delegates are already expressing their excitement to return to Cape Town next year. Many successful case studies will be show cased from South Africa which is highly regarded worldwide in the field of water losses and is considered to be one of the leaders in advanced pressure control.” said IWA Water Loss Specialist Group Chairperson Ronnie Mckenzie. “The IWA Water Loss Conference comes at a critical time considering the environmental challenges the Western Cape is currently facing. We are certain

this conference will provide attendees an unparalleled opportunity to share insights and potentially collaborate to find sustainable, long-term solutions to one of the biggest challenges facing, not just the Cape, but regions across the globe,” said Wesgro CEO Tim Harris. The City is delighted to have this important gathering take place in Cape Town at a time when we are facing an unprecedented drought crisis. Cities are at the forefront of dealing with the impacts of climate change and drought and it is vital that we host gatherings such as these to bring key experts from around the globe to draw from the knowledge and solutions that have worked in other parts of the world. We look forward to the conference and to learning as much as we can in our goal to build a water resilient city to ensure that our residents and our economy can adapt, survive and grow,” added City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille. “This is a great boost for our conference industry, and water management is especially topical in the Western Cape. We are experiencing a severe drought which is continuing to impact key sectors in our economy such as agriculture. We recently launched the SmartAgri climate change response plan, a partnership with the private sector and academia, to put practical plans in place to address the impact of the changing environment on our economy. “The water crisis presents an opportunity for innovative solutions, and I am looking forward to the recommendations which will emerge from the IWA’s 2018 Water Loss Conference,” concluded Western Cape Opportunities Minister Alan Winde.

Comment from the Century City Conference Centre: Joint CEO Glyn Taylor comments, “We commend WESGRO on their continued success in securing some of the world’s leading conferences for Cape Town. As a result, Cape Town is considered globally as one of the top business destinations for business tourism in the world. Events of this nature have a crucial economic impact on the hospitality sector. That being said, the local hospitality industry has to uphold Cape Town’s reputation as global leaders in responsible tourism. The Century City Conference Centre and Hotel is part of the first mixed-use development in the Western Cape to be rated four stars by the Green Building Council of South Africa, and as an all-green commercial and hospitality hub, we are committed to conducting business in a way that protects and improves the environment.“ Joint CEO Gary Koetser comments, “Hospitality has historically had a dramatic environmental impact through energy and water consumption, particularly. We are proud to host the International Water Association’s (IWA) Water Loss Conference in 2018 and look forward to learning about best practice globally, and how to implement more innovative solutions to tackling our current water crisis.

NEWS

www.theevent.co.za

SATSA CONFERENCE 2017 ANNOUNCED The Southern African Tourism Services Association’s annual conference will take place from 16-18 August, with the theme ‘Transformation for Inclusive Growth’.

he Southern African Tourism Services Association announced that the SATSA Conference 2017 will take place at Spier in Stellenbosch from 16-18 August 2017. Keeping in line with current discourse, the conference theme is ‘Transformation for Inclusive Growth’, and will be discussed in detail. “We really need to unpack what this means in a sector where a significant majority of businesses are small ownermanaged entities and our customers are international tourists that have a choice of over 200 destinations worldwide to choose from,” the association said in a recent statement. “Given this context, it is crucial that we come to some consensus on what ‘inclusive growth’ means for us and how this will pan out. Importantly, we would seek to include government into the notion of ‘transformation’. Publicprivate partnerships are needed to drive transformation and, of course, there are key areas where we do not get the requisite support from the state.” They added that a “programme to ‘transform’ key bottlenecks should be part of the overall transformation discussion.”

SATSA © Cape Town Tourism SATSA will be partnering with SA Tourism, giving concrete expression to the ‘I Do Tourism’ campaign launched at Africa’s Travel Indaba. A low-key food and wine evening sponsored by WTM Africa will open the conference on the evening of 16 August, with the first conference sessions beginning on 17 August with

Make WE Magic

a keynote address by the Minister of Tourism. SATSA has invited members to forward conference topics for suggestion. Some suggested topics include animal interactions, emerging markets, air access, reaching capacity in key areas, and social media. The Annual SATSA AGM will take place at 8:30am on Friday, 18 August.

JSE

www.theevent.co.za

BOOK YOUR NEXT BUSINESS EVENT AT THE JSE Companies donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be listed to enjoy the excitement of a market open or utilise the venues at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

nsys Limited (share code: ANS) celebrated its tenth anniversary as an AltX listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on 21 June with a market open event. The company, also marking its 30 th birthday milestone and a set of solid annual results announced by CEO Teddy Daka and chairperson Nonhlanhla Mjoli-Ncube, filled the foyer of the JSE for

a business breakfast and countdown to 09h00 when trading officially starts. Ansysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; board members, executive committee and partners gathered on stage to blow the ceremonial kudu horn and vuvuzela, beat the drum and play the marimba as its staff and supporters cheered. A fresh breakfast was served and the annual results were presented in the adjoining auditorium. Ansys operates in diverse sectors

(rail, mining and industrial, defence and cyber security, and telecommunications locally and internationally). South Africa needs such companies that grow and create employment, said Zeona Jacobs, director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the JSE, during the proceedings, adding that she is grateful the company has maintained its listing and continues to derive value from the JSE.

JSE

www.theevent.co.za

A symbolic market open like this may be celebrated every working day, offering a great opportunity for listed companies as well as businesses in general, including non-proﬁ t organisations, to shine the spotlight on commerce, says Carol Crozier, manager of Company Services in the marketing and corporate affairs department of the JSE. The JSE has a number of venues and services that are available for hire, creating business awareness and promoting South African investment. A total of 500 pax can be accommodated across the JSE’s venues for hire, located in a single building in the heart of the Sandton ﬁnancial node. Parking is available on site for a limited number of VIPs as well as in the adjacent underground parkade. Venue hire is competitively priced and a variety of optional extras, from equipment to services, additional venues to training, may be incorporated

into special packages. Three studios on site – CNBC, SABC and PowerFM – plus a range of gathering areas, digital signage, media and breakaway rooms, an executive dining room and auditorium have the latest technical features that were part of a major renovation in 2014. Some of the companies that have utilised the space have live webstreamed their results around the world, thanks to the fast broadband Internet speeds and equipment on hand. In addition to the infrastructure, cabling and technologically advanced equipment, the venue has an onsite sound engineer and technicians to ensure everything runs smoothly. The company services team takes care of client relations and are familiar with all of the necessary security and political protocol required when hosting high ranking government officials and dignitaries. A preferred caterer adds the finishing culinary touches. Events range from business meetings, executive lunches, smart awards functions and market openings. The JSE Training Academy offers a range of short courses for businesses keen to learn more about requirements for listing as well as investor relations training, insights and collateral development, media training, roadshows, analyst research reports. Carol says a partnership with the JSE is beneficial for business in general as well as sponsors of business. “At the JSE we looked at what other exchanges and bourses around the world are doing and have tailored our offering accordingly. We are able to host almost any event at any time, as long as it promotes South African investment. We also have a Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) satellite office here for the convenience of our clientele. Studio hire is a regular request and we are looking into adding this in conjunction with the three studios onsite,” explains Carol. “This really is a one-stop shop and we offer a different dynamic – we’re not a convention centre or hotel and the JSE touch points we offer for events informs the experience.”

FACT FILE Venues • Atrium (includes bar and entertainment area) (180 pax) • Auditorium (145 pax) • Meeting/breakaway rooms (20 pax each) • Executive dining room (22 pax) Services • Set-up • Standard AV • Optional extras (wide range of tech) • Webinars • Road shows • Market opens • Videography • Value-added products (e.g. videos) for results presentations • Wallboard advertising • Free-standing touch screen • Catering • Butler services Contact Tel: (011) 520 7131 www.jse.co.za

01 JSE Foyer 02 Zeona Jacobs, director of marketing and corporate affairs at the JSE with Teddy Daka, group CEO of Ansys Limited. 03 JSE Auditorium 04 At the stroke of 09h00 the market opened to much fanfare by Ansys Limited during its 10th anniversary of listing on the AltX of the JSE. Flanked by Slindile Jali (far left) and Ntombifuthi Sibiya (far right) in traditional attire are Andrew Matseke (MD Tedaka Network Solutions); Burt Lamprecht (group CFO Ansys); Petrus Pelser (MD Parsec); Rynier van der Watt (chief strategy, mergers and acquisitions, Ansys); Nonhlanhla Mjoli-Ncube (non-executive director and chairperson); Teddy Daka (group CEO Ansys); and Lebo Masekela (chief executive Ansys Rail). At the podium is MC of the event, Kumashree Moodley, key client manager at the JSE. 05 JSE Entrance

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

THE SANCB’S BIDDING

SUPPORT WORKSHOP

On the 19th of July, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer at the South Africa National Convention Bureau presented industry insights and key findings at a Bidding Support Workshop at Embassy Hill, Cape Town. Bidding Performance 2012 – 2017: Of the 240 bids and proposals submitted, 60% were won, which resulted in 424 450 potential delegates, 1 100 combined conference days, and an economic impact of R5-billion.

•

Business Events Research Study: Key Findings • •

•

Sample size: 5 093 – weighted to 2 948 486 Types of meetings/conferences – Medical events are the most common (34%) followed by conferences with a socially responsible theme (11%) Tourism and Hospitality, as well

•

as Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Natural Resource conferences are responsible for approximately 10%. Pre- and post-event behaviour: Approximately one third (30%) of all conference delegates will travel around South Africa before and after attending their business event. The average amount of time travelling before and after the event is 3.5 days. Pre- and post-event spend: When travelling before and/or after the conference the average conference delegate will spend approximately R12 600. This expenditure is made up of accommodation, tours and shopping mostly.

Business Event Arrivals • •

•

South Africa’s total venue population is 2 620. South Africa hosts on average 211 000 international and national business events. South Africa is host to approximately one million international business event delegates annually.

Bids Secured: Pipeline • • • •

Number of bids secured: 137 international and regional bids Combined conference days: 602 event days Number of delegates: 136 111 delegates Estimated economic impact: R2.1-billion

Market Priorities: Key Industries Business Process Outsourcing

Manufacturing

Creative Industries

South Africa is in a position to attract and develop outsourcing and offshore support activities, particularly in the following areas: • Financial services • Insurance • Telecoms • After-sales • IT

South Africa excels in a number of areas of manufacturing that include: • Automotive • Chemicals • Pharmaceuticals • Agri-processing • Electronics • Biofuels

South Africa’s creative industries are growing and becoming more competitive in international markets. In addition, this sector helps promote the ZA brand around the globe. Key segments include: • Film and video • Music • Crafts

Information and Communication Technology

Mining and Metals

Life Sciences

South Africa is one of the world’s leaders in mining and a leading source of minerals. Key areas for developments are: • Precious metals and minerals • Mining expertise and technology • Minerals beneficiation

The strength of South Africa’s health and medical establishments is recognised the world over. Events in the following areas should be developed: • Medical specialties • Biotechnology • Medical devices

Clearly the leader in information and communication in Africa. South Africa’s reputation in the domain is improving annually. Key areas include: • Software development • Electronic financial applications • Fraud prevention

FAIRLAWNS BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA

www.theevent.co.za

FAIRLAWNS

BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA This award-winning boutique hotel, located in a tranquil suburb of Sandton, impresses with its Balinese Spa, excellent restaurant and world-class suites.

ÂŠ Xavier Saer Photography

Fairlawns Pool

pulent design and personalised service await guests at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa. Start the day with breakfast at a time that suits you best. Afterwards, you can enjoy a massage at the spa, where you can also treat yourself to a cleansing facial or traditional South East Asian treatment. Fairlawns restaurant serves an array of seasonal dishes, all prepared with local ingredients. Dine next to the pool or opt for the imposing dining room. An awardwinning wine list complements your meal, with drinks also available at the bar.

Grand Chateau ÂŠ Xavier Saer Photography Let the day draw to a leisurely end relaxing in front of the fireplace in the sitting room. Books and newspapers are available in Fairlawns library. Alternatively, you can watch the sun set on the terrace while sipping a sundowner. Lavish designs and luxurious furnishings make each of the spacious suites unique. Wake up to stunning views of Fairlawns landscaped garden. Seating areas, large windows and a deluxe bathroom complete each units distinct feel. Sandton is a great choice for travellers interested in food, luxury brand shopping and shopping for clothes.

T: +27 11 804 2540/1/2/3 F: +27 11 802 7261 E: reservations@fairlawns.co.za 1 Alma Road, Morningside, Johannesburg, South Africa, PO Box 61, Gallo Manor, 2052 www.fairlawns.co.za

GAUTRAIN

EFFICIENCY FOR EVENTS The Gautrain continues to open up the gems in Johannesburg and Pretoria to its passengers, making it easier to do business, commute, meet, shop and play.

OR Tambo International Airport ÂŠ SA Tourism

he Gautrain has changed the way people do business in Johannesburg and Pretoria. The speed at which passengers can traverse the cities by train means a venue 50 kilometres away may be quicker and easier to reach than a property in a densely populated suburb only 10 kilometres away. The Gautrain Management Agency shares what makes this sleek blue and gold train work. The total route of ten stations and 80km of track is available seven days a week between 05h30 and 20h30. Stations include OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), Rhodesfield, Park (in Johannesburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CBD), Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria and Hatfield. Each of the ten stations has a unique themed design that portrays the diverse resources, technology, economy and culture of the country. The stations are easily accessible and in some areas, such as Sandton and Rosebank, are within walking distance of other public transport modes and a large number of shopping malls, convention

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE

centres, meeting venues and hotels. The Gautrain operates as a cashless system and passengers may buy their Gautrain Gold Cards at any of the Gautrain stations. The integrated ticketing system allows passengers to pay for their train rides, bus rides and parking with a single card. Buses and shuttles services are a dedicated feeder and distribution service and their role is to transport passengers during weekdays to and from all stations excluding the ORTIA station. Fares are structured in two ways: basic fares are pay-as-you-go and passengers may load their Gautrain Gold Card as and when they use the system; weekly and monthly fares are for frequent users travelling between two stations, with monthly users benefiting from a 15% discount on peak fares and weekly users receive a 7.5% discount on peak fares. The minimum value required on the card for pay-asyou-go is R25 and the card itself costs R16 as a once-off, non-refundable fee. The Gautrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airport link is a 15-minute

trip from ORTIA to Sandton at speeds of around 160km per hour. For anyone who has travelled this 30km route by bus, coach, car or taxi, between traffic congestion and delays and regular road works that is a saving of at least 45 minutes in travel time. Business travellers today increasingly value time-saving over cost-saving. The Gautrain rail system was built in such a way that it would reduce travel distances and connect people to interesting places along the route, including hotels, convention centres and meeting spaces. The hospitality industry, retail offerings and major corporate offices were quick to snap up areas around the stations during the planning phase. As a result, many major convention centres, hotels and meeting and events venues are located along the Gautrain bus and shuttle routes in Midrand, Rhodesfield, Hatfield, Pretoria and Park Stations and many others are within walking distances in Rosebank and Sandton. From March 2016 to April 2017 there were approximately 16 million train trips and five million bus trips recorded. Stats show an average of 66 000 passenger trips on the trains and 23 000 on the bus service per day. The Gautrain Management Agency closely monitors travel patterns and demand levels on the Gautrain. The agency reports that train demand is highest between 06h00 and 08h00 on trains travelling towards Sandton, from both the north and east. The pattern reverses during the afternoon, with demand peaking between about 15h30 and 18h00. In response to these travel patterns and the ever increasing demand for its services, the Gautrain has implemented several measures to increase on-track capacity:

1. Introduction of an additional eight-car train set during the morning peak (and later another during the afternoon peak) on the north-south line. 2. Introduction of slightly earlier and later trains between Sandton and ORTIA. 3. System-wide reduction in the interval between trains during the morning peak hour from 12 minutes to 10 minutes. 4. Introduction of innovative fare products designed to promote offpeak and counter-flow ridership. One of the agency’s objectives is the integration of the Gautrain system with other public transport services in Gauteng. This includes regular engagement with the three metros of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng provincial government for the alignment of transport plans and identification of integration projects or initiatives. This ensures effective enhancement of public transport networks that will address the transport needs for the province and easy mobility for public transport users.

Need for speed The CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC) in Pretoria reports an increase in the attendance numbers of delegates due to the convenience of the Gautrain together with the Gautrain H2 Lynwood bus stop. The CSIR ICC provides conference organisers and delegates with a step-by-step information sheet to assist first-time users on how to conveniently travel to the property using the Gautrain system. Gautrain Gold Cards are also available for sale at the ICC. “The efficiency of the Gautrain service is brought home to us every time a visitor the CSIR ICC mentions having travelled for only around three hours from as far as Cape Town, including the flight and disembarking time of more than two hours. We therefore encourage our clients to make use of the Gautrain as it complements the seamless

CSIR

International

Convention Centre

naturally hospitable • globally accessible

Pretoria/Tshwane | www.csiricc.co.za

On the Gautrain H2 bus route

world-class service ethos of the CSIR ICC,” explains Refilwe Nchebisang, marketing coordinator. The Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) and other three properties that form part of the Tsogo Sun Sandton Mile (Sandton Sun, InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers and Garden Court Sandton City) are within walking distance of the Sandton station of the Gautrain. Shaun Bird, Sales and Marketing Manager for the Tsogo Sun Sandton Mile says, “The Gautrain has become an integral part of travelling to our Sandton hotels and specifically the SCC. Since inception, we have most certainly seen a growth in both business and visitor numbers at public events held at SCC. This is a key marketing tool for us when we bid for both local and international business.”

He reports that a large corporate client has commented to him that the Gautrain has changed their travel budget and choice of venue for their annual conference, as local and international delegates arriving at ORTIA, as well as those within Gauteng, are all in Sandton within 15 minutes. SCC and Bombela, the Gautrain Management Agency, have entered in a marketing agreement in which public events at SCC can now be marketed at the Sandton Gautrain station on 17 screens across three platforms and the SCC can welcome delegates as they arrive. The Radisson Blu Gautrain is the only hotel to reflect its unique location in its name. Located diagonally opposite the Sandton station less than 200 steps away, it is also the closest hotel within the Sandton node. There is a WhatsApp number for guests to

contact the hotel as soon as they arrive and offer of complimentary valet walkover from the station to the hotel. General Manager Werner Geere says the hotel does beneﬁt from the close collaboration with the Gautrain name: he reports that 49% of their corporate guests use the Gautrain as well as many leisure travellers, thanks to its efﬁciency, safety, convenience, hygiene and comfort. In addition, the hotel and Gautrain partner in a number of CSI programmes, one of which involved a group of previously disadvantaged school children from Pretoria taking the Gautrain to the hotel for milkshakes and a meal. Another involved the SA GuideDogs Association, with a doggie buffet served in the courtyard of the hotel. As an international corporate hotel, Radisson Blu Gautrain, together with Gautrain

operators, look for ways to stay relevant to all communities. Other major hotel groups offering conference and event venues with easy access to the Gautrain system include, but are not limited to, Tsogo Sun, Legacy Hotels and Resorts, City Lodge Group, Protea Hotels, African Pride Hotels, Sun International, Rezidor, Peermont, Holiday Inn, Premier Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton and Four Seasons. In addition, a large number of independents offer similar beneﬁts and services, all increasing their competitiveness and making organising events in and around Gauteng much easier.

Contact Call centre: 0800 428 87246 www.gautrain.co.za

Host your Johannesburg convention, meeting, or conference at the exceptional Hyatt Regency Johannesburg. Take advantage of fully modernised Johannesburg conference rooms and the outstanding professional planning and catering expertise for which Hyatt is world-renowned.

ADVERT

Hyatt Regency Johannesburg meetings feature an unmistakable air of professionalism and sophistication. Whether you are planning a small executive retreat or a company-wide conference, our experts will make sure you’re at your best from start to ﬁnish. Hyatt can assist you with quick and convenient service. T: +27 11 280 1234 | E: johph.rfp@hyatt.com | W: johannesburg.regency.hyatt.com Closest Gautrain Station: Rosebank

www.theevent.co.za

GAUTRAIN MANAGEMENT AGENCY

THE GAUTRAIN FOR PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

THE GAUTRAIN OFFERS VARIOUS SERVICES WHICH CAN BE USED EITHER JOINTLY OR SEPERATELY: TRAINS | BUSES | MIDIBUSES AND PARKING FACILITIES AT MOST OF ITS STATIONS

Contact Details Gautrain Management Agency Physical Address: 44 Grand Central Boulevard Grand Central ext. 1 Midrand

GPS Co-ordinates: -25.995802,28.133513 Postal Address: PO Box 1266, Kelvin, 2054 Telephone: +27 (11) 086 3500 Fax: +27 (11) 580 0604 Gautrain Call Center: 0800 428 87246

SEE MORE OF GAUTENG WITH GAUTRAIN! The Gautrain connects you to your places of interest around the Gauteng province. Hop on to explore fascinating places, attractions and tourist destinations along the Gautrain and bus routes.

Tshwane

Ekurhuleni Johannesburg

OR Tambo International Airport

NORTH - SOUTH All trains stop at every station. COMMUNTER

Hatfield

EAST - WEST COMMUNTER

All trains stop at every station. Use REAR two coaches only.

AIRPORT

All trains stop at every station. Demarcated:

METRORAIL INTERCHANGE

Change here for Metrorail lines.

Metrorail

Tshawne Metrorail

Centurion

Midrand

Malboro

Metrorail

Rhodesfield

O.R Tambo

Sandton

Rosebank Park

Metrorail

Find your nearest station and bus stops on the Gautrain app. Call Centre: 0800 Gautrain / ww.gautrain.co.za

GAUTRAIN VENUES THE AVIATOR HOTEL OR TAMBO LARGEST PLENARY

MEETING ROOMS

GUEST ROOMS

400

120

The Aviator is a unique, themed hotel that reflects the adventure of the golden age of aviation. Famous for its friendly staff and excellent food, The Aviator welcomes guests to 120 beautifully appointed rooms with a complimentary 24 hour airport shuttle, 24 hour room service and an a-la-carte restaurant, with free fast fibre Wi-Fi throughout. The Aviator is a 3-star hotel with a 5-star passion for service.

t: +27 11 921 8300 e: reservations@theaviator.co.za www.theaviator.co.za AUDITORIUM

CINEMA STYLE

COCKTAIL STYLE

SCHOOLROOM

U-SHAPE

CLOSEST STATION: RHODESFIELD

GLENALMOND HOTEL SANDTON Glenalmond Hotel Sandton is perfectly placed for Business and Corporate Travellers who appreciate quiet, comfortable accommodation tucked away in lush green gardens. Located in the Sandton CBD with easy access to and from the major attractions, shopping centres and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The hotel features 36 fully serviced self catering suites, each with kitchen, lounge and guest bathrooms and private patios. We also provide free parking and complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi. t: +27 11 783 7127 e: bookings@glenalmondhotel.co.za www.glenalmondhotel.co.za

GUEST ROOMS

CLOSEST STATION: SANDTON

HILTON SANDTON LARGEST PLENARY

MEETING ROOMS

GUEST ROOMS

1 000

329

At Hilton Sandton, you can relax knowing that our unrivalled hospitality and flexible catering options will ensure your event’s success. Hilton Sandton boasts the largest meeting space in Sandton, accommodating up to 1 000 guests, with nine customizable meeting rooms. Hilton’s Meet With Purpose combines the concept of mindful meetings, mindful eating and mindful being; ensuring your meeting achieves your business and sustainability goals. t: +27 11 322 1888 e: JNBSA_BQSALES@HILTON.COM www.sandton.hilton.com

AUDITORIUM

CINEMA STYLE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE

COCKTAIL STYLE

SCHOOLROOM

U-SHAPE

CLOSEST STATION: SANDTON

GAUTRAIN VENUES THE MASLOW HOTEL LARGEST PLENARY

MEETING ROOMS

GUEST ROOMS

420

281

Situated in the heart of Sandton, The Maslow is a specialist business hotel. Packed with state-of-the-art technology, the hotel is designed to satisfy all six of your senses; giving you a glimpse into the future of the corporate world. This premier 4-star hotel is the home of superior comfort, relaxation, and elegance, and is the foremost precinct for achieving business success. A destination for professionals and leisure travelers to think and thrive. t: +27 10 226 4600 e: maslow@suninternational.com www.suninternational.com

AUDITORIUM

CINEMA STYLE

COCKTAIL STYLE

SCHOOLROOM

U-SHAPE

LARGEST PLENARY

MEETING ROOMS

GUEST ROOMS

400

300

COCKTAIL STYLE

SCHOOLROOM

U-SHAPE

CLOSEST STATION: SANDTON

PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT PARKTONIAN ALL-SUITE Allow delegates to arrive relaxed at their Conference/Meeting by using the Gautrain. We offer free shuttles to/from Gautrain Park Station. Services we provide: Quotes within 2 hours | AV Technician | DCP Special includes free Wi-Fi, data projector and PA system | 7 venues and 6 boardrooms | Seating for up to 400 delegates | 2 executive boardrooms on the roof offer breathtaking views | Our uniqueness is our 300 onebedroomed suites. t: +27 11 403 5740 e: accom@parktonian.co.za www.marriott.com CLOSEST STATION: GAUTRAIN PARK

Q ON FIRST GUESTHOUSE

Q on First

LARGEST PLENARY

MEETING ROOMS

GUEST ROOMS

Q on First Guesthouse is centrally located and only minutes from Rosebank Central. It offers Executives that homeaway-from-home feeling. • 13 well-appointed bedrooms for the discerning traveller. • Two venues to choose from: the Executive Boardroom - 10 delegates, and the Conference room which can accommodate up to 30 delegates cinema style. t: +27 11 447 5767 e: info@qonﬁ rst.co.za www.qonﬁ rst.co.za

AUDITORIUM

CINEMA STYLE

COCKTAIL STYLE

SCHOOLROOM

U-SHAPE

CLOSEST STATION: ROSEBANK

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

DECONSTRUCTING THE MICE MILLENNIAL The word Millennial has been thrown around too many times without truly understanding this demographic’s complexities and their impact on the business events industry. Seasoned Millennial Kim Crowie sets the record straight.

’m 30 this year. That means I am officially labelled a Millennial. I grew up during the dotcom bubble and was introduced to the wonders of the internet in my formative years. My generation is finally coming of age, and although I may not know how to run a successful event (I’ll leave that to the experts), I definitely know ignoring this demographic – or even missing the mark slightly – has potentially devastating consequences for any event. “In 10 years, millennials will make up 70% of the workforce,” says Sedicka Allies of African Agenda. “Venues, hotels, exhibition planners, conference organisers, and incentive planners can’t afford to ignore this market segment. Their preferences will determine the future of the businessevents industry.” Here’s a breakdown of what we really want to experience when engaging in a conference or exhibition.

As one of the largest generations in history about to enter their prime spending years, Millennials are poised to reshape the economy, according to a recent report by Goldman Sachs. They’ve already begun to change perspectives on how to approach events in the 21st century, and have some inherent characteristics that are ideal for careers in the meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibition sectors. As heavily tech savvy and avid social media sharers, Millennials “live for technology”, says Andrew Binning, CEO of Inkayezi Events, “and thus are well suited to the business-events industry – which at this point in time is constantly looking for innovative and creative ways of doing things. The use of technology in events is the talk of the industry, and Millennials are right at home and at the centre of this discussion.” The leading technical supplier to

the live event industry, Gearhouse SA, wholeheartedly agrees. According to National Marketing Manager Robyn D’Alessandro, they “thrive on communicating effectively and concisely as a result of the text- and video-rich world they are immersed in throughout their daily lives… They understand the value of working in a playful and fun way, and are good at creating immersive and memorable event experiences.” Jaques Fouche, Sales Manager in Cape Town adds, “Interaction between the audience and the speaker or panel on stage is key… There is also a strong movement with AR and VR (augmented and virtual reality) to be incorporated with the event. Bigger screens have to be offered for the delegate to snap an image which then becomes ‘live’ on their phone for interaction. Millennials are more visual and focused on experiences

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

What Does a Millennial Want from Events? •

•

Instant gratification: What can you improve, grow or offer them as a brand, according to Reed Exhibitions. Good technology: Proper connectivity, charging points, and inspiring and innovative tech that makes a difference, says Weaving. Work smart and play smart: Spend equal time on work and recreational pursuits and understand the value of working in a playful, fun way, says D’Alessandro. Interaction and experiences: This is as much about proper content development as it is about interesting AV set ups, says Fouche. New presentation styles: Goodbye boring panels and meetings, hello ‘TED Talk’ sessions or even standing discussions, according to African Agenda.

coupled with interesting content, so it is important to collaborate between the two.” Another point of note is Millennials’ focus on sustainable living. They saw the destructive materialistic habits their parents were raised in and its effects on the planet. As such, they’re keen on making a real difference and committing to worthy causes. “In a study on corporate social responsibility and sustainability done by Nielsen in 2015, 56% of Millennials were more likely to use a brand known as environmentally friendly,” says Carol Weaving, Chairperson of AAXO. Sedicka Allies agrees, saying

Millennial Travel Trends

Millennials in a Moment

•

• •

•

86% travel to experience a new culture 69% regret not taking a last minute trip 76% decided on a travel location based on friends’ recommendations 75% wish to travel abroad as much as possible 85% of Millennials check multiple sites before booking their travel to get the best deal possible 46% book travel through a smartphone or tablet 60% will upgrade their travel experience by purchasing in-flight Wi-Fi, early deplaning, etc. 97% will post their experiences while travelling social media; 75% will post at least once a day 68% remain loyal to a programme that offers them the most rewards such as cash or freebies, upgrades, discounts 41% joined a loyalty programme because it was easy to use

• • •

•

• •

•

3 out of 4 Millennials prefer experiences over things 28% have attended a political event in the last year 4 out of 5 say attending live events make them feel more connected 75% believe participating in a live event is more impactful that online action 74% believe live events are more successful at expanding perspective 57% believe engaging with a political cause online has encouraged them to take offline action 53% of Millennials are parents 61% of Millennial parents attend events so they have things to share on social media 70% of Millennial parents have used social media to live stream at an event Attending a live event is a form of expression for 73% of Millennials versus 48% in other generations

- Source: Internet Marketing

- Source: Eventbrite, The Experience

Inc., 2016 research report

Movement: Research Report 2017.

that Millennials want “experiences – they don’t want to be told about something, they want to experience (try/taste/do/ play) it – and they aren’t interested in the traditional hard sell, they are interested in contributing to the greater good.” Although there are oodles of fascinating traits attributed to Millennials, one that stands out is multi-tasking. This is crucial to the business-events industry, says Binning. “Employers expect more from their employees and the nature of events is

Employers expect more from their employees and the nature of events is often a complex one and one that multitaskers thrive on. © rawpixel.com (via Unsplash)

often a complex one and one that multitaskers thrive on,” he explains. “I have found that the MICE Millennial is highly able to successfully problem-solve,” adds Weaving. “They work hard and play harder, which make them perfect for dealing with venues, suppliers and attendees.” “Millennials are more a state of mind than a demographic,” Allies remarks, “We know many 50-something attendees who are ‘Millennials’ and many 20-somethings who fit better in the baby boomer bracket!”

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

CSIR ICC’s expanded foyer

BIGGER, BETTER, BUSIER A snapshot of new and recently refurbished conference and events venues shows a move towards modernisation and versatility. Susan Reynard reports.

onferencing business is distressed in this current market, with many businesses cutting back and conferencing in-house rather than offsite. Competition has also increased, with most of the new buildings in the business node of Sandton, Johannesburg in particular featuring their own conference facilities. For these reasons, says Robert Hodson, general manager of marketing and sales for Legacy Hotels and Resorts, there is a greater need to innovate. “Legacy Hotels and Resorts’ approach to the conference market has changed as there is a need to make the client’s life easier and the entire experience seamless,” explains Robert. “We have had to innovate and change the offering to be unique in what we do: Be Healthy breaks, different lunches, activities, snacks, set-ups etc. To achieve this we needed to find an innovator and brought in a team member from the corporate world to have a look at the offerings, tweak them, enhance them and put together

itineraries for conference incentive groups and coordinate with the PCOs to create events and conference experiences of a lifetime. The bottom line is that we had to become innovators in a world that moves at high pace. Wi-Fi is also a huge initiative of ours, with nine of our corporate properties offering unlimited free Wi-Fi.” Hodson says they have seen the positive results of this approach with the DAVINCI Hotel and Suites in Sandton, Johannesburg. Its new Sophia facility, built at a cost of just over R1-million, was developed to accommodate groups of up to 120 pax and launched in late 2015, with business starting to flow through in early 2016. This complements the existing main banquet room, which can be subdivided into two rooms, Leonardo 1 and 2 accommodating 80 pax each, and the Mona Lisa boardroom, which caters for smaller conferences or meetings of up to 12 pax. “Sophia is a great venue with large mirrors and décor in keeping with the DAVINCI,” he adds. Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in the

Pilanesberg has just launched a 12-seater boardroom to cater for demand for smaller, VIP conference groups. The Hippo conference room was transformed into the Hippo VIP boardroom at a cost of around R220 000, featuring the latest technology including video conferencing, drop down HD projector and full automation. The market has already started using this facility, which is also equipped with fully stocked soft drinks minibars and gourmet coffee. This is in addition to a variety of other event spaces that cater for between 40 and 400 pax. The Commodore Hotel in Cape Town will be refurbishing its conferencing space during the next few months. The America’s Cup Room (up to 150 pax) and Blue Ribbon Room (up to 60 pax) will be completely refreshed and ideal for accommodating smaller groups. This is part of a larger refurbishment of the hotel that includes soft furnishings and modernised technology. The property also features 12-seater Legacy Boardroom. The CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC) continues to upgrade and

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

Time Square Casino to add Sun Arena this year and The Maslow hotel next year

expand its facilities and a proposed refurbishment project is underway to modernise the older sections of the building and add more practicality. The latest project aims to create useful, thoughtprovoking, motivating and contemporary spaces while preserving and enhancing the centre’s main foyer area and auditoria. The last expansion project was integrated into the existing facilities, with a 4 000m2 flowing, convenient area added to accommodate changes in the market for evolving convention formats and spaces. The ICC now features a multi-functional exhibition hall with dedicated organisers’ office and storage facilities, an alfresco dining deck set into the convention centre’s natural setting which is ideal for bird watchers taking a break from business talk, and a luxury VIP suite that is strategically located to

offer a private entrance away from other events, among other new facilities. The CSIR ICC reports that event organisers are moving away from formal dinner set-ups and instead requesting more interactive events that encourage guests’ participation. They have also seen rising demand for themed events and outdoors set-ups. Sun International’s new casino resort in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, Time Square, will launch Sun Arena in November 2017 and The Maslow Time Square in March 2018. Sun Arena is an 8 500-seater, multi-purpose venue that is equipped to host a range of events and concerts, with six private hospitality suites available on request and two meeting rooms catering for between 45 and 144 pax individually and combined. The Globe Bar on the first floor of the casino is also available on request.

The Maslow Time Square is a specialist business hotel offering a total of 238 guest rooms split across 12 room types. The hotel features 13 conference rooms and a business lounge. Meeting rooms are designed to facilitate productive workshops, strategic thinking, effective team building and relaxation. On the mezzanine level of the hotel are four seminar rooms accommodating 12 pax each; on the first floor is a ballroom that can be split into two smaller ballrooms accommodating up to 450 pax in total, a flexi-seminar room for up to 20 pax, three break-away rooms that can be used individually or combined into two or three larger spaces catering for between 52 and 160 pax, and a pool terrace bar area (on request only); on the second floor are three premium break-away rooms catering for up to 39 pax each; a lobby/transit lounge on the 12th floor (on request only);

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

Premier Resorts Sani Pass revamps and expands

three executive boardrooms for between eight and 13 pax on the 14th floor; and the Sun Set Bar on the 15th floor (on request only). All of the pax quoted are approximate and will depend on room configuration and final specifications of the various spaces. The new-look Premier Hotel Cape Town is set to reopen by end-August 2017 after undergoing an R11-million renovation programme to improve the overall guest experience. The four-month project is being carried out by NV Properties and project managed by Betts Townsend Construction. The hotel’s three conference venues – Sunrise (60 pax), Sunset (160 pax) and Dawn (boardroom) – and 130 guests rooms have been refreshed with new furnishings. The reception and lounge areas, including Sofie’s Lounge, also feature new furniture, fittings and décor. The Promenade Restaurant and the Promenade Cocktail Bar now have new layout and design and

The Forum White Light

contemporary earthy feel. The main kitchen has also been remodelled and a Kosher kitchen, with separate dairy and meat sections, has been introduced. Premier Resort Sani Pass in the foothills of the Drakensberg has recently reopened following a R75-million refurbishment programme which began in April 2016. Upgrades make for a more memorable guest stay and the project will be completed by end-July 2017. The property features an additional 120 new guest rooms as well as a new 300-seater conference room. Its four venues, one with a combined option, accommodate a total of 450 pax. “The refurbishments have enabled Premier Resort Sani Pass to advance from 3-star to 4-star status, with a world-class, African offering,” says Samuel Nassimov, managing director of Premier Hotels & Resorts. “Premier Resort Sani Pass initially opened its doors in 1958 and has become

Legacy reaps rewards from launch of Sophia venue at DAVINCI Hotel & Suites

one of those places where families holiday and already book their spot for the next year when they check out. The resort has enjoyed such a loyal following, which in the past often meant that getting a room or event space was almost impossible. We wanted to create opportunities for more guests to experience the resort.” The resort has been modernised with free high-speed Wi-Fi in all rooms and conference venues as well as airconditioning. New entertainment facilities include a wellness centre, gym, spa and cinema and an indoor heated swimming pool, plus an upgraded nine-hole golf course and outdoor swimming pool. In addition, the resort offers a range of outdoors activities for children and adults. Radisson Red Cape Town is the latest hotel offering by the Carlson Rezidor Group and is located next to the Zeitz MOCAA museum at Silo 6, Silo Square,

The Forum Embassy Hill adds to diversity of venues in Cape Town

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

Penthouse suite at the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel South Arm Road at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. It is scheduled to open in September 2017 under the management of curator Dale Simpson. The hotel channels art, music and fashion and features 252 studios; free unlimited, high speed Wi-Fi; dining facilities OUIBar & Ktchn and RED Roof with grill, bar and pool and views of Table Mountain; gym; and onsite parking. Meeting space consists of four events and games studios across 500 metres squared accommodating 90 pax. They are fitted with the latest technology, barista coffee and target “those who hate dull”. The Forum Embassy Hill (previously named Cecilia Ridge) is an historical residence in Constantia, Cape Town that has been added to The Forum group of properties. The original home of the Hamilton-Russel family built in 1952, the property was previously the Netherlands Embassy. Glynis Hyslop of The Forum

The Forum Embassy Hill hosts magical weddings © www.welovepictures.co.za

Company oversaw a massive renovation of the property after they bought it. Embassy Hill is ideal for small weddings and events as well as large celebrations. It caters for up to 150 pax and features four bedroom suites for bridal parties or special guests. The gardens lend themselves to outdoors functions. Inhouse catering and bar services, a range of top wines from the Constantia Valley and a list of preferred vendors assist PCOs in organising successful events. The Forum White Light in Lanseria, west of Johannesburg was added to the group two years ago and transformed from an old farm cottage to an intimate wedding venue. Its key feature is a blank canvas on which brides and organisers can create bespoke events. It caters for up to 140 pax, with personalised catering menu, fine-dining cuisine, expert bar and waiter staff and five-star coordination service.

Radisson Red Cape Town studio

Earlier this year The Forum added The Quarters to the property, consisting of a fivebedroom cottage with views of the garden and countryside ideal for bridal parties. The property also features The Kitchen at The Forum’s L’Antico Giardino, which has recently been opened on weekends for breakfast and lunch and on the first Friday of the month for afternoon drinks and snacks. A “revamp” may include a new way of looking at existing spaces. The Cape Royale Luxury Hotel five-star property is now encouraging corporates to hold their next meeting or intimate conference in one of the penthouse suites, with private terrace and garden area. The rooftop luxury penthouse suites feature views of the Cape Town Stadium and Atlantic Seaboard. The penthouses can accommodate 10 pax each and the King Francis suite caters for up to 18 pax boardroom style or 30 cinema style.

Premier Hotel Cape Town will reopen end-August after major renovation.

SPOTLIGHT

www.theevent.co.za

Images © Kim Crowie

MAGNIFICENT

MPUMALANGA Kim Crowie spent the weekend of 14-17 July 2017 exploring the wonders of Mpumalanga with SA Tourism in a Lilizela-inspired tour of the region.

little-known province in northeast South Africa, Mpumalanga is a hidden gem with heaps of natural beauty to explore and adrenalin highs to chase. After winning a weekend away at Meetings Africa inspired by the Lilizela Awards, I joined SA Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona and a group of media and officials from Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency on three days of thrilling adventure.

The Itinerary After gathering the group of 20-odd together, we headed for Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge where we dropped off our luggage before heading to the Kuku Café for lunch. After munching on a delectable plate of pork ribs, we were off to the Phambeni Gate at the Kruger National Park for a sunset game drive. We managed to spot about 10 species of including elephants, African fish eagle, and wildebeest (apparently the best time

to view game is July to August) before heading back to enjoy a welcome feast prepared by the Lodge. “This is part of the process of revealing the many opportunities that are available in tourism,” SA Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona said of the tour, “A lot of the work we’re doing is about introducing new players and showcasing South Africa as so much more than a beach, a mountain or a safari… we want to acknowledge all the hidden gems and we hope that in two or three

SPOTLIGHT

www.theevent.co.za

years’ time they will no longer be hidden; that they be proud of who they are in showcasing this country to the world.” Saturday bright and early we were on the road with a mountain of refreshments and snacks to take on the incredible Panorama Route. Rolling hills of pine trees as far as the eye could see gave way to more jungle and bush as we travelled through the third largest man-made forest on earth. After a few hours we passed through the sleepy towns of Sabie and Hazyview and popped by The Big Swing to check out the view. From there we headed to Bourke’s Luck Potholes – magnificent natural waterfalls and rock sculptures carved out of red clay hundreds of thousands of years ago – followed by Blyde River Canyon. What an unforgettable view of the Three Rondavels and the Blyde River, miles above sea level. Next stop was a quick lunch at Casamambo for some scrumptious potato bake. The

We want to acknowledge all the hidden gems and we hope that in two or three years’ time they will no longer be hidden; that they be proud of who they are in showcasing this country to the world. last two stops were a quick peek through God’s Window, and a return to The Big Swing where I experienced one of the scariest feats of my life – freefalling off a lush, green cliff with little more than a rock-climbing harness for security. Finally, before heading home, the group headed to Coyote’s Pub for authentic shisanyama, pap and atchar. Truly food for the soul. Sunday arrived too soon for everyone,

although we somehow managed to pack and check out by 10am. Before hurrying to catch our SAA flight to Joburg we caught two last activities, a visit to Shangana Cultural Village, and another adventure I personally drew the line at: white water rafting.

Afterthoughts The trip was a sensory delight and I left realising this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of tourism possibilities for SA. There are so many places I can explore in this country that are off the beaten track. I came home realising that without any effort on my part “I Do Tourism” and I definitely did tourism this particular weekend. Special thanks to our lovely hosts Lloyd and Carol, owners of Casambo, who pulled out all stops to ensure our stay was more than enjoyable. The way in which they are championing creativity, arts and culture in the region is inspiring.

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

THE LOERIES FOR EVENT PROFESSIONALS As an industry that’s constantly involved in design innovations, marketing, and activations; event professionals are perfectly positioned to attend and enter the Loeries - Africa and the Middle East’s biggest brand communication awards show.

s the highest level of creative excellence across Africa and the Middle East in the brand communications industry, the Loeries Creative Week was initially launched in 1978 to drive television as the new medium. Almost four decades later, the categories have grown exponentially, with 31 finalists announced across the Live Events, Activations and Sponsorship category in 2016. Of these finalists, 18 received a Bronze Loerie, five went home with Silver, and one Gold

Loerie was awarded – to Mela Events for their BMW 7 Series Product Launch. “Events are no longer just delivery of logistics; we consider ourselves to be an experiential brand agency delivering on unique events that bring a brand to life. It’s invaluable for hard work and passion to be recognised!” an excited Tiziana Tucci and Enelra Booth of Mela Events told the Event last year after their Gold win. “We consider ‘advertising’ to be every point where a brand interacts with the customer,” Andrew Human, CEO of the

Sarah Personette, VP Global Business Marketing, Facebook speaks at the DStv Seminar of Creativity © Photo by Alistair Nicoll/2016 Loerie Awards

Loeries, says. “This includes events and other areas like architecture, interior design, and public relations, to name a few of the less obvious areas.” Mela’s brief was to host an intimate business and networking dinner for selected guests in a secret, never-before-seen location. Here, BMW showcased the new 7 Series and integrated the vehicle’s seven unique selling points into the guests’ dining experience. According to Mela, the client loved the concept of creating an immersive brand experience, with the end result delivering on the proposed concept and objectives. “BMW 7 Series Product Launch is a stellar example of novel event activation that delivered a unique, attention-grabbing experience,” Human remarks. “The product launch displayed a deep understanding of its target market, and cleverly linked two unrelated fields: that of the fine-dining experience with fine driving to deliver a specific and on-point brand message that was memorable and effective.” He says the most important submission criterion is that the work has to be innovative. “The Loeries celebrates the value that creativity adds. The judges look for innovation; ideas that have that, ‘I wish I had thought of that!’ effect.” “Loeries Creative Week is not only about celebrating creativity, but is also provides an inspiring few days for everyone in the brand communications industry. It’s the largest gathering across our industry so it’s a great opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones. The MasterClasses on the Thursday as well as the DStv Seminar of Creativity on the Friday offer unmissibale opportunities to learn and be inspired. And of course there are the Awards on the Saturday and Sunday – a great opportunity to be immersed in all the best work from across Africa and the Middle East. And, as Sir Martin

FEATURE

www.theevent.co.za

•

Type D – Multi Entry: Entries from all other main categories – Type A and Type C – can be re- entered here. This only applies to certain award categories.

Live Events, Activations and Sponsorship

Loeries Creative Week is an inspiring show pushing the boundaries fo creativity © Roy Esterhuysen/2016 Loerie Awards

Advantage Y&R Namibia won a Silver Loerie for #DontWashMeNAM (City of Windhoek) in the Live Activations category.

Edible Music, which won a Silver Loerie, was on display at the pop-up Heineken Next Level Bar. © Heineken Sorrell once said, it’s important to “get away a little bit from the hurly burly” for a bit of fun.”

Categories and Entries for Event Professionals Although the Live Events, Activations and Sponsorship category is best suited to event professionals who would like to enter their work into the Loerie Awards, there are three other categories that may apply to some projects, namely Outdoor and Out of Home, Communication Design, and Integrated Campaign. Entries can

be submitted in three category types: • Type A – Single Entry: A piece of work can only be entered in one Type A category. Individual media elements from a campaign may be entered in their relevant Type A categories. • Type B – Campaign Entry: Multiple Type A entries for the same campaign can be combined to make up one Type B Campaign entry. • Type C – Crafts: Entries from Type A and Type B can be re-entered in all the relevant Craft categories.

Entries in this category must highlight the live audience experience and not PR coverage or third-party experiences. Live Events (LE2A) covers internal and external events, including branded content (e.g. art installations, auctions, educational, branded content, conferences, launches, motivational, road shows, screenings, service and social responsibility). A live event must have an invited audience. Live Activations (LE2B) cover any brand activation where live acting, role playing or performing is the primary mechanism, with an incidental audience that has not been invited. This excludes promotions where samples are handed out with no immersive live interaction, and excludes activations where the primary message is communicated primarily via a digital medium, electronic billboard, or other device. Brand activations and promotions that use promotional staff should be entered into the Ambient and Alternative Media category. Sponsorship (LE2C) covers the sponsorship of consumer-focused sporting and lifestyle events. Entries in this category must show a sponsor, and audience participation must be via ticket purchases. Events with an invited, non-paying audience must be entered into Live Events. Entries from all three Type A categories may be re-entered into the relevant Craft categories: Direction, Writing, Art Direction/ Stylist, Original Music and Sound Design, Performance, Use of Technology, and Video and Motion Graphic Design. Overview videos must be limited to two minutes, and all non-English work must include subtitles and translations. More information on the entry criteria can be found on www.loeries.com.

It’s important to “get away a little bit from the hurly burly” for a bit of fun.

SPOTLIGHT

www.theevent.co.za

UFI CONGRESS 2017 Taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre from the 1st to the 4th of November, the UFI Congress is the annual gathering of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Pressures and proﬁts in the exhibition industry Exhibition formats are evolving. Markets are shifting. Digitisation is accelerating. In this tough environment, our industry is investing billions of dollars into new products, alliances, infrastructure, and many other things. In fact, the exhibition industry is growing faster than the global economy. Join us at the 84th Global Congress as

•

we discuss current and future pressures on our industry, and share best practices and insights into the proﬁts generated through change and perseverance.

Programme Highlights:

•

For the full Congress programme, visit: http:// uﬁevent.org/johannesburg2017/programme

Wednesday 01 November • • • • • •

•

UFI Board of Directors Meeting UFI General Assembly 2nd UFI Board of Directors Meeting Associations Committee Meeting Marketing Committee Meeting UFI Xchange: Destinations. Discover how different venues and cities around the world have succeeded in marketing themselves as trade show destinations. UFI Xchange: EventTech. Hear all about the latest trends and initiatives in event technology in this energising, creative session. Welcome Reception

Thursday 02 November • • • • •

UFI Running Club Ofﬁcial Opening of the 84th UFI Global Congress Keynote Speaker: Johan Reyneke, Founder & Owner, Reyneke Wines (South Africa) NGL Grant Session - Sustainable Growth: Smart Exhibitions Panel Session: Pressures, Proﬁts and Opportunities in Emerging Markets. Entering into an emerging market can be very rewarding but also very challenging. This panel brings together players

•

• • • •

who have “taken-the plunge” into new markets in Africa, Asia and the Americas, to share their most expensive mistakes and their biggest successful gambles. Panel Session: Hot Seat Interview. Time to turn the spotlight on industry peers who will share their past experiences from other industries that can be paralleled with the exhibition industry! How does the exhibition industry compare and what can we learn from this. Following the case study presentation, participants will have the opportunity to dig deeper through an interactive interview session. Parallel session. Moderator: Angela Herberholz, Marketing and Communications Manager, UFI (France). During this Special Interest Group, the 2017 UFI Award winners will present their innovative industry solutions in the ﬁelds of: - Education: Retention - How to keep key competencies in the company. - Marketing: From show organisers to industry gurus. Success stories from evolving businesses. - Operations & Services: Successful approaches to creating the perfect customer journey. - Sustainable Development: Best destination approach to implement sustainability. - Technology: Digital innovation - What will be our solution for the future? Special Interest Group (SIG) Sessions Government Pavilions. Parallel sessions focusing on speciﬁc areas and/or topics. Participants can select the group or topic that is of interest, to discuss current issues impacting on business. Special Interest Group (SIG) Sessions - Large Venues Parallel Special Interest Group (SIG) Sessions - Digital Disruption Parallel Special Interest Group (SIG) Sessions - Human Resources Parallel Special Interest Group (SIG) Sessions - Family Business

In this tough environment, our industry is investing billions of dollars into new products, alliances, infrastructure, and many other things.

• •

Panel Session: Exhibitor Expectations UFI Congress Gala Dinner at Grass Arena, Johannesburg Expo Centre

Friday 03 November • • • • • • • •

Panel Session: Changing Formats Asia-Paciﬁc Chapter Meeting European Chapter Meeting Latin America Chapter Meeting Middle East, Africa Chapter Meeting Global Industry Review by: Jochen Witt, President & CEO, jwc GmbH (Germany) Africa Focus Session Venue Site Tour

Saturday 04 November Post Congress Day Tour – Historical Tour Learn more about the history of South Africa and how events of the past moulded it into the democratic republic it is today with its multiethnic society and eleven ofﬁcial languages.

Post Congress Day Tour – Nature Tour Visit one of the eight World Heritage sights in South Africa and experience the African wilderness rhino and lion nature reserve. With over 600 head of game, this is the perfect setting for admiring the beloved animals of Africa.

#uﬁjoburg

22 March 20 -20 22-March 20182018 Shanghai • China • China 20 - 22 March Shanghai 2018

Convention & Exhibition ShanghaiShanghai Convention & Exhibition Center ofCenter of Shanghai • China International International Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center ofSourcingSourcing International Sourcing

WORLD IS BUYING MICE IN CHINA THETHE WORLD IS BUYING MICE IN CHINA THE WORLD IS BUYING MICE YOU?IN CHINA AREARE YOU? ARE China’s wide of range of destinations and solutions SourceSource IT&CM IT&CM China’s wideYOU? range destinations and solutions on us! on us! it’s forrange inbound, outbound and business, it’s all here. it’s for inbound, outbound and domestic business, SourceWhether IT&CMWhether China’s wide of destinations anddomestic solutions onit’s us!all here. Whether it’s for inbound, outbound and domestic business, it’s all here.

Estimated USD212 procurement generated Estimated USD212 millionmillion procurement value value generated Estimated USD212 million procurement value generated the show on theon show floor! floor! on the show floor! SOURCING EFFICIENCY FOCUS SOURCING EFFICIENCY FOCUS ON THEON THE Ourbusiness optimal business Our optimal CHINA MARKET CHINA SOURCING EFFICIENCY FOCUS ON THE MARKET matching system ensures matching system ensures The one annual trade event The one annual trade event Our optimal business CHINA MARKET up of to your 100% of your to 100% dedicated to showcasing dedicated to event showcasing matchingup system ensures The one annual trade business appointments business appointments ready MICE destinations, MICE destinations, up to 100% of your dedicatedready to showcasing can be scheduled can be scheduled ahead of ahead of products and services from products and services from business appointments ready MICE destinations, the event to maximise your the event to maximise your across China and around across China and around can be scheduled ahead of products and services from discussions discussions on-site. on-site. World. the World. the the event to maximise your across China and around discussions on-site. the World.

PRIORTY HOSTING CONSIDERATION FOREVENT THE EVENT READERS! PRIORTY HOSTING CONSIDERATION FOR THE READERS! PRIORTY HOSTINGFor CONSIDERATION THE EVENT READERS! For MICE andFOR Association Buyers Only! MICE and Association Buyers Only! Successful applicants enjoy flights andBuyers accommodation in Shanghai, fullprivileges. buyer privileges. Successful applicants enjoy flights and accommodation in Shanghai, and fulland buyer For MICEhosted andhosted Association Only!

APPLY AT www.itcmchina.com/hostme/theevent APPLY AT www.itcmchina.com/hostme/theevent APPLY AT www.itcmchina.com/hostme/theevent

Successful applicants enjoy hosted flights and accommodation in Shanghai, and full buyer privileges.

NETWORKING NETWORKING KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE GOALS GOALS OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES Curated educational sessions Curated educational sessions NETWORKING KNOWLEDGE GOALS by renowned experts on by renowned experts on Fromluncheons, hosted luncheons, From hosted OPPORTUNITIES Curated educational sessions

the dinners, cocktails keyexperts topicskey impacting the dinners, cocktails and late and late by renowned ontopics impacting From hosted luncheons, industry. Benefit from industry. Benefit from night functions, night functions, to key topics impacting the dinners, cocktails and late pre- & to pre- & ouraddress, keynote aaddress, a post-event keynote and buyertours, buyerindustry. our Benefit from night functions, to post-event pre& andtours, dedicated Association only lounges. dedicated Association only lounges. Come benefit Come benefit our keynote address, a post-event tours, and buyerDay, Campfire Knowledge Day, Campfire Knowledge from the ultimate IT&CM from the ultimate IT&CM dedicated Association only lounges. Come benefit Sessions, Sessions, and more.and more. China experience. experience. Day, Campfire Knowledge from the China ultimate IT&CM Sessions, and more. China experience.

ID: ITCMCH ID: ITCMCH

International Delegates China Delegates China Delegates buyers.itcmchina@ttgasia.com | (65) 6395 7575 ID: ITCMCH www.itcmchina.com www.itcmchina.com itcmchinabuyers@citsmice.com.cn | (86)7997 10 8522 7997 itcmchinabuyers@citsmice.com.cn | (86) 10 8522 China Delegates www.itcmchina.com itcmchinabuyers@citsmice.com.cn | (86) 10 8522 7997 Organised By 主办单位: Organised By 主办单位:

Supported By 支持单位: Supported By 支持单位:

Organised By 主办单位:

Supported By 支持单位: Official Media 官方媒体: Official Media 官方媒体:

Official Media 官方媒体:

LOERIES AFRICA MIDDLE EAST

www.theevent.co.za

LOERIES 2017 Key highlights and unmissable events at this year’s celebration of creativity. DStv Seminar of Creativity Now in its fifth year, the seminar is a highlight of Loeries Creative Week for everyone across the industry. “This is the only opportunity of its kind for our local creative community to be directly exposed to such international thought leaders. We’re thrilled to continue to host some of the world’s leading creative minds at our seminar,” says Andrew Human, CEO of Loeries Africa Middle East. “There is no other seminar in our region that hosts seven world-class speakers of this calibre all on one day.”

•

This year’s speaker line-up includes: •

•

Götz Ulmer, Chief Creative Officer, Jung Von Matt, Hamburg, Germany. His clients include Vodafone, MINI, eBay, Audi and Mercedes and international judging includes Cannes, OneShow, DA&D, and Clio. Keith Cartwright, Executive Creative Director, BSSP, California, USA. Keith was responsible for the gender-busting #keepbuilding Lego campaign, the most viewed commercial in Lego’s history, and the “Become Legendary” campaign which helped Jordan reach US$ 1-billion in sales for the first time in its history. Luc-Olivier ‘Luco’ Marquet, CEO, Unilever South Africa joined Unilever from the L’Oreal group with 23 years of FMCG experience, having worked in brand building and brand development, customer development and travel retail. He has worked in Europe, the Americas and, most recently in West Africa’s developing and emerging markets for Unilever. Markus Maczey, Chief Creative Officer, Plan.Net Group, Munich, Germany, was one of the first creative brand communicators in the digital sphere and now takes his place as a leading digital thinker on an international level.

•

Pum Lefebure, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Design Army, Washington DC; Board Director, The One Club, New York, USA. Named in Adweek’s Creative100 in 2016, Graphic Design USA’s Top 50 People to Watch, and as a Rising Star by the Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business. Tea Uglow, Creative Director of Google’s Creative Lab based in Sydney, has been with Google since 2006, pioneering its Creative Labs in Europe and Asia Pacific. Her work centres on enabling artists, writers and performers to experiment with new ways of using digital technology to augment traditional methods. She speaks on innovation and digital futures around the world; her 2015 TEDx talk has 1.5M+ views. Weera Saad, Head of Creative Shop, Facebook: MEA, inspires and drives innovative ideas to help unlock the creative power of Facebook on her quest to scale up the platform and deliver powerful stories from the region. Her award-winning 20-year advertising background culminated in Executive Director Strategic Planning at DDB and BBDO across the MEA region.

Come out and play during Loeries Creative Week Loeries Fringe Festival from 14-21 August Businesses, organisations and individuals from the Durban area and KwaZulu-Natal are invited to host events that showcase their creativity as part of the Loeries Fringe Festival. Whether your talent lies in music, dance, food and drink, crafts, fashion, comedy, street theatre, or art, inspire everyone by sharing it at the festival. Everyone is invited to enjoy the Fringe Festival during Loeries Creative Week. A new portal developed by Between 10and5 makes it really easy to plan your entertainment during the week. The portal is a central hub that connects and updates events across the

Fringe Festival. It includes a gig guide, reviews on live events, and a local supplier directory.

I Heart Loeries Market on Sunday 20 August This special edition of the I Heart Market, which moves to the beachfront for the occasion, is part of the Loeries official events, and takes place on Sunday 20 August from 9am to 2.30pm at Bay Lawns on the Beach Promenade. Only local craftspeople from KwaZulu-Natal are on display at this unique market, and visitors can expect products that are unique and innovative, something out of the ordinary.

Andrew Human © Gallo Images

Andrew Human, CEO Of The Loeries On Loeries Creative Week... “Loeries Creative Week is a real celebration of innovation and creativity. We want everyone involved in, or with a passion for, the creative arts to get involved which is why events like the Dstv Seminar of Creativity, our MasterClasses, the Fringe Festival and I Heart Loeries Market are open to everyone. I encourage anyone wanting to revel in the creativity that Loeries Africa Middle East brings to Durban to get involved.”

www.theevent.co.za

MEDIATECH AFRICA

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2017 A technology trade show that shapes the way creativity plays, creates and lives.

Mediatech had over 700 brands represented at the show this year. Exhibiting companies: 122 Visitor numbers: 7 525 Mediatech features included a Drone Cage with Drone Cage Pilots. The presentation zones featuring local and international speakers, the Black Box was a first for the show, and VR Experiences as well as the TimeSlice were all to be seen at Mediatech Africa 2017.

T: +27 (0) 11 025 3180 E: sales@mediatech.co.za W: www.mediatech.co.za Monday - Friday 09:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 17:00

BUSINESS EVENTS MADE EASY

Pestana Kruger Lodge © Pestana

www.theevent.co.za

Impala at Kruger National Park © Jen (via Flickr.com)

Pestana Kruger Lodge © Kruger Park Travel

KRUGER LOWVELD EHLANZENI

The Kruger Lowveld located in the municipality of Ehlanzeni is one of the most scenic South African locations in which to host a conference.

nternationally renowned for its wildlife experiences, the Kruger National Park spans nearly two million hectares of unrivalled diversity. Hundreds of different species call this enormous, magnificent wildlife park and conservation area home: 507 birds, 336 trees, 147 mammals, 114 reptiles, 49 fish, and 34 amphibians. The southern part of the park is in the Kruger Lowveld region, located in the province of Mpumalanga. It offers ample venues for small to mid-sized conferences and events, and is ideal for incentive travel and teambuilding getaways, with a myriad mountainous hills and panoramas to satisfy Instagram nuts. The far north of the Kruger is wildest and most difficult to access – perfect for intrepid adventurers. Borders between South Africa’s Kruger, Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou, have been demolished to create the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, giving way to a colossal wilderness region.

Key Venues Kruger National Park has a host of lodges, luxury resorts and tented accommodation to suit the rough and ready to the most glamorous of visitors. There are 10 major luxury lodges recommended by South Africa National Parks (SANParks), and 12 main rest camps with electricity, a first-aid centre, a shop, braai and communal kitchen facilities, as well as a variety of satellite camps, bushveld camps, lodges, and overnight hides. Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge, located in Mpumalanga, is a tranquil getaway

and small conference destination, offering meeting space for up to 250 delegates. Africa Hall, its main venue, has state-of-the art technology, professional sound systems, comfortable seating and is fully air-conditioned. It is discretely positioned in the serene gardens of Casambo, allowing for total peace and privacy. The lodge is between 30 minutes and two hours from most major attractions in the Lowveld area. It is home to a vibrant creative arts community and hosts live performances and jam sessions once a month. www.casambo.co.za.

Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge Meeting Space

Plenary / Description

Africa Hall

250 delegates

115 @ Casambo

Ideal for private functions

The Lapa

Outdoor venue

BUSINESS EVENTS MADE EASY

www.theevent.co.za

Climate

A rare leopard spotted at the Kruger © Joe Turco (via Flickr.com)

The Kruger Lowveld is a yearround destination with excellent game viewing during dry winter months from July to August, with full waterholes, lush bushveld, and newborn wildlife in the wet summer season from November to December.

Currency The contemporary bar area © Casambo

Pestana Kruger Lodge Pestana Kruger Lodge overlooks the Crocodile River and is ideal for a wild conference or brainstorming getaway. The venue holds up to 150 delegates with

plenty of natural light and scenic beauty. Pestana’s beautiful deck is perfect for spotting osprey, hippos and other animals as you sip on cocktails. www.pestana. com/en/hotel/pestana-kruger-lodge

Pestana Kruger Lodge Meeting Room

Area (m2)

Cinema

Classroom

Banquet

Cocktail

U-Shape

Impala A

113

150

120

150

Kudu

Incentive Travel Products As one of Africa’s foremost wildlife conservation areas, the Kruger is a popular option for international incentive travellers who are visiting the continent for the first time. Safaris range from one-day visits to six days or more, with classic experiences such as elephant encounters, wilderness exploration, eco getaways, and exclusive luxury holidays. A number of DMCs offer specialised trips such as horse trails or birding safaris. There are also incentive

options for those with disabilities. The Kruger Lowveld region surrounding the park is ideal for those in search of a sensory feast. Natural wonders like the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and God’s Window are incredible to behold, while the more adventurous can freefall off a cliff on The Big Swing, go white-water rafting, rock climbing, or quad biking. Incentive tours to historical towns like Pilgrims Rest or cultural villages like Shangana can be added to the itinerary.

It offers ample venues for small to mid-sized conferences and events, and is ideal for incentive travel and teambuilding getaways, with a myriad mountainous hills and panoramas to satisfy Instagram nuts.

South African Rands (ZAR)

US Dollar (USD)

Euro (EUR)

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

3.79

3.33

25.73

Access Nelspruit is the closest gateway to the Kruger region, with daily connections from OR Tambo in Johannesburg via South African Airways. Alternatively, visitors can fly into Johannesburg and travel the remaining 420km by road.

Contacts SA National Parks (SANParks) Head Office: 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111 / +27 (0)82 233 9111 Email: Traveltrade@sanparks.org Web: www.sanparks.org Kruger National Park Skukuza Restcamp Contact: Kate Katane Tel: +27 (0)13 735 4030 Email: kate.katane@sanparks.org Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Head Office: Hall’s Gateway on the N4 National Highway, Nelspruit Tel: +27 (0)13 759 5300/01 Email: info@mtpa.co.za

BUSINESS EVENTS MADE EASY

www.theevent.co.za

RWANDA This tiny, landlocked country in East Africa packs a serious punch as a leading business tourism destination on the continent, with plans in motion to become a smart city and technology hub for the region.

lthough Rwanda has much to offer in the way of natural beauty and tourism experiences, it has also in recent years become a key conferencing hub for the East African region, attracting high-profile events like the 27th African Union Summit, the Inaugural African Transformation Forum, and the upcoming Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in October this year. Rwanda has a robust MICE calendar with four main meetings destinations. These are the capital of Kigali, located in the heart of Rwanda; Musanze, in the mountainous Northern Province; Gisenyi, a resort city in the Rubavu District on the shores of Lake Kivu; and Huye, situated in the Southern Province. In May this year, Nokia, SRG and the Government of Rwanda announced a collaboration to deploy Smart City technology to improve the lifestyles and social sustainability of its citizens. This will see the government invest in network connectivity and sensor deployment in

different applications, which will assist in public safety, waste management, utility applications and healthcare, to name a few. “It is our vision as a country to position Rwanda as a Technology Hub, by using ICT innovation to provide a better quality of life to our citizens and visitors. Rwanda is a pioneer in deploying Smart City Solution in Africa. Through this project, we will not only improve people’s day to day lives with improved services and security, but we do anticipate long-term positive socio-economic benefits for the people in Rwanda and we also plan to share our experience with many other countries in Africa,” said Hon. Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister of Youth and ICT. In 2014, the Rwanda Convention Bureau was established to fast-track the development of the MICE sector. Since then, there has been substantial growth in the industry, with Rwanda hosting over 40 international conferences in 2016 and the convention bureau directly engaged in organising the likes of the Word Economic

Forum, the AU Summit, AHIF and the Global African Investment Summit. The increase in meetings, conventions and events led to revenues exceeding US$37-million in 2015 and US$47-million 2016. In 2017, revenues from all business tourism in the country are projected to reach US$64-million. Rwanda is now third on the continent for meetings according to the ICCA rankings, with Kigali placing fifth among the continent’s top cities.

Key Venues Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre The Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali is one of the most prominent venues for meetings. It caters to up to 5 000 delegates, with a total of 18 state-of-the-art, flexible, multipurpose meeting rooms and a variety of other event spaces like The Square and the Piazza Terrace. The convention centre is a convenient 5km from the bustling city centre and Kigali International Airport, and provides 650 parking bays and free, high-speed connectivity. www. radissonblu.com/en/hotel-kigali

Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre Meeting Space

Area (m2)

Cinema

Classroom

U-Shape

Cocktail

Banquet

Stands

Auditorium

1 257

2 609

445

333

559

459

MH 2 + 3 + 4

1 914

1 549

678

478

850

662

MH 1 + 2 + 3

1 725

1 397

611

431

767

597

MH 1 + 2 + 3 + 4

2 319

1 877

821

580

1030

803

AD 10 + 11 + 12

735

595

260

184

327

240

Piazza Terrace

1 652

437

734

604

BUSINESS EVENTS MADE EASY

www.theevent.co.za

Kigali Marriott Hotel Meeting Space

Area (m2)

Cinema

Classroom

U-Shape

Cocktail

Banquet

Kilimanjaro Ballroom (Divisible by 3)

483

600

336

110

600

450

Kilimanjaro 1

192

200

100

200

120

Seminar

142

120

Muhazi

Isaro

Malaika Gardens

428

600

450

Kigali Marriott Hotel The opulent Kigali Marriot Hotel is ideally positioned for small to mid-sized conferences, with nine flexible meeting rooms and 3 510 square metres of event space and a plenary of up to 600 in the largest meeting room. This modern venue is ideally located in the financial district of the city and offers the option

of planning an event on the hotel’s scenic garden terrace. www.marriott.com/hotels/ travel/kglmc-kigali-marriott-hotel/

Incentive Travel Products A thriving destination for incentive travel, Rwanda has a growing SITE membership base providing excellent natural, historical and cultural trips. From impressive lakeside

Rwanda has a growing SITE membership base providing excellent natural, historical and cultural trips.

Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate with a typical daily temperature in Kigali of between 12 and 27 °C throughout the year.

Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF)

South African Rand (ZAR)

US Dollar (USD)

Euro (EUR)

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

1 000.00

15.59

1.22

1.08

8.30

Kigali International Airport is the main access point to the country, with a number of smaller commercial airports connecting the region. There are no direct flights to Rwanda, and carriers can connect through Johannesburg, SA. Carriers include: • Kenya Airways • RwandAir • Ethiopian Airlines • South African Airways • Turkish Airlines

Contacts Rwanda Convention Bureau Tel: +250 788 358 454 Email: frank.murangwa@rdb.rw / ronald.ngabo@rdb.rw Web: www.rcb.rw

Access

Climate

resorts and a blooming shopping, arts and nightlife scene, to memorable safaris and breath-taking aerial views of its mountainous landscapes, Rwanda has much to offer. Perhaps most sought after is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with mountain gorillas through an extraordinary tracking experience, or exploring Lake Kivu in kayaks.

Rwanda Development Board Head Office: KN 5 Rd, KG 9 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 727 775 170 Email: info@rdb.rw Web: www.rdb.rw Rwanda Tourism Tel: +250 252 576 514 Email: reservation@rwandatourism.com Web: www.rwandatourism.com

EVENTS TO DIARISE

AUGUST NOCCI BUSINESS EXPO 3–5 KIMBERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA EMPIRE MONEY EXPO 4–6 SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA WEDDING EXPO DURBAN 5–6 DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA 100% DESIGN SOUTH AFRICA 9 – 13 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA DECOREX JOBURG 9 – 13 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA LOERIES CREATIVE WEEK 14 – 20 DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA CAPE CONSTRUCTION TRADE EXPO 15 – 16 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA CAPE INDUSTRIAL SHOWCASE 15 – 17 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA OPEN DESIGN FESTIVAL CAPE TOWN 16 – 26 CAPE TOWN INFRASTRUCTURE AFRICA 21 – 22 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA THE COMMERCIAL UAV SHOW AFRICA 23 – 24 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

www.theevent.co.za

IBTM CHINA 23 – 24 BEIJING, CHINA MY BUSINESS EXPO CAPE TOWN 24 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA SARDCA INTERNATIONAL 24 – 27 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA MAMAMAGIC DURBAN 25 – 27 DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA THE WEDDING EXPO JOHANNESBURG 26 – 27 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA MERCURY WINE WEEK 30 – 1 SEPT DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA CHINA HOMELIFE FAIR SOUTH AFRICA 30 – 1 SEPT JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA BUY A BUSINESS EXPO 31 – 2 SEPT JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 31 – 2 SEPT JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA CAPE HOMEMAKERS EXPO 31 – 3 SEPT CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

SEPTEMBER CAPE INDUSTRIES SHOWCASE CIS 6–8 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA IBTM LATIN AMERICA 6–7 CIUDAD DE MEXICO, MEXICO MOSHITO MUSIC CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 6–9 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA THE FUTURE OF MAKING THINGS 8 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA SIGN AFRICA 13 – 15 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA FESPA AFRICA 13 – 15 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA CAPE WINE 15 – 17 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA MICE ASIA 21 – 22 SINGAPORE CITY, REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

EVENTS TO DIARISE

www.theevent.co.za

CTW ASIA PACIFIC 26 – 28 BANGKOK, THAILAND AUTOMECHANIKA 27 – 30 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA REIFEN 27 – 30 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA FUTURE ROAD EXPO 27 – 30 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA SCALEX 27 – 30 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA STANDARD BANK JOY OF JAZZ 28 – 30 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

OCTOBER GARTNER SYMPOSIUM/ITXPO 1–5 ORLANDO, USA ALL AFRICA CONGRESS ON PHARMACOLOGY AND PHARMACY 2–4 BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA LIASA CONFERENCE 2–6 GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

SWAHILI INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXPO 13 – 15 DAR-ES-SALAAM, TANZANIA SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY CONFERENCE 21 – 24 DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICAN EDUCATION RESEARCH ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE 23 – 26 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

THE DIGITAL EDUCATION SHOW AFRICA 3–4 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

WASTECON 2017 25 – 27 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

AFRICA HOTEL INVESTMENT FORUM 10 – 12 KIGALI, RWANDA

AFRICA OIL WEEK/ AFRICA UPSTREAM CONFERENCE 23 – 27 NOVEMBER CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

IMEX AMERICA 10 – 12 LAS VEGAS, USA ELITE SPORT SUMMIT 11 – 13 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA ACTE GLOBAL CORPORATE TRAVEL CONFERENCE 11 – 13 LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM FINANCE INDABA AFRICA 12 – 13 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

SUB SAHARAN AFRICA POWER SUMMIT 25 – 27 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

IT&CM ASIA 26 – 28 BANGKOK, THAILAND

ASSOCIATIONS NEWS

Phumulani Hlatshwayo EXSA General Manager

PROVIDING INSIGHTS INTO INDUSTRY CHALLENGES It is clear from the discussions held at the recent annual EXSA Conference that there are a number of key areas in events and exhibitions that are not only hot topics internationally but also locally, and that if we – as an industry – do not step up to the challenges, we will be doing both ourselves and our clients a disservice. Now, internationally health and safety are being re-evaluated and legislated like never before. Now more than ever, we need to make safety a priority in the planning process. From the start, we need to put as much weight on health and safety as we do on venue selection, service and location, for example. Sustainability is also key with an increasing demand from clients for green solutions. Those not able to deliver green will be putting themselves at risk of losing business to companies that are able to provide sustainable solutions. Technology is another area for immediate consideration. How can we harness technology to constantly improve our offerings? Implementing effective solutions can assist in not only innovative event experiences, but better admin and communication systems for clients. For more information please visit www.exsa.co.za

www.theevent.co.za

ICCA ANNOUNCES AMP 2018 DESTINATION

UFI: GLOBAL EXHIBITION DAY EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

The global Association Meetings Programme (AMP) has been customdesigned for international association executives and for ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) members who interact directly with associations and their meetings, to learn from and about each other, to explore how to design, organise, negotiate and host more effective and successful meetings, and to build lasting business relationships and friendships. This year’s edition, which took place from 29 June to 1 July, introduced a new gamification element called Slay your Meetings Dragon. Delegates were encouraged to bring their own ‘Dragon’ challenge with them and the faculty ‘Masters’ would teach them how to ‘fight’ it. ICCA announced at the closing session that out of four shortlisted bids, Ljubljana, Slovenia was chosen as the destination for the third edition of the AMP, taking place from 9 to 11 July 2018. ICCA’s new AMP rotates between a European and another destination anywhere in the world every other year.

Exhibition industry professionals around the world came out in force for the second Global Exhibitions Day (GED) in June, highlighting the role of exhibitions and events as economic growth drivers, and turning GED 2017 into the biggest day of advocacy for the exhibition industry so far. This year’s theme put special focus on the people and jobs in the exhibition industry, under the title Think Global – Act Local. By the end of the day, the UFI team in Paris had received reports on activities in 75 countries and regions from all around the world, including the respective industry leaders among organisers, venues, and service providers. Compared to the initial GED in 2016, numerous additional countries and players in the industry joined for the first time. “The wide variety of activities really shows the creativity and the energy this industry has to offer. And the fact that exhibition and event professionals from all around the world have come together to promote our industry as a whole, clearly shows what we as an industry can achieve together,” says Kai Hattendorf, UFI MD/CEO.

ASSOCIATIONS NEWS

www.theevent.co.za

Chairperson of AAXO

EoE AND ROAR AWARDS Following the successful launch of our new Associate Membership tier, celebrating Global Exhibitions Day, attending the SAACI Congress and the recent Event Greening Forum conference, we are starting to prepare in earnest for the second Exhibition of Exhibitions (EoE), International Safety Training and ROAR Awards early in 2018. The past few months showed us how much more effective a unified industry can be. Having been part of a successful meeting between organisers and the CTICC to find ways to grow the industry together, we are convinced of our duty as an association to bring the industry together. The EoE and the ROAR Awards are two ways we are taking this ethos ‘live’.

EoE, with its two-fold purpose of bringing exhibition organisers and exhibitors, suppliers, venues and service companies together to show off, network and gain knowledge through the intensive safety training for all levels of exhibition staff, promises to be one of the highlights of the exhibition calendar. Entries have also opened for the second prestigious ROAR Awards – an initiative to grow engagement in exhibitions and acknowledge and recognise excellence in exhibition participation. The names of the judges, esteemed in the exhibition industry will be announced in due time. To book your stand at the EoE, to book your seat for the International Safety Training, or to obtain the entry requirements for the ROAR Awards, contact Pat Lofstedt on 011 549 8300 or at pat@aaxo.co.za.

Rudi Van Der Vyver Chief Executive Officer at SAACI

THE NEED FOR ASSOCIATIONS TO ADAPT AND EVOLVE I recently had a short discussion regarding the disruptors in various industries and it came up how social media has silently disrupted the role associations and clubs have previously played in various industries. The ability for people to network and connect in a virtual environment in an almost immediate manner has certainly placed strain on one of the major roles associations used to play. This, being the creation of safe and effective networking platforms, however is merely one of the many roles an association or industry body should be fulfilling to its members. Even with social media I do not believe that this function has disappeared as scamsters have taken over our social media platforms and most members need the safety which only a face to face / referral platform can create. At SAACI we are acutely aware of the need for our association to evolve and remain relevant and this is a focus point for us in the development of our new 3 year strategy and vision for the association which will be communicated within the last quarter of this year. We remain fully committed to our vision of “members first” and by focusing on the advancement of our industry and doing so we will provide true value to both the industry and our members.

Carol Weaving

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS

ADVERTISERS AAXO PAGE 39 T. +27 11 549 8300 E. info@aaxo.co.za W. www.aaxo.co.za

Hyatt Regency PAGE 12 T. +27 11 280 1234 E. johph.rfp@hyatt.com W. www.johannesburg.regency.hyatt.com

Buffalo City PAGE 03 T. +27 43 705 9095 E. mirandano@buffalocity.gov.za W. www.buffalocitymetro.gov.za

Inspire Furniture PAGE 21 T. +27 76 644 0271 E. chad@inspirefurniture.co.za W. www.inspirefurniture.co.za

CSIR Convention Centre PAGE 11 T. +27 12 841 3770 E. rnchebisang@csir.co.za W. www.csir.co.za

IT&CM China PAGE 29 T. +65 6395 7575 E. itcmchina@ttgasia.com W. www.itcmchina.com

EXSA PAGE 38 T. +27 11 805 7272 E. info@exsa.co.za W. www.exsa.co.za

Johannesburg Stock Exchange PAGE 06 - 07 T. +27 11 520 7000 E. shavanib@jse.co.za W. www.jse.co.za

Expo Centre INSIDE FRONT COVER T. +27 11 494 1920 E. info@expocentre.co.za W. www.expocentre.co.za

Loeries PAGE 30 T. +27 11 772 1220 E. info@loeries.com W. www.loeries.com

Expo Guys PAGE 05 T. +27 11 433 3260 E. info@expoguys.co.za W. www.expoguys.co.za

Mediatech Africa PAGE 31 T. +27 11 025 3180 E. sales@mediatech.co.za W. www.mediatech.co.za

Faircity INSIDE BACK COVER T. +27 11 429 2600 E. info@faircity.co.za W. www.faircity.co.za

Protea Hotel Parktonian PAGE 17 T. +27 11 403 5740 E. debbiep@parktonian.co.za W. www.parktonian.co.za

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa PAGE 09, OUTSIDE BACK COVER T. +27 11 808 7300 E. debtors@fairlawns.co.za W. www.fairlawnshotel.co.za

SAACI PAGE 39 T. +27 11 880 5883 E. info@saaci.org W. www.saaci.org

Gautrain Management OUTSIDE FRONT COVER, 13-15 T. +27 11 086 3500 E. tiisetsom@gautrain.co.za W. www.gautrain.co.za

Quarters Guest House PAGE 17 T. +27 11 447 5767 E. info@qonﬁrst.co.za W. www.qonﬁrst.co.za

Glenalmond Hotel PAGE 16 T. +27 11 783 7127 E. bookings@glenalmondhotel.co.za W. www.glenalmondhotel.co.za

The Aviator Hotel PAGE 16 T. +27 11 921 8300 E. mm@theaviator.co.za W. www.theaviator.co.za

Hilton Hotel Sandton PAGE 16 T. +27 11 322 1747 E. anthony.smith2@hilton.com W. www.hilton.com

The Maslow PAGE 17 T. +27 10 226 4656 E. sibongile.morale@suninternational.com W. www.suninternational.com

www.theevent.co.za

CONTACTS Cover Image: Courtesy of Gautrain Management Publisher: Lance Gibbons lance@filmeventmedia.co.za Editor in Chief: Katie Reynolds-Da Silva katie@filmeventmedia.co.za Assistant Editor: Kim Crowie kim@filmeventmedia.co.za Head of Design: Sheree Steenkamp sheree@filmeventmedia.co.za Special Projects Designer / Illustrator: Lauren Smith lauren@filmeventmedia.co.za Junior Designer: Caitlin Perrett caitlin@filmeventmedia.co.za Writer: Susan Reynard sreynard.joburg@gmail.com Business Manager: Coleen Tapson coleen@filmeventmedia.co.za Brand Manager: Redoh Kimmie redoh@filmeventmedia.co.za Brand Manager: Jerome Dyson jerome@filmeventmedia.co.za Production Manager: Natasha O’Connor natasha@filmeventmedia.co.za Traffic Manager: Aayesha Parker aayesha@filmeventmedia.co.za Data Capturer: Ricky Ortell info@filmeventmedia.co.za Ground Floor, Block A, Regent Square, Doncaster Road Kenilworth, 7745 Tel: +27 21 674 0646

JOIN US 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.

Faircity Hotels offers a selection of conference facilities in Gauteng. With attention to detail and experienced empathetic staff to assist companies in organising a conferencing event, delegates will be motivated and pampered from the moment they arrive. All Faircity Hotelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference venues are air conditioned and equipped to host both half day and full day functions. Conferences that run over two or more days, allow delegates to enjoy our selection of three and four star accommodation. Conference venue packages are available and include a variety of meals, depending on the length of the conference.

FAIRCITY Quatermain Hotel Morningside, Sandton - 011 290 0900

FAIRCITY Mapungubwe Hotel Johannesburg, Marshalltown - 011 429 2600

Faircity Hotels and Apartments is a young, innovative and vibrant hotel group with hotels, conference venues and serviced apartments which form Faircityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary service offering. FAIRCITY Falstaff Hotel Morningside, Sandton - 011 784 8580

FAIRCITY Roodevallei Hotel Pretoria - 012 845 5000