The Event June 2012

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

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A SUCCESSFUL IMEX FOR TEAM SA EXHIBITIONS THE tenth anniversary edition of IMEX in Frankfurt, the trade show for the worldwide meetings, incentive travel and events industry, saw an attendance of 9,000 visitors from across the globe, 4,000 hosted buyers and 64,000 appointments between buyers and exhibitors. It was a particularly successful show for the South African delegation.

CTICC’s Megan Arendse receives the Green Supplier Award from Ray Bloom

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XECUTIVE manager of the South African National Convention Bureau Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo says it was an amazing experience for her business events team. “We received a lot of interest for our industry from some very good buyers. People were really interested in what we were doing,” she reports.

This is not surprising considering the South African Tourism (SAT) delegation included high profile individuals such as deputy minister of tourism Tokozile Xasa, SAT CEO Thulani Nzima, and board chairperson Jabu Mabuse.

“The delegation that attended IMEX this year confirmed that the country is serious about playing in a global environment, and shows real commitment and recognition,” says Amanda.

A personal highlight for Amanda was the teamwork displayed by the attending regional convention bureau, including the recently established Gauteng Convention Bureau headed by Nonnie Kubeka.

CEO James Seymour attended on behalf of the Durban KwaZuluNatal Convention Bureau. “We

had a particularly successful IMEX this year and almost doubled the number of appointments we had compared to last year or some 40 one-on-one meetings. This is phenomenal if one considers that this is a three day show and we are a relatively small convention bureau,” he says.

Acting CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC), Phelisa Mangcu reports that the organisation came away with ten leads. “Once again it has been a fruitful and positive experience

for the JTC team - initiating discussions with association decision makers and hosted industry buyers, persuading them to consider Johannesburg for their next or future meetings and conference,” says Phelisa.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) was announced as the winner of the prestigious IMEX Green Supplier Award which recognises environmental excellence and innovation within the meetings industry.

The centre won the award for

its commitment to sustainability and for joining forces with a local exhibition organiser to host a sustainable exhibition, The Green Expo.

Chris Naude, CEO of Three City Events says, “We are extremely proud yet humbled by the recognition given to The Green Expo by IMEX. It is not easy to rise above the surface in a world flooded with green offerings and options. Three City Events has been actively greening all of our exhibitions for some time and of course went the extra mile for this one. We were

careful in our selection of venue, opting for the CTICC, who share the same green values and has a track record of working towards a more sustainable future.”

“Gaining this accolade, just one year shy of the centre’s tenth anniversary, bears further testament to the pivotal role that the CTICC plays in raising the international competitiveness of Cape Town and the Western Cape,” says CTICC’s Meghan Arendse.

Meghan reports that the high calibre of buyers contributed to significant lead generation. “From a destination perspective it was an ideal platform to raise the global profile of the African continent and the South African contingent, under the auspices of the South African Tourism banner garnered significant interest, with the launch of the National Convention Bureau,” she says.

Durban ICC hosted a successful incentive buyer breakfast. Marketing director David Frandsen attended the ICCA Association Expert Seminar which brought together a global audience of meetings professionals for a three day networking and knowledge sharing event in the run up to the show.

“Attendance of IMEX is a must for any serious global player in the meetings and conference industry,” says CEO Julie-May Ellingson.

“In addition to our prescheduled meetings there were many opportunities to network with business tourism experts and buyers from around the world and in so doing taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented.”

Sally Fink

PAGE TWO PIN-UP: MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM Moses Mabhida Stadium

Moses Mabhida Stadium

VENUES MOSES Mabhida Stadium is known as an arena for sports matches, concerts and lifestyle events, but more than this, it’s also a world-class events venue, hosting occasions from personal celebrations to corporate functions, and everything in between.

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INCE its 2010 debut, the stadium has become an icon in the Durban skyline, renowned for its spectacular design, 500-step arch and beautiful panoramic views.

The stadium is known for its many attractions, including the Big Swing, SkyCar, Adventure Walk, exclusive stadium tours, great restaurants and shops and has won over 27 national and international awards.

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Adding to its eventing offering, the stadium is perfectly located for easy access from all around Durban.

It is just on the outskirts of the city, a quick drive from the business hub of Umhlanga and King Shaka International Airport and a mere walk from the warm Indian Ocean.

Hosts at the stadium can also rest assured that they have made an environmentally sustainable choice.

Constructed with rubble from the previous stadium to reduce its overall environmental impact, the building is equipped with rainwater harvesting technology, energy-efficient lighting and natural ventilation to reduce energy consumption.

With ten different spaces available for hire, Moses Mabhida Stadium caters for celebrations of any scale. Between 10-500 people can

be accomodated, depending on the room and configuration chosen.

Each venue has its own unique atmosphere, with a number of striking artworks, each commissioned with the stadium in mind.

For large occasions, the Mixed Zone is the stadium’s largest indoor venue located right in front of the players’ tunnel leading onto the pitch. This expansive area is perfect for a conference or product launch and is even large enough to drive an SUV in. Known as the part of the stadium where both players and the media mingle before and after a match, the Mixed Zone easily accommodates 300 guests for sit-down banquets, weddings or dinners, and between 450-500 for cinema viewings or cocktail parties.

For more exclusive occasions, the

Presidential Suite offers an intimate setting with its modern private lounge area. With one of the best views in the stadium, this suite overlooks both the FIFA 2010 World Cup Pitch and the magnificent 106m-high arch. With high ceilings and a sophisticated ambience, the space is ideal for guests to meet and enjoy themselves.

To capitalise on the stadium’s unique offerings, hosts can take their event onto the pitch itself, holding unforgettable occasions under the soaring arch. A banquet held out in the open air is sure to be the topic of conversation for years to come.

For something a little different, People’s Park is an open and inviting space able to accommodate 18,000 people. It has hosted sporting events such as the finish of the Amashova Cycle Race, Spar Ladies Race, con-

certs like the Durban Day music festival as well as private company functions and cultural events.

It should come as no surprise that the stadium has been such a popular choice for functions in the short time it has been operating. “Event and conference co-ordinators enjoy the diversity of the venues on offer and the unique attractions which are often added to their functions, including stadium tours, SkyCar rides or the Big Swing. Since opening in November 2009, 5500 guests have climbed the 500 steps of the Adventure Walk, 325 000 people have ridden the SkyCar and 100 000 people have been behind the scenes on a stadium tour,” says the stadium’s general manager, Imraan Mahomed.

There is also a full hospitality suite offering available for sporting events.

CTRU MARCHES ON AS CTWCCB EXHIBITIONS CHERYL Mulder-Verbruggen has been appointed manager of the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau (CTWCCB). Her position coincides with the incorporation of Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU) and the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau into WESGRO, the Western Cape’s investment and trade promotion agency.

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HERYL, who has been involved in the tourism industry for many years, specialising in business events, is optimistic about her role and these new developments.

“I joined the Western Cape destination marketing organisation in January of this year,” she explains.

“Earlier on I worked for the company Cape Courtesy, a SATSA member, and through that membership I got involved in the Western Cape Chapter, and later at National level. The voluntary work I did for SATSA enabled me to put back something into an industry that has proven to be very rewarding for me.”

When Cheryl’s term as SATSA national president ended, Cheryl and her husband, Robert Verbruggen, decided to change their lifestyle, “So, we sold our gorgeous apartment in Sea Point and bought a house in the beautiful town of Montagu on Route 62.”

“On a personal level, life dealt me an interesting card mid-2011 and that made me review both my personal and professional life. I decided that I really wanted to be married to Robert rather than work with him. I also missed the stimulation and activity of the industry at national level. I was fortunate enough to secure the

position of manager: Convention Bureau and Event Support at what was then CTRU. It was a perfect task in relation to my experience!”

Cheryl says she was aware CTRU would be absorbed into WESGRO. She fully supports this development which had its origins in the Western Cape Provincial government. “The MEC and his team of advisors considered it to be in the best interest of the province,” she explains. “It’s quite logical, actually. Destination marketing is the common thread that runs through investment, trade promotion and tourism, and by consolidating we are able to be more cost-effective and cross-pollinate the sectors to the benefit of the Province.”

The incorporation into WESGRO became effective on 1 April 2012 and Cheryl calls this ‘the year of transition’. She recons by the next financial year, they will be settled into the new structure and operate as a single agency with three pillars; tourism, investment and trade promotion. “For now, it is as we say internally, ‘business as usual, without the bad habits’.”

She explains that it is a business process that impacts heavily on financial and human resources, “And so it calls for due care and attention to be paid to compliance operationally. However, the process is very manageable and we have a good team to execute all the tasks.

Probably the hardest is managing the communication process that impacts on the way the industry perceives the matter.”

Cape Town’s convention bureau is a member of the BestCities Global Alliance, an innovative partnership amongst top convention cities Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Melbourne, Singapore, Berlin, Houston and Vancouver.

Cheryl says the Alliance was officially launched in Melbourne in February 2000, “And since then, it has attracted and shared hundreds of client referrals and developed its own set of Client Service Standards that have been praised by international meeting clients,” she explains.

“In 2008, the partners of BestCities became the first and only Destination Marketing Organisations (DMO) to have service standards certified

by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA). This is the first world-wide certification programme for convention bureau organisations. Certification

by LRQA guarantees to clients that the partners live up to these standards. This system enhances competitiveness both as a global alliance and as individual DMOs.” Cheryl says during the last year the bureau sourced and submitted 42 formal Association bids and proposals. Of these, 16 were secured with an expected economic impact of R209.67 million and the potential of attracting 16 460 delegates. Many of the other bids are still pending and the bureau eagerly awaits the outcome. Competition for the Bureau primarily comes from Dubai and Singapore. “The team in the Convention Bureau is, however, experienced and dedicated,” she says, “And so while there is stiff international competition, the future looks bright with all the partners in the destination, both public and private sector, working well alongside each other to deliver the best possible results for the destination.”

Cheryl says the bureau work with some of the established big events that are excellent for the marketing of the destination, such as ABSA Cape Epic, J&B Met and Cape Town International Jazz Festival. “All events evolve and markets change, so it is

NEWS Cheryl Mulder-Verbruggen

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

important for us to constantly liaise with the organisers and ensure that our approach is fresh and effective,” she explains. “There is a lot of emphasis on working with the regional and local tourism offices and to this end, we have allocated a portion of the event support budget specifically for events in the regions.

South African Tourism says the CTRU board will continue fulfilling CTRU functions until the Western Cape Tourism Act is repealed and the WESGRO Act amended to provide for destination marketing as well as trade and investment.

WESGRO now becomes the single economic development delivery agency of the Western Cape government and its official implementing agency.

Astrid Stark

SA National Motorcycle show for Expo Centre THE Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors (AMiD) has decided to stage its 2012 show at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. It will take place from 24-26 August 2012 in conjunction with the Johannesburg Boat Show.

“The opportunity to stage our show at South Africa’s premier exhibition venue will be a benefit for both our visitors and our member companies,” says Réhann Coetzee, national director of AMID. “The fact that a huge boat show will be co-hosted on the site at the same time will make Expo Centre a popular destination for not only boat and motorcycle enthusiasts, but also for those with interests in the outdoors and lifestyle activities. The nature of this combined exhibition will have strong appeal for related interest groups such as holiday resorts, caravan and trailer manufacturers and service providers to the motorcycle industry.”

“The demand for motorcycles for leisure activities is growing, while scooters are attracting more and more commuter buyers,” explains Réhann.

The staging of AMID Motorcycle Show will be undertaken by SA Show Services.

Sally Fink

The Event | 03

AIBTM GETS TECH SAVVY with the option to save “Favourites”, social media information, interactive floor plan with route planning, general event information, keynote speaker bios, complete exhibitor list, organiser messages and QR scanner.

Graeme Barnett

How have Ipads and Smartphones revolutionised meetings?

IPADS and smart phones have had a huge impact on the meetings industry as they support the channels of communication before, during and after meetings and events. Applications are now developed to specifically support exhibitions. They can deliver vital information with live updates to help Visitors, Hosted Buyers and Exhibitors get the very most out of their time at each show.

Ipads and Smart phones also have built-in calendars, Wi-Fi, translation programmes, maps, note pads and cameras that again promote productivity and facilitate easy organisation for each user.

INTERVIEW GRAEME Barnett, interim event director of AIBTM shares his thoughts on the technological advances at this year’s exhibition in Baltimore.

What technological advances will delegates be able to experience at AIBTM? NEW to AIBTM for 2012 will be the Future Events Experience area on the show floor which is sponsored by Quickmobile. Through partnerships with Newtonstrand Innovations Ltd and SyncPartners, AIBTM will provide meeting planners with insights to both current and new technologies that are driving the way events are planned in the future.

The new technology feature

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area will facilitate hands-on, interactive demonstrations that will encourage attendees to play, touch, feel and experience the most cutting edge technology.

Will there be an AIBTM App? AIBTM have launched a new mobile App with increased functionality to help attendees get the most out of their AIBTM experience.

Available for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android platforms, the new App’s functionality includes Hosted Buyer and Exhibitor Appointment Diaries, ability to participate in live voting, polling and surveys, as well as ask questions during or after show education events, the ability to network and send messages between delegates, a full schedule of education and happenings at the exhibition,

What trends do you see emerging in the American meetings industry this year?

ACCORDING to the EIBTM Industry Trends Report 2011 there is “a degree of optimism that this year would be a better year for meetings than the previous 12 months”. In addition to this, the report also talks about the increase in demand from the US to place business internationally. The report confirms “US meeting planners were feeling more optimistic in their outlook in the form of a greater expectation that their meetings would be held beyond US borders in 2011.

48% (4% increase from 2010) reported that they would be holding meetings outside the US in the future”.

On a global level, technology now affects and influences every part of most industries and the meet-

NEWS ings industry is no exception. Rob Davidson, EIBTM Industry Analyst comments “Technological advances have continued to evolve in the manner that provides destination marketing organisations, venues and conference planners with innovate solutions to enable them to work better and faster at all stages of the conference lifecycle.”

What markets are US buyers looking in investing in?

US buyers attending AIBTM are seeking to meet international exhibiting companies who will support their business plans and allow them to move into markets beyond the US. According to post show research, 63% of Hosted Buyers who attended AIBTM in 2011, planned international meetings and events.

Is there much interest in Africa?

THE EIBTM Industry Trends Report revealed that the Middle East region continues to add to its meetings and events industry infrastructure, which includes the ongoing expansion in hotel construction.

According to the September 2011 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report, this region taken together with Africa, the hotel development pipeline comprised 481 hotels totaling 130,479 rooms. 21.7% of Hosted Buyers who attended AIBTM 2011 specified a direct interest in placing business in Africa. With meetings industry infrastructure in the region on the rise, it is inevitable that this figure will continue to increase.

AIBTM takes place from 19-21 June 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Sally Fink

Gallagher Convention Centre

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

Gallagher goes under the knife GALLAGHER Convention Centre has made a major refurbishment investment for Hall 5 measuring 6,600m².

Charles Wilson, general manager operations, says, “We closed the hall during April and opened again for business on 23 May 2012. This initiative was undertaken to ensure that organisers, exhibitors and visitors alike can enjoy an environment that lives up to all the expectations of a five star venue.”

The entire hall was repainted and the reception area was painted and retiled. The organiser’s offices were completely refurbished inclusive of painting, tiling of all the floors and the installation of new air conditioning units for each office.

The balconies in the hall were also tiled, while new lighting was installed on both the balconies and the stairwells. Due to the multi-purpose application New drapes were fitted to accommodate custom requirements for events. High level cleaning was carried out on the roof beams and throughout all the ventilation ducts.

The bathrooms were retiled.

PLACING EVENTS ON THE VIRTUAL STAGE TECHNOLOGY DEVIN Drake, CEO of Virtuvent. com, a company that specialises in technology and media solutions for events and enterprise, chats to The Event Newspaper about the latest trends in event technology.

What are the current technological trends for exhibitions?

THIS is fairly region-specific. The US and Europe have been early adopters of event technology such as online registrations, event Apps, streaming video, data visualisation, social media, attendee networking and ‘hybrid events’. Africa, and South Africa specifically, is beginning to integrate some of these technology solutions into events as international clients start making technology requests during planning.

Live and on-demand video around events is really starting to grow as it becomes more cost effective and offers new revenue opportunities. For example – the annual Salesforce.com conference in San Francisco last year, Dreamforce, attracted 100,000 online attendees via live streaming video.

Data visualisation is also starting to get used creatively – Intel recently had an exhibition booth that engaged visitors using a live visual display of data that pulled from social media and several other data sources. Moving forward I think what is going to drive the use of technology in this space is a consolidation of all these toolsets into a single, easyto-use product.

What are the advantages of online conferences?

I THINK it is important to note that one does not need to sit on either of two

polarities – either a physical event or an online event. Full online conferences do offer much value, but there is also a middle-ground, where technology solutions compliment and expand upon physical events. Which route to go depends on the type of event. For example, an event that relies heavily on person-to-person networking to offer value to delegates is likely not a good fit for an online-only event. However, an event that relies on the broad distribution of information on a specific topic to offer value to delegates may be a great fit for an online-only or hybrid event.

Typically we find with an international clientele that hybrid events – having a physical event and complimenting the event with technology tools and online media – is becoming a standard offering to delegates and a great way for events to broaden global reach and turn more revenue.

Virtuvent recently serviced a large client in New York for two days with video production, post-production and consulting. The client has ended up with video cuts used for marketing, topical case studies, full conference sessions, training and a range of content that will be distributed to partners. This creates a lot of value as it drives the conversation for months down the line, and reaches attendees globally while maintaing a strong corporate brand and visibility in the market. In Africa in particular, there is more of a learning curve to technology adoption by PCO’s and events organisers – and this is something we are working hard to address.

How is technology able to take the networking out of the conference venue?

TECHNOLOGY tools are being used in-venue to compliment the personto-person networking aspect. This is

particularly effective for events that are 300pax +. An example would be a networking application that allows delegates to search for people they would like to meet, and request a meeting, all via their mobile phone, tablet or laptop. There are a few privacy concerns around this though, so it is important for events to choose technology that allows delegates to manage who is allowed to contact them, that does not distribute personal contact information such as email addresses or phone numbers, etc.

Networking online is also growing . People attending virtual events or attending physical events via streaming video, often have the option to chat in a live environment with moderators during keynote sessions. Many online events also have ‘networking lounges’ where one is able to search for specific people and open a discussion online. Integrating professional social networks such as LinkedIn is a great tool in this instance since delegates are able to see career history, recommendations from colleagues and employers, current positions, etc, and this all contributes to driving those conversations that are typically so valuable at events such as conferences and trade shows.

What is the value of virtual exhibitions?

ON the exhibitor side virtual exhibitions give companies the ability to engage with a wider global audience over longer periods of time.

Virtual booths can be online for months after an event is complete – and in this way the value of an event is stretched. There is also a big leadgeneration component here – virtual booths can capture online visitor behavior. For example, what was downloaded, which content was

viewed, what length of time was spent on a certain page, etc. This in turn, creates leads which can be used by sales and marketing to convert online visitors into customers.

For visitors, virtual booths are great since they can be remotely accessed and are also very engaging. Exhibitors ‘putting up’ virtual booths today are using live and ondemand online video, e-commerce, product whitepapers, live chat and more to keep visitors interested.

Devin Drake

Has the event landscape moved online?

IT definitely has, but not necessarily online-only. The online component is now expected at physical events by today’s delegate - access to sessions afterwards via online video, networking apps, etc. Taking an event online only depends on the type of event and type of audience.

There is a good fit for this usage, one just needs to do the market research in advance.

What are the advantages of virtual events to South Africa as a long haul destination?

I THINK being able to offer many of the technology / online components around events that have been mentioned above makes hosting in South Africa a more attractive choice for international eventing clients.

Using technology and media creates a better experience for delegates and opens new branding, marketing and revenue opportunities for events clients – which they have come to expect.

With regards to larger-scale events, running technology and media solutions typically requires a local service provider since there are several moving parts to be

managed which cannot be done remotely. Being able to offer these services allows South African conference and event organisers to meet international client service expectations and therefore have a stronger chance of receiving a bid.

What may be interesting to explore looking forward, is whether events organisers in South Africa can make organising online-only events part of their service offering to clients. Many of the same logistics exist, and multi-nationals especially may find it valuable to host three or four virtual events per year that involve their global employee and partner bases.

Sally Fink

The Event | 05

GET READY FOR GENERATION Z THE VALUE OF LIVE EVENTS Editor Sally Fink with Paulius Janciauskas and Alexander Rodionov

TECHNOLOGY REMEMBER the days when being able to book a room online was considered innovative? These days conferences are taking place digitally, journalists are tweeting on the spot, and by the time a keynote ends, thousands of people would have heard it via Facebook and Twitter. Welcome to the world of Generation Z, those tech savvy individuals changing the way we do business.

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HE iPad and iPhone remain key meeting tools. These handbag-size lightweight devices do everything your laptop does and more. Why stand in line to register for a conference or event when it can be done online in seconds? Late-comers can also process their registration payment online, and in the case of some events, receive an instant QR code

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that can be scanned at entry.

Forward thinking organisers would have developed a mobile App that can be downloaded by delegates that includes the conference programme and venue information and does everything from registration to meeting scheduling.

No printing necessary.

Information sharing has also changed. Keynote speeches can be downloaded and shared instantaneously. Most events will have official hashtags for Twitter so delegates can Tweet in real time giving organisers instant feedback. LCD screens throughout the venue featuring a Twitterfall will give other conference participants an idea of what delegates are saying, which is especially useful if there are multiple breakaway sessions.

Twitter is also useful for organisers looking for pictures and videos taken at the event which will all come up in the left-hand margin of the search

page. Even Facebook event pages can be utilised as online guestbooks.

Google Hangouts is a great free, new option for events allowing video from up to ten locations to be seen on each screen in a reliable and relatively low-bandwidth format.

Mobile Apps are inexpensive and so simple that most organisers will be able to generate them themselves.

It might be useful to negotiate with venues to provide free wi-fi to conference delegates.

Other tools for organisers include augmented reality Apps which allow them to plan the floor layout with exhibitors and even allow exhibitors to choose their furniture digitally.

Augmented reality is a technologyassisted view of the world where information about or associated with a place is visible overlaid on that view by means of devices such as smartphones. Out of town delegates could also use the App to find their way to the venue.

Technology has also changed the way we network. Instead of carrying around a stack of business cards, delegates can use bump technology on their mobile phones to exchange contact details without typing a single word. Some events use delegate badges with QR codes containing all the relevant information. And beyond that, some delegates will simply swop Twitter handles, if they hadn’t already come across each other online through the event hashtag.

Influential bloggers are replacing media as their target audiences are often specialised and more useful than mass media.

The world is changing, business is changing, and the meetings landscape is changing. It’s an exciting time to be in the events industry.

Sally Fink

© Warren Talmarkes

EVENTS THE Event Newspaper asked Justin Van Wyk, chief financial officer of Big Concerts International, to quantify the value of live stadium concerts to the economy.

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USTIN tasked the Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society Department at the North-West University, the same organisation that studied the CT Jazz Festival and Two Oceans Marathon, to aggregate the economic impact assessments.

The research team looked at Big Concert stadium events that took place in the Western Cape in 2011 to guage the impact, specifically U2, Neil Diamond, Coldplay and Kings of Leon.

“The results indicate that the total direct economic impact of the four stadium concerts is R92.16 million, the total indirect impact is R68.31 million and the total induced impact is

R41.54 million which translated into total impact worth R202.02 million,” explains Justin.

The research reveals that stadium concerts contribute to R50 million worth of remunerations in the Province as well as to 699 temporary and permanent jobs in the Western Cape, excluding the employees directly involved in the organising committee which amounts to roughly 10,000 temporary jobs.

“The direct economic impact of all the concerts held in 2011 in the Western Cape is R125.24 million, the total indirect impact is R92.39 million and the total induced impact is R56.26 million which translated into total impact worth R273.89 million,” says Justin.

“All the 2011 concerts contributed to R74 million worth of remunerations in the Province as well as to 961 jobs (temporary and permanent) excluding the employees directly involved in the organising committee which amounts to roughly 13,500 temporary jobs,” he says.

AFRICA’S FIRST TOY EXPO LAUNCHES IN 2013

SAACI CONFERENCE TO SHIFT PARADIGMS

EXHIBITIONS

ASSOCIATIONS

TOYTREPRENEUR Ken Howard was in Cape Town recently to finalise agreements for Africa’s first toy exhibition, scheduled to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 15-18 August 2013.

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HE exhibition is aimed at growing the local toy market and kick-starting a vibrant toy design and manufacturing industry in South Africa.

Imfunzelelo’s Zelda Coetzee, who has partnered with Ken for the inaugural event, says the exhibition will have a trade and consumer component, and include a conference and workshops covering everything from toy design and safety to international trends and new markets.

The inaugural expo will attract approximately 120 exhibitors and include a pavilion for local crafters and artisan toy makers. The African toy expo will showcase toys, dolls, educational toys, board games, soft toys, apps, electronic and console games.

“The toy expo will be a platform for toys made in South Africa. It will be a place for local as well as African manufacturers to launch new products to interested buyers,” says Zelda.

“We also want the public to come and play, to see what’s available.”

Ken’s passion for toy design began in 1991 when he created a game called Parliament. His gift for innovation has earned him a place on Who’s Who: International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs and the Bartercard Innovation Award, not to mention the numerous awards his toys have

earned over the years. His interest in Africa grew after a research trip to Ghana, where he planned to launch an African version of Parliament. He went on to found the African Toy Association. “Toys are a new industry for Africa”, he says, “There is a huge international demand for toy materials and components and the soft toy market is massive.”

“I saw a huge gap in South Africa – and the rest of Africa – in that there was no local toy manufacturing capacity, with most toys sold on the continent being imported from China. I will be meeting with a number of industry bodies to find a way forward for the establishment of a robust local toy design and manufacturing industry, which may include a toy design academy, a toy factory and, of course, the toy and game trade fair.”

Ken’s dream of an African Toy Academy will teach local crafters how to make toys using African materials and textiles. “There is no toy academy in the world. Students can come from across the globe to learn the art of toy making. Cape Town can be a toy design hub, a toy Silicone Valley,” he says.

A local toy manufacturing industry poses significant benefits to the South African economy. The toy industry contributes $ 80.9-billion to the US economy annually, supporting more than 500 000 jobs.

Both Zelda and Ken believe that Cape Town is the perfect location because of its impending status asDesign Capital 2014. Job creation is also a strong motivator, which is why Ken hopes for the expo to springboard his plans for a factory where

THE Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) annual conference takes place from 29-31 July 2012 at Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg. This year’s conference expects 400 delegates to attend.

F Ken Howard

skilled crafters can create good quality distinctly African toys to rival the Chinese market.

Joey Pather, chief operating officer of the CTICC, says “We are very excited to host this important event.

Ken’s innovative concept is great news for Cape Town and the country as a whole. With his vision, and the support of local industry bodies and business organisations, we are hopeful that the event will evolve into a world-class showcase, on par with similar events held in the United States and Europe.”

Till then Zelda and Ken will be taking their concept to the world’s largest toy show, the Nuremburg International Toy Fair, which sees more than 2 600 exhibitors from 64 countries exhibit over a million products, with 76 000 visitors attending the six-day trade fair and purchasing the latest in toys and games.

Sally Fink

OLLOWING on from the success of last year’s conference, this year’s programme includes a host of internationally acclaimed speakers. Topping the list is President of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Arnaldo Nardone. Arnaldo’s keynote will give conference delegates an accurate glimpse of the state of the industry worldwide.

Bestselling business author and trends forecaster Clem Sunter will be speaking about ‘The world and South Africa beyond 2012 – latest scenarios, flags and probabilities,’ with a special focus on the challenge for young people and the importance of job creation.

Karen Kotowski, CEO of the USbased Convention Industry Council (CIC) will also be addressing delegates. The CIC is a federation of 34 organisations in the meetings, exhibition and travel space and maintains several signature programmes, including the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. SAACI became a member of the CIC last November.

The conference programme includes a look at the status of the South African National Conven-

tion Bureau as well as a panel discussion with regional Convention Bureaux. Other topics to be covered include a case study on successful mega events, calculating the carbon footprints of events, social media do’s and don’ts, and meetings industry ethics. The conference will also address issues raised by members who responded to a survey conducted by the organising committee.

Conference chair Wayne Johnson explains, “This is the first time that members of the association have been asked for input and have had a direct say into the development of the programme. Feedback received from members was very insightful and we are now approaching experts in their fields to address and interact with delegates.”

“It is also clear from the feedback received that there is a real need for proper, definitive industry intelligence. People need facts on which to base business decisions and we hope to bring it to them,” he says.

Nina Freysen-Pretorius, national chairperson of SAACI adds, “Our congress theme, Shifting Paradigms, cannot be more apt. The world in which we do business is changing rapidly on all fronts and to merely stay in business, we have to keep up. To win new business, we have to be at the forefront of the industry, armed with the right knowledge and resources. The SAACI congress is the place to be if you don’t want to lose out,” she says.

Sally Fink

The Event | 07

EVENT LISTINGS Conference Centre, JHB

DIARISE

9th international Network Conference 10-12 July, Summerstrand Hotel, Nelson Mandela Bay

JUNE

Aviation Outlook Africa 10-14 July, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

SATSA WC CHAPTER 7 June, CPT Markex World of Events 12-14 June, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg AIBTM 19-21 June, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD

Eid Shopping Festival 12-15 July, Coca-Cola dome, JHB

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

SAACI KZN Branch AGM 4 July, TBC

SAITEX 15-17 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

SAACI NTB Annual General Meeting 4 July, Wanderers Club

BRICS Africa Export Import Forum 15-17 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

SAACI Eastern Cape Committee meeting 26 JUly, TBC SAACI National Conference 29-31 July, Indaba Hotel, Fourways, JHB

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

Reggio Children’s International Conference on Childhood Education 26-28 June, St Mary’s School, Waverley, JHB

Top Gear Festival 16-17 June, Durban

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

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

IFSEC South Africa 19-21 June, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

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

SEPTEMBER

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

National Arts Festival 28 June-8 July, Grahamstown

AUGUST

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

OCTOBER ICCA Congress 20-24 October, San Juan, Puerto Rico

NOVEMBER EIBTM 27-29 November,Barceona, Spain

For more or to add your own: www.theevent.co.za/diarise

Exchange World Africa 19-22 June, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Rich Man Poor Man’ wine pairing 21 June, The Eatery, Durbanville Hills Wine Estate, Cape Town International Congress of Psychology 22-27 June, CTICC, Cape Town 3rd Annual Biological Safety Conference 24-27 June, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB International Cost Engineering Council World Congress 25-27 June, ICC Durban Africa Ports & Harbours Congress 25-29 June, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 29 June - 8 July 2012, Durban Exhibition Centre

July Disney on Ice 6-8 July, CTICC, Cape Town Baba indaba 6-8 July, Tshwane Events Centre International Wildlife Management Conference 9-12 July, ICC Durban World Economic History Congress 9-13 July, Stellenbosch University Comics Choice Awards 10 July, Teatro Montecasino Procurement Summit & Expo 10-12 July, Birchwood Hotel &

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SAACI National Conference 29-31 July, Indaba Hotel, Fourways 8th Annual Future Leaders Conference 29-31 July, Durban

Africa’s Big Seven 15- 17 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

JULY

Baba indaba 27-29 July, Gateway Shopping Mall, Durban

Bafunny Bafunny 11-14 July, Teatro Montecasino, Johannesburg

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

SAACI Eastern Cape Committee meeting 28 June, TBC

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

Drinketch Africa 16-17 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand Africa Mining Congress 16-19 July, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB 5th International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering - ICACTE 18-19 August, CTICC, CPT Office Professionals Conference 18-20 July, Protea Hotel The Ranch, Polokwane Future Ed 19-21 July, Coca-Cola dome, JHB World of Dogs and Cats and Pet Expo (WODAC) 20-22 July, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand Intl Federation of Teachers of French Conference 23-27 July, ICC Durban Bafunny Bafunny 24-25 July, GrandWest Arena, Cape Town Homemakers Expo 26-29 July, Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre, Port Elizabeth Eskom KZN Regional Expo for Young Scientists 27 July, ICC Durban Bafunny Bafunny 27-28 July, ICC Durban

August The Luxury Travel Fair 3-4 August, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Baba indaba 3-5 August, CTICC, CPT Conversations on Architecture 8 August, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand Women’s Arts Week 8-11 August, Artscape Theatre Centre, CPT Decorex 8-12 August, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand OppiKoppi festival - Sweet Thing 9-11 August, Northam, Limpopo World Down Syndrome Congress 14-17 August, CTICC, Cape Town IP Expo 15-16 August, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Interbuild Africa 15-18 August, Johannesburg Expo Centre SAMRAConference 16-17 August, Rosebank Crowne Plaza, JHB Andre Rieu 17 August, Coca-Cola dome, JHB IT&CMA India 21-23 August, India Expo Centre, Delhi Logistics Indaba 21-24 August, North West Transport Museum, Klerksdorp Visual Communications Africa Expo 22-24 August, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB Sign Africa Expo 22-24 August, Sandton Convention Centre, JHB

Stand Innovations Sponsored by 3D Group

TAP INTO TEEN SPENDING AT NEW EXHIBITION BRAND owners keen to tap into the teen market have been given an exciting new communication channel with the launch of TZX, an exhibition aimed at the youth market scheduled to take place from 7-9 December 2012 at the CocaCola Dome in Johannesburg.

D

EVISED by Springboard Exhibitions in partnership with the popular TeenZone magazine and targeting visitors aged between 12 and 18 years, TeenZone Xperience (www.tzx.co.za) is the only exhibition of its kind in Southern Africa.

According to Statistics South Africa July 2011, one third of South Africa’s population is under the age of 15 and 19.4% - that’s over 3-million – live in Gauteng.

And, unlike ‘varsity students and school leavers, they have an accessible disposable income known the world over as ‘pocket money’. This is typically spent on entertainment, meaning parents dig deeper into their own pockets for bigger ticket items, like iPods, TVs, cell phones, laptops and other electronic goods.

“It’s about time brand managers and marketers have an expo that connects them with the teen market,” says exhibition manager, Lynn Chamier.

“This generation is at one with

a digital lifestyle and more techsavvy than any other. And they have far-ranging interests and concerns from fashion, beauty, health and wellness to music, movies, gaming and sports.

“They are a powerful force with great spending power, brand loyalty and influential discussion making in the family environment.

TZX will provide the ideal way to tap into this spend.”

The TeenZone Xperience will be heaven on earth for anyone under eighteen.

In addition to the various exhibition stands, TZX will feature special events to attract young visitors - a stage for live music concerts featuring local and relevant bands, fashion shows and high octane activities such as a skate ramp, climbing wall and aqua spheres are currently on the drawing board. There will also be seven activation areas where kids can ogle all the new gadgets in the market.

The expo will also be structured along special interest zones with each zone incorporating exhibitors, an activation area and a huddle and hang space. The Entertainment Zone will house all computer games, movies and music exhibition as well as a gaming console activation section, for example.

Other zones are My Future Zone (careers and education), Adrenalin Zone (extreme sports),

Tech Zone, Motion Zone (driving skills and cars), Entertainment Zone, Image Zone (beauty and well-being), and Travel Zone (teen destinations plus careers in travel).

“TZX will cover 7 000m2 but only 3 365 m2 will be given over to exhibitors; every other square meter will be experiential space,” says Lynn.

“An extensive marketing campaign focusing on social media but incorporating other channels will make certain every teen in Gauteng wants to visit TZX and give those in other cities s serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out).

“It’s an opportunity any brand with teen aspirations cannot afford to miss.”

Springboard Exhibitions is an exciting consortium of exhibition and event specialists formed to innovate and create new exhibition and brand experiences within the broad trade and consumer exhibition space. The group consists of exhibition specialists Conrad and John Kullmann, Dom Smith and and exhibition director Lynn Chamier.

For more information visit www. tzx.co.za

© Warren Talmarkes

Sally Fink

INDABA STAND AWARD WINNERS JUDGES awarded a variety of stand awards at this year’s Indaba tourism showcase.

Gold - Ezemvelo Kznwildlife Silver - Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency,

TOUR OPERATORS Platinum - Hylton Ross Tours Gold - Logic Leisure Silver - Tourvest Destination Management

SADC Platinum - Mozambique Tourism, Gold - Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority Silver - Classic Safari Camps of Africa

TRANSPORTATION Platinum - Europcar South Africa Gold - ExecuJet Aviation (Pty) Ltd, Silver - First Car Rental and Sixt Rent a Car ACCOMMODATION Platinum - The Leading Hotels Of The World, Gold - Sun International Silver - Three Cities Management LTD. DEC Platinum thority

Gauteng Tourism Au-

OUTDOOR Platinum - andBeyond, MARKETING Platinum African - Hotels & Adventures, Gold - Axis Marketing - SA, Silver - Southern Spoor Marketing SPONSORS Platinum - I-Space Gold - Land Rover South Africa (Pty) Ltd Silver - BBC World News © Indaba Daily News

The Event | 09

WHEN EVENTING MEETS FILM

South African director Alan Shelley with Kevin Spacey at the premiere of Spirit of a Denture

EVENTS WHEN an eventing company is planning a special promotion, having film star Kevin Spacey as the special guest is a major coup.

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HAT was a key factor in ensuring that an event staged to celebrate a South African winning the chance to make his movie in Hollywood was a party night to remember. But you don’t need a star of Kevin’s calibre to make a success of an event where a movie is at the heart of the entertainment.

The Kevin Spacey evening was staged by Capacity Relations on behalf of Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Jameson had teamed up with the

Hollywood actor to run The Jameson First Shot Competition, open to filmmakers in America, Russia and South Africa. A winner from each country was flown to Los Angeles to make a movie with Kevin taking the lead role, and South Africa’s winner was Alan Shelley, a 26-year-old from Cape Town.

To celebrate his victory, Capacity Relations staged a party at the unusual venue of Turbine Hall in Johannesburg’s Newtown district, where a celebrity-studded audience saw the premiere of Alan’s film, Spirit of a Denture.

Turbine Hall is in the heart of Joburg’s art and cultural precinct, and the 300 guests included Kevin and film producer Dana Brunetti, his partner in their production house Trigger

NEWS

Street Productions, along with Alan and his scriptwriter Thandi Brewer.

Local celebrities included actor John Kani, singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and TV presenter Tumisho Masha, the MC for the evening.

Sarit Tomlinson of Capacity Relations said there are several key things to focus on when planning an event where a film is the central feature.

“It’s important to still keep the fundamentals of eventing in mind,” she said. “It is all about creating a memorable, positive “wow” experience.

Location is critical, as it will ultimately affect the décor and the overall feel and experience of the event. Turbine Hall was most certainly aligned to the Jameson brand: premium, über-trendy and a little unexpected.

Hosting the event there allowed us to create an experience and a talkability factor that we would not have necessarily been able to achieve at a normal cinema.”

The upstairs section of the hall could also be transformed into an after-party location for the guests, she said.

It’s also crucial to have a good technical support team to help ensure the event runs smoothly, especially when a film is the central part, Sarit said.

Choosing an offbeat venue may generate the buzz, but the organisers must ensure it has the correct facilities to allow the event to run successfully. The location, its facilities, the parking arrangements and the people managing the establishment play a crucial role in that, Sarit said.

“It is important to remember that this is a people’s business, so trust in your venue and hosts is critical. You need to be careful on the location you choose, and the partners you decide to work with. It is critical that the initial concept and the packaging is

done correctly.”

A strong guest list is, of course, essential. “You need to ensure you have the correct people on your guest list, from local celebrities, industry people and media. Having the correct people is vital as it becomes more of an ‘industry’ and networking event than a premier.”

Other key factors are messaging, branding and security, she added, especially since hosting an international star brings additional security headaches.

Sarit believes events based around a film screening can be massive hits in terms of the hype and publicity they generate. But if the event isn’t well organised, it will be no more memorable than an everyday trip to the cinema. “You need to be engaging with all your guests from using the right wording and messaging on the invitation, to the RSVP process and throughout the event until people leave,” said Sarit.

Judging its success is relatively simple, she said. “We gauge off our guest and client reactions, if registration ran smoothly, how the food was, our media attendance, the “buzz” and ultimately the media exposure post the event.” Media coverage for the Jameson First Shot event went far beyond their expectations, she said.

“The South African media were incredibly supportive of this event and campaign. But I do believe that the overall campaign, our client, Kevin Spacey, Dana Brunetti, Trigger Street Productions and our local filmmaker Alan Shelley had a lot to do with this.

The initiative was an authentic one from Jameson and Trigger Street’s perspective, and the winner was a humble, very talented South African.

It was the perfect mix.”

Lesley Stones

Cape Town Tourism’s Mariette du ToitHelmbold; Joburg Tourism’s Phelisa Mangcu; & Durban Tourism Philip Sithole

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

Three cities alliance formalised THE cities of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg formalised a “three cities” alliance at this year’s Indaba, addressing the global shift toward urban tourism and the pressures being felt by their respective visitor industries.

The three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the cities will result in joint marketing and development programmes aimed at establishing the urban dimension of South Africa’s visitor brand and generating demand for each city.

The MoU covers the broad spectrum of tourism marketing and development, as well as joint initiatives in both domestic and international markets.

“Resources are finite and in order to compete effectively, the three cities have agreed to pool assets and resources to meaningfully address the demand challenges in a postGFC world and relating to altered visitor conditions,” said Phillip Sithole, CEO of Durban Tourism.

SCAN TAKES MODULBOX TO OGILVY SUPPLIERS LAST month Scan Display launched its modulbox at the Ogilvy offices in Bryanston to give the brand activation team a taste of what it could do.

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HE modulbox is a mobile modular event system that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Scan’s Pippa Walker explains that the idea behind this event was to show the modulbox and mo5 in situ, being used at an event, so guests could understand how they work and can be used. “The modulbox product, especially, is quite unusual and versatile, so we have found that simply describing or showing images of it, is not as effective or powerful as showing it,” says Pippa.

One modulbox was kitted out with a bar to serve drinks, as well as

1 0 | The Even t

a DJ box for live music. The second modulbox was the demo box, which was kept closed until the ‘unveiling’ at around 5.30pm, when it was opened up to show how it operates.

“The demo took only a few minutes, given that this is the nature of the product – quick and easy to use and set up,” says Pippa.

“We also had the mo5 there – a smaller version of the modulbox. It’s like a promo counter that is also modular and folds into an easy to move and manoeuvre unit on wheels.”

The modulbox can be described as the ultimate activation tool: a mobile box with a large and visible surface area to maximise brand exposure. The unit has been used successfully at events such as: J&B Met, Oppikoppi, Nedbank Golf Day, Design Indaba, and Fashion Week.

Sally Fink

modulbox

modulbox

INDABA ROUND-UP EXHIBITIONS INDABA took place from 12-15 May 2012 at the ICC Durban. The celebration of South African tourism products and services attracted 10 700 people, a slight decrease from last year’s figure of 11,312, and 1 500 exhibitors.

The show, owned by South African Tourism (SAT) and managed by Witch and Wizard Creative, contributes R250-million for the city of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal where it will remain till 2015.

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CC Durban has been home to Indaba since 1992. The venue comprises over 42 000m² of exhibition space dedicated to the event. “The Centre is committed to the ongoing improvement and growth of the event in conjunction with South African Tourism, the City of Durban and the Province of KwaZulu Natal,” says ICC Durban CEO Julie-May Ellingson.

Indaba is regarded as the country’s premier tourism event and networking remains its key driver. Over 4 000 scheduled meetings were conducted through electronic matchmaking diary.

SAT CEO Thulani Nzima hinted that it is this spirit of camaraderie that makes partnerships successful. “This was the Indaba at which the industry truly came together to share the strong affinity and common objectives that binds the industry together; to collaborate for future growth, to share ideas and to work for a future shaped by all who work in tourism, and by all who are affected by tourism. Our preliminary feedback has been very good, with delegates emphasising the value of their interactions at Indaba and the quality of the networks made and business relationships forged,” he said.

During his opening speech National Tourism Minister Marthinus van Shalkwyk called upon this ethos when he invited the sector to collaborate in the face of strong competition. His call for partnership was welcomed by all.

“Together, we must keep our eyes on ever-changing consumer preferences, diversify our products, maintain excellent service, innovate our distribution channels, and ensure that we continue to deliver value for money. We must ensure that all our people share in the benefits of our new growth,” The Minister’s vision is not hard to imagine, especially since he considers the members of the industry as ‘the nicest people in the world.’ During his walkabout he said; “The warm smiles and friendly welcomes one receives here are a reflection of a wider culture of hospitality pervasive all over South Africa. It’s what makes our desti-

nations unique. Indaba is not only the highlight of our destination marketing year, it is a personal highlight for me, too.”

There were plenty of highlights to report from this year’s show.

A MORE HOMELY FEEL ADRIAN McKnight, MD Expovent Solutions, reports that there was a trend among exhibitors to make their stands more inviting, unique and distinctive. This outlook attracted visitors and allowed closer contact networking.

“With us being the contracted furniture supplier, I noticed a drop in the amount of package furniture ordered by exhibitors. We noticed a distinctive change in the dynamics of the requirements for Indaba. We delivered less package furniture, but more designer, unique and lounge furnishings.

Exhibitors were creating stands which were much more inviting, allowing for comfortable meetings on the stands. We delivered more tub chairs and wingbacks, small coffee tables, small couches and ottomans, along with various decor items rather than cafe tables and chairs.”

This mix of furniture also made the build up and break down of the show more fluent and easy.

“This is due to the fact that with the requirements changing, fewer items were actually ordered. The items ordered where much easier to handle, and therefore speeded up our operations dramatically,” says Adrian.

SHONGOLOLO SESSONS THIS year’s Indaba saw the introduction of Shongololo Sessions, a series of speed marketing sessions that gave product owners, specialising in adventure, responsible tourism and culture and heritage, a unique platform to interact with 200 interested buyers.

“Our research tells us that the global traveller is looking for more variety in their travel experience, something that South Africa is certainly not lacking. However, with a busy Indaba schedule and more than 2000 exhibitors to see, it is not always easy for buyers to track down the best of what South Africa has to offer. The themes have been chosen based on solid consumer research in key markets,” says SAT chief marketing officer Roshene Singh.

TECHNOLOGY FOLLOWING on from last year’s innovations, Indaba organisers pulled out all the stops when it came to technology.

Introduced for the first time, the Indaba App gave delegates instant access to Indaba on their mobile devices. Within a day of its launch, the App had made the list

Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk and SAT Watchlist Markets global manager Dinky Malikane © South African Tourism

of the top 20 Apps on the Apple App store and by the third day of Indaba, had been downloaded in more than 110 countries.

Also new this year was the introduction of QR codes on delegate tags.

The barcodes stored basic contact information that could be scanned and saved directly onto a Smartphone.

Another tech initiative was the e-marketing workshop presented

by Damian Cook, MD of e-Tourism Frontiers. The TripAdvisor workshops with the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa gave visitors insights on how to make the most out of this global travel platform.

JOBURG TOURISM ENTREPRENEUR AWARD THE Joburg Tourism Entrepreneur Award is presented by City of Johannesburg/ Joburg Tourism Company (JTC) for individuals who show innovation and excellence in the tourism industry.

This year’s recipient was Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, owner of Soweto Hotel. Lindiwe was recently appointed managing director of the Birchwood Hotel and O R Tambo Conference Centre.

ETEYA AWARDS THE Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award (ETEYA) is presented annually at Indaba.

Shaheed Ebrahim of the Western

Cape was the winner for 2012.

Shaheed is founder of Cape Town-based tour operating company, Escape to the Cape. The prize includes a R100 000 cash injection into his business and a 12-month mentorship programme facilitated by the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP).

Entry to the ETEYA awards is open to black entrepreneurs who have operated a small, medium or micro-level tourism or hospitalityrelated businesses for less than five years, employ less than 50 people and have an annual turnover not exceeding R5 million.

FLASH MOB ON Saturday 12 May 2012, The International Hotel School and Three Cities staged a flash mob at Indaba, taking over the aisle in front of their stand for an impromptu dance routine.

The idea was inspired by Three Cities, who recruited students for something a little different. Students were bused in and sneaked into the venue as International Hotel School delegates.

The event attracted a large crowd and trended online, thus creating the Wow factor envisioned by Three Cities.

Sally Fink

TOP TWEETS @thechefbruce The Boat House had an awesome Indaba/Durban 2012! Thank All for the astounding support & interest! Already a packed ‘House’ for the weekend! @rickcrouch Durban Indaba 2012 “crucial” for tourism growth @Timzanu The #Indaba2012 have increased #RAF visibility & accessibility reaching out 2 existing & prospective customers. @rodneyp Thanks to all the amazing people I met in South Africa for #Indaba2012, hope to see you all again soon. Amazing place you have... @william_price Seeing all of the #INDABA2012 social media coverage today in Flickr Facebook Twitter and YouTube its awesome to reflect on where we started @ShamwariSafari Thank you all who attended #Indaba2012. It was a fun, focused and productive 4 days for the #ShamwariGroup #travel #safari @SenzoDhlomo Mad fun was had as well by some of the delegates who visited us. #KWV Loyalty Lounge #Indaba2012

The Event | 11

ELECTRIFY YOUR EVENT Carol Thorns

ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY can be used in various ways to enhance an event, whether it’s through sound and lighting or creating an App. Entertainer Carol Thorns, a pioneer of the electric cello, utilises technology in a unique way to take her events to a whole new level.

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LECTRIC cellist Carol Thorns is known throughout South Africa for her production, Red Cello Electrified, which earned the artist a four-star rating at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival of the arts.

Her modern take on classic music is given extra Wow-factor through the use of the Cellop-

shere, which is literally a giant bubble inside which the artist plays the electric cello.

“The Cellosphere was designed by my husband, Alastair Thorns, for me to perform my electric cello in. Its construction involved five difference suppliers, two different countries and six months to build,” explains Carol.

The Cellosphere is a collaborative effort between two music agencies and Alastair, a professional architect.

“Our close friend, Shelley Frost of the Fridge Dubai (a music management company), devised this original idea and has been playing her “Harp in a bubble” for almost five years to date, explains Alastair. “With Shelley’s blessing carol decided to launch the concept in Cape Town through her agency Red Cello.”

Alastair researched the concept and developed a collapsible sphere and stage base over a six month period. The design comprises a clear plastic sphere, perspex staging and high impact acrylic cladding which conceals the supporting laser cut aluminium framing, lighting and mechanical fans.

The result is a clear glass-like luminescent sphere which bathes Carol in a light show as she plays.

The Cellosphere commands considerable attention and creates a great focal point in larger venues. and is ideal for corporate events and gala dinners.

Carol Thorns can be booked via Elegant Entertainment or Red Cello Productions.

Sally Fink

TOP WEDDING PLANNER FOR EXPO

CONSUMER SHOW THE Wedding Expo is bringing Britain’s top celebrity wedding planner Sarah Haywood to South Africa to host two exclusive bridal workshops in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

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HE events, held in association with Wedding Inspirations magazine, will see Sarah discuss the latest international wedding trends and share her top tips for wedding planning success. She’ll be joined by local industry experts who will also offer advice on subjects such as bridal fashion, jewellery and make-up, as well as table decor.

“We are so excited to welcome Sarah Haywood, not only to The Wedding Expo, but to South Africa as well. I am certain she is going to leave us inspired by her presentation at our workshops. I also believe the South African wedding industry will leave Sarah with some interesting, fresh new ideas which she can take back with her to the UK,” says Aman-

da Cunningham, managing director of The Wedding Expo.

Dubbed the ultimate wedding expert, Sarah was CNN’s international commentator for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Her client list includes celebrities, leading public figures and nobility, and she also holds the title of being the UK’s top-selling bridal author for her book Wedding Bible.

Sarah’s company, Sarah Haywood Design, is a luxury wedding design and coordination consultancy which offers a bespoke service to clients from beginning to end.

Each event is personally designed, planned and managed by Sarah who works with leading suppliers such as couturiers, florists, Michelin star chefs, make-up artists and photographers to create magnificent events for clients worldwide.

The Wedding Expo Bridal Workshops take place on 25 August 2012 in Johannesburg and 31 August 2012 in Cape Town.

Sally Fink

Q&A ON CULTURAL EVENTS GENERAL INDUSTRY MOST conference planners expect venues to deliver state of the art technological solutions to suit their needs, but what happens when an organiser wants else entirely? Nicolette EliaBeissel who recently joined ICC Durban as operations director, talks to The Event Newpsaper, about hosting traditional and cultural events.

How is the ICC Durban geared for traditional and cultural events?

THE centre offers flat floor access from street level directly into the loading bays and from there into the halls. The halls are also fully carpeted and air conditioned as a standard and therefore they are attractive for this type of event as the contracting party does not have to pay extra for these services.

The halls are also configured with operable walls and can be arranged to suit any size at short notice. The centre also specialises in African and Indian cuisine which caters for weddings and other cultural events as a matter of course. In fact the ICC has specialist Indian and African cuisine chefs who offer top quality catering options. The ICC also has a halaal certified kitchen.

In addition because of the ceiling height of 11.5-metres we are able to accommodate spectacular and extravagant decor and stages which is particularly popular with Indian weddings. The ICC is very popular as an Indian wedding venue and we stage up to 120 weddings a year in the ICC or Exhibition Centre.

How do cultural or traditional event differ to conferences?

THIS is essentially the difference between a business event and a pri-

vate event. A private event is a social event and is geared towards catering for the cultural and social requirements of the particular event. In addition the people who bring private events to the ICC are not conference organisers and they need a lot more guidance to ensure that their event is memorable and successful.

Conference and exhibitions are more business focused and are generally organised by competent PCOs or other professionals from the meetings industry, however we always try and put the unique Durban touch to any event staged at the ICC in terms of cuisine and decor etc.

The Exhibition Centre is very popular as it offers a cost effective alternative to the ICC and the client is also able to do their own catering, as opposed to the ICC, if they require.

What are some of the logistical elements a venue needs to consider?

WE need to consider the guest list in particular in terms of VIP protocol. By example the President is a frequent visitor to the ICC for cultural events such as weddings and funerals and other celebration days and the need for security, holding venues, protocol requirements, access points into the ICC Complex are all factors which require close attention.

Other than this venues within the ICC complex including the Exhibition Centre are chosen in terms of space requirements, requirements around catering and entertainment and cost.

Do you ever have to move certain events because a cultural event is taking place?

THE ICC has a policy to try and accommodate all events taking place in the Centre ensuring the best experience for its guests. We do on oc-

Nicolette Elia-Beissel

MARKETING FOR SHARED REWARD GENERAL INDUSTRY

GoodLuck

SPARKLING wine producer J.C. Le Roux recently teamed up with local fusion band GoodLuck to promote its brand on the exclusive Le Good Life Tour.

T casion move events around in order to limit the effects of noise and other disturbance on other events taking place within the complex at the same time.

Further we limit the advance booking period for all private events to six months as we try to prioritise convention, exhibition and meetings business for the centre as these sectors are our primary focus and they have a greater economic impact on the city and the region.

Do you have to make provisions for catering?

AS mentioned above the ICC specialises in contemporary European cuisine in addition to African and Indian cuisine and we have the expertise in-house in our culinary department. Further the centre was designed to facilitate the distribution of food through underground passages via 16 remote pantries onto the floor.

The Centre is also HACCP accredited and has ISO 22000 certification which deals particularly with international catering standards.

Sally Fink

HE Le Good Life Tour, a musical collaboration between the SAMA nominated group and the Western Cape sparkling wine cellar, saw GoodLuck perform five shows around the country as well as release a single, Le Good Life, which trended on social media networks when it was released.

Lucindi Branfield, SA brand manager for J.C. Le Roux explains that the campaign aimed to celebrate everything that makes life good, just like a glass of J.C. Le Roux sparkling wine.

“We decided to include a strong lifestyle element into our national campaign. The opportunity was to focus on the J.C. le Roux lifestyle, and therefore increase the desirability of the brand. We felt that music was the perfect platform that showcases the brand and is relevant to a wide audience,” she explains.

Lucindi and her team decided to form a music collaboration with an up and coming South African band, from which they could leverage the music association to showcase the brand and the Le Good Life experience. “GoodLuck was the perfect music hit sensation to partner with, since they believe in producing music that inspires, uplifts and gets you jumping up high,” she says.

In other words, it was a match made in heaven.

GoodLuck consists of musicians Ben Peters and Juliet Harding, an electro swing duo that blend jazz and electronic beats. The group were one of the highlights of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and have received national radio play.

The band was commissioned to write and produce a track that epitomises the champagne lifestyle. The result was the track “Le Good Life”, named after the tour.

This track was then available for free download exclusively to J.C. Le Roux consumers over the promotional period and GoodLuck featured on all of J.C. Le Roux’s in-store point of sale material. The Le good Life Tour was based around the launch of the track.

“The campaign proved to be a huge success for both brands, and we were extremely happy with the outcome of the collaboration,” says Lucindi.

The Le Good Life Tour was GoodLuck’s last performance before embarking on a three month tour of Europe.

Sally Fink

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

connected, whether it’s to catch up with friends and family or catch up on critical work emails. Both are equally important to guests, which is why we have introduced this valueadd across both Protea Hotels and African Pride Hotels in South Africa,” he says.

Protea group offers free wi-fi PROTEA Hotels and African Pride Hotels have announced the roll-out of their free wi-fi network in South Africa.

Every guest will receive complimentary 100MB of data per day each stay, no matter which of the 90 hotels they check into.

Protea group marketing manager Nicholas Barenblatt said the offering was conceived because modern guests were of the “always on” generation no matter whether they were travelling for business or leisure.

“When we travel we have to be

Pacific World expands into South Africa LEADING MICE business Pacific World is expanding into Southern Africa.

Through a partnership with ATC (African Travel Concept), Pacific World Southern Africa will have offices in Cape Town and Windhoek.

“The launch of Pacific World Southern Africa is an important step towards establishing Pacific World as a global DMC, Event Management, and PCO company”, said Harsha Krishnan, business development director of Pacific World.

“In Southern Africa, the partnership with ATC allows Pacific World clients to benefit from the local network and knowledge of an established leading inbound operator and a specialised MICE team whilst at the same time benefiting from the scale and operational guarantee of Pacific World globally,” he says.

Nomasonto Ndlovu joins Tshwane FORMER South African global manager of Business Tourism Nomasonto Ndlovu has joined the city of Tshwane as strategic executive director.

Scan Display preferred supplier of CTICC THE Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) has appointed exhibition specialist Scan Display to be a preferred supplier for electrical services. Justin Hawes, MD of Scan Display, says, “We are proud

to have achieved this recognition as a quality service provider to the exhibition industry. We believe much of this recognition flows from our use of green technology, and exhibitor satisfaction as a result of our creative use of design elements.”

Elaine Crewe launches Bauma Africa ELAINE Crewe has been appointed general manager of the newly founded subsidiary of Messe München International in South Africa, MMI South Africa. One of her first projects will be to launch Bauma Africa from 18-21 September 2013 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

3D printing conference for SA THE Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa will host its annual conference from 31 October - 2 November at Kwa Maritane in

Pilanesberg.

Rapid Prototyping remains a key technology in the Rapid Product Development suite of technologies.

The conference programme will offer a variety of opportunities for participants from industry, R&D institutions, academia and government to listen to presentations, engage in discussions, visit exhibitions and just interact informally during the three days of the event.

Kievits Kroon’s Alan O’Leary celebrates ten years at the helm THIS year Kievits Kroon managing director Alan O’Leary celebrates ten years at the helm of the upmarket country estate in Pretoria.

Alan joined the hotel in April 2002 at the age of 27.

Sally Fink

Since its inception, The Event Newspaper has grown to become the most read printed trade publication for the South African • PUBLISHER: Film & Event Media • ADDRESS: 57 2nd Avenue, Harfield Village, Claremont,Cape Town • PHONE: +27 21 674 0646 • FAX: +27 21 674 6691 • PUBLISHER: Lance Gibbons (lance@filmeventpublishing.co.za) • EDITOR: Sally Fink (sally@filmeventmedia.co.za) • COPY EDITOR: Kate Hodges (kate@thecallsheet.co.za) • HEAD OF DESIGN: Jess Novotná (jess@filmeventmedia.co.za) • ONLINE CO-ORDINATOR: Fin Manjoo (manjoo@filmeventmedia.co.za) • SALES: Rhoda Webb (rhoda@theevent.co.za) • SALES AND MARKETING ASSISTANT: Robyn-Lee Malan (Robynlee@filmeventmedia.co.za • HEAD OF PRODUCTION: Nadia Samsodien (nadia@filmeventnedia.co.za)

events industry, covering meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, festivals, weddings, and all other types of events.

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.

The Event | 13

DESIGN A HIT WITH CONSUMER MARKET

NEWS

CONSUMER SHOWS

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

SEVERAL new features at the annual Grand Designs Live exhibition proved so popular this year that the organisers are working out how to expand the exhibition space to make them even larger next year.

S

PACE could soon become the main constraint for the exhibition, since The Coca-Cola dome in Johannesburg already looked fairly full as more than 300 exhibitors showed off their ideas for the house and garden.

The event organised by Montgomery Africa and Media 10 drew a larger audience than the 27,500 it attracted last year, although final numbers have not yet been collated.

Marketing & Show manager Sandra Owen says she believes the formula has now been honed to make the show exactly what homeowners are looking for.

For the first two years the event struggled because the DSTV show that Grand Designs Live is based on doesn’t have particularly large viewer numbers, she said. But the exhibition is now established enough to draw the crowds even if they don’t watch the TV show.

“We had a very good show,” Sandra said. “I’m getting emails from exhibitors with great success stories and we’ve already got 40% of the exhibitors booked for next year.”

Tickets cost R80 for adults with free entrance for children under 12, and by Saturday afternoon the car parks outside and the aisles inside were crowded.

Its success lies in the interaction it encourages between visitors and

the experts brought in to demonstrate home decor, DIY, gardening and cooking, Sandra believes. “We bring in celebrities and experts to chat to people on stages and to interact with them and we have a very big budget for creating features where people can get tips and take ideas away with them.”

Grand Designs Live was also benefitting from the popularity of DIY and the fact that home improvement was no longer only for men and interior design was no longer only for women, she added.

Even so, the organisers will still be looking for new ways to keep the format fresh. “You always want to change because consumers don’t want to come and see the same things. We are having some good chats and although the formula will be the same we’ll definitely look for bigger and better next year. We will keep the same sections, although some may grow.”

Entry and exit routes from the dome may also be reworked to make the flow of people easier, she said.

The show is already approaching full capacity for the dome’s floor space, but there is room to expand on a mezzanine level. That would please the exhibitors whose stands were on the higher level, since some complained that they weren’t enjoying as much foot traffic as the exhibitors on the ground floor.

The mezzanine area was mainly devoted to food and wine stalls. Exhibitor Charmaine Cockhead, the sales director of Wine Dynamics, said her stand was very busy and people were actually buying as well as tasting. “Visitors are walking around the show downstairs and when they’ve had enough they come up here to relax,” she said.

Grand Designs Live

One of the most popular areas was the 6th Sense Bistro, an 80seat restaurant that soon attracted permanent queues. “It was the first time we have had a fine dining restaurant and you got a great meal cooked by the culinary team that will be taking part in the Olympics,” Sandra said. “It was packed all the time so next year they are going to go bigger with 120 seats.”

Another popular area was Living Spaces inspired by Design, where celebrities Ashley Hayden, Bridget Masinga, Gregg Hammond, Mark Pilgrim, Bailey Schneider and Kahn Morbee from the Parlotones each created a room and shared their ideas with visitors.

Feedback from consumers last year showed that people also wanted help with gardening ideas, Sandra said, so space was set aside for areas designed by land-

scape gardeners.

Landscaper Jan Blok recreated a garden he had designed for SA Garden & Home Magazine, and was at the show to advise visitors on how to improve their own gardens.

The garden area also included a display from the Chelsea Flower Show.

Food and Home Entertaining Magazine and the South African Chefs Association were responsible for the Chefs Theatre, while Builders Express ran a Builders’ DIY Theatre where experts gave talks on renovating and decorating ideas.

In another area visitors could admire a House of the Future, run by Popular Mechanics to showcase the latest technologies, home automation gadgets and eco-friendly features for your home.

vember 2012 in Barcelona.

For more information visit www. eibtm.com/techwatch.

Awards are now open. There are a limited number of seats available.

For more information visit www.theloerieawards.co.za

Lesley Stones

Christie Sets Up shop in Joburg CHRISTIE, a global visual technology company, has opened a new office in South Africa, its first in the Southern hemisphere.

The office will be up and running from 1 June 2012 and will provide facilities for demonstrations, customer and partner training, as well as inventory management.

The move has been in the planning for almost a year, and Dale Miller, Christie EMEA vice president, says, “Over the last three years we have been working to develop the right relationships to grow our business.

As an organisation we invest heavily in training and believe this lies at the heart of quality service and support.

So we look to the same commitments from our partners.”

“Just over a year ago Stage Audio Works put their service team through our advanced level service training to become Christie’s first Certified Partner in South Africa. In addition to their investment in a significant spares and product inventory, Stage Audio Works went and took the Christie training they had received to their own customers both in South Africa and in Africa. That’s when we knew we were ready to make additional investments. And we are looking forward to developing further programmes with Stage Audio Works and other like minded Partners.”

Heading the operation as territory manager, Africa, will be Phil Lord, a 12-year veteran of Christie, who has spent half that time in South Africa.

The new operation will be based at Fourways, Johannesburg.

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

Imvelo Awards call for entries THE Imvelo Awards, which recognise responsible tourism in South Africa, is open for entries. The deadline for entries is 31 August 2012.

Entries can be sent to info@junxionpr.co.za.

Loeries entry deadline extended THE entry deadline for the 34th Annual Loerie Awards has been extended til 15 June 2012.

Both the entry deadline and the eligibility period have been extended. This means that all work must be

1 4 | The Even t

commercially published, launched or aired to a substantial audience for the first time between 1-15 June 2012.

A 5% late fee will apply to entries submitted after the original deadline of 31 May. No further extensions will be given and all entries should be received by the extended deadline.

For more information visit www. theloerieawards.co.za EIBTM Technology Watch open for Submissions THE EIBTM Technology Watch Award is open for submissions.

The award winner will receive an exhibition stand within the Technology Village at EIBTM (value €3000) to showcase their product to over 15,200 industry professionals expected to attend this year’s event. The awards are free to enter.

EIBTM takes place from 27-29 No-

Loeries Scholarship open for entries THE Loeries Creative Future Scholarship is open to entries from Grade 12 learners in the Western Cape. The recipient will receive a bursary to study at the AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town.

Only Grade 12 learners from a disadvantaged background situated in the Western Cape are eligible for the 2012 Creative Future Scholarship.

The deadline to submit applications is 15 June 2012.

For more information visit www. theloerieawards.co.za.

Loeries ticket bookings open TICKETS, accommodation and car hire for the 34th Annual Loerie

Diwali call for proposals IN November, Indianspice will resurrect the annual Diwali celebration, entitled ‘Diwali in Jozi’. They are seeking input, proposals and cultural organisation support for the festival.

Members of the public can submit their proposals and enquiries to Lakshya Malhotra at lakshya@indianspice.co.za.

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

SAACI seeks General Manager THE South African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) is accepting applications for the position of general manager.

The position requires: •Someone who knows the workings / mechanics of SAACI •Patience and appreciation for the role that SAACI plays between the private sector and government. •It’s not about the money!

•Good management capabilities, experience to work with national office staff, consultants, branch secretariats and the various committees •The ability to listen to the direction of SAACI Board and its members *To be based in Gauteng *There will be an adequate handover period CVs can be sent directly tp nina@ confco.co.za.

DIRECTORY LISTINGS AV AND LIGHTING SUPPLIERS COMPANY

REGION

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

360 Entertainment

Johannesburg

+27 11 782 1663

info@360degrees.co.za

www.360degrees.co.za

Africa Bambatha Productions

Johannesburg

+27 11 805 1287

info@bambathaproductions.co.za

www.bambathaproductions.co.za

Anointed M

Pretoria

+27 12 808 1648

info@anointedm.com

www.anointedm.com

A.R.S Technologies cc

Cape Town

+27 21 975 6606

info@ars-tech.co.za

www.ars-tech.co.za

AV Direct

Cape Town

+27 21 706 6730

cpt@avdirect.co.za

www.avdirect.co.za

Av Staging Worx

Cape Town

+27 86 12 438 28

info@avstaging.co.za

www.avstaging.co.za

AV Systems

Johannesburg

+27 11 805 6353

alvaro@avsystems.co.za

www.avsystems.co.za

AV Team

Cape Town

+27 21 706 8330

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www.avteam.co.za

AV Unlimited

Johannesburg

+27 11 704 5470

gducray@avunlimited.co.za

www.avunlimited.co.za

Bass Mechanics

Johannesburg

+27 11 852 8338

Info@bassmechanics.co.za

www.bassmechanics.co.za

Beef Entertainment

Polokwane

+27 15 295 6227

info@beefentertainment.co.za

www.beefentertainment.co.za

Black Motion

Johannesburg

+27 11 440 6015

les@blackmotion.co.za

www.blackmotion.co.za

Concept G

Gauteng

+27 11 7087991

info@conceptg.co.za

www.conceptg.co.za

Cool Music Productions

Pretoria

+27 12 661 9227

suzette@coolmusic.co.za

www.coolmusic.co.za

East Coast Productions

Durban

+27 31 464 0617

Jacques@eastcoastproductions.co.za www.eastcoastproductions.co.za

Extreme Theatre Productions

Johannesburg

+27 11 896 5956

info@extremetheatre.co.za

www.extremetheatre.co.za

Gearhouse

Nationwide

+27 21 929 7200

ctn@gearhouse.co.za

www.gearhouse.co.za

Led Vision

Johannesburg

+27 11 216 3111

richard@ledvision.co.za

www.ledvision.co.za

Lucidity

Johannesburg

+27 11 466 3328

paul@lucidity.co.za

www.lucidity.co.za

Matrix Sound

Johannesburg

+27 11 791 5761

mcats@matrixsound.co.za

www.matrixsound.co.za

MGG Productions

Gauteng

+27 11 608 4094

mark@mgg.co.za

www.mgg.co.za

M.J. Event Gear

Johannesburg

+27 11 326 2291

mike@mjeventgear.co.za

www.mjeventgear.co.za

Selbys South Africa

Nationwide

+27 31 700 6697

durban@selbys.co.za

www.selbys.co,za

Shattered Glass Group

Johannesburg

+27 11 948 9291

av@shatteredglass.co.za

www.shatteredglass.co.za

Showgroup

Johannesburg

+27 11 888 5000

robbie@showgroup.co.za

www.showgroupworld.com

Showlight

Johannesburg

+27 82 824 6522

info@showlight.co.za

www.showlight.co.za

Sight ‘n Sound Hire & Staging

Cape Town

+27 21 448 4094

bookings@sightnsound.co.za

www.sightnsound.co.za

Simply Audio Visual

Cape Town

+27 21 782 5100

steve@simplyav.co.za

The Sound Corporation

Johannesburg

+27 11 462 1170

jessica@sound.co.za

www.sound.co.za

Sound Harmonics

Johannesburg

+27 11 022 0301

joseph@soundharmonics.net

www.soundharmonics.net

Sound Headquarters

Johannesburg

+27 11 477 7454

info@soundheadquarters.co.za

www.soundheadquarters.co.za

Sound Stylist

Nationwide

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Sound Systems

Nelspruit

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Stage Effects

Pretoria

+27 12 993 5817

info@stageeffects.co.za

www.stageeffects.co.za

Strike Alliance

Nationwide

+27 21 416 5560

info@strikealliance.co.za

www.strikealliance.co.za

Strike Productions

Johannesburg

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leah@strikeproductions.co.za

www.strikeproductions.co.za

Superior Vision

Nationwide

+27 21 555 3175

capetown@superiorvision.co.za

www.superiorvision.co.za

Synergy Production House

Gauteng

+27 16 931 0356

info@synergysound.co.za

www.synergysound.co.za

Techrig

Johannesburg

+27 11 399 5640

sean@techrig.com

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True Technical

Johannesburg

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www.true-technical.com

Ultra Events

Cape Town

+27 21 447 1451

costa@ultraevents.co.za

www.ultraevents.co.za

Vision Media

Cape Town

+27 21 853 5803

admin@vmedia.co.za

www.vmedia.co.za

White Noise

Johannesburg

+27 83 553 5245

nell@whitenoise.co.za

www.whitenoise.co.za

XGX Productions

Johannesburg

+27 11 462 6403

info@xgx.co.za

www.xgx.co.za

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EMAIL

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3D Design

Nationwide

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Bidvest

Johannesburg

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Cadek Media

Cape Town

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Expovent

Gauteng

+27 11 553 5200

expovent@expovent.co.za

www.uniquelyspectacular.co.za

Intercape

Nationwide

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Litha

Gauteng

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Moses Mabhida Stadium

Durban

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Oasys

Nationwide

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Premier

Nationwide

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Presclean

Johannesburg

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andrew@presclean.co.za

www.bidvestprestigegroup.co.za

SAACI

Johannesburg

+27 11 805 7272

info@saaci.co.za

www.saaci.co.za

Sandton Convention Centre

Gauteng

+27 11 779 0000

vino@saconvention.co.za

www.saconvention.co.za

Scan Display Solutions

Nationwide

+27 11 447 4777

justin@scandisplay.co.za

www.scandisplay.co.za

Tshwane Events Centre

Gauteng

+27 12 327 1487

ricky@tshwabac.co.za

www.tshwane-events.co.za

Webtickets

Western Cape

+27 86 122 5598

info@webtickets.co.za

www.webtickets.co.za

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

The Event | 15