The Event October 2011

R22.80 October 2011 www.theevent.co.za

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ANOTHER GRAND PRIX FOR LIVE EVENTS AWARDS

Marching Band

LIVE Events scored a second Grand Prix in two years at the Loerie Awards, which took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 16-17 September 2011.

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T this year’s Loerie Awards, Ogilvy Cape Town scored a Grand Prix for their Live Activation for Volkswagen Golf, entitled Marching Band.

The guerrilla activation for VW Golf saw a Cape brass band march up and down the Sea Point Promenade in sielnce, effectively advertising how quiet can be enjoyed inside the VW Golf.

Last year the Grand prix went to VWV for the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony. Before that, the last time a live event won a Grand Prix was in 2004 when VWV’s Passion campaign won top spot for the Miller Brewing Company.

The Grand Prix could be a sign of a changing trend in advertising, which puts more focus on experiential campaigns rather than traditional belowthe-line advertiisng such as print and television.

2011 saw the inclusion of a focused judge for Live Events Matt Shirtcliffe.

This year also saw the inclusion of a new category - PR

- which includes awards for public relations campaigns targeting television, radio, print and online, as well as an overall campaign incorporating all four.

Public Relations Industry of Southern Africa (PRISA) spokesperson Bridget von Holdt believes the move is indicative of the importance of strategic communication in the overall communication mix and that the inclusion of PR exposes oth-

er industries to the real value of strategic communication and its vital role in brand management.

In the Live Events category, King James RSVP scored a Gold Loerie for their event celebrating Silverstar Casino’s third birthday which saw cardstacker extraordinaire and multiple Guinness World Record Holder, Bryan Berg, spending ten days in a Perspex box building a three metre high number Three as well as replicating the Silverstar

Casino using 63 000 freestanding playing cards.

In the same category VWV Group won Bronze for their MINI Countryman launch campaign which demonstrated the added drive capabilities of the first ever four door MINI by invited influential bloggers and four friends on a road trip to various fun events across Gauteng.

In the Live Activations category DraftFCB won Silver for their Pirates TV on Demand

campaign for Vodacom, while A Word of Art won Bronze for their adidas originals campaign which took place at various venues across Woodstock.

In the Sponsorship category, Studio 4332 won a campaign Bronze for Mark on Design for Grolsch at this year’s Design Indaba. The event comprised a pop up Grolsch Bar on the beach, in the run up to Design Indaba.

“After two years of a decline in entries, 2011 saw a small increase over the previous year.

I hope this is a sign that the economy is coming back to life but there is certainly still a long way to go. The number of Gold and Grand Prix awards were very tight this year, with only three Grands Prix being awarded overall. Clearly this is a message that although the number of media platforms available is constantly increasing, the ability to achieve the truly outstanding remains as difficult as ever,” says Andrew Human, CEO of the Loerie Awards.

The Loerie Awards is an annual recognition of the best work produced in the brand communication industry in Africa and the Middle East.

For the full list of winners visit http://winners.theloerieawards. co.za Sally Fink

PAGE TWO PIN-UP: DINOKENG Dinokeng

VENUES DINOKENG, located just 90kms from Johannesburg and northeast of Pretoria, is an undiscovered event and wedding destination in the heart of Gauteng.

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HE ideal of sustainability has begun to play a significant role in the tourism industry.

To this end, Dinokeng has in-

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troduced Meet Dinokeng, a responsible approach to holidaying and eventing. The M campaign focuses on travel with a conscience and aims to uplift the local economy and community by growing business and leisure tourism in the area.

The Meet Dinokeng campaign uses five local business people to show how visitors are contributing to the local econo-

my. Through their inspiring stories, these five hope to encourage corporates and organisations to consider Dinokeng for their annual conference, gala dinner or executive meeting.

Dinokeng offers visitors a wide range of activities from horse riding and quad biking to spas, hot air ballooning and game viewing. “Dinokeng also has a variety of corporate social re-

sponsibility (CSR) projects if you are looking for an unusual team building experience that benefits locals while helping your team to bond,” says Dinokeng spokesperson Adrian Amod.

Dinokeng boasts 32 different venues which can host an event, catering to between 20 and 100 people.“Dinokeng is also a great option for your honeymoon. The area has a host of

game lodges, including some of the best five-star accommodation in the province, pampering spa facilities, romantic hot air balloon rides and fun adventure activities like horse riding. So Dinokeng is the ideal location for an affordable honeymoon close to home,” says Adrian.

The launch of Meet Dinokeng was a full day event. The day started off with guests, that included journalists, tour operators, professionals from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) industry, gathering in Onverwacht to help build a bike shed at St Joseph’s Care and Trust Outreach, a local care centre for orphaned and vulnerable children.

Guests then enjoyed an informative introduction to the campaign, and how tourism benefits the local community. They then had the opportunity to meet the five inspiring business people that participate in the campaign.

They encountered Fani Face who runs a vibrant township restaurant; Greg who runs a sustainable atchar business that employs local pensioners; Patricia who conducts authentic village tours in Onverwacht and Laleen who runs an inspiring ceramic studio. They also met Happy who runs a vegetable stall that supplies local businesses with fresh produce.

For more information visit www.meetdinokeng.co.za

SAT WINS AT THE LOERIES FOR INDABA TOUCH TABLE AWARDS SOUTH African Tourism’s (SAT) digital Touch Table won two awards for excellence in interactive communication at this year’s Loerie Awards which took place from 16-18 September 2011 in Cape Town.

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AT’s Touch Table, which the organisation describes as a world first in interactive travel and tourism trade communication, won two awards at the 33rd annual Loerie Awards - a Silver Loerie in the category of Internet, Mobile and Interactive Communication: Applications and Interactive Tools and a Loerie Craft Certificate in the category of Internet, Mobile and Interactive Communication: Digital Crafts.

The Touch Table offers eight interactive hubs, allowing eight people to use it simultaneously.

Using touch screen technology, users are able to search the National Tourism Database, browse numerous leisure experiences offered in South Africa, search the destination by province, send email and digital postcards from the table; and review the larger South African Tourism global advertising and marketing campaign and its elements in full high definition.

The Loeries recognition comes amidst a string of recent

South African Tourism awards and accolades. SA Tourism’s Adventurers Wanted campaign (in collaboration with National Geographic) won a Media & Marketing (M&M) Award for Global Media Excellence, while the World Travel Awards (WTA) named South African Tourism Africa’s best destination marketing body, an award South African Tourism also won in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

“We are delighted that our peers in both travel and in advertising and marketing recognise our work,” says William Price, Global E-Marketing manager at South African Tourism.

“The Touch Table is a truly pioneering marketing tool, exploiting the move to digital and social media - both among global travel trade professionals and consumers. It makes it possible for us to take destination information to people in the way they are accustomed to searching for it, and in a simple format. More importantly, it provides the global travel trade with the information, resources and networking tools to effectively sell our destination,” added William.

The Touch Table was launched at the annual travel and tourism INDABA in Durban in May 2011, and was an instant hit with the global travel trade, and with the South African tourism product too.

“The technology and ease of use of the Touch Table makes a great first impression and users find it a really useful and accessible source of destination information. The beauty of a digital platform such as this is that the content is always relevant and up to date. It becomes a personal tool for users.”

“Because it’s digital, we are able to ensure that content is specific and useful no matter where in the world we take it,” William said from Paris, where the Touch Table is currently on display at the Top Resa trade exhibition in France. “The Touch Table debuted at INDABA this year with global content. And at Top Resa in Paris we have added France-specific content to the global content to suit the information needs of that market. When it leaves Paris, it goes to the World Travel Market in London, where the content will be adjusted again to give it a strong UK-campaign influence.

The Touch Table is very easy to pack up and ship, making it exceptionally portable, and increasing its easy use all over the world. It’s a great destination marketing tool,” he says.

The Touch Table was a Gloo Digital Design entrant into the 2011 Loerie Awards and the Pixel Project was an integral partner in its development.

Sally Fink

Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk disovering the Touch Table at Indaba

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THE LOERIES CHANGES FORMAT The Loeries © Jess Novotná

EVENTS THE Loerie Awards took place from 16-18 September 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

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HE Loerie Awards is the country’s top showcase of ad talent, which just finished its third year in Cape Town, after taking place at the Good Hope Centre for two years.

The Good Hope Centre was a good fit for the awards, as the entire venue could be scraped out and transformed as the or-

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ganisers saw fit. (Think wall to wall bars and multiple stages.)

The Good Hope Centre became party central for two days of the year, a sentiment that seeped into the rest of the city.

Even Long Street closed off for the night to accommodate the party crowd. This year Loeries CEO Andrew Human took the decision to make the awards more about the awards themselves, rather than the party. The CTICC was an apt choice, as it boasts a stylish auditorium with plush seating for 1 500.

Funk, who are the official

project managers for the MTV Africa Music Awards, took the reins as project managers this year for the first time. Executive producer Lydia Mason explains that she wanted to give the event an ‘MTV Edge’. So the live acts and boombox party vibe was replaced by the red carpet treatment and world class hosts; legendary local newsreader Riaan Cruywagen for the Saturday night and Baywatch star David Hasselhof on the Sunday night.

“We wanted a tight show and therefore decided to keep the live acts for the after parties,”

says Lydia. “We changed the format to make it more about the work. We wanted to keep things simple and treated it like a TV broadcast. The production values went into the hosts.”

1 500 people were given the red carpet treatment, which included being interviewed by Jon Savage, Sizwe Dhlomo and Zizo Beda, and thanks to a microwave signal, this footage was seen on plasma screens throughout the venue and broadcast to those watching live from the Nu Metro cinemas at the V&A waterfront. All footage was high quality HD thanks to the SABC HD OB van on site. The feed only went down once, but the disruption was quickly fixed in time for the awards.

The custom 18 metres of screen inside the auditorium were supplied by Gearhouse as well as the lighting for the red carpet, the plasma screens in the foyer, all projectors, the DJ booth for Black Coffee, and the sound equipment. The company also designed and manufactured the lectern and awards table.

The event’s audio visual pieces were produced by Elmir Arnautovic from The Project and Howard Music acting as the audio post production facility. Howard Music also came on board for the first time. “We final mixed all AV elements, including voiceovers for all awards, which were pre-recorded at our studio. Each

Loerie award had it’s own animation and unique sound design which was probably the most challenging part of the job,” says Adam Howard.

100 people were flown down specifically for the awards, including production crew and 50 South African artists to perform at the various after parties courtesy of MTV. A last minute decision was taken to move the official Sunday after party from The Fez to Trinity. Lydia is quick to dispel rumours that this had anything to do with permits. “It was entirely down to demand. More people wanted to come than we could accommodate at The Fez. “We wanted to create a party for all the young urban people working in the industry, which is why we brought on MTV with a marquee outside of Trinity for 1000 people.

Inside Trinity we catered more for the mainstream industry folk with some beautiful underground incidental acts to give it some spice,” she says.

Gearhouse provided the stages, sound, crew and AV. The City of Cape Town provided the IRP My City buses to transport guests from one venue to another. As Lydia puts it. “We called on the World Cup system, and Cape Town got behind us all the way.”

Sally Fink

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CREATING EXPERIENTIAL EVENTS Marc Hirschowitz

Kim Winstanley

PARTY PLANNING THE Event Newspaper asked industry experts for their take on creating memorable out-of-thebox events.

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XPERIENTIAL events literally means offering guests a meaningful experience at events that they will talk about for days or even weeks after. In the competitive market place creating word of mouth buzz around their product offerings is an essential part of the marketing process. Out of the box brand activations are the most effective way of achieving this.

On the other end of the spectrum, memorable networking

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Rashid Toefy

and cocktail functions can serve as the perfect end to conferences, while even meetings can take on new life with a few imaginative ideas.

Kim Winstanley, MD at Eventworx, says there’s an art to creating memorable experiential events. “Experiential eventing has become critical in South Africa’s small, overly saturated event market. It offers a new channel to talk to customers who have generally seen and done it all before. The first thing you must understand is that it is all about objectives. Knowing your audience is crucial, but knowing the objectives of the event is the foundation that every element is constructed

upon. Naturally, an experiential event is primarily about positioning the product / service in its best possible environment in order to drive sales, awareness or to gain market share.”

Kim believes this new way of eventing is what drives growth.

“The effect of these new experiential events on clients and more so on the guests is driving brand impact, goodwill and salience to new heights. It is growing relationships and most importantly, creating relationships with an entirely new level of expectation.”

Event organiser to the stars Marc Hirschowitz from Conceptspark applies his philosophy of thinking out the box to events.

“We feel there is so much that is

average out there that we like to push the boundary a little (and sometimes a lot),” he says.

He explains that client expectation plays a big role when planning an event. “Events have evolved: no longer do clients and guests have the expectation to arrive at an event, and expect to just be fed and entertained: it has gone far past that. Events are now experiences that should treat all five of your senses. The sense of taste, sight and hearing are usually there; so for some time now we have focused on the senses of touch and smell too: using room atomisers to create an olfactory experience and tactile fabrics and surfaces to treat the sense of touch.”

Earlier this year Marc and his team put together the inaugural Spring Trend Showcase Event, which showcases the latest event industry trends, from food, beverages, decor, entertainment and music. Marc opted for creative ice sculptures, over the top floral displays, playful lighting and impromptu performances. “We typically pride ourselves on not repeating concepts. There are so many amazing things to do out there, its boring doing things the same,” says Marc, who is often called upon to lecture on event and tabletop trends and has even been featured on popular lifestyle show, Top Billing.

“Our intention is always to create a memorable event.

When guests see something new and exciting, or something old, but presented in new and exciting ways - it leaves a lasting impression,” says Marc.

CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) Rashid Toefy spoke at the SAACI Conference in July on experiential meetings, a subject very close to his heart. “I like the concept of the Experience Economy that looks at what happens when you start customising services to deliver specific experiences based on clients’ personal tastes,” he says.

Rashid believes that event organisers should take a fresh look at the meeting architecture. “If you identify meetings as one dimensional then you’re in serious trouble. Meetings are not one dimensional; meetings are about the magic that happens when two people get together.”

His advice is for meetings architecture to be engaging and about knowledge sharing. Even conferences should make the delegates feel included. “When you feel like you’ve contributed something, you leave feeling like that was a valuable conference,” says Rashid.

If he had his way, he’d offer each client an Ipad containing everything they needed to know about their event from room layout to menus. Now that’s thinking out the box.

Sally Fink

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CORPORATE GIFT PRODUCT SHOWCASE

GIFT BUCKS GIFT Bucks and E-wards MasterCards are the quick and easy, secure and reloadable solution for all personal gifting or business rewards needs. It’s a perfect way to thank staff for a job well done and an ideal gift to thank clients for their support.

“You’re giving complete choice to buy anything, anywhere, any time – with a shopping card that’s accepted wherever MasterCard is, throughout South Africa,” says Geoff Saner.

Giving the gift of choice is a fantastic way to drive sales, attract customers, reward employees, thank suppliers, or just to give family, friends and colleagues the right gift, every time – because they can get exactly what they want. Gift Bucks and E-wards cards are reloadable, and can be topped up whenever targets are met, or when birthdays, bonuses and long service awards come around.

There are no forms to fill in, no bank accounts, and no fuss when presenting the card for payment at any till point.

“We also personalise your gift card recipient’s info letter and send an SMS to them when it’s loaded, run a helpline for any queries and balances and statements are available online 24/7,” says Geoff.

For more visit www.giftbucks.co.za

ANGEL HEART ANGEL Heart Products are a personalised way to look at corporate gifting. ‘Trinkets with Meaning’ are ideal in a time when giving is most successful when linked to a higher meaning; when giving shows awareness.

“The Angel Heart products speak of being in touch with oneself, of giving gratitude, of changing the world one heart at a time,” says Kathy Gibbons. “Angel Hearts have already been the foundation gift of many conferences, corporate client gifts and staff gifts. Our product travels the world and is given fondly from person to person, with many companies giving a different virtue at each conference, staff building, or celebration. We can make up bespoke ranges for corporations, including exclusive packaging and messaging.”

The range comes beautifully presented on cards that feature a virtue such as Love, Grace, Faith, Wish, Wisdom, Believe and is available in solid silver or dipped gold. (or solid gold on request). Charms include hearts, angel wings, wishbones, Africa, peace signs, hummingbirds, clover, infinity, hand of Fatima, lotus flower; chakra signs, zodiac signs, and a range of African symbols.

For more visit www.angel-heart.co.za.

THE ULTIMATE GIFT CARD THE Ultimate Gift Card is a gift card with a difference. Instead of hitting the mall, the lucky recipient can log onto thegiftcard.co.za and choose from a wide range of lifestyle experiences.

“Whether your taste is for all types of adrenalin-pumping adventure, or a quiet family day out, you could select a relaxing back massage, facial, pedi, mani or spa treatment, treat yourself to a weekend away with a loved one, take a flight to a far-away friend, take a flip in a jet fighter, float around in a hot air balloon, or indulge in an hour of chocolate tasting,” says Geoff Saner.

The Ultimate Gift Card can be topped up at any time.

Another option is instant recognition with a personalised message via a prepaid electronic voucher sent to the recipient’s mobile phone. “What a great feeling it is to receive an instant Thank You for a job well done, directly from the boss. And then simply to choose whatever you want from a superb range of activities, whenever you want to,” says Geoff.

For more infomation visit www.thegiftcard.co.za

CARTOON CANDY CARTOON Candy, the manufacturers of well-known Turnbulls Butterscotch sweets, are now able to wrap a company’s brand around their popular sweets, so the events industry can add that personal touch to delegate bags, exhibition stands and even conference tables.

With a new digital printing process, Cartoon Candy is able to print small runs of 30kgs (approximately 8 000 sweets) from one to four colour (CMYK) for an exceptional price and with reasonable lead times, with no set-up costs or artwork charges. All clients need to do is provide their logo. Candy is available in various flavours of Turnbulls: Original Butterscotch, Mint, Cappuccino or ICE Mint.

Cartoon Candy is dedicated to enriching the lives of those in the community surrounding its factory in Germiston, through community upliftment programmes and staff education initiatives. The company also honours the environment by reducing its carbon footprint through recycling and reducing energy consumption, as well as educating the youth in rural areas about protecting the environment. For more info, visit www. cartooncandy.co.za.

We’re distributing 4 000 copies a month free via bulk distribution at event industry organisations and associations; key industry meeting points like convention centres, hotels and rental houses; and at key industry events.

This means we’ll remain the most read events industry trade publication.

After seven years of carrying the cost of mailing another 4 000 copies direct to everyone else, we’re asking for subscriptions to help us cover our rising distribution costs.

Subscribe now for just R22.80 pm to keep receiving your copy, delivered to your door every month.

Please contact us for a subscription debit order form: nadia@filmeventmedia.co.za or 021 674 0646.

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A CONFERENCE VENUE WITH A VIEW VENUES

Two Oceans Aqaurium

WHEN selecting a venue for a conference, workshop or function, why not try something a little different?

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O showcase its unique function and conference venues with the best views in town, the Two Oceans Aquarium hosted an Amazing Race, cleverly titled The Amazing Space, for 150 lucky ladies from the tourism and events industry on Tuesday 13 September 2011.

The event kicked off with cocktails and canapĂŠs at the Two Oceans Aquarium where a DJ and glitter tattoo artists from the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat were on hand to get guests into the spirit. The ladies were then divided into nine teams and given a set of clues which would take them the length and breadth of the V&A Waterfront to complete a set of challenges.

Despite the unseasonal Cape Town rain, the ladies donned their plastic rain ponchos and set off to complete the allotted tasks: blind wine tasting at the V&A Visitors Centre; locating the historic Chavonne’s Cannon Battery; a macaroon taste test at the Myatt Coffee Shop; hand massages at the Body Shop; a group photo aboard the Nau-

tilus Luxury Yacht; yoga at the aquarium and cocktail making at the One & Only.

Once all their tasks had been completed the dishevelled and mince-haired ladies returned to the aquarium for a drink, a light supper and makeover tips from charismatic make up artist Karim Sattar, who was in town for the Look & Feel Good Expo taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The Amazing Space was a clever way for the Two Oceans

Aquarium to draw attention to its function spaces, such as Tranquillity with its four meter window looking into the kelp forest, which hosted the yoga challenge. The room can accommodate 30 guests.

In fact, the entire event was carefully arranged to ensure that guests experienced each and every venue. Welcome cocktails were served in the Think Tank, which opens up into the marina.

Dinner was served in the Atlantic Ocean Gallery, with

round tables arranged between the glass displays, and the evening ended with an impromptu disco at the I&J Predator exhibit, the largest exhibit in the aquarium featuring ragged-tooth sharks and sea turtles.

Banqueting packages include AV equipment and catering and beverages, but the best part about conferencing at the Two Oceans, is that delegates are granted free access to the rest of the aquarium, which is a lovely way to

end any workshop.

By choosing a different venue, conferences, out of the office events, such as seminars and workshops, and even cocktails functions and dinners, can can go from ordinary to extraordinary, and be talked about by guests for years to come.

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

Sally Fink

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DIARISE

EVENT LISTINGS Smart Procurement World Conference & Expo 11-13 October, Gallagher Convention Centre, JHB

OCTOBER Disabled People International 8th World Assembly 8-14 October, ICC Durban, KwaZulu Natal FEDHASA National Imvelo Awards 9 October, Johannesburg, Gauteng Women Entrepreneurship Development Workshop 10 October, German Chamber, Gauteng CFO Show Africa 10 October, Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng

Kamers vol Geskenke 24-29 October, Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West, Western Cape

IMEX America 11-13 October, Las Vegas

Propak Cape 25-27 October, Cape Town Int. Convention Centre, Cape Town

DUT Fashion Show 12-14 October, Fred Crookes Sport Centre, DUT, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal

John Cleese Alimony Tour 25-29 October, The Teatro at Montecasino Johannesburg

Photo and Film Expo 13-16 October, Coca Cola dome, Johannesburg

Kings of Leon 26 October, Cape Town Stadium, Western Cape

Diwali Fair 13-31 October, ICC Durban, KZN

Winex 26-28 October, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

The St Yves Music Festival 14 October, Thunder City, Cape Town

SA Menopause Society Congress 26-30 October, ICC Durban, KwaZulu Natal

World Veterinary Congress 10 October, CTICC, Cape Town

Bafunny Bafunny 14-15 October, Carnival City, Johannesburg

IMEX America 11–13 October, Las Vegas, USA

The Baby Expo MamaMagic 14-16 October, CTICC, Cape Town

Huisgenoot Namaqua Festival 27-29 October, Vredendal Showgrounds, Vredendal, Western Cape

Cape Town Diwali Festival 15 October, Ratanga Junction, Cape Town

Black Glamour 27-30 October, the Coca-Cola dome, Johannesburg

The St Yves Music Festival 15 October, Wild Waters, Boksburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Good Health & Wellness Expo 28-29 October, Docklands Hotel, Durban

Silver Tree Restaurant Winter Concert: McCully Workshop 16 October, Silver Tree Restaurant, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town

Bethlehem Industrial and Motor Show 28-29 October, Bethlehem Show Grounds, Bethlehem, Free State

Smart Procurement World Conference & Expo 11–13 October, Gallagher Convention Centre, Gauteng SATSA Chapter Meeting 13 October, Cape Town Tourism Business Conference 13-14 October, Cape Town Viridis Africa 17-18 October, Hyatt Regency Johannesburg, Gauteng SADTU Conference 19-23 October, Durban ICC, KwaZulu Natal SADTU Conference 20 October, ICC Durban Cape Town International Fair 21-30 October, Good Hope Centre, Cape Town Propak Cape 25 October, CTICC, Cape Town Maritime & Coastal Security Africa 26-28 October, Cape Town SA Menopause Society Congress 26-30 October, ICC Durban, KwaZulu Natal FEDHASA Cape Board Meeting 27 October, Cape Town Metal Casting Technology Station Colloquium 27-28 October, School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), University of Johannesburg, Gauteng Retirement Expo 28–30 October, Coca-Cola dome, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Jimmy Carr will be performing in South Africa in December

October Cook Franschhoek Summer Edition 7 October, Franschhoek, Western Cape Look & Feel Good Expo 7-9 October, Coca Cola dome, Johannesburg Coldplay 8 October, FNB Stadium Johannesburg Soweto Fashion Week 8 October,Soweto Hotel On Freedom Square, Johannesburg, Gauteng Tree Aan! 8 October - 6 November, State Theatre, Pretoria, Gauteng Pecanwood Oktoberfest 8 October, Pecanwood, Midlands, Howick, Kwazulu-Natal Macufe Main Music Festival 8 October, Rose Garden, Loch Logan, Bloemfontein, Free State

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Christian Business Expo 8-9 October, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg Blossom Festival 8-9 October, Green Mountain Eco Route, Western Cape Disabled People International World Assembly 8-14 October, ICC Durban, KwaZulu Natal Johannesburg International Motor Show 8-16 October, Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, Gauteng Huisgenoot Skouspel 8-16 October, Sun City, North-West Silver Tree Restaurant Winter Concert: Dan Patlansky 9 October, Silver Tree Restaurant, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town FEDHASA National Imvelo Awards 9 October, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Viridis Africa 17-18 October, Johannesburg

Retirement Expo 28-30 October, Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg

Bafunny Bafunny 20-21 October, Grandwest, Cape Town

Franschhoek Christmas Market 28 October- 06 November, Town Hall, Franschhoek

Audio Video & Appliance Expo 20-23 October, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Patrizio Buanne and Dana Winner 29 October, Carnival City, Big Top Arena, Johannesburg

Dansinventions 20-23 October, The Dance Factory, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Gugulethu Fun Fair Carnival 29 October, Ny 49 Stadium, Gugulethu, Cape Town

John Cleese Alimony Tour 21-22 October, Cape Town International Convention Centre

Kings of Leon 29 October, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Lira: The Captured Tour 21-22 October, ICC Durban, KZN

Halloween 29-30 October, Ushaka Marine World, Durban, Kwazulu-Nata

CrashDance 21-29 October, University of Johannesburg Arts Centre, JHB Pinotage on Tap 22 October, Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate, Wellington, Western Cape Dance International 22-30 October, Artscape Theatre, Cape Town, Western Cape Zee TV Bollywood concert 23 October, ICC Durban, KZN

Greyton Rose Fair 29-30 October, Greyton, Western Cape Patrizio Buanne and Dana Winner 30 October, Grand Arena, Grand West, Cape Town Silver Tree Restaurant Winter Concert: Heather Mac 30 October, Silver Tree Restaurant, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town Avon Justine Ithemba Crusade of Hope 30 October, Green Point Park, Cape Town, Western Cape

EVENT LISTINGS Consulting Engineers of South Africa Conference 31 October- 2 November, ICC Durban, KwaZulu Natal

DIARISE

The Freshly Ground national tour kicks off in October

NOVEMBER NSBC Annual Dinner & Small Business Champion Awards 2 November, Gauteng

November Jonathan Butler 2 November, Carnival City, Big Top Arena, Johannesburg

The Loeries Travelling Exhibition 7–11 November, DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi, Namibia

FNB Whisky Live Festival 2-4 November, CTICC, Cape Town

WTM 7 November, Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape Town Military Tattoo 2-5 November, Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town

IP Africa 15 November, Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng

CrashDance 2-6 November, State Theatre, Pretoria, Gauteng

Emergency Medicine in the Developing World 15-17 November, CTICC, Cape Town

ENCHA Trade Fair 3-5 November, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Africa Electricity 15–17 November, Gallagher Convention Centre, Gauteng

Jonathan Butler 4 November, Grand Arena, Grand West, Cape Town

Cape Town Entrepreneurship Week 17-19 November, City Hall, Cape Town

Contego Wines2Whales MTB Adventure 4-6 November, Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West, Western Cape Your Family Creative Crafts & Arts Expo with Christmas Twist 4-6 November, Kempton Park, Gauteng

Africa Electricity 15-17 November, Gallagher Convention Centre, JHB

The Cape Town Festival of Beer 25-27 November, Hamilton’s Rugby Club, Cape Town

Lil Wayne 7 December, Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town

Soweto Marathon 6 November, Soweto, Gauteng

Food, Foodie and Food Films 16 November, Freeworld Design Centre, Cape Town ATF - Textile & Footwear Trade Fair 16-18 November, CTICC, Cape Town

An Evening With Josh Groban 26-27 November, Sun City Superbowl, Sun City, North-West

Jimmy Carr 8 December, Grand Arena, Grand West, Cape Town, Western Cape

Mediaeval Fayre 6 November, Pretoria Showgrounds, Pretoria, Gauteng

ABSA Cherry Festival 17-19 November, Ficksburg Festival Grounds, Ficksburg, Free State

Lil Wayne 9 December, The Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Julio Iglesias 8 November, GrandWest, Cape Town

AFDA Film Festival 18-19 November, Cinema Nouveau Rosebank Mall, Sandton, JHB

Faerie Realm Midsummer Festival of Enchantment 26-28 Riversands Farm, Fourways BookEx 26-28 Sandton Convention Centre, Sandown, Gauteng

Julio Iglesias 5-6 November, Carnival City, JHB

Freshlyground 10 Year Birthday Tour 9 November, The Lyric At Gold Reef City Casino, Johannesburg FNB Whisky Live Festival 9-11 November, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg AgriWorks Farmers Expo 10-11 November, Van der Stel Sport Grounds, Stellenbosch Janet Jackson 11-12 November, Montecasino, Johannesburg Durban Youth Fashion Week 12 November, Max Institute of Fashion Art, Gateway, Durban Freshlyground 10 Year Birthday Tour 12 November, Meropa Casino, Polokwane, Limpopo Janet Jackson 15 November, GrandWest, Cape Town

Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge 20 November, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Joburg Luxury 29 November- 2 December, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg An Evening With Josh Groban 29-30 November, The Fields At Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Apricot Picking At De Krans 23 November- 7 December, De Krans Wine Cellar, Calitzdorp

December

Freshlyground 10 Year Birthday Tour 23 November, Boardwalk Casino Amphitheatre, Port Elizabeth

An Evening With Josh Groban 2 December Sun City Superbowl, Sun City, North-West

Freshlyground 10 Year Birthday Tour 23 November, CTICC, Cape Town, Western Cape

The DigitalLife Expo 2-4 December, Coca-Cola dome, Northgate

Beer Essentials 24-26 November, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

‘Magic of Bubbles’ Cap Classique and Champagne Festival 2-4 December, Franschhoek

SA Open Championships 24-27 November, Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate, Kempton Park

Die Burger Cycle Tour 4 December, Stellenbosch, Cape Town

4U Rage Festival 25 November- 10 December, Umhlanga, Ballito, Plettenberg Bay

Carols on The Square 5 December, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, Gauteng

Jimmy Carr 10 December, Sandton ICC, Johannesburg, Gauteng Durban Wine Festival 10 December, Munies Hockey Club, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal East Rand Summer Festival 10-12 December, Boksburg, Gauteng The Games and Gadget Expo 15-18 December, Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, Western Cape Cape Town Bike Festival 16-18 December, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Vodacom Jazz Picnic 16 December, Kempton Park, Gauteng Knysna Rocks Music Festival 23 December, Knysna Sports Ground, Knysna, Western Cape Garden of Lights 28 December - 3 January, Kempton Park, Gauteng

Limpopo Small Business Summit 21-23 November, Oasis Lodge and Conference Centre, Mokopane, Limpopo Chamber Forum 24 November, TBC Construction Management 40 27-29 November, NMMU, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape CEO Indaba on Climate Change 28 November - 2 December, ICC Durban, KwaZulu Natal EIBTM 29 November - 1 December Barcelona, Spain HELTASA 29 November - 2 December, NMMU, Post Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Virology Africa 29 November - 2 December, Graduate School of Business, Cape Town China Sourcing Fairs 30 November - 2 December, Gallagher Convention Centre, Gauteng

DECEMBER SAACI Western Cape Branch Committee Meeting 2 December, Cape Town For more or to add your own: www.theevent.co.za/diarise

Compiled by Charl Fourie

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THE SCIENCE OF PARTY PLANNING

Event by Vaxo

PARTY PLANNING GUESTS who attend corporate functions rarely think about the weeks of complex logistics that lie behind one successful evening, says Alan Roberts, CEO of eventing company Vaxo.

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HEN Alan plans an event his first questions are how big is the budget, how many guests, and whether it is a daytime or evening function. If the employees are bringing partners the cost and the scale instant-

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ly doubles. Yet Alan advises against holding no-partner events at night. “It’s a recipe for disaster to have a night time party without partners,” he says. A tip to compensate for non-partner events such as golf days is to remember the neglected partners by offering a spa voucher or gift for spouses in the goodie bag. It’s the little touches that count.

Companies also have a responsibility to get their staff home safely, and are increasingly offering chauffer services like Toot ‘n Scoot to avoid

being held liable if a drunken guest has an accident.

Clients must also pick a theme, because even for a year-end party it helps to organise the décor, food and entertainment around a theme. The entertainment depends on whether the event is a sit-down dinner or an informal cocktail party. “If it’s cocktail style you can have a jazz band as the entertainment while people mingle. But if you are sitting at tables people expect more than just dinner. It’s very difficult to sneak out so

you need some entertainment to enthral them,” Alan says.

The choice of venue is very dependent on the size of the party, with options dwindling as numbers get larger. Some venues simply rent out an empty room, so you have to hire tables, chairs and organise the décor, build a stage and rig up sound and light equipment.

Alan prefers venues that allow party planners to hire their own caterers, as the quality is usually far better than in-house caterers that are part of the package. External caterers put in more effort to ensure they win repeat business.

For internal events it’s acceptable to issue invitations by email, and email will also suffice for informal events that outsiders are invited to. The swankiest events demand formal invitations delivered by courier, which is a quick way to push up the expenses.

The tough economy is seeing fewer companies stage year-end parties, since it’s impossible to do anything decent for under R350 a head, and classy functions cost about R1,000 a head. Alan budgets R100 a head for alcohol alone. “People drink differently when there’s free booze compared to when they are paying for it themselves. Some become completely abusive,” he warns.

The event must be tailored to the level of the staff, he adds.

“Factory workers want a braai, office workers want smoked salmon and entertainment.”

Family fun days at venues such as Gold Reef City are becoming popular, as they don’t cost much more and portray a caring image because people can introduce their families to their colleagues.

Health and safety regulations mean events need to be far more than simply compliant with fire regulations. Companies installing sound and light systems must have safety certification, medics need to be present, and for large events local hospitals and traffic authorities may have to be consulted.

It’s also crucial not to assume anything – like assuming a venue has a back-up electricity generator. If it doesn’t and the power goes off, you’ve lost your lights, ovens, air conditioning and music.

“People think it’s just about choosing the colour of the serviettes so they don’t have the attention to details that an event company has. You can do it yourself, but you need someone dedicated to it because so much goes into it,” Alan says.

Lesley Stones

SOUTH AFRICA DOMINATES THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS AWARDS THE World Travel Awards took place on 16 September 2011. For the third consecutive year, South Africa led the African category receiving 40 out of the 60 awards.

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HE travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, the World Travel Awards recognise the world’s leading establishments and services, as voted by travel agents.

Kwazulu-Natal scooped multiple awards this year including the award for Africa’s Leading Port for Durban as well as Africa’s Leading Villa for Thanda Private Game Reserve. The five-star Fairmont Zimbali secured Africa’s Leading Tourism Development Project. For the fourth consecutive year, ICC Durban was named Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre.

In the region specific category, The Last Word Long Beach in Durban was named South Africa’s Leading Beach Hotel.

In Gauteng, the Palace at the Lost City was named Africa’s Leading Hotel as well as Africa’s Leading Casino Resort. The hotel also scored in the region specific category, by scoring South Africa’s Leading Hotel.

The Sun City Resort claimed Africa’s Leading Family Resort for the third year running, as well as South Africa’s Leading Resort.

The Sandton Sun was named

Africa’s Leading Business Hotel while overall, Sun International was named Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand.

The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa was a big winner, earning Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel, Africa’s Leading Suite for the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite as well as South Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel in the region specific segment of the awards.

Other Gauteng winners included The Regent, which took top spot for Africa’s Leading Apartment Hotel. In the region specific category, the Pretoria Hotel Sheraton was named South Africa’s Leading Business Hotel.

Another of last year’s winners, the Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, held on to Africa’s Leading Conservation Company for the fourth year, Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge for a second, as well as Africa’s Leading Town House Hotel.

In Limpopo, Legend Golf & Safari Resort was named Africa’s Leading Sports Resort as well as South Africa’s Leading Golf Resort in the regional category. Shambala Private Reserve received the coveted Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge.

In the Western Cape, the city of Cape Town was named Africa’s Leading Destination for fourth consecutive year. The five-star Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa was named Africa’s

The Palace at the Lost City

Leading Luxury Hotel as well as Africa’s Leading Spa Resort for the third year running. In the region specific category, the resort also came home with South Africa’s Leading Spa Resort. The Phantom Forest Eco-reserve in Knysna was named Africa’s Leading Green Hotel.

South African Airways scoopied Africa’s Leading Airline while O.R. Tambo International Airport was named Africa’s Leading Airport for the second year. 1Time took home Africa’s Leading LowCost Airline. The Blue Train was named Africa’s Leading Luxury

Train for the third time. South African Tourism was named Africa’s Leading Tourist Board.

Other winners included: •Mantis Group (Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand) •Avis (Africa’s Leading Business Car Rental Company) •Travel with Flair (Africa’s Leading Business Travel Agency) •Europcar (Africa’s Leading Car Hire) •Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (Africa’s Leading Cruise Line) •Signature Life Hotels (Africa’s Leading Innovative Hospitality Company)

•Molori Private Retreats (Africa’s Leading Luxury Travel Group) •Flightsite.co.za (Africa’s Leading Online Travel Company) •&Beyond (Africa’s Leading Responsible Tourism Company) •Club Travel (Africa’s Leading Travel Agency) •Travel with Flair South Africa (Africa’s Leading Travel Management Company) •&Beyond (Africa’s Responsible Tourism Award) Sally Fink

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CREATIVE CATERING IDEAS © Jess Novotná

PARTY PLANNING WAS there enough? Was it overcooked, or even worse, under? Food can make or break an event.

Conferencing IN the conference industry, event organisers are responsible for del-

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egates’ meal requirements, from breakfast to tea, to dinner and post show drinks.

Regular meal breaks are essential. After all, there’s nothing worse than a hungry, grumpy delegate, especially during fullday conferences that run over a number of days. But this isn’t as simple as serving a slap up buf-

fet in the middle of the day. If the ingredients aren’t chosen carefully, delegates can experience a mid afternoon slump, leaving them tired and sluggish for the rest of the day.

Always opts for a healthier option for sustained energy. A healthy balanced meal can sustain and stimulate the delegate throughout the day. Light, low fat and low GI foods can battle the slump periods and keep delegates vitalised and awake.

Providing plenty of drinking water also improves delegate concentration levels.

Then there’s the matter of diet. Catering should cater to all dietary requirements, whether it’s Kosher, Halaal, Vegetarian, Vegan, Low GI, dairy free, wheat free etc. Event organisers should know their delegate profile beforehand in order to cater effectively.

Sustainability CATERING plays an important role in decreasing an event’s carbon footprint, When choosing a venue, ensure that you look at those that have existing programs promoting energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction.

Also ensure that the venue offers recycling bins in public spaces or participates in back-of-house recycling programs.

Green food choices include Fair Trade, organic or locally

sourced ingredients, including the coffee and tea; and seafood should always be sustainable.

Polystyrene and plastic packaging is a definite no-no, as is bottled water and paper serviettes. Rather opt for buffet style catering served on re-usable china, water served in jugs and cloth napkins.

If possible, look at innovative ways of serving food, such as tortilla or pastry cups which can be consumed in one or two bites, thus illuminating the need for surplus crockery.

Ask the venue if they have a recycling or compost system in place, or find a local donation program for the excess food and beverages.

Dessert DESSERT is the final touch of your event that the client will experience. A bad dessert can effectively ruin the entire meal experience. Desserts should be talking points at the end of the evening.

For this reason the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) searched far and wide for a pastry chef.

Before every event, Chef Sean Mann sits down with clients in the CTICC test kitchen and talks them through various menus, with some desserts prepared in two different ways. In this way, clients get to choose and taste everything before an event.

Sean believes in pushing

boundaries, re-inventing traditional favourites through the use of different flavours and textures, and experimenting with the senses, such as his Vanilla Mousse with Chamomile and Green Tea layers, and Wasabi Pannacotta.

Local is lekker AN event needs to deliver an experience package in order for guests to leave feeling satisfied.

At Meetings Africa this year, Moyo-on-the-move, a service offered by the Moyo restaurant chain, closed off a small section of the exhibition hall and recreated an authentic looking Moyo restaurant, complete with traditional singers, dancers, and décor. Delegates had their faces painted with Xhosa face paint and enjoyed some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, such as potjie, oxtail amos and chicken tagine.

Keeping it fresh THE hot South African weather invariably poses a problem when cold dishes are served on a buffet, especially outdoors. To address this problem, the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) started using dry ice underneath the dishes on the buffet. The dry ice creates a refrigerated environment that ensures the temperature of the food can be carefully controlled.

Sally Fink

THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAM BUILDING END OF YEAR NOWADAYS people employed in the corporate arena spend more time with their colleagues than with their own families. It has become essential for companies to keep their staff as motivated and stimulated as possible.

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EAMBUILDING companies, and many venues, offer very competitive packages to companies and the trend seems to be to keep it as inclusive and as unusual as possible.

Gauteng’s big business hub has spawned a multitude of competitive team building venue options such as Elephants in Main Street that offers an AntiPoaching Unit activity that has delegates following small clues and blood trails to a staged poaching scene through some of the area’s major game parks.

They need to become crack forensic investigators. They are racing against the clock before poachers can cross the border.

Another of their more unusual offerings is giving delegates the chance to bring out their inner child by creating and starring in their own rock band. [See how the Lady Gaga and Robbie Williams wannabees shine.]

More cerebral activities include the creation of a newspaper.

Delegates will form a team of editors, reporters, layout artists and photographers to produce

a quality tabloid called 7th Edition. Teams will express their points of view by submitting newspaper articles, advertisements and letters to the editor.

Deadlines are tight and delegates will learn how to work in a team under immense pressure.

The Kyalami Kart Circuit in Gauteng offers high octane team building as well as very affordable conferencing rates.

Alternatively, delegates can go and dive with crocodiles at Southern Palace Crocodile Adventures in Brits. They will slowly be lowered into the crocodile pool, in a sturdy cage, especially designed to withstand the extreme power of the 3m to 4,2m crocodiles.

Durban sets the tempo for a buzzing KwaZulu Natal which has numerous hotels and teambuilding options. The clever folks at the Moses Mabhida Stadium offer the world’s only stadium swing.

Delegates jump into the void, 106 metres above the pitch, and swing out in a huge 220 metre arc. Or they can take the SkyCar which can ferry up to 20 visitors to the stadium arch’s highest point.

Here they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city. The SkyCar consists of a single cabin mounted on an undercarriage that runs along steel tracks fixed to the top of the north arch.

Adventure Works offer teambuilding all over the country but some are site specific such as the

V&A Waterfront Amazing Race package. Delegates chase clues all over the aquarium, paddle in the canal, and learn about the history of Robben Island. They can handle groups of 7 to 750.

Adventure Works also supports communities living in disadvantaged areas. Delegates can work on one of their Social Responsibility Projects; such as toy making projects for crèches, development of community vegetable gardens, township cycles and school upliftment projects.

Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape have a wide selection of team build venues ranging from the smaller country lodges to major venues suitable for firstclass conferences and incentive trips. Red Cherry Adventures offers fire walking which is portable, and it can be run without risk to participants or the venue.

Or companies can hire a rodeo bull from them for the day. They also offer a Plane Crash Survivor where groups are split into tribes.

The goal is to complete various given challenges as effectively as possible, as per the popular television show. It will give groups the chance to work in teams and decide how they would respond to being stranded after surviving a plane crash.

The Alive Survival School will teach delegates how to survive the elements and to build shelters, find water, make fire, bush foods and medicines, rope and

The Event’s Jess Novotná tests out her shooting skills at an Adventure Works day out.

knot work, first aid, plant, tree and animal identification.

Teambuilding venues in the Limpopo province range from game lodges to larger more well-known venues, some of the more popular areas being the Waterberg and Kruger National Park areas. Some game reserves offer team building packages whilst most of them have a range of activities that can be incorporated into teambuilding. The Makalali Game Lodge, about five hours drive from Johannesburg, offer set team building packages and game drives from the viewpoint of a 4x4 or a hot air balloon, among others. Or delegates can help out at Makalali’s Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre and Cheetah Breeding facility.

Zesty Events offer tailor-made

team building and corporate function planning all over South Africa with Limpopo being one of the most upcoming break away areas. Some of their top events include loony team games and inflatable fun days, including sumo wrestling and giant slides.

They recently hosted the Boot Camp Day for Miss SA at Sun City with Zesty’s top facilitator, Leroy Gopal; a professional entertainer and facilitator with experience in both the entertainment and corporate world.

Competition to keep teambuilding activities as inclusive and as thrilling as possible is fierce. This means currently companies are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the ideal package or venue for their staff.

Astrid Stark

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PUT SOME BOUNCE INTO THE END OF THE YEAR PARTY

ous and exciting. We can tailormake something like a Mardi Gra event, but if you have 100 people and a tight budget then a musician and a DJ can create a nice atmosphere.”

For a mid-tier event he might recommend hiring a comedian as the MC, then a live band or a trio of singers, and maybe a novelty strength act to captivate the audience. For a top-tier event the entertainment begins with “exciters” such as men on stilts outside the venue to amuse arriving guests. Then a full-on spectacular show can reflect the

theme or the products of the host company. That will cost R150,000 to R200,000 for the entertainment alone, Greg says. Often clients don’t realise how expensive these entertainers are. “My role sometimes is to tactfully put it to them that their wants and needs are beyond their budget,” he says. A popular artist can cost from R20,000 to R60,000, and a band closer to R100,000.

Often the company CEO wants to take to the stage himself to give a speech or present awards, which can be tricky if it’s not managed well. “After watching endless awards the audience is falling asleep, so we’ll bring on a tango act between some of the awards to rejuvenate everybody.” A good party planner may ask the CEO to shorten his speech, and if necessary, rewrite it for him. If a speaker insists on droning on, “we make sure a beautiful woman or a dance team comes on straight after to pick up the pace,” says Greg.

One spectacular event is Vodacom’s annual CEO awards evening, where entertainment has included an Africanised Carmen and full-scale cabarets. Vodacom usually hires Trinergy to organise the event, which is sometimes an eight-month project.

Vodacom’s head of events, Greg Black, says the format is changing under a new CEO who wants less formality. That should

also be cheaper, as ‘plug and play’ performers like a band are far less expensive than devising a spectacular show purely for one night. In the past Vodacom has imported foreign acts, but the exchange rate is now making it focus on local talent. Some favourites are the Three Afro Tenors, acappella group Navy Red, and young opera soprano Pretty Yende. “You have to appeal to a lot of different tastes so we have restructured the event into 15 or 20 minute pockets of entertainment rather than an hour and 20 minutes show. You want a situation where people who really like the entertainment will wish they had performed for longer rather than thinking I wish these guys would get off.”

Novelty acts like displays of strength and acrobats have been done to death, Greg feels.

But finding the next “wow” act is difficult. Event organisers may visit Las Vegas and the Cirque du Soleil to get the latest ideas, but will hire local people to perform because of budget constraints.

Besides, says Greg, parties featuring the perennial Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels are always popular. “They go down well because they have great energy and still have great pulling power and people really enjoy dancing to their music,” he says.

Which proves it doesn’t have to be highbrow to be wow.

Lesley Stones

excited to be bringing this high profile event to Joburg in two years’ time.”

One Young World (OYW) is a dynamic global platform for young leaders making a substantial difference and tangible impact in their communities.

This year more than 1200 young leaders from over 170 counties attended the event in Zurich from 1 – 4 September 2011.

“Africa is the continent which has the largest proportion (20%) of youth - as a demographic component of population – and it would be significant to host this event on a continent which so many young people call home and which offers so many opportunities and challenges.”

Strike Production merges with AV Alliance STRIKE Productions, a Johannesburg based technical support company, has partnered with AV Alliance to form Strike Alliance, which aims to be a onestop shop for the eventing and production industries -combining turnkey production services with unique technical solutions.

Leah McCrae, managing director of Strike Productions says, “The combination of our companies will ensure that we continue to deliver the highest level of services and offerings to our clients across cities. My new partners have shown nothing but great leadership and support during this merger and I’m extremely

grateful for the unanimous support received from staff, suppliers and our clients.”

Strike Alliance specialises in corporate events, road shows, conferences, product launches, gala dinners, year-end functions, weddings, parties, trade fairs and exhibitions, television broadcasts and fashion shows.

© Jess Novotná

PARTY PLANNING EVEN the most basic corporate event needs some entertainment, but if money is no object, you can stage a spectacular show to reinforce your company’s brand as well as keep the guests mesmerised.

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UCCESSFUL events depend on exceptional entertainment to get the vibe going, says Greg Lipton, the marketing director for events company BeyondRed. The possibilities are enormous, and the budget, the

number of guests, the purpose and theme of the evening, and the facilities at the chosen venue will influence the choice.

If the guests include board members, government bigwigs or celebrities, the aim should be glitter and grandeur. “If you own a factory with 3,000 workers the majority of the audience will enjoy something less complicated and more light-hearted, like a comedian and a DJ,” Greg says.

“You have to consider what excites people these days and what will keep them riveted.

You have to make it glamor-

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.

Durban to host SETE in 2012 SOUTH African Tourism, Sports and Recreation SA and Thebe Exhibitions & Project Group (TEPG) have announced that the city of Durban has been awarded the hosting of the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) in 2012.

In 2011 the inaugural SETE saw the tourism, sport and event industries coming together to position South Africa as a major sports and events destination. The

number of total exhibitors was 88, total number of visitors 1 462, number of conference speakers was 32, the conference was attended by 191 delegates and 25 international hosted buyers.

Durban will host SETE for the next three years. SETE in 2012 will take place from 12-14 September 2012.

Joburg To Host One Young World THE city of Johannesburg has won the bid to host One Young World in 2013. Lindiwe Kwele CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) says, “JTC’s Conference and Events Bureau team has put in so much effort over the past few months, bidding for OWY and we are so

New Chairperson For SAACI’s Northern Territories Branch CINE Dunkley, sales manager at the Gallagher Convention Centre, has been elected as chairperson of the Northern Territories Branch of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI).

Sally Fink

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November booking deadline 12 October 2011 November material deadline 14 October 2011

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

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www.serviceseta.org.za 17

GET READY FOR EIBTM AND AIME AIME

EIBTM

EVENTS PREVIEW EIBTM takes place from 29 November - 1 December 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. It is one of the leading global events for the meetings and events industry.

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IBTM gathers over 14,200 industry professionals (including Over 8,300 meeting and event planners and buyers) for three days of focused access to a dynamic business environment, thought provoking professional education and business networks.

34 South African companies

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will be exhibiting this year including three new exhibitors: Hyatt Hotels, Tourvest and Great Hotels of the World.

“EIBTM is an important marketing platform for Cape Town Convention Bureau (CTRU),” says Calvyn Gilfellan, CTRUCEO. “To participate at EIBTM is to market and position Cape Town and the Western Cape as a premier, world-class meetings destination for the European market.

Our planned activities include to have 40 pre-scheduled appointments with international hosted buyers from around the world and to generate seven association leads, 10 incentive leads and three corporate meeting leads for the destination,” he says.

There are also a number of African exhibitors from across the continent including Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Chad,

Equitorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Uganda, Botswana and Zimbabawe among others.

This year’s show buzzword is undoubtedly technology.

EIBTM have partnered with global meetings architecture consultants SyncPartners Ltd and Newtonstrand to create a Future Events Experience. This new live experience will provide an insight into how future conferences and meetings will be run and how social media technologies will re-shape attendees experiences.

EIBTM will be launching its first show APP, making EIBTM from mobile handsets.

The APP will be available before the event, enabling exhibitors and delegates to access the show from any location. Content will include event schedules, exhibitor listings, my event planning tool and general information on travel and how to get to Barcelona and the show.

In addition to this, EIBTM will be running a number of Technology Education sessions. The now famous Technology Hour will take place everyday in the Lecture Theatre on the show floor and topics will consider the relevance and impacts of various applications ranging from social media and mobile technology to Ipads and tablets. Each session is structured to

evoke a range of debates and discussions throughout.

The Technology Village @ EIBTM is one of the fastest growing areas of the show and over the past four years the number of companies exhibiting has increased by 25%. Exhibitors new to the show this year include PSideo SA, H82 medientechnik, Availpro, EventPlatform, myQaa, Vivien – Virtual Event Designer and GoomeoEvents.

Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions event director EIBTM says, “The changing world we are all living in is being reshaped every day by emerging technologies that connect and engage individuals all over the world. This year we have looked at developing ways to support the exponential growth of this new and rapidly evolving medium. As the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, one of our main objectives is to drive change and bring industry players together to contribute, share, express and debate about these development – which will in turn, carry the industry forward”.

EIBTM forms part of the Reed Travel and Exhibitions portfolio of Global Meetings and Incentives Events along with AIME, that takes place from 21-22 February 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.

The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) will celebrate its 20th year in 2012.

AIME’s focus is centred more on the Asia-Pacific region and instead of technology will be focusing more on creating memorable events. To this end, the Saxton Ultimate Event Experience will take place on day two. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience an international line up of presenters highlighting what can be achieved with a combination of the finest speakers and entertainers, leading edge event design, and outstanding multi camera audio visual.

“We are constantly working on developing the show’s offering to keep the event fresh and dynamic. With this in mind and based on customer feedback, we are rolling out some new initiatives and changes in the lead up and during the show,” says Sally de Swart, Reed Travel exhibitions director for AIME. New initiatives for 2012 include changes to the Pre Scheduled Appointments (PSA) online facility that will help make the meetings’ process more seamless for exhibitors and Hosted Buyers.

The AIME organisers will also be releasing details on the refreshed Social Program soon that will give attendees the opportunity to relax and network with new and existing business contacts.

Sally Fink

SPOTTED OUT AND ABOUT Karin Swart & Rashid Toefy at the Loerie Awards

Terra Nova’s Alison Raymer & Inge Scalabrino at the Two Oceans Amazing Space

Cape Royale’s Bernadette Geldenhuys at The Two Oceans Amazing Space

Thabiso Magodielo from Legend Lodges at the World Travel Awards Cosmo Lingerie launch in Cape Town

David Hasselhof & Patricia de Lille at the Loerie Awards © Jess Novotná

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