Meetings Africa 2018 Daily News - Day 1 by Film & Event Media

DAILY NEWS

Issue Issue Number Number 11 26 26 February February 2018 2018

MEETINGS AFRICA 2018: WHERE SHARING IS CARING

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Tokozile Xasa, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism: “Let’s keep Nelson Mandela’s spirit alive in 2018.”

very warm welcome to Meetings Africa 2018 where, in the true spirit of Ubuntu, our theme is Shared Economies – because when we share, we lose nothing but rather enrich ourselves and each other beyond compare. This is a particularly a special year for us here in South Africa as 2018 marks the centenary of our dear late leader, and former president, Nelson Mandela’s birth. His flame of positivity and hope will be kept alive throughout South Africa’s #Madiba100 celebrations and we in the tourism industry will be celebrating his

life by visiting and promoting travel and tourism services that relate or connect to his legacy. After all, he is a global icon that people the world over still revere. In this spirit, we are looking forward to an energising Meetings Africa 2018 where ideas are shared, partnerships are explored, common ground is found and handshakes are exchanged, all in the name of advancing Africa and its burgeoning business-events industry together. This year, we are proud to host 21 products from about a dozen countries from the rest of our continent, in addition to our South African exhibitors. Together, we

will be showcasing the continent’s offerings to at least 180 international hosted buyers, as well as 50 African association buyers and no fewer than 60 local corporate buyers. We are also, of course, being joined by visitors, journalists and event professionals from across the globe. Buyers will be spoilt for choice as the continent’s exciting meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry shows them that Africa is THE best place to host their client’s next major international business event. As President Cyril Ramaphosa stated in his State of the Nation Address, we have the most beautiful country in the world and the most hospitable people. We also have the infrastructure, the expertise and the unparalleled natural assets to elevate an ordinary event into an extraordinary one. On this year’s trade floor, we are particularly proud to have 15 small tourism businesses among the 300 tourism products and services being showcased. We call them our “hidden gems” as many of them are yet to be unlocked, discovered and explored. Please take the time to visit and chat with these entrepreneurs – you will discover true self-driven empowerment in action. Also, the Sustainability Village will be open during lunch breaks – it’s a great opportunity to snap up some innovative and authentic gifts as Africa enthusiastically embraces socially and ethically responsible tourism as our “new normal”. We cannot uplift small businesses in the leisure tourism and business-events spheres without elevating women. Our

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Women in Tourism 30-in-5 initiative is part of a movement to achieve 30% female representation in executive and leadership positions in tourism within five years. Similarly, another five-year goal is our “5-in-5” strategic goal – to attract five million additional leisure tourists and business events delegates to South Africa in the next five years. As you are aware, tourism, including business events tourism, is regarded around the world as a vital catalyst for economic growth and job creation. In Africa it is no different. With this in mind, I hope our exhibitors find great value in our Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) educational sessions and talks, and wherever you hail from across the world, I wish you all a busy, fruitful and successful Meetings Africa. Let’s continue to carry the torch high and continue to grow the African business-events industry! Tokozile Xasa South African Minister of Tourism

Follow us on Social Media @SA_NCB / #MeetingsAfrica18 @SouthAfricaNationalConventionBureau Meet South Africa SA TravelTrade South African Tourism

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 02

THE POWER OF FACE-TOFACE MARKETING

EXPLORE THE MAGIC

OF BOTSWANA

WITH TSHEPHO MMOKELE Who are you hoping to connect with at Meetings Africa? • • • • •

Event management companies Exhibition organisers Meeting planners Incentive travel agencies Professional conference organisers

Have you concluded successful business deals at the show in previous years? Our main aim is to give our industry a platform to market and make deals with international agents. They are the ones that normally clinch deals, not us directly, as the benefit to us is that of our country. And yes, through the demand by repeat operators, some successful deals have been clinched, and are growing.

What is the best part of promoting your country at Meetings Africa? Botswana is a well renowned destination for the vast species of flora and fauna; and for our respect for the environment. Botswana takes great pride in conservation issues and for being a pioneer in sustainable tourism unbeknown to Business Tourism. So the main aspect is to introduce Botswana as a Business Tourism destination amongst others, in order to diversify our tourism offering which is mainly based in the North, to now spread to the urban centres like Gaborone. The idea is also to promote incentive travel to Botswana.

What are your goals as a tourism agency this year? Our main aim as a tourism organisation is to increase our footprint in new

markets, as well as to enhance and promote local events into Botswana such as the Makgadikgadi Epic, Racefor-Rhino, and new ones such as the Tsodilo Wellness Retreat, which are all based on new sites that are not commonly seen as tourism spots. Tourism is the second-most important source of revenue and currently contributes approximately 7% to GDP. At present over 70 000 people are directly and indirectly employed in the tourism sector. This number is expected to rise to 100 000 by 2027. So, the main aim this year is to continue nurturing and growing our tourism database in order to achieve our long-term milestones. In accordance with its master plan for the development of tourism, Botswana aims to achieve maximum economic benefits while at the same time ensuring that this does not take place at the expense of the population, the local culture, or the environment.

What is something that most people don’t know about Botswana? Most people don’t know about our wildlife conservation. The makes us a MICE destination in as much as we are a leisure destination because of the incentive offering that Botswana has. More than 1/3 of Botswana land is devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas. Most of the land reserved for wildlife remains unfenced; allowing animals to roam wild and free in their natural habitats.

VISIT BOTSWANA TOURISM AT STAND 60

“Botswana is a well renowned destination for the vast species of flora and fauna; and for our respect for the environment. Botswana takes great pride in conservation issues and for being a pioneer in sustainable tourism unbeknown to Business Tourism. So the main aspect is to introduce Botswana as a Business Tourism destination amongst others, in order to diversify our tourism offering.”

An interview with Chris Ndlovu, Managing Director of Boyang Gape Tours and Travels.

What is the best part about working in tourism in South Africa?

The Orlando Towers

Favoured status contracts with accommodation and other service providers as well as a good payment history. This assists us in ensuring that we are able to offer the best deal to our clients and secure prices that are not available to the individual traveler. We have our own ‘wheels’ and own guides which have reduced costs, enabling our company to be the most affordable supplier. We also have an understanding of the different cultures in the countries in which we operate. This is gleaned from working with the individual and is not available in any textbook. You meet people from different parts of the world and this helps you learn other languages; and clients love to be met and greeted in their home language.

How did you become involved in the travel industry?

Tell us about a recent successful client experience.

I got involved into tourism back in 1995 after l resigned from a security company. Upon my return from the United Kingdom, l decided to re-register my business as Boyang Gape Tours and Travels. Boyang Gape Tours and Travels was established in 2004 and I formed a partnership with three other members as a medium-sized wholesale travel outlet, specialising in making travel arrangements of any kind for companies, individuals and special-interest groups.

We recently took a group from the United States that stayed at Indaba Hotel for a month on a Soweto Tour. They were so happy with the experience and with the knowledgeable tour guide that accompanied them, that they decided to book tours with us on every Monday when they were off work. This group did not reveal that their referral was from a client that had previously stayed with us. We only knew after the tour! The clients mentioned to me that the referral clients never stopped talking about South Africa and my business.

What are your products and services? Regarding our target market, Boyang Gape Tours and Travels has established an enviable name in Scandinavia, USA, India and some Asian countries, and many countries in Europe including the United Kingdom, as well as East Africa. We have plans to expand our services to the rest of Africa. Boyang Gape Tours and Travels provides a wide range of tours nationwide, for example, Soweto in Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park, Cape Town, the Winelands, Madikwe National Park, KwaZulu-Natal and many more including neighboring countries. We can handle individuals and groups up to maximum of 120 pax. We have qualified operators for each province. We also have access to better rates on accommodation with different hotel groups.

How did SA Tourism assist you to exhibit at Meetings Africa? SA Tourism assisted Boyang Gape Tours and Travels to target an industry and the people involved in the tourism industry. Exhibiting at Meetings Africa has been a great way to advertise to our target market and create brand awareness, as we are open to a large, diverse range of markets. It provides us with a platform to promote our products and services to a broader group that may have little or no knowledge of us. Being involved in Meetings Africa provided us with opportunity to branch out to business-to-business trading and create a customer database from the visitors to our display booth.

Go from the boardroom to the wild with NW Parks @ stand 68 #visitnwparks www.northwestparks.co.za

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 03

GET THE INSIDE EDGE ON BONDAY TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS SOAR

eetings Africa 2018 will feature a variety of informative discussions and business talks to help business owners grow their operations. Today’s Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) is dedicated to helping exhibitors bond and learn through networking, education and shared thinking. Three informative and interactive sessions will take place today (Monday) during BONDay in Exhibition Hall 2 (level 2) at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Session 1: Technology as an enabler for business growth (10am to 11.15am) This is a practical session, moderated by Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director-General of Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape government. Two guest speakers will provide insights into the role of technology in the business events industry: • Michael Khumalo, Head of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for Discovery, will talk about the role and importance of CRM in business. Khumalo is an accredited software development coach and senior software development manager. He has been with Discovery since 2014 and has worked in healthcare, financial services, utilities, government, education and information technology. • Raymond Ledwaba, Chief Executive Officer of IT Thynk Smart Solutions, will delve into why redefining business applications is vital for business growth. Ledwaba is a chartered accountant by profession, but left the banking industry to become a software entrepreneur at IT Thynk Smart, which helps companies use technology to increase productivity, reduce costs and bring ideas to life.

Session 2: The rise of “intellectual capitalism” and the role of business and professional events (11.45am to 1pm) James Latham, founder of the Iceberg project, presented by the Joint Meetings Industry Council, will talk about the Big 5 - Quarter Add.pdf 1 21 Feb 2018 16:43:56 value and legacy of business events.

• James Latham will discuss the changing dialogue of the industry, its relevance to economic transformation, and why association development in Africa is central to its success. The tourism dividend of business and professional events is not in dispute. But by aligning the destination’s expertise or its medical needs to the mission of these associations, so the upstream legacies – especially beyond the additional visitor economy - will exponentially increase as Africa leverages its intellectual, as well as its resource, capital.

Session 3: Building shared economies in Africa (1pm to 2.15pm) Author Victor Kgomoeswana will moderate a panel discussion, during which the following guest speakers will offer their views around shared economies: • Mmatšatši Ramawela, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, has been involved in South Africa’s travel industry for more than 20 years. She has held roles at the Small Business Development Corporation, trained as a tour guide, and headed up marketing for South African National Parks. She worked for the KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo tourism boards before joining the TBCSA in 2006. • Rudi van der Vyver, the new CEO of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry, has held leadership positions in the financial services industry, including FNB and TransUnion. He moved into executive management in the business consulting space, before making the transition to hospitality and business events by joining Orion Hotels and Resorts as head of national sales. • Senthil Gopinath, Middle East regional director at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), has been in tourism for almost two decades, specialising in developing the meetings industry. He started out in a destination management company before heading up the Sri Lankan Convention Bureau for eight years. He was Vice-President for Kuoni in Sri Lanka before heading to Dubai to work at Congress Solutions International, part of the Emirates Group.

Raymond Ledwaba

Mmatšatši Ramawela

MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2018 - BONDAY TIME

EVENT

VENUE

ATTENDEES

08:30 - 09:30

Event Greening Forum Annual General Meeting

SCC - Exhibition Hall 2 (Level -2)

Open for registration to EGF members. RSVP: Lynn McLeod lynn@eventgreening.co.za

08:30 - 16:00

Meetings Africa Association Day at BONDay

SCC – The Bill Gallagher Room (Level 2)

By Invitation Only

09:00 - 17:00

IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum Top tourism students representing tertiary institutions from the Tourism Educators South Africa competing for the IBTM Events and and International University Challenge at Meetings Africa 2018.

SCC – Boardroom 1/2/3 (Level 2)

By Invitation Only

08:30 - 15:00

Business Events Researchers Workshop

SCC - Ballroom 4

Open for registration to all exhibitors. RSVP: Gugu Mchunu gugum@southafrica.net

10:00 - 14:00

Exhibitor Educational Talks

SCC - Exhibition Hall 2 (Level -2)

Open for registration to all exhibitors. RSVP: Rose Madela rose@synergybe.co.za

14:00 - 15:00

BONDay Lunch in conjunction with IBTM events

SCC - Exhibition Hall 2 (Level -2)

15:00 - 17:00

ICCA Africa Chapter Meeting

SCC - Committee Room 4 (Level 4)

ICCA members/By invitation only RSVP: Esmare Steinhofel Esmare.S@iccaworld.org

17:00 - 20:00

ICCA/AfSAE Cocktail Function Networking Event

SCC - Exhibition Hall 2 (Level -2)

ICCA members only RSVP: Esmare Steinhofel Esmare.S@iccaworld.org

COME SEE THE "BIG FIVE" ATTRACTIONS AT RAND SHOW 2018

THE NAKED SCIENTIST

SANDF

FESTIVAL STAGE

NASREC - 30 MAR - 08 APR 2018 RANDSHOW.CO.ZA

EXPERIENCE INDIA

HOUSE OF HORRORS

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 04

WINNING INCENTIVE STRATEGIES Incentive or reward travel planners are under pressure to deliver dynamic experiences. Two experts share what they’re excited about this year.

ooking at the country through the eyes of an incentive travel planner reveals myriad ways to unpack and repackage the “South African experience”. South African Tourism encourages incentive travel with a dedicated section on its website that highlights a range of popular incentives as well as hidden gems. The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) holds these values as important: connections, creativity, trust and results. And these are what clients booking incentive or reward travel are looking for. It’s a constant search for new ways to “reward, retain and motivate employees”, as SITE notes.

Meaningful “It’s all about the experience and the motivation that reward travel can, and should, deliver,” says Yolanda Woeke-Jacobs, vice president of sales and marketing at Dragonfly Africa. “We are usually asked to submit the best-suited programme for our destination based on budget, location, group size and time of travel. The amount of input we initially get varies from client to client. That’s the joy of our role, and why a DMC is indispensable, thinking outside the box and getting creative; pushing the boundaries to ensure the best possible incentive programme for our clients.”

Peter-John Mitrovich, CEO of Grosvenor Tours, notes, “Meaningful travel is not just applicable to incentives; we see a similar trend developing within our leisure experiences we create. There is always room for quality accommodation, but the experience each programme creates and the interactive philanthropy is what makes the journeys we create memorable.” He says that of Grosvenor Tours incentive programmes of 2017, the best memories came from the programmes in which guests got involved with the natural, human and cultural experiences in each of the destinations. Through these innovative, tailored experiences guests actually left something behind as they gave back to society, nature and people in need.

Iconic Requests still come in for the more “traditional” experiences, such as safaris and trips to the beach. It is a challenge to reinvent these well-worn offerings that the country is famous for but planners are all about looking at in- demand locations with a fresh eye. When Yolanda from Dragonfly Africa receives requests for experiences iconic to Cape Town, such as a visit to Table Mountain, wine estates and Cape Point, she gets creative. “We can enhance a visit to Table Mountain

with a Harley-Davidson transfer. For the wine region, we try select lesser-known boutique-style wineries so we can involve the winemaker to host the tastings and do a cellar tour. This can be further enhanced with unique tastings such as chocolate pairing or even a wine safari. At Cape Point, we take guests out to sea with speedboats, a totally different way to view the Cape of Good Hope. If guests are lucky they may even see a whale or two in season,” she explains.

Surprise There has been increased focus at the major trade shows like Africa’s Travel Indaba on surprising and delighting visitors by showcasing some of the country’s hidden gems, out of the way places and unique experiences. Peter-John from Grosvenor Tours says: “Myself and my team use our knowledge we have from growing up in this wonderful destination to find the little gems to expose our guests to, such as Darling, Paternoster, Sutherland, Prince Albert and many others. To know why we go there, well, you need to go and have a look.” Yolanda finds planners are open to cultural experiences and spending time with local people. “A CSR activity is really a great way to do just that and at the same time give back to these communities.

Clients get to leave a legacy behind, so it’s not just the experience itself but actually making a difference while at the same time having an amazing incentive trip,” she says. More exclusive and intimate experiences, such as these, may require groups to be divided into smaller groups and using smaller coaches, she adds. Dragonfly Africa notes a decline in popularity in some markets for interacting with wild animals in a controlled way, such as walking with lions, cub petting and riding elephants. Clients are increasingly aware that this is not a natural environment experience.

Personalise Peter-John says at Grosvenor Tours they are all about tailoring experiences that showcase the destination. He looks at why visitors come to the country and what the key differences are between where they come from and what is on offer in South Africa. The answer is: “Our food, our wine, our music, our people, our natural beauty.” Yolanda urges planners to always choose quality: “From the moment clients arrive in the country, the experiences should be unique and not something they could arrange on their own. Each and every activity should be custom designed for their specific programme and profile.”

SIZE DOES MATTER

Big.

Spaces

Better.

Options

Best.

Experiences

It’s been said that size doesn’t matter, but when it comes to creating extraordinary experiences for your guests, delegates or attendees, we have to disagree. That’s why we recently expanded the CTICC with the sole aim of giving our clients and guests more… More space. More flexibility. More award-winning cuisine. More attention to detail. More convenience. More breathtaking views. More parking. More facilities. All of which give you more opportunity to transform your meeting, event, conference or show into a truly extraordinary experience. Discover the massive positive impact our bigger and better convention centre can have on your brand or business, contact CTICC on +27 21 410 5000 or email sales@cticc.co.za

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 05

EVENT GREENING TIPS Caring for our people and environment.

example of an eco-friendly display. Find out how to enter in the exhibitor manual.

he Meetings Africa team aims to showcase Africa as a premier business-events destination that cares about its people and the natural environment.

Encourage car-pooling Encourage your staff to car pool to reduce their carbon footprint. And if you are from out of town, why not make use of the Gautrain and shuttle services when getting around? This will also go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint.

Choose energy-efficiency Reduce your use of energy by choosing energy-efficient technology for your stand, such as LED lighting or energyefficient plasma screens. Remember to switch off your stand plugs at night. Esmaré Steinhofel

Encourage recycling Encourage your staff to use the recycling bins at the show.

Purchase a tree

ICCA: UPDATES FROM THE AFRICA REGION

To offset your carbon footprint, consider purchasing a tree for only R130 (excl. VAT). After the event, the trees will be planted in a local community in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) as part of the Meetings Africa 2018 CSI initiative.

Skip the bottled water Encourage your staff to drink the filtered tap water that is freely available on the exhibition floor, rather than bottled water. Through hosting the event in a responsible manner, it reflects the importance of local economic development, and keeping abreast of international trends.

Enter the Green Stand Awards Don’t forget to enter the Green Stand Awards if you think your stand is a good

The Africa Regional Office is interacting with members on an ongoing basis, with a focus on training staff on the ICCA Association Database and promoting ICCA events and services. Interaction with the African Association Executives representing the various African Association Conferences is also a key focus area in creating general awareness about ICCA as an industry association and promoting the ICCA Association Portal. A key event on the 2018 trade show calendar that the ICCA Africa Regional Office is exhibiting at, is Meetings Africa. The theme for this year is “Shared Economies – A tool for collaborative African growth”. The event will be used as a networking opportunity with members and an opportunity to meet the African Association Hosted Buyers, as well as promoting ICCA to potential members in Africa. ICCA can be found during the exhibition at stand 92. The 8th ICCA Africa Client/Supplier Business Workshop will take place at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre and Spa in Mombasa, Kenya from 15 – 17 August 2018, another highlight on the calendar for Africa members. To all ICCA Africa members, thank you for your support. Together we are Advancing Africa. - Esmaré Steinhofel, ICCA Regional Director (Africa)

embership in the region has reached its target of over 40 members, now counting members from eight African countries, a clear indication of a more dedicated focus for suppliers on both the African and international association markets. Recent new members are Studiored Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Crystal Events Africa and Grosvenor Conferences in Cape Town, South Africa. A lot of infrastructure developments are taking place in Africa, with airports being upgraded and new airports being built. Road infrastructure is also being improved, and new hotels are opening in cities around the continent. Convention Centre members are also expanding. The Cape Town International Convention Centre added 10 000m² of multipurpose space through six halls with the official opening of CTICC 2 taking place on 25 January 2018. The Arusha International Conference Centre in Tanzania added the new Lake Nyasa Hall, a 1 400m² multipurpose hall that opened last year. A trend in the region directly linked to growing the association market is that more countries are realising the importance of having a dedicated Convention Bureau to promote their destination to the businessevents industry versus the leisure market. 2018 will in all likelihood see the launch of new CVBs, especially in East Africa.

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 06

BUSINESS EVENTS MADE EASY: KWAZULU-NATAL Although a popular tourism spot thanks to its diverse natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, KwaZulu-Natal is also a renowned business-events location.

ne of South Africa’s businessevents hubs, Durban – KwaZuluNatal’s capital – attracts a range of high profile conferences and events annually. Known locally as the Zulu Kingdom, KZN is not only home to awe-inspiring World Heritage Sites like the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, but it is also home to many icons of democracy. Coupled with its rich natural beauty and cultural heritage, it’s no wonder KZN is a popular destination for both local and international tourists and incentive travellers. Over the years Durban has won many awards for its exceptional work in the conferencing world, with the Durban ICC regularly ranking amongst the top convention centres in the world. In addition to being one of South Africa’s leading convention centres, Durban ICC is also a flexible, welcoming venue that delivers memorable events of any kind on a consistent level. One of the most notable events for the centre was hosting the 21st International AIDS Conference in July 2016, which saw over 18 000 delegates converge on the city. In addition, Africa’s Travel INDABA and the Loeries Creative Week Durban take place at the ICC annually in May and August respectively.

Incentive Travel Products KwaZulu-Natal offers a vast array of incentive options for travellers, from the historic Battlefields to the Valley of a Thousand Hills and two World Heritage Sites to explore. Its coast is also renowned for its blue-flag beaches in and around Durban, as well as the natural wonders of the Wild Coast. From game experiences to adventure tourism, deluxe shopping malls to health and wellness spas, there’s something for everyone in KZN.

Known locally as the Zulu Kingdom, KZN is not only home to awe-inspiring World Heritage Sites like the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the UkhahlambaDrakensberg Park, but it is also home to many icons of democracy.

Climate

KwaZulu-Natal has a sub-tropical climate with hot, humid summers. It is ideal for year-round events thanks to its temperate weather.

Access As one of SA’s busiest port cities, Durban is both an air and sea gateway to South Africa. King Shaka International Airport connects both local and international carriers to the region. Airlines flying to Durban include: • South African Airways • British Airways • Safair • Kulula • Mango Durban ICC © Kierran Allen

Contacts Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau Head Office: 29 Canal Quay Road, Ithala Trade Centre, Durban Waterfront, 4001 T: +27 (0) 31 366 7500 E: conventions@durbankzncb.co.za W: www.durbankzncb.co.za Tourism KwaZulu-Natal T: +27 (0) 31 366 7500 E: enquiries@zulu.org.za W: www.zulu.org.za © Assegai & Javelin for Tourism KZN

Addington Beach, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa © SA Tourism

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 07

YOUNG SA TRAILBLAZER CONQUERS THE WORLD

year ago, South African student Kazzandra Grové won the 2017 IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum at Meetings Africa – and then went on to claim victory in the International University Challenge in Frankfurt, scooping a scholarship in the process. We chatted to this rising events industry star, who will be addressing and inspiring other young people during today’s Future Leaders Forum at Meetings Africa 2018.

Where did you study and where are you currently working?

Kazzandra Grové with Ray Bloom, the CEO of IMEX (right) and Paul van Deventer, the CEO of MPI (left) at the IMEX Frankfurt Gala evening and awards ceremony.

I was a proud student of the North West University in Potchefstroom until December 2017, where I graduated with a BCom Tourism Management degree. I am currently employed as a tourism student facilitator at CTU Training Solutions, where I hope to inspire other students to also develop a passion for travel and especially event management. My dream is to one day put my own concept of the “aMAZEng Brain Conference” into action and to aMAZE others around me.

Tell us about your journey to – and beyond – last year’s Future Leaders

Forum at Meetings Africa? What an experience. Meetings Africa was the first industry meeting that I had ever attended. It was very overwhelming, but an experience which I will treasure forever. My highlight was meeting great industry leaders such as former tourism minister Derek Hanekom and having one-on-one sessions with legends. As for the Future Leaders Forum: IMEX, MPI and MCI truly give young students a platform to network and learn. For the International University Challenge, I had to create a proposal for a fictitious conference to meet the needs of neurosurgeons and scientists. After submitting my proposal, I was selected as the global winner in 2017. I travelled all around the world to give my award-winning presentation for the concept of the “aMAZEng Brain Conference”. Since my victory, I’ve had the opportunity to represent the North West University at IMEX Frankfurt (Germany), the World Education Congress (United States) and the SITE and MPI Global Forum (Italy). I gave a keynote TED Talk-style presentation at the Global Forum, where I received a standing ovation. I am honoured

and humbled to be on this journey and cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Tell us about your winning concept – the aMAZEng Brain Conference. All of the Brainiacs (the attendees) take a virtual weekend trip through a maze in the human brain and have to complete certain tasks to stand a chance to become the “Ultimate Brainiac 2018”. The venue chosen for the event is the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, which will be transformed into a maze in the shape of the human brain. The concept combines technology with traditional learning methods to prove that learning can be fun.

Any advice for other young people considering a career in the business events industry? Yes! 1. Step out of your comfort zone. 2. Do not be afraid to ask questions. You are surrounded with great industry leaders who are there to assist you! 3. Remember to take a moment to breathe. 4. Believe in yourself. If you do not believe in yourself, why should others? 5. Have fun!

Don’t miss out on reaching thousands of industry professionals through the Event, Africa’s leading business-events magazine.

Contact Coleen Tapson on 021 674 0646 or coleen@ﬁlmeventmedia.co.za

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

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DAILY NEWS 2018 | 08

DISCOVER UGANDA Uganda has an impressive contingent of exhibitors at Meetings Africa 2018. VISIT THEM AT STAND 90A

activities geared to attract meetings to the cities of Kampala and Entebbe.

Mice Uganda Ltd We are a DMC based in Kampala Uganda. We handle all your meetings ground logistics and incentives packages. We work with a professional team that pays attention to details. We conceptualise and plan your event according to your request.

Golden Tulip Canaan Kampala Golden Tulip Canaan Kampala is a brand-new 4 star hotel that opened on 1st June 2017. The hotel boasts 124 elegantly appointed rooms and suites with facilities ranging from a Wellness Center, fitted with a gym, spa and swimming pool, a multi cuisine restaurant, lounge, bar and conference facilities.

Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, through its Marketing Agency the Uganda Tourism Board, have two main functions, which are to offer advisory services for the planning of professional events in Uganda and to organise promotional

Pearl of Africa Hotel Pearl of Africa Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel facility is in Kampala city, Uganda. It features the best and largest conferencing and accommodation in Uganda with a fitness center, sauna, garden, a terrace and bar. This property has air-conditioned units with the best views of the city.

Sheraton Kampala Hotel Kampala’s only international hotel brand, the Sheraton Kampala Hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city and welcomes travellers with a relaxed ambience and a dazzling array of upscale amenities. Just 45 minutes’ drive from Entebbe International Airport, we are within reach of the Central Business District.

Speke Resort & Conference Center Speke Resort & Conference Center offers the ultimate in luxury accommodation and leisure facilities together with the finest conference and business meeting venues in Kampala, Uganda.

Uganda Tourism Board The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is the official Government destination market organisation with the responsibility to promote and market Uganda domestically, regionally and internationally as the preferred tourism destination in Africa. In this, UTB works with other government agencies and the private business operators in the tourism sector.

“The Sheraton Kampala Hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city and welcomes travellers with a relaxed ambience and a dazzling array of upscale amenities.”

SPEAKERS AND BUSINESS TALKS TO SPARK IDEAS AND DEBATE

eetings Africa 2018 will feature a number of interesting discussions and business talks focusing on how to spark business growth, how shared economies are affecting business events, and what the impact of the business events industry is on infrastructure development in Africa. One of the dynamic speakers to look forward to is Dr Shaun Vorster, who has served as Extraordinary Associate Professor at the University of Stellenbosch Business School since 2014, and is currently a Senior Advisor for Expo 2020 Dubai. He will be sharing his insights on building shared economies legacy projects from hosting major country events.

The Business Opportunity Networking Day’s (BONDay) educational talks and research workshop on 26 February are open to exhibitors only, and the business talks on 27 and 28 February are open to all attendees.

BONDay – 26 February 2018 Insights, trends, technology and legacies Time: 10:00 to 14:00 Three informative and interactive business talks sessions will be hosted during BONDay (our day for exhibitors to bond through networking and shared thinking). To RSVP for the exhibitors’ educational talks, email Yoshni at project@meetingsafrica.co.za, and for

the business events researchers workshop, email Gugu at gugum@southafrica.net.

the business-event industry, presenting new opportunities and empowering event planners by offering fresh solutions and perspectives.

Business Talk – 27 February 2018 How has the shared economy affected business events? Time: 14:00 to 15:00 The shared economy has been growing at a rapid pace throughout the world as peerto-peer networks and collaborative business models emerge. The shared economy, which is estimated to be worth $335-billion by 2025, fits African economies exceptionally well because many of the continent’s countries already have large informal and collaborative economies where businesses thrive. This approach is gradually reshaping

Business Talk – 28 February 2018 Business events infrastructure development in Africa: Multi-purpose facilities Time: 11:00 to 12:00 Without a doubt, Africa is starting to take its place at the forefront of the global exhibitions industry. South Africa’s exhibitions, conferences and events industry alone is fast-becoming one of the country’s most important sectors to attract foreign visitors and investment. Are multi-purpose facilities that can be adapted to a range of uses the answer to affordable business events infrastructure development in Africa?

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 09

EAST AFRICAN EXHIBITORS Turning the spotlight on East African exhibitors who have travelled to Meetings Africa to showcase their offerings.

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BUSINESS EVENTS ARE IGNITING THE ECONOMY

Business Events East Africa

he centre of gravity of the SubSaharan African economy will move over the next decade to consolidate around three regions – East Africa, South Africa and Nigeria, with the ripple effect cascading to neighbouring countries. Africa is a long-term play and the vision has to be way beyond a short-term strategy: the Continent’s results are now starting to mirror this. Africa with 365 Association meetings in 2016 places the Continent at #10 in the ICCA global rankings! (2017 results expected May 2018) According to a recent Economist, six of the world’s fastest-growing economies in the past decade were in Sub-Saharan Africa. Like many, I have been passionately up-selling the African continent for years. Africa is the next frontier when it comes not only to leisure but more specifically to business tourism or M+E (meetings and events) – still quirkily referred to as MICE in many countries! With a mushrooming population, a middle class of 1.1 billion is predicted by 2060. Opportunity oozes! Over the years I have perhaps doggedly maintained that Africa should be ‘business tourism’ led with the significant leisure-tourism sector working in tandem (on the back seat!). It is the business-events sector that will accelerate, attract and drive Africa’s tourism receipts. It is more cost effective to attract a delegate to a destination than it is a leisure visitor. The great news is that Governments are now starting to comprehend this line of thought and discover that the meetings sector is the oil that can ignite this economic piston. We have a continent filled with iconic abundance: the Nile, Zambezi, the great crater lakes of the Rift Valley – Lake Victoria is as large as Lake Michigan, Victoria Falls, Massai Mara, Serengeti. Seven Summits. Priceless nuggets.

As the world’s second-largest continent, Africa is well endowed with a variety of magnets that meeting buyers and planners, seriously looking for delegate differentiation, can offer their clients. Today’s planners must step beyond their comfort zones: step off the edge. As the next generation start to drive the industry change will come and Africa will rise with the millennial-momentum. A growing appetite for Associations-toAfrica is emerging as the 2016 ICCA rankings illustrate: there is an amplifying Incentive market, corporates too. The global meetings community is generally gleaning a deeper understanding of the continent and its regions. Infrastructure development is concretizing: world-class conference centres, hotels with meeting capabilities, and convention bureaux presently led by East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya). It is these investments and industry developments that will inevitably lead to the transfer of such invisible assets such as intellectual capital that will support the drive towards a knowledge-based economy, inward investment and ultimately poverty reduction via a fully employed workforce. With its untapped attractions, the African continent really should be far more top of mind. Strong international currencies and an ever-increasing buyer’s eye towards delivering ROI increases the Continent’s value-for-money proposition. If there is one thing I am sure of it is that Africa can achieve the future it aspires to. Let’s convince a world trapped in afropessimism that Africa is the future and the next best choice for that next meeting… Rick Taylor CEO The Business Tourism Company www.thebusinesstourismcompany.com

East Africa is increasingly being recognised as an attractive and dependable destination for international conferences and events. Business Events East Africa has expertise and intimate on-the-ground knowledge of East Africa as a region to host your event and assist in selecting the most suitable venues and programme.

Kigali Convention Center The Kigali Convention Center is just five kilometres from the city center and Kigali International Airport (KGL). It has room for up to 5 000 delegates and has 18 meeting rooms, including a state-of-the-art auditorium which accommodates more than 2 000 delegates.

Kigali Marriott Hotel Experience the excitement of Rwanda’s capital city with a visit to Kigali Marriott Hotel. Conveniently situated near the financial district, along KN3 Avenue, the hotel showcases luxury amenities, impeccable service, fabulous restaurants, and exemplary meeting spaces.

Ntare Conference Arena Ntare Conference Arena offers a combined space of 2 200m2 with a total capacity of nearly 3 000 persons. Smaller meetings are conveniently accommodated in a choice of eight conference rooms, seating between 18 to 80 persons.

Rwanda Convention Bureau Rwanda Convention Bureau promotes Rwanda as a premier MICE destination and is your one-stop solution for assistance, information and neutral advice to event planners on hosting and organising MICE/business events in Rwanda. RCB represents the best interests of Rwanda’s MICE industry stakeholders.

Rwanda Events Rwanda Events is a value-driven business company. It specialises in planning, sourcing and production of events and developing winning business strategies; providing marketing horsepower required to produce clear, measurable, and recognizable impact for clients to boost their activities.

RwandAir Kigali Serena Hotel Live a well-travelled life in style and experience authentic cuisines, indigenous aesthetics and spectacular delights in Remarkable Rwanda with Serena Hotels. We operate two properties in Rwanda, the five star Kigali Serena Hotel and Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.

Operating from Kigali as the hub at the heart of Africa, RwandAir is one of the fastestgrowing airlines and operates one of the youngest and state-of-the-art fleet on the African continent which comprises four Boeing 737-800NG, two Boeing 737-700NG, two CRJ900NG, and two Bombardier Q-400NG.

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 10

DISCOVER THREE WINE ROUTES IN THE CAPE With its unique climate, the region is the perfect destination for some of the best wine-tasting in the Western Cape.

ample some of South Africa’s best port and muscadel, brandy, quality red and white wines and toast to the good times.

Plettenberg Wine Route Plett has recently become home to a number of new wine farms and the official Plettenberg Wine Route has been born! Bramon, Luka, Anderson’s, Newstead, Gilbrook and Plettenvale offer some of the best tastings and pairings around. Bramon is one of the pioneering wine estates in

the region, try some bubbly and sip on some vino while you enjoy tasty cuisine at their superb restaurant. If it’s views, views and more views that you’re after, Gilbrook Wine Estate will take your breath away. Closer to the heart of Plettenberg Bay is Plettenvale Wine Farm with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah vines. Nestled in the rolling valleys of the crags you will discover Newstead Wine Farm. Anderson’s Wine Estate is another jewel overlooking Keurboomstrand and Robberg Peninsula, the vineyard falls in

a gradual eco-tone between fynbos and forest and enjoys the cool sea breezes of the Indian Ocean. Just outside Plettenberg Bay you’ll find Luka Wine Farm. Not only does this boutique estate boast two dams overlooking the Knysna Elephant Park Valley but it’s also home to resident springbok (amongst other wildlife). Experience spas, bird-watching, brandy tasting, art galleries, cheese-making, fly-fishing, game drives, horse-riding, olives, and exquisite scenery along this stunning route.

Klein Karoo Wine Route “Nestled in the rolling valleys of the crags you will discover Newstead Wine Farm. Anderson’s Wine Estate is another jewel overlooking Keurboomstrand and Robberg Peninsula, the vineyard falls in a gradual eco-tone between fynbos and forest and enjoys the cool sea breezes of the Indian Ocean.”

This special route stretches along Route 62, from Montagu in the west to the Outeniquas in the east, and is home to a unique range of wineries. You’ll fall in love with the miles of unspoilt nature! The wine culture here was established during the eighteenth century in the Kannaland, also known as the Klein Karoo. This is a place of extraordinary vistas

and lush valleys. Wine forms an integral part of the daily life in the region. The country’s favourite dessert wine, muscadel, is produced here alongside port, potstill brandy and quality dry red and white wines. Wine styles vary from full-bodied, wooded Cabernets to lighter, fruity wines for easy drinking.

Cape Route 62 Route 62 meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Langkloof and Port Elizabeth. It’s a route that offers beautiful landscapes and towering mountain ranges. This scenic drive passes through farming, wine and fruit producing towns such as; Calitzdorp, Ladismith, historic Amalienstein, Zoar, Barrydale, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, Robertson, McGregor, Worcester, Rawsonville, Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl. World-class wine farms, restaurants and superb places to stay are waiting to be discovered by you!

DAILY NEWS 2018 | 11

WESGRO WELCOMES PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA’S PLANS FOR INVESTMENT AND TOURISM PROMOTION

esgro – Cape Town and the Western Cape’s official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency – welcomes President Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he will be organising an investment conference in the next three months, targeting both domestic and international investors. This focus on creating a climate conducive for increased investment will be essential if we are to boost economic growth and create the jobs needed to drastically reduce unemployment. Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris welcomed this announcement and hoped that President Ramaphosa would consider hosting it in Cape Town - Africa’s leading conferencing destination. “Cape Town and the Western Cape would be excited to host the proposed investor conference, and Wesgro is looking forward to participating, in line with our mandate to promote investment into the Western Cape. A key focus must be on shifting the international perception of investing in South Africa, which has recently been negative. To ensure that this happens, structural reforms will be needed to ensure that our credit ratings improve as soon as possible.” Wesgro also welcomes President Ramaphosa’s focus on tourism. This is a key sector that has enormous potential to boost growth and create jobs. Tourism in the Western Cape, in fact, supports over 300 000 jobs if you include indirect

jobs, and contributes nearly R40-billion to the provincial economy. Harris added that South Africa’s natural beauty, as President Ramaphosa expressed, has given us a strong foundation to grow this even further. “We agree with President Ramaphosa that South Africa is the most beautiful country in the world, and that we should be more ambitious in growing this sector. Together with South African Tourism, we have been working hard to send out the message that Cape Town and the Western Cape are open for businesses,

and we are determined to ensure that we continue to grow this sector, even in the face of our severe drought. We hope that President Ramaphosa will focus on removing problematic hurdles that have inhibited the growth of tourism, specifically, the visa regulations.” Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, said: “Our number-one goal is to grow the economy and create jobs. Central to achieving this is the attraction of domestic and foreign investment through the creation

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“We welcome President Ramaphosa’s understanding of the need to actively open our doors to business, and look forward to a successful summit.”

of an enabling environment for business, backed by a responsive and accountable state. We welcome President Ramaphosa’s understanding of the need to actively open our doors to business, and look forward to a successful summit.” “We were also very happy to hear that President Ramaphosa wants to focus on tourism. Through Project Khulisa, we have already seen substantial gains in job creation in this sector, and look forward to sharing our experiences with the President” concluded Winde.

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