Business Events Africa July Vol 36 No 7 by Contact Publications

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Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Vol 36 No 7 2016

CENTURY CITY

CONFERENCE CENTRE AND HOTEL

SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE POTENTIAL RELEASED

Discover why Cape Town and the Western Cape is an inspiring place to meet Cape Town and the Western Cape is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular tourist destinations and the #1 Convention City in Africa (ICCA 2015). It is an economic powerhouse with a good climate, spectacular natural beauty, a fine academic legacy and an impressive portfolio of historymakers.

WORLD CONGRESS ON TOBACCO OR HEALTH

With arguably the best infrastructure on the continent, including custom-built centers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; designed to top international specifications, a diverse range of facilities, educational institutions and theatres, there is no better place to meet on the African continent than Cape Town.

Dr Flavia Senkubuge Health Policy and Management School of Health Systems & Public Health University of Pretoria

The Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau is a strategic business unit of Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape and promotes the destination as the premier place for hosting your meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition.

The Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau assisted the local organizing committee with the bidding of the upcoming Cochrane Colloquium 2017 and with the identification of experienced PCOs. They coordinated the

The bureau provides pre and post bid assistance, convention planning support and on site event services. Contact the bureau to enquire about how they can help you meet in an inspiring place.

Cape Town has been selected for the World Congress on Tobacco or Health in 2018. This event is due to take place at the CTICC and a projected 3 000 delegates are due to attend. We thank the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau and the Cape Town International Convention Centre for all their assistance in securing this event for Africa.

__________________________________ COCHRANE COLLOQUIUM

has been a pleasure working with them, which augurs well for the success of Prof Jimmy Volmink Dean: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Stellenbosch _______________________________________________ INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION WORLD CONGRESS It was a pleasure working with the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau. They arranged an interview with the CTICC and informed us of the way forward in order to prepare for a large congress. They know what works for different needs and can be commended on their experience and industry knowledge. We look forward working with them leading up to our 76th International Fiscal Association in Cape Town in 2022.

www.capetownconventionbureau.org

conventionbureau@wesgro.co.za

+27 21 487 8600

Prof Jennifer Roeleveld Director: Tax Institute for Fiscal Research Faculty of Commerce, University of Cape Town

CONTENTS

VOL 36 NO 7 2016

africa.com

vents www.businesse

Voice of the

nts Industry

Business Eve

in Africa

Vol 36 No 7

2016

Special Features 12 VENUE OF THE MONTH

The Royal Marang Hotel, located in the North West, near Rustenburg and close to Sun City Resort. The hotel is five-star and also houses a high performance centre known as the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus

14 TOP YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Y CIT NTCEUCERNTYRE AN CEER D HOTEL EN CONF

Tourvest Incentives, Meetings and Events (I.M.E) has one of the youngest management teams in the overall Tourvest Destination Management brand, which is a division of Tourvest Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

18 WESTERN CAPE INCENTIVES

About the cover T he Century Centre Conference Centre and Hotel is a winning card in Wesgro’s vision of growing the economy through trade and investment opportunities, raising Cape Town’s stakes yet higher as a global business destination.

Business Events Africa investigates the current incentive market to the Western Cape, in conjunction with The Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, a division of Wesgro.

20 SAACI 2016 REPORTBACK The 30th SAACI Congress 2016 recently took place in Mangaung and certainly lived up to its theme, “With Knowledge, It’s Possible”.

The Authority on meetings, exhibitions, special events and incentives management

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Being a team player goes beyond the field Having been in the business events industry for more than 12 years, I have gotten to know many of the players in this sector. In fact, I can go as far as to say many have become more than a contact. They are now friends.

aving recently watched the UEFA Euro 2016, I realise teamwork goes beyond the positions we play, but being able to know and anticipate what a player is about to do is critical. In terms of the sector, we all have a role to play. Some of us may decide to change positions, but most of the time we continue in the sector. All our positions are vital and how we make use of our positions can be the difference between a win or a loss. We all have our trusted partners who we have come to know beyond the work place. This kind of relationship is the glue in our sector. We all need strong players who are all on the same page. Teamwork means looking at the bigger picture and not just your individual operation. I think I’ve been quite good at reading people though every now and again someone does surprise me. I always give people the benefit of the doubt and some

may say I’m naïve, but that is who I am. I realise with age that I am not going to please everyone all of the time and I’m okay with that. This is a human reality, not just mine. As a member of the industry, if you accept this and keep in mind what is best for the industry, and work towards that, the industry will be stronger. One thing I know is I cannot be complacent and things do change. Life wouldn’t be interesting if it didn’t. Personally, I believe in doing things with integrity and honesty. Hopefully it outweighs the negatives. Even competitors are part of the bigger picture and should also be treated with respect. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen in our sector. There is no excuse for rudeness. With one goal in mind, let’s keep it clean and remember that we are, after all, part of the same team, though we may wear different colours. Life is too short. There is no place for fouls on this business events field.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

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NEWS

Marriott announces brand endorsement of Protea Marriot International recently announced the rebranding of Protea Hotels to capitalise on the travel aspirations of Africa’s growing middle class and the increased presence of international hotel brands in Africa.

he rebranding includes an updated and modernised logo and the “by Marriott” endorsement. The brand is now officially Protea Hotels by Marriott. Marriott’s endorsement of Protea Hotels signifies a turning point for the South African-based brand, which Marriott acquired in 2014. Having successfully integrated Protea’s systems and operations, Marriott is enhancing Protea Hotels’ brand strength and awareness through its endorsement. The rebranding represents Marriott’s long-term commitment to evolving

Protea Hotels from a strong regional player to a globally-recognised brand with international appeal by leveraging the power of Marriott. Additionally, the endorsement will strengthen Marriott’s awareness in Southern Africa by leveraging Protea Hotels’ strength in the region. “Travel to and within sub-Saharan Africa continues to grow at an impressive rate, and Protea Hotels by Marriott is well positioned to capitalise on and drive this trend,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director Middle East and Africa, Marriott International.

“Consumer research conducted in South Africa in 2015 confirms that the endorsement of Protea Hotels by a large, international brand company such as Marriott would elevate brand perception and preference, further supporting the strategic move to endorse the brand.” Marriott International’s rebranding of Protea Hotels demonstrates Marriott’s sustained focus on developing the unique strengths of regional brands and integrating and amplifying those strengths within the broader context of Marriott’s global brand family.

Tsogo’s Candy Tothill a finalist

sogo Sun is proud to announce that Candy Tothill, general manager of Corporate Affairs is a finalist in the corporate category of the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWASA) 2016 Businesswoman of the Year Awards. “I am honoured to have been selected as a finalist in these prestigious awards and have the opportunity to use this powerful platform to share my learnings and experience to support other women in business. I look forward to playing an even more active role in championing the empowerment of women in South Africa,” Ms Tothill said. BWASA promotes opportunities to support, connect and grow women in business, through lobbying, mentoring,

growing networks, strategic alliances, developing and recognising excellence in women. It plays a key role in highlighting the current status of women in leadership and advocates for women issues in an effort to empower women in business and achieve gender parity which is positive for the economy. BWASA announced the names of the 17 finalists for the prestigious 2016 Businesswoman of the Year Awards earlier this month. These awards actively seek to identify, acknowledge, celebrate and recognise the astute leadership and contribution of South African women who are excelling in various sectors of our economy. Spanning across five categories – science, social entrepreneurship, education, corporate and government

– the 2016 Businesswoman of the Year Awards will take place at a prestigious ceremony on 26 August at the Sandton Convention Centre.

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

lead demand Like every other sector, the hospitality industry has found itself having to respond to its changing customer base. Millennials, in particular, born between 1980 and 1999, are coming into their own.

ith most of this generation having now entered the job market, they are beginning to command significant purchasing power. Their potential effect is especially pronounced in countries such as South Africa, with a “youth bulge” – a demographic profile characterised by a disproportionately larger young population. Whereas previous generations saw hotel restaurants and bars only as places to grab a few drinks to take the edge off a hectic workday, young, fun-seeking millennials expect more of such spaces. They want to be entertained, wined and dined, and they want this to happen in a visually pleasing environment. They want their money to make memories, and have begun to shun venues that do not meet this expectation, cutting into the all-important food and beverage revenue stream. Danny Bryer, Protea Hotels’ director of sales, marketing and revenue management, doesn’t see this being as much a millennial trend as a sign of our times. “Millennials are definitely at the forefront of the growing demand for experiences. For them, each transaction they enter into isn’t only a purchase of goods or services; they are buying an experience as well,” Mr Bryer said. “However, a growing number of older patrons are also expecting the same and voting with their feet if they don’t get it.” Mr Bryer explained that Protea Hotels has stayed relevant through crafting their hotel lobbies, bars and restaurants to provide patrons an integrated, aesthetically pleasing environment with fine food and drinks, and attention to details such as access to Wi-Fi, power points and views of the outdoors. Open multi-functional spaces, good lighting, and modern finishes are some of the design touches that Mr Bryer said have improved the experiences of patrons at Protea Hotels.“It’s been interesting to

watch the industry evolve. Business people, which provides specialist research on the as well as international visitors, continue hospitality industry, millennials, the children to be the most significant spenders on of an information-rich society, have been accommodation and conferences,” he said. pushing companies in every sector to make “These travellers, young professionals more information about their products and especially, end up so wowed by the services available at the swipe of a finger. interaction between the space, food and They want to see accurate photos and beverages, and service that they return videos, along with descriptions, before to experience them again, even if they they decide to leave their couch to make aren’t staying at our hotels or attending a purchase. a conference.” But, HVS warns, simply having a mediaHe said hotel lobbies, bars and restaurants rich website or app that provides information are no longer merely functional spaces on the range of offerings at the hotel bar to welcome and feed customers. They or restaurant isn’t enough, as the rise of are competing with other food and influencer marketing has shown. entertainment venues. People with smartphones and an Mr Bryer cites the success of the weekend appreciation for experiences are willing lunch offering at the African Pride 15 to punt products and services to their On Orange Hotel in Cape Town and the followers, often for free or the prestige entertainment at the Protea Hotels Fire & of being seen as authoritative, if it meets Ice! as evidence of this. The Protea Hotel their expectations. Fire & Ice! in Menlyn, Pretoria, for instance, These self-made marketing entrepreneurs also offers whiskey tasting and other are harder (though not impossible) to buy special events. than something like purchasing ad space in And it has been the reputation of the other marketing channels. This is because experience on offer that’s kept patrons their reputation as people in the know rides coming back and pulled in new ones, on how well what they say holds up against according to Mr Bryer. the actual experiences of people who have This ties in with another key millennial-led taken their word. trend that’s having a profound effect on So, even as marketing channels evolve, the hospitality industry – the evolution of there is still no getting away from how every technology-based word-of-mouth as trusted element of what the hospitality industry marketing channel. offers should add up to a memorable Websites and apps such as TripAdvisor experience. and Yelp, which crowdsource accommodation, food and drink WHO IS Danny Bryer reviews, have matured and are slipping down the pecking order Danny Bryer, director of sales, when it comes to trusted sources of marketing and revenue management objective information. So, too, are at Protea Hotels, began his career with travel and entertainment blogs. Protea Hotels in 1986, becoming a Increasingly, a more trusted source member of the board in 1994. He has of leisure and recreation information been influential in the establishment of is personal recommendations Protea’s three brands, namely Protea through social media. According Hotels, Fire and Ice! and African Pride. to American consulting firm HVS,

COVER STORY

CAPE TOWN

The business tourism HOTSPOT Cape Town might sit at the foot of Africa, but it is the crown of all African cities. It is one of the best global travel destinations, Design Capital of the World, one of the most-loved cities, the favourite of numerous surveys – and so the list goes on...

t’s no surprise that The Mother City continues to play a significant strategic role in drawing global attention to the fastest-growing sector in the industry: business tourism. The recently launched Century City Conference Centre (CCCC) and Hotel are pivotal to boosting this critical aspect of Cape Town tourism. International conferences attract top executives from across the globe, who are at the forefront of the many exciting and lucrative opportunities for trade and investment in the region. In the past, the limited number of versatile conference and event venues in the city – paired with business-friendly accommodation – has proved to be a barrier in further developing the business travel sector. With a capacity to host up to 1 200 delegates in one venue and 1 900 pax in total across 19 venues, the Century City Conference Centre has been designed to not only fill a gap in the market, but to also further cement Cape Town’s position as one of the world’s most sought-after conference destinations. It offers flexible configurations and a total of 20 different venues, including 11 meeting and breakaway rooms, as well as a business lounge. Three adjoining halls on the ground floor have a total capacity of more than 1 200 delegates seated cinema style with a fourth hall able to accommodate a further 480 delegates cinema style. Situated just outside the Cape Town CBD between the famous winelands and popular Cape Town beaches, the venue serves as the perfect launch pad for local tours and outings.

COVER STORY

State-of-the-art technology, serviceexcellence, great food, flexibility and seamlessly integrated contemporary interior design, have been the main attraction thus far, rapidly growing Century City Conference Centre and Hotel’s reputation as the first choice for business travel. The CCCC is an integral feature in Wesgro’s vision of growing the economy through trade and investment opportunities, raising Cape Town’s stakes as a global business destination. Joint chief executive officers, Gary Koetser and Glyn Taylor, have travelled the world and marketed Cape Town to growing acclaim as a costeffective, exotic locale, where corporate objectives can be met in inspiring and refreshing environments. The duo have tapped in to the growing desire to balance business and other lifestyle

demands, such as bringing loved ones along on business trips. Business travellers want to make the most of their free time, and are readily participating in tours and outings. In fact, statistics indicate that twothirds of business travellers extend their business trips for pleasure more often than not. Century City Conference Centre and Hotel is situated in the epicentre of one of Cape Town’s largest commercial districts. Even the most industry-specific conference or convention can be accommodated at the Centre thanks to highly flexible configurations and multifunction venues. These include a large pre-assembly area geared for workshops, banqueting, exhibitions, product launches “confexes”, and the like. Carefully positioned lounges, meeting spaces and work stations throughout

the conference centre and hotel environment create what Mr Koetser has called, “moments of significance in unexpected places”. Lauded with enthusiasm at the time of its launch by Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, the South African National Convention Bureau, the Minister of Economic Opportunities in the Western Cape, Alan Winde and WESGRO itself, the CCCC and Hotel are poised to boost the growth of private and public sectors.

t 021 204 8000 Email: events@ccconferencecentre.co.za www.ccconferencecentre.co.za

COVER STORY

The ultimate

DESIGNER DESTINATION Work-life balance is becoming increasingly important. Business travellers are actively seeking more satisfaction from their professional lives, often extending business trips to include leisure activities.

he contemporary Century City Hotel has been considered with exactly this in mind; from the chic bedroom design to extraordinary dining and quirky signature cocktails. Together, the management and design teams have created a trademark style that blurs the line between home and office, offering a sophisticated experience from the minute a guest checks in. The concept of the Century City Hotel has been pioneered by a seasoned team of hospitality experts, who embraced the opportunity to create a truly unique offering for guests. As an independently owned and managed hotel, the team are able to be flexible and offer a personalised service. The hotel offers an inspiring, yet functional space, expertly designed to facilitate everything from business meetings to simply taking time out. Stylish lounge pockets, modern dining areas, practical work spaces and a luxurious veranda makes Century City Hotel a

for the “bleisure” traveller destination for any occasion. Easy access to the Century City Conference Centre allows business travellers to make use of the meeting rooms and business lounge facilities. The hotel boasts a 200 Mbps fibre connection, with unlimited Wi Fi access for hotel guests. “Globally, the travel and leisure business simply has had to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of consumerdriven demands. We consider ourselves ‘destination marketers’ who create moments of significance in unexpected places,” comment joint chief executive officers, Gary Koetser and Glyn Taylor. Travellers are encouraged to consider their time at the hotel as a “home away from home”. The 125 superior rooms and deluxe suites are flexible and can sleep up to two people per room. There is also the option of interconnecting rooms, which cater perfectly to families. For those who prefer to have a night in, there are 20 premium television channels to choose from, and the in-room take out is beautifully packaged as a deli delivery from the Square Cafe & Wine Bar. For the coffee-lovers, there are selfserve coffee stations strategically placed throughout the premises for bottomless coffee at no additional cost (hotel guests). The Square Cafe & Wine Bar, which is on the hotel premises and spills out onto the bustling Century City Square, offers relaxed

dining from a choice of delicious meals from the a-la-carte menu, as well as homestyle dishes from the Harvest Table which works on a “weigh-and-pay” system. There are also gorgeous deli items such as fresh fruit, salads, sandwiches and confectioneries for sale for those on-the-go. Designer details such as custom-made furniture, black subway tiles and colourful Le Creuset crockery make this a refreshing new dining destination. The Century City Conference Centre and Hotel forms part of a mixed-use development situated around the Square – forming the centre of Century City’s new hospitality and commerce hub. The hotel looks onto the Square, which boasts a diverse offering of carefully selected restaurants and coffee shops. This openair setting, complete with the canal that meanders through the precinct, serves as the ideal location for live outdoor concerts, markets and gatherings. For those looking for a spot of retail therapy, Canal Walk – one of Africa’s largest shopping centres – is just around the corner. There are also a number of attractions that are sure to appeal to the health-conscious traveller, such as a choice of walking, cycling and running trails set in a picturesque, safe and secure environment. There is also a 4 000 m² state-of-the-art Virgin Active gym located opposite the hotel. The Western Cape is seen as one of the world’s leading leisure destinations, with Century City pegged as the ideal ecotourist destination. Century City is at the forefront of sustainable development aimed at reducing the area’s carbon footprint. The Century City Square development itself is registered with the Green Building Council of South Africa for a Green Star mixed use rating. Century CIty is home to Intaka Island, 16 ha of wetland conservation. The ecologically sensitive pans and reconstructed wetlands help filter the water of the surrounding canals. The world-class Century City Hotel is committed to sustainable practices throughout the business and strives to minimalise the impact of daily operations on the environment.

PERSONALITY PROFILE

Phumulani wants to shake things up What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector? The constantly evolving world

Phumulani Hlatshwayo, 43, general manager of EXSA, dreams of being one of the best entrepreneurs in the world. “I love the idea of shaking things up by introducing new concepts or ideas that challenge current conventions.”

e has led various marketing operations over the past 12 years, and has vast experience in brand, public relations, events, sponsorships and event activations. “I possess a deep understanding of how to utilise sponsorship and events in order to deliver enterprising solutions that meet the requirements of the business. “I have also provided leadership and management to various businesses.” On the exhibition industry front, Mr Hlatshwayo said: “A lot of strides have been taken to grow and sustain the industry. EXSA, and other entities like the convention bureaux and others are playing a major role in this regard. The potential for growth is huge. However, we have to work together to achieve this objective. We have to be more creative and think outside of the box.”

Where did you grow up? I was born and raised is Soweto, Johannesburg.

Where did you start your career? I was already involved with events (promotions) for different brands while I was at school, but I really started my formal career at MTN SA where I worked as a customer services executive.

How long have you been in the exhibition sector? I really got into the exhibition sector when I joined SA Tourism in 2007.

of technology. We strive to keep abreast of the latest trends but with such rapid technological advancements, it’s hard to stay ahead of the game.

What role does your family play in your life? I’m blessed to have such a loving and supportive family structure. My mom and my siblings have supported me from day one. My kids are amazing and my fiancée Nozipho is just phenomenal.

Do you have any hobbies? Yes. Reading, writing, poetry, gym, soccer, travelling, movies, music. I think my biggest one is music. I also do a bit of producing. I own a hip hop group called CSD, and an electrofunk duo called Day 1.

Do you play any sports? Yes. I play soccer whenever I get an opportunity.

What is your favourite sport? Soccer is my favourite sport. My favourite teams are Kaizer Chiefs (locally), Manchester United in the English Premier League and Real Madrid in Spain.

Who is your favourite sportsman/woman? Cristiano Ronaldo is in my view the best footballer in the world. My favourite sportswoman is Serena Williams simply based on her achievements in tennis.

What do you do for leisure? My fiancée and I like to travel. She also got me into the culture of trying out new things … restaurants, destinations … just general new experiences. We also do a lot of different fun activities with our kids.

What is your secret to success? Hardwork, commitment and the desire to improve. I’m in it to win, all the time. Besides, I love what I do and that makes it easy for me to succeed. Also, I’ve had extremely powerful mentors, the likes of Emy Casaletti-Bwalya, Moeketsi Mosola and Sugen Pillay to mention

but a few. They’ve really helped shape my career path.

What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why? I went to Austria during the Euro 2008 soccer spectacular. The overall experience was amazing.

What is your favourite city? New York. The buzz is euphoric.

What is your favourite book, film, TV programme? Favourite book: The Davinci Code and The Godfather. Favourite film: Shawshank Redemption. Favourite TV programme: Top Billing, National Geographic, NCIS and Travel Shows.

How do you relax? I spend most of my downtime with my family and there's nothing more relaxing than spending time with my kids.

What is your favourite food? Home cooked meals.

Who is your favourite movie star? There’s a few: Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence Fishburne, Angelina Jolie, Will Smith, Paula Patton, Samuel L Jackson, Al Pacino … the list is long.

Who is your role model? My mother. She is Superwoman. When my father passed on, she was left to raise four children on her own. She did an amazing job with us. We all turned out pretty good. We never wanted for anything. She has countless amazing qualities and values that she instilled in us. She is the true embodiment of strength and love.

What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps? Begin with an end in mind. Believe in yourself and work hard. Be open to learn all you can. Build relationships. Ultimately, it's these relationships built that determine your level of influence and value in the industry. Most importantly, be passionate.

VENUE OF THE MONTH

The Royal Marang Hotel The Royal Marang Hotel is a five-star hotel located in the North West, near Rustenburg and close to Sun City Resort. The hotel also houses a high performance centre known as the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus. LOCATION It is located just 120 km from Johannesburg and Pretoria tucked away in the heart of the Royal Bafokeng Nation’s land.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES • It has a dedicated five-star conferencing and events facilities. • One conference room holds 70 people in cinema-style; two other smaller rooms each hold 35; while the Clubhouse holds 200 in cinemastyle. There is also a raked 60-seater auditorium. • Each venue can be set up to the requirements of the organisers.

ACCOMMODATION 64 luxury doubles and four presidential suites.

he idea of building the hotel for the Bafokeng community was conceived prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Jasper Coetzee, operations manager, said: “By the time we were given the right to host the World Cup, everything just fell into place for the venue to be used to host one of the teams that were part of this memorable tournament, which turned out to be the English team.” Mr Coetzee said: “Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) is a community-based investment company whose growth uplifts and creates intergenerational wealth for the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN), a 100 000 strong Setswana-speaking community in South Africa’s North West province.” Some 100 000 members of the Setswana speaking Royal Bafokeng Nation

(RBN) – as well as a further 50 000 nonBafokeng – live in the Rustenburg valley. In 2004, the Supreme Council of the RBN led by Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, resolved that the Royal Bafokeng Nation Development Trust (RBNDT or “the Trust”) be registered in order to achieve Vision 2035 objectives. The Trust would then be responsible for the management and development of the hotel and commercial assets of the RBN. The beneficiaries of the Trust are the RBN and voluntary associations whose members are Bafokeng or any company controlled by the Trust. Hence, the affairs of the Trust are operated in line with the customs, traditions and values of the RBN. In this regard, decision-making processes have been largely aligned with those of the existing RBN structures such as the

VENUE OF THE MONTH

RBN Supreme Council, which remains responsible for the identification, prioritisation and delivery of social needs to the community. In managing and developing the commercial assets of the RBN, the Trust is then the sole shareholder of the Nation’s investment arm, known as Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH). RBH strives to continually improve the economic wellbeing and quality of life of all stakeholders by investing in businesses that will generate exceptional returns over the long term, thus enabling it to contribute directly to the upliftment of the RBN community, both today and into the future. Dividends received from investee companies are used to sustainably fund the development of the RBN in line with strategic focus areas outlined by the Supreme Council. The Nation’s Tourism-focused assets are an incredible story of how the diversification from mining into tourism will assist future development and growth of the area. “Apart from conferencing at the hotel, there are sporting facilities for soccer, rugby, hockey and tennis. Linked to the

Royal Marang is the Stadium or Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace. This houses a state-of-the-art football and rugby ground, an Olympic-size swimming pool, basketball courts, tennis courts and athletics track,” Mr Coetzee said. He added: “As a result of the World Cup in 2010, the base of operations was the hub for all the broadcasting technology and we have taken special efforts to enhance that with huge bandwidth available. More and more of the organisers’ technical requirements are finding their way into our operation and this includes video links, bandwidth requirements and technical access. Furthermore, with our support team and the Nation’s IT team, we believe that there would be no requirements we cannot meet.” “The hotel is consolidated and packaged into a format that suits conference, events and corporate organisers and we are looking forward to inputs from events people as to what more they would like from us. “Linked to the Royal Marang is the Ananda Lodge, used as a training facility for students in the hospitality industry.

Ananda Lodge is a great price-break to the Royal Marang offering. All facilities are linked to the stadium. “There are other huge auditoriums for extra conference facilities from 400 to 40 000 when utilising the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, making this new tourism offering exceptional. A genuine partnership with surrounding hotels Sun City Resort, Kingdom Resort, Kedar Country Lodge and Orion Hotel will make this offering substantive in room number and facilities,” Mr Coetzee concluded.

CONTACT DETAILS: www.royalmarang.com www.royalbafokengtourism.com info@royalmarang.com Tel:+27 (0)14 573 4100 +27 (0)82 252 4389

TOP YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

MENTORSHIP

Moulding tomorrow’s minds today “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other,” as quoted by JFK, to which young South African leaders of today have inherited and embraced. Tourvest Incentives, Meetings and Events (I.M.E) has one of the youngest management teams in the overall Tourvest Destination Management brand (a division of Tourvest Holdings (Pty) Ltd).

his young energetic management team is headed-up by Sabine Blehle, chief operating officer of Tourvest Incentives, Meetings and Events (Tourvest I.M.E) which forms part of Business and Sporting Events (BASE). Sabine is also the prestigious 2015 “Top 40 Women in MICE” awards winner; and one of the most prominent women in the business events industry for her entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. As a young and vibrant leadership team, they possess certain traits that make this specific business unit yield positive results. Younger leaders embrace change and are flexible in response to fluctuating consumer insights which in today’s business environment is as common as the change in weather in Cape Town. Like a cat falling on its feet every time, the young leaders of Tourvest I.M.E adapt quickly and planning ahead for the next big concept. Tourvest I.M.E believes in a strong mentorship environment whereby you are only a leader until you produce another leader who produces more leaders. The young managers harness on the wisdom and council of their tenured colleagues, which maintains the structure, stability and vision for the business. Mentorship between age generations across different management levels transfers a wealth of knowledge, expertise and credibility that impacts positively on the brain, heart and soul of the business. As young leaders, they recognise the importance and role mentorship has in shaping future leaders in the business events industry. Leveraging on the council and mentorship of their tenured executive

management team, these young leaders aspire to impart the same guidance, commitment and care to others; creating a new generation of leadership in the business events industry.

Monique Bester, Incentive Travel Monique manages the incentives travel team and she said: “The South African tourism industry, in particular, is evolving, pushing us to think more inventively about what and how we deliver to our clients. “South Africa, the land of opportunity is gearing its focus towards the future of the ‘youth’ to lead this country and as a result, clients have become more ‘accustomed’ to dealing with younger professionals than ever before. “This being said, you do find clients on the rare occasion who are reluctant to deal with a ‘younger’ team. This just motivates us to work harder to gain their trust and favour. “I hope to leave my ‘stamp’ on an even younger generation of leaders because being a mentor affords me the opportunity and privilege to share my experiences and knowledge with others.”

Yvette Coetzee, General Manager: Coastal Cape Town Yvette manages the Cape Town coastal team and she said: “In the MICE industry, we frequently face many macro-economic factors that require

us to anticipate, contingency plan and proactively react. “Within Tourvest I.M.E, we are fortunate to have a culture which allows us the flexibility and freedom to counter and overcome these challenges. “We foster an environment that promotes individualism of each team member to be who they are and together we seek to inspire, promote flexibility, responsibility and encourage creativity in order to remain relevant in the industry.”

Lizanne Meiring, TDM Air Travel Lizanne manages the TDM Air travel team and she said: “Great things are done by a series of smaller things brought together. “As a young professional I manage a small dedicated and passionate team in the overall Tourvest empire and we ensure our clients are given the wings to fly and change the world at the best rates possible. “Having an equally youthful team has yielded many benefits in our field where technology is concerned.”

Gugulethu Buthelezi, Association and Government Gugulethu manages the association and government team and she said: “Being a young leader is extremely exciting and not without its learning experiences from time to time. “Becoming a manager a few years back, combined with my operational

TOP YOUNG PROFESSIONALS experience, I have to say my biggest obstacle was the transition from planning the events on a meticulous hands-on basis to focusing more on the strategic bigger picture. “I love being in the fortunate position to be able to influence growth in my team, which is something I hold dear to my heart.

a position where there was a struggle for team cohesiveness, I had my job cut out for me. “I encourage a ‘buddy-system’ whereby we work in teams of two. The good experiences are shared and challenges are solved. I believe a ‘buddy-mentorship’ programme works really well for larger youthful teams like mine.”

Laurinda Schroeder, Conferences and Events

Natashia Brittion, Creative and Marketing

Laurinda manages the conferences and events team and she said: “Becoming a leader does not happen by chance. It only gets better by change. ‘Change’ is a buzz word among young leaders today to define transition in business, corporate practices and interpersonal approach. “My persona as a manager is that of strength and perseverance. My early years of being a manager required me to embrace these two qualities. I was not in the fortunate position to be mentored by an executive leader in my early years and, combined with being in

Natashia manages the creative design and marketing team and she said: “Leadership is far greater than a position or a title. It is behaviour by example. I was one of the fortunate elite to have more than one mentor during my managerial tenure. “Experience and observation has taught me that people adopt one of two managerial styles. The first approach is trying to adapt the team to their managerial persona and the second is the one I prefer, altering one’s managerial approach to the type of team one has.”

Sabine Blehle, COO of Business and Sports Events (BASE) Sabine concluded that her experience of leading a younger management team has not only been inspirational, but also a strategic success. Having begun her career as a very young leader herself 24 years ago, she has managed to move the business from strength to strength and coupled with her understanding of interpersonal psychology, has harnessed the best zestful qualities from her team. She said: “Our people take this business from being a well-oiled corporate machine, to an intensely personal, highly motivated and passionate collection of skilled individuals who understand that this industry is really about one thing – impacting on and influencing human beings; be that for the development of others or creating extraordinary experiences. “We make it our business to fully understand our clients and strive to be a credible knowledge source in respect of trends, destinations and products.”

EXECUTIVE CHEF

My aim is to consistently serve

great cuisine

Regan Wilson, 38, executive sous chef, at Fancourt in George, has always been around food in one way or another. “There are nine chefs in my family, so I’ve always been around cooking.”

orn in Worcester in the Western Cape, Regan did his chef training at the Elsa van der Nest Culinary Academy in Cape Town (now known as The Hurst Campus) in 1998. Regan started his career in 1997, where he trained under Master Chef Graeme Shapiro (now conseiller culinaire), as chef de partie at the Protea Hotel President in Sea Point for three years. This was followed by a stint as junior sous chef at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, after which he honed his skills as sous chef at the Palace of the Lost City at Sun City. During this time he represented the country as a member of the South African culinary team. He was offered the position of senior sous chef at the Diaz Beach Hotel and Resort in Mossel Bay but then the position at Fancourt came his way.

What is your signature dish?

I classify all my dishes as signature. If you’re not proud of it, it shouldn’t be on your menu. I don’t like one of my dishes more than any other.

What is your favourite recipe and why? I have a lot of favourites,

but I have to point out the Cape Malay Lamb curry, as curry is one of my favourite dishes and it’s a dish that I love to cook.

What trends are emerging in the conference industry in regards to food? More varied

menu and on the buffet, a wider variety requested.

What has remained constant in this industry? Classic cooking. What is your favourite beverage? Castle Lager. What is your pet hate? Noise in the kitchen.

What is your great love? Are you adventurous?

Food.

Walked into a lion’s den at Sun City. They much bigger than you think when you see them on TV.

“At Fancourt, I started at the Henry White which is the flagship restaurant as sous chef, a year later I got promoted to the role of executive sous chef. I am responsible for the overall food cost, hygiene reports and maintain a high food standard. “In a nutshell, I oversee the culinary world of the whole of Fancourt.” Regan’s food philosophy is to keep dishes as simple as possible with freshly picked herbs and vegetables from the gardens on the property making their way onto each beautifully plated creation. “My aim is to consistently serve great cuisine and to tempt our diners’ palates with dishes that integrate unusual ingredients with popular favourites. “Much of our produce is sourced locally as this means the flavours are enhanced and the food is always farm fresh. I believe every dish on my menu should be a signature dish – a tasty experience that our guests can at once distinguish. That is the standard I strive for.” His goal is to become a group executive chef for a large Leading Hotels of the World resort. “Cooking is my passion. It is the reason I became a chef.”

Regan said food trends suggest a move to molecular gastronomy. However, he prefers to stick to classic roots. His advice to organisers is: “Keep menus simple, classic and fresh. This always pleases the crowd.” In terms of challenges facing the industry, Regan said: “Chefs today are not going through the traditional and relevant ranks, which means they are appointed into senior positions in the kitchens with limited experience behind them.” Regan has been married to Melanie for 10 years and has two daughters, Carla and Danielle. “I am at work most of the time but on my off days, I love to cook for my family. They love my cooking,” he said. For leisure he enjoys the outdoors and going to gym and he loves to bake. Regan’s mentor is the late Charlie Trotter, and Peter Washbourne, one of his old executive chefs. His advice to newcomers wanting to become an executive chef is: “Follow the ranks from junior to senior to ensure you gain the necessary experience to become an executive chef. Learn your own management style.”

FUTURE FOCUS

Melanie up for any challenge Melanie Pretorius, 34, customer relations and quality manager at CSIR ICC, believes in always taking up challenges and grabbing learning opportunities. “It is important not to stagnate in your career,” she said.

elanie strives to improve the quality standards within the CSIR ICC and ensure customer satisfactionat all time. Melanie said: “I started as event coordinator at CSIR ICC. I was then promoted to sales manager: new business and then to my current position. I have received many awards from CSIR since I started working at the ICC in 2004, the most recent being the CSIR Emerging Leader Award.” “I was also recently nominated for the Standard Bank Rising Stars Awards and am currently the SAACI vice chairperson for the SAACI Tshwane branch. I am humbled but thankful for all my achievements so far in my career,” she said.

When did you realise you wanted to be in business events? I had an opportunity to do my in-service training at one of the five-star establishments in the country and that’s when the business events industry bug bit me. I immediately knew then that this vibrant and often underrated industry is where I want to be.

Were you discouraged from pursuing a career in business events? No. Since the first time I showed interested in this exciting industry I have been motivated and encouraged to pursue my career further. I am privileged to work very closely with one of the leaders in the industry, Bronwen Cadle de Ponte (CSIR ICC’s general manager) who encourages me on a daily basis to progress further in my career.

How long have you been in the industry? I have been in the Industry for 14 years now. I have spent most of my time, and gained most of my experience, at the CSIR ICC. It might sound like a very long time but fortunately I have had opportunities to grow into a variety of different and challenging positions and also to see the CSIR ICC evolving over the past years. The most exciting part is that I have contributed to the growth of the

CSIR ICC and I believe I am part of the Centre’s successes.

What challenges do you face as a young person in this industry? The business events industry is a fast evolving industry and it is a challenge to keep up with the international trends and to always be one step ahead of your competitors. It is very important to ensure that the views of the younger generation are aligned to the advanced members in the industry as we need to “work as one” in order for the progress of our industry to be a collaborated effort. I would say previously the challenge was recognising the voice of the younger individuals in the industry but that has since completely changed to include all industry participants.

What does your job entail? Each and every event and customer is different and it is important to adapt to be able to deliver. In my role at the CSIR ICC, I must ensure we reach our vision and create an environment where quality and excellence are a given. We pride ourselves on good and excellent customer/delegate feedback ratings (currently at 98 per cent combined) and I have to ensure that these high standards are continuously maintained and improved upon. I have to ensure we keep up with current trends. I have to ensure that policies and procedures are compiled and implemented across all departments in the Centre. I have to ensure that staff members are motivated. For our team to be effective, they have to understand their role, but also feel valued and motivated to create an environment where we are assured we retain our repeat business of at least 80 per cent on an annual basis.

Which personal traits do you need for this position? As I am dealing with external customers, but also need to keep our “internal” customers

motivated, I need to be able to be loyal, ethical and trustworthy to inspire teamwork and collaboration. Patience is a very important trait when it comes to employee relations, business negotiations and communications. Effective communication is very important, but so is listening skills. I receive most of my ideas and inputs by listening and not by doing all the talking.

What advice would you offer young people who are reluctant to explore the business events industry? If you want an exciting, out of the ordinary, career you are at the right place. If you are committed and have a passion for our beautiful country and people you will make a success of it. You will meet lots of people on a daily basis and learn about all the international cultures, standards and politics. You have to be willing to work longer hours as it is not a traditional 8-5 industry, but it is worth every second. Before you make a decision remember, if you do what you love you don’t have to work a day in your life.

What is your goal for the next five years? To grab each and every opportunity, gain valuable experience, learn from the most respected peers in the industry and to become a sought-after leader in the business events industry which potential young leaders would want to follow.

WESTERN CAPE INCENTIVES

Western Cape

The current state of incentives

Credit: Adventure Works

Business Events Africa investigates the current incentive market to the Western Cape, in conjunction with The Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau (a division of Wesgro).

ncentive travel is an integral part of the business events sector and contributes to the conversion targets of transforming a business traveller into a leisure traveller. As a Bureau, we recognise the growth opportunity provided by this market, as well as the economic impact to the destination and will have an added focus on this sector for the current fiscal year.

“The current growth markets for incentive travel to Cape Town and the Western Cape is North America, India and China. For the past quarter (April – June 2016), the Bureau has been actively involved in five incentive travel proposals and/or bids realising an estimated economic impact of R28-million to the destination,” said Corné Koch, head of the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau.

Wesgro gives back to the region

s part of the recent Sanganai Trade Show in Bulawayo, Site Southern Africa was invited as part of an educational programme. Tes Proos, president of Site Southern Africa and Adriaan Fourie, business development manager for the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, presented a workshop. The focus of this one-day workshop was on how to educate various stakeholders on the benefits of incentive travel to the region. Mr Fourie said: “As most of the audience were new players, the training was very well received. With

representation from the Zimbabwean Tourism Authority, Botswana Tourism and Zambia Tourism, this event showed a continued interest in incentive travel. “Zimbabwe, in particular, has created a new senior position to focus particularly on Incentive travel. With about 50 attendees and a large media contingent, this training was so well received that Site has been invited back for more workshops.” Mr Fourie added: “The Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau (Wesgro) also saw this opportunity to share and learn from our African neighbours. With increased competition from emerging

Some notable examples of incentive travel trips that took place in Cape Town and the Western Cape include Amway India Diamond Incentive Group 2016 and ProHealth, which will take place in December 2016 (Chinese delegates). An incentive traveller spends three times more than a leisure traveller, which is higher than a conference traveller who spends twice as much as a leisure traveller.

destinations, not only abroad, but also on the continent, the whole Southern African region has to work together in protecting and growing our incentive business footprint. “We understand that as a destination we are intricately linked to what happens in our region and we saw this workshop as an important platform to share ideas and insights. “The role of destination marketing organisations are often questioned, but we feel that especially in key African markets, the DMO still plays an important role to link the industry to various governmental role players and why it was important for us to share our knowledge,” he concluded.

WESTERN CAPE INCENTIVES

A destination management company perspective Peter-John Mitrovich, chief executive officer of Grosvenor Tours, offered his professional insight, with particular expertise on the North American market. He said incentive enquiries from the USA are at a peak compared to 2015.

ur group sizes are growing. Before, group sizes varied between 40-80. Now, we are seeing an average incentive group size varies between 100-400. “Interestingly, it is more common that we find our agents/customers secure their accommodation directly from North America. There are multiple reasons for this, but loyalty point systems seem to be the biggest driver in this regard,” he added. Mr Mitrovich continued: “To appreciate the value of an incentive visitor we need to look at their behaviour. And that equals potential spend.” He elaborated: “The flight ticket into the destination qualifies a certain margin of airport taxes. “The guests need to be transferred from the airport, and of late we find that a more individualised transport process is used which provides further income for the transport company, but also the driver and staff in the channel of services from getting off the aircraft to getting into the transport. “The hotel stay is next in line. Key is

the value of the accommodation booked, but then secondary, the money changing hands from guests to porters etc, although this is generally covered for a visiting incentive group. “This follows the daily programme, and Cape Town, and the Western Cape is not shy in awarding guests with a very diverse selection of experiences tailored to the exact wishes of the primary client. “We, however, are finding more and more of our US guests are moving away from coach touring experiences to smaller tailored group experiences that engage with more intimate parts of our city and surrounds. “This includes, but is not limited to, our food, culture, design, architecture, history, world heritage sights, philanthropic meaningful engagements, and so much more. “So, as an example, exploring Cape Town as a design and innovation city and engaging on a very personal level with local innovators and designers; experiencing our food culture, but also embracing the making of local food through a cooking experience.

Incentive travel on the rise Tes Proos, president of Site Southern Africa, offers her opinion on the current state of incentives to the Western Cape.

here is a definite upturn in incentive travel to South Africa, particularly Cape Town. There are many positives working in the destination’s favour, from strong currencies in the US, UK and Europe, to safety and increased flights directly into Cape Town. In addition, Cape Town is regularly in the top 10 in many “best destination” awards. Development is always a positive sign – and with the current Cape Town International Convention Centre being extended, and five more city hotels opening within the next year, all indications show that things are booming in The Mother City.”

“The adventure circuit is also more in demand; from Cape Town to Hermanus experiences to bicycle tours through the scenic winelands, right down to the more engaging and thrill-seeking shark cage diving in Gansbaai. “Most dinners are either hosted in one of many amazing venues; from as far as Vergelegen right into the heart of the city with its amazing City Hall. Dining out evenings expose guests to the wide selection of superb restaurants Cape Town has to offer. “Another small, but relevant, value that incentive groups from the US embrace is room drops (gifts placed in the rooms in the evening while they are out). “However, the gifts are more meaningful if they come from the local communities. “So, in summary, look at the multiple layers in the guests experience. The value of each guest cannot only be measured in the direct money spent to pay for their booked journey. Their visit touches various layers of the local communities who contribute to this beautiful province and city,” he concluded.

THE LAUNCH OF CAPE TOWN AIR ACCESS PROGRAMME is establishing air access as the focal point for international air route developments in the province and signifies an impressive collaboration between the Western Cape Provincial Government, the City of Cape Town, Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), Cape Town Tourism, Wesgro and the private sector. Some of the confirmed new routes are Kenya Airways that will commence a 3x per week direct connection between Nairobi and Livingstone to Cape Town; SA Airlink has a 5x connection to Maun in Botswana. From November 2016, British Airways will have a 3x per week direct flight to London Gatwick airport and Lufthansa will also have a direct connection to Frankfurt 3x per week.

SAACI REPOTRBACK

SAACI Congress 2016 ups its game By Irene Costa

The 30th SAACI Congress 2016 recently took place in Mangaung and certainly lived up to its theme, “With Knowledge, it’s Possible”.

he Congress started at Kopano Nokeng Country Lodge with an informative panel discussion on qualifications, accreditation and education. Adriaan Liebetrau, chief executive officer of SAACI, welcomed delegates. The Master of Ceremonies, Alex Granger, facilitated the discussion and certainly got a debate going. The panellists were Karen Kotowski from CIC; Mandisa Silo from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and Nellie Swart from Unisa. In summary, formal education can help but too often students out of varsity are not ready. However, there must be a strong link between the varsity and the industry to overcome this discrepancy. The talk of the day, however, was Kevin Horsely who touched on the interesting subject of mindfulness. He dismissed the myth about people having “a bad memory”. He said there are various things we can do to improve our memory. Some of his tips: firstly, wherever you are, be there. According to him, multi-tasking is a myth – single task is the only way. He said: “Practice single tasking.” Mr Horsely demonstrated his memory ability with a number game – and took 20 seconds to remember every number off the flip chart and was able to recite it forwards and backwards. He explained how the mind does the remembering and how important it is to turn information into pictures. It was a fascinating talk which left delegates a little more mindful. The welcome cocktail event took place at the magnificent Oliewenhuis Art Museum.

Day 2 On day two, the Congress continued at the President Hotel. Though the accommodation at this hotel was not at all par with its star rating, its conference facilities were.

Wayne Johnson, chairman of SAACI, opened the day and welcomed and introduced Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, to the Congress. For the third consecutive year, Minister Hanekom spoke at the annual SAACI Congress. “Mangaung readily matches the theme of this year’s Congress: “With Knowledge, it’s Possible”. He said: “There are two tertiary institutions here, the University of the Free State and the Central University of Technology. There’s a Further Education and Training College, the Motheo FET College, as well as five private tertiary institutions. These institutions, and many others across South Africa, are driving our country towards a knowledge driven economy.” Minister Hanekom went on to provide delegates with a number of interesting figures. “The South African events industry has been growing steadily over the last 10 years, and it has contributed significantly to tourism arrivals in our country. “In 2015, South Africa hosted 140 international meetings and conferences, which attracted about 80 000 delegates to the country. “These events generated just over R1 billion in economic impact. We attracted 70 000 association professionals to our country in 2014 and 2015, and we remain the number one meetings destination in Africa and the Middle East. “For the next five years, starting in 2017, South Africa has already secured 66 international association conferences and meetings. These events are guaranteed business for our tourism and hospitality industry, and will contribute about R1.4 billion in economic impact. “They will attract 108 000 association professionals, who will also be exposed to our tourism offerings, and will spread the word of the amazing value for money we offer to the world.” “In addition, we have 45 bids that are still pending for the next five years. These events have the potential to attract 112 000 delegates and can potentially contribute a further R1.5 billion to our economy,” he added. The keynote speaker, Professor Jonathan Jansen, from the University

of Bloemfontein did not hold back. His frankness was liberating. He spoke with such passion about South Africa and the state of the education system. Delegates were shown an inspiring video on Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo. It confirmed education can transform lives – against all odds. He spoke about setting standards and sticking to it, and having high expectations despite the environment. He criticised hiring people for the wrong reason. In his words, ‘It’s the people, stupid!’ He emphasised don’t hire because they are the same like you. He said hire people because they are capable of doing the job. “Transformation is not about the same.” One of the most pertinent statements he made was – “we have found the enemy, it’s us”. Prof Jansen said our children are better than their parents because they don’t carry baggage. Lastly, he said: “Knowledge matters, good school, good university, good jobs.” He said 82 per cent of university students get jobs. “There is a good uptake of graduates.” Prof Jansen interacted with the audience and made delegates think outside the box. Darryl Erasmus, chief quality assurance officer of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, continued the standards theme with a closer look at industry standards and the current state of grading in South Africa. He also announced they are about to embark on the 2015/2016 Grading Criteria Review. The afternoon session started with the SAACI AGM where treasurer Glenn van Eck did a quick overview of the Associations’ financials. Wayne Johnson, SAACI chairman spoke on the current business events environment, and Adriaan Liebetrau looked at the state of the Association. There were various afternoon sessions for delegates to choose from.

Day 3 Day 3 of the Congress started with a bang. First speaker, Victor Kgomoeswana, didn’t hold back on his views on being an African and how we, as South Africans, need to discover the African in us. He acknowledged the great Continued on page 28

SAACI REPORTBACK

Seen at the SAACI Congress in Bloemfontein …

Denise Kemp, Eastern Sun Events; Wayne Johnson, SAACI chairman and Fancourt; and Adriaan Liebetrau, SAACI CEO.

Jacqui Reynolds, On Show Solutions; Barbara Jamison, London & Partners; and Amanda Margison, On Show Solutions.

Adéle Maritz and Lindy Cambouris; Cape Town ICC.

Peter McKuchane, Northern Cape Tourism Authority; and Lorin Bowen, Synergy Business Events.

Corne Koch, Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau; and Esmare Steinhöfel, ICCA.

Stacey Hopkins, The Westin Cape Town; Adriaan Fourie and Lerisha Mudaliar, Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau.

Sadie Isaacs, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism and Vuyolwethu Sowazi, Gauteng Convention Bureau and Events.

Marnie Tait, Sun International and Shama Rawjee, Protea Hotels.

Estelle Lötter, Ripcord Promotions and Andrew Stewart, PeriExpo.

Glenn van Eck, Magnetic Storm; Kim Roberts and Jono Lawson, The Forum Company; Rudi Van Der Vyver, Orion Hotels & Resorts.

Marie van Wyk, Spier; Susan Lasecki-Coiro, Hope Energy; and Angela Lorimer, Spier.

Claire Mitchell and Michelle Bingham, Sandton Convention Centre.

Nick Papadopoulos Eat Greek and Winston Meyer, ATKV

Merryl Fairfoot, South Africa National Convention Bureau and Carol Mcnab, SAACI KZN.

Dorcas Dlamini, SAACI vice chairperson and Megan Oberholzer, Thebe Reed Exhibitions.

SAACI REPORTBACK

The CSIR ICC team, from left: Bontle Thusi, Melanie Pretorius, Refilwe Nchebisang and Emily Naidoo.

James Seymour, Durban KZN Convention Bureau; and Zayhieda Enver, Pure Grit.

Crystal Van Helsdingen; and Felicia Mokhehle, SAB World of Beer.

Wayne Johnson, SAACI chairman; Adriaan Liebetrau, SAACI CEO; Prof Jonathan Jansen; Dorcas Dlamini, SAACI chairperson; and Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom.

Shirley Sivero, MTPA; Nonnie Kubeka, Gauteng Convention Bureau and Events; and Mandlakazi Skefile, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism.

Nina Freysen-Pretorius, ICCA chairperson; and Scott Langley, Durban ICC.

The SAACI award winners announced

Year. The criteria for this award are forum representation, membership growth and retention, attendance at events and quality of board reports.

Members’ Choice Awards Recipients of the Members’ Choice Awards are voted for by members themselves. • The Best Conference and Events Service Supplier for 2016 is Scan Display. • The Best Conference and Events Venue for 2016 is the Cape Town International Convention Centre. • For 2016 the Best Conference and Events Organiser was a tie between Spintelligent and Conference Consultancy SA.

• The Best Conference and Events Convention Bureau for 2016 is the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau. • The SAACI Hall of Honour recognised members Zelda Coetzee-Burger, Nina Freysen-Pretorius, Thomas Overbeck and Peter Aspinall who have played a significant role in the business events industry and SAACI. • Special awards for hard work, dedication and service to the business events industry and SAACI were also bestowed on Estelle Lötter, Ripcord Promotions and Pieter Swart, Conference Consultancy SA.

THE PILLARS THAT GUIDE US THE WORK WE DO IS GUIDED BY FOUR KEY PRINCIPLE PILLARS:

SAACI

he winners of SAACI’s annual awards were announced at the SAACI 2016 Congress gala dinner held at the Ramblers Club in Bloemfontein. SAACI national chairperson Wayne Johnson and deputy chairperson, Dorcas Dlamini presented the awards. Zoe Broad, of Northern Territories branch, and Ayanda ShabanguSturlese from KwaZulu-Natal branch shared the 2016 Young Achiever award. Crystal Kasselman, of the Western Cape branch is the winner of the 2016 TP.pdf 1 3/16/2016 8:33:47 AM Fellowship award. Tshwane is the 2016 Branch of the

1) SAACI Community 2) SAACI Intelligence 3) SAACI Academy 4) SAACI Into Africa

FOUR KEY TRIBUTARY PILLARS SUPPORT THEM: 5) Branding & Communication 6) Stakeholder Engagement 7) Sustainability 8) Future Focus Association Hub 158 Jan Smuts Avenue 4th Floor, East Wing Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196

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Integrity | Intelligence | Innovation | Sustainability

TOP TIPS

Expert tips on choosing the right conference venue When it comes to putting on a memorable conference, the venue you choose is integral to its success.

he team at Townhouse Hotel, which is conveniently situated in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre, has established itself as a premier location for conferencing, meetings and events, accumulating vast and varied experience over the years. General manager Jacqueline Williams provides her top tips on what to look for when searching for the perfect location for your event.

Fit for purpose There are thousands of conference venues around South Africa. How do you sort the wheat from the chaff? Make your short list from those venues that offer tailored packages and come with a dedicated conferencing team. This indicates hosting conferences is a focus, not an add-on. If a venue has a one-size-fits-all product and attitude, move on to the next one on your list – either they are inexperienced (in which case, you do not want to be their guinea pig) or conferencing is not their focus (and you aren’t going to get the support you deserve). When discussing your conference with a venue’s conference team, suss out their level of expertise. “The conferencing team should be wellversed in the latest conferencing trends, and provide staple information regarding seating plans, booking systems, checklists and the registration process of delegates. “They should be proactive and solutions-driven – your interaction with an experienced, focused team will make a big difference to your end result,” Ms Williams said. It goes without saying there should be a dedicated representative of the venue on standby to help you throughout your conference to ensure your event runs smoothly. If your delegates are local, choose a venue in a central, convenient location, one that has adequate parking and easy access to public transport. If the majority of delegates are from out of town, a hotel

with an excellent conference venue is your best bet. Ensure the hotel offers you a special stay-over package. Ask about the venue’s sustainability policies. At Townhouse Hotel we incorporate eco-friendly and socially responsible initiatives into our operational practices, plus the hotel is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of everything we do, including conferences.

Catering to all tastes You need to meet delegates’ and guests’ dietary requirements, so ensure the venue has caterers on hand to provide fresh food and revitalising drinks. For a long conference, meals and snacks should be kept light. “Work with your caterers and be clear about timings,” advises Stefan Schmidt, Townhouse Hotel’s experienced and unflappable executive chef at the in-house restaurant, Trees. Although ordering, preparing and serving meals en-masse takes immense organisation, it’s crucial every delegate is personally satisfied with what they have eaten. Conference organisers often overlook the amount of time and effort required to feed a roomful of hungry delegates. And it’s this time and effort that the chef and the team in the kitchen know all about since they are the ones who produce the fare. Chef Stefan’s words underline the obvious – your venue’s caterers should be highly experienced in preparing and serving food to large numbers with the minimum of fuss, and absolutely no loss of quality.

From an AV point of view, the synchronisation of an app on your phone or tablet and the house PA systems means delegates are able to post questions to speakers who respond accordingly. Being a fast-paced world and with the access to technology that we have, conferences are able to attract a wider audience with Skype calls, TED sessions and so on, especially events that draw a crowd from a broader geographical spread. That said, there will always be a need for faceto-face interaction. Once you’ve found a venue that answers all of the above, you’re halfway there. Remember to set your objectives, plan well, be prepared and communicate consistently and all will be well. Remember, you are not doing this on your own. If you’ve chosen your venue well, you’ll have a great back-up team ready to help with solutions based on a wealth of conferencing experience.

Wired and wireless Always ask if the venue has the necessary audio-visual equipment, great lighting and full high-speed Wi-Fi coverage. Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity have become the lifeblood of conferencing and events. Don’t forget that social media has become a huge focus, with delegates livetweeting comments at events. Apps are launched prior to events so delegates can get information on their mobile devices relating to agenda, location, venue layouts, information on presenters, etc. With this we are seeing a reduction of printed materials distributed at events – notes and presentations have gone online, another nod to increased sustainability awareness.

WHO IS

Jacqueline Williams? Jacqueline Williams fell into hospitality almost by accident. She and a friend at school in the Southern Cape had a competition to see who could apply for the most universities and courses. When the Wits Hotel School offered her a place, she grabbed it and has never looked back. Jacqui spent three years as general manager at Bruma Lake, five years at The Bay Hotel, and in 2006 found her niche at The Townhouse Hotel, where she has been general manager for 10 years.

VENUE NEWS

Honouring Youth Month at the Expo Centre To its list of strengths and capabilities, the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) added “hosting educational initiatives” when it presented the Gauteng Youth Programme for the second time in June 2016.

ast year, the JEC welcomed thousands of learners from 8-16 June for a youth programme organised by the Gauteng Provincial Government. The event, themed “Youth Moving Gauteng City Region Forward”, attracted government officials, youth, educators and a number of highprofile speakers who gave lectures on jobs, careers and entrepreneurship. The programme, which is held to commemorate Youth Month, hosted more than 6 000 learners per day in 2015, providing them with essential information for their ongoing development and empowerment. Molebatsi Bopape, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, said: “As we honour the 39th anniversary of the June 16 student uprising, we remember that the youth were the ones who eventually drove this country towards democracy in 1994.” The event also featured a number of cultural activities such as movies, games, volleyball, chess, rugby, soccer, book reading and storytelling. Festivities concluded with a dedicatory youth march from the historic Hector Peterson Memorial and Museum in Soweto. This year, Nandi Khoza, MEC for Social Development, spoke at a disability workshop where she appealed to the youth to assist government in improving their quality of life.

From left: Panyaza Lesufi: Gauteng Education MEC; David Makhura: Premier of Gauteng; Craig Newman, chief executive officer of the JEC and Parks Tau, Mayor of Johannesburg.

“Today is about empowering young people with disabilities. Today is about you because we believe you have an important role to play in your communities, in your families, and in South Africa as a whole. By working with you, we can change your lives for the better,” she said. Ms Khoza went on to explain the vision of the Gauteng city region and what it hopes to realise for the young people in this sector. “We wish to achieve the full and equitable integration and inclusion of people with disabilities into the greater society through the implementation of economic empowerment opportunities, through community-based and residential care programmes and through universal access to improve your quality of life,” she said. “You continue to experience restrictive environments that intensify your exclusion from mainstream society. You have minimal

access to employment opportunities and you require accessible public transportation. This workshop is your opportunity to tell us more about the challenges you face on a daily basis so we can do something about it,” Ms Khoza concluded. Samantha Ngindi, deputy director for Talent Management and Partnerships, said the youth of today face new challenges which need to be addressed. “This year, South Africa commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, where the youth of 1976 were tired of being taught in a language they did not understand. Education is the key to success and we must invest in it for the future of our children,” she said. With its multi-purpose facilities, the JEC was the perfect platform to host the learners and the event. Simon Molefe, director of Youth Development, said: “The youth programme would simply not have been possible at any other venue. The Expo Centre facilities and its staff were exceptional. We had everything we needed to ensure that this event was a success.” Craig Newman, chief executive officer of JEC, said: “This is an important initiative and we were proud to host it. It’s a wonderful programme designed to help the young people of this country because they are the ones who will be taking South Africa forward.”

Seen at the Youth Moving Gauteng City Region Forward event

VENUE NEWS

R33.5 million to be invested at the Ticketpro Dome Multi-purpose venue, Ticketpro Dome, owned by the Sasol Pension Fund, is currently undergoing a R33.5 million facelift in order to upgrade and enhance its offering.

he multi-award winning venue, Ticketpro Dome is a landmark building with more than 16 000 m2 of space, and is constantly looking at innovative ways to increase its presence and strength in the market. The planned upgrades and renovations are part of the venue’s strategy to enhance the site, making it more appealing to a larger customer base. Ticketpro Dome has already completed the first phase of its make-over – the recently launched Blue Wing Conference and Events Venue, a massive 2 000 m2 space that can provide corporates with a complete hosting solution, as well as catering for trade-focused events. The new venue can accommodate up to 1 000 guests in a cocktail and cinema style set-up, encompassing a foyer allowing for direct access into the main arena and an area that is sub-divisible into three rooms,

the largest of which is 680 m2. This venue can operate as an independent facility or a seamless extension to the Ticketpro Dome’s current offering. The new wing will be utilised for more intimate events, trade shows, conferences, exhibitions, banquets, workshops, product launches, weddings and additional preand post-hospitality for concerts. This area also provides complementary space for large exhibitions or conferences. The second phase of the renovation is currently underway, with other facilities within the venue undergoing a make-over – from the installation of additional, upgraded security cameras, the replacement of all air-conditioning, remodelling bathrooms, and a new modern, stylish look and feel for the Main Entrance. “The Sasol Pension Fund have, in collaboration with the management

team at the Dome, reviewed the current facility and compared it with the need in the market, and implemented changes to make the Dome a premier conference and entertainment event,” says Sasol Pension Funds spokesperson Rupert Pöhl. Cynthia Penprase, general manager at Ticketpro Dome says: “All of these improvements will ensure that the Ticketpro Dome remains at the cuttingedge of the events industry, providing a state-of-the-art venue for both visitors and organisers. “The new renovations will enable us to provide a conveniently located space that is ideal for an array of events such as conferences, business events, product launches, company network sessions and trade expos, maintaining the venue’s reputation as one of South Africa’s top entertainment sites.”

TICKET PRO DOME

Create | Collaborate CommuniCate @ticketprodome

@ticketprodome

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tel: +27 11 794 5800 i Fax: +27 11 794 5808 info@ticketprodome.co.za i www.ticketprodome.co.za Cnr olievenhout ave & northumberland rd north riding, Johannesburg, South africa

Tel: +27 11 794 5800 I Fax: +27 11 794 5808 Email: info@ticketprodome.co.za I Web: www.ticketprodome.co.za Cnr Olievenhout Ave & Northumberland Rd, North Riding

the blue Wing Conference and events Venue is a partnership between thebe reed Venue management and Delmont Caldow Caterers, with blue label telecoms as the naming rights sponsor.

EXSA NEWS

How to brief your exhibition stand team Exhibitions are hard work with a lot of planning, budget control and implementation but if executed well, they can deliver substantial rewards. While an innovative and inviting stand may attract visitors, your most vital asset, your team, will make the sale.

o make sure you get the best performance from your team, and ensure your greatest ROI, it’s important to have a well-trained and knowledgeable team on your exhibition stand. Just like actors who get given scripts and props, make sure your expo team is fully prepared. The most memorable part of the visitors’ experience is their interaction with you and your team. EXSA, the Exhibition & Events Association of Southern Africa, looks at some key points to keep in mind when preparing your exhibition stand team.

Goals and expectations Give your team members a clear set of goals and objectives to make sure everyone is on the same page. Communicate what is expected from your team, including how to dress, when to arrive, how long they will be on the stand for, exhibition etiquette, being approachable and friendly, and how they should interact with visitors, as well as what the targets are. If you want your staff to make a certain number of sales, let them know from the beginning. They’re much more likely to reach their goals if they are set at the start of the exhibition.

Ensure everyone knows their role Depending on your business you’re likely to need different roles on your exhibition stand. This could include technical support, sales staff, and marketing staff. Ensure everyone has adequate training with role playing sessions and literature for key messages you want them to communicate to visitors, as well as collateral on frequently asked questions. This allows them to prepare for these questions in advance and feel confident when communicating with visitors. Never let anyone turn up to your stand who doesn’t know why they’re there and what their specific role is. If visitors are getting mixed messages and differing language regarding your company, it may cause confusion later and de-value your company’s brand image.

Stand brief Before the exhibition opens ensure your team are confident with showcasing all aspects of the stand to visitors. This includes how to use any digital or engagement tools present on your exhibition stand, as well as any audio-visual display. Also ensure they have sufficient product knowledge – give

them key points about your products and services and guidance on the best way to approach visitors.

Plan breaks Exhibitions can be tiring and it’s important to keep your team motivated. Provide opportunities for them to get some fresh air and refreshments. These breaks also help keep eating and drinking on the stand to a minimum and give your team renewed energy. Creating a schedule with breaks also means you will not be left with an empty stand at any point during the exhibition.

Brief and debrief every day Brief each morning and debrief at the end of the day. This keeps the team focussed, confident, and gives them the opportunity to share their feedback and thoughts on how the show is going. “Face-to-face marketing by way of exhibitions has been proven over and over again to be one of the best ways to give companies a powerful platform for meeting new customers,“ says EXSA general manager, Phumulani Hlatshwayo. “Make sure your exhibition stand staff are well-informed and ready to share your brand’s message.”

THE POWER OF EXHIBITIONS: Face-to-Face is Simply Better We are the go-to people for exhibitions and events. Our members comprise of Venues, Organisers, Service Providers, Suppliers and Associate Organisations. Formed in 1980, EXSA is recognised internationally as the voice of the exhibition industry in South Africa, and is always available with help and advice.

T: +27 11 805 7272 F: +27 11 805 7273 E: exsa@exsa.co.za www.exsa.co.za Patrons: Platinum:

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SITE NEWS

Site Southern Africa attends MICE East Africa Forum 2016 By Tes Proos, Site Southern Africa

The first business events trade show was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 9 – 11 June 2016.

massively successful education programme was offered alongside the show, with no less than four South African keynote speakers and five Site chapter leaders, including former global president, Hugo Slimbrouck and IBOD member, Martin Lewis. I was asked to present the opening session as Site Southern Africa president. I addressed “Winning Strategy of Meeting Industry/MICE Business Models”. Tom Hulton, director of international relations, IMEX presented Economic, Social and Cultural Impact of MICE Business in Developing Countries; while Rick Taylor, chief executive officer of The Business Tourism Company discussed Regional MICE Business Strategy, Alliance and Exploitation. The Role & Impact of International MICE Industry Actors was delivered by Esmare Steinhofel, regional director for ICCA; while Adriaan Liebetrau of SAACI, debated Infrastructure and Innovation in the Global MICE industry.

The presentations were highly interactive, each with at least three high level panellists and plenty audience interaction. Business Tourism is new to the region, Ethiopia in particular. The venue was filled to capacity during each presentation, indicating that the young players in this fast-developing country are hungry to learn and absorb as much as they can. Ethiopia may not be front of mind when considering meetings and incentive destinations … but watch this space. The country is steeped in ancient history, blessed with breathtaking natural scenery, a gentle and generous nation and one of the most stable political backgrounds in Africa. Hence, investment is vast. There are currently around 8 000 very good hotel

Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa

rooms within Addis Ababa. Within the next five years, there will be 20 000. Major hotel groups are busy developing in the city, with big names such as Radisson Blu and Sheraton already well established. While there are challenges with infrastructure, there is a long term plan to address key issues to ensure that Ethiopia will soon be a highly competitive destination. Solomon Tedasse, chief executive officer of Ethiopia Tourism, spoke with passion about his country, its history and its future. He is welcoming expertise from the likes of Site, SAACI and ICCA to assist with their future development.

What we’re all about ... motivational experiences Why we do it? ... business results SITE ORGANISATIONAL MISSION • • •

Site is the only global network of travel and event professionals committed to motivational experiences that deliver business results Site provides insights and connections that inspire the utilisation of this powerful tool across diverse industries, regions and cultures Site serves as a source of knowledge and best practices where members can make personal connections that sustain professional growth Contact Tes Proos Office + 27 (0)21 555 3617 Fax: 086 698 7792 Only one organisation sits at the critical intersection between those who E-mail: tes@crystalevents.co.za seek the benefits of motivational tools and those who can provide these extraordinary experiences. That organisation is Site ... www.crystalevents.co.za

ADVERTISERS INDEX

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Business Events Africa AN INDISPENSABLE PUBLICATION! A year’s subscription provides you with the Yearbook, 11 monthly magazines and a copy of the annual South Africa Conferences & Exhibitions Calendar.

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Continued from page 20 work being done in Kigali, Rwanda, but also touched on the good and bad our continent has to offer. Mr Kgomoeswana is a renowned author and Africa business specialist. Misha Teasdale, from GreenPop, looked at sustainability and the work his tree planting organisation is doing. Thaamir Moerat ran a sales masterclass, keeping in mind we are all sales people. Nina Freysen-Pretorius looked at the “silver bullets” in the business events

sector and offered some pragmatic advice on how to organise a congress. Other speakers were Alex Granger, Wayne McCurrie, Corne Koch, Paul Hugo and international guest speaker, Barbara Jamison. Ms Jamison heads up the European Business Team at London & Partners (London Convention Bureau), the Mayor’s official promotional agency for London. SAACI’s next Congress will take place in Tshwane from 4-6 June 2017.

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CALENDAR

Conferences, workshops and exhibitions of interest to the conference, exhibition and special events market For free entries in this calendar, please supply information to: Contact Publications, PO Box 414, Kloof 3640. Tel: (031) 764 6977 | Fax: (031) 764 6974 | Email: colleen@contactpub.co.za LOCAL: 2017 JUNE 4-6: SAACI 2017 Congress Venue: Tshwane (Gauteng) More information: Adriaan Liebetrau Tel: +27 (0)11 880 5883. E-mail: adriaan@saaci.org. www.saaci.org

LOCAL: 2017 APRIL 19-21: WTM Africa 2017 Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town More information: Thebe Reed Exhibitions Tel: +27 (0)11 549 8300 Email: info@ThebeReed.co.za

INTERNATIONAL: 2016 MAY 25-27: IAPCO EDGE SEMINAR. Venue: Whistler, Canada. More information: info@iapcoeducation.org. www.iapcoeducation.org JUNE 14-16: THE MEETINGS SHOW. Venue: Olympia, London, UK. More information: Steve Knight, Event Director. Email: steve. knight@centaurmedia.com. www.themeetingsshow.com JUNE 15-17: IBTM AMERICA. Venue: Nashville, USA. More information: Email: ibtmamerica@reedexpo.com. www.ibtmamerica.com SEPTEMBER 27-29: IT&CMA. Venue: Bangkok Convention Centre, CentralWorld Bangkok, Thailand. More information: Email: itcma@ttgasia.com. www.itcma.com OCTOBER 18-20: IMEX AMERICA. Venue: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Las Vegas, USA. More information: www.imexamerica.com NOVEMBER 12-16: 55th ICCA Congress. Venue: Kuching,

Malaysia. More information: Mathijs Vleeming, marketing project manager, ICCA, Toren A, De Entree 57 1101 BH Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 398 1962. Email: mathijs@icca.nl. www.iccaworld.com NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 1: IBTM WORLD. Venue: Barcelona, Spain. More information: ibtmworld.sales@reedexpo.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL: 2017 MAY 16-18: IMEX Frankfurt. Venue: Frankfurt, Germany. More information: Tel: +44 1273 227311. www.imex-frankfurt.com DATE TBA: 56th ICCA Congress. Venue: Prague, Czech Republic. More information: Mathijs Vleeming, marketing project manager, ICCA, Toren A, De Entree 57 1101 BH Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 398 1962. Email: mathijs@icca.nl. www.iccaworld.com

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