Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Vol 41 No 12 DEC ’21/JAN ’22

Challenge accepted – flawlessly delivered

Business Events Africa: Serving the business events industry for 41 years

CONTENTS

VOL 41 NO 12 DECEMBER 2021 JANUARY 2022

About the cover

www.businesseventsafrica.com

A world-class local experience unfolded for the top sales staff of an insurance company.

Voice of the Business Events Industry

in Africa

Vol 41 No 12 DEC ’21/JAN ’22

Challenge accepted – flawlessly delivered

MARKET NEWS 4 CTICC works with local partners to help drive a tangible change.

NEWS 5 Johannesburg ends year on a high.

Industry insights 10 Industry insights for 2022.

VENUE NEWS 27 The Capital Mbombela opens its doors.

TEAMBUILDING

Cover Feature COVER STORY 6 Rovos Rail and Hayward’s Grand Safari Company – Luxury Tented Camp – deliver an unforgettable incentive.

8 Insurance company incentive pulls a Sho’t Left and amazes participants.

9 Delivering the dream

28 The changing role of teambuilding.

30 A world first in virtual tracking for teambuilding.

CHEF’S PROFILE 31 Jacques Swart – from humble beginnings to renowned chef.

On the pages…

SUSTAINABILITY 32 Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport: The Greenest Hotel in Africa.

34 Global events industry presented “Net Zero Carbon Events” pledge at COP26.

35 Radisson Hotel Group offer carbonnegative meetings.

EDITOR’S COMMENT 2 Resilience in uncertain times.

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE 36 Key lessons tourism learnt in 2021.

6

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

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 38 STH’s Gifty Koufie excels at the 2020/21 World Tourism Forum.

Published by the proprietor Contact Publications (Pty) Ltd (Reg No. 1981/011920/07)

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 414, Kloof 3640, South Africa TEL: +27 31 764 6977 FAX: 086 762 1867 MANAGING DIRECTOR: Malcolm King malcolm@contactpub.co.za EDITOR: Irene Costa gomesi@iafrica.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Vincent Goode vincent@contactpub.co.za DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jackie Goosen jackie@contactpub.co.za SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Irene Costa +27 (0)82 558 7387 gomesi@iafrica.com PUBLICATION DETAILS: Volume 41 No 12 Business Events Africa has 12 issues a year and is published monthly. Due to Covid-19, the magazine is currently only available in digital format.

publishers of Business Events Africa, is a member of:

PERSONALITY PROFILE 40 Rendani Khorommbi — explores his tourism journey.

MARKET NEWS 42 Durban ICC hosts a successful Intra-African Trade Fair.

43 Sales manager appointed at new voco™ Johannesburg Rosebank.

Regulars 43 Index of advertisers.

Learning | Growth | collaboration

Official media partner

Official Journal of the Southern Africa Chapter of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence

Official journal of the Exhibition & Event Association of Southern Africa

44 Directory and associations of interest.

THE LAST WORD 46 The industry we know has already changed.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

EDITOR’S COMMENT

As I sit here writing my last comment for this most challenging year, I have a sense of peace and hope.

The world keeps spinning and will continue to do so, regardless.

S

omething that I suppose I’ve been avoiding, owing to the uncertainty of the last two years and thanks to Covid-19.

We have all been living in a time of uncertainty, but honestly, the discovery of the new Omicron variant caused much of a stir. The world certainly reacted rather hastily by immediately putting South Africa on redslists most countries around we and approach the end of year, the I am world cautiously applied new travel bans on our I’m optimistic.

Personally, country. feeling a lot more upbeat.

However, whatevents I haveindustry read about this new The business is slowly variant is that even it seems to be a emerging from an though enforced hibernation. lot more contagious, itsan symptoms I am definitely seeing increaseare in a lot

A

milder. Unfortunately, it seems to be impactingevents the children moreofthis physical in all parts thetime industry. around but, again due to the the different milder It is fantastic to observe conditions, it isn’t as ‘deadly’ as previous sectors in our industry starting up again. strains.

The past few weeks have been amazing.

If you read up on the Spanish flu on I’ve been following industry leaders pandemic, whichdoing occured overthey a century social platforms what do best ago, are some similarities.

— bethere it exhibitions, incentives, The good news is that at theevents. end of The thatindustry pandemic, conferences and has the variants were contagious, been waiting for more so long and all it but tooka lot milder. was a green light from government!

So, could this be beginning the end After months of the despair, finallyofthere is of the Covid-19 pandemic? renewed positivity in the industry. One Ofpositive course, Iisam noSouth prophet, butisI have big that Africa now to believeoff things areofchanging for travel the better finally most the world’s red — callincluding me the eternal lists, the UK.optimist. Quite frankly, we have survived thus farTourism and have The recent Africa’s Travel and learnt to (ATTS) live with Covid-19 whichever Summit also set the and scene for variantistranspires. what to come. If anything, I get the I suppose that feeling thatthe ourannouncement continent – the continent Meetings and realising Africa’s Travel Indaba is of Africa –Africa is finally its own all set for in 2022, has alsothe given me African much strength unity.

Over years, hope that have our industry slowlyto getting countries always islooked other back on track. can’t wait forbusiness Meetings continents for Itourism and Africa. Itwhile, is my in most events fact,favourite its ownindustry African show. Nextwere year’soverlooked. show will be even better countries asThere it willisgenuinely a reunion of still a no doubtbethat there are colleagues, industrylike friends African lot of challenges, airlift,and visa partners. restrictions, etc.

As always, issue features the annual One of thethis challenges addressed during Industry Insights.

I would like toand thank all ATTS is that tourism/incentive our contributors, aspackages I know it isinathe huge ask conference/events past

for anyone to provide their thoughts on have always been what thetofuture geared the may bring. What European orI would like to mention is that American markets.

If our sector remains we, Africans, would cautiously optimistic like to cater for our own African visitors withshould regardpackage to the coming year. we it differently.

As I reflect on this I sit Over the past fewannus years,horribilis, our industry here wondering what theofnew year about leaders have done a lot talking portends? the issue of airlift within our continent as Quite wish I had moreAfrica answers. well as honestly, the issue Iof visas within for I know that Souththat Africans Africans, I hope ATTS are hasresilient ignitedand a our sector has where certainly provenairlines its resilience new chapter, African look andnew gritroutes in thesewithin most the challenging times. at continent and As I mentioned few months I still finally breakathose barriersago, which have believe wetravel need within to partner more with our hindered Africa. fellow Africanwe countries.

We need Of course, would all love to to see strengthen ourdelegates bond and,and in so doing, international tourists together rise stronger ever us return towe ourwill shores but whatthan prevents before.The time new is now for Africa, let’sour rise from exploring markets within together! The Covid-19 pandemic has continent?

From the Contact Publications team and I, taught us that we are able to collaborate to thank awelotwould betterlike if we keep you the for all your support over thisstreams tumultuous year and our wish communication open within you much more prosperity, continent.

The time is now,peace, Africahope is open andbusiness certaintyand in the new year! African! for I am proudly

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

Credit: Hein Liebetrau Credit: Hein Liebetrau

Resilience in uncertain times Africa is open for business

OPEN

FOR SMALL MEETINGS

SETTING THE SCENE FOR GROWTH AND EXPANSION BOARD MEETINGS | STRATEGY & BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS | TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS INCLUDING:

R425 (including VAT)

per delegate

Max of 30 delegates

VENUE WITH BOARDROOM TABLE AND CHAIRS

TWO-COURSE CHEF’S CHOICE LUNCH

SECURE PARKING

CLICK HERE TO

FIND OUT MORE

#BringIt2CTICC +27 (0) 21 410 5000

sales@cticc.co.za

Offer valid until 30 June 2021

#VersatileVenues

Ts & Cs apply

PAGE STRAP MARKET NEWS

The Cape Town International Convention Centre.

CTICC works with local partners to help drive a tangible change Since 2003, the CTICC has worked with partners in the local community, investing in initiatives such as education, feeding schemes and urban gardening projects. We call this initiative the Local Community Partners (LCP) Programme. The programme’s purpose is to work with local partners in a meaningful and measurable way that can help build a better future for Capetonians.

E

very three years, community-based initiatives are selected to be part of the LCP Programme through a staff-driven process. While the CTICC provides support and donations in the form of venue hire, catering and goods, staff and stakeholders are also encouraged to work with and volunteer at these LCPs. This approach has been one of the critical factors in the CTICC building a sustainable and transformative programme with measurable societal impact.

Taubie Motlhabane, chief executive officer of CTICC, said: “Over the past 18 years, we’ve learnt a great deal about how to make a measurable impact in underresourced communities. And how this impacts our staff as well. Not only does our team get to be part of purpose-filled activities through volunteering, but they also get to see the social impact of these initiatives too. The impact such as inspiring a child to learn to read or helping a parent provide for their family by supporting their small business.”

For the next three years, Call 2 Care, help2read, and iKhaya le Themba will be

the CTICC’s LCP Programme partners. The relationship between the CTICC and its LCP partners remains central to the business’ CSR programme.

Call 2 Care Call 2 Care is a non-profit organisation (NPO) located in Cape Town with a mission to improve lives and make a sustainable difference through holistic community development, educational outreach projects and socially conscious volunteer events. The organisation encourages independence, and many of its projects aim to provide people with the tools they need to empower themselves and inspire others. help2read An NPO and English literacy programme, help2read, has been in operation since 2006. It targets underprivileged primary schools across South Africa, providing children who struggle to read with one-on-one attention. The organisation recruits and trains unemployed literate adults from township communities to be

4 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

literacy tutors who, in turn, assist with teaching and running the programme in township schools. The tutors receive an income and participate in personal development and work readiness programmes, helping secure a better future for themselves and their families. iKhaya le Themba iKhaya le Themba is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) established in 2003 to empower communities and support families and children. Operating from a purpose-built campus in the informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, iKhaya le Themba provides resources for after school programmes, home-based care, community pantries, urban farming, and general home maintenance.

Deon Cloete, chairman of Convenco, said: “By laying a foundation for impact measurement from the start has ensured that the CTICC has driven a transformative community support programme. Further, by embedding this into the core values of the business and the team’s mindset is invaluable.” www.businesseventsafrica.com

PAGE STRAP NEWS

Johannesburg ends year on a high As 2021 draws to a close, Joburg Tourism’s Convention Bureau team enjoyed a burst of activity, firing on all cylinders in support of two significant global business events which were hosted in the city during the latter half of November.

I

t’s great to be getting back to business-asusual to play our role in the continuous recovery of the tourism sector, in line with Covid-19 protocols,” said Rendani Khorommbi, deputy director: Johannesburg Convention Bureau.

“As a convention bureau and tourism directorate, we remain committed to our objectives of affirming our destination’s competitiveness, growing tourism, promoting Joburg as a business events destination, and providing a diverse array of innovative options — all ensuring our visitors leave with memorable experiences that last a lifetime,” Mr Khorommbi said.

“These public-private strategic business events are supported by both South African Tourism, through its business events unit, South Africa National Convention Bureau and Gauteng Tourism Authority, through its business events structure, Gauteng Conventions & Events Bureau.”

JCI National Convention & World Congress Hybrid (16-20 November 2021) The Junior Chamber International (JCI) National Convention took place concurrently with the world congress hybrid from 16-20 November 2021. The World Congress was held as a hybrid event, with sessions taking place online — as well as at a physical hub in Johannesburg, at the Capital on the Park in Sandton from 18-20 November 2021.

Approximately 100 delegates attended the in-person event.

JCI is a century-old membership-based nonprofit organisation of young active citizens, aged

www.businesseventsafrica.com

18 to 40 in nearly 120 countries — who are engaged and committed to creating positive impact in their communities. Active citizens are individuals invested in the future of our world.

Ignite Compassion, Unite Humanity was the theme of the 2021 JCI World Congress, inspired by the philosophy of ubuntu and the universal values expressed at the Cradle of Humankind.

In line with the theme, the 2021 JCI World Congress focused on the JCI RISE – RebuildInvest-Sustain-Evolve, a response to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic from an economic and mental well-being perspective.

It is an initiative that encourages young people to develop projects related to the three pillars of RISE: 1. Sustaining and rebuilding economies by supporting small, local businesses.

2. Motivating the workforce through youth entrepreneurship.

3. Preserving mental health and well-being.

This initiative anchored JCI in economic reality and ensured JCI keeps developing relevant leaders for our changing world.

The full programme included inspirational sessions, impactful workshops, official General Assembly meetings, JCI programmes, forums, training, and fun-filled events to share best practices, exchange ideas, and determine the future of this dynamic organisation.

ACCES 2021 – brought the global music industry to Johannesburg (25-27 November) Music industry professionals from across the

globe – including musicians, label executives, publishers, promoters, managers and festival bookers – gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the fourth Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) this November.

ACCES is the leading pan-African music business event organised by the Music In Africa Foundation in a different African city every year. This year’s edition took place at Constitution Hill and Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg from 25-27 November 2021.

Organised in partnership with Europe’s leading club festival, Reeperbahn Festival, ACCES offered an exciting programme including keynotes, panel discussions, live performances, exhibitions, workshops, awards and networking sessions.

The conference programme featured a dynamic roster of global musicians and industry experts, including global superstar Master KG, Busiswa, Slikour, Msaki, Gigi Lamayne and Priddy Ugly — who were among more than fifty speakers and workshop facilitators confirmed for the music trade show.

Honouring South African music legends ACCES 2021 kicked off on 25 November with the Music In Africa Honorary Award ceremony where South African legends Vusi Mahlasela and Thandiswa Mazwai were awarded for their outstanding contribution to their home country’s music industry and that of Africa as a whole.

They join previous award recipients Baaba Maal (2017), Eric Wainaina (2018), Ebo Taylor (2019) and Bibie Brew (2019).

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 5

PAGE STRAP COVER STORY

Rovos Rail and Hayward’s Grand Safari Company – Luxury Tented Camp – deliver an unforgettable incentive An insurance company challenged Uwin Iwin to develop and facilitate a one-of-a-kind local travel incentive that would be worthy of rewarding their top sales staff after two years of cancelling international travel incentive programmes, due to the global travel restrictions enforced due to Covid-19, Uwin Iwin, partnered with Walthers as the local DMC to meet the challenge of creating an unforgettable incentive.

By Leslee Beck – Incentive Management Company, Uwin Iwin.

Client An insurance company.

Objective To provide the client with a local incentive trip that matched the standards of all previous international incentive trips. Due to the global travel restrictions enforced because of Covid-19, the client requested that Uwin Iwin develop and facilitate a one-of-a-kind local travel incentive that would be worthy of rewarding their top sales staff after two years of cancelling international travel incentive programmes. Uwin Iwin (together with Walthers as the local DMC), were challenged to find and produce various concepts that would work within the Covid restrictions, that would maintain safety protocols and in no way compromise the standard and quality that the client and their achievers were accustomed to.

Incentive type Travel Incentive within the financial sector for one of South Africa’s top financial institutions. The incentive campaign is subject to the achievement of specific production norms; and the competition runs over a 12-month cycle. Staff of various levels in the organisation attend — from the chief executive officer to level 1 consultants.

Duration The incentive trip itself was from a Sunday to a Sunday, eight days in total.

We divided the entire group into three smaller groups, travelling back-to-back and minimising the numbers per group, to be aligned with Covid-19 protocols.

Due to the previous international cancellations, we only had four months to produce an alternative solution and commence with the planning of this incentive trip.

6 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

Number of participants Of the 186 participants who qualified and received special invitations, 141 attended this event.

Solution To combine two top South African legendary hospitality outfits, Rovos Rail and Hayward’s Grand Safari Company for a bespoke incentive trip that has never been achieved before.

This incredible journey would commence aboard the world’s most luxurious train and guests would be transported through the hinterland of southern Africa towards an unknown grand safari tented camp in the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal. This offered a unique safari experience in that it combined travel from Nelspruit, through Swaziland into northern KZN, with its inland estuaries and lakes, as well as a marine reserve along the Indian Ocean and arriving in the www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVER PAGE STORY STRAP

world’s biggest Wetland Reserve in a safari tented camp fit for royalty.

This combination offered an incentive trip that no individual participant could replicate for themselves or their families.

The site that Hayward’s offered was awe-inspiring to say the least, with breathtaking views over Lake St Lucia, surrounded by untouched coastal forest and dunes teeming with fauna and flora.

The location chosen has never been open to any other public in the history of the park, ensuring that the participants were the first to experience overnighting in this magnificent, pristine wilderness area.

In fact, this insurance company occasion was the first and only time a park permit has ever been issued for overnighting at this location.

Results A highly successful incentive event, maintaining the overall objective of the client to thank their staff and sustain and/ or increase the drive and motivation in their workforce. Achieving a once-in-alifetime incentive trip and personally pushing the boundaries for what Uwin Iwin could achieve as a company… is setting us apart from the rest!

Contact details Uwin Iwin David Sand Tel. +27 (0)82 553 7795 Email: david@uwiniwin.co.za www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 7

PAGE STRAP COVER STORY

Insurance company incentive pulls a Sho’t Left and amazes participants

By Daryl Keywood – Destination Management Company, Walthers DMC.

T

he client brief Following the Covid-19-related cancellation of the client’s planned international incentive trip to Russia, the client tasked Uwin Iwin to create a unique incentive travel programme, within South Africa, for the 186 incentive qualifiers.

The challenge The client has ‘seen and done’ almost everything in South Africa, and, with many of the qualifiers being repeat winners over many years, designing a ‘never-been-done-before’ incentive itinerary with only a four-month lead time, created a significant challenge.

The solution Uwin Iwin partnered with local DMC Walthers to brainstorm a solution and selected a private Rovos Rail train charter combined with Hayward’s Grand Safari Company, a five-star-rated luxury mobile tented safari experience that would: a) Ensure a sufficient WOW factor to exceed the high expectations of the much anticipated but cancelled trip to Russia. b) Provide a unique, untouched location.

Whichever area was chosen needed to be located within a reasonable road transfer from a railway station or siding. Many discussions were held with Peter Hayward before deciding on his offer of considering the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, World Heritage Site in Northern KZN. The initial planned access to this unique location was via Durban on the luxury Rovos Rail, with the winners divided into three back-to-back groups, with the elite achievers enjoying a return journey resulting in four legs on Rovos Rail.

Roadblocks The challenge with a programme that has never been achieved before is exactly that; one begins from scratch with a site inspection during which many obstacles were encountered and overcome. The first hurdle was the railway infrastructure between Durban and the St Lucia area which, due to maintenance delays and limited times as to when a charter train could utilise the track, was deemed unsuitable.

Covid-19 restrictions caused a postponement in original dates which meant the event was moved into the highest rainfall month of the year. Various social eruptions along the way led to a detour of the train.

Another major roadblock was that recent legislation required the park authorities to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment on the preferred location prior to Hayward’s Luxury Safaris erecting the luxurious camp. A combination of budget constraints and Covid-related delays meant that this could not be done within the time frame available, and so, with only four weeks to arrival, a second site inspection of all potential locations within iSimangaliso Park was conducted. After viewing several options, a unique location on the shoreline of Lake St Lucia was selected as ideal.

The solution To fly the attendees to and from the embarkation point in Nelspruit, to travel on Rovos Rail through scenic Swaziland to Hluhluwe. This cross-border route meant that in camp, PCR tests were required to be conducted on all those returning by train through Swaziland, which, considering the remote location and the rush for the results, created interesting challenges.

8 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

The event itself More than a few participants voiced concerns regarding how a ‘luxury glamping experience’ could meet the expectations of a well-travelled group familiar with the finest hotels in some of the world’s most interesting locations. Their concerns were dispelled and expectations exceeded, both on Rovos Rail and upon arrival at the Hayward’s Grand Safari Camp. To say that the location positioned on the edge overlooking Lake St Lucia was breathtaking is an understatement. The programme included safari drives, guided bush walks, a beach day with masseurs on hand, bush picnics and themed dinners with local entertainment as well as a formal awards dinner under canvas. The elite group of top achievers also experienced an estuary boat cruise and a spectacular helicopter flight over the park, from the camp itself, as well as a return journey on Rovos Rail. Guests departed with memories of a truly ‘once in a lifetime trip’ that they never would have expected to experience in their home country. The post-event guest satisfaction survey of the Hayward’s Grand Safari camp scored an average of 97 per cent rating from the participants.

Looking back The glorious safari camp is gone and all evidence that this event ever took place is slowly vanishing as the grass recovers on the footpaths around the exclusive site. A condition of the permit was that the site be left as it was found, all waste removed, and the area left as pristine as it has been for decades. It is a testament to all involved that this was achieved. We left only our footprints and even those have disappeared with the summer rains.

Contact details Walthers DMC Daryl Keywood Tel. +27 (0)82 904 4967 Email: daryl@walthers.co.za www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVER PAGE STORY STRAP

Delivering the dream “The success of any project or event is determined by the teams that constitute its delivery.”

By Peter Hayward chief executive officer of Hayward’s Grand Safari Company.

T

he built-in time constraints to negotiate a site within a World Heritage site was no easy task.

Taking on a group that were focused on an international trip to Russia and now having to ‘stay local’ was clearly a challenge. Providing a solution that the majority of delegates would never be able to personally replicate became a core focus of this grand safari event.

A world first option became an event of comparable magnitude to anything offered internationally.

Hayward’s have a 30-year track record of setting up big group safari camps in remote wilderness regions, each with its own set of logistical challenges, to ensure absolute minimal impact on the ground and an eco-friendly award-winning guest experience. This site was no different and logistics were carefully thought through to meet the park authority standards set.

Hayward’s ensured rain plans were firmly in place and provided all of the on-theground hospitality services required to meet the group’s expectations once in the wetland reserve.

• Each group experienced an arrival bush picnic in a remote location in the park.

• Themed dinners each night with the main dining tent fully turned into its own presentation of historic trade

www.businesseventsafrica.com

routes of Africa with accompanying artists entertaining the group.

• Dinners were elaborately presented in sumptuous splendour, accompanied by wine pairing presented by the wine maker and a Cape wine master to enhance the experience.

• Excursions to the beach to enjoy a private beach picnic and our beach safari spa to enjoy foot, neck and back massages went down a treat to the sparkling ocean backdrop.

• Famous explorer Kingsley Holgate was a guest speaker for the elite group, presenting insights into his African experiences and rhino projects he was doing with local communities.

• Helicopter permits were negotiated with park authority, making this one of the first groups to ever attain such permission in the reserve.

• Private estuary boat cruise to experience the unique birdlife, hippo pods and crocodiles in their natural habitat.

• Our big five walking guide teams ensured guest safety whilst exploring the untouched forest around camp with incredible bird and butterfly sightings and curious breeding herds of elephant on the outskirts.

• Our medical team were ever-present to ensure quick response to any potential

issues and keep Covid protocols firmly in place.

• Our team of game drive guides, specialising in the wetland reserve, enjoyed presenting the park to these delegates and partners in an exclusive environment, with no other operators or public to be seen, on these daily excursions. This is unique in African game reserves.

• Our well-trained and coordinated butlers and silver service waiters always ensured the comfort of their guests. Each 32m2 bedroom tent was lavishly appointed, complete with Persian carpets, en-suite toilet and hot shower facilities. Wake up calls were automatic as the birdsongs from the forest ensured a gentle reentry into the day’s new explorations planned.

“Clear communication towards a finite goal and an agreement on the purpose of the event and what its deliverables must be, gets the teams coordinated and focused. Hayward’s Grand Safari Company has been delighted with the role the primary agent (David Sand from Uwin Iwin) has played in ensuring their client’s specific needs for this safari event were clearly communicated to us.

The ground support and transport coordination of getting the guests through to our remote location was brilliantly delivered by Walthers DMC to ensure guest experience on the ground was maximised. Walthers played a vital role in ensuring the guests’ journey en-route to Hayward’s was adventurous and exciting, setting the scene for our top-end delivery awaiting the guests in camp.

This partnership created a perfect and well-coordinated delivery that superseded all guest expectations and resulted in an event that not only met the client’s expectations but, I believe, set a new standard for the southern African adventure travel industry.”

Contact details Website: www.haywardsafaris.com Email: info@haywardsafaris.com Tel: +27 (0)83 600 4453 /

0861 732 583

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 9

PAGE NEWS INDUSTRY STRAP INSIGHTS

Industry insights for 2022 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Esmaré Steinhöfel, regional director (Africa), International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)

N

ormality has still not returned for the business events industry this year. Most events were still held virtually with some hybrid meetings organised mid-year

bringing together a smaller number of in-person attendees vs digital.

On a positive note, three new members joined the ICCA Africa community in 2021: the Ethiopia Convention Bureau, the Zambia Tourism Agency, and the Niger Convention Agency. In fact, the Niger Convention Agency is the first member based in West Africa. This is an indication that destinations in Africa are beginning to see the value of Convention Bureaux promoting business events.

On the road to recovery, many convention bureaux are launching recovery strategy campaigns; for example, the Zimbabwe Convention Bureau began a campaign #MeetInZim. The restart of tradeshows such as IMEX America in Las Vegas and IBTM World in Barcelona – both held in November 2021 – is a good signal that in-person tradeshows will become the norm once again, in 2022. The new year will also see the start of Meetings Africa taking place from 28 February-2 March at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

The latest ICCA Association Meeting Needs Survey, indicates that 38 per cent

10 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

of regional and international associations interviewed are planning to schedule inperson meetings for 2022. There is also a clear trend towards regional meetings.

RFPs are changing for many associations, with the most common mentions including changes to cancellation options and force majeure clauses, hybrid meeting requirements and flexibility regarding delegate numbers and dates.

A key finding from the recent ICCA Global Association Meetings Report shows that 2022 will be the year of hybrid events vs virtual. Associations would like to return to in-person events but retain some of the benefits of virtualisation, such as making events more accessible to more people.

The DestinationNEXT 2021 Future Study report identified the three transformational opportunities for the business events industry going forward: destination alignment, sustainable development and values-based marketing.

Personally, I am really looking forward to seeing all ICCA members and industry friends next year as face-to-face cannot be fully replaced with digital alternatives. www.businesseventsafrica.com

INDUSTRY PAGE INSIGHTS STRAP NEWS

sector have fought long and hard to get some relief for employees who have been unable to work all these months.

On a more upbeat note, the pandemic may have had a positive impact on greening, despite the use of disposable masks and sanitisers and everything being wrapped in protective plastic.

While there is no substitute for faceto-face communication, there will probably be more virtual meetings going forward, cutting down on travel and carbon emissions.

Justin Hawes, president of the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES)

L

ooking back on 2021 The past year has, once again, been very difficult for our industry as ongoing lockdowns and government restrictions on gatherings have meant that we have not been able to operate for most of the year.

This has been exacerbated by the fact that many other industries have been able to function at near-normal levels. People have become Covid-weary and sympathy levels for our industry’s suffering has waned.

This year, we continued to adjust to the shock of a pandemic bringing the world to a standstill, and we have pivoted to ensure the viability of our businesses. We have done everything we are able to do to survive.

However, the ongoing changes in lockdown levels and subsequent restrictions on the number of people allowed at events, have created uncertainty in our industry. Most of our events need to be planned well before the event, with some exhibitions organised years before the show takes place. The uncertainty around restrictions has made planning impossible.

The lack of understanding about the value of business events and the manner in which they are able to be regulated has been frustrating. There have been no restrictions on the number of people allowed at shopping centres, while we have had restrictions placed on conferences, meetings, shows and events, where people could easily be screened and monitored.

The lack of delivery on the promised TERS payments has been another source of great stress as business owners in our

www.businesseventsafrica.com

prepared to work harder than ever. With limited resources, we have become more aware of costs and more efficient in our work processes.

Things are looking up for 2022 and it should be a good year, as more and more people are driven to re-connect with their customers, colleagues and friends. Our fingers are firmly crossed that lockdowns and restrictions on gatherings are a thing of the past as we manage meetings, events, conferences and exhibitions sensibly and safely in the coming year.

And looking forward to 2022 This year has ended on a positive note with some large shows taking place and many more shows and events being planned for the first quarter of 2022.

Limited resources Unfortunately, it’s not simply a case of releasing the pause button now that events are taking place. Businesses have incurred debt to stay afloat and have lost skilled staff members to other industries.

Our resources are strained. Also, we see internationally that many events are being crammed into the calendar, further straining the industry’s resources. We would rather face this problem than have no projects, but it does make things difficult.

Higher costs Having lost many staff members, companies may have to contract-in expertise which will drive up the cost of labour. These costs will drive up the prices of our services. Our customers are also financially strained, and I anticipate the events will be leaner and will have to deliver even more value for money.

Hybrid events I think a hybrid element will still be around for events in 2022, as travel will remain difficult. However, we have seen how costly hybrid is, as one is almost required to organise two separate events. The logistics of organising hybrid events have become easier, but they are still a challenge. With regards to exhibitions specifically, an online exhibition is an oxymoron – the value of an exhibition lies in its face-to-face interaction.

Efficiencies The good news is that we have become more streamlined and efficient. Our staff are committed to our success and are

Jacqui Nel, the International Exhibition Logistics Association (IELA) board member and chairperson of the Industry Relations Working Group (IRWG)

T

he last two years have certainly been unpredictable!

It has been so important for IELA to encourage and keep its members engaged.

IELA achieved this through several activities that touched on the following themes: IELA reload; Get future ready; Connected minds; Tailwind and the New normal.

As more people become vaccinated worldwide, governments have begun to lift the stricter lockdown regulations, allowing economies to recover.

This has brought IELA into the next phase: Return – Recover – Reconnect – Reskill – Renew and Reimagine.

Currently, the exhibition industry is observing some movement in the sector, with a slow return of exhibitions in many parts of the world. It is exciting to see associations being bold and courageous in taking their events live and opting for faceto-face events. Of course, a hybrid event is attached for those still unable to travel.

Recovery has been made possible for many companies such as venues, organisers and suppliers.

As one of our members commented

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 11

PAGE INDUSTRY STRAP INSIGHTS

when stepping back onto a show site, she felt a mix of feelings similarly before a first date: “the excitement, the suspense, the fast beating of your heart and dry mouth”.

People are so excited to be back on the floor of an exhibition and even more excited to reconnect with one another after such a long time.

Humans need that connection with one another, it is a big part of who we are and it’s an even bigger part of doing business with each other. Exhibitors require this connection to grow their business.

However, many people within our industry had to change careers to survive.

IELA’s training manual and content library, together with IELA’s exhibitor and organiser portals, allows our members the ability to reskill their new staff, bringing new excitement and capturing renewed energy to integrate into our world of exhibitions.

This year’s IELA Conference embraced the theme ‘A Beginner’s Mind’. We all need to think out-of-the-box and reimagine, as I believe now is the time to rewrite the rules of good governance, going forward into our new normal.

Our new reality involves the reset of our cost structure, attracting talent and reskilling our staff in accordance with new needs. One renewed strategy centres on sustainability, which has been taken another step further with IELA signing the Net Zero Carbon Event Pledge presented at COP26 this November.

In 2022, IELA will focus on supporting its members in setting up a sustainable structure that is suitable for their

companies. Transportation via electric vehicles will be the future. Although maybe not applicable right now in South Africa, but with a 2030 objective and the willingness of all, this is our target, including recycled packing systems and new travelling solutions for freight between locations. In addition to this, the association’s latest project is the IELA Career Center, supporting our member talent sourcing efforts.

LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI

W

ith the final days of 2021 rushing towards us, the business events industry is witnessing the hosting of several in-person or hybrid events and

exhibitions. The initial schedule for the first six months of 2022 looks promising with the announcement of dates for Meetings Africa 2022. Despite early industry predictions that the recuperation of the meetings, incentives, conventions, and events segment (MICE) could take years, South Africa seems to be experiencing a phased rebound. The country’s severe restrictions on how the business events industry may operate may have something to do with this.

I am encouraged by the slow and steady vaccination uptake.

As we approach 2022, we know that events aren’t what they used to be.

The process of planning, organising, promoting, and executing industry events has been transformed in response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

So how will we possibly proceed in 2022?

Safety and cleanliness: Event safeguards, and health and safety protocols covering areas such as environmental hygiene, technology and equipment, communication and public awareness, food safety, customer experience, workforce safety and temperature screening are now part of creating a safe environment to avoid Covid-19 infections. The industry will have to continue to take precautions where possible.

Connectivity: Improvements in wireless network connectivity at venues that are designed with robust

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CONFERENCE INDUSTRY LEADERS

CONNECT SAACI unites , supports and educates the business

events industry in southern Africa by creating sustainable environment for business growth

THRIVE Join SAACI and enjoy access to an inspiring network of industry professionals, while giving your business the professional status it needs to attract the attention of business leaders.

GROW Become the business events professional you’ve always wanted to be. Access the SAACI Academy and enter a world of inspiration, connections and world-class skills development.

Visit our online community: www.saaci.org www.saacicongress.org 12 Business Events Africa December www.businesseventsafrica.com

2021/January 2022 www.saaci-academy.org

+27(0)11 880 5883 info@saaci.org

Business Events www.businesseventsafrica.com AfricaLearning October 2020 12 | Growth | collaboration

INDUSTRY PAGE INSIGHTS STRAP

and scalable 5G capable architecture, ensuring that the visitors attending conferences, meetings and other special events have reliable and seamless connectivity throughout the entire venue will be a standard requirement.

Small, but more frequent: In building back confidence and in line with the restrictions that the Business Events Industry has experienced for 20 months, small, but more frequent business events will aid the recovery process. This approach may be acceptable for corporates and some government departments to return to in-person meetings as witnessed in certain parts of South Africa. While not economically viable for some, it will build confidence as the industry recovers.

Skill upgrades: Expertise in organising world class virtual and hybrid events, is one of the most coveted skill sets in the industry right now. A virtual events marketer doesn’t just organise events – they produce and direct video content, grasp the pros and cons of different technical platforms, know how to moderate online comments and discussions, and put together digital marketing campaigns that amplify the impact of their content.

In a hybrid world of business events,

www.businesseventsafrica.com

we will continue to seek that sweet spot that not only drives online attendee participation, but also drives sponsor return of investment.

So, while 2021 was not 2020, we are sure that 2022 will be the year we ignite the business events industry in our beloved South Africa. See you at an in-person event in 2022!

s we close the door on a turbulent 2021, some of the EXSA board members have made their predictions as to how they see 2022 unfolding:

vaccinations. There is a hope we will remain at level 1 going forward into 2022, however as we have seen before there is still a degree of uncertainty, especially as the Covid numbers are on the rise in Europe again. On a positive note, the elections certainly proved that events could take place safely and without our infections increasing, so this is an incredibly good sign for us and a cause worth fighting for. With many countries beginning to push forward and have face-to-face exhibitions, there is a good possibility that more exhibitions will return in 2022, although they may be on a smaller scale than previously.”

Jacqui Nel, said: “It was an exciting time for all of us when the President announced that he was taking our country down to level one, which allowed our industry a chance at recovery. Within a short period, we witnessed the Cape Town Marathon, African Energy Week in Cape Town and the IATF in Durban. It was an exciting time for all of us, as we stepped back onto the show floor with an excitement and enthusiasm of seeing old friends again.

There was a sense of gratitude from every person you bumped into. Of course, safety remained top of mind, however, it was not without its challenges. As we look to 2022, we continue to see the increase in

Liam Beattie, said: “Traditional conferences and exhibitions will adjust

EXSA board members

A

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 13

SPECIAL INDUSTRY FEATURE INSIGHTS

their offering to be more focused and niche, to be able to maintain control over delegate numbers and present a more valuable product. Traditional conferences will continue to be hybrid as this allows for a wider audience and wider revenue streams for organisers. Events will initially require proof of vaccination to attend to satisfy strict health and safety protocols, but I feel this restriction may be relaxed towards the end of 2023 as worldwide vaccination rates improve. Travel will open far quicker to vaccinated people.

The PCR test regime will also begin to disappear towards the end of 2022 as it is an intrusive, inconvenient and expensive measure that will become less relevant as vaccination rates improve worldwide. Virtual events will be put back in their place as add-ons to inperson events.”

Sandile Dlamini, said: “Firstly, I’m thankful that we have survived 2020/21 with all its hardships. I’m grateful for that. It was a hell of a ride! The industry is very excited and upbeat currently as we are working and planning for 2022. I’m hopeful that many more South Africans will continue to vaccinate so that we may reach the levels that is required. We have already seen the infection rate dropping over the past two months. I predict a good and exciting 2022, better than 2020 and 2021 combined. I predict creation of more jobs in the industry. The country will be exciting again and the mood will improve from all the grumpiness and heartbreaks that we have had. I’m looking forward to hosting the Joburg Polo in the Park in early 2022 and more travel.”

Doug Rix, said: “Events and exhibitions will begin returning but with smaller stand space and reduced budgets being allocated and used by exhibitors compared to what was previously done during the years prior to 2019. Designers will need to be more creative than ever before in finding effective and cost-efficient solutions for their clients’ exhibition stand requirements.

Contractor companies will need to work harder with less margin to ensure they retain business opportunities in an Industry that will see several new smaller start-ups emerge to help meet industry clients’ demands for more cost-sensitive options based on the experience they have acquired previously when possibly working within a larger industry company.

Industry stakeholders will need to collaborate more with each other and smaller individual specialist companies, to ensure that all necessary goods and services are able to be sourced and supplied to the end client. Project coordination and management will be key in ensuring deliverables meet the available capacity, deadline as well as within available budget.

On a negative note – I believe that some industry stakeholders will need to reshuffle and look to stimulate and nurture brand new business partnerships where needed due to previous long standing business partnerships having soured over the past year-and-a-half of difficult cashflow resulting in strained business ties. The client - contractor relationships will be tested and will need to find a healthy balance with the timeous outlay of cashflow for any specific project (including balance payments on handover rather than 30 to 60 to 120 days after an event is finalised and completed.) Positive cashflow will be king and the road to true recovery of our incredible industry.”

14 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

Beert Kuiken, said: “My predictions are more load shedding and infrastructure challenges locally, less zoom due to zoom fatigue, people seeking more face-to-face engagements, hybrid broadcast of exhibition and events where financially possible, greater emphasis on sustainability and climate related issues.”

e: hello@saeventscouncil.org

Raylene Johnson, chairperson of the SA Events Council

2

020 was the year that never happened; the year in which the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world. It has left an indelible mark globally and on everyone in South Africa, in our provinces, our communities, our businesses and within our families.

The business events industry literally died a sudden death and we could not have even imagined the painful repercussions that this would have on businesses 22 months down the line.

2021 did not begin any better; the burden and lasting effects of the www.businesseventsafrica.com

INDUSTRY PAGE INSIGHTS STRAP

worldwide pandemic were still felt in immeasurable ways. We were hopeful and looked forward to some semblance of normalcy but that was only to be experienced in quarter 4 of 2021 when the country was placed on Covid -19 restricted level one, on 1st October 2021.

Slowly, but surely, we began seeing movement. While the business events industry rejoiced, we were still uncertain as to how this would play out. We were not out of the woods yet; the adoption of working from home and restrictions imposed on the public resulted in virtual events gaining popularity during the pandemic.

Would live events ever resume?

Now, in December, we are looking 2022 squarely in the eye. The uncertainty in the eventing space is still prevalent, with uncertainty around the Omicron variant causing anxiety and hesitation. Certain events require years to plan, international conferences need months and years to organise, and the lack of certainty creates a sense of fear and doubt amongst international companies who would like to host events in South Africa. Thankfully most of the strict travel restrictions have now been lifted, but to keep momentum, we need to build a strong and lasting confidence in our industry.

The global business events industry generated an estimated $1.13-trillion in 2019 and in South Africa, the business events industry contributes an estimated R33-billion annually to the

South African GDP as well as millions of rands in job creation. The livelihood of so many people depend on this industry. We have already experienced a massive loss of many companies and individuals who after many years have had to close their businesses and lost jobs. There has also been an uptake in emigration, to other countries where they could still make a living. Losing all that experience and expertise has dealt a devastating blow to the events industry.

As an industry that was very hard hit by the pandemic, we are hoping for a 360 degree turn around and a compound annual growth. South Africa has officially opened business events once again. We are continuing with all anti-Covid measures and strictly adhering to protocols and regulations.

We wish to see more people being vaccinated to establish herd immunity, to slow the pandemic and abate the crisis. The current local vaccination rates are growing as more venues, sporting and entertainment establishments require delegates and attendees to be fully vaccinated to gain access.

South Africa could reach 70 per cent of vaccinations by 10 May 2023.

The SA Events Council, in conjunction with SA Tourism, is planning a national roadshow as an aggressive campaign to train and empower the business events partners in the various provinces on how to gain traction post Covid-19, to encourage vaccinations in the industry and to continue driving the

momentum that we are already seeing.

We would love to share the natural beauty of South Africa with the world and see it become not only a top holiday destination but the number one business events destination for local and international delegates.

With the above in mind, the business events industry is looking forward to a brighter and more promising 2022.

Tes Proos, chairperson of Site Africa

U

NTREND… that is the only way I can describe the way forward for at least the next two years.

As soon as we think there is a new trend, it changes. We have all become used to governments changing policy overnight. This has made forward incentive travel planning difficult. The

What we’re all about: motivational experiences Why we do it? Business results!

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.

Only one organisation sits at the critical intersection between those who seek the benefits of motivational tools and those who can provide these extraordinary experiences. That organisation is Site...

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Contact

Email: info@sitesouthernafrica.com www.sitesouthernafrica.com www.siteglobal.com

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 15

PAGE COVER INDUSTRY STRAP STORY INSIGHTS

pressure it is placing on the corporate buyer is immense as there is always the question of accountability and liability.

As much as our industry tries to apply Covid-19 protocols as effectively as possible, we can only be held accountable for the areas which we are directly responsible for.

For instance, let’s assume that a group goes the ‘social distancing’ route and books a Cape Winelands lodge exclusively — great! But then, some of the delegates decide to go to the V & A Waterfront on their leisure day, take in a cruise to Robben Island, come back and have lunch in one of the many Waterfront restaurants… then, days later, test positive for Covid-19. Now what? Who is to blame and does the entire group now have to go into quarantine?

These are just some scenarios that our corporate buyers may have to contend with. If there is a risk factor, despite vaccinations, many corporate leaders will not take the chance. What we have seen from recent research is that incentive travel is going ahead, but long-haul is being reduced. Covid-19 is not entirely to blame, as there is a large shift towards sustainability efforts, such as calculating carbon footprints on long-haul trips.

We are also seeing smaller numbers of travellers in groups, looking for more intimate events with little or no external contact. However, this is not definitive as there are still large incentive groups between 300 and 500 people travelling to mega destinations such as Las Vegas and Dubai.

Considering the recent Covid-19 infection spikes as well as a new variant and the increased restrictions, there is a good chance that it will impact on inbound incentive groups — hence with groups to South Africa we could expect more postponements or even, cancellations.

Despite the negative global spin, there is a surge in domestic incentive travel, which indicates confidence within both c-suite (executive level managers) and travellers alike. We hope to see this “trend” into other parts of Africa as we see more regional travel incentives in the rest of the world. Various African destinations are open and ready to receive incentive groups, albeit smaller groups booking exclusive lodges and boutique hotels.

Recent research shows that buyers are still inclined to be wowed by a destination and its experiences, less so

by budget but more so by destination safety issues as far as Covid-19 protocols and practices are concerned.

Greg MacManus, chairperson of Event Greening Forum

A

t this time last year, we had hoped the worst had passed and that we would gradually see our industry recover and even thrive in 2021. But then February 2021 changed everything, and all bets were off.

Tougher restrictions and an extension of Covid regulations saw most predictions for the year shelved or at least delayed until the fourth quarter. So, this year perhaps, our expectations and hopes for 2022 should be seen together with a caveat considering a possible fourth wave of infections and restrictions.

Having said this, there are some ‘green shoots’ worth considering.

The restart of the meetings and events sectors in the last quarter of 2021 should continue into the new year and – bearing in mind my caveat – they should gather steam during the second quarter. We will probably not get to our 2019 levels this year, but already, we see a commitment to two of the benchmark events on our calendar – Meetings Africa and Indaba – together with a host of other perennial events during the coming year. With this in mind — and with the relaxation of attendee numbers, this could be the year that the business events sector recovers some of the ground lost over the past two years.

On the sustainability front, even with the lessons we have learnt over the past year, the move towards greener and less consumptive events and meetings may take a little longer to recover.

For the immediate future, I believe we will see growing awareness of the

16 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

environmental and social impacts of this industry and less consumptive meetings and events. I predict that the organisational priority of clients will be to recover some losses of the previous year in preference to throwing themselves into greening and that the institutional capacity of companies to go in this direction has been impacted by the loss of skills during the last two years.

However, having said this, I do believe this is the opportunity that the sustainability sector has been waiting for and that PCOs and organisers have a remarkable opportunity to make inroads into more sustainable eventing this year.

Global awareness of climate change and vector-borne impacts remains at an alltime high (what with the recent COP-26 talk and Covid), but will it be embraced fully? Hopefully 2022 is the year.

Travel will remain constrained this year as international destinations and source markets continue to battle their own Covid crises. But I am confident that by June we will once again be welcoming international delegates at local conferences and events. Having said this, virtual and hybrid events are here to stay, and I believe particularly corporate events, training courses, training camps and other smaller meetings will stay in this mode for 2022. Large gatherings will

About the EGF The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. It does this by hosting educational sessions for industry and lobbying government in an effort to implement sustainability principles into the daily operations of the events industry.

The EGF was established through dedication and support of eight industry associations who are recognised as founding members. The founding members are key industry associations working together to promote South Africa as a destination for various types of events.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about event greening, visit wwweventgreening.co.za where you can browse the free resources, sign up to the monthly newsletter, or contact them directly with any queries.

Contact: Lynn Mcleod T: 082 891 5883 E: lynn@eventgreening.co.za

www.businesseventsafrica.com

INDUSTRY COVER PAGE INSIGHTS STORY STRAP

slowly begin taking place as Governments roll-out a viable and recognised VaxPass system and as organisers continue their cautious approach to the non- and anti-vax sectors of our community.

2022 will see the reawakening of our industry — from tourism to the MICE sector, and unless something dramatic happens late in 2021 or early in 2022, I believe the industry will recover and that by the end of the year we will be in a better place in terms of confidence to get our exhibitions, meetings, conferences and events sector back onto a sound footing.

Adele Hartdegen, AAXO board director

I

t’s hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of 2021, yet another year has passed with very little activity in our industry; but here we are, somehow we have managed to stay afloat. We are all hopeful that 2022 will be the year of recovery; slowly the excitement is returning to our office spaces and people are feeling positive again, reengaging with their clients and finally being able to return to face-toface events.

Leaning on international trends and research, we are very optimistic for the year that lies ahead; in many countries our sector has made a phenomenal recovery and in some instances even exceeded previous editions of their shows. This positive trajectory gives hope and inspiration for the journey ahead.

The Weekly Journal sites a ‘Sunny 2022 Forecast for the Events Industry’ with predictions that the compound annual growth rate of the industry is expected to

register 11.2 per cent from 2021-2028.

It is anticipated that for at least the foreseeable future, current measures will remain in place in terms of sanitising protocols, mask-wearing, and social distancing, whether or not our industry will be required to limit attendees to only vaccinated visitors remains to be seen.

Health and safety protocols remain a key focus with special attention on food safety, air quality control, surface cleaning, and contactless transactions to mention a few.

With virtual and hybrid events playing a key role in 2020 and 2021, some of the trends will likely remain, conferences and exhibitions could retain hybrid streaming elements and big brands, who had success in hosting their own virtual events, could continue to do so.

There is no doubt that live events are the preferred channel for networking and that the focus in especially the business events space has shifted from quality to quantity. Throughout the visitor and exhibitor journey, quality of content, communication and reports play a key role in delivering a successful event.

Market research company Explori, in

Let’s grow the exhibition industry by investing in our young professionals.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 17

PAGE VENUE INDUSTRY STRAP NEWS INSIGHTS

combination with UFI, published their latest Global Recovery Insights report in October 2021 and it offers the following positive indicators from a survey done with 15,000 participants in 30 countries: • 62 per cent of exhibitors plan to exhibit at the same shows as in 2019 or more frequently at other shows • 72 per cent of existing visitors plan to return to attend trade shows with the same or increased frequency • 45 per cent of exhibitors expect the budget to return within 12 months • For exhibitors looking to cut budgets, 60 per cent will maintain their spend on design and build, 67 per cent will continue to invest in the same amount of floor space All indicators show that the industry is set to make a slow but steady recovery in 2022 and it is with great enthusiasm that we look forward to returning to the exhibition floor.

for some venues that are too small to accommodate these numbers due to the social distancing regulations.

My insight for 2022 is that we need to remain positive. Slowly, but surely, the business events industry will open to the ‘new normal’ with international events leading the way (e.g. Dubai Expo, WTM London).

With Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba scheduled to take place again in 2022, I feel hopeful that a trace of normality may return to the business events and tourism industry.

The vaccination drive needs to be supported by everyone in the business events and tourism industry, enabling us to become fully operational again.

Only then will we be able to showcase to all countries that South Africa is event safety-ready and looking forward to welcoming everyone.

In conclusion, I would like to see President Cyril Ramaphosa lift the restrictions further in the business events and tourism industries.

Let’s build up the industry together and adhere strictly to safety protocols. Business events and tourism will revive in 2022.

with varying degrees of intensity. We lived life differently. If I had to pin 2021 on one word, that word would be ‘trust’.

This single word defined my relationships, my vision, and my actions. I respond differently to people whom I trust and information that I don’t.

Trust is a loaded word; it is built and therefore requires deep thought.

We should interrogate and grapple with data until it makes sense and becomes useful information. Yet trust offers no guarantees. It does however hold the promise of hope.

Trust requires our eyes on the horizon; looking for change and seeking understanding. In 2020 we learned to apply what was believed by some too far-fetched for our reality. This year was mostly spent on refining our approach to the new reality. Our past made us wiser and more resourceful.

Let’s seek the developing signals on our horizon. Question what the metaverse means for our future; learn from the present; cast emotions to the side and work with attributes. Trust our instinct; it is hard-earned. I trust that 2022 will bring you renewed hope and deliver on the promise of prosperity.

PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE ORGANISERS

Ellen Oosthuizen, chairperson of the PCO Alliance

2

020/2021 have certainly been unpredictable years for the business events and tourism industry. No one could have predicted the strict lockdowns and the struggles that came with it. We all had to switch to survival mode.

Earlier this year there was a ray of light at the end of our gloomy tunnel when our President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an increase in the ‘gatherings’ numbers to 750 indoors and 2,000 outdoors.

Finally, we felt we could operate again!

This has given small businesses and the companies in the business events industry an opportunity to thrive again. I don’t foresee these numbers changing any time soon, possibly at the end of 2022. This remains a challenge

Denise Kemp, owner of Eastern Sun Events Pieter Swart, CMP, CMM | managing director of Conference Consultancy South Africa (Pty) Ltd

E

ach of us had different experiences this year that was. Most of us probably went full circle on the wheel of emotions

18 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

I

was reading a PCMA report at the end of last year and the majority of Americans expected the industry in the USA to have widespread unemployment and economic depression over the next few years. So, what has 2021 been like for us in South Africa this past year? www.businesseventsafrica.com

INDUSTRY VENUE PAGE INSIGHTS STRAP NEWS

What was surprising for me was that, for our company, 2021 was a more difficult year than 2020. After surviving 2020, with my company and staff intact, I had been looking forward to an easier time in 2021.

2020 events immediately went virtual with no hope of an on-site or hybrid event. However, 2021 seemed more hopeful with things due to open and we had a few hybrid events scheduled.

Because of the fear of a fourth wave late in 2021 our clients either cancelled or turned the hybrid conferences into virtual events. Medical association membership fees were down, and associations were reluctant to lose money scheduling events that may run at a loss.

With the late cancellation of our physical events this year all the work had already been prepared for the onsite part of the conference and exhibitions and sponsorship had to be cancelled or changed into a virtual model. This resulted in exhibitions having to be relaunched and sponsorship deals having to be renegotiated. With all the compliance issues around medical association sponsorship this was a mammoth task.

It seems that healthcare professionals have become used to participating in virtual conferences and the advantages of not having to leave their practices or hospitals and travel to attend these events. Although the desire is there for physical meetings, I believe that on site conferences will be smaller as some will still prefer to attend virtually.

Most healthcare professionals now expect online access to content even if they attend physical conferences.

So, what are we all looking forward to in 2022? Again, most of our conferences are going to be hybrid.

This adds a large AV cost to the event and necessitates additional staff to look after the on-site and the virtual sides.

Not all association clients are able to afford this. This also comes with the stress and expense of trying to offer world class events during loadshedding.

We have found that clients are requiring more guidance and support from their PCOs. They have no idea as to how things will work out in this “new normal” we find ourselves in and they rely on us to show them the way, particularly on the financial side. I think that this bodes well for experienced PCOs going forward.

The low rate of vaccination in www.businesseventsafrica.com

South Africa is also a concern. An international congress was planning to relocate to Cape Town in 2022 when their current chosen country was put back into lockdown. However, there was a concern with the status of vaccinations here and the probable reluctance of international delegates to come to South Africa in 2022.

We are able to only hope that, during 2022, our vaccination rate increases and loadshedding is brought under control. Hopefully then we will begin returning to being able to deliver first rate national conferences and again become a destination of choice for international conferences.

EXHIBITION ORGANISERS

Carol Weaving, chief executive officer of RX Africa

W

hen the sheer scale of the global pandemic became clearer in early February 2020, there was little in the way of formal, comparable data to help the events industry understand Covid-19’s immediate and longer-term impact on our customers and our events.

RX Global quickly conducted a frequent

Covid-19 Customer Needs and Mindset Barometer, reaching out to exhibitors and attendees of some 201 events across the globe. This enabled us to determine how to pivot, and just how agile we’d need to be to keep the doors of events and entertainment open.

Noting many participants were open to engaging via digital platforms alongside face-to-face interactions, RX Africa quickly created the platforms that gave exhibitors a genuine opportunity to connect with their attendees using digital event tools that provided remote buying and selling opportunities for attendees and exhibitors. Events as we knew them were disrupted and our RX team embraced new solutions for our partners.

Adversity often helps us to foster innovation and with Africa Travel Week we were prompted to rapidly embrace the development of online platforms. This was the realisation of Africa Travel Week Connect, a travel show held virtually for all in tourism and a massive success.

When Covid-19 protocols allowed, we included in-person events, culminating in the exceptionally successful inaugural FAME Week Africa, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.

A particular highlight was Reel Talent Showcase, which saw over 200 entries from more than 20 countries submitted, providing a unique opportunity for creatives in Africa to display their work and explore possible opportunities with industry leaders.

Given the exceptional events the RX Africa teams were able to bring together throughout 2021, including Africa Travel Week and Decorex, my predictions for 2022 are significantly brighter than this time last year. I foresee substantial use of digital platforms across all sectors of the industry, not only because of potential waves of the pandemic, but also to reduce our carbon footprint where it makes sense to do so.

I predict the now-common hybrid ‘work from anywhere’ model is here to stay for those staff members able to co-ordinate business requirements remotely, and event engagement teams coming together to engage with clients and attendees.

My feeling is that more shows will insist on proof of vaccination before entry is allowed. RX Global’s major 2021 shows Comic Con New York and World Travel Market London piloted this without any problems.

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 19

PAGE A INDUSTRY LOCAL STRAP PERSPECTIVE INSIGHTS

The future is all about innovation, agility The future – both immediate and longer term – will require all organisations to do a “whether check” before embarking on large projects or events to see whether the world is open to travel, and whether a hybrid event is most appropriate. It would be a big mistake to undermine a virus by wishing it away – but equally inappropriate not to implement the precautions we are able to and learn to live within the framework of the best of medical knowledge.

Africa Travel Week, headlined by WTM Africa and ILTM Africa, was held – in hybrid format – in April 2021, and World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa) and the International Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTM Africa) will be adopting a hybrid format for the popular travel and tourism trade shows in 2022, allowing exhibitors to connect with buyers both at a live event and a two-day virtual event.

The hybrid format ensures a significant return on investment and buyers and exhibitors are able to benefit from 22 per cent more meeting time slots than what was previously available to them.

WTM Africa will be held live and in-person from 11 to 13 April 2022, alongside ILTM Africa. As Africa’s only inbound and outbound premier travel and tourism trade show, the event will once again bring together exhibitors and buyers from across the globe to connect, exchange ideas, share news and discuss innovation within the travel and tourism sector.

The three-day live event in the host city of Cape Town is open to all travel trade professionals. Visitors may look forward to attending conference sessions with speakers from around the globe, face-to-face networking, the African Responsible Tourism Awards, press conferences and more.

Decorex 2022 will be unveiling an exciting new approach to its shows and will continue driving the successful online marketplace, which was launched to connect exhibitors with their clients.

Africa Automation Technology Fair will be an in-person event in 2023, and RX Africa has built a virtual network which will keep this community engaged until they meet in person.

While 2020 will be remembered for the shock and horror COVID19 thrust on us,

I believe it will also be remembered for being a year that gave rise to immense human resilience and encouraged true creativity in our quest for immediate and long-term solutions. The power of live events has been amplified with digital offerings and RX Africa is embracing this innovative way of doing things.

Devi Paulsen-Abbott, vice president, dmg events

W

hen Winston Churchill is claimed to have said: “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” he must have had access to Dr Emmet Brown’s DeLorean time machine and chosen to visit South Africa in 2021.

Twelve months ago, South Africans were waiting with bated breath for the vaccine to hit our shores, expecting 2021 to be kinder to us and to be following our peers across the pond to see scaled live events being hosted.

However, our resolve was further tested at the start of the year, with level five

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

– Winston Churchill

20 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

lockdown measures being implemented.

Cue in supply chain constraints due to civil unrest, load-shedding, and of late the unprecedented ‘hung’ municipalities post our November local government elections to disrupt our lives further.

And if that wasn’t enough, pretty much every South African – myself included – cannot help themselves from peppering their prose with a plethora of eye-rolling, annoying buzzwords and/or interchanging nouns and verbs, that would have had Mrs Smith, my Grade 12 (in my day matric) English teacher in a stupor i.e., pivot, zoom, hybrid and new normal.

With the surprisingly low vaccination levels in South Africa, some sort of lockdown will probably be with us into 2022, so the exhibitions and event industry may remain in flux for a little while longer.

Despite all of this, though, and with each passing week, the light at the end of the very long and dark tunnel does seem to get a little brighter.

As we look at ramping up, with regard to eventually hosting live events again in 2022, we have an opportunity to build our industry back better.

There is no doubt that people will always want and need to get to together in person. But we are going to have to work very hard to convince visitors and exhibitors alike to do this at our events. Being able to demonstrate the value and, of course, mollifying any concerns around safety will be our number one priority in 2022.

We will need to refine or redefine many of our events’ purposes which will in turn gear us for several adaptions to our approaches, business models, strategies and focus.

Most of us are going to have to do all of this with far less money, time and talent, so focusing on the basics is crucial.

In other words, cut the frills, trim the fat and direct all efforts to delivering on the core fundamentals — flawlessly.

What we did pre-Covid is not an option for any of us. There is no going back to what used to pass as ‘normal’.

Building ourselves back better means not accepting complacency or nostalgia.

The risks and opportunities are too great, the stakes too high. We have to be prepared for inevitable change.

As Sir Churchill also said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” www.businesseventsafrica.com

WOMEN INDUSTRY IN INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Robert Hatton-Jones.

Wayne de Wet.

VENUES CTICC Insight provided by the CTICC's general manager: commercial, Robert HattonJones and chief financial officer, Wayne De Wet. Looking back at 2021, how has the CTICC fared over the pandemic?

The restrictions on international travel and the Covid-19 regulations in place limiting the amount of people allowed at gatherings for indoor events and meetings severely curtailed the CTICC’s traditional large-scale business events. This reduction in business, especially from our core global markets, affected the financial performance of the CTICC. Unfortunately, this impacted us operationally, and although they were held off for as long as possible, retrenchments of some of our staff had to be implemented. We transformed as much as possible to a remote working environment.

Clients were not booking events too far in advance due to the unknowns regarding the regulations. However, during this period, the sales team managed to secure fifteen international bids, which will take place over the next five years, commencing in 2022.

One of our core areas of focus was maintaining the Centre’s infrastructure as best as we could, given our limited cash resources. This approach was necessary so that when regulations allowed us to open, we were in a position to operate at capacity with immediate effect.

What are the most significant changes you saw over 2021?

At the CTICC, the most significant change we experienced was adapting to the ever-changing regulations. In 2020, we did our best to navigate the www.businesseventsafrica.com

pandemic and its implications on our business. We put in place initiatives such as our C19Care® protocol, Covid-19 screening App, postponed events and focused on securing our forward book. In 2021, we moved from hosting digitalonly events to hybrid and small in-person events. We focused more on domestic and regional business opportunities such as smaller meetings, the provision of co-working spaces and venues for exam marking and graduation ceremonies. Our most significant change is that our traditional business events space model has adapted to us becoming a multipurpose space for our local business community.

Looking ahead at 2022, what kind of year are you predicting in terms of business events?

The market is showing signs of recovery, and internationally many large-scale events are already taking place in markets such as the USA. For the CTICC, our forward book is looking strong, as there is an intense desire to meet in-person again. That said, we predict a 30% drop in conference sizes from pre-pandemic levels, as hybrid events are here to stay, and many businesses are still limiting the long-haul travel of their employees due to the pandemic. Travellers and companies are also seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint and, as travel is a significant contributor of global CO2 emissions, delegates are often choosing to opt for online events, or choosing events that offset their carbon footprint.

What industry trends may we expect?

As a business, the CTICC has looked at several trends to see how they may be adapted to our business so that they may be taken advantage of next year.

These include: The move to hybrid events, although globally there is a move back to in-person events. The value of a hybrid event such as increasing delegate numbers, ability to fill sales pipeline, networking opportunities due to AI etc., is evident.

Therefore, many conferences will continue to use this model.

Although social distancing measures are being relaxed internationally, there will be a continued focus on safety, by many organisers. Optimised use of space, ensuring the health and safety of delegates, safety signage etc., will become the norm.

Venues increased their focus on environmental and social sustainability – sustainable practices will become the norm, as clients seek partners with measurable and impactful sustainable offerings and business operations.

The acceleration of technology – seamless digital experiences and personalisation for delegates has also been accelerated over the past year, and this trend will continue.

What opportunities and challenges do you anticipate for 2022?

As a business, the CTICC is taking into consideration the following opportunities and challenges: Opportunities: • Take advantage of constrained travel demand.

• Capitalise on investments made in technology in 2021.

• Move from a functional-fit business events space to a multi-purpose business space.

• Regional travel.

• Sustainability.

Challenges: • Impact that the changing regulations have on our clients confidence to book events too far in advance.

• Limited air access from key source markets.

• Limited uptake of long-haul travel in the near future.

• Impact the pandemic has had on the supply chain and the ability of businesses within the supply chain to operate at total capacity over the short-term.

• Pricing expectations by clients.

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 21

EVENT INDUSTRY GREENING INSIGHTS FORUM

Shaun Bird, general manager of Sandton Convention Bureau

be a positive thing. We have become toned bodybuilders, with less fake tan, but more agility.

The market is returning. The regular faces and voices are out and about.

2022, on the balance of probabilities, is going to show a good comeback.

In-person events are going to pick up quickly, and this is already clear, as discussions around Q3 of 2022 and further out, are the order of the day.

The need for exhibitions is on the up, along with a growth in corporate confidence. Government continues to spend in the meeting space, and this all bodes well. International travel is still a concern, but the improvement is evident.

Slow but steady.

Budgets will be tighter… when are they not? Demands will be higher… when are they not?

The difference is that we have faced the worst and conquered it, so bring on these challenges. Let us all stay safe – and masked – over the festive season.

W

ith 2022 fast approaching, as we all wonder where the time has gone, we have all reflected on 2021 and would rather forget and move on from it.

Pack up the kids and the wagon, and head into 2022 with the same hope we had at this time last year, and this time, begging that we do not have that hope dashed again.

Next year, I would like to write this article for the mid-year edition and say: “I told you so,” and not “How did I get it so wrong?”

Enough with the foreboding and fear mongering. I will leave that to the news media. I am not in the business of selling newspapers or online ad-space.

Let’s get down to it…

2022 is going to begin in April… forget the first quarter. Who really knows where this will lead, but I am positive that turn around is upon us, sooner rather than later. I really hope that this statement about April being the light at the end of the tunnel proves false, and the positivity within the industry now continues full steam ahead, with the first quarter being a right stunner.

As an industry, the adaptations we have made have been amazing. I am in awe, every day, of the creativity that has come to the fore. We are entering into 2022 leaner and meaner than ever, and this will

Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer of Durban ICC

T

he Durban ICC is all set to head into 2021 and beyond. While things have been unpredictable this past year, what we know for sure, is that the Durban ICC was ahead of the pack and successfully hosted a number of local and international events. The Durban ICC has also run several international hybrid conferences with several simultaneous streams from various venues which were streamed to

22 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

audiences all around the world.

The year 2021 was a challenging year for the tourism and hospitality industry.

The Covid-19 pandemic clearly had a significant impact on the tourism industry, both globally and in South Africa, owing primarily to the lockdown and travel restrictions that were imposed. When many business activities were halted and supply chains were disrupted, the global economy collapsed.

Looking back over 2021, I realise how far we have come. This year has been turbulent, unpredictable and possibly the toughest year that the business events industry has ever had to face.

That said, we adapted quickly, retrained our staff and reinvented the way we hosted events with our clients. Luckily, the Durban ICC had already invested in its online, virtual events platform, prior to the virus outbreak. This, coupled with strong client relationships, enabled us to drive the organisation forward and we are looking forward to a brighter 2022.

The levers driving the business events industry’s recovery over the next year are dependent on the strength and resilience of the national economy. Given the uncertainty in the international market and prevailing travel restrictions, the focus will be on servicing the domestic market for 2022.

However, let us not forget the role that we need to play, as an industry, over the next year.

As an industry, we need to be instilling confidence in all our markets that we are open for business, and that the protocols are in place to host events safely and responsibly. As industry role players, we need to focus on hosting responsible meetings. We all need to ensure that our hygiene and safety protocols are in place and that they are implemented effectively and consistently. All our guests need to feel comfortable and safe when they are in our venues for events.

We need to be working together with government through the SA Events Council and the correct channels to demonstrate the importance of the industry as a tool for economic recovery and social change in the country currently. We need to be emphasising the importance of the business events industry and the role it plays in facilitating dialogues and accelerating agendas in the areas of professional, corporate, academic and social development.

The dialogues and engagements which www.businesseventsafrica.com

INDUSTRY SAEC INSIGHTS NEWS

take place at our events are integral to our national economic advancement and societal development in general. This sector is a key element to delivering economic recovery at this critical time in our history and helping us be intentional about the renewal and transformation we want to see in our society.

The sooner that we are united in our efforts to establish the importance of our sector, the sooner we can see our industry opened to greater capacity and playing its critical role in our country’s recovery.

Charles Wilson, chief executive officer of Gallagher Convention Centre

O

ver the past two years, we have often speculated on the long-term impact of Covid-19 on the events industry. With bated breath, we received our marching orders with the rest of the country during each ‘family meeting’ called by the president in response to the looming threat.

Having experienced the many restrictions, made numerous adjustments to operating procedures, implemented the safest protocols and producing innovative solutions to an intangible threat — the events industry has changed but now looks forward to what lies ahead.

The future is not doom and gloom for this ever-resilient industry, made up of the most innovative individuals. As the chief executive officer of Gallagher Convention Centre, I firmly believe that the industry will recover and that we will see this recovery take place much faster than what we previously anticipated while experiencing restriction after restriction.

The industry certainly will have to face some challenges on its way to recovery. www.businesseventsafrica.com

Unpredictable forces such as the state of disaster, the possibility of looming lockdowns, visitor confidence and the role of technology in events, will all affect the events industry going forward.

At Gallagher Convention Centre, we address visitor confidence with a strict safety protocol and clear parameters to create an environment for guests to our property that is as safe as possible.

The hybrid event is here to stay and should be regarded as our industry evolving and growing. Venues will need to be geared to offer this to clients as a standard operating procedure as this is a reality of our operation going forward.

For the sake of events with larger numbers and for exhibitions, we hope to see an easing of the restrictions of numbers to a more realistic 50 per cent of venue capacity. A clearer understanding by the government that purpose-built venues can accommodate large numbers of people safely will significantly impact the restrictions on numbers the industry is posed with great understanding that the bigger purpose-built venue can, in fact, cater for more people, following the safety protocols. The industry is experiencing a trend lately where we see exhibitions taking place in malls, as shopping centres do not face the same restrictions as purpose-built venues.

Reputable venues, committed to adhering to the law, regulating their safety standards and adhering to Covid-19 protocols, venues that constantly evolve to offer a better product in an incredibly competitive market will recover and continue to fulfil their role in the events industry.

Bold statements like ‘the future looks bright’ create the impression of an instant bounce-back. That is an airbrushed reality and not the impression that I want to make. The events industry definitely has a future. As an industry, we will have to change, adjust and reimagine how some things are done. But, for industry players who can do that, there is a future and a faster recovery than what was anticipated previously.

Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, general manager of the CSIR ICC

“U

ncertainty is the only certainty there is and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.” — Professor John Allen Paulos. These words have never rung truer for the business events industry and we certainly have more exciting times ahead.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has forever, and continues to, rapidly change the landscape and norms of our industry, climate change and the impact of the events industry on global warming is becoming even more of a challenge.

We know that the ups and downs that Covid-19 has thrown at us are far from over. As I write this, many countries in the northern hemisphere are going into their fourth round of lockdowns and severe restrictions, due to new surges in the disease and, if history is anything to go by, so will we.

We are already entering our fourth wave of the disease in Gauteng, and we have no way of knowing whether this disease will continue to spread rapidly and mutate into more devastating strains due to the low levels of vaccination we are achieving. How responsibly we deal with this, to mitigate the negative effects on our industry, is in our hands. Hopefully, as a country, we are now informed and organised enough for a more measured and controlled response which takes the professional and risk-controlled operations of our industry into consideration. We are adept and dealing with Covid-related restrictions and precautions which, hopefully, puts us on a good footing going forward to mitigate the effects of other new communicable diseases which are sure to come, although we are unable to rest on this front and need to try harder to predict and mitigate these kinds of risks.

Our impact on climate change is now top-of-mind and will also be the cause of changes to the event industry the way we knew it before 2020. Our

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 23

PAGE INDUSTRY STRAP INSIGHTS

communities will no longer accept the levels of carbon emissions, and other negative environmental impacts, generated by mega numbers of people travelling across the world to gather in one place.

This was clearly demonstrated by the adverse reaction of climate advocacy groups to the number of delegates that recently attended COP26 in Glasgow.

I do believe that, in consideration for both people and our planet, our industry will continue to change in significant ways in the coming year. It may be only privileged invitees (one per country or organisation instead of full delegations) who get to attend global events in person, to keep the numbers and negative impact down, while a ‘hub and spoke’ model is employed through the hybrid component of the event to host parallel events on each continent, or in participating countries around the world. Continents such as Africa will need to significantly enhance their internet connectivity for African hubs to participate in global summits going forward as technology is going to be key to whose voice is heard.

One thing is certain, and that is that we do not know how our industry will continue to transform and improve, however we know why it must, and we are able to be proactive in shaping this change.

CONVENTION BUREAU

Rendani Khorommbi, deputy director: Johannesburg Convention Bureau

O

nce again, we have weathered an unpredictable year of setbacks and surprises delivered via the global Covid-19 pandemic. However, there is an immense feeling of enthusiasm and hopefulness that we are through the worst phase in a period

which has brought the globe to a halt - and had a profound impact on industries and economies.

As far as continuing in our efforts to secure ongoing business events and business events activities, throughout the past year we have continued our constructive engagements with our industry peers, colleagues and associates, professional associations, professional conference organisers and tourism partners at national, provincial and local level to maximise business events opportunities through collaboration.

This has borne fruit and despite limitations, we successfully hosted the National SAACI Congress this year, which saw the City of Johannesburg signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SAACI to boost business events in the city. Furthermore, we are closing 2021 on a high, by supporting a handful of business events including the JCI Global Congress (hybrid event), JCI National Congress, the global music industry’s ACCES Music Conference 2021 (Music in Africa), South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW), The South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA), as well as the 7th edition of the prestigious international Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) conference.

The impact of the pandemic on all of us has been immense. From a Johannesburg perspective alone, prior to it taking hold, our city had recorded just above 4.2 million visitor arrivals, while achieving fifth place in the top 10 city destinations index in the Middle East and Africa. This is according to Euromonitor International 2019. In the rankings, Johannesburg follows Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Mecca (Saudi Arabia), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Cairo (Egypt) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

However, while our world has changed dramatically since March 2020, staging these significant national and global business events with our industry partners is a significant milestone in our efforts to reignite business tourism in Johannesburg.

In line with the prioritisation of achieving increased visitor arrivals in the city and contributing towards our growth targets, the City of Johannesburg’s strategic objective in relation to tourism remains to promote Johannesburg as a leading lifestyle and business destination in Africa, with a global competitive edge, thereby helping to: Improve seasonality, length of stay

24 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

and tourist spend during visits to the city. In 2018, Johannesburg witnessed an improved average length of stay of 10.7 days for international visitors and 2.7 days for domestic visitors. Average overall spend per Johannesburg tourist was valued at R8 471.00, reflecting a 7.4 per cent average annual growth and achieving R43,7-billion tourism expenditure in Johannesburg. We need to get back to this growth trajectory and together we are able to do so, through collaboration with business and the private sector.

Improve a diversified tourism offering in the city by means of enhancing tourism supply and catalysing demand to effect tourism multipliers.

Build a positive image for the city amongst domestic, regional and international target markets as basis of good reputation management.

Be an all-inclusive, job-intense, resilient, competitive and smart economy that harnesses the potential of its citizens, using tourism as an enabling key economic sector in respect of the Growth and Development Strategy 2040.

Most notably, Business Events is one of the identified niche development areas in the recently approved Tourism Strategy in April 2021, therefore we are guaranteed more focus in the subsector by the city. A case in point is a collaboration embarked on between the city and SAACI with effect from 20 May 2021.

We are on the right track and look forward to a brighter year ahead!

INCENTIVES/DMCs

Yolanda Woeke, vice president sales and marketing, Dragonfly Africa

2

022 certainly looks like it is going to be another recovery year with predominantly postponed incentive groups coming to fruition. www.businesseventsafrica.com

INDUSTRY PAGE INSIGHTS STRAP

We are really seeing 2023 as the next active year with client confidence coming back for the travel industry as a whole.

This is certainly the case for business events travel and with this pandemic being unprecedented with no guidelines or previous statistics and trends to follow, all of this is pure gut feel of what is being said and experienced in our key source markets.

2023, on the business events side, seems to be the year when things will fall back into place. As for FIT and leisure demand, this is certainly bouncing back quicker than the incentive reward side of travel.

We have seen clients – as soon as borders reopened – wanting to travel, due to pent up demand and, of course, due to our human wanderlust and the harsh reality of the strict lockdowns. There is also ‘pent up cash’ saved up from the two years of not travelling.

In the incentive sphere, corporates are waiting to see what recovery there is; and they seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern with getting new programmes confirmed for future travel.

We do have to remember that although we as an industry suffered, there are some large global companies that have achieved record years such as telecommunications, retail and, of course, pharmaceuticals — all big players when it comes to offering reward travel to their sales teams.

Companies realise that they have to get their sales force motivated and reward travel is certainly one of the most effective ways to achieve that.

I personally believe that travel will bounce back and it will especially bounce back for Africa. Offering naturally physical distancing options, with smaller boutique properties and our beautiful game reserves with wide open spaces. And, of course, with southern and eastern Africa seen as bucket list destinations, travellers will return.

Daryl Keywood, managing director of Walthers DMC

A

s an eternal optimist I tend to seek out the positive in any situation and although 2021 tried my – and I am sure your – patience, it did have its positives.

At Walthers we were fortunate to partner with our good friends at Uwin Iwin on two exciting incentive projects for local clients that would have travelled internationally. What a thrill it was to be on site, working again and proving that collaboration has the ability to

www.businesseventsafrica.com

industry to remain viable. After all, an air ticket change attracts a fee so why not an incentive or conference booking?

All is not bad, however, and having survived almost two years we are looking at a brighter future. Even with the challenges of the new variant, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer.

SUPPLIERS

work extremely well. Our team saw business enquiries begin returning and, as I write, our quote requests are up to over half of pre-Covid levels.

This gives me confidence that things are, and will, continue to improve.

2022 remains a challenge with many booking postponements from 2020 and 2021. We are seeing short notice interest from non-traditional markets, but for our core UK, Europe and North American clients, 2023 seems to be the year when business finally recovers.

In our team meetings, I often mention that we keep taking two steps forward and one step back. The current surge in infections and lockdowns in Europe demonstrates this and will continue to define our business and will remain with us as part of the new normal.

During a recent webinar with DMC colleagues from around the globe it is evident that the effects of Covid are here to stay. A 2,500 delegate UK programme for Spain in January ’22 has just been postponed to October.

The reason: The company is headquartered in the Netherlands where restrictions have just tightened, and even though almost no delegates are from that country, corporate policy dictates they may not go ahead.

Another DMC colleague is frustrated at having to do the same work for a third time postponing a major project.

With reduced resources in their office, changes like these are costing them time and money which they may ill afford.

Clients, many of whom are intermediary event agencies are unwilling to pay for changes, something that needs to be addressed in future contracts, for our

Patrick Cronning, commercial director of Expo Guys

W

ow, an impossible challenge to look ahead at the next few months, it is like saying, “never say never,” but here goes.

It has been the most challenging time of our lives, so nothing really surprises us anymore. We have just gone through the build-up of IATF Durban — and this came through so suddenly and opened in level one lockdown with numbers at an event we have not seen in 20 years, in some cases. What was very encouraging with this build-up, was the cooperation between industry colleagues to get this mammoth task done in the short time allowed. “Thank you, everybody!” So how is this possible? Or should we say that this surely means that nothing is impossible going forward?

Justin Bieber is coming to town in October 2022, so this – as my daughter tells me – is a clear indication we will be back on track, and to be very honest, I agree.

Our communities are starved for live events, exhibitions and the associated social interaction. Venues in our country appear to be booked solid for 2022. The world is back in stadiums, the South African local elections took place with little consequence to Covid-19. So, what are we waiting for, it’s our time to get back out there and do what we love doing.

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 25

EXSA PAGE INDUSTRY NEWS STRAP INSIGHTS

and have also begun collaborating in the management of events.

The positive is that Covid-19 has brought our industry together. Currently, we are almost speaking with one voice.

A perception that has been brought to light is that our government has failed to understand our industry and the exceptional value it brings to all sectors and to the greater economy.

It is clear from how our sector was disregarded that our value is completely ignored. We need to bring to light our economic benefit and what our contribution is to the GDP. Now is the time to build on and move forward, together, through collaboration.

Craig Newman, chief executive officer of GL events South Africa Group

T

here is still uncertainty as the new year approaches.

We are operating in hope and trying to stay positive. Unfortunately, destiny isn’t always in our hands.

Government’s decisions in the past has left us in a precarious situation.

At this present time, I’m uncertain as to who has survived in our industry.

What I do know is that many suppliers have pursued different avenues to survive. There is a concern that when industry reopens, many businesses in this sector will have shut down.

On an infrastructure perspective, we have already entered various joint ventures

Alexia Swart, managing director of Barmotion

T

o quote the title of Allister Spark’s book, Tomorrow is Another Country, has never been truer of the events industry in South Africa than it is today. The exhibition industry landscape which graces us in the post-pandemic world is a very different one from that of the buoyant and vibrant industry we knew back in 2019 — and that change makes all predictions perilous.

We have lost many good companies during lockdown, and many are still trying to reestablish themselves with a reduced supplier base and fewer people. We have witnessed good, skilled personnel change their careers and find homes in other industries, and we are not beyond the fear of another lockdown. As we slowly rebuild our industry, we need those who

26 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

came through it to lead us forward.

Our trade associations, EXSA, SAACI and AAXO must be in the vanguard of the recovery, giving confidence to the industry that only suppliers of repute, experience and commercial strength meet the standards of membership. By the associations doing so, we will hopefully see a tighter industry emerge, where we work much more closely because all our futures are interconnected, and we share common goals.

If this reads a little like a prematch pep talk before a Boks game, it probably should. We are a great industry, and we need to rebuild through mutual support and respect.

This is a match we can only win if we are all playing for the same team.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

VENUE PAGE STRAP NEWS

The Capital Mbombela opens its doors The Capital Mbombela, the brand new R205-million hotel in the heart of Mbombela, has opened its doors to guests, offering a choice of hotel rooms, apartments, and a penthouse for business or leisure travel, innovative conferencing facilities, and the best in leisure and entertainment options.

W

e identified a need for a sophisticated, luxury destination in Mbombela, to meet the needs of local business people, business travellers, leisure seekers, and the local community,” explained Marc Wachsberger, managing director of The Capital Hotels and Apartments. “We have designed and built this hotel with a focus on modern and open design, providing Mbombela and surrounds with the perfect environment to mix and mingle in style, after deals have been negotiated and closed.”

The hotel’s cleverly designed configuration means that guests may choose an apartment or even the penthouse, benefiting from the luxury of sophisticated hotel living, and the convenience of top-end home amenities like a wellappointed kitchen, dining area, and comfortable lounge.

Other facilities at the hotel include the world-class elevATE Restaurant and Bar, with its gentle neutral tones providing the

www.businesseventsafrica.com

perfect backdrop for delicious food and intriguing cocktails. The restaurant, along with the sparkling swimming pool and expansive deck, are home to the parties and social events for which The Capital Hotels and Apartments has become well-known – with Covid-19 safety protocols in place.

The Capital Mbombela is home to one of the largest conferencing facilities in the city, with modern state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and beautifully appointed meeting facilities.

Guests attending work events at the hotel have a choice of workspaces, with each room having a workstation, in addition to several other venues throughout the hotel.

As with all hotels in The Capital Hotels and Apartments portfolio, guests benefit from complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, making sure that they’re connected whenever and wherever they want to be.

The hotel offers 24-hour controlled security access for guests’ safety and

privacy, with The Capital Hotels and Apartments’ trendsetting Covid-19 protocols in place across the property, including digital room service orders and payment, and a 15 per cent discount for those providing proof of vaccination.

Mr Wachsberger said: “Other hotel groups closed their properties over the past 18 months, but we identified Mbombela as a growth opportunity for our group, and for the hospitality sector. We saw growing demand for our apartment-style offering and accelerated our plans to build this hotel in the city, with investment from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Cube Capital. We’re excited for what the future holds for the group, and for Mbombela.”

Ninety-five per-cent of the new hotel’s 125 staff complement are local people, with the hotel group’s focus on staff growth and development positioning them for a promising career in the group, and in the hospitality industry.

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 27

TECHNOLOGY TEAMBUILDING

The changing role of teambuilding Teambuilding has never been so important or faced so many new challenges as in the current environment of remote work, disconnected teams and deep concern about global and personal issues. Covid-19 restrictions have forced this industry, whose sole purpose was to bring people together, to adapt and create new ways of interacting and meeting the needs of the new norm.

By Barry Futter, managing director of Adventure Works.

V

irtual experiences have come a long way from the initial events. What we have learnt is that the key to a successful event is to encourage interaction and participation. There are some incredible visits to game parks and cooking shows available but unless you are actively participating and learning something then it is like watching a YouTube video.

You need the team to be as present as possible, creating and contributing at the same time and not watching a recording later. Our most successful event has been a Virtual Amazing Race around the World, where teams follow instructions in a race

book that sends them to amazing locations on Google Street view where they have to find out interesting facts, answer questions and take creative photos. Participants will also take their teammates to locations where they have had an incredible experience and share a short story about it.

This fun, competitive event allowed people to experience a sense of travel, the 360 imagery is incredible, and to bond by sharing stories about themselves while learning about their colleagues.

A Virtual Escape Room has also been a very popular game as it encourages the team to think out the box to decipher codes, search for clues and find patterns

28 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

while unravelling a story of Rescue the Boss or finding the vaccine. We have also noticed the desire to learn something through a fun and interactive event which has given rise to our Race to Zero: Climate Change Challenge. As this issue becomes a bigger and more pressing topic facing the world today, we find that more corporates are waking up to the fact that they need to educate their staff about what is happening in the world while illustrating the companies’ environmental actions and policies.

This game simplifies what may be an overwhelming topic and motivates people to share ideas and take action

www.businesseventsafrica.com

TEAMBUILDING TECHNOLOGY

by visiting spectacular locations around the world and showing the incredible initiatives being undertaken by governments, cities and individuals that make a significant difference.

Virtual Teambuilding has shifted from something to do instead of all getting together, to being a useful tool for connecting nationwide or global teams in a powerful, quick and effective manner. This affordable way of building team cohesion and strengthening company culture is also effective as a quick connection in between in-person events. Virtual events are here to stay!

As restrictions ease and people are feeling more comfortable getting together in person, we have noticed some common themes coming through in our requests.

Fun Teams would like to connect through fun, competitive activities that build excitement and a sense of unity through purpose!

Chill People have been through a lot of emotional turmoil, hard work and uncertainty. They are looking for a lunch on a wine farm or beautiful location where they are able to participate in some leisurely lawn games such as Giant Scrabble, Jenga or volleyball, all while chatting to their colleagues.

Building Resilience Given the emotional rollercoaster of the last two years we are receiving many requests where teams learn useful skills in dealing with stress and anxiety but in a lighthearted manner. We have developed virtual

and in-person events that utilise breathholding techniques, body awareness, body language and role playing that generates laughter while learning an incredibly powerful tool. We have also been running mindfulness hikes as an interactive way to get the team into a beautiful area while doing something amazing and learning mindfulness techniques.

Quality Employers would like to reward teams for their hard work and commitment through this challenging time with great experiences in amazing locations. Amazing Races through the winelands, stopping to sample award winning wines, cheese and other scrumptious goodies while competing in fun challenges has proved extremely popular.

Now, more than ever, there are so many great ways to unite your team through a wide variety of virtual or in-person activities that will create a sense of belonging, a positive mindset and a commitment to the company and their colleagues.

Who is Barry Futter?

Barry Futter is the managing director of Adventure Works. During Barry’s 21 years in the tourism and events industry he has helped bring thousands of people together through fun, adventure and the beauty of Cape Town, where his team at Adventure Works run their events. His passion for people is only rivalled by his passion for the outdoors.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 29

PAGE TEAMBUILDING STRAP

A world first in virtual tracking for teambuilding Develop your team’s Tracker’s Mindset in a world first; The Tracking Success Virtual Adventure.

T

racking and finding wildlife is not just an ancient African craft. Hunting and gathering was humanity’s first and most successful strategy and may be used as an essential blueprint for success in our modern-day ecosystem of work and life.

Through the beautiful Tracking Success Virtual Adventure, delegates are invited to join world renowned wildlife trackers Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo as they track together through the wildest parts of Southern Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park.

Mr van den Heever said: “We no longer track wild animals on a daily basis, but we do track what is important to us. In our organisation, we track customers, growth, profit, sales and expenses. In fact, knowing what to track, who to track with and how to

get back on track, represents the most important decisions of our lives.”

“We now invite you to become a part of the story. To become a tracker, you will have the opportunity to make decisions and you then experience a facilitated conversation of the outcome of your decisions. This unique journey documents the daily activities of an expert Wildlife Tracking Team, tasked with preserving Africa’s most precious wildlife,” Mr van den Heever said.

Tracking Success blends adventure, experiential learning and powerful content to deliver an immersive and unforgettable virtual experience.

“Trackers have a certain way of dealing with the unknown. Their approach is both rational and creative. It’s great fun with a serious purpose. We have taken the most exciting and memorable

30 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

moments from our tracking journey and combined them into a single story,” Mr van den Heever said.

“If your team is looking for something new in 2022, this oneof-a-kind experience will help employees and leaders perform better in their rapidly evolving ecosystem of work,” he concluded.

Why Tracking video

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=L9TAgbicAgY&t=2s Tracking

www.businesseventsafrica.com

CHEF’S PROFILE

Jacques Swart – from humble beginnings to renowned chef Jacques Swart, 33, a renowned chef, shares his food journey as a chef from humble beginnings to executive chef at The President Hotel in Cape Town.

B

orn in Klerksdorp, Jacques began his career at The Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton.

“While at The Michelangelo Hotel, I was selected to represent the Junior Culinary Team of South Africa. I competed at the IKA Olympics in 2012, and Dubai championship 2013. During this time I joined an exclusive catering company in Randburg. Consequently, I moved to a different high-end catering company with clients such as JSE offices, FNB, etc. After which, I joined Etihad Airways as an in-flight chef, based in UAE. I was fortunate to have experienced various parts of the world. I returned to South Africa in 2014 to open the Four Seasons in Johannesburg and subsequently, I joined De Hoek Country Hotel, a boutique hotel in Magaliesburg before joining The President Hotel,” Jacques said.

“My career as a chef has taken me to many places around the globe, where I have met and worked with talented, hardworking and like-minded people.

During this time I progressed as a better leader and a curious culinary student. It is, however, a journey — so much more to achieve, so much more to learn.”

Jacques’ goal for the next five years is: “To expand and instil my knowledge within the team, witnessing them blossom and acquiring knowledge whilst doing this. I would like to further develop my own abilities and continue to strive to be a better leader. I would also like to expand myself and my company as a brand – Reboot Dining – into something greater.

I would also like to enter in to a 50/50 partnership with a prestigious company or brand.”

In terms of local food trends, Jacques said: “People enjoy eating what they are familiar with, so chefs today are required to ensure they do enough research on the origin of produce. Responsibly farmed practices are super trendy and are required for our future sustainability.”

In terms of global trends, he said: “I think sustainability will be a front-runner for a long while yet; chefs and establishments growing their own produce as best as possible, not allowing any part

www.businesseventsafrica.com

of the ingredient to go to waste, as well as supporting smaller vendors/suppliers who specialise in distinct ingredients/produce.”

Wellness and work/life balance is an important topic for chefs. The ‘shut up and get on with it’ needs to be revisited; preaching to myself whilst saying this as I am guilty of saying this to myself.

Plant-based diets will also continue to expand into a large section of the industry,” he added.

When asked what challenges the industry faces, he said: “The youth today, (not all) don’t understand that with success comes years of rough days, rough services and challenging times. If we fix EQ (emotional quotient), we win.

“Emotional Intelligence (otherwise known as EQ) is the ability to understand, use, and manage your emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathise with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.”

Jacques has been married to Shandre for nine years and they have a three-year-old daughter named Shay.

For leisure, Jacques enjoys spending time with the family by going to the beach, park and taking walks.

He also enjoys building puzzles with his daughter. “She is really good at them.”

His advice for those aspiring to become an executive chef, is: “Don’t accept anything less than 150 per cent from yourself. Lead in a circular manner, meaning be the support your team deserves, not in front pulling them to success, not behind them pushing them forward, but be everywhere and everything to them. They will make your life easier if they know they are trusted and valued but held accountable.”

What is your signature dish?

Honestly, I have never had nor believed in a signature dish, we cannot be limited to being renowned for one dish, we should strive to be renowned for the entire menu, the way we lead our team in the kitchen, whether it’s an a la carte menu or set degustation menu. But a good glass of Viognier is always welcomed as it is a versatile cultivar that pairs well with a variety of flavours.

What trends are emerging in the conference industry regarding food?

Smaller plates, less contact, simple displays, fewer staff required for service and food that pairs well with each other.

What has remained constant in this industry?

In light of experiencing almost two years of ups, downs and uncertainty, we still have beautiful people who aspire to be hospitable to our guests, willing to showcase service with a smile.

What is your favourite beverage?

Besides water, I enjoy an ice-cold beer after a long day.

What is your favourite food?

Mediterranean cuisine.

What is your pet hate?

When produce/ingredients are being disrespected, wasted and not fully utilised.

What is your great love?

Seeing others succeed in life and having a full understanding after you have instilled in them a different perspective regarding life in general, cooking or by affording them the opportunity to produce the correct answers by asking them the right questions, which in turn allows them to accomplish their goals.

Are you adventurous?

Sometimes. Recently — eating worms in Mexico City.

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 31

PAGE SUSTAINABILITY STRAP

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport: The Greenest Hotel in Africa Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport offers a 100 per cent offset carbon-neutral stay, modern and stylish guestrooms, versatile conference and events facilities, and a natural, green setting just 400m from Cape Town International Airport.

H

aving won multiple sustainability awards and retaining the title of Africa’s Greenest Hotel, The Hotel Verde Cape Town has been designed with the notion of sustainability at its core.

This means that it’s not only the building itself that has been constructed in a sustainable fashion, but that a variety of eco-conscious principles, processes, and measures are followed throughout all operations — systems that are also continually assessed to measure

effectiveness and determine room for improvement.

So, what exactly makes a hotel ‘green’?

Good question. It’s a variety of big things and little things. At Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport, this includes: Sustainable design During the design and construction phase of Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport, the project followed the criteria of the Green Building Council of South Africa and continues to pursue five-star certification.

32 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

This includes choices like the inclusion of a natural eco pool, regenerative drive elevators, as well as the use of responsibly sourced, recycled, and eco-friendly furniture, etc.

Energy efficiency We keep our energy use as low as possible by opting for low-watt LED lighting, as well as sophisticated heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to reduce energy consumption, alongside renewable energy generation. www.businesseventsafrica.com

SUSTAINABILITY PAGE STRAP

Waterwise measures and war on waste policy South Africa’s water resources are finite, and we do our best to keep our usage as low as possible by means of greywater recycling measures. We also sort all waste on site and recycle everything that can be recycled. During conferences, delegates have access to separate bins for items that can be recycled, as well as ecofriendly stationery, recycled paper, and carbon-neutral printing facilities. Not to mention energy-efficient air-conditioning, lighting, and technology, of course.

Community initiatives As Africa’s Greenest Hotel, our aim is to consciously acknowledge and manage the impact of our operations on the environment and local community and to further reduce our carbon footprint. One such initiative is our fun and inspiring foray into urban beekeeping, with the support of the Western Cape Bee Industry Association in collaboration with a local NGO ‘Street Is Not My Reality’.

But wait, there is more…

It is with great pride and excitement that Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport is also able to share that the establishment was named the Best Luxury Airport Hotel in Africa at the recent World Luxury Awards gala ceremony, which was hosted by the Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa in Mauritius on 9 October 2021.

“This award serves as recognition of sustained commitment to excellence in hoteliering and outstanding achievement in the international luxury hospitality industry. World Luxury Hotel Awards hereby certifies the wonderful achievement of Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport in the 2021 awards and congratulates them on this accomplishment,” said Brandon Lourens, founder and chief executive officer of The World Luxury Hotel Awards.

Contact information For more information on Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport and our green initiatives, visit www.verdehotels.com/capetown or contact us via email on reservations@hotelverde.com or telephonically on +27 (0)21 380 5500. www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 33

PAGE SUSTAINABILITY STRAP

Watch the COP26 session recording here.

List of pledge signatories: netzerocarbonevents.org

Global events industry presented “Net Zero Carbon Events” pledge at COP26 Leaders from around the events industry shared their commitment and alignment to fight climate change.

I

n November 2021, the global events industry presented a united pledge and roadmap for a net zero carbon future for events. Industry leaders from venues, organisers, suppliers, and associations, were live on stage at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, in Glasgow, to represent and demonstrate the commitment of the events industry community to fight climate change.

Events are a tool to drive progress in a sustainable way More than ever, post-pandemic, the fundamental need of societies and communities to come together is clear.

Events are a strategic tool used by governments, institutions, and industries to drive developments and implementations in a sustainable way.

As an example, COP26 itself is the meeting place on one of the most critical issues of our time, and people from around the world are here to share their thoughts, to find answers, and to get support.

Being together face-to-face is the most expedient way to make connections and find solutions, and, as an event brings together an entire community in one location, the need for once-off travel throughout the year is significantly reduced.

Events can be held in a sustainable way As the industry responsible for bringing people together, the events sector needs to play its part in fighting climate change.

Many organisations in the sector have already adopted strong sustainability strategies and practices and are able to demonstrate significant progress.

However, there is more work to be done.

Therefore, across the entire sector, the “Net Zero Carbon Events” pledge has been launched.

This pledge has already been supported by business in all regions around the globe and all facets of the sector.

The “Net Zero Carbon Events” pledge On the occasion of the official launch of the pledge, there are already 109 businesses from around the world committed to taking action.

Signatories commit to: • Publish their organisation’s pathway to achieve net zero by 2050, at the latest, with an interim target in line with the Paris Agreement’s requirement to reduce global GHG emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 — before the end of 2023 • Collaborate with partners, suppliers and customers to drive change across the value chain.

34 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

Events industry leaders who presented in the COP26 session: • Stephanie Dubois Head of Event Operations, SAP. • Kai Hattendorf chief executive officer, UFI. • Monica Lee-Müller Managing Director, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited.

• Charlie McCurdy chief executive officer, Informa Markets.

• Miguel Alejandro Naranjo Gonzalez programme officer, UNFCCC secretariat.

• Cristina Pace chair of the Sustainability Working Group, eSkootr Championship (eSC).

• Bob Priest-Heck chief executive officer, Freeman.

• Mike Seaman chief executive officer, Raccoon Events.

• Alan Steel president and chief executive officer, New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (Javits Center).

• Kathleen Warden director of conference sales, Scottish Events Campus.

• Barbara Weizsäcker, secretary general, European Major Exhibition Centres Association.

• Measure and track Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions according to industry best practice.

• Report on progress every two years, at a minimum.

The pledge presented at COP26 was developed through a broad industry collaboration hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), a global trade body, with the guidance and support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and with representatives from across the sector. It is the practical starting point for the work that needs to be done in our sector.

This session at COP26 demonstrated the support and commitment already seen throughout the industry. The events industry is on its way to a net zero future, and this pledge represents a call for accountability, responsibility, and action for all organisations in the sector.

For more information about the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge and Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative: netzerocarbonevents.org and UNFCCC unfccc.int www.businesseventsafrica.com

SUSTAINABILITY PAGE STRAP

Radisson Hotel Group offer carbon-negative meetings Radisson Hotel Group is proud to be the world’s first hotel group to make all meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative. For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment.

F

or meetings booked between 18 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and taking place before 31 March 2022, Carbon Negative, Planet Positive will set a new sustainability standard in the global hospitality industry.

The programme allows clients to host meetings in a sustainable way by offsetting double the CO2 emissions from meetings and events free of charge to the client, making meetings that take place during this period, at participating hotels, carbon negative.

Carbon Negative, Planet Positive reinforces the group’s 100 per cent Carbon Neutral meetings offering, in place across the group’s 1,600 hotels worldwide since 2019. The initiative forms part of the group’s wider Responsible Business programme which targets reducing the group’s carbon footprint by 30 per cent, and which aims to set science-based targets. Since the launch of the 100 per cent Carbon Neutral Meetings programme, the group has offset over 30,300 tons of CO2 at no cost to its clients, which is the equivalent of removing more than 6,500 fuel-driven cars off the road.

Carbon Negative, Planet Positive meetings complement the group’s hybrid meetings www.businesseventsafrica.com

solutions, which launched in 2020 and offer owners and guests the flexibility and space optimisation they require to better meet the rapid lifestyle changes of today’s travellers. Hybrid Meetings are available across more than 100 hotels in EMEA and contribute to a lighter scope 3 footprint for the client.

Eric de Neef, executive vice president, global chief branding and commercial officer, said: “The COP26 conference saw world leaders come together to discuss climate change which needs all our attention. At Radisson Hotel Group, we are constantly reviewing how we as a global business are able to influence positive climate action, and how we are able to encourage the hospitality industry to push the boundaries on green meetings and events. We are proud to be pioneering this initiative and trust that meeting organisers around the globe recognise the positive impact they are able to have on the environment as face-to-face meetings increase.”

Inge Huijbrechts, global senior vice president sustainability, security and corporate communications, said: “Carbon Negative, Planet Positive allows you to make your meetings carbon negative and your impact on the planet positive. With

the return of business travel, now is the time to have a positive impact. For Radisson Hotel Group, it is important that we offset carbon emissions according to the highest quality standards and in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This is why we select offsetting projects that are not only good for the environment but also socially relevant. This initiative plays a key role in helping us achieve our Responsible Business targets to protect people, planet and community.”

For each meeting, the carbon footprint is calculated using the HCMI methodology and then offset through projects that are Gold Standard- or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)-recognised. These projects combat climate change and contribute to sustainable development in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and include a clean cooking and safe water programme in Kenya; wind farm projects in Turkey, India, and the US to generate green electricity; a forest protection programme in Peru to reduce deforestation sustainably; and a biogas project in rural China. In addition, members of Radisson’s Radisson Rewards loyalty programme are able to choose to redeem their loyalty points too, to offset their stay.

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 35

PAGE A LOCAL STRAP PERSPECTIVE

Key lessons tourism learnt in 2021 At the beginning of 2020, South Africa’s tourism sector was teetering on a balancing beam. While the domestic travel market had improved in 2019 due to special-offer campaigns, international arrivals in South Africa experienced a decline of 2.3 per cent as a result of a number of factors including water shortages in the Western Cape and safety concerns held by potential visitors to the country. But then, a major disruption suddenly hit the industry in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic, upsetting that delicate balance and plunging the sector into a dark and uncertain period.

B

usinesses began to shut their doors, some of them never to open again, planes were left stationary on the tarmac, and people became more acquainted with their homes due to lockdowns, curfews and other travel restrictions. This led to the loss of billions of Rands in revenue and more than 300,000 jobs since the beginning of the pandemic.

Now, as the world has slowly begun reopening and travel is back on the cards for many, the tourism and hospitality sector needs to fight the urge to return to the way things were before the word ‘coronavirus‘ was uttered. This includes

rethinking their business models and the way they provide services to guests, hotel owners and staff.

Tim Cordon, senior area vice president for the Middle East and Africa at the Radisson Hotel Group, said: “When restrictions on travel and leisure were lifted early in 2021, the South African tourism industry let out a cautious sigh of relief. However, things returning to a sense of normalcy is not a sign that we may become complacent and go back to the way things were because the world, its economies, and people are not the same as they were before the pandemic.

The sector needs to take stock of the

36 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

lessons learned over the course of this year and apply them to the transforming industry so as not to only revitalise it but reimagine it.”

Here are some of the key lessons learned during 2021 along with insight into leveraging them to build a roadmap to recovery and growth in 2022.

Digital is no longer a nice-to-have The Covid-19 pandemic has fast-tracked digital transformation across industries and the tourism sector is no different.

Technology is enabling businesses in the sector to tackle the challenges they have long been faced with, as well as those www.businesseventsafrica.com

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE PAGE STRAP

Jerry Mabena.

Tim Cordon.

Tshepo Matlou.

resulting from the pandemic, head on.

Tshepo Matlou, head of marketing and communications at travel tech company Jurni, said: “While local businesses had tentatively dipped their toes into digital waters prior to the Covid-19 outbreak in the form of a social media presence, the major disruption brought on by the pandemic presents a unique opportunity for businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry, and particularly SMMEs, to leverage powerful emerging technologies like AI and the cloud to become stronger and more profitable in a post-pandemic economy. By integrating new technologies, the industry will be able to create and deliver new and more personalised products and services to ever-changing consumers, thereby turning the tide from uncertainty to innovation.”

As consumers increasingly expect information at their fingertips, along with ease and convenience when planning, paying for and managing their travel plans, the industry cannot afford to ignore the digital technologies that enable such customer experiences any longer.

“Consumers now expect personalised products, services, and experiences.

Digital technologies enable such personalisation and convenience and in the long run, make customers feel more valued by the business,” Mr Cordon said.

In response to this, the Radisson Hotel Group has created a new range of services called Radisson+ that will allow travellers to customise their stay through flexible, efficient and personalised

services such as online check-in, a live chat function that allows guests to communicate what they require directly to the hotel at any time, and terminals within the hotel that enable guests to check themselves in and head straight up to their rooms without waiting in line.

Collaboration is key to reinvigorating tourism Businesses in the tourism sector continue to grapple with the challenges introduced by the pandemic but are having to do so while contending with narrower revenue streams and tighter budgets. Additionally, governments are prioritising support for the industry due to its significant impact on economies.

However, executing these plans for recovery in a silo – with efforts by the private and public sector separated – could lead to fragmented results.

Jerry Mabena, chief executive officer of Motsamayi Tourism Group, said: “South Africa’s tourism industry is in dire need of renewed investment in order to support its recovery and ensure that the sector, which owns a significant share in contributions to employment and national GDP, is able to meaningfully contribute to the economy. The only way to achieve this is to prioritise and cultivate robust private-public partnerships where both sectors are working together towards a common goal.”

Most importantly, however, the tourism and hospitality sector must ensure that it is catering to the changing behaviour of travellers and tourists who are now looking for more isolated and relaxing travel experiences or to travel while working without it cutting too deep into their pockets, allowing for more spontaneity. Essentially, the industry is required to put the people it is serving first, in order to truly enable recovery and growth in the years to come.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

We must lean into local Domestic tourism has long been an effective instrument in generating employment and economic growth, but as local travel is expected to return to normal at a faster rate than international travel, it has become a critical tool in facilitating recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Based on travel behaviour in previous crises, we believe that leisure travel that involves visiting friends and family as well as business trips will recover much quicker than international travel.

Therefore, offering incentives such as discounts on guest rooms, free upgrades, added value and booking flexibility that allows for free cancellation will entice more people to travel more frequently within the country,” Mr Cordon added.

Thinking local means more than just providing special offerings to stimulate domestic travel. It also means honing in on and celebrating the local culture, people and environment where your business is located. This not only helps to differentiate your business as a destination but also allows both local and international travellers to experience and learn more about the local heritage and history.

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 37

PAGE SKILLS STRAP DEVELOPMENT

STH’s Gifty Koufie excels at the 2020/21 World Tourism Forum The 2021 World Tourism Forum Lucerne ended remarkably for Gifty Efua Koufie, a Ghanaian hotelier and alumni of the University of Johannesburg who recently participated at the Forum’s Innovation Festival in Adermatt, Switzerland.

M

s Koufie clenched the top prize under the Diversity category of the Young Talent Programme; after delivering an upbeat pitch on the use of nutrition apps in the hospitality industry to combat obesity and non-communicable diseases.

The World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) is the only global platform where leaders and decision-makers in government,

academia and the tourism and hospitality industry converge to address imminent challenges while exploring cutting-edge and disruptive ideas to propel the industry.

Themed ‘Moving Forward’, this year’s event probed the future of tourism and hospitality in a post Covid-19 world, featuring a series of high-powered panel discussions and pitches in the first hybrid – virtual and physical – experience. The

38 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

high-profile guest list included chief executive officers of leading hotel groups such as Puneet Chhatwal, chief executive officer of Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces; Martin Barth, chief executive officer of WTFL; Laura Meyer, chief executive officer of Hotelplan Group and Koen Deryckere, global industry lead at Accenture, just to mention a few. The programme also saw the participation of students, hoteliers and

www.businesseventsafrica.com

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PAGE STRAP

finalists from WTFL’s global partner institutions.

Ms Koufie pitched against eleven other contestants pooled from over 100 applications from forty official WTFL partner institutions worldwide. The contestants underwent an exacting evaluation and selection process that included submitting an abstract, followed by a full paper that was double-blind peer reviewed, a three minute video pitch at the semi-finalist stage and an elevator pitch at the WTFL in Andermatt, Switzerland. In 2019, another student from the School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), Refiloe Lekgau won top prize in another category, making Ms Koufie’s outstanding performance particularly significant for STH, and asserts UJ’s stellar credentials as a centre of excellence in hospitality and

www.businesseventsafrica.com

tourism education.

While receiving the award, Ms Koufie expressed her gratitude to WTFL for the career transforming opportunity. She also thanked the STH and UJ for the institutional support and extolled the expert guidance of her supervisor, Hema Kesa, director of Food Evolution Research Laboratory (FERL). “The STH and I are extremely proud of Ms Koufie’s well deserved achievement and will support her initiative in peer coaching and mentorship of other young talents in the industry. We wish Gifty every success in her future endeavours,” Dr Kesa said.

The prestigious award opens a world of limitless possibilities to Ms Koufie, who will receive career coaching and mentorship within WTFL’s community of distinguished organisations. However, Ms Koufie desires

to impart the knowledge and expertise to benefit other young talents in the tourism and hospitality industry through peer coaching and mentorship.

Ms Koufie holds an HND in hotel, catering and institutional management from the Cape Coast Technical University, a BTech degree in hospitality management (Cum Laude) and an MA in tourism and hospitality from the University of Johannesburg. This award exemplifies Ms Koufie’s hallmark of resilience, hard work and excellence. She returns home as an Ambassador of the WTFL Young Talent Programme, poised to impact Ghana’s burgeoning tourism and hospitality industry.

Click here to watch and learn more about the project: www.wtflucerne.org/ young-talent-programme

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 39

PERSONALITY PROFILE

Rendani Khorommbi — explores his tourism journey Rendani Khorommbi, 37, deputy director: convention bureau, Johannesburg Tourism, has proven leadership skills involving managing, developing and motivating teams to achieve specific objectives. Community is important to him, having grown up in Venda.

E

xperienced, with a demonstrated history of working in the leisure, business events and tourism sector. Rendani is also skilled in customer service, management, strategic planning, event management, marketing and business events activities.

Mr Khorommbi said: “I’m an initiativetaking individual with a range of expertise and experience in the tourism sector — from administration, budget management, tourism research, analytical skills, negotiation and presentation skills to stakeholder and project management. I have the ability to work on my own initiative, as well as being a team player. I am always dedicated to maintaining high quality standards and have the ability to

work under pressure, both where target and time are concerned. I possess excellent people skills and I’m able to relate well to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.”

Where were you born and raised?

Being from rural Limpopo (Venda), I’ve had the best of both worlds. I engaged in subsistence and livestock farming from a very tender age. I was extremely fortunate to be encouraged to focus on my academic path too. I completed my primary education in the same rural area of Venda. I then moved to Gauteng province (city of Johannesburg) where I proceeded with my secondary and tertiary education, earning my BA degree in tourism development

40 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

from RAU (now the University of Johannesburg). I have also enhanced my personal development through completing the Manager’s Development Programme at Wits Business School. Furthermore, I have completed training such as tour guiding to enhance my skills for the tourism sector.

Where did you your career begin?

While I was a student at University of Johannesburg, I enrolled for tourist guide training. I began my career as a site guide in Sophiatown. At the same time, I was employed on a part-time basis by a tour operator named Cultural Encounters, to assist with travel related administrative duties. Furthermore, I worked as a salesperson, selling soft skills programmes www.businesseventsafrica.com

PERSONALITY PROFILE

(most challenging, I must say) but worth the experience. My tourism journey took shape when I joined Johannesburg Tourism Company as an intern in 2007. I haven’t looked back since.

township (Orange Farm and VAAL).

anything or anyone else.

Do you play any sports?

Yes, soccer… I will only quit it if my legs or health say otherwise!

What is your pet hate?

Lack of cleanliness where food is involved.

How long have you been in the sector?

It’s been thirteen solid years of working for Joburg Tourism. Interaction with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds has been one of the most exciting paths of this journey. Of course, I love the fact that, employment for people in the sector is forthcoming, if the sector keeps thriving.

What is your favourite sport?

Soccer is my favourite sport. Sadio Mane (Senegalese) and Percy Tau (South African) inspire me.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector?

Definitely Covid-19; the less said, the better. Our sector has been suffering and is one of the most impacted and affected to date.

What is your secret to success?

Hard work, self-empowerment, perseverance and always work the same way you sold yourself in the interview!

Were you always involved in this sector?

I have always been involved in the sector.

As a varsity student, I was involved in various tourism exhibitions as part of my career growth too.

What role does your family play in your life?

They play an extremely positive role – motivating me both directly and indirectly.

What would you change in your life if you could, when looking back?

Planning better for rainy days, especially when one considers the impact that Covid-19 is having on us all.

Do you have any hobbies?

I make sure that I am always directly involved in soccer on a personal level and from a youth development angle, in the www.businesseventsafrica.com

What do you do for leisure?

Soccer, soccer and more soccer! My leisure time revolves around soccer (boring right?), but I also do some casual jogging.

What has been your biggest challenge in this sector?

Covid-19 tops the list because we are still struggling to adjust, even now, 18 months later.

What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why?

Republic of Ireland, Dublin. The day and night Henry Street shopping experience inspires me to establish a similar concept at Small Street in Johannesburg.

What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?

I experienced the most awful treatment on account of my skin colour in Russia. So, I will only go to Russia for professional reasons and never in a personal capacity.

If you could be anyone for the day, who would you be and why?

I wouldn’t swop places with anyone. I enjoy my life, have my personal principles and wouldn’t trade them for

What is your favourite city?

Johannesburg — it has the potential to be one of the world’s greatest powerhouses!

What is your favourite movie?

I find the Will Smith movie The Pursuit of Happyness motivating. I will watch it every now and again for inspiration when the going gets tough — such as during this Covid-19 pandemic.

How do you relax?

Anything to do with soccer and music.

What is your favourite food?

Pap and meat.

Who is your favourite movie star?

Liam Neeson.

What is the most impulsive thing you have ever done?

Shopping with family… it’s a weakness I fall prey to on an annual basis, unfortunately.

Who is your role model?

Strangely, I have no one specifically… I use my own life manual.

What advice do you have for anyone setting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Clichéd as it may sound, do research and ask all the relevant questions from experienced people in the industry.

What is your dream for the future?

To be an employer at 45!

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 41

PAGE STRAP MARKET NEWS

Lindiwe Rakharebe.

Durban ICC hosts a successful Intra-African Trade Fair The award-winning Durban International Convention Centre hosted the sixth major international in-person conference since March 2021 and the seven-day expo, which kicked off large-scale business events in the city, was a resounding success.

T

he who’s who of African leaders attended the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) from 15 to 21 November to build a strategic platform to boost trade and investment throughout the continent.

The fair attracted 11,828 attendees (against the target of 10,000 attendees) from across Africa to see a total of 1,161 exhibitors (1,100 targeted) showcasing their goods and services, with $36 billion of trade and investment deals estimated to have been signed and sealed at the event, the IATF representative said.

An ecstatic Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer of Durban ICC, said that the convention centre lived up to expectations to successfully stage a crucial event after being almost mothballed since the Covid-19 pandemic grounded world global travel and the MICE industry.

“When the sky is grey, the sun is still everpresent and ready to share its warmth and life-giving energy when the dark clouds have lifted. The Durban ICC has always been fit and ready to rekindle the warm spirit of togetherness which the pandemic has dampened by keeping us apart,” she said.

From the opening address by President Cyril Ramaphosa; the welcoming of high-profile African delegates by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala; the trade and investment forums; the networking sessions; exhibitions; right to the closing address by Kanayo Awani, managing director of Intra-African Trade Initiative at Afreximbank, the main organiser; IATF2021 passed with flying colours.

Delivering the closing remarks on Sunday 21 November, Ms Awani said that the event exceeded all expectations and it was an all-round success, especially in light of the challenges.

Ms Rakharebe said IATF was previously due

to be held in Kigali, Rwanda. The decision to move the Trade Fair to Durban was arrived at after formal consultations with the Government of Rwanda, who indicated that logistical constraints related to the Covid-19 pandemic had adversely affected the progress of construction of a new facility to host the event.

“Thus, when the call came for Durban ICC to be the venue, we did not have to think twice. We pulled out all the stops to stage an international event within five months — a mammoth undertaking which usually takes at least two years to put together,” she said.

Recalling the past 20 months, Ms Rakharebe said that the Covid-19 pandemic brought travel and conference tourism to a standstill and, in the last financial year, left the ICC with only 15 per cent of the previous year’s revenue.

“However, we were determined to bounce back after the pandemic, and were confident that bookings would resume when the lockdown was progressively eased and the plague had been eliminated.

“The Durban ICC has won the World Travel Awards – Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre, no fewer than seventeen times and we were single-minded about retaining the number one spot as Africa’s leading convention centre.

“Winning awards is a visible demonstration of all the hard work behind-the-scenes from the Durban ICC teams and people whose principal focus is to continuously provide world-class customer service to clients, both local and international.

“Therefore, the executive management team of the Durban ICC responded with several measures to counter the impact of the pandemic on our operations.

“Cost controls were implemented across

42 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

all our operations. We extended the reliability of our infrastructure and assets, including refurbishing essential lifts, replacing noncompliant air-conditioning systems with ozone-friendly units, and providing a secure water storage and supply system.

“Cash reserves were used sparingly to meet shortfalls in revenue, ensuring sufficient funds were kept on hand for operational and other commitments, and expenditure was restricted to critical projects.

“Health and safety measures included training staff and contractors, sharing information widely across the organisation and with our trade partners, implementing all protocols, adhering to social distancing guidelines and issuing staff with the required PPE. “Although the doors of the Durban ICC largely remained closed, staff were continually being trained so that they would be in top form when the Durban ICC resumed its central role in the city, province and country’s tourism economy, creating opportunities and jobs in the broad value chain, and supporting the transformation of our economy to become more inclusive of all our people.

“The close-knit team of employees strives to maintain the Durban ICC’s strong inherent culture of warmth and hospitality that we are known for. Our people are the main contributors to our success — they always ensure that each guest leaves the Durban ICC happy and satisfied with the service received.

“When we look ahead, we see a future which will be reshaped with virtual and hybrid meetings, with continuing innovation stemming from technology solutions. We look forward to a tourism sector that is stronger than ever, one that is more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable,” Ms Rakharebe concluded. www.businesseventsafrica.com

MARKET PAGE STRAP NEWS

Sales manager appointed at new voco™ Johannesburg Rosebank Valor Hospitality has proudly announced the appointment of Elaine Nandlal as sales manager of the much-anticipated voco™ Johannesburg Rosebank. voco™ Johannesburg Rosebank will be IHG Hotels & Resorts first voco™ brand on the African continent as it prepares to welcome the first guests on 1 February 2022.

M

s Nandlal began in front of house operations in various luxury properties. She made the career change to sales over 10 years ago, representing properties as far afield as the

Kruger and Mozambique. During the past eight years she has been in various properties in and around the Rosebank node, such as (ex) Crowne Plaza Rosebank Hotel, InterContinental Sandton Towers, as well as her recent stint at RH Hotels, representing various Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Express in South Africa.

“Having the opportunity to be part of the first voco™ in Africa is a dream come true. There is truly no better place to stay in Johannesburg! Hospitality sales have always been a passion for me. Creating lifelong experiences for business and leisure guests alike with a unique lifestyle brand such as voco™, located in its prime location of Rosebank, Johannesburg.”

“I am delighted to welcome Elaine to the Valor Family and to open the first voco™ on the African continent. Elaine brings a wealth of experience to the team as we create a phenomenal guest journey that leaves guests talking long after checkout,”

said Jessica Redinger, general manager.

Guaranteed to open 1 February 2022 in the heart of thriving Rosebank, Johannesburg’s upscale suburb and ever-expanding business epicentre. The new voco™ is situated within ‘The Bank’ development at the corner of Cradock and Tyrwhitt avenues, a prime location next to the Rosebank Mall and The Zone. voco™ brings thoughtful touches with familiar comforts, luxury guestrooms and bathrooms, and the ‘Proud Mary’ restaurant and bar, which is sure to become a new favourite for locals and visitors to the Rosebank neighbourhood. It is within a short walking distance to many corporate offices, shopping centres, nightlife, and entertainment as well as the Gautrain Station (Metro Express). Also, within ‘The Bank’ development is ‘Workshop17’, providing excellent co-working and shared office space with various meeting facility options.

Index of advertisers ADVERTISER

PAGE EMAIL

AAXO

WEBSITE

17 aaxo@aaxo.co.za

www.aaxo.co.za

CTICC 3,4,21 sales@cticc.co.za

www.cticc.co.za

Event Greening Forum

16

www.eventgreening.co.za

EXSA

13 exsa@exsa.co.za

Hayward’s Grand Safari Company

9

info@haywardsafaris.com

www.haywardsafaris.com

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport

32

reservations@hotelverde.com

www.verdehotels.com/capetown

Mjunxion

2 yolande@mjunxion.co.za

info@eventgreening.co.za

www.exsa.co.za

www.gotrips.co.za

SAACI 12 info@saaci.org

www.saaci.org

SA Events Council

www.saeventscouncil.org

14

hello@saeventscouncil.org

SITE 15 info@sitesouthernafrica.com www.sitesouthernafrica.com

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 43

DIRECTORY

SOUTHERN AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE CONFERENCE INDUSTRY

Learning | Growth | collaboration EXCO AND HEAD OFFICE Chairperson: Kim Roberts e: info@mise-en-placesolutions.com t: +27 (0)82 652 2008 Vice-chairperson: Jaques Fouche e: jaques@be-moved.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542 Treasurer: Glenn van Eck e: glenn@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 800 2612 Public officer: Denise Kemp e: denise@easternsun.co.za c: +27 (0)82 654 9755 Chief executive officer: Glenton De Kock e: ceo@saaci.org c: +27 (0)82 575 7565 Membership services consultant: Alshanthé Smith t: +27 (0)71 299 0601 e: members@saaci.org BOARD MEMBERS Chairperson: Kim Roberts e: info@mise-en-placesolutions.com t: +27 (0)82 652 2008 Vice-chairperson: Jaques Fouche e: jaques@formative.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542 Treasurer: Glenn van Eck e: glenn@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 800 2612 Public officer: Denise Kemp e: denise@easternsun.co.za c: +27 (0)82 654 9755 Eastern Cape Chairperson: Alistair Stead e: alastair@scandisplay.africa c: +27 (0)73 236 6618 KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson: Irene Vallihu c: +27 (0)79 692 4604 e: irenev@icc.co.za Gauteng Chairperson: Neil Nagooroo c: +27 (0)82 929 5241 e: neil@nxlevel.co.za Western Cape Chairperson: Angela Lorimer c: +27 (0)74 550 1000 e: angelajacobson862@yahoo.co.za Coopted Youth Ambassador: Minister Kganyango e: mkganyago@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)79 513 8708 Coopted Learning Ambassador: Esti Venske e: venskee@cput.ac.za c: +27 (0)83 482 9276

EASTERN CAPE Chairperson: Alistair Stead e: alastair@scandisplay.africa c: +27 (0)73 236 6618 Vice-chairperson: Melissa Palmer e: melissa@becbc.co.za c: +27 (0)82 437 7600 COMMITTEE: David Limbert e: david@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 9064 198 Gill Dickie e: gilld@bidvestcarrental.co.za c: +27 (0)79 527 7619 Wanda Fourie e: registration@easternsun.co.za c: +27 (0)72 608 1641 Claire Kivedo e: claire@overallevents.co.za c: +27 (0)82 464 1504 GAUTENG Chairperson: Neil Nagooroo c: +27 (0)82 929 5241 e: neil@nxlevel.co.za Vice Chairperson: Mary Mahlangu c: +27 (0) 81 574 9493 e: mary@flockplatform.com COMMITTEE: Angelique Smith Event Synthesis c: +27 (0)60 970 7653 e: angie@eventsynthesis.co.za John Arvanitakis Chat’r Xperience t: +27 (0)83 415 2774 e: john@chatr.co.za Rendani Khorommbi Joburg Tourism t: +27 (0)11 883 3525 c: +27 (0)82 773 2999 e: rendanik@joburgtourism.com Zaida Enver Pure Grit Events and Exhibitions Management t: +27 (0)82 555 1049 e: zaida@puregrit.co.za KWAZULU-NATAL Chairperson: Irene Vallihu c: +27 (0)79 692 4604 e: irenev@icc.co.za Vice-chairperson: Gill Slaughter c: +27 (0)83 269 0279 e: gills@turnersconferences.co.za Treasurer: Sibusiso Mncwabe c: +27 (0)83 477 5536 e: sibusiso@marketingwell.co.za

WESTERN CAPE Chairperson: Angela Lorimer c: +27 (0)74 550 1000 e: angelajacobson862@yahoo.co.za e: salesmanager@ lagoonbeachhotel.co.za Vice-chairperson: Alex Wrottesley c: +27 (0)21 430 2060 e: alex@intoafrica.co.za COMMITTEE: Ansu Colditz c: +27 (0)82 457 8071 e: ansuc@millenniumtravel.co.za Esti Venske t: +27 (0)21 460 3518 e: estivenske@gmail.com Zimkitha Bavuma c: +27 (0)72 172 5746 e: zim@live.co.za Esmare Steinhofel c: +27 (0)84 056 5544 e: esmare.s@iccaworld.org Andrew Gibson t: +27 (0)860 111 625 e: Andrew@magnetic.co.za e: andrew.msct@gmail.com Stefan Huggett c: +27 (0)83 740 8897 e: stefanh@spier.co.za Gheeta Payle t: +27 (0)86 123 7890 e: gheeta.payle@inhousevtm.com Lara van Zyl Paragon Africa t: +27 (0)82 223 4684 e: lvanzyl@paragong.com

EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

EXSA OFFICE www.exsa.co.za EXSA Association Manager Lee-Ann Alder t: +27 (0)82 550 0349 e: info@exsa.co.za EXSA Chairperson and KZN forum head: Sibusiso Mchwabe (KZN) Marketing Well t: +27 (0)83 477 5536 e: sibusiso@marketingwell.co.za EXSA Deputy chairperson, Head of WC forum: Jacqui Nel (EC) Exhibition Freighting G.S.M. t: +27 (0)21 552 7248 e: jacquinel@ef-gsm.co.za Deputy head KZN forum: Sandile Dlamini Anzamode t: +27 (0)79 104 5510 e: sandile@anzomode.co.za Deputy Head WC forum: Liam Beattie Hott 3D t: +27 (0)76 577 0989 e: liam@hott.co.za Immediate past Chairperson: Doug Rix DK Designs t: +27 (0)82 579 7071 e: dougrix@wol.co.za Directors: Kerry-Lee Bester Brilliant Branding t: +27 (0)72 265 6600 e: kerry@brilliant-branding.co.za Beert Kuiken Octanorm t: +27 (0)82 387 5324 e: beert.kuiken@octanorm.co.za

COMMITTEE: Tarannum Banatwalla c: +27 (0)83 254 9462 e: tarannum@jellyfishcatering.co.za Mabuyi Mosia c: +27 (0)71 117 7509 e: mabuyi@ikhono.co.za Kavitha Dhawnath c: +27 (0)83 607 200 e: kavitha.dhawnath@gearhouse.co.za Wiseman Mnguni c: +27 (0)78 220 2162 e: mboniseni.events@gmail.com Sandile Dlamini c: +27 (0)79 104 5510 e: sandile@anzomode.co.za

44 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

www.businesseventsafrica.com

DIRECTORY

ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN EXHIBITION ORGANISERS

SOCIETY FOR INCENTIVE TRAVEL EXCELLENCE

President: Tes Proos c: +27 (0) 84 682 7676 e: tes@crystalevents.co.za Treasurer: Peter-John Mitrovich c: +27 (0)82 318 1889 e: peter-john.mitrovich@grosvenortours. com Sustainability: Daryl Keywood Southern Africa Development: Brad Glen East Africa Development: Chris Munyao Young Leader Programme: Peter Mwanja Africa Convention Bureaus: Rick Taylor North Africa Development: George Fawzi Board member at large: Rick Taylor East Africa (Rwanda): Chris Munyao North Africa: George Fawzi North Africa support: Brad Glen Secretariat & Events: Mariaan Burger c: +27 (0)82 557 8041 e: info@siteafrica.africa

SA EVENTS COUNCIL

46 Waterford Office Park, Waterford Drive, Fourways, Johannesburg t: +27 (0)11 465 8955 e: aaxo@aaxo.co.za Association coordinator: Molebegeng Masote e: mole@aaxo.co.za Chairperson: Projeni Pather, Exposure Marketing e: projeni@exposuremarketing.co.za Vice-chairperson: Devi Paulsen-Abbott, Dmg Events e: devipaulsen@dmgevents.com Venue Committee Chairperson: Charles Wilson, Gallagher Convention Centre e: charlesw@Gallagher.co.za Treasurer: Mark Anderson, Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery e: marka@specialised.com Board of directors: Adele Hartdegen, Dogan Exhibitions & Events e: adele@expocentre.co.za Chanelle Hingston, Clarion Events Africa e: chanelle.hingston@clarionevents.com Tiisetso Tau, Synergy Business Events e: ttau@synergybe.co.za

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS & CONVENTION ASSOCIATION e: hello@saeventscouncil.org Chairperson: Raylene Johnson, CEO: TEBCO-SA Vice-chairperson: — – Interim treasurer: Glenn van Eck, Chairperson: CEPA Spokesperson: Projeni Pather, Chairperson: AAXO Members: Kevan Jones, Executive Director SACIA Sharif Baker, Chairperson TPSA Tes Proos, SITE President Justin Hawes, Managing Director: Scan Display & Event Greening Forum Treasurer Sibusiso Mncwabe, Chairperson EXSA Justin van Wyk, Chairperson SALPA Mike Lord, Chairperson ESC Arthur Goldstuck, PSASA Exco Member Esmare Steinhofel, Chairperson: ICCA Africa Chapter Advisory Members: Prof Nellie Swart, Associate Professor: Tourism Management Corne Koch, Head: Convention Bureau (WESGRO) Tiisetso Tau, AAXO member Daryl Keywood, SITE Member Bheki Twala, TEBCO-SA Executive Kim Roberts, SAACI Representative Western Cape Robyn D’Alessandro, PR/Social media, Vivo Visual Voice CC

www.businesseventsafrica.com

ICCA African Chapter Chairperson: Taubie Motlhabane Cape Town International Convention Centre t: +27 (0)21 410 5000 e: Taubiem@cticc.co.za Deputy chairperson: Jacinta Nzioka Kenya National Convention Bureau t: +254 722464221 e: jacinta@kncb.go.ke Secretariat: Esmaré Steinhöfel ICCA Africa Regional director c: +27 (0)84 056 5544 e: esmare.s@iccaworld.org www.iccaworld.com/dbs/africanchapter www.iccaworld.org

EVENT GREENING FORUM

179 Jan Smuts Ave, Parktown North, Private Bag X7000, Parklands 2121 t: +27 (0)11 447 4777 e: info@eventgreening.co.za www.eventgreening.co.za Chairperson: Greg McManus, Heritage Environmental Management Services Vice-chairperson: Morwesi Ramonyai, Borena Energy Treasurer: Justin Hawes, Scan Display Secretariat: Lynn McLeod e: lynn@eventgreening.co.za Marketing: Pippa Naudé e: pippa@eventgreening.co.za

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS OF INTEREST ABTA – African Business Travel Association Box 2594, Pinegowrie, 2123 t: +27 (0)11 888 8178 c: +27 (0)83 679 2110 e: monique@abta.co.za www.abta.co.za Founder: Monique Swart ASATA – Association of Southern African Travel Agents PO Box 650539, Benmore, 2010 t: +27 (0)11 293 0560/61 e: barbara@asata.co.za e: general@asata.co.za Office manager: Barbara Viljoen Council of Event Professionals Africa M16 Ticketpro Dome Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding Executive Director: Kevan Jones kevan@sacia.org.za t: +27 (0)11 083 6418 c: +27 (0)82 555 5556 Chairperson: Glenn van Eck Magnetic Storm c: +27 (0)82 800 2616 e: glenn@magnetic.co.za FEDHASA National Office – Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa PO Box 3853, The Reeds, 0157 c: +27 (0)82 552 9862 e: ceo@fedhasa.co.za www.fedhasa.co.za Chief executive: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa PSASA – Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa t: +27 (0)11 462 9465 c: +27 (0)83 458 6114 e: admin@psasouthernafrica.co.za www.psasouthernafrica.co.za SABOA – Southern African Bus Operators Association Postnet Suite 393, Private Bag X033, Rivonia 2128 t: +27 (0)11 511 7641 e: saboa@saboa.co.za www.saboa.co.za

SACIA – Southern African Communications Industries Association M16 Ticketpro Dome Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding t: +27 (0)11 083 6418 c: +27 (0)82 555 5556 e: kevan@sacia.org.za Executive director: Kevan Jones SATI – South African Translators’ Institute Executive director: Marion Boers t: +27 (0)11 803 2681 e: office@translators.org.za www.translators.org.za SATSA – Southern Africa Tourism Services Association Box 900, Ferndale 2160 t: +27 (0)11 886 9996 e: pa@satsa.co.za www.satsa.com SKAL International South Africa Secretary: Anne Lamb t: +27 (0)21 434 7023 c: +27 (0)82 708 1836 e: anne@yebo.co.za www.skalsouthafrica.org STA – Sandton Tourism Association t: +27 (0)83 558 5445 e: secretariat@sandtontourism.com www.sandtontourism.com TBCSA – Tourism Business Council of South Africa Box 11655, Centurion 0046 t: +27 (0)12 664 0120 e: comms@tbcsa.travel www.tbcsa.travel www.tomsa.co.za Member relations manager: Boitumelo Moleleki TGCSA – Tourism Grading Council of South Africa Private Bag X10012, Sandton 2146 t: +27 (0)11 895 3000 f: +27 (0)11 895 3001 e: enquiries@tourismgrading.co.za TINSA – Interpreters/Translators Network of Southern Africa e: info@interpreter.org.za t/f: +27 (0)11 485 2511 c: +27 (0)83 249 0010 www.interpreter.org.za TPSA – Technical Production Services Association M16 Ticketpro Dome Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding t: +27 (0)11 083 6418 c: +27 (0)82 555 5556 e: kevan@sacia.org.za www.tpsa.co.za Executive director: Kevan Jones TTA – Tshwane Tourism Association Box 395, Pretoria 0001 t: +27 (0)12 841 4212 e: secretary@tshwanetourism.com www.tshwanetourism.com Chairperson: Bronwen Cadle de Ponte Secretary: Sithembile Nzimande Membership coordinator: Liz Oosthuysen e: membership@tshwanetourism.com

Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022 45

THE LAST WORD

The industry we know has already changed

Who is

Gabi Babinszky?

When Mike Tyson was asked by a reporter whether he was worried about Evander Holyfield and his fight plan, he answered, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

Gabi Babinszky is a creative and influential director, leading diverse teams in the delivery of award-winning projects for global, industry-leading organisations. He has achieved rapid career progression by exceeding client and employer expectations, developing an all-encompassing knowledge of successful project delivery and effective strategies to increase and exceed annual turnover targets. Focused on applying this wealth of knowledge and experience in the delivery of groundbreaking events for a globally recognised and forward-thinking company.

By Gabi Babinszky, managing director at Brandex (Pty) Ltd.

L

ike many industries, Covid-19 was our industry’s punch to the mouth.

We are able to give you the tried-tested-trusted rah-rah about our company, or we give it to you straight: Doing business is not what it used to be; neither are the rules of engagement, and nor should they be. Simply put, our clients just don’t have the time or resources to spare on a frivolous exercise that delivers little to no impact. It is for this reason that our objectives need to be more clearly defined than ever before.

Once it became clear that the Covid-19 pandemic would be set in for what may only be termed as ‘a while’, we saw businessowners embark on a major reactive scramble to secure their revenue streams.

We knew our business would be immediately impacted by the pandemic, but we were determined to stay the course and not deviate from what we are fundamentally good at. For us, this has and will always be centred on delivering meaningful and engaging experiences for our clients at exceptional value, and with superior customer service.

Reflecting on the past 20 or so months, it is clear to us how we got to this point.

Yes, the pandemic has resulted in a socio-economic crisis of global proportions, the cost of which is still not known, but we now have a golden opportunity to drive recovery across the board by indirectly supporting the solutions of other industries too.

Sound like a long shot?

Perhaps, or are we only now beginning to recognise and meet our true potential? At Brandex, we realise it is in our mutual best interests to create the most conducive settings and environment in which key discussions may take place and lead to concrete decisions being made. While we are ambitious and committed to our promise of delivering on nothing but quality, we cannot do it alone, and it will take the efforts of all of us to demonstrate why hosting engaging events are able to define how we move forward.

Looking ahead It is a well-known fact that the event and

46 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022

exhibition world moves at a fast pace. We remain positive that this industry will recover next year and come back even stronger. Most companies in our industry (events and exhibitions) could probably relate to this. The fact that due to Covid-19 rules, regulations and protocols – which restrict public gatherings – our entire industry, and subsequently our business, had ground to a complete halt.

This negated our company’s ability to generate any form of stable income since March 2020 and although we have been fervently as well as proactively trying to make the best of the situation by being creative – for the lack of a better word – our business just hasn’t been the same.

Will our business ever be the same again? Probably not; we have already added new service offerings in-house such as virtual/hybrid solutions. Things will change, your business will need to adapt because the industry we know has already changed. In today’s world, it is crucial for companies to have good business motivation to stay at the top of their game. www.businesseventsafrica.com

DIGITAL

DIRECTORY

2 for 1 offer

AFRICA’S LEADING

BUSINESS EVENTS DIRECTORY

The print listings now mirror our online directory style with basic and premium listings. In fact, upgrading a basic listing in print to premium will include an upgrade to premium on the website and vice versa. The same information online is printed in the print directory.

Business Events Africa is known for having the most comprehensive directory of venues, service providers, speakers and conference organisers in Africa. We have been a trusted source of information for more than 40 years, and now offer this valuable resource online.

The market is tough out there. What makes your business different from any other? For starters, be more accessible on the internet.

Online searches are now the preferred method of finding information and contact details, so the better your online presence, the more business you will get.

BENEFITS OF LISTING YOUR BUSINESS: • By claiming your listing, you can may your company’s information up-to-date at your own convenience • Upgrade your listing online at any time, to maximise your brand exposure • Improve your SEO and online presence • We provide a targeted audience for your business • See your stats – know how many people are seeing your listing • Increase traffic to your website with a link from the directory For as little as R2 400, you may get the edge over your competitors by providing indispensable information to your customers on our online directory.

Affordable advertising is just a click away.

Visit www.businesseventsafrica.com/directory

Call +27 (0)31 764 6977 for more information