Business Events Africa February 2022 by Contact Publications

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Vol 42 No 2 FEBRUARY 2022

KwaZulu-Natal Province – proud host of Intra-African Trade Fair

28 FEBRUARY 2022: BONDAY

1-2 MARCH 2022:

EXHIBITION SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

www.meetingsafrica.co.za

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businesseventsafrica.com Business Events Africa has been the voice of the business events industry in southern Africa for the past 42 years. This trusted source of information keeps readers up-to-date with the most relevant news, trends, interviews, destination features, venue showcases and local association news and resources. Business Events Africa is also known for having the most comprehensive directory of venues, service providers, speakers and conference organisers in Africa.

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Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW | CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH PEOPLE

Business Events Africa: Serving the business events industry for 42 years

CONTENTS

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

VOL 42 NO 2 FEBRUARY 2022

About the cover

The province of KwaZulu-Natal recently hosted the sixth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2021) in the coastal city of Durban and the fair was a resounding success, attended by the who’s-who of African leaders. A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE 22 What’s on the horizon for business travel? HOTEL GROUP SPOTLIGHT 24 Relationship building in the hospitality sector is key for growth. PERSONALITY PROFILE 26 Meet the GM. NEWS 27 Johannesburg welcomes new hotels.

Cover Feature COVER STORY 4 KwaZulu-Natal Province — proud host of Intra-African Trade Fair.

On the pages… EDITOR’S COMMENT 2 South Africa is open for business. MEETINGS AFRICA 2022 8 Advancing Africa together. NEWS 13 Registrations are open for Meetings Africa 2022. VENUE OF THE MONTH 14 Bridging the gap: fast-tracking business through Fancourt’s Business Centre. VENUE NEWS 16 Promoting forward thinking and moving ahead together. SUSTAINABILITY 18 2021 — a year in review: Radisson Hotel Group’s responsible business milestones. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 20 The changing business events platform. VENUE NEWS 21 Hyatt House brand debuts in Africa.

CHEF’S PROFILE 28 Keegan Maistry strives for service excellence.

Association news EVENT GREENING FORUM 30 A new year and a new start. SITE 31 Site Africa supports Walk for Love. SAEC 32 Are you ready to walk away from being a lone ranger? AAXO 33 Exhibitions are commercial marketplaces.

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 42 No 2 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:

EXSA 34 Things are changing – be part of the change. SAACI 36 The differentiating factor.

Regulars MARKET NEWS 37 Enter now for the WTM Responsible Tourism Awards. 37 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

39 Directory and associations of interest. THE LAST WORD 40 We made it — but are we ready for the next challenge?

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

A new year always means a new beginning. After nearly two years of much uncertainty due to the pandemic, The world andthe will continue do we so, are regardless. there seemskeeps to be spinning a sense that worst is overtoand all able to return to normalcy.

t is almost as if we have been living in a fog, and now it is clearing. 2022 has certainly begun with renewed positivity. The outlook is good for our sector, but everyone is cautiously optimistic. I think that 2022 will be the year where we rebuild our foundations and 2023 is the year that we should see a significant bounce-back. If I think I sometimes s weback, approach the endwonder of year,how I am we gotcautiously through itoptimistic. all. To me,Personally, it feels likeI’m I was infeeling an 80samusic videoupbeat. filled with lots lot more ofThe smoke and nostalgia. Honestly, I believe business events industry is slowly it is resilience that kept ushibernation. going. Here emerging from anhas enforced we are, ready toseeing begin an again, and 2022 I am definitely increase in is

physical events in all parts of the industry. It is fantastic to observe the different sectors in our industry starting up again. The past few weeks have been amazing. I’ve been following industry leaders on social platforms doing what they do best — be it exhibitions, incentives, conferences and events. The industry has been waiting for so long and all it took was a green light from government! After months of despair, finally there is renewed positivity in the industry. One big positive is that South Africa is now finally off most of the world’s travel red lists, including the UK. The recent Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit (ATTS) alsoonset the scene for already beginning a high with the what come. If Africa. anything, I get the returnisoftoMeetings feeling that ourMeetings continent – theis continent The fact that Africa back of Africa – isonfinally realising after a year pause, makes its meown really strength in unity. Overtothe happy. I look forward thisyears, year’sAfrican show. countries always described looked to the other In the pasthave I’ve always event continents business as a reunionfor oftourism industryand players, and this events while, in certainly fact, its own African year’s show will be that for countries were overlooked. everyone — after two years of ‘all sorts’. It is platform no doubttoo, thatfor there are still isThere a great industry to a lot of together challenges, likeand airlift, visa come again reintroduce restrictions, ourselves andetc. our destination to hosted One of thevisitors. challenges addressed during buyers and ATTS that Meetings tourism/incentive and This isyear’s Africa has been conference/events packages in the identified as a recovery platform for past the

have always been geared the African to business European or events sector. American markets. If Meetings Africa 2022 we, Africans, wouldof continues its theme like to cater forShared our own African visitors ‘Shared Minds. we should package differently. Economies.’ The keyitobjective of this Over the few years,how ourAfrican industry theme is topast demonstrate leaders done lot of talking about businesshave events anda tourism entrepreneurs the issue to of make airlift strides within in ourreaching continent as continue well as the of issue of by visas within Africa economies scale leveraging sharedfor Africans, resources.I hope that ATTS has ignited a new African airlines look Thischapter, theme iswhere important, it highlights one at routes within continent and of new our greatest assets the in business events, finally break those barriers have the need to collaborate. Thewhich past two hindered Africa. years has travel seen awithin lot more collaboration Of course, we would all love to see between industry partners, locally and international delegates and tourists within the African continent. This has return to been our shores prevents probably one ofbut thewhat positives that us from exploring newthe markets within our has emerged from pandemic. continent? Theevents Covid-19 pandemic The business sector in Southhas taught that– we arethan ableever to collaborate Africa isusnow more – more aaligned, lot better if we keep theand more more connected communication streams resilient than ever before.open within our continent. The time is Africa now, Africa is for open We are ready! South is open for business and I am proudly African! business.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

Credit: Hein Liebetrau Credit: Hein Liebetrau

South Africa is open business Africa is open forforbusiness

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African Heads of State Converge in Durban for Intra-African Trade Fair 2021.

KwaZulu-Natal Province — proud host of Intra-African Trade Fair The Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban recently hosted the sixth major international in-person trade fair in November 2021. The seven-day expo which kicked off large-scale business events in the city was a resounding success. The who’s-who of African leaders attended the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2021) from 15 to 21 November to build a strategic platform to boost trade and investment throughout the continent.

rganised by the African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat, hosted by the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, the second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2021) took place at the Durban International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. IATF2021 provided a platform to promote trade under the AfCFTA. It brought together continental and global buyers and sellers, and enabled stakeholders to share trade, investment and market information as well as trade finance and trade facilitation solutions designed to support intra-African trade and the economic integration of the continent. In addition to establishing business-to-business and business-togovernment exchange platforms for business deals and advisory services, IATF2021 also operated IATF2021 Virtual, an interactive online platform that replicates the physical event. IATF2021 also focused on Africa’s creative economy as well as the automotive

industry, with dedicated programmes. A conference ran alongside the exhibition and featured high-profile speakers and panellists addressing topical issues relating to trade, trade finance, payments, trade facilitation, trade-enabling infrastructure, trade standards, industrialisation, regional value chains and investment. Commenting on the successful hosting of IATF 2021, the woman behind the success of the IATF, Ms Sonto Mayise, general manager of the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, commented: “In the midst of a global pandemic, we had an incident free IATF 2021. We thank the many people who worked hard behind the scenes to make it a truly memorable event. We pay tribute, to law-enforcement agencies for diligently working to safeguard the event and all participants. We were truly honoured to see the participation of African Heads of State and Governments, African diplomats, senior government leaders, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, exhibitors, and scholars. We are happy that we reached and surpassed many of our targets.”

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Ms Sonto Mayise, general manager of the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau.

“It is no mean feat to pull together seven sitting heads of state to grace the opening ceremony and they stayed throughout the ceremony that lasted for hours. To me that is commitment towards the IATF at the highest level. The IATF delivered on its objectives... When I look at what we accomplished, the word that comes to my mind is ‘impressive’. It is impressive due to our display of African ingenuity and furthermore, our readiness to www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVER PAGE STORY STRAP

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

“The success of the recently held second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2021, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal is evidence that Africa has now come full circle in its economic history.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

Durban ICC, host venue of IATF 2021.

collaborate and work together. It is impressive that so many deals were signed and closed…KwaZulu-Natal is open for business…KwaZulu-Natal is a safe destination for business events… Zulu Kingdom… Exceptional.” Intra African Trade Fair attracted over 11,828 delegates who attended the event physically, while over 27,000 did so virtually via the IATF Virtual platform, which streamed the event live and offered other features that replicated the physical trade fair, bringing the total number of participants to about 39,000. Participants at IATF 2021 came from 128 countries around the world. Over a target of 1,100 exhibitors – as set out in the key performance indicators – unveiled in 2019 on the background of the lessons learnt from the first IATF in Cairo, Egypt in

remier of KwaZulu-Natal Province, Mr. Sihle Zikalala said “ Notwithstanding challenges associated with the hosting the IATF 2021, the outcome of the event shows that if we work together as the Continent we will make more gains through the promotion of Trade and Investment for the benefit of African companies, big and small. We owe this to the leadership that graced the event and those man and women who worked tiresly to ensure that this become a tremendous success. As I pause, I would like to express my appreciation to the Afreximbank, AU and AFCTA Secretariat for bringing this signature event to our shores.”

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2018, IATF 2021 saw 1,161 exhibitors including 838 companies from 59 countries of which 46 came from Africa, showcased their goods and services, in what was recognised as a massively successful event. The trade deals concluded, amounted to over US$41.5 billion, exceeding the US$32 billion mark set at IATF 2018. Four country days were also organised, dedicated to South Africa, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria, double the number that featured in the inaugural Cairo 2018 event. Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council, described IATF as a movement towards an economically reliable Africa. Chief Obasanjo complimented Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank and the Premier of KwaZuluNatal, Sihle Zikalala and all those who played a role in the success of the event, which was rescheduled to Durban, after Kigali, the initial host, was curtailed in its preparations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Province of KwaZulu-Natal had only four months to prepare for the event, whose opening ceremony was graced with the presence of seven heads of state and government, including President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, President Lazarus Chakwere of Malawi, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Hon. Hussein Mwinyi of Zanzibar and the Rwandan Prime Minister, Hon. Edouard Ngirente, all whose presence Chief Obasanjo described as “proof of commitment to the IATF at the highest level.” What is Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF)? The Intra-African Trade Fair is a trade show

that provides a platform for sharing trade, investment and market information and enabling buyers and sellers, investors and countries to meet, discuss and conclude business deals. What does IATF have to offer? An opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their goods and services, engage in Business to Business (B2B) exchanges and conclude business deals. A unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.2 billion people with a GDP of over US$2.5 trillion created under the African Continental Free Trade Area. IATF programme of events at a glance • Trade and Investment Forum comprising: IATF2021 Conference This conference featured leading African and international speakers and a variety of sessions dealing with African trade and investment. Specifically, the conference had dedicated sessions on trade and investment opportunities under the AfCFTA, including training workshops covering exporting, standards, and marketing. • Business-to-Business and Business-toGovernment Providing opportunities for matchmaking, business exchanges and conclusion of business and investment deals. • Country Days Selected countries showcased their trade, investment, tourism and cultural opportunities. • Virtual Trade Fair (VTF) Enabled showcasing of goods, services and investment opportunities on an interactive online platform. The Virtual Trade Fair is continuing, even after the

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Trade Fair. For more information on VTF visit: https://www.intrafricantradefair. com/en/virtual-trade-fair • Creative Africa Showcasing Africa’s creative economy with a Fashion Show, Music, Film, Creative Africa Summit and a dedicated Creative Industry Exhibition. • The IATF Automotive Show The Automotive Show segment had a dedicated Auto Exhibition, an Automotive Workshop and a B2B/B2G for the Automotive Industry. IATF Automotive Show presented a platform for car manufacturers, assemblers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and component suppliers exhibiting their products and interacted with potential buyers and suppliers. • The Youth Start-Up This segment had a dedicated Pavilion for Youth Start-Ups in Africa where they highlighted their goods and services. IATF2021 also provided opportunities for matchmaking with venture capitalists, entrepreneurship training, networking amongst the youth and other delegates at the IATF. There are positive results, and deals signed for youth from the continent and mainly KwaZulu-Natal.

he President of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah said, “Despite the challenges experienced in the lead up to the IATF2021 event, such as Covid-19 pandemic causing postponements of the date of holding the Trade Fair and eventual change of host country from Rwanda to South Africa, as well as challenges experienced during the Trade Fair, among others visas for foreign exhibitors, delegates, buyers and visitors and long queues at the accreditation centre due to the overwhelming attendance response, I wish to express my gratitude to the leadership of the President of South Africa and the commitment shown by the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, through the Premier and my dear brother, Mr. Sihle Zikalala, for hosting the Trade Fair that has proved to be a resounding success and exceeded all the key targets that were set for IATF2021.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe; President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council.

“Between the first and the 12th centuries, extraordinary events happened in Africa, events that transformed not just the history of the continent, but the history of the world.” – Henry Louis Gates Jr, Africa’s Great Civilisations. Moreover, the fair proved to be a powerful uniting force across the continent, in the face of an insidious pandemic that continues to divide the world into north and south, rich and poor, and vaccinated and unvaccinated. The IATF showed the world that Africa need no longer remain on the periphery of the global trading system: it can and will industrialise and diversify its exports, break out of existing trade patterns and seek its own unique development path. All efforts were made to pursue enhanced connectivity and trade between our peoples, and to revive the commercial culture and market economies of ancient and medieval Africa, which were hallmarks of African civilisation. At the opening of the fair, President Cyril Ramaphosa aptly said: “It is our expectation that this Intra-African Trade Fair will further cement its position as Africa’s premier trading platform, where African manufacturers can promote and sell more ‘made in Africa’ goods to one another. This is critical if we are to change the distorted trade relationship that exists between African countries and the rest of the world.” The event also came at a critical juncture in South Africa’s leadership role in Africa, particularly given President Ramaphosa’s prioritisation of economic diplomacy on and with the continent. Africa sits at the core of South Africa’s foreign policy. Since 1994, the country’s leaders have accepted that its success is inextricably linked to that of the continent. A democratic South Africa was therefore at the forefront of a plethora of African ideational and institutional initiatives, whose aim was to strategically reposition the

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continent in the callous global geopolitical system. One such initiative was the transmutation of the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union (AU) on 9 July 2002, in Durban. Despite the challenges that remain, the AU has now evolved into an organisation which Africans should be proud of. South Africa was also at the centre of other landmark initiatives, such as the New

.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the IATF 2021 Advisory Council and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, commended the outstanding performance while congratulating the organisers and the host country for their tenacity. “Despite the uncertain environment arising from the Covid-19 pandemic situation, IATF 2021 attracted exhibitors from 69 countries, of which 46 were African countries. Buyers, sellers and investors came physically and virtually from across Africa and beyond to connect and exchange trade, investment and market information. We have effectively begun the process of building bridges for a successful AfCFTA, less than a year after the commencement of trade under this agreement,” said Chief Obasanjo. “We congratulate the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, Afreximbank, the AU Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, and thank them for the swift efforts made in record time to organise this historic event, which has resulted in the resounding success that we see today.”

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Partnership for Africa’s Development and the African Peer Review Mechanism, whose successes have defined the continent’s socio-economic and democratic trajectory. The hosting of the IATF – organised by Afreximbank, the AU and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat and the Province of KwaZuluNatal – was a continuation of South Africa’s tradition of outstanding service to the people of the continent. If we are to achieve ‘the Africa we want’, it is high time that countries like South Africa ensured the actualisation of initiatives such as the Cape to Cairo project, from which other economic opportunities could emerge. Extraordinary events are taking place on the continent again, with the potential to effect real structural transformation in the economies of its countries and, indeed, to trigger strategic shifts in the global economic system. The journey is bound to be filled with all manner of obstacles, but by working together, we will certainly be triumphant — as the success of the recent IATF demonstrated. It is now time for South Africa to lead! More than 80 South African companies, had an opportunity to showcase their products and services at IATF 2021. According to Sihle Zikalala, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province: “The trade fair offered us an opportunity to profile and market proudly South African goods and services, build lasting networks and establish collaborations that will increase South Africa’s goods and services exports into the continent and position South Africa as the partner of choice. “It further highlighted the best of South African local manufacturing capability in the agriculture and agro-processing; automotive; construction and infrastructure development; consumer goods; energy and power; engineering; footwear; leather and textiles; heavy industries and light manufacturing; health care and pharmaceuticals; information and communication technology and Innovation; logistics; and mining sectors,” Mr Zikalala said. He added that beyond positioning the country and the province as a major player in the continent and as an attractive and competitive business, investment and tourism destination, KwaZulu-Natal is committed to promoting intra-African trade and the growth of the African continent through the great relationship that the Province of KwaZuluNatal enjoys with Afreximbank. www.businesseventsafrica.com

KwaZulu-Natal — a hub for business events The word Zulu means ‘people of heaven,’ and this is the word that is known throughout the world. We use this word to make potential tourists aware of the many heavenly attractions of our province and why Durban and KwaZulu-Natal are an ideal meeting venue for conventions, smaller meetings and incentives offerings. We can use these offerings to provide the overarching distinctive experience which so many conference delegates are now seeking, particularly through pre and post tours to KwaZulu-Natal’s eight tourism regions namely the Battlefields; Drakensberg; Elephant Coast; Pietermaritzburg and Midlands; North Coast; South Coast and Zululand. These experiences are also ideal for the crafting of unique incentive tour offerings. The Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau is mandated to promote business events services into the province of KwaZulu-Natal and the metropolitan area of Durban. The Zulu Kingdom, through the Durban KZN Convention Bureau, provides a hub for

business events to bring about tourism growth and socio-economic development. Across the province, a host of conference and events facilities are set against the backdrop of majestic mountains, sun kissed beaches or bush retreats and it is a home to two world heritage sites. Durban Kwa-Zulu Natal Convention Bureau assists with the following: • Bid documents; • Bid presentations. • Promotional materials. • Educational trips and site inspections. • Supplier information and quotations. • Social programmes. • Pre- and post tours and incentive packages. • Assistance with congress bids. • Convention publicity and delegate boosting. • Destination display and promotion. • Information kits and welcome packs for delegates. • Shuttle services; and • Identification of professional conference organiser (PCO) services.

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 a few months — a mammoth undertaking which usually takes at least two years to put together,” she said.

n ecstatic Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer of Durban ICC, the host venue, 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 business events industry. Ms Rakharebe said that the IATF was previously due to be held in Kigali, Rwanda. “The decision to move the Trade Fair to Durban was arrived at after formal

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Restoring Bridges to be Better Together 28 FEBRUARY 2022: BONDAY

1-2 MARCH 2022:

EXHIBITION SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

8 Business Events Africa February 2022

www.meetingsafrica.co.za

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MEETINGSCOVER AFRICA PAGE STORY STRAP 2022

Restoring Bridges to be Better Together Now in its 16th year, this premier Pan-African event, Meetings Africa 2022, will continue its theme of ‘Shared Minds. Shared Economies’. The key objective of this theme is to demonstrate how African tourism entrepreneurs continue to make strides in reaching economies of scale by leveraging shared resources. 28 FEBRUARY 2022: BONDAY

1-2 MARCH 2022:

EXHIBITION VENUE: Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg THEME: Shared Minds. Shared Economies. When shared minds come together, we advance Africa www.businesseventsafrica.com

eetings Africa 2022 is a recovery tool for South Africa and Africa’s business events industry as its mandate is to host relevant exhibitors and buyers under one roof for meaningful business engagements. In addition, the theme demonstrates how the African business events industry have applied the trend of ‘shared economies’ to their business models to achieve greater efficiencies, and how this has created a sustainable way of driving business growth in the sector. The last successful edition of Meetings Africa was hosted in February 2020, days before the first case of Covid-19 was reported in South Africa. The show is hosted by South African Tourism and is Africa’s premier business events tradeshow, which showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products, where African associations and African

meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform the African continent. Meetings Africa 2022 is a two-day trade show with a dedicated Educational Day and BONDay, to be held on 28 February, which is executed in conjunction with the key industry associations (SAACI, SITE, EXSA, Event Greening Forum and ICCA). The newest addition to BONDay is the MICE Masterclass, which

Meetings Africa 2022 continues building on the Shared Economies theme

— with continued specific focus on regionalisation as a continental strategy, and how this enhances the positioning and value offering for the business events industry in Africa. When shared minds come together, we advance Africa.

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will equip participating entrepreneurs with the tools and skills to confidently reenter the business industry space. Here, meetings industry professionals partner to enhance our continent through business events and tourism offerings. Meetings Africa does not only promote and showcase South Africa and Africa as a destination that hosts world-class sporting events, conferences, exhibitions, meetings and incentives, but is also an invaluable platform where ideas are shared and innovation is encouraged and nurtured. With over 1,000 meetings already set up on the online diary system, Meetings Africa 2022 is set to remain true to its purpose of bringing together buyers and exhibitors and growing the business events industry on the continent.

Meetings Africa the ‘engine room’ for the continent

manda Kotze-Nhlapo, the Chief Conventions Bureau Officer of the South African National Conventions Bureau, said that Meetings Africa 2022 will continue to play a central role in furthering business and boosting Africa’s economic development. “It is the engine room of our countries. Meetings Africa has become such an important platform for us to come together again. It might look different, but it is still the platform where Africa comes together and shows its offerings to the world.” Ms Kotze-Nhlapo said that business events are at their most effective when people are able to meet in person. “We have the problem where corporates are not meeting physically. It is easy to hide behind cameras and pixels. But if you meet virtually, fewer innovative ideas are born. Through physical meetings, we can inspire our buyers.” Making a return to Meetings Africa will be the Sustainability Village, the Future Leaders Forum, Speed Marketing and plenary discussions on various topics. The newest addition to the Business

Meetings Africa 2022

outh African Tourism acting chief executive officer, Themba Khumalo, said that although Meetings Africa 2022 has elements of a hybrid event, much of the physical gathering will go a long way to recapture the spirit that the pan-African trade show is known for. “It will have that human connection and I encourage everyone to be physically present at Meetings Africa. The time when we are facing adversity, there is a higher human instinct that digs deep and does not allow the barriers to stop us from doing what we need to do.” He said that Meetings Africa provides stakeholders with the platform to begin the work of restoring the business events sector to profitability. Let us trade hard on the floor. If we take that attitude we will have the very best Meetings Africa we will ever have because of the spirit in which we do it.”

Hybrid Exhibition (Physical attendance of exhibitors and physical and virtual attendance of hosted buyers) • Physical participation for all exhibitors. • Physical participation for all global hosted buyers not impacted by travel bans. • Virtual participation for buyers that are unable to travel including a hosting digital platform for virtual meetings. • BonDay (Business Opportunities Networking Day) hosting a MICE Masterclass, Youth Educational Programme as well as SMME training programme. • BonDay educationals (four sessions) to continue during the show. • Welcome function taking place on 28 February 2022, focusing on buyerexhibitor engagements and delegate networking. • Platform to leverage SA Tourism’s various marketing initiatives: Global brand film launch, Global brand advocacy, Welcome campaign, Speed marketing sessions, Sustainability Village and SMME market access. • Post show buyer familiarisation trips to enhance destination profiling.

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Opportunities Networking Day (BONDay) is the MICE Masterclass, which will equip participating entrepreneurs with the tools and skills to confidently reenter the business industry space. Ms KotzeNhlapo said that with so many businesses shutting doors over the past two years, the entrepreneurs who remain will form the backbone of the MICE industry. “The masterclass will help existing businesses – and new entrants to the industry – to have real training and upskilling.”

Meetings Africa serves as the primary platform to enable the growth of South Africa, and the rest of the continent’s business events industry and ultimately contribute towards the continent’s economic growth. Who does it attract? The exhibition attracts buyers and visitors from around the world who are interested in doing business in South Africa and indeed the rest of the African continent. BONDay Proven to be a key, unmissable event for anyone who would like to grow his or her business, BONDay (Business Opportunities Networking Day) has established itself as a prime business networking platform for both local and international businesses. The event is filled with endless opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. Furthermore, you will be exposed to high-profile speakers and receive first-hand advice on how to advance your business growth. This is crucial for people who want to secure potential buyers and reap the benefits of success. The newest addition to BONDay is the MICE Masterclass. www.businesseventsafrica.com

MEETINGSCOVER AFRICA PAGE STORY STRAP 2022

Hosted buyers • • • •

Applications received: 298 Countries represented: 50 Hosted buyer targets for 2022: 150 Buyer Application officially opened on 17 January and applications are being assessed to ensure that good quality buyers are recruited. The vetting criteria for qualifying buyers is adapted for the current situation and the need for agility.

Countries represented (buyers) • 50 Countries represented • Top 10 Countries represented: Country No. of applications Australia 11 Brazil 7 Canada 8 Egypt 7 France 8 Germany 8 India 17 Poland 6 UK 17 USA 36

Key business events insights The business events industry is a key driver for economic growth and development and is a catalyst for South Africa’s broader economic recovery, local employment reactivation and job creation. The hosting of business events is a key signal of business confidence across the economy. Business events have a symbiotic relationship with many other industries including airlines, hotels and venues, transport, catering, and cleaning. This means that our industry’s recovery is highly dependent on the simultaneous recovery of other enabling industries in the tourism and hospitality ecosystem.

Covid-19 Management Plan • Meetings Africa will allow participation from both vaccinated and unvaccinated delegates, however, delegates who are not vaccinated,

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Inclusivity Meetings Africa creates an inclusive platform that includes the following initiatives: • SMME pavilion which will host 24 business events SMME products. • Sustainability Village – showcase of various authentic South African range of craft products. • Youth dedicated programme – 50 delegates to participate from across South Africa (supported by Tourism Educators of SA Association (TESA) and IMEX Future Leaders Form). • Women in Tourism prioritisation across all platforms. • Isolation rooms onsite and at partner hotels will be investigated. • The established standard operating will be required to produce a daily PCR test result, conducted onsite. • Full screening process will be followed at all activation points (BONDay, networking functions, etc.) including standard temperature checks and the completion of a declaration form and sanitising stations at every touch point. • Onsite vaccination and testing. • Medical officials will be placed at each

procedure and incident intervention plan, with relevant communications will be deployed based on the differing levels of severity of onsite infection. Diary System Exhibitors at Meetings Africa 2022 will have access to the online appointment system, which enables them to preschedule meetings, maximising their time with our buyers.

Meetings Africa creates i opportunities for African businesses in the events industry to connect and reinforce strategic partnerships.

entrance to monitor arrivals, and where applicable, symptomatic delegates will be escorted to a testing station/isolation room. • Rapid testing will be conducted at registration points for non-vaccinated and symptomatic delegates only. SAT will only be responsible for the costs associated with hosted delegates and staff members, while all other delegates are responsible for their own costs of tests.

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PAGE COVER MEETINGS STRAP STORY AFRICA 2022

Highlights of Meetings Africa 2022 Business events more resilient than before

im Roberts, the national chairperson of the South African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI), said that Meetings Africa’s tag line of Advancing Africa Together is the key to regrowing the continent’s economy. “We have become more resilient, and our foundations are that much stronger. People are, once again, willing to participate and explore new ideas. Meetings Africa is the right environment to start those conversations again and encourage people to come back to the continent.” Ms Roberts said that the business events industry is set to recover to its former health by 2023. “There is a lot of exciting movement in business. We can craft and create a business events sector that can contribute to the economy.”

Date

Event

28 February

Venue

Format

Masterclass at BONDay – 09H00-15H00 MICE, youth and smmes

Sandton Convention Centre

Physical

28 February

Educationals Opening Plenary 15H30-17H00 followed by 4 sessions on 1-2 March

Sandton Convention Centre

Physical

28 February

Welcome networking 17H00-22H00 cocktails function

Sandton City – Mandela Square

Physical

1 March

Trade floor opening/ 09H00 -10H00 Sandton Convention Bell ringing and Global Film Centre – Exhibition Campaign launch Hall 1

Physical

Exhibitions and Diary 10H00 -17H00 Sandton Convention Management Centre – Exhibition Hall 1

Physical

1-2 March

‘Blended events’ = Virtual or hybrid events can act as a backstop but are in no way a replacement for in-person events and do not support local employment and cannot deliver the broader benefits of business events.

Time

12 Business Events Africa February 2022

For more information: www.meetingsafrica.co.za www.businesseventsafrica.com

PAGE STRAP NEWS

Registrations are open for Meetings Africa 2022 Registration for the 16th instalment of Meetings Africa is officially open. Following the announcement by South African Tourism (SAT) last year that the trade show will be staged in a physical format – after an absence in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic – Meetings Africa is set to reignite Africa’s business events industry.

he show promises to offer an array of exhibitors and buyers from across Africa and the world, an opportunity to meet as they partner to contribute to rebuilding the continent’s business events industry. Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Bureau Officer at the South Africa National Convention Bureau, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the global business events industry, however, as the business events industry on the African continent, we remain optimistic and we are thrilled to invite global buyers to come and network and do business with our exhibitors from across the African continent. “There has been a resounding call for face-to-face business engagement from our industry players, and we are confident in executing a safe event. While we understand the severe blow that has been dealt to the industry, we are also confident in creating a conducive platform for our participants. Buyers who will not be able to travel to South Africa due to travel restrictions will www.businesseventsafrica.com

be accommodated through a minimal virtual platform. Meetings Africa is a representation of the unrelenting spirit of an African industry that forges ahead and opens its doors to the world,” Ms Kotze-Nhlapo added. Meetings Africa celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in February 2020 before the world closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and hosted 324 exhibiting companies from across the continent. At Meetings Africa 2022, the SANCB, in collaboration with its valued partners, will implement a revamped, globally benchmarked, hosted buyer programme to ensure a successful exhibitor-buyer trade show experience. The show will take place in a physical format at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 28 February to 2 March 2022, with BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day) hosted on 28 February. For registration to participate as a buyer or an exhibitor, please contact the Meetings Africa exhibition management and sales teams who are on standby to

Ms Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo.

assist. South Africa National Convention Bureau, together with our official host partners, the Gauteng Tourism Authority, along with the City of Johannesburg and the Sandton Convention Centre, are ready to welcome you. To register for the show, please visit our website www.meetingsafrica.co.za or contact: Gisele Masengo: +27 61 866 4486 Rembu Moshapo: on +27 76 296 0944 E-mail address: exhibitor@ meetingsafrica.co.za

Business Events Africa February 2022 13

PAGE STRAP NEWS VENUE OF THE MONTH

Bridging the gap: fast-tracking business through Fancourt’s Business Centre One of Fancourt’s most iconic and scenic vistas is from across the bridge, stretching over the koi-filled pond, looking towards the Clubhouse, behind it the Business Centre. By Chantal Rutter.

he bridge was also symbolically designed to suggest a transition from one place to another and one is able to take it one step further, it’s a point where people are able to commute and reconnect with each other. It’s with this in mind that Fancourt approaches its conference and business facility offerings. With many businesses lagging behind or set to restructure, and

with remote working creating an even greater divide, bridging the gap and reconnecting has never been more important. With state-of-the-art facilities which include multiple conference rooms, each elegantly appointed to inspire productivity, companies are able to seamlessly get back to the business of rebuilding connections and relationships and masterminding the way forward.

14 Business Events Africa February 2022

Instead of spending this valuable time fretting about logistics, allow Fancourt’s dedicated staff to handle every last detail — from a guided guest check-in to stylishly designed rooms; from back-up technological support to flawlessly executed breakfasts, tea breaks or banquets. Whether it’s a board meeting, strategy sessions or a function, Fancourt has it covered to allow the client’s business to bridge the gap of the past two years

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VENUE OF THE PAGEMONTH STRAP NEWS

and move forward with focus and intent into 2022. For breathing space between sessions, allow ones gaze to shift to the rolling Outeniqua mountains, take a stroll or bike ride through more than 600 hectares of manicured lawns and gardens, making this a true garden of Eden. For those who desire to get the blood pumping, Fancourt offers a fully serviced gym, pools and tennis courts. For those choosing to unwind, Fancourt has an award-winning spa with a menu of treatments and magnificent heated Roman baths, sauna and tepidarium. To truly secure the rapport between business colleagues, book a round of golf or two at one of Fancourt’s iconic golf-courses. Long the business playground of many a successful businessperson, the surroundings alone will inspire perspective and fine-tune business acumen. Meals will also be taken care of with bookings at either the French bistro, Monet’s, with views stretching across the mountains or an authentic Italian-inspired dinner at La Cantina, where age-old techniques for curing meats and baking bread are still done on the property. Above all, what makes Fancourt’s business offering so attractive is its close proximity to George airport, a mere eight kilometers away, making this property centrally located for business gatherings from around the country. So, bridge the gap and bond with colleagues and business associates at Fancourt, the Garden Route’s business playground. Contact us: groupreservations@fancourt.co.za

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa February 2022 15

PAGE VENUE STRAP NEWS

Promoting forward thinking and moving ahead together Against a backdrop of severe travel restrictions and regulations limiting the size of indoor gatherings, the CTICC leadership team and staff faced a challenging year in 2020/2021. While 2021 saw the commencement of the vaccine rollout and the easing of some restrictions, the CTICC’s business was still severely curtailed. This called for agility and forward thinking to mitigate the restrictions’ financial impact on the CTICC.

ue to this, the CTICC team fully embraced its theme for 2020/21 — ‘Promoting forward thinking’ and its chess motif. Taubie Motlhabane, chief executive officer of CTICC, said: “Like many businesses, we were faced with uncontrollable challenges and obstacles, but we used these hardships as opportunities to trigger growth. “The red queen on the front cover of our Integrated Annual Report represents the characteristics that got us through a challenging year, these being passion,

innovation and agility. Her red colour also talks back to the Red Queen Hypothesis, a theory that suggests one has to run twice as fast and work twice as hard to stay on top, which was undoubtedly the case for us in this year under review.” “Like in a chess game, every piece matters — therefore we made teamwork and community a priority in the 2020/21 financial year. To succeed, we had to act strategically, together, because every move we made impacts all our futures,” she continued.

16 Business Events Africa February 2022

Ms Taubie Motlhabane.

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VENUE PAGE STRAP NEWS

“The CTICC has continued to be forward thinking and community-focused in response to these realities and has continued to maintain its triplebottom-line commitment to people, planet and profit.” Annual results across the board • Annual turnover of R43 million. • Annual revenue of R52.1 million. • R439.3 million contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a cumulative contribution of R53.2 billion to GDP since 2003. • R500.3 million contribution to Gross Geographic Product (GGP) and a cumulative contribution of R45 billion since 2003. • EBITDA loss of R93.7 million (32 per cent improvement on the target set for the financial year). • 143,282 jobs created nationally since inception. Future-proofing the CTICC Based on the lessons learnt in the past financial year, the CTICC team shifted their mindset and actions to a more proactive approach and focused on shaping their future. This approach included several critical improvements to their existing policies, and the implementation of new ones. The changes included: • The upgrade of their health and hygiene protocols in line with Covid-19 best practice. • The implementation of a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy. • The launch of the Covid-19 screening app that all staff and visitors to the CTICC use as part of their sign-in process. • The development of their proprietary Venue Capacity Management tool that adapts capacities of event space within the CTICC to the changing Covid-19 regulations and ensures that the correct social distancing is adhered to. The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, expressed his support for the CTICC and its leadership in his foreword in the CTICC 2020/21 Integrated Annual Report. He highlighted the strong partnership between the Western Cape Government and the CTICC throughout the pandemic and how it has supported the well-being of Western Cape residents. Two ways in which the CTICC has supported the community began with hosting the Hospital of Hope in CTICC 1, which closed its doors on 21 August 2020, www.businesseventsafrica.com

having helped 1,500 patients. This was followed by hosting the Vaccination Centre of Hope, where over 100,000 citizens received their vaccinations. Alderman Dan Plato also highlighted the progressiveness of the CTICC team and its support of the community in his foreword in the CTICC 2020/21 Integrated Annual Report. “The CTICC has continued to be forward thinking and community-focused in response to these realities and has continued to maintain its triple-bottom-line commitment to people, planet and profit.” A year of sobering and hopeful statistics During the 2020/21 financial year, the CTICC only hosted 53 events (a decrease of 86.6 per cent from the 2019/20 financial year), with a 98.3 per cent drop in in-person attendance rate from the 2019/20 financial year. Many of these events were hybrid, showcasing the CTICC’s ability to seamlessly integrate in-person and virtual events. Notable events include the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards and The Spar Challenge International Netball Tri-Nations Tournament. The centre also provided a safe environment for over 600 trainee accountants to write their exams and 600 UNISA graduates to receive their degrees. The CTICC also reported that 88 per cent of the total procurement spend was with B-BBEE businesses and that 44 per cent of the entire procurement spend was composed of women-owned enterprises, up 2 per cent from the previous financial year. Additionally, 80.7 per cent of spend was with local providers. The CTICC also continued its commitment to the environment and sustainability during the financial year. Energy, water and waste management continued to be of a high priority for the CTICC, and it managed to: • Reduce municipal water usage by 54.9 per cent. • Decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 37.8 per cent. • Drop energy consumption by 37.4 per cent. • 36.6 metric tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill.

The CTICC’s next move As the board chairman, Deon Cloete, said poignantly in his foreword in the CTICC 2020/21 Integrated Annual Report, “The future of events will never be the same for the CTICC”. The CTICC has wisely used its time during the year under review to restrategise and reimagine its event offering for a new and better tomorrow. This forward-thinking approach has led the CTICC to: • Focus on its hybrid event platform, CTICC Engage, by expanding its offerings via the platform. The new offerings include a digital studio with green-screen and various audio-visual facilities. • Focus on Own Events. The business model for Own Events allows small businesses to be part of large consumer and trade shows at an affordable price, hosted at a world-class venue that attracts both domestic and international visitors. Current events include the CTICC AllSport Expo in September 2022. This expo is the only consumer exhibition that showcases every one of the city’s favourite sports under one roof. Other Own Events include the popular CTICC Gift Fair and This is Art, held in November and the Ultimate Beverage Show, which is coming up on 27-29 January. • Strengthen its partnerships on the African Continent and its ties with leading African events, such as Africa Oil Week, Investing in African Mining Indaba, AfricaCom and Solar Power Africa. • Ensure a solid forward book with forty International and over 200 national events confirmed for the period 2022-2027. Taubie Motlhabane also thanked her staff, MANCO, EXCO, board, shareholders, service partners and clients for their support during the year under review. She ended her presentation with a clear message that the CTICC’s priority going forward is to focus more on community and innovation. This new focus will soon bring on significant changes at the CTICC, and Ms Motlhabane encouraged everyone to watch this space.

Business Events Africa February 2022 17

PAGE SUSTAINABILITY STRAP

2021 — a year in review: Radisson Hotel Group’s responsible business milestones Radisson Hotel Group looks back on a year of successful Responsible Business initiatives, including being the world’s first hotel group to make meetings and events carbon-negative across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio, establishing and extending partnerships focused on health, safety and green energy, and the launch of the Global Sustainability Basics framework that will be implemented in 2022. By Inge Huijbrechts, global senior vice president sustainability, security and corporate communications for Radisson Hotel Group.

adisson Hotel Group remains committed to its corporate responsibility targets as outlined in the 2020 Responsible Business Report, including the reduction of the company’s carbon and water footprint by 30 per cent by 2025, aligning with science-based emissions reduction targets, removing single-use plastics, and continuing to drive best practices in responsible consumption behaviour. 2021 marked a year of key milestones and innovative initiatives in the three pillars of Think People, Think Community and Think Planet.

Carbon Negative and Neutral Meetings Since 2019, Radisson Hotel Group has set the industry standard for carbonneutral meetings and has been the only hotel group that offsets the carbon footprint for every meeting and event at its hotels worldwide at no cost to delegates or organisers. In 2021, the group launched its Carbon Negative, Planet Positive initiative to make meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative by offsetting double the CO2 emissions. Since 2019, the Group has offset over 30,300

18 Business Events Africa February 2022

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SUSTAINABILITY PAGE STRAP

tons of CO2 from meetings and events, at no cost to clients, equivalent to removing more than 6,500 fuel-driven cars off the road. Responsible consumption and supply chain partnerships In 2021, Radisson Hotel Group announced two ground-breaking e-mobility partnerships, establishing its position as a green mobility leader. The first partnership is with Allego, a leading pan-European provider with the aim of bringing EV charging solutions to all European Radisson Hotel Group properties by 2025, and a second partnership with Sunfuel in India, aiming to equip the 100+ Radisson Hotel Group properties in the country with EV charging stations. As part of the Group’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Radisson Hotel Group swiftly launched the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol across all hotels, combined with the third-party validation by SGS, as 234 continued to achieve the additional Safehotels security label. The group was also recognised as an EcoVadis silver level sustainable company and signed an agreement with EcoVadis to apply the Rating to its global supply chain. In 2021, Radisson Hotel Group partnered with innovative start-up Too Good To Go to reduce food waste and to redistribute surplus food from hotels across Europe. Global sustainability basics In a unique cooperation between the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and leading hotel companies, the Basic Sustainability framework was launched at the end of 2021 as a non-competitive initiative to raise the global basic level of hotel sustainability. Radisson Hotel Group supports the launch of the Basic www.businesseventsafrica.com

Sustainability framework which delivers a common beginning point for hotel sustainability accessible to all hotels worldwide — whether they are part of a large international group or independent. Providing hotels globally with these common measures will have a positive impact on the planet and will drive real change by stimulating the demand for responsible travel. The full framework is currently under development and will be released in March 2022. Responsible Business Awards In the past year, Radisson Hotel Group has received several accolades, including Spain’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Hospitality Gold certification for Radisson Collection Hotel, Magdalena Plaza Sevilla which runs entirely on renewable energy and consumes 40 per cent less water than the reference building. “Throughout the pandemic, customers continue to look for sustainable travel options. Since the COP26 summit, climate change mitigation has come even more to the forefront of business strategies and everyone’s mind. Sustainability is a top priority for our industry and our customers. At Radisson Hotel Group, we continue to work on our roadmap to Net Zero and are proud of the milestones we have realised in a challenging year for our industry. 2021 marked an opportunity to harness our focus on responsible business initiatives for both our Group and collectively for the hospitality industry. We look forward to another year of establishing strong strategic partnerships as we all work towards a responsible recovery and return of travel,” said Inge Huijbrechts, global senior vice president sustainability, security and corporate communications for Radisson Hotel Group.

South African resilience Throughout 2021, Radisson Hotel Group hotels across South Africa continued to provide the highest quality of service while also lending a helping hand where it was most needed. This included Radisson Blu Gautrain, Johannesburg’s donation of linen packs to more than five hundred community members, staff and organisations such as Rays of Hope for Warmth, Orlando Children’s Home and Tembisa Child and Community Welfare, during the unrest in the country. High levels of unemployment and poverty in South Africa have also resulted in an increase in hunger. Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre OR Tambo, Johannesburg worked with chefs to divert surplus food from waste and donate it to kitchens to be cooked and served to those in need. Similarly, the team at Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton worked around the clock for six days to increase their intended quota of one thousand litres of soup to fourteen thousand litres, which resulted in fifty-six thousand people in the south and east of Johannesburg receiving a warm meal. In Cape Town, Radisson RED V&A Waterfront currently makes a monthly donation to Meals on Wheels South Africa to assist pensioners with meals. The Radisson Hotel Group Area Support Office has also donated R38,000 to the Radisson Hotel Group Training and Development Centre at the SOS Children’s Village in Cape Town. The Centre focuses on training and educating underprivileged youth and is now a fully functional training hub for staff and children. More details of Radisson Hotel Group’s achievements and plan will be released in the 2021 Responsible Business Report in Q2 2022.

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PAGE SUSTAINABILITY INDUSTRY STRAP INSIGHTS

The changing business events platform By Wrenelle Stander, chief executive officer of Wesgro.

s business events were postponed, cancelled, or transitioned into the virtual realm, the direct economic impact emanating from such events were virtually zero. This led to business events having to immediately innovate, using virtual platforms. Supported by advancements in technology and infrastructure, the skills of event organisers and the desire of attendees to engage through virtual platforms has provided our industry with a short-term lifeline, and virtual and hybrid options are now credible alternatives to the traditional face-to-face platform. However, interpersonal engagement and the unique experience from attending in-person conferences cannot be understated. Looking into 2022, as Covid-19 variants continue to emerge and whilst the South African vaccination rates remain muted and travel bans impede global movement, enticing delegates to travel and attend in-person events will remain challenging. Flexibility coupled with event design will become a critical element in organising events going forward, thus opening opportunities for new skills development and learning. In terms of destination marketing, it has never been more important for

all stakeholders in the value chain to emphasise what legacies are generated once the event is over. Articulating how an in-person conference impacts the industry, region and the country is now imperative. Attendees need to understand how they are connected to sectoral and economic change. Showcasing local expertise to resolve global challenges is a key focus area for growth. Covid-19 has provided a platform for South African scientists and epidemiologists to demonstrate how they may contribute to resolving a global crisis. There are many other sectors that need to be spotlighted — the potential is immense. The pandemic has created a larger focus on opportunity for growth on the African continent and a need for an establishment of stronger continental networks and infrastructure to support its tourism options, including business events. Although the continent must overcome barriers such as limited air lift connectivity and a more seamless approach to visas etc., it is working hard to open itself up to the world. There is a stronger drive within the established and emerging business events hubs on the continent to connect and obtain a deeper understanding of one another’s barriers to growth, and its citizens are embracing these opportunities.

20 Business Events Africa February 2022

The role of the convention bureaux in marketing their destinations to hosting business events will be to have an acute awareness of the international trends affecting how choices for a destination will be made in this new reality. Although attracting large-scale delegate numbers again will be the ultimate goal as destination marketers, a focus must be on the growth potential of the regional and domestic market and how these will create more direct economic opportunities for destinations. www.businesseventsafrica.com

VENUE PAGE STRAP NEWS

Hyatt House brand debuts in Africa Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton marked the debut of the Hyatt House brand in Africa last month, while expanding the brand’s footprint globally in markets that matter most to guests and World of Hyatt members.

onveniently located in the heart of Sandton, Hyatt House hotels’ apartment-style living are ideal for guests who are looking to continue their work and personal routines, helping business and leisure travellers feel at home. The property boasts 62 guestrooms: 43 residentially inspired studios and 19 suites with separate living rooms. Whilst one might feel right at home with these casual comforts, guests still benefit from the convenience of hotel stays which include guest relations, complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, a fitness centre, outdoor pool and much more. The property offers world-class on-site lifestyle amenities such as a 24-hour gym, the Medley restaurant (open to the public), the H BAR, which proudly serves Starbucks coffee and a sip and snack

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menu. For added convenience, the H Market is open 24-hours for snacks such as freshly prepared salads and sandwiches. For guests staying for 30 or more consecutive nights the hotel has its own Very Important Resident (VIR) programme, which offers conveniences such as complimentary grocery shopping, and other personalised concierge services. The “Borrows Menu” ensures that oftenforgotten items such as phone chargers and razors may be provided to guests as interim solutions. Moving outdoors the property offers a beautiful open-air space called “the Commons”. Featuring an outdoor braai and woodfired pizza oven this is the perfect spot for guests to relax, gather and socialise around the outdoor lounge or at the pool soaking up the sun, relaxing or just hanging out with friends.

Also located outside, is a unique and intimate event space - the Tree House - a wooden deck nestled inside a tree in the centre if it all. Atef Soliman, hotel manager, commented: “Hyatt House Johannesburg is everything the name represents – a welcoming and warm environment that encourages guests to live like residents. We would like each guest who enters through our doors to feel that they may let their real-life routines roll on, even when they’re on the road. Whether guests are visiting for a short trip or an extended stay, we know Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton is the perfect place to offer a personalised hotel experience that will make everyone feel right at home.” For more information visit: Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton

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PAGE A LOCAL STRAP PERSPECTIVE

What’s on the horizon for business travel? Despite another disruptive (and disappointing) year for business travel, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is feeling bullish when it comes to the sector’s recovery in 2022 and beyond.

n fact, they expect global business travel spending to surge in 2022, with spend ultimately reaching 2019 levels by 2024 — a full year earlier than previously predicted. This is according to the GBTA’s annual business travel index, the BTI™ Outlook, which looks at both business travel spend as well as insights and traveller sentiment across 44 industries from 73 countries around the world. If business travel is to reach 2019 levels (an impressive $1.4 trillion) in the next two years, it’ll mean a year-over-year surge of 38 per cent in 2022. An exciting prospect.

But are business travellers ready to go? What would they like to accomplish from their trips? What’s changed? And, what can business travellers expect in the months ahead? Oz Desai, general manager of Corporate Traveller, takes a closer look at the current state of business travel — and the trends which will shape our trips in the year ahead. 1. Balance, bleisure and a return to normality “A significant take out from the GBTA report is that about half (52 per cent) of c-suite respondents expect their company’s

22 Business Events Africa February 2022

business travel spend to reach 2019 levels at some point in 2022. And it’s not surprising. Business travel is critical when it comes to things like business growth, client relationship management, and employee training and development,” Mr Desai said. But will a return to travel mean business as usual? “Although people are desperate to ‘get back to normal’, there’s no doubt that Covid-19 has changed our priorities,” Mr Desai said. “Hard lockdown removed pretty much everything except work — no travel, no socialising, no exercise, no balance in our lives. Business travellers will www.businesseventsafrica.com

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE PAGE STRAP

now demand more from their trips.” According to Mr Desai, we may expect longer trips (in other words, quality over quantity) as well as a focus on health, wellness and personal growth. “Ultimately, most corporate travellers are no longer satisfied to travel purely for business purposes. After having been starved of travel opportunities for almost two years, they would like to add in an element of leisure and really make the most of the destinations that they visit,” Mr Desai commented. “Luckily, companies and travel management companies (TMCs) are paying attention and beginning to offer ‘bleisure’ travel as an employee perk, accommodating ‘workcation’ requests or exploring opportunities for digital nomads. Not only is it an important shift in terms of employee wellbeing but it’s becoming increasingly important in terms of attracting – and keeping – the right talent.” 2. Sustainability Alongside health and wellness, sustainable travel is also growing in importance. “Travellers are becoming more and more aware of their individual environmental footprint. They want to travel, but without having a negative impact on the world around them,” Mr Desai said. According to Mr Desai, there are a number of ways TMCs are able to make a difference: 1) TMCs have the ability to build a company’s sustainability goals directly into their travel policy, for example, by supporting greener hotels or suggesting suppliers with communitybuilding projects and programmes. 2) Carbon calculators can measure a trip’s carbon footprint, and companies have the ability to offset their impact by investing in environmental projects around the world. 3) Booking platforms may also suggest the ‘greenest’ route – often the most direct – which limits takeoffs and reduces the journey time. 4) Finally, new tech allows TMCs to create ‘sustainability dashboards’ — in order to measure and track a client’s sustainability efforts. “Ultimately, this means partnering with travel suppliers who can provide the right advice and guidance around sustainable travel — is a must for post-pandemic, international travellers,” Mr Desai said. www.businesseventsafrica.com

3. 24/7 support and communication Although the mood going into 2022 is (cautiously) optimistic, the travel industry is still facing plenty of uncertainty. Travel restrictions continue to change at short notice, and travellers may be forgiven for feeling a measure of trepidation. “As such, business travellers are looking for 24/7 support and proactive, open, ongoing communication from their TMC. After hours or emergency support is important — as is instant access to the latest travel information and alerts. Ideally, direct to a traveller’s mobile phone,” Mr Desai said. 4. Risk monitoring and assessment Unsurprising then is that travel risk management will be top of mind in 2022. And, according to Mr Desai, when it comes to risk, it’s always a good idea to enlist professional help. “Chat to your TMC about their risk management partners — as well as their duty-of-care capabilities. For example, Corporate Traveller operates a 24/7 emergency assist service, and has strong partnerships with airlines, hotels and ground transport providers so that we are able to bring your travellers home quickly, should the need arise.” Traveller tracking is going to dominate tech advancements over the next few years, with customised safety dashboards and new-and-improved risk management solutions leading the way. “International travel has always carried a measure of risk and unpredictability,” Mr Desai said. “Just think of adverse weather events, volcanic ash, terror incidents, strikes and industrial action. Covid-19 has just added a little more uncertainty into the mix. Any TMC worth their salt will understand each destination’s unique risk profile, offer on-the-ground guidance and advice, be able to track your travellers, and bring them back safely.” 5. Perks, personal service and peace of mind There’s little doubt that travellers are less than thrilled by the idea of pre-travel Covid tests (especially if another is required on landing), not to mention the admin of vaccination certificates and concerns around testing positive while away from home. To make up for it, they’ll be expecting a

Who is Oz Desai? With a proven track record in business management and finance, Oz Desai heads up Flight Centre Travel Group’s Corporate Traveller brand in South Africa. Having worked in a retail travel, management and financial environment within the Flight Centre group, Mr Desai’s first-hand experience brings great depth to the role of positioning Corporate Traveller as the preferred provider of travel solutions to corporate South Africa. little more TLC. “TMCs are doing a lot of work in terms of building traveller confidence through information, vetted suppliers and personalised service,” Mr Desai said. “But their purchasing power means that they may also secure the best rates, deals and travel perks around. Which is music to the ears of both bookers and travellers alike. Think early check-in, late check-out, free upgrades, priority boarding and lounge access.” If you ask a business traveller to compile their 2022 wish list, ease of travel; wellness and balance; new experiences and destinations; personal growth and peace of mind are likely at the top of their list. They would like to know that they’re being properly looked after, prioritised, and heard. “It’s essential for TMCs to pay close attention. Especially considering the role corporate traveller confidence will play in speeding up the industry’s revival,” Mr Desai concluded.

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PAGE HOTEL STRAP GROUP SPOTLIGHT

Relationship building in the hospitality sector is key for growth Relationship building is vital in any industry, but particularly within the hospitality industry. ANEW Hotels & Resorts’ relationship with its owners is built on shared values and a solid foundation of trust. Here, the owners of some of ANEW’s most successful properties share their insights into what sets the group apart.

atrick Eliot, owner of ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe, believes that synergy is the most important factor when forming partnerships. “The enormous benefits that flow from networking and having partners who keep up-to-date with every aspect of the hospitality industry is the recipe for success for any owner. No man is an island, and the cooperation that flows from working with a good management company is important. ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe has built a successful partnership with the

ANEW Group, which is mutually beneficial to our growth.” Mano Paxinos, director and shareholder of ANEW Hotel Hilton, added that joining forces with a young and dynamic team was vital for the growth of his hotel. “It provides for good stewardship, early identification of changing trends, and facilitates early adoption, leading to market leadership. ANEW was the best fit for us as it is a young and energetic team with a collaborative approach. They have an attitude that one size does not fit all,

resulting in very pragmatic execution. It is this nuance, nimbleness and access to the executive team that influenced our choice.”

Patrick Eliot.

Mano Paxinos.

Avi Nathan.

24 Business Events Africa February 2022

Humble beginnings and strong family values Avi Nathan, owner of ANEW Resort Hunters Rest, added that having the same values makes for a highly successful partnership. “We observe the same blend of hospitality and customer service. ANEW have proved to be dependable, upfront, and honest in all their dealings. We have

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HOTEL GROUPPAGE SPOTLIGHT STRAP

no problems communicating with all their staff, who are all professional and responsive. It’s a pleasure dealing with ANEW as they observe a high-quality of ethics and customer care.” He continued: “Under ANEW, we are happy with the way the business is run as their professionalism and attention to detail makes ANEW Resort Hunters Rest a very attractive resort, which my wife and I look forward to visiting. It feels like our home away from home.” Mr Eliot added: “ANEW brings their management expertise at a fair cost, and the company was borne out of humble beginnings with strong family values. ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe was similarly borne from humble beginnings. Under the current ownership, we are incorporating and adopting the ANEW values of honour, integrity, teamwork, excellence and courage.”

in a safe environment. Its young and energetic team remains committed to attention to detail and consistency and are constantly improving the standard of our hotel with strict control over finance, marketing and operations.” Mr Nathan concurred, agreeing that ANEW maintains a high standard of professionalism, employs competent staff and have systems in place to work smoothly and efficiently. Mr Paxinos added the significance of a seamless transition and long-term goals. “ANEW’s significant aligning values were not promises of cost savings but of progressive milestones of a win-win outcome. The moderation of our expectations was brought to the fore

before we signed up.” “We appreciate ANEW’s timeous and accurate reporting of results and highlighting issues on the horizon, thus eliminating large elements of surprise, which is prevalent in our industry. Working with ANEW has been nothing short of miraculous.” Mr Paxinos ended off with advice for hotel owners looking for partners in the industry. “Carefully understand the shortcomings of your existing management partner and your expectations. Sometimes, the tangible takes you down a road to sacrifice the intangible, which is something that money can’t buy,” he concluded.

Challenging year “Due to the pandemic, the last year has proved challenging,” Mr Nathan said. “However, ANEW has maintained strict Covid protocols and managed to keep occupancy levels high. This helped us navigate the difficulties of the past 20 months more seamlessly.” Mr Eliot continued: “During the Covid pandemic, ANEW assisted our hotel in implementing and maintaining strict protocols, which assisted guests and other third parties to enjoy our hospitality www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa February 2022 25

PAGE COVER MEETSTRAP THE STORY GM

Meet the GM The new general manager at The Capital Zimbali, Nelson Rodrigues, has led the once beleaguered resort hotel to profitability, just two months after it reopened in November 2021, after The Capital Hotels and Apartments acquired it earlier last year.

R60-million refurbishment project, along with the addition of exciting new restaurants and bars, positioned the hotel perfectly to welcome visitors for the festive season holidays. Under Rodrigues’ watchful and experienced eye, guests flocked to the iconic property — with forward bookings for the year ahead already looking strong. Mr Rodrigues joined The Capital Zimbali from his most recent successful posting at The Capital Menlyn Maine and The Capital Trilogy in Pretoria, which were also the group’s most profitable properties under his management. His current successes follow on from a career of leading award-winning hotels and resorts — he was part of the opening team at the landmark The Westcliff Hotel and was general manager at the

multi-award-winning Bushmanskloof Hotel in the Cedarberg. It was under his leadership that this magnificent property won ten international establishment and conservation awards, including the Travel and Leisure Award for the Best Hotel in the World, and the Best Lodge in Africa and the Middle East. “I’ve travelled to more than 132 cities and love how travel inspires me to bring great ideas and innovations to make our guests’ experiences even more memorable,” Mr Rodrigues said. “It’s truly an honour and a privilege to lead the passionate team at The Capital Zimbali, which is one of the most exciting properties in South Africa,” he added. “I have been a part of The Capital family since 2015, and I’m proud to be a part of its ongoing success and growth.”

26 Business Events Africa February 2022

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PAGE STRAP NEWS

Johannesburg welcomes new hotels Tourism has gotten off to a promising beginning in 2022 as Africa’s first voco hotel opened in the trendy Rosebank District. This comes after the recent launch of The Playground Market in Braamfontein and the return of the Makhelwane Festival in Soweto — alongside the December opening of the Hyatt House boutique hotel in Sandton.

fter the two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s truly encouraging and exciting to see that Joburg is back in business,” said Councillor Nkululeko Mbundu, MMC for Economic Development at the City of Johannesburg. “We’re thrilled to see investors expressing their confidence in our city and destination once again. We welcome them with open arms and look forward to promoting and supporting them as part of a vibrant, unrivaled destination Joburg.” “We have been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic — our communities and our economy have suffered blows both in human and economic terms,” Mr Mbundu said. “We have lost friends and loved ones, many businesses are in distress and many people have lost their jobs. Although economies around the world are recovering from the collapse in output after the widespread lockdowns, the road back from the pandemic will, in the words of the IMF, be long, uneven and highly uncertain. We must seize the opportunity the crisis represents to rebuild and refocus our economy, in the process ensuring it is more competitive and

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adapted to the changes that the pandemic and technology have brought to the world. A greener, more technology absorbing and more jobs intensive economy is possible given the right mindset and appropriate planning. From the City of Johannesburg’s perspective, it is our intention to play our part in building partnerships between government, the private sector and research institutions to achieve this.” The Bank Johannesburg Rosebank Operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts, voco

The Bank Johannesburg Rosebank is the first voco property to open in Africa. “The Bank is a distinctive hotel with an individual character in the buzzing ‘walk-work-play’ district of Rosebank and will be a great addition to the destination. This new opening in the trendy hub of Rosebank adds to the momentum we are building in India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA) region, with six hotels opening in key cities," said Haitham Mattar, managing director IMEA at IHG. The 131-room property is described as a striking new architectural gem, a short distance from the Gautrain. The beautifully appointed rooms and suites also feature an enviable collection of original local artwork. Occupying six floors of a mixeduse Bank building, the hotel shares this innovative space with signature tenants such as Rand Merchant Investments, Bespoke Man Barbers and Tailor Me, with the Rosebank Mall, The Firs and The Zone shopping centres right on its doorstep. “An upscale sanctuary in the heart of one of the city’s trendiest districts, an international business hub renowned for its shopping, art and design, voco The Bank Johannesburg Rosebank delivers on the promise of its name — to invite or come together in Latin.” Moreover, The Bank Johannesburg prides itself on implementing leading global sustainable practices. “We know that nowadays people like to feel that they are making a difference,” said general manager, Jessica Redinger. “We’ve gone out of our way to minimise the impact of our hotel on the environment, using best practice sustainable guidelines wherever we are able to. But it is just as important for us to look after our guests while looking after the planet. So, we have not sacrificed our world-class amenities and the comfortable and friendly guest experience that people have come to expect from voco.”

Business Events Africa February 2022 27

PAGE STRAP CHEF’S PROFILE

Keegan Maistry strives for service excellence Ambitious Keegan Maistry, 34, executive chef at the new four-star Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City, strives for service excellence. Keegan has extensive experience in luxury hotels in South Africa and the United States.

am a professional chef specialising in fusion cuisine and contemporary fine dining with latest trends. I have worked for two celebrity chefs abroad and in South Africa. I am passionate and have a very high standard and respect for food and my kitchen adapting to almost any style of cuisine,” he said. Keegan added: “I love food and it’s a big part of Indian culture, bringing family and friends together. Growing up, assisting my mum in the kitchen, exploring different spices and flavours gained my interested in the world of cooking. It’s also in my genes as my grandfather was a chef. I decided that because I love it so much, I envisioned myself doing this every day.”

On the new four-star Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City opening, he said: “Opening a new hotel is an amazing experience; it has its challenges, especially in times like these, but it is an opportunity to make your mark, employ a good, balanced team, create different food and beverages as well as conferencing and accommodation packages for all guests, and witness the hotel transform.” Keegan was born in Durban, went to Lenarea Secondary School in Phoenix and studied towards a twoyear Diploma in Professional Cookery at the ICESA Hotel School in central Durban, graduating in 2006. His career commenced at the Southern

28 Business Events Africa February 2022

Sun Elangeni Hotel in Durban. “In my 14 years in the hospitality industry, I have worked for some of the most prestigious five-star hotels and resorts in South Africa and internationally. My career commenced as a commis chef at the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel on Durban’s famous Golden Mile stretch of beachfront and I moved on in 2010 to the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga as a chef de partie working alongside the legends, chef Luke Nair and chef Kevin Joseph.” “I then accepted my next challenge of working abroad, and headed for the USA, working in some of the biggest and busiest resorts, namely Hunters Run Golf www.businesseventsafrica.com

CHEF’S PAGE PROFILE STRAP

Estate in Florida, Fishers Island Private Club and the Glen Oaks Club in New York. I was privileged to work with a number of well-known chefs in Florida namely, Armando Rodriguez and celebrity chefs Nils Noren in New York and Liam Tomlin in South Africa,” he said. Keegan added: “When I returned to South Africa, I accepted the position of sous chef at the Sabi Sands’ Boulders and Ebony Luxury Lodge and Safari, before taking up the position of executive sous chef at two of the biggest five-star establishments in Johannesburg, managing multiple kitchens, namely Radisson Blu Sandton and Sandton Sun.” “In 2021, I joined the opening team of the new flagship hotel for the City Lodge Hotel Group, the four-star Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City. This is my first executive chef position and I oversee the hotel’s two restaurants – the Protea and the Highline – and all conferencing and banqueting for three event areas – Skyrocket, Sugarbush and Mountain Rose – catering for 40 people each or a combined 120 people, as well as the Pincushion boardroom, Club Lounge, co-working spaces, pool deck and room service.” Keegan is passionate about what he does; he said: “At the front of house, I love meeting different people daily and engaging with clients to discuss their vision for their event. In the engine room aka the kitchen, it’s all about planning, developing and executing the food and beverage offering down to every single detail. In the office, my responsibilities include menu engineering, food costing, stock costs and quality control, managing www.businesseventsafrica.com

and motivating the team, looking out for the latest trends and keeping the operation running like a well-oiled machine. These three roles of an executive chef are key to a successful hotel and kitchen.” Keegan’s goal for the next five years is to continue learning and developing himself. “Working in a hotel group, my priorities are to continuously improve the offering and guest service and broaden the guest’s palate. I hope to share my style, technique and taste with the entire hotel group, helping to set standards that will meet all guests’ expectations both young and old,” he said. In terms of food and beverage trends, Keegan said: “Guests’ expectations and palates have advanced over the years. With food and beverage offerings, we have to keep up with trends, flavours, dietary requirements and eating habits. Once we understand the guest’s needs, adapting to trends and keeping things fresh and spiced up is much easier.” From a global perspective, he said: “Trends include the focus on a healthier diet; have an abundance of nutrition which is being introduced; interest in immune-boosting foods; and a new trend of interactive dining, giving guests more than just a culinary experience.” Regarding conferencing food, Keegan suggests conference organisers keep it fresh, healthy, simple and exciting. “Clients’ conferencing, whether for the day or the week, can be exhausting and they look forward to refreshment breaks, so it has to be quick, easy to eat and something that they really enjoy, while still giving them the necessary nutrients required to push through the rest of the day.” Apart from the pandemic, on the topic of challenges facing the sector, he said: “It is up to professionals such as us to educate schools and tertiary institutions about the importance of mentally preparing individuals before they enter the industry.” For leisure Keegan enjoys watching the Premier League. “I am a huge Tottenham Hotspur Football Club fan, so weekends are Premier League time — it’s me, the television and a braai or home-cooked meal.” He also enjoys playing action cricket, visiting new restaurants and spending time with industry friends. His advice for those aspiring to become an executive chef is: “If you are pursuing

a cheffing career, passion and patience is key. Climb up the ranks correctly to understand each position — I strongly suggest a minimum of two years in each position and to work in every sector of kitchen hospitality to find your balance, whether it is in restaurants, hotels or catering services.” What is your signature dish? Succulent lamb loin chops on a bed of sweet vegetable chutney and brown onion purée. It pairs well with a good glass of merlot or lager of your choice. What trends are emerging in the conference industry? Individual portions served on small plates due to the pandemic; and energiser sessions with health bars, health shots and ‘brain food’ containing omega three, turmeric, blueberries and pumpkin seeds. What has remained constant in this industry? Not a lot, to be honest, due to the pandemic — it’s called the new normal, but it has been a challenge for all industry individuals to adapt to all the necessary protocols and rules. One thing that hasn’t changed is that we all strive for service excellence and providing guests with the most memorable stay and experience. What is your favourite beverage? I enjoy a beer after a long day or a Coke with my meals, and a mojito on a really sweltering day. What is your favourite food? I enjoy the simple food I grew up eating in Phoenix: dry fish chutney, braised sheep head curry and most of all, my mum’s lamb chops, chutney and rice… yum! What is your pet hate? Tardiness…and Manchester United Football Club! What is your great love? Tottenham Hotspur Football Club... COYS— or, come on you Spurs! Are you adventurous? I have eaten all types of food including mopani worms and a delicious Provençal frog casserole and attempting those crazy rides at Universal in the USA.

Business Events Africa February 2022 29

EVENT GREENING FORUM

A new year and a new start

Now that we have all had a chance to catch our breath and hopefully gather ourselves for the coming year, perhaps we need to take a fresh look at our businesses and how we could ensure less disruption from future events by becoming more sustainable. By Greg McManus, chairperson of Event Greening Forum.

he past two years has shown that no business is ‘fireproof’ against a global pandemic. But it has also shown that by becoming more sustainable and supplying services that ensure the sustainability of others, we can get through the fire and back on our feet quicker than most. Sustainability has taken on a vastly different focus post-Covid, and now is the time to reposition yourself to provide the services and assurances to current and future clients. Most businesses are now hyper-tuned to the impacts of any external event and almost all are now looking to future-proof their activities and services to remain relevant. In respect of meetings, exhibitions and gatherings, they are very aware of the risks and the limitations that have been placed on this sector, so by addressing these needs and providing sustainable health, safety, operational and logistic solutions to corporates, clients and individuals alike, you can reinvent yourself. But there is a caveat to this. Becoming a sustainability solution provider means that you need to ensure that everything you do as a business illustrates your commitment fully. You need to walk-the-talk and ensure

that you understand and appreciate the limitations that currently exist in the marketplace. You need to align yourself with like-minded service providers and begin expecting the same levels of commitment from your suppliers and business associates. By ensuring that your business is future-proofed, you would be demonstrating to your clients a sense of awareness and the ability to look after their interests at every chance. The Event Greening Forum offers every event organiser; supplier and venue in this country a valuable opportunity to align with and share the latest thinking in sustainable events and meetings. Our network gives access to a pool of invaluable experience and knowledge for a small annual subscription, and it identifies you as a professional in an industry that has become flooded with individuals that believe the greening of events has passed its prime. The time to fully commit to sustainable events and meetings is now and your opportunity to truly add value to your business offering couldn’t be better. Visit our website today and become part of the sustainability solutions that your clients will demand in the coming years.

30 Business Events Africa February 2022

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

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PAGE SITE STRAP NEWS

Site Africa supports Walk for Love By Tes Proos, president of Site Africa

SITE Africa is proud to partner with Aviators Africa in the Walk for Love which promised to be a long-term awareness campaign to promote and develop both Intra-Africa travel and general awareness of the magnificent destinations across the continent.

arch 2020 saw the world enter into a lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors were the worst hit. Vaccines were rolled out to different countries according to orders; Africa obviously was not given priority which led to a large number of Africans being unvaccinated. This made it difficult for travel and tourism to rebound with PCR testing contributing to the prohibitive cost of travel. Aviators Africa is at the forefront of using love, unity and solidarity on the continent of Africa as a basic mindset for tackling the myriad issues

facing the aviation, travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, but is not limited to vaccine, which has become topical. Aviators Africa organised an event under the Walk For Love Pan-African project on the 12 February 2022 themed,‘Connect Africa with love’. This event will saw leaders in the travel and tourism value chain across Africa take part in a leisure walk to create awareness and draw support for the sector during a pandemic era. The Walk for Love advocacy group used the 12 February event launch as a deliberate attempt to use the month of love (Valentine weekend) to shine

the light on the need for Africa to love itself. This has set the stage to use the Walk for Love platform to continue organising Pan-African projects that advocate for the rebound of travel and tourism together with its calendar of events. The Walk for Love — Connect Africa event saw stakeholders in the aviation, travel, tourism and hospitality sector walk for two kilometres across sixteen participating African countries. Objectives 1. Use the Walk for Love Africa platform to advocate and campaign with Pan-African project for travel and tourism rebound. 2. Create awareness about the challenges facing the travel and tourism sector. 3. Emphasise the benefit of Intra-Africa business events as economic drivers. 3. Promote connectivity and Intra-Africa travel. 4. Promote unity and care amongst Africans. 5. Promote inclusion for Africa. 6. Promote fitness and wellness.

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.

Contact

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...

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

Business BusinessEvents EventsAfrica AfricaNovember February 2021 2022 31

PAGE NEWS SAEC STRAP

Are you ready to walk away from being a lone ranger? The events industry, especially conferencing, has changed forever. The Council of Event Professionals Africa (CEPA), as a member of the SA Events Council, believes that there is a major competitive opportunity in creating an engaging and specialised experience for each of their in-person and remote audiences. By Glenn van Eck, Council of Event Professionals Africa (CEPA).

istory is littered with examples of crises that have spawned massive innovation. Mention the words digital or smartphone to Kodak, Blockbuster or Nokia, and you will sense the regret of not staying in touch with changing customer trends and desires. Crises tend to drive us into states of deep discomfort, but the resulting innovation often corresponds with meeting customer opportunities already on the horizon. Covid-19 has signalled the end of comfort zones for many service industries. Before Covid-19, the events industry in South Africa had been very comfortable packaging events such as conferences and product launches as specifically in-person events. However, during lockdown, we have become very comfortable with using online platforms such as Zoom and Teams. The organisers of conferences and events will now be forced to reimagine their offering to be competitive. Hybrid events is obviously the new buzz. The challenge is to combine virtual and in-person event experiences that accommodate the health and safety protocols likely to be with us well into 2022. As an industry, we now have wonderful opportunities. We may now extend the attendance numbers and geographical reach, improve ROI, and gather valuable customer data. A recent survey by Northstar in Britain saw that 95 per cent of business respondents expected to hold at least one hybrid meeting this year. However, I believe that there are major

downsides to the new format if the events are not professionally produced. The danger arises when conference organisers see online broadcast as simply an add-on to the in-person experience and don’t differentiate and innovate the online delegate experience in the production. This has been very evident in many of the hybrid events currently being organised. The pitfall is that most of the organisers still structure the production as an in-person event and then simply add varying levels of video production to bring the image and sound to virtual viewers. In effect, this leaves the virtual viewer feeling that they are exactly that, a virtual viewer without feeling loved. This add-on approach invariably leads to online viewers becoming distracted and less engaged with the proceedings. I believe that organisers need to treat the in-person and the online audiences as two separate productions. We will need to create more features, interactivity and exciting moments for online viewers. These may include questions to the presenters, role-playing activities and live polls, to mention a few options. CEPA believes that the events and meetings industry may drive the recovery and growth of the tourism industry by embracing the new opportunities as a team. Building a reputation as an events sector that maximises the opportunities of Hybrid Events will help the decimated tourist sector in the country’s various destinations to recover and create a competitive advantage. Our organisation passionately believes

32 Business Events Africa February 2022

that the ‘Lone Ranger’ approach to the events business is no longer sustainable. Collaboration is critical for success. CEPA feels that the buy-in from event venues in particular is a critical success element. Venue staff need to be trained in the dynamics of hybrid events and must be able to give their customers excellent information about the advantages of including online audiences. They should have enough knowledge about the logistics of hybrid events to give accurate logistical advice to customers, in a confident manner. By building knowledge and collaboration, we may deliver world-class hybrid event experiences for both in-person and online audiences and allow the tourism multiplier to spread the recovery of cities and towns across our country. At CEPA, we are researching the possibility of including this training in our offering to events industry staff. We look forward to being a significant contributor to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the business events industry in South Africa. e: hello@saeventscouncil.org

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AAXO PAGE STRAP NEWS

Exhibitions are commercial marketplaces By Projeni Pather, chairperson of AAXO.

n exhibition is a temporary commercial marketplace, where one or more sellers display their goods and services to their customers/buyers. Given the nature of an exhibition, it should be allowed to operate. The Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) and the Exhibitions and Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) have been in ongoing discussions with the Department of Corporate Governance and Trade Affairs (COGTA) and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to ensure the swift reopening of the exhibition industry. Our government proposal acknowledges the importance of saving lives and livelihoods by including mandatory safety protocols, risk-adjusted strategies, increased venue capacity, and stimulating business across all sectors. Due to the varying rates of progression of the pandemic in different countries, exhibition industries in other countries have been able to host events that would have previously taken place in South Africa. In many countries,

exhibitions are no longer grouped with mass events. The South African exhibition industry faces fierce international competition as exhibitions relocate to alternative countries. Despite the stringent indoor capacities being restricted to 250 people in November 2020, our industry demonstrated that with robust safety measures successfully activated at the Restart Exhibition at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, exhibitions could take place safely. The exhibition was managed under the Event Safety Guidelines for the sector, formulated by the Event Safety Council and aligned with the health and safety protocols from the Department of Health, the World Health Organisation, and many international exhibition industry organisations. These guidelines include a risk-assessed approach, including (but not limited to) sophisticated staggered attendance to manage numbers and ensure that safety is maintained. In November 2021, when indoor capacity was regulated at 750, the South African government

successfully hosted the IATF (Intra Africa Trade Fair), at the ICC in Durban, with over 40 African countries participating. In addition, South African Tourism announced the dates for Meetings Africa in February 2022 and Africa’s Travel Indaba in May 2022. This bodes well for upcoming exhibitions in 2022, as it has set the tone for the reopening of the exhibition industry. Our current allowance of 1,000 pax indoors is a step in the right direction. There has already been an influx of exhibitions being scheduled throughout the country. Although 1,000 pax capacity is not the first prize, organisers are confident that they may reengineer their exhibitions to ensure that all stakeholders’ expectations are met with innovative operational measures. Our continued discussions with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture indicate strong support from the government to move indoor capacity for exhibitions to 50 per cent of venue capacity. Considering the size of exhibition venues utilised, I believe that 50 per cent capacity would be a reasonable solution to industry woes to date. The next few weeks are critical in ensuring that the government gazettes our proposed 50 per cent exhibition venue capacity regulation as a matter of urgency. It’s time to get back to business on the exhibition floor!

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

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Business Events Africa February 2022 33

EXSA PAGE NEWS STRAP

Things are changing – be part of the change

EXSA and the Event Greening Forum (EGF) as well as other individual companies have joined the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge as representatives of the South African business events industry.

ltimately, all service providers will be measured in relation to a possible Zero Carbon footprint (similar to BBEEE or OHS). Notably, this measurement will consider the entire supply chain, from the smallest to the largest contributor. To achieve their company CO2 targets, all their suppliers will need to meet similar targets and requirements. As will any supplier on a specific event, site or venue. The planned rollout and the fact that the industry has been very aware of the demand for sustainability over the past 10 years, makes this less onerous than many other prescribed requirements. In South Africa, EXSA and EGF have promoted the ideals diligently and associations such as ICCA and SAACI have consistently introduced and implemented sustainable guidelines. The change required in local events requires exhibition and events companies to meet with the same standards as those implemented globally. Companies have adequate time to alter unsustainable practices to methods, materials and suppliers that offer alternatives. Fortunately, there are a number of

alternatives in South Africa and in the rest of Africa that have been tested for more than a decade. To reach the targets, companies must simply foster relationships with those suppliers. Another plus point is that through certification the level of sustainability of an organiser, supplier or venue will be easily determined. The prevalence of green-washing will diminish and concrete cradle-to-cradle supply chains established. In practice, the simple reuse of a ‘unsustainable‘ product will no longer be adequate. The origin, manufacturer, use, reuse and recyclability of any product will determine its position in the sustainable value chain. There will no longer be a broad-brush stroke of ‘green’, but an assessed and certified value. Why is this so important? What we should do is always bear in mind “why are we doing this?” Sustainability speaks to ecological but also socio and economic welfare. If we are to create a world that preserves heritage for our future while creating an environment that fosters the prosperity and well-being of our people and economy, we need to think in a sustainable way.

34 Business Events Africa February 2022

By Liam Beattie, board member of EXSA and Gary van der Watt from Xanita. We are all linked in some way. And as such, what we do has critical importance. The cliché of a small ripple in a big pond still holds true. We can all contribute to a better now and a better future. “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan Let’s not wait for the world to do something. Be the change. Call to action The initiative is currently in research phase with the following planned milestones in effect: 1. Desk research — November 2021/ February 2022 2. Industry engagement for input — November 2021/March 2022 3. Drafting and reviews of Roadmap — March/August 2022 4. Roadmap finalisation, design and www.businesseventsafrica.com

PAGE EXSA STRAP NEWS

communication — September/October 2022 1 and 2 overlap and their output will attempt to answer the following questions: • What are the main sources of emissions that relate to events? • How are they/can they be measured? • Where do they fall within scope 1, 2, 3 of the various stakeholders? • How should they be prioritised? • What actions can be taken to reduce the emissions from those sources? • What kind of timeline are we looking at for getting to Net Zero with each? • What industry solutions/initiatives are needed? The roadmap will be launched at COP 27 in November/December 2022. We encourage all members and nonmembers to join this movement. With all major industry event stakeholders already onboard and driving this, it’s clear that we either get onboard or risk being left behind. As EXSA – and the multitude of local companies who have pledged to the Zero Carbon Initiative – we look forward to a brighter, better 2022 and years following.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

What is the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative? Net Zero refers to a balance between man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their removal from the atmosphere. To achieve this balance, GHG emissions must be reduced, and the non-avoided ones must be compensated or neutralized with long-term carbon capture solutions.The Joint Meetings Industry Council is an organisation that represents the combined interests of major international Meetings Industry

associations. The initiative is conceived and led by the JMIC, which is comprised of the world’s leading venues, organisers and service providers. It’s clear that the days of mountains of chipboard discarded after one use at events cannot continue. Similarly, single use plastics such as those used for packaging require sustainable alternatives as do trinkets given away as ’gifts‘ that end their lives on landfills or in our seas. https://netzerocarbonevents.org/

Business Events Africa February 2022 35

SAACI NEWS

The differentiating factor By Glenton de Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI.

Two years into this pandemic and the business events industry begins another calendar year in South Africa, with a rekindled motivation for our sector.

ith the experiences we have had, this year should be the differentiating factor for our industry. Event organisers, clients, staff, and stakeholders all agree that while things remain challenging, we have an opportunity to make the difference in how we deliver our business events and impact communities with the legacies left

thereafter. They also believe that Destination South Africa has a great deal of benefits to deliver to delegates attending our business events from abroad and locally. We hope 2022 is that year for us to welcome more delegates, clients and organisers to our shores and show-off our country’s rich and natural beauty. Many worked tirelessly to help the industry get back on its feet, keep the wheels turning, as well as push the boundaries in a very tough operating environment. We have seen that as an association, we should not be afraid of changing how we do events to adapt to today’s reality. While we may see the continued balance of delivering hybrid events, a significant factor is that in some ways the industry reinvented itself, through these hybrid events, which kept us connected

during challenging times. The focus for this year should be on how the business events industry is the differentiating factor for clients who are desperately seeking to encourage their teams or clients to connect in-person. In addition, we will need to address the current state of the industry this year and continue our endeavours to find new ways to host events. Those sparks of inspiration that helped restart business events and demonstrate that the events sector may transform itself, have been seen and experienced this past year. We are certain we will continue to see more as the year ahead unfolds. As an industry, we have to ensure that the involvement of the entire community of stakeholders within the business events industry is a shared experience by all as this will enhance our industry’s differentiating factor.

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

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Business Events AfricaLearning October 2020 36 | Growth | collaboration

MARKET PAGE STRAP NEWS

Enter now for the WTM Responsible Tourism Awards Africa Travel Week (ATW) is calling on responsible tourism businesses to submit their applications for the WTM Responsible Tourism Awards 2022 by 28 February.

ith just a few weeks to go, we are urging all those responsible tourism rockstars to get their entries in as soon as possible,” said Martin Hiller, content and creative director: travel, tourism and creative industries at RX Exhibitions. “Considering the challenges our industry has experienced, we want to celebrate those who continue to make a positive impact and lead by example. Sustainability champions, changemakers, movers and shakers — this one’s for you.” Established in 2004, the WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards showcases the best of the best in responsible tourism, setting the compass for the global industry to take responsibility in creating sustainable travel and holiday experiences. Free to enter, the 2022 Awards is split into four regions: Africa, India, Latin America, and the rest of the world. The winner from each region will go on to

compete in the Global Awards taking place at WTM London from 7-9 November this year. Registrants may apply for the following ten categories: • Decarbonising travel and tourism. • Sustaining employees and communities through the pandemic. • Destinations building back better post-Covid. • Increasing diversity in tourism: How inclusive is our industry? • Reducing plastic waste in the environment • Growing the local economic benefit • Access for the differently-abled as travellers, employees and holidaymakers. • Increasing tourism’s contribution to natural heritage and biodiversity. • Conserving water and improving water security and supply for neighbours. • Contributing to cultural heritage. “As a winner, or even a finalist, taking

part in this prestigious initiative offers more than just bragging rights and boosting team morale,” Mr Hiller explained. “The experience leverages increased PR and press opportunities to help build your reputation, with the opportunity to connect with industry leaders from around the world.” The Responsible Tourism format at ATW this year is as follows: • 11 April: Responsible Tourism Awards presented live on the Global Stage • 12 April: Responsible Tourism Conference live at the custom-built INSPIRE conference • 13 April: Workshop discussion based on the 2002 Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism The live conference will cover a range of insightful topics such as inclusive travel, decarbonisation, biodiversity, and local economic benefit. The in-person workshop will be facilitated by Harold Goodwin, WTM’s Responsible Tourism Advisor and co-author of the declaration, which will form the basis of the interactive discussions. “Don’t miss your chance to be seen and to help shine a spotlight on Africa as a continent that truly cares for its people, places, and the wellbeing of our planet,” Mr Hiller concluded. Apply and nominate here. Entries may still be submitted for Africa (until 28 Feb 2022), India (until 30 Jun 2022) and the Rest of the World (until 31 Aug 2022).

Index of advertisers ADVERTISER AAXO Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau

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EXSA

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Fancourt

3,14

Meetings Africa

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SAACI

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SA Events Council

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info@sitesouthernafrica.com

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SA Tourism SITE

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Business Events Africa February 2022 37

Business Events Africa February 2022

Articles inside

MEETINGS AFRICA 2022

EXSA NEWS

AAXO NEWS

SAEC NEWS

EVENT GREENING FORUM

SITE NEWS

CHEF’S PROFILE

NEWS

MEET THE GM

HOTEL GROUP SPOTLIGHT

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

SUSTAINABILITY

NEWS

COVER STORY

VENUE NEWS

VENUE OF THE MONTH

EDITOR’S COMMENT

VENUE NEWS

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS