Business Events Africa July 2020

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Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Vol 40 No 7 July 2020

How is the industry preparing for

POST COVID-19?

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Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

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Business Events Africa: Serving the business events industry for 40 years

CONTENTS Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

VOL 40 NO 7 JULY 2020

Covid-19 issue

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Vol 40 No 7 July 2020

How is the industry preparing for

POST COVID-19?

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

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

How is the industry preparing for post-Covid-19?

Business Events Africa asked a few business industry leaders to share their insights on the future and how they have been preparing for post-Covid-19. This feature looks at the various sectors from venues, to suppliers, and to organisers.

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 PRODUCTION AND DESIGN EDITOR:

Features EDITOR’S COMMENT 2 Life has to continue NEWS 3 Justin Hawes elected global association’s first African President 4 Hilton new appointment COVID-19 AND BEYOND ASSOCIATIONS 6 ICCA 6 SAACI 7 AAXO 8 SITE 9 EGF 10 EXSA 11 Tourism Business Council of South Africa CONVENTION CENTRES 12 Durban International Convention Centre 13 Cape Town International Convention Centre 14 Gallagher Convention Centre 15 CSIR International Convention Centre HOTEL GROUPS 16 Tsogo Sun Hotels 17 Legacy Hotels & Resorts 18 Sun International 19 Minor Hotels

SUPPLIERS 20 Scan Display 20 Resource Design HOTELS 21 Spier Hotel and Wine Farm 22 Fancourt Hotel & Country Club 23 Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre ORGANISERS 24 Event Wizards 24 Reed Exhibitions 25 Walthers 26 Eastern Sun Events BRAND FOCUS 27 The power of storytelling FEATURED VENUE 30 TheKerzner@UJ: Where meetings meet purpose PERSONALITY PROFILE 32 Lorraine Jenks, professional speaker and climate activist.

MARKET NEWS 35 Synergy Business Events: Looking to the future.

36 Forging a new paradigm in a world of disruption and discomfort.

38 What does the future of hotel design look like?

REGULARS 39 Index of advertisers 40 Directory and associations of interest THE LAST WORD 42 Attracting African domestic travellers

Hayley Mendelow hayley@contactpub.co.za DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jackie Goosen jackie@contactpub.co.za SALES REPRESENTATIVES: Irene Costa | +27 (0)82 558 7387 gomesi@iafrica.com PUBLICATION DETAILS: Volume 40 No 7 Business Events Africa has 12 issues a year and is published monthly, with the Yearbook in June.

publishers of Business Events Africa, is a member of:

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

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Life has to continue

S

lowly things are opening up but it isn’t the same. There is still a lot of fear and uncertainty.

What I personally have realised is I have no control of the external, what I do have control of is of myself and how conduct myself when outside and how I take the necessary precautionary measures. I have no control of others and their personal health and safety regime.

I look forward to the business events sector opening up as I know the reopening health and safety policies are stringent and quite frankly, it would be great to be in an environment that is controlled.

I still shake my head of some of government’s decisions – you can go to a shopping mall and even a flea market but you can’t go into a controlled, safety-first environment of an exhibition? Why? The exhibition has so many more benefits than a shopping mall or fleamarket. It stimulates the targeted industries and generates far reaching income not just for the industry but for the city and country. Its repercussions are far reaching and are all beneficial.

Conferences have been given the go ahead – but unfortunately the limitations of 50 people including staff does not make financial sense for bigger venues.

The cost of opening and adhering to all the health and safety requirements and operating costs vs 35-40 delegates does not make financial sense.

A convention centre cannot open for only 50 people including their staff. I think the regulations should have stipulated different size venues and in line with the

Credit: Hein Liebetrau

We just passed our 100 day lockdown mark, and it still feels so surreal.

size allowed for more people accordingly.

The numbers keep spiking and as time goes by we are all starting to hear of people we know who have Covid-19.

It isn’t going away and we do need to start making a living again. The economy has taken a beating – the business events sector is hurting and we are ready to start doing what we do best if we are given the go ahead.

The sooner we start the sooner other industries can also start building up what has been lost over the last three months.

Life has to continue. All we need now is government to let us operate.

The time is now to make it count.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

NEWS

Justin Hawes elected global association’s first African President SCAN Display’s managing director, Justin Hawes, has been elected president of the Brusselsbased International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES) for 2021 and 2022.

T

he appointment was made at IFES’ AGM on 25 June 2020. For the first time, this year’s meeting was a hybrid event with 40 members meeting in Hanover, Germany and over 100 members joining the meeting on Zoom.

IFES represents 250 contractors in the exhibition industry from 40 countries, and fifteen industry associations from around the world. South African exhibition, events and display company, Scan Display, was IFES’ first member from the African continent. The company became a member 15 years ago when Hawes attended his first IFES World Summit in London in 2005.

Scan Display’s involvement with IFES has been very beneficial, allowing the company to build a global network of partners which has enabled them to build exhibition stands throughout the world.

Mr Hawes was the first person from a developing country to be elected to the IFES board when he became Treasurer in 2013. He has served as the association’s treasurer since 2013

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and as vice president since 2015.

Mr Hawes joined the AGM via Zoom from Scan Display’s head office in Rosebank, Johannesburg, from where he shared his vision for IFES in 2021/2022.

The industry is facing challenging times and he believes it is important that IFES remains relevant and provides support for members. “I am grateful to the board and members for giving me this opportunity as we navigate the way forward in the global exhibition industry,” Mr Hawes concluded.

Business Events Africa July 2020 3

NEWS

Hilton new appointment Hilton appoints Andrew McLachlan to spearhead African growth

H

ilton has appointed Andrew McLachlan to the role of managing director, development, Sub-Saharan Africa. He joins the company with over 30 years’ experience of the African hospitality market in operations and development roles and will oversee its ambitious growth plans in the region.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton’s SVP of Development for EMEA said: “Andrew is a well-respected figure in the African hospitality industry, and it is great testament to the momentum behind Hilton that he has decided to join our team. He will work closely with the teams we have in place in Dubai, Cape Town and Nairobi to drive hotel growth, building on the milestone we reached last year of 100 properties trading and under development on the continent.”

Having begun his career as an food and beverage trainee in 1990, Mr

McLachlan’s passion for hospitality saw him take on his first general manager position in Johannesburg seven years later.

He subsequently took on a number of senior corporate roles within major hotel chains in South Africa before focusing his career on development where he has subsequently worked on projects in markets across 32 countries in Africa.

On his appointment, Mr McLachlan commented: “I’m excited to be joining Hilton at a time when its brands are some of the fastest growing in Africa and rank amongst the world’s most valuable. There is incredible opportunity across this continent, and I look forward to working with a team of talented and dedicated Developers to realise the potential that the hospitality industry has to drive sustainable economic growth and employment opportunity in Africa.”

Mr McLachlan will be based in

Hilton’s Development office in Cape Town, South Africa, leading a team of Developers working across the region. Hilton has 46 hotels open in Africa across six brands with 57 further properties in the pipeline.

DISPLAY PRODUCTS

LIGHTBOXES

WING

FABRIC POP-UP SYSTEM

BROCHURE HOLDERS

CLIP FRAMES

ROLL-UP BANNERS

ECONO

SHOWCASES

Justin Hawes | justin@scandisplay.co.za | www.scandisplay.co.za Johannesburg | Cape Town | Durban | Port Elizabeth | Botswana | Rwanda

PAGE STRAP

Presents How is the industry preparing for

POST-COVID-19?

6 Associations 12 Convention centres 16 Hotel groups www.businesseventsafrica.com

20 Suppliers 21 Hotels 24 Organisers Business Events Africa July 2020 5

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Associations

ASSOCIATIONS INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

ESMARÉ STEINHÖFEL

Regional director: Africa, International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) Covid-19 has had a major impact on business events globally and a key going forward is for collaboration, communication and creativity between suppliers and the regional and international association market to work together in order to be prepared for business post-Covid-19.

ICCA, the International Congress & Convention Association, together with AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry produced the “Good Practice Guide: Addressing Covid-19 Requirements for Reopening Business Events”.

This type of information is of crucial importance to create confidence amongst clients, delegates, suppliers and governments.

For probably the next six – 12 months virtual and hybrid events will be the new normal but there is no doubt that live events will return but with an added focus on providing health safety at events. With virtual and hybrid events, retaining good technical skills will be important.

The business events industry is a key vehicle for economic and social recovery but it is important for destinations to take a responsible approach.

Research conducted by ICCA during May 2020, in collaboration with AfSAE (African Society of Association Executives), APFAO (Asia Pacific Federation of Association Organizations) and ESAE (European Society of Association Executives) examined the post-Covid-19 strategies and plans of almost two hundred associations around the world.

Key finding in the research included: • 66 per cent believe that Covid-19 will fundamentally change how they operate in the future.

• Event and sponsorship revenue sources are under review by 55 per cent of associations, while 49 per cent are reviewing membership models.

• 84 per cent intend to include hybrid and digital elements to events going forward, with a general opinion that they should lead to increased attendance.

• 60 per cent of respondents believe that there are limitations to the ultimate success of virtual events when compared to face to face.

6 Business Events Africa July 2020

• 28 per cent said geographic rotations are under review and likely to change in the future.

• 78 per cent would consider the use of a meetings management company going forward.

• There is significant opportunity for the supply side of the meetings industry to support clients through increased flexibility and innovation.

Key for Africa will be for destinations to share knowledge and information on how to open the doors to doing business on the continent.

In conclusion, Africa needs to move towards a responsible reopening to ensure confidence and the future for business events on the continent.

LOCAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

will require major adjusting when we all prepare to host meetings and events, especially on the part of professional conference organisers and venues. It will take a combined effort to restart the industry and begin hosting inperson functions again.

The consensus is that we will take some time to get back to the “new normal”, and events will look very different in the interim. Expect more sophisticated virtual participation options, smaller satellite events complementing larger gatherings, and people carefully examining the return on investment from attending.

How ready are we to reopen?

In accordance with the Risk Adjustment Strategy used by the South African government, the sector has developed comprehensive health and safety protocols to ensure that we are aligned with what government expects from industry when allowed to operate.

The developed protocols cover all aspects of business events, exhibitions and live events. Many of the industry have already been working with government in making their properties available for field hospitals or quarantine facilities. So, the sector has demonstrated its ability to pivot and we are ready to operate.

Ready to explore the “new normal”?

GLENTON DE KOCK Virtual participation Chief executive officer of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)

A world affected by Covid-19

Covid-19 has forced many to explore work-from-home options, relying heavily on Wi-Fi, streaming and video conferencing. While many of us may show signs of fatigue with the many www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Associations

ZOOM meetings we all have attended, we must acknowledge that, so far, the tech has come through with flying colours. It has allowed many to keep in touch and we could keep on working.

Business travel and meetings will look very different when we come through the other side of this crisis. Event organisers will note that budgets will tighten and the size of gatherings due to the restrictions will also be smaller.

Therefore, virtual participation platforms in the interim offer a compelling option.

A gradual shift to a hybrid— a live event plus the option to participate virtually – will be another option that organisations may consider.

This dual model will offer planners and venues the opportunity to reach more participants in the shortterm as we all slowly rebuild the sector. This is with the view that the sector can gather in smaller numbers in the coming months.

We need to note the importance of high

production value to keep attendees engaged. In the same way organisers have a production team for the live meeting, they will probably need a production team solely focused on the virtual experience.

Hybrid events will help the industry steadily gain traction as the world waits for a Covid-19 vaccine or other indications that it is truly safe to meet in large groups.

Satellite events: faceto-face interaction with less danger As confidence grows and we gather in numbers, even allowed to experience domestics travel, organisers may consider the hub-andspoke model – smaller satellite events complementing gatherings. One that allows for a main event to be broadcast to smaller satellite hubs around the country. This is to consider people who might be wary of gatherings but more willing to attend smaller ones. The approach may also be the interim

solution should inter-provincial travel still be prohibited.

The most important aspect of a physical meeting will be value. With budgets tight and attendees still wary of the danger of the virus, meetings and events must add serious value to attract people.

The challenge is finding a balance that serves our fundamental human need for connection while also accommodating our new reality as a society. Social distancing will be a key aspect in how events are set up and how we all find that balance, where we all want a face-to-face meeting, will be very different on the other side of this crisis.

As we contemplate how we make sense of how our sector has changed, the importance of human interaction has now more than ever been illustrated to us. Some may say we can survive, but we are seeing it’s difficult. In a responsible manner with a ‘people first’ approach, our sector will bounce back through a slowly and calculated restart.

PROJENI PATHER

Chairperson of AAXO The current crisis has led to the positive advancement of the exhibition and events industry in the past few months. In the process of

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

Business Events Africa July 2020| collaboration 7 Learning | Growth

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Associations

advancing, we have broken new ground that has made us more resilient in managing the changes to our business.

We have had to dig deep to find solutions to the situation we find ourselves in, and yes, a new ‘normal’ has evolved.

This crisis, we have been immersed in has taught us the value of collaboration. Our engagement with key industry role-players through the formation of the SA Events Council has allowed us to highlight the greater events industry and the survival of the ecosystem that supports the organisation of our events.

Together we have drafted the Event Safety Protocols, which we have utilised in lobbying government to expedite the reopening of our industry.

Our collaborative efforts have united our industry with one voice, which you will see across all media channels.

Now it is time to build the confidence of all stakeholders so that our exhibitions and events can rise again and rebuild the economy. We are an accountable industry, and we have always operated under intense safety protocols.

All stakeholders need to feel

comfortable and reassured of their safety when participating in our exhibitions and events.

We will prompt our members to share their practical solutions, strategies, and activation plans to regain the level of stakeholder comfort in participating in exhibitions.

Knowledge is a powerful insight into a new way of business. As an association, we are committed to sourcing relevant information to support our members, guide best practice, create new opportunities, and find the best service providers. This support will be provided via content podcasts, webinars, training, and resources. The new normal brings new business challenges, from sales and sponsorships to human resources and operations, for which we will aim to provide collective solutions. Guidance through knowledge resources will be a key benefit to support organisers, exhibitors, and service providers that are members of AAXO. It is during these times that our industry collaboration, leadership, and communication campaigns highlight the power of

exhibitions and events to rebuild economies and create employment. We urge you to be part of the narrative, transform your business, and grow our industry by becoming an AAXO member today.

TES PROOS

Chairperson of Site Africa From an inbound incentive travel perspective, it is a sector that could take a while to recover, especially if we look at current South African government predictions.

This will all depend on when countries decide to reopen borders and international travel to resume. Domestically, it is likely that business travel and meetings will resume first. Due to restrictions in meeting numbers and social distancing, smaller boutique hotels and lodges may have an opportunity to recover faster than larger, city hotels.

In addition, there is a possibility that regional, intraAfrican travel could restart in the new future which may create new opportunities. The enthusiasm from SITE Africa members to grow in spite of the Covid-19 challenges have been encouraging and we seek to support and grow our industry across Africa.

While some inbound groups have cancelled outright, feedback from members is very positive in the sense that most of their groups have postponed to 2021. It is still going to be extremely tough for all players, large and small, to remain in business with no cash flow for the foreseeable future.

In conclusion, it is a very mixed forecast but overall, the industry remains carefully

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COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Associations

optimistic and we trust travel and events may resume faster than currently predicted.

GREG MCMANUS,

Chairperson of Event Greening Forum There is no doubt that postCovid meetings and events

will look a lot different and that the impacts of the pandemic have changed the way that business events have evolved – possibly even for the better.

The Event Greening Forum (EGF) has – along with almost all associations in the business events sector, been looking at the way that the industry needs to prepare for the future, and other than the more obvious health and safety factors, what the future may hold. Almost universally, there is agreement around the changes that we will see around the ease of – and willingness to travel by the traditional business sector, and how technology will take a larger part in the short- to mediumterm future of meetings.

But having said this, the long-term results will lean back towards the environmental impacts of meetings and events, with greater awareness of the need for more responsible and sustainable practice. Covid-19 is only one symptom of the global fight for sustainability and the EGF believes

the full and unwavering commitment by business to greening is a huge step in the right direction. Business travel has been devastated globally and it will be some time before we get back to the large conferences, events and gatherings that formed the base of our industry. In its place, we are seeing less travel, greater use of technology and even back-peddling on events in general. But as we have seen before, once fear of the known dissipates, we get back to normal – or almost normal. But is this going to be the future?

The true impact of the virus is not the loss of thousands of jobs in our sector, or the huge financial losses or even the previously unimaginable loss of life, but rather the very basis of what our industry operates on. Trust and confidence in the travel, business ad events sector has been almost mortally wounded and this is the battle that we need to focus on in the coming years. Because, without this, there is no business events sector and

facilities and services that once formed the backbone of the industry will become obsolete as technology and the ‘safe-space’ that it offers becomes the new norm.

Greener, more sustainable events and facilities – and companies that offer these services, represent a higher level of sustainability and responsibility. Now is the time that as an industry, we need to embrace the entire concept of sustainability in order to ensure that whatever the future brings – and almost guaranteed this virus will reappear in a new guise, we have created that trust and confidence in our consumers and guests to ensure that we never again falter.

At the EGF, we are committed to helping all rolepayers in the business events sector to implement and manage more sustainable Covid-19 measures and systems along with broader sustainability systems. And we invite everyone to join us on this new, uncharted road to a more sustainable business events future.

aaxo@aaxo.co.za | www.aaxo.co.za | 011 465 8955 www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa July 2020 9

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Associations

GILL GIBBS

Chairperson of EXSA What we know now, is that normal was not really working for the majority of us prior to the outbreak of the pandemic.

There is therefore no reason in the world that normal would start working now.

Covid-19 has brought many things to each and every one of us, as entrepreneurs, as individuals and as organisations – some positive, some not.

While we cannot predict when and how the pandemic will end, what we can speak to is what we are actively doing as an industry sector to

prepare for the ‘next normal’ and the ‘new reality’.

Our entire industry felt the utter blow of devastation and despair in those fateful days in March 2020, leading up to the official announcement of the national lockdown and the ban on mass gatherings and events.

We were not alone. Each sector of our global industry was equally affected.

The whole world as we know it was affected.

Being a practical bunch, well-versed in dealing with extreme stress and all that goes along with high performance and on-point delivery, we were quick to mobilise, and we were consistent in our actions.

AAXO and EXSA held a meeting at the Ticketpro Dome for all industry role players a few days before lockdown was announced in March.

From this meeting, a survey was actioned for and on behalf of the industry, to present collated factual information to government, and through which we could rapidly and consistently communicate across the various industry associations,

10 Business Events Africa July 2020

avoiding duplicated and wasted efforts and resources.

Communication channels were initiated via WhatsApp groups that included EXSA, AAXO, SAACI, and SACIA. The collaboration of the events association led to the formation of the SA Events Council to represent the larger industry.

The SA Events Council has been responsible for facilitating media interviews with relevant stakeholders.

Projeni Pather, chairperson of AAXO, has represented the industry in interviews on television news channels, highlighting the adverse effect of Covid-19 on our industry sector SAACI chief executive officer Glenton de Kock carried our industry plight to TBCSA, spear-heading our message to government and providing us with an advantage.

What this highlighted was the importance of collaboration, smart work and action, and consolidating our efforts, while speaking as one industry voice.

The SA Events Council is totally representative of the exhibition and events industry

and includes all industry role players for the necessary lobbying to government and inclusion of the tourism sector, to illustrate the cohesion between the various sectors.

Instead of wasting resources, through the SA Events Council, all activities and initiatives can be effected in a co-ordinated manner with input and exchanging of ideas across a wide spectrum of contributors.

As a newly formed industry body, in the interests of strength longevity and inclusion, the following Associations are represented on the SA Events Council: • Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO).

• Council of Event Professional Africa (CEPA).

• Event Safety Council (ESC).

• Event Greening Forum ( EGF).

• Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA).

• Professional Conference Organisers (PCO Alliance).

• South Africa Association for Conference Industry (SAACI).

• South African Communication Industries Association (SACIA).

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COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Associations

• South African Live Performance Association (SALPA).

• Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE).

• Technical Production and Services Association (TPSA).

Event safety guidelines The founding members of the SA Events Council, together with Mike Lord as Chair of the Event Safety Council,

TOURISM BUSINESS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) successfully presented the Tourism Recovery Strategy to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Tourism.

The data-driven Tourism Recovery Strategy advocated unequivocally for an earlier phased reopening of international tourism to South Africa as soon as September 2020.

While one of the comments raised by the Tourism Portfolio Committee was that the proposed September timing may be impacted by the predicted peak in Covid-19 infections experts estimate could happen around September, the TBCSA highlighted that the reopening would be dependent on the development and roll out of stringent and practical health-focused protocols by the travel and tourism value-chain to safeguard staff, travellers and guests.

The presentation to the Tourism Portfolio Committee was an important step in the “shoulder-to-shoulder” collaboration that private and public sector stakeholders have agreed is needed for tourism to reopen and contribute www.businesseventsafrica.com

initiated a safety guidelines document to motivate for the reopening of exhibitions and events. This guideline has been instrumental in lobbying government.

It is essential that we all take the time to familiarise ourselves with the new safety protocols, so that we can be part of the solution in realising the new normal.

to South Africa’s economic and job creation prospects.

“We acknowledge the good work being done by government to get tourism back on track. Tourism is a vital sector to South Africa’s economy and accounts for 1.5 million jobs, many of those employed are young people.

By nature of tourism’s value chain, there are also significant benefits to other parts of the economy when tourism reopens. We are committed to doing this safely,” said Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, TBCSA chief executive officer.

The TBCSA’s proposed Tourism Recovery Strategy acknowledged that a phased approach will be required for the responsible reopening of international tourism to South Africa. A “calculated, driven, aggressive and gradual” re-entry of tourism into the economy is essential if South Africa is to save 1.2 million jobs, many of which are in rural areas, directly and indirectly linked to tourism, as well as the wider communities reliant on the tourism sector for their survival.

With the introduction of Level 3 lockdown, and with it the limited opening of business travel in South Africa, there is an opportunity to showcase the efforts and commitment that all aspects of the tourism value chain have made in developing and implementing protocols to instil confidence

Next steps • A draft of this document has been sent to Nedlac.

It is critical that the document represents the industry across the board and that we are proactive in providing the government with the way forward for our industry.

• The SA Events Council is currently working on

hosting the first conference to test the new safety guidelines in practice.

Consistency, the correct approach and forging on are the very attributes of survivors and these traits have yielded positive results and further strength, reciprocity and collaboration for our important industry sector.

“We acknowledge the good work being done by government to get tourism back on track.” in the industry’s ability to deliver a safe environment within which tourism activities can take place.

“As we see elsewhere in the world, the opening of domestic tourism is the first phase in ensuring that tourism starts to open slowly and leads the way in launching the various components in the tourism value chain. Business travel is the largest component in the formal travel industry.

Its reopening provides us with an opportunity to see how we can further open domestic leisure within the context of the protocols in the very near future,” explained Mr Tshivhengwa.

The TBCSA’s proposed phased Tourism Recovery Strategy provides for an initial six to eight week Preparation Phase, followed by a Phase 1 trial where safe source markets with similar risk profiles and stages of pandemic would be allowed to travel to South Africa. These travellers would be vetted, all stringent safety protocols would be in place and the focus would be on low-contact product and low-risk areas.

In Phase 2, South Africa would further open key markets, expand the experiences on offer, until in Phase 3 air access is opened

fully and the destination can restart its longerterm growth strategy.

While the presentation focused on the recovery, various members of the committee also raised the very real issue of transformation in the sector. It was agreed that there would be an interaction on this matter in the future. Overall, the presentation was well received with many committee members acknowledging the role of tourism as well as the importance of reopening safely.

“We receive calls every day from tourism companies which are on the brink of having to retrench staff or close down. We have many, many jobs to protect in tourism. If we do not protect the value chain, it’s going to be very difficult to reinstate it. And, if we do not do something soon, there are too many companies that will be beyond the point of no return,” Mr Tshivhengwa explained.

“We are committed to a safe and responsible plan to reopening our tourism sector.

We know that the public sector, and our private-sector tourism stakeholders are all equally as committed to this goal. This is our sector,” Mr Tshivhengwa concluded.

Business Events Africa July 2020 11

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Convention centres

CONVENTION CENTRES

Durban ICC LINDIWE RAKHAREBE

Chief executive officer, Durban ICC In preparation for returning back to business, our focus is in two main areas, firstly in changing our business models – introducing new ways of doing business and secondly in adapting to the “new normal” of the post-Covid-19 world.

We have been assessing the impacts this is outbreak is having socially and economically and what long-term effects it is going to have on our business. As an industry we need to question whether our businesses are going to be able to function in the way they have in the past or whether some fundamental changes are going to be needed. As the Durban ICC, we have embraced new technology as a way of life and believe it will play a significant role in the new normal of running events in the future.

We have seen arising from this period people embracing of new ways of meeting, connecting and sharing information. Now, I don’t believe technology will ever replace the need for face-to-face interaction and I think people will always want to get together for events. People want to look someone in the eye, shake their hand or give them a hug and the virtual technology and the webinars cannot 12 Business Events Africa July 2020

offer the same experience. However, I do believe there is an opportunity arising in our industry that we can take advantage of in the post-COIVD-19 era.

As a result of the way people have been forced to interact during this time, many people have realised the power of virtual meetings and have held digital meetings with people on the other side of the world, many of whom had never considered using this technology before.

I believe hybrid events will come to the fore, with our clients hosting traditional face-to-face events while adding some form of this digital interaction as a way of taking their event content to a wider audience who can’t be there in person for the hugs and the handshakes.

In adapting to the “new normal” once this crisis has abated, we may need to accept new norms and standards in our industry, and just like we all accepted higher levels of security screening in airports after 9/11, I think venues like convention centres will adopt heightened hygiene protocols as minimum standards to promote a safe and healthy space for our staff and delegates.

We may likely see the temperature scanners and automatic hand sanitisers become standard equipment at our venues in an effort to build visitor trust within our sector. We will probably see the need for new event configurations if social distancing remains in some form after the crisis. From a venue

perspective, we would need to advise our clients on the new ways their events can be reconfigured and accommodated within our venues to meet these social safety requirements.

In preparing for our sector to open up again, we need to have our Disaster Management Plans in place. We have had the benefit of organisations like ICCA, AIPC and UFI coming together during the crisis and sharing knowledge.

Some excellent resources have been developed as a result of this knowledgesharing and every venue should be appropriating this information into their own specific context and developing a Disaster Management Plan according to the international best practices that are available to us today. These are things that will instil confidence in our clients and garner trust in the sector once again.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Convention centres

CONVENTION CENTRES

Cape Town International Convention Centre The world of work and how people engage has changed in the last few months. Maybe forever, maybe not. No one really knows for sure. Total disruption of the business events industry has forced a relook at whether the business models adopted till now are sustainable or not.

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ne thing that has proven to be constant during this time is change. If the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is adaptability.

That will determine how our industry fares in the months and years post this pandemic,” said Taubie Motlhabane, chief executive officer of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The events industry as a whole will need to implement new protocols for delivering events in a safe and hygienic (as far as

www.businesseventsafrica.com

possible) manner. The CTICC is no exception.

“We are already putting in place these protocols and training our teams to be ready when we open for business again,” Ms Motlhabane said.

As part of the planning process, Ms Motlhabane and her team are evaluating operational requirements for events in a post-Covid-19 landscape to ensure the safety of clients, delegates and staff.

Some of the aspects being considered are: • Revised floor plans for socialdistanced capacities in all venues.

• Cleaning protocols to align with best health and safety practices, including visible regular cleansing of surfaces.

• Screening procedures for staff, suppliers and visitors.

• Online and digital registration to limit congestion during events.

• Food and beverage offerings may

need to be prepackaged. The safety of buffets is still being investigated, and changes will have to be adopted as information becomes available.

• Covid-19 response-trained medical personnel on staff permanently is a consideration.

The likelihood is that going forward, travel might be reduced. This will impact delegate numbers of events, and in turn, the revenue venues make from selling their spaces. Venues will need to consider different occupation models for spaces in their facilities. Renting out their venues for “longer-term tenants” like call centre services might be an option.

Venues like the CTICC are already temporarily repurposing their facilities.

The convention centre is currently serving as a temporary, intermediate Covid-19 hospital for the Western Cape Government Health Department.

The Hospital of Hope at the CTICC was officially opened by President Ramaphosa on Friday 5 June 2020.

Business Events Africa July 2020 13

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Convention centres

CONVENTION CENTRES

Gallagher Convention Centre

The novel Covid-19 virus has had an unprecedented impact on the events industry, the effects of which have not been experienced in our 27 years of operation since Gallagher’s establishment in 1993.

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time like this calls for companies to adjust their approach to ensure the future of the industry. At Gallagher, we pride ourselves on the benefit of our experience.

Therefore we are looking ahead.

Due to the risk-adjusted strategy, as per the South African government, operations at Gallagher and other convention centres are restricted to 50 pax business events under the current lockdown level 3. Given the current state of affairs, the industry may very well not go back to “business as usual” for some time. Our clients with annual or bi-annual events are significantly impacted, as are event planners who were in the process of organising special events and those who have confirmed speakers from abroad.

At Gallagher Convention Centre, we are working with our clients to find solutions to this challenge. In partnership with our clients, we are working to find suitable alternative dates for the large events, rather than cancelling the events.

We believe that in looking ahead, the business events industry will rise above the challenges posed by this pandemic.

In the face of the novel Covid-19 pandemic, Gallagher Convention Centre 14 Business Events Africa July 2020

closely monitors the regulations as prescribed by the South African government and the best practices advised by the World Health Organisation. Our devoted Health and Safety department is up to date with all the requirements as gazetted by the government for maintaining safe workplaces and safe public spaces. We have formulated packages to offer clients, in keeping with the regulations for the restricted trade.

Hygiene is paramount on the property, and as such, guests will notice 60 automatic hand sanitiser dispensers on the property to be used to sanitise hands regularly.

There is signage in all the restrooms advising guests of the importance and procedure for correctly washing hands.

All the restrooms on the property have anti-bacterial handwash dispensers. In a further measure to maintain the highest

standard of hygiene, Gallagher has cleaning staff in the restrooms and in the venues during events to clean continuously.

Gallagher maintains a no-handshake policy, and all staff and guests on the property will wear material masks at al times. The temperature of all team members and guests entering the property is measured and recorded to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Entry to the property will be refused to any person with a fewer recorded over 37.5˚ C, as well as anyone not wearing a mask.

Guests to the property can be assured that the Gallagher kitchens maintain the highest hygiene standards, and have the necessary certificates to prove this.

At Gallagher Convention Centre, our experienced team is looking forward to hosting “Your event, your way”.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Convention centres

CONVENTION CENTRES

CSIR ICC BRONWEN CADLE DE PONTE

General manager of CSIR ICC Going back to January 2020, the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) begun monitoring the spread of what was then called the “novel coronavirus” with concern. Being in an industry which plays host to international delegates, and South Africans, who travel frequently, we understood the potential negative impact that a severe communicable disease could cause.

Once it became evident that SARS Covid-19 was spreading across the globe we immediately begun planning and implementing measures to mitigate any risks in our venue in these very uncharted waters. It felt as though we were alone, but very soon our international associations, such as AIPC, begun sharing helpful protocols and resources which, together with the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation, gave us confidence that we were moving in the right direction.

Throughout February and March 2020 we implemented protocols in our venues which have become the new normal today. We were also fortunate enough to be hosting a prominent medical congress during this period. The benefit of being able to consult, and receive guidance, input and reassurance from the medical professionals leading this congress was invaluable.

As our client, they worked together with us tirelessly to ensure that we had www.businesseventsafrica.com

the best possible protocols in place and were well versed in protocols to halt the spread of communicable diseases.

Once South Africa went into hard lockdown, we immediately realised the dire impact the Covid-19 pandemic would cause to the meetings industry and the economic sectors we serve. Business events are a catalyst for economic growth and the business events industry is an interrelated sector where an injury to one, is an injury to all. It is with this in mind that we rolled up our sleeves and got involved with formal associations and non-formal groups and government etc. who were keen to look far ahead and forge a safe way forward.

Having members of our team actively involved in local associations (such as AAXO, SAACI, SACIA, TTA, TBCSA, TRC etc.) who understand the value of collaboration made the CSIR ICC Covid-19 preparations for operations during and post the national lockdown not such a daunting task.

We were able to tap into knowledge streams from the association networks the CSIR ICC has and to contribute and assist by actively participating in the development of business events operations protocols.

During the national lock-down our kitchen and banqueting teams also provided products and services, outside of our building, to critical teams providing our national government with support and VIP visitors to these facilities and programs was a regular feature. This was an invaluable experience as not one member of these teams could afford to be exposed to Covid-19, or fall ill for any

reason, due to the national importance of the project and our protocols had to be absolutely faultless. I am proud to say that it was nail-biting, but we were successful!

With all of this experience under our belt we have completely reworked every aspect of our operations to ensure that our facilities, products and services are as safe as they can be and we are confidently, yet thoughtfully, very ready to open to the public. We are very cognisant of the fact that the pandemic is only now really on the rise in South Africa and it is not business as usual – we have a deep commitment to putting the well-being of our clients and guests before any of our own business imperatives, and take a long term view in monitoring and controlling the situation in our facilities.

This global coronavirus pandemic, and the lock-downs that have ensued to control it, have really kicked most business sectors’ world-wide deep into the fourth industrial revolution by forcing the use of novel and innovative technologies to ensure business continuity. It has shown us that we are resilient and can embrace and integrate technology with surprising speed.

It has also taught us that we really miss being able to meet and engage face-to-face. With our market’s enhanced penchant for technology and significantly improved health hygiene knowledge and protocols the future for the meetings industry is very exciting and filled with possibility.

During the lock-down, the CSIR ICC was able to explore a number of virtual meetings opportunities, and assist clients to use them successfully with the aid of specialist partners. As technology and user-experience evolves rapidly we continue to seek the best options available for virtual connectivity that will enhance the core objective of our business which is to facilitate collaboration and inspire knowledge sharing.

Another positive aspect of the experience we have gone through was the opportunity to redefine our product and service offering to adapt to post-Covid-19 by strengthening our relationships with our suppliers and stakeholders to create local economic opportunities to address the issue of segregated economies. We remain confident that the meetings industry will rise even stronger and that we will meet in person again, safer and happier, and with expanded global audiences through the use of novel technologies.

Business Events Africa July 2020 15

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Hotel groups

HOTEL GROUPS

Tsogo Sun Hotels

As the nation settles into the new norm of Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions and economic activity increases, Tsogo Sun Hotels is delighted to have reopened its doors on Wednesday 10 June, welcoming business travellers across the country.

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omments Marcel von Aulock, chief executive officer of Tsogo Sun Hotels, “For the first time in our 50-year history, Tsogo Sun Hotels closed its doors and paused the service of providing a special place for those away from home.

As a result of the less stringent restrictions in Level 3, we are able to welcome our business travellers back to a new kind of experience that prioritises their safety alongside our renowned hospitality.”

“The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly dictated a new way of life, which the Group has embraced, beginning with the check-in process, where guests will have their temperatures checked along with mandatory hand sanitising while adhering to the 1.5m social distancing rule,” continues Von Aulock The safety of guests and staff members 16 Business Events Africa July 2020

remains the Group’s absolute priority.

This extends to how rooms are cleaned and disinfected, how public areas are taken care of and how food is prepared and served. All hotel staff have been provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with regulations, along with extensive training on Covid-19 preventative measures and hygiene protocols.

Tsogo Sun Hotels offers a variety of accommodation to suit every traveller’s needs. Guests can choose from functional to luxurious, to hotels catering to budgetconscious travellers. Visit tsogosun.com to book your next business trip with the great added value of free and unlimited Wi-Fi. Tsogo Sun Hotels embraces the guidelines and hygiene policies of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the South African National Department of Health (NDoH), and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Hotel groups

HOTEL GROUPS

Legacy Hotels & Resorts

The global Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the hospitality and tourism industries around the world over the last few months and South Africa is no exception.

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irlines’ passenger revenue is also estimated to plunge by $314 billion from 2019 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association, and global job losses could reach more than 100 million this year according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

In South Africa, as recently as early June, the Portfolio Committee on Tourism met with the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) to discuss the tourism business sector’s call for the urgent reopening of the industry to rescue over half a million jobs in this country.

As the leading independent owner, manager and developer of luxury hotels, lodges, residences and experiences in Africa, Legacy Hotels & Resorts knows very well that tourism, as we know it, will never be the same again, but in the situation we all find ourselves in now, there is an amazing opportunity to change and grow. For the better.

Change is nothing new to this industry – and we need to embrace it. One only needs to look at how the advent of online bookings and the growth of the sharing economy over the last few years has forced the industry to relook at its offering and value proposition to clients, and change to meet the needs of its guests.

And where there is change, there is also an incredible opportunity to think out of the box and make things positively different. www.businesseventsafrica.com

At the time of writing, business travel has been allowed under Level 3 of lockdown in the country, which means some of our hotels, specifically the DaVinci Hotel and Suites, The Michelangelo Towers and The Leonardo in Sandton and The Commodore in Cape Town are open for business travelers.

In order to accommodate these guests, the hotels have taken every necessary precaution to minimise the risk of infection and transmission of Covid-19 to its employees, contractors, day visitors and overnight guests, with the highest measures of health and safety standards in place.

To this end, we are adhering to the protocols set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health and the guidelines set out by Ministry of Tourism. These include the appointment of a Covid-19 Health and Safety officer in every operation to ensure adherence to these protocols by guests, staff, visitors and contractors.

In addition, heightened sanitising and hygiene is being practiced in all areas of operation, across all of our hotels and resorts, including transfers, reception and public areas, housekeeping, gym and fitness areas, lodge activities including game drives and game walks, as well across all food and beverage outlets, including room service.

From an event and conferencing perspective, all meeting facilities will

operate at a 50 per cent capacity with all recommended precautions in place, such as physical distancing, sanitiser stations and temperature checks at registration.

Online experiences will continue to be part of our offering, as has been seen by the incredible Kuzuko Lodge’s online game drives and Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge’s underground hide which can be viewed via their YouTube channels.

We have also witnessed how online meetings have become commonplace and we expect this to be the norm for conferences and events as well.

So to this end, we are introducing Legacy Virtual Conferencing across select hotels with the capabilities, one would expect from hosting events with the option of complementary online elements, while also adhering to relevant hygiene protocols.

Until our borders open up, we foresee an increase in road trips and family holidays by car, with more local travelers becoming tourists in their own cities and provinces. This will include an increase in safari-style holidays to areas that are not over-crowded like bush lodges, or game farms that allow guests to take part in family-friendly activities while physically distancing from other guests as well.

The overwhelming sense of ubuntu shared by most South Africans during this pandemic will also keep the focus on companies and properties that give back to their communities such as the Legacy Pride initiatives that feed our communities in need. This we believe is something guests will come to expect as well as an authentic support of local suppliers as part of their selection criteria of where to stay.

Unfortunately, we expect international travel to take longer to bounce-back, although we are encouraged by a recent travel company survey that lists South Africa as its favourite postCovid-19 destination by the majority of its European participants.

At the moment, the date to welcome foreign travelers back is still not known.

What we do know is that in order to not only survive, but thrive, we need to offer our guests more flexibility, more discounts and more competitive rates and the most authentic experiences possible, while holding ourselves accountable to uncompromising hygiene practices.

But whenever the industry finally opens, rest assured that when you are ready, we’re here!

Business Events Africa July 2020 17

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Hotel groups

HOTEL GROUPS

Sun International

Sun International said it welcomed the announcement by the President that it could soon reopen its Resorts, Hotels, Casinos and Restaurants. The company said that it was well prepared to reopen its operations.

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nthony Leeming, Sun International CEO said, “Once government has announced the dates we will stagger the reopening of our properties across the country. Our leisure attractions, golf courses and swimming pools will also reopen subject to necessary regulatory guidance.

“We have put in place world class health and safety protocols which are considerably beyond what is required.

Our properties will observe strict head counts and social distancing rules.

18 Business Events Africa July 2020

“Prior to the lockdown, we had introduced social distancing queue management, while every alternative seat at our casino slot machines and tables was removed to create space between customers. Our restaurant layouts were also reconfigured to increase space between tables and meet head count limits. We had also introduced stringent and comprehensive cleaning, sanitising and front and back-of-house food handling and housekeeping procedures. These measures have now been further amplified across all areas of our properties countrywide.

“Once we reopen, we will conduct temperature tests for all customers at our

hospitality, leisure and gaming operations, and all guests will need to complete a medical screening questionnaire on arrival at hotels, and in advance for casino visitors. For the foreseeable future, only members of our loyalty programme – our Most Valued Guests (MVGs) – will be allowed access onto the casino floor. It will be mandatory for all visitors to wear cloth masks at all times.

“After an extended lockdown, we have put every measure in place to welcome our first guests back to our properties, and we will do everything required and more to keep them safe while they enjoy themselves.” www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Hotel groups

HOTEL GROUPS

Minor Hotels

Stringent hygiene interventions to safeguard guests and staff is top priority for Minor Hotels as the hospitality industry considers the ramifications of reopening, with lockdowns being eased around the world.

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he Minor Hotel brands in Africa, including Avani and Anantara, have implemented sweeping new hygiene measures that strictly adhered and align with the recommendations of both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Minor Hotels’ Anantara properties in Mozambique, Zambia and Mauritius have implemented a new programme ‘Stay with Peace of Mind’ which builds on existing health and safety regimens to implement heightened sanitisation and hygiene measures.

As part of the new initiatives, all hotels will implement enhanced levels of sanitation and use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfectants for the use against Covid-19 and other bacteria throughout all public areas, including lobbies, reception, fitness centres, pool areas and guest rooms.

Enhanced hygiene measures will include the use of electrostatic spray technology, to achieve a higher level of coverage for the application of cleaners and sanitisers for surface disinfection, the availability of hand sanitisers as well as a range of specific extra measures such as disinfecting hotel key cards, to ensure guests’ health and safety throughout their stay. Building on Anantara’s existing holistic 360 approach, the guidelines will extend beyond guest areas into all back of house operations from supply www.businesseventsafrica.com

chain deliveries to culinary preparation areas and housekeeping procedures.

The Avani resorts and hotels have rolled out an AvaniSHIELD initiative.

The primary initiatives will be driven by the adoption of new technology, such as digital check-in/check-out as well as concierge service, ultraviolet C sterilisation and HEPA-grade air purifiers all in compliance with the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The properties have completed the mammoth but critical job of disinfecting the entire property both guest and none guest areas, all the properties, including all the furnishings and equipment using approved disinfectants for the use against Covid-19 and other bacteria throughout.

Dining outlets continue to operate to the highest health and safety standards, restaurants will be set up in compliance with social distancing guidelines. Once the guests are settled at their table, every order of fresh and nutritious food will then be carefully prepared ‘a la minute’ and served at the table or in the privacy of their rooms.

Focused education of team members is also taking place around the Coronavirus pandemic and the social impact of this, with regular creditable updates on the situation. for themselves, but also to share relevant information with guests.

All front-line team members across

properties are and will be required to wear personnel protective equipment such as plastic face shields, masks and gloves to ensure safety for both the guest and the team member.

Entertainment facilities like casinos are, by their nature, particularly challenging. We have introduced rigorous adherence requirements that include limiting the number of guests on the floor at any given time.

Equipment such as automatic chippers to minimise contact at casino tables have been acquired.

Additional protections such as portable transparent plastic partitions between all machines and around Black Jack and poker tables have been installed.

Temperature checks are a critical element of our reopening plans for entertainment facilities, and these will be conducted when team members and guests enter.

Guests will be expected to disinfect their hands at strategically placed sterilisation stations.

All gaming machines and casino chips will be continually sterilised throughout the ongoing operation.

It is a whole new reality for both the guest and the teams.

Minor Hotels is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety of operations and plays an active role rebooting the tourism and hospitality sector.

Business Events Africa July 2020 19

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Suppliers

SUPPLIERS JUSTIN HAWES

Managing director Scan Display The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to rely more on technology. I think this uptake will continue post-Covid-19. Exhibitions and events will embrace it for registration, visitor feedback and the like. Not only is this convenient, it reduces opportunities for viral transmissions (which I think will remain a concern for some time).

However, while technology will be used widely, I do not expect that virtual events will replace face-to-face ones.

Virtual events will have a place. But, after having to engage with the outside world through video calls and webinars during lockdown, we are all aware of the virtual world’s limitations. This is especially true for exhibitions, which involve discovering new products and

GARY VAN DER WATT Resource Design

The industry needs time and innovation to survive and then thrive.

As a global industry overview most companies outlook for 2020 was bullish.

Then Covid-19 proceeded to brutally flatten that positive industry growth-curve However the positives going forward still remain. Exhibitors and organisers are making a firm stand for sustainability that transcends greening.

The criteria are however far clearer and demand local, ecologically sound, economically viable and contribution to socio economic upliftment.

20 Business Events Africa July 2020

brands. These are things we want to interact with and ‘get a feel’ for. The experiential nature of exhibitions cannot be replaced by virtual communication.

I also expect that the economic impact of a prolonged lockdown period is going to make the recovery of business events difficult. As has happened in previous recessions, businesses will cut their marketing spend and be cautious with it.

They will exhibit less often, and only at shows where they are confident that they will derive a great return on investment.

At the same time, attendees will be more selective and attend fewer exhibitions for the same reason. As a result, I expect that many exhibitions will fall away, and shows that give value will survive.

At Scan Display, we are anticipating a long road to recovery. Our current preparations are focused on surviving lockdown and the ban on business events. We have always offered a wide range of products and services and

now we will be focusing on our display and retail products like roller banners, LED lightboxes and shopping kiosks.

We have reduced our overheads and costs, so that we are as lean as possible.

As soon as exhibitions and events can resume, we will make sure we are ready – with affordable solutions that deliver great value for our customers.

The emotive and evocative sights of clear Venice canals, deer in suburban streets and an earth once more visible from outer space emphasised the huge daily impact that we have made on the Earth. More so, that we are capable of avoiding the even greater crisis, that of the decimation of our planet.

Sustainability is inherently about collaboration and best practice for the greater good. Institutions such as the Global Destination Sustainability Index (www.gds-index.com) are leading sustainability benchmarking and improvement for meetings and events destinations around the world.

This has seen forward thinking countries, cities and companies take a stand and gear specifically for sustainable innovation.

In this Sustainability has turned the fringe corner and is now a recognised necessity.

How does this impact on the Covid-19 inertia? All the Covid-19 industry frameworks including EIC, UFI, IFES and the SA Events Council are focused on the reopening and effective functioning of events. This requires strict rules but also a higher cost. Far more than a financial cost this demands time.

More time for builds, logistics, access and egress. As such the biggest challenge for organisers and venues will be how to implement on time without sacrificing safety, quality or ROI. By using global innovation-driven

sustainable systems (such as those developed by Resource Design) events can be built faster, smarter and greener.

These systems are not solely dependent on certified materials but also on design approach, process, systems and protocols.

With our 2018 UFI Sustainability Award we proved that sustainability offers a 60 per cent reduction in logistics, handling, manpower, equipment and time.

Coming out of the Covid-19 blight we can apply these saving to both fiscal and time saving.

Considering design, we generally expect aisles to be wider and stands smaller with a vastly reduced ‘’hospitality factor’’. With only three staff allowed per 30m² clever designs and pre manufactured stands have a huge advantage over traditional methodology. We also need to cancel out the onerous on-site dust factor which has health as well as cleaning connotations.

Our industry will need to embrace the Virtual factor by creating designs that can be used in combination with these products. Through this enhancing the virtual effectiveness, but more importantly by creating a comfortable and familiar space for the exhibitor and visitor.

In short. In a post-Covid-19 ecosystem where we will rely on innovation to not only be effective, but to save our planet. Sustainable products will offer huge value to organisers and venues when needed most. www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Hotels

HOTELS

Spier Hotel and Wine Farm We can’t wait to host events on our farm again. However, we’re well aware that things won’t be “business as usual” for some time. Even as the lockdown gradually becomes less restrictive, it will remain important to have extensive hygiene and social distancing in place in our conferencing venues and hotel.

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e’ve been giving a lot of thought to the implementation of these. Indeed, from 8 June, business travellers were able to stay at our hotel. While we don’t know exactly when government regulations will permit business events on our farm, we are continuously considering how we can ensure they happen safely when they do.

We anticipate that initially events will be small (most likely restricted to a maximum of 50).

Hybrid events – where some delegates attend virtually – will also be popular, so venues such as ours with top-notch video-conferencing facilities will be well-placed to be a part of this trend.

We’ll be working closely with event planners, offering them a selection of floor plans designed to accommodate social distancing and making sure that, for every event, seating capacities and floor plans will be reviewed to ensure appropriate physical distancing. www.businesseventsafrica.com

Here are a few safety measures we’ll be putting in place during events: • Our staff will wear masks at all times.

• Instead of water carafes, delegates will be given individual bottles of water.

• Sanitising wipes will be readily available.

• There won’t be a buffet offering: all food and beverage items will be individually plated and served.

• Menus and napkins will be single use.

• Coffee and other break items will be served by a server instead of being self-serve.

• Venues will be deep cleaned after each event.

• Used pens and notepads will be discarded.

• Clean and used linens will be transported in sealed single-use plastic bags into and out of the venue.

Regardless of the size of the conference, Spier is well-suited to these unconventional times. As a farm with spread-out venues and an abundance of gorgeous

outdoor spaces, there will be plenty of opportunities for delegates to safely enjoy coffee breaks, lunches, and even meetings, “together apart” while out in the open air – ideal if physical distancing measures are still expected or desired.

Our indoor spaces have great ventilation and natural air (unlike convention centres which are reliant on aircon), and the whole hotel and conference centre can be booked in its entirety should a group want to use it exclusively.

Another bonus for delegates attending a conference at Spier is that no public transport is required from our hotel to the conference centre or offsite dinners: everything is onsite and in one place (including conferencing, accommodation, activities and various dining options).

With the fresh thinking and farm air we’re renowned for, we’re confident that we’ll be able to, once more, treat delegates to our warm hospitality as soon as lockdown regulations allow.

Business Events Africa July 2020 21

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Hotels

HOTELS

Fancourt Hotel & Country Club It is difficult to predict when the business events sector will begin its recovery phase. Much depends on the South African government’s risk-adjusted, phased approach to reopening the economy, including air access, local (inter-provincial), regional and international travel.

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eter Dros, sales and marketing director of Fancourt in George, believes that domestic business travel will start coming back before the end of the year: “We have to remain optimistic, but we also have to adapt and plan. While online meetings have been fantastic, nothing can replace face-to-face meetings, especially if teams need to regroup, strategise and plan.”

For Mr Dros, two things remain key: • A focus on health and safety at every touchpoint during the event.

• An offering tailored to the wants and needs of a post-Covid audience, including smaller groups; a focus on sustainable tourism and events; and highly-personalised service from a dedicated team.

Fancourt’s new Kingfisher Business Lounge offers groups of 10 their own private boardroom, lounge and patio.

The venue flows seamlessly between all three, giving delegates generous 22 Business Events Africa July 2020

indoor and outdoor space. Add in a dedicated hostess, full connectivity and a beautiful, relaxed setting on South Africa’s Garden Route and Mr Dros believes Kingfisher has all the ingredients for success. “Over and above the space, ease and comfort of our new business lounge, teams can discover a world of inspiration on Fancourt’s estate, with nature trails, restaurants and a spa – everything you’ve been missing during lockdown.”

While Kingfisher is a new addition to Fancourt’s business offering, its existing choice of conference rooms offer an enviable amount of space. Mr Dros believes that ‘Capacity control’ and ‘social distancing measures’ will remain critical. Venues will need to offer comfort and space – but make it work.

“A lot of thought goes into the layout of venues at Fancourt, right down to the accommodation on offer. The Fancourt Hotel is divided into different blocks of rooms and suites, sprawling across the estate. This means teams

can book out a ‘precinct’ of rooms, grabbing additional space if required.

“For the MICE sector to come back strongly, venues will need to demonstrate to South Africa (and the world) that we are ready.” This means ensuring strict health and safety protocols are in place.

Fancourt’s Covid-19 measures and protocols are in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the comprehensive protocols developed by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).

Dros says that while some measures are immediately obvious, like health screening on arrival, clear signage, frequent sanitising of ‘high touch’ points and the use of PPE by all staff, protocols are in place for every step of the guest journey: “Rest assured, our Covid-19 protocols are just as stringent behind the scenes. From kitchen to laundry, meeting room to suite, we have taken every precaution to ensure a happy, healthy – and successful stay.” www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Hotels

HOTELS

Indaba Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre SHARON HUNINK

Sales and marketing manager of Indaba Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre It has certainly been a roller coaster ride for tourism and hospitality with no end yet in sight. Sometimes difficult to remain positive and plan and strategise for a future that we all agree will look very different, but no one can actually say what that “different” is.

I never imagined that a crystal ball would be a useful tool to have.

We have had an interesting time to say the least with many new virtual sales and marketing campaigns and online initiatives to strengthen our brand – I do believe that this pandemic has taught us to “think smart” and we are certainly making the most of this “new normal”.

Our group of hotels has been part of essential service accommodation and repatriation groups with Indaba Hotel Fourways operational (limited) throughout. Looking forward, we believe that in the short term, repatriation groups and the Ubuntu Beds initiative will certainly make up most of our market as we move from Level 4 to Level 3.

Our business travel hotels will reopen at Level 3 (already open for essential travel only with limited service) with all protocols in place; and we hope to have www.businesseventsafrica.com

the Indaba Fourways fully operational as soon as legislation allows (probably only level 1). Our Health and Safety Risk Manager is working hard on protocols and SOPs to ensure best practise and minimise risk as business and leisure travel including the MICE Sector will only be possible if all parties work together – a safer way of travel is paramount.

Looking forward in hospitality is a little daunting right now as traditional market segments will be severely affected including conference, exhibitions, spa leisure tourism and inbound international tourism – with country borders only expected to open in late 2020/ early 2021, our normally lucrative in-bound international market segment will show zero revenue with many tour operators now looking to offer “local is lekker” travel packages for the domestic market.

Unfortunately with current legislation not allowing for sit-in restaurant experiences or spa and wellness packages, the leisure options are limited – we are working hard to create affordable “short stay” experiences including family fun stays, reboot yoga retreats, Gin Master Class & Foodie Explore packages etc., and look forward to launching these new offers to our local travel market.

Conference and events post-Covid-19 is going to look very different for a while with a possibility of split venues with video conferencing and hybrid on property and online streamed events becoming more popular as event organisers embrace

new technology – social distancing will be paramount with effective utilization of space within legislated parameters.

Conference Lunches, Tea-breaks and Gala Dinners are also going to look a lot different with prepacked individual items and deli style service becoming the norm – think picnic-style conference tea-breaks on the beautiful lawns of the Indaba Hotel A very difficult time for hospitality and tourism and we believe that recovery will be slow in all sectors; however, our Indaba Hotel Fourways does benefit from the “wide open spaces” that encourage social distancing and with a few tweaks to service and stringent protocols in place, we know that we can offer a world class experience with minimised risk to our guests.

Business Events Africa July 2020 23

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Organisers

ORGANISERS HERKIE DU PREEZ Event Wizards

B

e ready for the comeback as millions of us are in events starvation mode and suffering from virtual fatigue. We are social creatures by nature and after months of lockdown we will do everything in our power to establish face-to-face connections again. When we are back in full business mode, face-to-face events will be more important than ever before.

We will crave networking and connection.

Yes, this pandemic has disrupted everything and not in the disruptive way we as event professionals and business owners usually plan for. Those of us who make it to the other side of the pandemic should be prepare or a surge in demand and what I mean by saying prepare – SKILL UP AND CHANGE! Do not make the mistake and return back top BC (before covid) as you might be in for a surprise.

By now most of us has experienced all the opportunities and value of the virtual world and I am sure we all have our pro’s and con’s but virtual is here to stay. I will suggest that you keep investing in virtual and hybrid events and help your clients understand the value in this but keep the most important factor of human connection on top of mind when planning your event strategy.

We are all left in the dark as to when our industry fully reopens 24 Business Events Africa July 2020

but use this time to upskill and educate yourself with Covid-19 event health and safety, sustainable and responsible event management and get comfortable with the digital world Travel will remain uncertain for quite some time and we should focus on keeping it local, at least for the next year. Attendees that cannot travel to attend your events should be able to access the event online if possible and if your budgets allow for this. Large scale events like trade shows and exhibitions will bounce back but with new health and safety criteria and possibly attendance restrictions but again online and virtual will be added solution.

What makes me most excited is that after months of sensory deprivation we will need to and have the opportunity to be extremely creative when it comes to experience and event design. Think big and double up on entertainment.

In short – yes, it is dark times we are experiencing but focus on how you can survive now and prepare yourself for the comeback because it is going to exciting.

CAROL WEAVING

Managing director, Reed Exhibitions

The exhibition industry has been hit extremely hard due to Covid-19 whether Organiser/Supplier or Venue. Reed www.businesseventsafrica.com

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Organisers

safety plan in place and we will invest in the necessary equipment and processes to ensure safety for our exhibitor and visitors is our number one priority.

It’s critical that we don’t look at short term solutions but rather look at a long term sustainable model. We do not want exhibitors losing confidence in exhibitions. I see a lot more consolidation of shows in certain sectors and potentially a certain amount of M&A activity.

As an industry we need to collaborate and the SA Events Council has been devised to lobby government to work together to find a way of opening up our industry safely and sensibly.

DARYL KEYWOOD

Managing director, Walthers

Exhibitions Africa have made a decision to cancel the 2020 edition of all of our shows and focus all of our energy on virtual events and digital offerings this year ensuring we create a much needed marketplace and added value for our exhibitors and stakeholders as a precursor to developing stronger and more viable shows for all concerned in 2021. The indefinite ban on public gatherings is likely to continue until 4th quarter of this year and therefore prohibits us from running any event.

In addition we need more planning time to do justice to our events in their respective industries and we are concerned that running a smaller event in 2020 when and if the ban is lifted will result in less visitors and a significant drop in ROI for our exhibitors. Over and above this trade visitors may still have travel bans in place and budget cuts so it’s important that we give these companies time to recover. Consumers in general will be nervous to go to any show this year despite any safety processes and procedures we put in place. For our 2021 shows we have a very detailed www.businesseventsafrica.com

In my personal view the post-Covid-19 world will see the current wave of protocols and social distancing last only for a relatively short time. Assuming Covid-19 is no longer present in any destination we will largely return to normal although with improved hygiene and sanitizing practices. I just don’t see limiting numbers by half or more of capacity as sustainable in the long term if the risk remains negligible. Some elements for e.g. hand sanitisers more regular deep cleaning etc. will remain but it is not feasible to limit aircraft seating or venue capacity indefinitely.

There may be measures for those high risk individuals perhaps similar to “Kosher” requirements for wrapped food and cutlery but not for everyone.

That said I do hope that some of the benefits we are seeing such as

improved air and water quality remain with us post recovery. I also hope that we don’t reverse the gains made on sustainability by introducing more single use plastics, by wrapping and using disposables for e.g. cutlery.

At Walthers the focus has shifted from managing repatriations, postponements, cancellations and refunds to planning for the future. Our team, and in particular those responsible for operations, have been talking to suppliers in greater depth than ever before. We have collated our preferred suppliers’ Covid-19 health and safety protocols to be incorporated into our own documentation.

Our philosophy is a simple one and that is to ensure that we do whatever possible to maintain the safety of our clients and staff when business returns.

Also to enjoy a clear understanding of the legal and moral obligations should a situation similar to Covid-19 occur in the future. We cannot repeat what we have endured during this crisis, namely doing double the work in planning and then postponing and cancelling events with almost no income as our clients, especially EU based ones, are legally required to refund in full. Business events and especially incentive travel will be slower than leisure travel to rebound but there is certainly demand to travel as soon as it is safe. We have clients with events that postponed to Q1 2021 that definitely do intend to travel.

The biggest challenge we face for our incentive business is not Covid-19 itself but the economic effect that Covid-19 is having on many of our clients. For example a Dutch appliance manufacturer that confirmed a November 2020 incentive has postponed to 2021.

Although the stores are open in the Netherlands the company cannot obtain component stock from their Chinese suppliers. This means that sales for the qualifying period will be low and there is a chance that this incentive may not travel. Another example is a confirmed UK client to Victoria Falls that cancelled as their home improvement business has seen a huge slump. They are expecting a 30 per cent drop in sales for 2020 which has put financial pressure on the organization and their distributer incentive trip is a casualty of that. The irony is that any professionally run incentive should be self-funding and that the ROI should always more than cover the actual cost of the programme.

Business Events Africa July 2020 25

COVID-19 AND BEYOND | Organisers

On a positive note there are companies that despite Covid-19 are still doing well. Pharmaceutical, Insurance and some Financial Service businesses are enjoying a relatively good year and are still engaging with us and keen to reward their employees and channel partners.

The source markets actively still planning events are somewhat surprising as they are not necessarily those you might expect. Several Asian countries, The Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Russia and even some UK clients remain keen to travel although their infection numbers are still high. Although currently cautious we expect the USA to also recover quickly especially for those destinations that can demonstrate low risk and good protocols.

At the time of writing TBCSA and industry partners are presenting South Africa’s recovery plan and protocols to government. As so many business events and Incentives are planned six or more months in advance, we do need clarity as to a date from when international travel to South Africa will resume and when gatherings of over 50 attendees will be allowed. This is not only important for our clients to start planning their events but also critical for the viability of our industry, much of which will need to survive for 6-12 months on little or no income.

DENISE KEMP

Managing owner, Eastern Sun Events

At Eastern Sun Events, our core business is medical association conferences, with a primary focus on annual national medical conferences. Our last conference ended 26 Business Events Africa July 2020

on 15 March 2020, just as Covid-19 was gaining a foothold in South Africa.

From there, the industry collapsed.

Just one week later, all our conferences for the next 15 months had been cancelled, and our income for the next year along with it.

Not only were we battling Covid-19, alongside everyone else in our industry, we faced an additional hurdle in that our clients were healthcare professionals on the frontline, and as such not interested in considering virtual conferencing.

Our team was faced with the tough task of reinventing ourselves or risk closing up shop entirely. We came together as a company and brainstormed, coming to the conclusion that the best way forward, in the face of a global pandemic that showed no signs of slowing down, was to become experts at all things online.

This involved countless webinars and trials of various online platforms.

Fortunately for us, all but one of our clients changed their minds and decided to host virtual events, possibly realising that digital platforms were going to be the standard for the foreseeable future. We are now organising an international virtual event with one of our clients which will include presenters across 22 regions and 7 time zones. This will be running for 22 hours, without a break. All of this will be managed and broadcast from a private game reserve, which makes for a logistically challenging but altogether different and exciting event.

At this point it is uncertain whether things will return to the way they were in a world after Covid-19, both inside and outside the conferencing industry.

Following nearly a year of experience with exclusively online contact and education, we are now planning to include online components in all of our live conferences moving forward.

We have a number of live conferences scheduled for next year, and we will be offering an online component for all of these. While this is something we had done previously, it was only usually included if the association could afford the additional costs. Now, however, we have our own online software and can easily incorporate this in our offering.

Nearly all our clients are involved in outreaches into Africa and we have battled to get funding to bring delegates to the conferences, frequently having to

Conferencing post-Covid-19, particularly live conferencing, will not only look very different but come with many more hurdles in terms of suggested protocols and protections for the delegates. tap into our sponsors’ African budgets in order to offer this to relatively few delegates. Now, however, we will be able to share our educational events with large numbers of healthcare professionals, both in Africa and further abroad. I expect to see more meetings moving online as well, as people have become more comfortable with the switch to digital platforms. While some of our clients still preferred to meet face to face for monthly meetings with congress LOCs, I expect these will now be exclusively online.

Conferencing post-Covid-19, particularly live conferencing, will not only look very different but come with many more hurdles than previously in terms of suggested protocols and protections for the delegates. This also raises concerns around inflating budgets, and how PCOs can introduce novel ways in which delegates can socialise – an important component of any live conference that will now require some creativity. I expect that the issues around socialising will be the more difficult to manage, as venue restrictions can be handled without too drastically impacting the core experience of the conference.

One SA medical association informed us that they would no longer be traveling to the association’s international event, but would rather get together at a venue in SA to view the conference online. This would still allow them to be with their colleagues and “attend” the conference together, without the expense and time commitment of international travel.

It seems a certainty that we will be seeing a lot more online conferencing post-Covid-19, and every PCO will no doubt be upskilling themselves in this area and looking to incorporate it into their core business. Perhaps we will see more clients moving to one live event each year, with virtual events in-between.

South Africa is a friendly and gregarious nation, however, and I suspect being able to see one’s colleagues in person will still be first prize for most. www.businesseventsafrica.com

BRAND FOCUS

The power of storytelling Storytelling is vital to the digital-centric approach brands are taking in the Covid-19 era.

“Tell me the facts, and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth, and I’ll believe. But tell me a story, and it will live in my heart forever.”

– A Native American Proverb

H

ow many movies do you know word for word and how many of them have caused you to consciously act or change a life view as a result? If this resonates with you, then you already know the importance of great storytelling: touching people to their core and evoking an emotion, which makes them recall the story and be genuinely affected by it.

We are living in an age of digital disruption, where we now spend more time on our devices, than we ever have before. In the digital age, the customer is not only right, but is also empowered, leveraging a hyperconnected online community that shares thoughts, feelings, opinions, ideas, thereby eventually influencing the buying decisions of others.

Approximately 92 per cent of customers trust their

peers over traditional advertising. With this in mind, today’s e-commerce and retail businesses must find increasingly engaging ways of communicating their messages with their target audience – and customer-driven brand storytelling is an incredibly powerful outlet.

Brand storytelling is a form of brand communications that is executed through digital marketing that drives genuine emotional engagement, resulting in better business performance and increased brand loyalty. And if you want your retail business to thrive in tomorrow’s world, sharing your story with your audience in lots of creative, inspirational ways is not optional but necessary.

Social distancing measures enhance the need for human connection. Screens and digital applications help us keep in touch with our families and business relations. New social media trends form a source of entertainment. Creativity and generosity are the foundation of many initiatives that bring

people closer together, in a safe way.

Covid-19 requires brands to rethink their storytelling drastically. And while many companies see this crisis as an economical low point, there are also opportunities to grasp in these unusual times.

“Branding and brands simply do not exist anymore without ensuring digital is central to how they are communicated, advertised, consumed and shared. These key factors see brands needing to ensure there is a strategy that considers the right digital mix in support of the brand position through carefully purposed storytelling.

“This way businesses can strengthen their online position in the marketplace and thrive in the digital world”, said Yaw Dwomoh, chief executive officer of Idea Hive.

“Brand storytelling sets the foundation of every company’s marketing strategy by creating connections with consumers, so they want to incorporate the brand into their every day. ... For a brand to best tell its story, marketers must consider what makes the most successful brand narrative and how it will tie in with their digital platforms”, Mr Dwomoh added.

Brand storytelling is executed through digital marketing that drives genuine emotional engagement, resulting in better business performance and increased brand loyalty www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa July 2020 27

FEATURED VENUE

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The Kerzner@UJ offers a broad range of 4-star graded, HACCP certified Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events venues, complemented by its food and beverage specialty services. It is a commercial entity of the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg.

T Syndicate Boardroom.

30 Business Events Africa July 2020

he main conference venues are located in the Kerzner Building, at the UJ Auckland Park, Bunting Road Campus. These facilities are ideally placed to cater for the academic, corporate meetings and events market in the Joburg CBD vicinity and surrounds. www.businesseventsafrica.com

FEATURED VENUE Banquet in Conference Room 2.

THE KERZNER@UJ FACILITIES • 4x City Lodge Syndicate Rooms.

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Theatre seating in the Conference Room Room.1.

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Our venues are especially designed to enable flexibility and optimal space usage can accommodate conferences, banquets, exhibitions and other special meetings events of varying capacities.

Adjacent to the conference rooms is the Kerzner Bistro, which combined with the conference space opens up to an even larger space, extending to the UJ Alumni Bar and Waterford Restaurant.

In close proximity to the conference rooms is the Stellenbosch Executive Boardroom, which offers video www.businesseventsafrica.com

conferencing facilities, providing a seamless and easily accessible MESE experience for every event organiser. All venues provide complimentary wireless internet access and secure parking.

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Every venue booking counts at The Kerzner@UJ! Committed to providing a safe and unique experience with unparalleled quality and service, every booking confirmed contributes to bolstering our talent pool of tourism and hospitality students.

Business Events Africa July 2020 31

PERSONALITY PROFILE

Lorraine Jenks Always in search of the “greener” version Lorraine Jenks, 77, is a professional speaker and climate activist who manages green directories, builds eco home and hotel exhibits, consults and runs workshops locally and abroad.

A

teacher by profession, Lorraine Jenks has over 50 years of green experience that began during a stay in California, working with the Environmental Protection Agency before expanding her vast knowledge in hospitality, tourism, environmental awareness and thought leadership. She works in every industrial sector, both public and private.

She is also the founder and chief executive officer of two leading online directories – hotelstuff.co.za (for goods and services for all sectors) and greenstuff.co.za (only sustainable and eco-friendly products).

How did you become a climate activist?

I grew up on a farm and have always been aware of the need to protect the environment and have fought for the underdog since I was a little girl.

When did you get involved in hospitality and the tourism sector?

When I finished my studies I moved to London, then Canada and finally to California where, after reading Carson’s “Silent Spring” and working for the Environmental Protection Agency, I became an environmental activist – 50 years ago!

Back in South Africa I found a temporary position which turned into 15 years as contracts and purchasing manager for Southern/ Tsogo Sun’s 82 hotels.

“Greening” was unheard of at the time, so it became my personal mission to find a “greener” version of every product and service in my purchasing manual.

32 Business Events Africa July 2020

Where do you see sustainability in South Africa at present and where do you see it heading in the future?

I see great strides in sustainability, with a spike since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published their scathing report 18 months ago.

Our building industry is leading in green construction, renewable energy installations, water saving and waste management but we have a long way to go with operating equipment, furniture, fittings, design and décor.

Fast fashion is unchallenged and plastic pollution is a disgrace. There is no excuse. If they can send a man to Mars, they can jolly well invent an alternative for plastic.

If Rwanda can achieve zero waste, then so can we. I, and several leading international organisations, believe that plastic recycling is a scam. But that is a story for another article. We support it now because it creates awareness and it is all we have.

Tourism and hospitality are our good stories. We have always been proud leaders in conservation.

We have set some internationally acclaimed standards in responsible tourism and green hospitality.

We have world class restaurants serving ethical and organic foods.

If they can send a man to Mars, they can jolly well invent an alternative for plastic.

Small scale organic farming is growing rapidly, encouraging people to grow food wherever they can.

Do you believe Covid-19 is a dress rehearsal for climate change?

The parallels between Coronavirus and Climate Change are remarkable. I looked at this in preparation for a keynote planned for the World Travel Market but since the event was cancelled, am running master classes and workshops on the topic, and the paradigm shift I hope these will initiate when we move into the clichéd “new normal”. We dare not go back to the “old normal” because that is exactly what the problem was.

Consider these similarities: Scientists warned us about both the virus and climate change. Both have denialists and conspiracy theorists. Both disregard wildlife and eco systems. Both suffer food shortages. Both highlight socio economic inequality. Both cause depression. Both have people who believe the cure is worse than the problem. The only differences are the speed at which they happen and the fact that one will eventually decrease and maybe go away and the other will get much worse and never go away.

Our industry is nowhere near ready and prepared for what is to come.

I have been invited to speak on climate change in Singapore, Istanbul, Denmark, India, China, Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria and Kenya but there is precious little acknowledgement and concern here at home. The predicted impacts to tourism in Africa are www.businesseventsafrica.com

PERSONALITY PROFILE

severe and unique. There is an urgent need to plan, prepare and adapt.

Where did you start your current career?

I have had many jobs in many sectors over the years – in four countries – mentioned below… but began my current work as a sustainability facilitator and speaker in my late 60s. You are never too old to start again!

How long have you been in the tourism sector?

I began working at Southern Sun Head Office in 1980. As I mentioned earlier, I had all this knowledge about “greening” that I’d learned in California. I was alarmed by the lack of awareness in South Africa generally, but specifically in my work as Contracts and Purchasing Manager.

I tried for 15 years to encourage greener or more eco-friendly products and services but got very little support.

No one was being delinquent – I was just a bit ahead of the game.

When we built the Sandton Convention Centre (our first attempt at a green development) I volunteered to begin a recycling programme in the Sandton hotels. Recycling was virtually unheard of. It was a resounding success.

A young volunteer and I simply asked hotels to separate wet and dry waste.

Dry was picked up by this chap (who appeared in my office out of nowhere one day), taken to a simple conveyer belt he had built; sorted by homeless people, sold to Mondi, Consol and others and the revenue paid to the helpers. It was a resounding success.

I saved the company a small fortune in waste management and reduced volumes by 80 per cent. I sent the report with photos, graphs and sums upstairs and no one took a blind bit of notice!

Added to this, twice I had men brought in over me, earning double.

So I left and moved to Cape Town.

My son built the first Hotelstuff website to share what I knew and to share a list recommended hotel products with the rest of the hospitality industry – a simple online “yellow pages” type directory for hotels. The first in the world.

A short while later, US Vice President Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth” movie came out and I realised the time was right to push eco products and we created the sister directory, Greenstuff, to back onto Hotelstuff. www.businesseventsafrica.com

Ironically, the hotels started calling me back to explain greening. I had waited 15 years! I ran workshops and consulted, but realised the managers needed to see, feel and touch “green” products, and in a moment of madness, my bookkeeper and I decided to book 100 square metres at the Hostex show and invite our subscribers to help us furnish a mock hotel from front to back with only eco-friendly furniture, décor, appliances, softs, food, cleaning materials, solar panels, grey water and food gardens – everything!

We were subsequently invited to build similar exhibition projects at Decorex, Inspire, BBC Lifestyle and the Hotel Show – all paid for out of my miniscule pension and the suppliers who displayed their goods.

Out of the blue, Eskom invited us to help them run a road show of 14 workshops throughout the country and asked me why I didn’t become a speaker! I didn’t know there was such a thing. The rest is history.

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

I’ve seen exponential improvement in lowering carbon footprints and reducing ecosystem damage with the installation of LEDs, motion sensors, water saving initiatives, efficient appliances, solar installations, non-toxic cleaning chemicals and safer guest amenities, but not enough attention to food and beverages, furnishings and softs.

Bed linen is one of the biggest challenges. Hoteliers look at their monthly bottom line, not at the

long term longevity of items like linen. Flax will outlast any other fabric, but capital outlay is high.

Are you married?

Divorced. Three times! I would marry them all again for a decade or so!

There’s a happy/sad book in there, somewhere.

What role does your family play in your life?

My daughter and her husband help me with web development and my son is a PhD Physics and is my “go-to” for technical and scientific advice.

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

I wish I had also studied English Literature. I should have demanded equal pay in every job I ever had. I should have left the corporate world decades ago – but the timing wasn’t right. So, in retrospect, I have had a truly wonderful life... many jobs… and visited 52 countries as a traveller, not a tourist. Things were meant to be exactly as they are.

Do you have any hobbies?

I collect old keys – from a teeny, tiny Swiss clock key, up to a giant castle door key.

Do you play any sports?

I did ballet for many years and never got to understand team sports.

What is your favourite sport? Dancing and I loved skiing.

Business Events Africa July 2020 33

PERSONALITY PROFILE

What do you do for leisure?

Read and travel.

What is your secret to success?

I never make a decision on my own; always involve the whole team. Follow your passion and be patient – it will suddenly manifest if you never give up.

My mom taught me: “Don’t give people a chance to disappoint you” and “Know when something is coming to an end and move on.”

I also believe if you’re doing the right thing, at the right time for the right reason, good things simply come to you.

What has been your biggest challenge in this sector?

Definitely, being recognised for what I am qualified for and capable of doing, especially in the early days. People saw us as SPCA volunteers or wussy bunny huggers. We are anything but.

My financial rewards are non-existent and a challenge. But my joy is being acknowledged by a wide range or groups with awards for their sector. I heard, this week, of my 20th award.

All awarded since I turned 69. It is as though I am dreaming about someone else and this was never part of the plan.

What is your pet hate?

Any form of selfish and ignorant greed.

My biggest heartache is deforestation.

in the 70s), Tibet (an arduous overland trip before the train was there), Alaska (an unmanned distant island, dropped there by float plane) and Mongolia. I have a passion for remote, unspoiled places – the journey to get there, the people, customs and foods.

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

I would be the King of the World and arrest Trump and Bolsonaro, their cohorts and all decision makers who violate our ecosystems.

I would force them to live with the indigenous people, the fishermen, the animals, in the biospheres and communities they abuse.

What is your favourite city?

London. Five of my happiest years.

Its history, museums, theatres, shops, pubs, parks, taxis, tubes, buses, sounds, smells, tastes – everything.

For anyone who also loves London, I’m reading Sandi Toksvig’s “Between the Stops – View from the Top of Number 12 Bus”. You will love it.

Short anecdotes. Wicked humour.

What is your favourite TV programme?

Carte Blanche because I love it when they catch the “baddies” and QI because of the salacious humour and the incredible facts they share.

What is the most memorable places you have ever been to, How do you relax? and why?

Two types of meditation: TM which is Four places: the upper reaches of The Amazon (travelled by dug-out canoe

letting go and Silva Mind Control which is controlled.

“Follow your passion and be patient – it will suddenly manifest if you never give up” What is your favourite food?

Mutton breedie with sourdough bread.

Who is your favourite movie star?

The late Robin Williams.

Who is your role model?

I would like to be Jane Goodall because she is brave, authentic, driven, elegant, acknowledged and financially funded to be able to honour her calling.

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

Choose a division where you can make difference; where you can make decisions and choices that change the industry for the better. Take courses in climate change, sustainable building, green procurement, regenerative agriculture, ethnic and heritage foods.

Then, for when climate change really hits all of us, be skilled in leadership and conflict resolution.

What is your dream for the future?

To be able to carry on my work (not really work when you love what you do) for as long as I wish. And for everything else – I hope for the alleviation of suffering of all living and sentient beings.

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MARKET NEWS

Synergy Business Events Looking to the future Covid-19 has certainly changed the way we do business. Going forward, Synergy Business Events managing director Tiisetso Tau said the emphasis will be on health and safety in all areas of business events.

S

ynergy Business Events has managed to cement its position in the market by successfully hosting mega-events and exhibitions for local and international clients, as well as government agencies.

Mr Tau said there are three areas Synergy Business Events has focused on to navigate through this difficult time.

The first is without a doubt, health and safety; followed by business development with the appointment of a new member of the team and lastly operations, with the promotion of one of the existing key players in the company.

Health and safety will be key. Mr Tau has no doubt that the need for physical events and exhibitions will remain, saying: “Webinars and virtual expos will not take the place of the physical exhibition and events.

“The positive about exhibitions is that it is a very controlled environment and all buyers and exhibitors details are known, and health and safety precautionary measures will be followed without exception. We will also have to introduce health booths and have a doctor on site at every event.”

“There are many health and safety boxes that we will have to tick to ensure that all attending the exhibition or event can feel safe and comfortable, and that we have done everything we can to ensure their health and safety.”

“From a business perspective, we have appointed Katelyn De Schutter to lead our business development in order to expand our business locally and also grow our African footprint.

“In keeping with our core legacy focus, we have over the years mentored and www.businesseventsafrica.com

upskilled our own Phetogo Kubheka, and am proud to announce her promotion to operational executive at Synergy Business Events.”

Ms Kubheka is well represented in the sector in her role as board director of AAXO.

“We at Synergy Business Events understand all too well that having the right team is crucial for the success of any company.”

Phetogo Kubheka, operational executive at Synergy Business Events.

Katelyn De Schutter, business development at Synergy Business Events.

Tiisetso Tau, managing director of Synergy Business Events.

Business Events Africa July 2020 35

MARKET NEWS

Forging a new paradigm in a world of disruption and discomfort Many industry companies have pivoted, studied and developed new skillsets, over and above navigating and adjusting to working from home and online Zoom meetings.

F

or all intents and purposes, with the majority of exhibitions and events having been cancelled and moved to 2021 and even 2022, so many have been making plans left, right and centre along with taking precautionary measures to avoid the pandemic.

from the compulsory wearing of masks to sanitiser stations, infrared thermometers, relevant and appropriate signage insofar as social distancing protocols are concerned and crowd control. Our clients are communicative, missing in-person interaction.”

Business Events Africa reached out to some representatives on the EXSA Board for comment:

Presley Mokotedi, EXSA EXCO and director of Garona Communications and Projects, said: “From our industry sector we have been communicating with our clients about the various cancelled shows and we have communicated and prepared for stringent PPE requirements, 36 Business Events Africa July 2020

Doug Rix, EXSA past chairperson and owner of DK Design, cites that focusing on keeping their exhibition industry clients updated on potential guidelines and protocols that will need to be taken into account when planning for any physical exhibition stand “Post Covid-19 lockdown”, is top priority. Also, revisiting clients’ previous concept design proposals through working on simplifying structures has become a practical

approach, opening up spaces in some of these previous design proposals so as to help anticipate how exhibition stands will need to be adapted and aligned to the Covid-19 Safety Measures and Protocols.

Mr Rix highlights that client’s budgets will no doubt be reduced; build-up times will possibly be restricted to a specific/ limited period of access into a venue; simplified/modular and prefabricated structures would potentially assist as a solution, while surfaces of stand structures will need to be regularly and easily cleanable during the show. Traffic flow on and off the stands will need to be adjusted to meet social distancing requirements and meeting areas on the stands will need to be adjusted to meet social distancing requirements.

Any hospitality or catering will need to be reconceptualised to be “risk free”.

Touch Screen interaction points – if included – would need to be monitored and continually sterilised or even replaced with normal LCD Screens to view digital content without needing to physically interact and touch surfaces. Hand-outs/ giveaways will need to be packaged and distributed effectively – if at all.

On pivoting, virtual and digital transformation in the wake of Covid-19, feelings are pretty mixed:

Moses Nefale, EXSA treasurer and Scan Displays financial director, said: ‘’Virtual exhibitions www.businesseventsafrica.com

MARKET NEWS

may be in contradiction of the purpose of exhibitions.”

where we will rely on innovation to not only be effective, but to save our planet, sustainable products will offer huge value to organisers and venues when needed most.

Virtual – combined effectively with a new approach to tactile exhibitions can add an element of greening – while at the same time addressing distancing.

Change in design, materials, processes will allow a more fluid and economically viable exhibition sector – that falls within the Covid-19 regulations.”

Sibusiso Mchwabe, KZN forum chairperson and director of Marketing Well said that they are liaising with clients on the inclusion of virtual elements in their shows, however total virtual expos may take away from the huge role that exhibition infrastructure companies play. Including virtual screens around the venue for talks and workshops and virtual equipment for those who would not attend the actual event, these elements will need to be considered, over and above the prerequisite of sanitation measures during the show.

Gary van der Watt, EXSA WC forum chairperson and owner of Resource Design, said: “Sustainability is the anthem. In a post-Covid-19 ecosystem www.businesseventsafrica.com

Mike Mira, EXSA EXCO and owner of EFAM cites that while it is clear why we are focusing on virtual right now due to all the uncertainty, it’s not necessarily the future.

Chad Botha, EXSA EXCO and director of Inspire Furniture expresses that virtual exhibitions may run the risk of us working ourselves out of a job – a great idea but what forward-thinking is applied about the affect it will have on

our industry? Social distancing, sanitising in line with industry guidelines on events and exhibitions, are the answers.

“However, companies should be giving priority to their current position and where necessary, make some hard decisions. It has been three months and some are getting to the end of their resources, if they are not already there. Many people and companies are burying their heads under a rock, from clients to associates.

If companies keep grasping at straws and do not make decisions they may potentially be in a worse off position in the next three months – it is time to decide now if they want to stay in the industry and if they do, they need to take the necessary steps to do so and maximise the value they currently have’’.

While industry opinion is mixed and each of our businesses may be pivoting to survive the industry ‘drought’, the ‘new normal’ is definitely changing the way people do business. A long time ago, humans used to communicate by hand writing letters and then, through devices such as the very first telephones. Now, humans reach out using the internet and the countless platforms of communication available, located at the tips of our fingers.

Virtual environments and platforms are the new normal, especially during lockdown. No matter our preferred choice of communication, our brain is premeditated for face-to-face interactions. In-person communication triggers our emotional centres.

As we find ourselves adapting to this new reality, perhaps we will be witness to the physical and the virtual existing in the same space, whereby the physical enjoys a digital twin? Virtual certainly can provide an innovative platform by way of a prelude to the actual physical event, a great way to be found, stay connected and consistent.

This may be one way for our industry role-players to survive, while we ride the Covid-19 storm. All the while, we will wash our hands, sanitise and don our masks – until we can hug and handshake again.

Business Events Africa July 2020 37

MARKET NEWS

What does the future of hotel design look like?

Q&A with an interior designer, Grant Gillis

T

he Covid-19 pandemic has no doubt had a crippling effect on travel, and going back to a functioning industry in the future is bound to be interesting, to say the least. This Q&A dives deeper into how the hotel industry can be expected to change, specifically from a design point of view.

BON Hotels Interior Design Building and Procurement Partner, Grant Gillis, who designs, builds and fits out hotels throughout Africa provides his professional opinion on what checking into a hotel may look like in the near future.

In what way do you think space will be used in hotel design post-pandemic?

The million dollar question is if all existing hotels and restaurants under the new guidance and restrictions will actually reopen. As an interior design and space planning hospitality specialist the only fundamental issue I have is a return on investment. It may mean that smaller hotels don’t find it viable to reopen, if having to halve the guest accommodation becomes a reality.

Having already looked at different designs, implementing non-touch welcomes/computer check-ins are expensive if they have to be added to an existing hotel. In addition, it’s a reality that most people crave recognition and they crave the conversation that normally goes with the checking in at a hotel, and a purely technological checkin system won’t satisfy that need.

In order for a guest to check-in they need to have their perception satisfied that the hotel is doing everything in its power to look after them, specifically the cleanliness related to the Covid-19 pandemic. I believe the most effective way is to place one guest relations staff member at the entrance, with the purpose of warmly welcoming guests.

This human interaction may ease guests’ anxiety, especially in the beginning stages of hotels reopening and after they have been screened on arrival.

38 Business Events Africa July 2020

Similar changes can be expected for bedrooms and bathrooms. In a perfect world, the new en- suite bathroom will have an electronic door that requires no touch and closes behind you. The bathroom itself should be fully tiled, with sealed light fittings to eliminate touch. Central drains are something that should be implemented to allow for ease of sanitisation, in addition to sealed toilet paper and reusable guest amenities being discarded after opening.

In which ways will technology be further incorporated into hotels?

Besides the possible use of cellphones as an option to swipe key cards, touchscreen technology will more than likely be phased out in the name of hygiene.

I believe that it will take a back seat to fibre optic high quality wi-fi, needed to endure the seamless transition of reading QR codes for guests.

How do you envisage the traditional buffets changing in future?

In addition to the decontamination process when guests arrive at the hotel, a similar process will need to be followed at the restaurant and/or bar areas. I think the traditional buffet will have to change and certain items will have to be ordered and plated. Alternatively, there will have to be a few more people behind the counter dishing up directly on to patrons’ plates. Cutlery and crockery should effectively be encased in plastic wrapping to alleviate the issue of other patrons or staff directly touching the utensils. Cold buffet dishes will need to be preplated, wrapped and dished from behind glass sneeze guards. Sanitising wipes will have to be put on all tables to deal with the coverings and disposal of used cutlery and crockery, while waiters will need to be wearing gloves.

How do you think hotels could prioritise safety at check-in

Who is Grant Gillis?

With over 32 years of operational experience in the hospitality industry, Grant started his career at Protea Hotels, after graduating from Wits University with a National Diploma in Hotel Management in 1983. From designing both the Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood restaurants on our soil, he now designs hotels both locally and across Africa.

counters while keeping the area relaxing and welcoming?

In the future, hotels and guests can look forward to a thorough screening process, including a walkthrough disinfection process and having their temperatures taken. Once the disinfection process is complete, a significantly different reception area is to be expected.

It is relatively easy to split reception counters in new hotels, or isolate existing reception counters with translucent screens. There could even be a situation where you check in guests with an IPad/ tablet at a lounge-type setting where social distancing is easily achievable.

It will also be crucial to ensure that queues don’t form often. A few ways to avoid this from happening include implementing digital queuing software, designing the reception space to accommodate queues and informing guests of any expected queue times. www.businesseventsafrica.com

MARKET NEWS

Perhaps most importantly, the space between guests should be monitored.

There should always be hotel staff available to closely track any potential violation of social distancing to avoid complaints or disagreements between the hotel and guests, or between guests.

If you could redesign the traditional hotel bar to accommodate social distancing, how would you envision it?

I believe that this area will in fact change to more of a service bar, with seating options suited to individual guests. For groups of people visiting

the bar, the traditional S-shaped seat can accommodate social distancing when elongated, allowing for an ideal two-metre social distance. People like to be among others when they are travelling alone and dine/drink activities are the perfect opportunities for them to feel part of a group.

The hotel public areas will still need to remain populated, albeit having new social distancing policies in place.

In the way we design a space, it is essential that the first person feels totally comfortable. I believe restaurant and bar areas may become multifunctional, to allow for cleaning crews to be more visible from any seat in the hotel.

In what way do you think hotels will adapt the layout of the conference facilities?

Fixed tables and seating at levels as stipulated by the government will need to be implemented. I think this element of hotels may suffer as the boom of video conferencing has proven that many meetings can be conducted remotely.

In my opinion, rooms will get smaller and become more adaptable to account for remote meetings. For larger group meetings, separate teams can be set up in different cities and dial into video conferencing from the conference rooms, essentially cutting down on travel, time and accommodation expenses.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

July 2020 Vol 40 No 7 ADVERTISER

PAGE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

AAXO

9

aaxo@aaxo.co.za

www.aaxo.co.za

Chat’r Experience

28,29,34

john@chatr.co.za

www.chatr.co.za

Event Greening Forum

9

info@eventgreening.co.za

www.eventgreening.co.za

EXSA

10

exsa@exsa.co.za

www.exsa.co.za

MJunxion

2

yolande@mjunxion.co.za

www.mjunxion.co.za

SAACI

6

info@saaci.org

www.saaci.org

Scan Display

4

justin@scandisplay.co.za

www.scandisplay.co.za

SITE

8

info@sitesouthernafrica.com

www.sitesouthernafrica.com

University of Johannesburg

30-31

sthreception1@uj.ac.za

www.thekerzneratuj.com

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa July 2020 39

DIRECTORY

ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN EXHIBITION ORGANISERS

46 Waterford Office Park, Waterford Drive, Fourways, Johannesburg t: +27 (0)11 465 8955 e: aaxo@aaxo.co.za Association coordinator: Molebegeng Masote e: mole@aaxo.co.za Chairperson: Projeni Pather, Exposure Marketing e: projeni@exposuremarketing.co.za Vice-chairperson: Devi PaulsenAbbott, dmg events e: devipaulsen@dmgevents.com Treasurer: Mark Anderson, Specialised Exhibitions e: marka@specialised.com Board of directors: Carol Weaving, Reed Exhibitions e: carol.weaving@reedexpoafrica.co.za Chanelle Hingston, Clarion Events Africa e: chanelle.hingston@clarionevents.com Phetogo Kubheka, Synergy Business Events e: phetogo@synergybe.co.za Suzette Scheepers, Messe Muenchen South Africa e: suzette.scheepers@mm-sa.com

Vice chairperson: Gabi Babinsky, Brandex t: +27 (0)64 655 3323 e: gabi@brandexpro.co.za

Vice-chairperson: Jaques Fouche Formative e: jaques@formative.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542

Treasurer: Moses Nefale, Scan Display t: +27 (0)79 882 8616 e: moses@scandisplay.co.za

Treasurer: Glenn van Eck, Magnetic Storm e: glenn@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 800 2616

Past chairperson: Doug Rix, DK Designs t: +27 (0)82 579 7071 e: dougrix@wol.co.za Association manager: Lee-Ann Alder t: +27 (0)82 550 0349 e: info@exsa.co.za Board members Kerry-Lee Bester, Brilliant Branding t: +27 (0)72 265 6600 e: kerry@brilliant-branding.co.za Mike Mira, Efam Distributors t: +27 (0)83 445 2261 e: mike@efam.co.za Presley Mokotedi, Garona Communications t: +27 (0)81 578 4455 e: presley@garonacom.co.za Chad Botha, Inspire Furniture Rentals t: +27 (0)76 644 0271 e: info@inspirefurniture.co.za Sibusiso Mchwabe, Marketing Well t: +27 (0)83 477 5536 e: sibusiso@marketingwell.co.za Gary van der Watt, Resource Design t: +27 (0)76 339 5320 e: gary@resourcedesign.co.za INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS & CONVENTION ASSOCIATION

EVENT GREENING FORUM

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

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

Learning | Growth | collaboration EXSA OFFICE www.exsa.co.za Chairperson: Gill Gibbs, BluCube t: +27 (0)83 260 8035 e: gill@blu3.co.za

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairperson: Kim Roberts Mise-en-place Solutions e: info@mise-en-placesolutions.com c: +27 (0)82 652 2008

40 Business Events Africa July 2020

Public officer: Denise Kemp, Eastern Sun Events e: denise@esternsun.co.za c: +27 (0)82 654 9755 Chief executive officer: Glenton De Kock e: ceo@saaci.org c: +27 (0)82 575 7565 DIRECTORS EC chairperson: Andrew Stewart PeriExpo e: andrew@periexpo.co.za c: +27 (0)82 578 5987 KZN chairperson: Tracey Delport The Hospitality Experience e: tracey@thehospitality experience.co.za c: +27 (0)83 293 5190 JHB chairperson: Lorin Bowen Lorin Bowen Business Events e: lorin@lorinbowen.co.za c: + 27 (0)82 433 8687 WC acting chairperson: Angela Lorimer, Century City Conference Centre e: angela.l@ccconferencecentre.co.za t: +27 (0)21 809 1101

Networking: Wanda Fourie Eastern Sun Events e: registration@easternsun.co.za Branch coordinator: Hayley Pretorius e: ec.za@saaci.org c: +27 (0)79 507 3607 c: +27 (0)62 758 7933 JOHANNESBURG Branch chairperson: Lorin Bowen Lorin Bowen Business Events c: +27 (0)82 433 8687 e: lorin@lorinbowen.co.za Branch vice-chairperson: Michelle Bingham Sandton Convention Centre c: +27 (0)82 339 0342 e: michelle.bingham@tsogosun. com Branch treasurer: Manuela Gomes Cullinan Holding c: +27 (0)81 359 6558 e: manuela@ikapacoaches.co.za COMMITTEE: Aidan Koen, Ogada Group c: +27 (0)82 561 3188 e: aidan@ogada.co.za Brad Montgomery Ultimate Data Sciences c: +27 (0)72 800 5857 e: brad@ultimatedata.co.za Brendan Vogt Guvon Hotels & Spas c: +27 (0)83 709 0480 e: brendan@guvon.co.za

Tshwane chairperson: Leon Pheiffer EPH Productions e: leon@ephproductions.co.za c: + 27 (0)82 924 9046

Carmen Rudd Synergy Business Events c: +27 (0)82 707 3977 e: carmen@synergybe.co.za

Co-opted youth: Minister Kganyago CSIR e: MKganyago@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)79 513 8708

Chad Botha, Inspire Furniture Rentals c: +27 (0)87 470 0670 e: chad@inspirefurniture.co.za

Venue rep: Michelle Bingham Sandton Convention Centre e: Michelle.Bingham@tsogosun.com c: +27 (0)82 339 0342

John Arvanitakis Chatr’ Experiences c: +27 (0)83 415 2774 e: john@chatr.co.za

EASTERN CAPE Branch chairperson: Andrew Stewart, PeriExpo e: andrew@periexpo.co.za c: +27 (0)82 578 5987 Branch vice-chairperson: David Limbert, Magnetic Storm e: david@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 9064 198 Branch treasurer: Alistair Stead, Scan Display e: alastair@scandisplay.africa c: +27 (0)73 236 6618

Minister Kganyago, CSIR c: +27 (0)79 513 8708 e: mkganyago@csir.co.za Rendani Khorommbi Joburg Tourism c: +27 (0)82 773 2999 e: rendanik@joburgtourism.com Branch coordinator: Angelique Smith c: +27 (0)60 970 7653 e: Jhb.za@saaci.org TSHWANE

COMMITTEE: Learning: Caroline Morgan EXBO e: caro@exbo.co.za c: +27 (0)82 553 6185

Branch chairperson: Leon Pheiffer EPH & Monte de Dios e: leon@ephproductions.co.za; e: leon@montededios.co.za c: +27 (0)82 924 9046

Communication: Gill Dickie Bidvest Car Rental e: gilld@bidvestcarrental.co.za c: +27 (0)79 527 7619

Branch vice-chairperson: Corné Engelbrecht, Savetcon e: corne@savetcon.co.za c: +27 (0)82 925 9241

Networking: Melissa Palmer B&E Conference Centre e: melissa@becbc.co.za c: +27 (0)82 437 7600

Branch treasurer: Refilwe Nchebisang, CSIR ICC e: rnchebisang@csir.co.za c: +27 (0)12 841 3770

www.businesseventsafrica.com

DIRECTORY COMMITTEE: Melanie Pretorius, At Zone Hospitality Consulting e: melanie.pretorius@mweb.co.za c: +27 (0)82 410 1202 Herkie du Preez, Event Wizards e: herkie@eventwizards.co.za c: +27 (0)82 839 3489 Branch coordinator: Heather Heskes, SAACI e: tsh.za@saaci.org c: +27 (0)76 321 6111 KWAZULU-NATAL Branch chairperson: Irene Vallihu, Durban International Convention Centre e: irenev@icc.co.za c: +27 (0)79 692 4604 Branch vice-chairperson: Gill Slaughter, Turners Conferences e: gills@turnersconferences.co.za c: +27 (0)31 368 8000 Branch treasurer: Sibusiso Mncwabe, Marketing Well e: sibusiso@marketingwell.co.za c: +27 (0)83 477 5536 COMMITTEE: Tracey Delport The Hospitality Experience e: tracey@thehospitality experience.co.za c:+27 (0)83 293 5190 Tarannum Banatwalla Jellyfish Catering & Event Management e: tarannum@jellyfishcatering.co.za c: +27 (0)83 254 9462

t: +27 (0)21 487 8600 COMMITTEE: Jaques Fouche, Formative e: jaques@formative.co.za c: +27 (0)60 993 7542 Esmare Steinhofel, ICCA e: esmare.s@iccaworld.org c: +27 (0)84 056 5544 Esti Venske, CPUT e: venskee@cput.ac.z t: +27 (0)21 460 3518 Cindy Buser, Mirchee e: cindy@mirchee.co.za c: +27 (0)21 705 7338 Zimkitha Bavuma, CPUT e: zim@live.co.za Zandri Swartz Century City Convention Centre e: zandri.s@ccconferencecentre.co.za c: +27 (0)21 204 8000 Andrew Gibson, Magnetic Storm e: andrew@magnetic.co.za t: 0860 111 625 Adele Martiz, CTICC e: adele@cticc.co.za t: +27 (0)21 410 5000 Ansu Colditz, XL Millennium e: ansuc@millenniumtravel.co.za c: +27 (0)82 457 8071 Alex Wrottesley, Into Africa e: alex@intoafrica.co.za t: +27 (0)21 430 2060 Branch coordinator: Lara van Zyl e: wc.za@saaci.org c: +27 (0)82 223 4684

Kim Jackson Greyville Convention Centre e: kimj@goldcircle.co.za c: +27 (0)82 378 2264

SOCIETY FOR INCENTIVE TRAVEL EXCELLENCE

Mabuyi Mosia, Ikhono Communications e: mabuyi@ikhono.co.za c: +27 (0)71 117 7509 Denver Manickum I-cube Alternative Advertising e: denver@icube.co.za c: +27 (0)83 482 8525 Kavitha Dhawnath, Gearhouse SA e: kavitha.dhawnath@ gearhouse.co.za c: +27 (0)83 607 2006 Wiseman Mnguni, Mboniseni Events and Project Management) e: mboniseni.events@gmail.com c: +27 (0)78 220 2162 Sandile Dlamini, Anzomode e: sandile@anzomode.co.za c: +27 (0)79 104 5510 Branch coordinator: Kerry Potgieter c: +27 (0)84 777 3452 e: kzn.za@saaci.org WESTERN CAPE Acting branch chairperson: Angela Lorimer Century City Conference Centre e: angela.l@ccconferencecentre.co.za t: +27 (0)21 809 1101 Branch treasurer: Thiru Naidoo Wesgro e: thiru@wesgro.co.za

www.businesseventsafrica.com

President: Tes Proos e: tes@crystalevents.co.za c: +27 (0) 84 682 7676 International board member: Daryl Keywood e: daryl@walthers.co.za c: +27 (0)82 904 4967 Treasurer: Peter-John Mitrovich e: peter-john.mitrovich@ grosvenortours.com c: +27 (0)82 318 1889 Board member at large: Rick Taylor East Africa (Rwanda): Chris Munyao North Africa: George Fawzi North Africa support: Brad Glen Young Leadership: Clinton Els Secretariat & Events: Gauteng: Clare Neall c: +27 76 898 0420 e: clare@eventstuff.co.za Western Cape: Mariaan Burger e: info@sitesouthernafrica.com c: +27 (0)82 557 8041

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS OF INTEREST ABTA – African Business Travel Association Box 2594, Pinegowrie, 2123 t: +27 (0)11 888 8178 c: +27 (0)83 679 2110 e: monique@abta.co.za www.abta.co.za Founder: Monique Swart ASATA – Association of Southern African Travel Agents PO Box 650539, Benmore, 2010 t: +27 (0)11 293 0560/61 e: barbara@asata.co.za e: general@asata.co.za Office manager: Barbara Viljoen Council of Event Professionals Africa M16 Ticketpro Dome Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding Executive Director: Kevan Jones kevan@sacia.org.za t: +27 (0)11 0836418 c: +27 (0)82 555 5556 Chairperson: Glenn van Eck Magnetic Storm e: glenn@magnetic.co.za c: +27 (0)82 800 2616 FEDHASA National Office – Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa PO Box 3853, The Reeds, 0157 t: +27 (0)12 771 5568 c: + 27 (0)82 552 9862 e: ceo@fedhasa.co.za www.fedhasa.co.za Chief executive: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa PSASA – Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa t: +27 (0)11 462 9465 c: +27 (0)83 458 6114 e: admin@psasouthernafrica.co.za www.psasouthernafrica.co.za SABOA – Southern African Bus Operators Association Postnet Suite 393, Private Bag X033, Rivonia 2128 t: +27 (0)11 511 7641 e: saboa@saboa.co.za www.saboa.co.za SACIA – Southern African Communications Industries Association M16 Ticketpro Dome Cnr. Northumberland & Olievenhout Roads, Northriding t: +27 (0)11 083 6418 c: +27 (0)82 555 5556 e: kevan@sacia.org.za Executive director: Kevan Jones

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

Business Events Africa July 2020 41

THE LAST WORD

Attracting African domestic travellers post-Covid-19 For the past two decades, the economy of a number of countries on the African continent has been growing significantly faster than the global average, with sub-Saharan countries particularly leading the way, according to a recent report published by the African Development Bank.

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he continent’s middle class has also shown the largest growth, to some 350 million strong, driving a rise in the private consumption of goods by an average 3.7 per cent year-on-year since 2010, with consumer spending accounting for between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of the growth of Africa’s economy.

Targeting and servicing this significant middle-class market will be key to the revival of the hospitality industry in Africa post-Covid-19, believes Mark Havercroft, regional director for Minor Hotels in Africa.

“However,” Mr Havercroft said, “hoteliers will need to be astute in their offerings in order to attract, retain and expand that market.”

Prior to Covid-19, numerous large hotel chains had already begun to make substantial inroads into the African accommodation sector. Along with the Minor Hotels brands such as Anantara, Elewana and Avani, other big names including the likes of Radisson, Marriott and Accor have placed a focus on this home-grown sector.

According to Mr Havercroft: “As travel and tourism destinations begin to open up again on the continent, it will be those hotels that are best able to service the economy, mid-scale and extended-stay 42 Business Events Africa July 2020

markets that currently exist in Africa that will be the most attractive – to both business and leisure travellers. The range of options that hotels place on the table for these markets will be critical to the overall recovery of the sector.”

With its luxury Anantara brand already in Mauritius, Zambia and Mozambique, the Elewana safari experiences in Kenya and Tanzania, and its Avani city and resort brand in Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles and Zambia, Minor Hotels is also on track, despite the pandemic, to open its Avani Nairobi Suites serviced apartments in Kenya in the latter half of this year.

“We are already catering across the broadest possible international market globally, but will continue targeting African travellers first and foremost now that our doors are fully open,” Mr Havercroft said.

He is frank that success will however require far more than simply offering a bed and breakfast: “It will also be about extending each and every accommodation option to incorporate carefully curated travel experiences and services, with appropriate partners who operate

beyond the lobby of each hotel. These partnerships include local tour guides, operators of local shops and marketplaces, restaurateurs or any other attraction that may appeal to travellers.”

Mr Havercroft also notes that, prior to Covid-19, International brands generally tended to be focused only on bringing international travellers into their establishments: “For now, we need to firmly focus on curating experiences for our African travellers that will resonate with them and deliver beyond their expectations.”

This has been the group’s own vision from the start – to have a network of hotels offering different accommodation options in strategic destinations throughout the continent.

“Once a traveller has confidence in one of your brands, and has had a good experience, they will be more inclined to sample other offerings among your other brands,” believes Mr Havercroft. “This has certainly been part of our expansion strategy into Africa from the outset, and will now stand us in good stead as the domestic travel markets begin to open.”

Minor Hotels is an international hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of over 565 properties.

Through their Anantara, Avani, Elewana, Oaks, NH Hotels, NH Collection and TIVOLI properties, Minor Hotels operates in 56 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America, actively seeking suitable acquisitions, joint venture opportunities and management assistance opportunities.

Who is Mark Havercroft?

Mark Havercroft is the regional director for Africa of international hotel group Minor Hotels, which has a footprint across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australasia, South America, the United States and Africa.

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