Business Events Africa June 2021 by Contact Publications

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Voice of the Business Events Industry in Africa

Volume 41 No 6 JUNE 2021

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

CONTENTS

VOL 41 NO 6 JUNE 2021

PERSONALITY PROFILE 24 Lindelwa Isabelle – thrives in being challenged. CHEF’S PROFILE 26 Sibusiso Nhleko – as a chef ‘you never stop learning’. LOCAL TRENDS 28 Four reasons why local weekend getaways are taking off. Q&A 30 Q&A with Volker Heiden – Marriott International.

Cover Feature JSE 6 JSE’s virtual meeting service offering meets evolving market needs.

On the pages… EDITOR’S COMMENT 2 Change is coming. NEWS 4 With the beat of a drum – Johannesburg celebrates Global Exhibitions Day. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE 9 ICCA reinvents annual association meetings statistics report.

Main Feature SAACI CONGRESS 2021 10 SAACI has ‘changed gears’ with its first hybrid congress. VENUE OF THE MONTH 16 Conference with confidence at Emperors Palace. CASE STUDY 18 Sign Africa and Africa Print Gauteng 2021 live at Emperors Palace. DESTINATION SANDTON 20 Now is the best time to #RediscoverSandton. MARKET NEWS 22 Tourism KZN Trade Roadshows aim to attract more visitors to KZN. LOCAL PERPECTIVE 23 Mindfulness in incentive travel programmes.

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

MARKET NEWS 31 HuntEx2021 is a go after a successful court ruling. 32 Hotel & Hospitality Show is back for 2021. 33 African Construction & Totally Concrete Expo go hybrid.

Association news EVENT GREENING FORUM 34 Are you ready for the return of sustainable in-person events? SITE 36 The nature of the incentive travel market in SA. AAXO 37 Venues need a 50 per cent capacity ruling. SAACI 38 Local communities stand to benefit from events.

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

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 414, Kloof 3640, South Africa TEL: +27 31 764 6977 FAX: 086 762 1867 MANAGING DIRECTOR: Malcolm King malcolm@contactpub.co.za EDITOR: Irene Costa gomesi@iafrica.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Vincent Goode vincent@contactpub.co.za DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jackie Goosen jackie@contactpub.co.za SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Irene Costa +27 (0)82 558 7387 gomesi@iafrica.com PUBLICATION DETAILS: Volume 41 No 6 Business Events Africa has 12 issues a year and is published monthly. Due to Covid-19, the magazine is currently only available in digital format.

publishers of Business Events Africa, is a member of:

SAEC 39 Transforming and developing the township event business industry. EXSA 40 Our exhibition journey – reimagined.

Regulars MARKET NEWS 41 New marketing manager for Wild Coast Sun Resort. 41 Index of advertisers.

Learning | Growth | collaboration

Official media partner

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

Official journal of the Exhibition & Event Association of Southern Africa

42 Directory and associations of interest. THE LAST WORD 44 One year later – the big impact of small groups.

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Credit: Hein Liebetrau

Change is coming The song ‘I want to break free’ seems to be lingering as I write this. It is probably the fact that, after sixteen months, we are still restricted in our movement and sadly, also numbers when it comes to the business events sector.

till, it has been a good month. I certainly have been more free and have been able to enjoy some more in-person events. In fact, the last month has been quite liberating in many instances. I attended my first conference in over a year. The SAACI congress took place in Johannesburg and it was just so good to reconnect with industry players. The energy was exhilarating, and the fact is it just reiterated the fact that nothing could ever replace face-to-face. This was SAACI’s first hybrid event and there was a larger number of virtual delegates. All safety protocols were observed, and at no time did I feel ‘exposed’. Well done to SAACI for leading the way. The congress was well organised and had great content. Overall, it was one for the records. I’m looking forward to many more. After the congress, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed South Africa back into level two. The ‘gathering’ numbers were once again decreased to 100 inside and 250 outside. Though the battle

continues, much is being done behind the scenes to allow our sector to operate at a 50 per cent venue capacity. Headway has been made. HuntEx managed to win a court ruling against SAPS regarding the Covid-19 restrictions. The outcome of the settlement means that HuntEx may continue to trade in a similar way as any other shopping centre, that is, at fifty per cent capacity. Unfortunately, the event had to be moved from July to October. Still, it is a win and opens new doors for the sector. Another first, I was invited to explore Sandton on foot. It was certainly an interesting tour as I got to see Sandton as I had never seen it before. I learnt so many new facts about the Sandton area. The bittersweet part is that it was so quiet, nothing like it was before. Hotels in the area have certainly taken a knock, with most corporates still working at home. There are so many that remain shut. However, there is much to do in Sandton from a leisure and incentive perspective. This is currently Sandton’s focus, at least until business returns to

the area. Lastly, the Global Exhibition Day celebration took place recently at the Johannesburg Exhibition Centre. It took the form of a drumming session and wow, such great energy – and I’m not referring to the drumming – which was spectacular. Our sector is ready to ‘rise again’ and the more I get out there, the more certain I become that we, the business events industry, have a major role to play in reconnecting the different economic sectors – in the form of conferences, exhibitions, meetings, incentives and events. We are able to make it happen – we just need a little more patience. And a friendly bank manager. Things are changing.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com

yolande@mjunxtion.co.za www.mjunxtion.co.za

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NEWS

With the beat of a drum – Johannesburg celebrates Global Exhibitions Day The sixth Global Exhibitions Day, which took place on 2 June 2021, spread the message that “exhibitions are the fastest of fast tracks to economic recovery” across the globe. GED 2021 demonstrated the unity of the industry and proved that exhibitions create platforms for growth and recovery, whilst also instilling confidence in others to participate in organised events that prioritise safety and success in equal measure.

n Johannesburg, AAXO and EXSA joined forces to celebrate Global Exhibitions Day with a drumming session, hosted by Drum Café, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. The message was clear – the exhibition industry will rise again! Durban and Cape Town exhibition industry players also joined in the celebration. Anbu Varathan, UFI President, said “Participation in this year’s Global Exhibitions Day has been amazing! GED 2021 is a unification of the industry, presenting the opportunity to share hope and optimism, and to focus on the important role of exhibitions in reconnecting and rebuilding communities and economies. We have seen thousands of event professionals celebrating across the globe and saying how proud they are to be part of the industry and how much they value face-to-face events. This memorable day raises awareness, as we demonstrate

4 Business Events Africa June 2021

our passion, purpose and power!” Global Exhibitions Day recognises the important role that exhibitions and events play in driving economies throughout the world. The Covid-19 pandemic has had significantly detrimental and potentially lasting effects across nearly all business sectors and regions. Exhibitions and events have traditionally played a role in bolstering and growing economic sectors, but this year they will play a new role – rebuilding and recovering communities. It’s clear that 2021 is a pivotal year for the global exhibition industry. Exhibitions generate €493 billion (US$551 billion) in business sales each year. In addition, visitors and exhibitor expenses generate a total of €299 billion (US$334 billion) across the exhibition industry value chain (organisers, venues and service providers) and in tourism-related activities (accommodation, food and travel). The rollout of the vaccine is making it possible to reconnect again on the

show floor. Markets are beginning to reopen around the world and events are taking place again in Europe, the United States and Asia. The industry is ready to be better than ever! From videos to meetings, from webinars to hybrid events, from webcasts to social campaigns and virtual contests, and more, people and organisations from around 110 countries/regions participated in GED 2021. The key messages from GED 2021 will continue to be shared throughout the year, and the next Global Exhibitions Day will take place on 1 June 2022. List of #GED2021 partner associations under the UFI umbrella: AAXO, AEFI, AEO, AFE, AFECA, AFIDA, AMPROFEC, AOCA, AUMA, CAEM, CEFA, CENTREX, CFI, EEAA, EEIA, EFU, EMECA, EXSA, FAIRLINK, FAMAB, HKECIA, ECA, IDFA, IECA, IEIA, IELA, IFES, LECA, MACEOS, MFTA, PCEI, RUEF, SACEOS/SECB, SCEIA, SISO, TEA, TECA, TFOA, UBRAFE and UNIMEV. www.businesseventafrica.com

NEWS

Photography courtesy of Earl Osborne and Dylon Osborne, Ethos Productions.

Seen at the sixth Global Exhibitions Day at JEC…

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa June 2021 5

COVER STORY – JSE

JSE’s virtual meeting service offering meets evolving market needs President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to tighten Covid-19 regulations at the end of May, aimed at averting the further spread of Covid-19, is additional confirmation that the “new normal” of virtual business meetings are now the norm.

n response to the restrictions and social distancing measures introduced early last year, for safety and convenience, most companies have adopted virtual platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This makes it easier for people to gather online or work remotely in the safety and comfort of their homes. Companies and the eventing industry have also come up with ways to integrate virtual events and face-to-face engagement. These hybrid experiences, according to some industry experts, will become the event industry’s mainstay. Marco Giberti, co-author for the new book, Reinventing Live, recently told Forbes Magazine that “this trend will facilitate and accelerate hybrid events and a new generation

6 Business Events Africa June 2021

of face-to-face event experiences.” One of the main drivers for companies to use virtual meetings is that they save time and money, enabling them to slash travel budgets and other related operational costs. Hybrid events offer the flexibility to deliver staff training and host client meetings, and sensitive events such as Annual General Meetings (AGMs). Since the introduction of South Africa’s national lockdown last year, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), launched virtual meetings and events. The JSE, through its service provider, The Meeting Specialist (TMS), provides a quick, secure and accurate technologybased shareholder meeting solution. TMS has deployed the Zoom and GoToWebinar platforms that cater for up to fifty people for smaller, intimate

meetings and more than five hundred people – suitable for AGMs, respectively. “The response from the market is heartening,” said Feroza Naidoo, acting manager: Issuer Services at the JSE. “The uptake for virtual meetings and webinars has soared to fifty per cent and indications are that the demand will continue to increase,” she added. “We fully understand our clients’ need for security, auditable recordkeeping and convenience. The platform is adaptable, scalable and may be branded in line with a client’s corporate identity,” Ms Naidoo explained. There is a voting capability built in at the backend of the platform, enabling participants to see votes for AGM resolutions in real-time. Live votes are cast during the meeting,

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COVER STORY – JSE

seamlessly counted and integrated with proxy data, and the results are immediately available for display. “Using unmoderated communication through the platform, shareholders can either voice their comments or questions verbally or type it in the Q&A chat box,” Ms Naidoo added. The other convenience is that in the past, AGM organisers had to call shareholders and send documents to them. Now, shareholders may pre-register and access preloaded documents prior to the AGM. Features and benefits of the virtual meeting platform include: • Voting on company resolutions for AGMs may be done from remote locations. • A concise record of all attendees,

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their input into the meeting as well as voting tallies. • Connects participants from any location. • Remote participation through any smart device. • Secure auditing. • Outlook integration. • Attendance reports and poll results are processed and audited, and full reports, detailing every vote cast, are produced instantly at the conclusion of the meeting. Notwithstanding, companies must always bear in mind that shareholders’ meetings are primarily governed by the provisions of the Companies Act. Those opting for virtual AGMs must ensure that these meetings comply with the applicable statutory provisions.

JSE virtual training The JSE also provides training, predominately attended by C-suite executives and senior staff who generally have limited time, on business issues such as investor relations, corporate governance and sustainability. Virtual training allows anyone with a computer or smart phone connected to the internet to participate. This explains why attendance has increased phenomenally compared to the dozen participants which the JSE used to host face-to-face, in classroom sessions. Ms Naidoo says that she has received positive feedback from AGM participants and training attendees and looks forward to broadening the services to more listed companies as the world continues to operate virtually.

Business Events Africa June 2021 7

DESTINATION FEATURE | xxx

’

8 Business Events Africa June 2021

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GLOBAL PERPECTIVE PAGE STRAP

ICCA reinvents annual association meetings statistics report The past year has transformed the way the international association meetings industry does business. As a result, the Research Department of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has also reinvented how they assess and present the 2020 ICCA Statistics Report on the association meetings market.

his latest iteration of the report reflects the changing needs of the industry. It provides a more accurate representation of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on association meetings globally. Furthermore, it is an enhanced tool for guiding the industry out of the current crisis and into an altered, but stronger future. The 2020 ICCA Statistics Report consists of meetings that were intended to take place in 2020 and indicates what became of the meetings. The report includes analysis on the economic impact of meetings in 2020 compared to 2019, revenue loss, and several additional key parameters. New categories have been added to represent the full spectrum of solutions that event planners implemented in 2020 – such as virtual and hybrid meetings, postponement, cancellation, and relocation. www.businesseventsafrica.com

Key findings include: • While 44 per cent of meetings were postponed in 2020, the vast majority of those meetings remained loyal to the original destination. • Virtual and hybrid meetings have helped associations attract bigger audiences in 2020, compared to face-to-face meetings in previous years. • Analysis of the economic impact of Covid-19 (total expenditure 2019 vs. 2020) indicates the industry’s strong desire to return to face-to-face meetings. However, in the future, meetings are likely to include elements and best practices from virtual and hybrid events. Senthil Gopinath, chief executive officer of ICCA, said: “We are excited to provide our industry with this latest iteration of the report that includes a more holistic and precise representation

of the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on association meetings globally.” “The 2020 ICCA Statistics Report not only provides a closer look at what was, it gives a clearer view of what is ahead. It reveals many positive developments that may guide top-level decision makers within associations, sectors, and local governments. Above all, this report captures the incredible resilience of our community. We at ICCA World steadfastly believe that the global association meetings industry is entering a brighter, stronger future,” he concluded. For the full report, go to: 2020 ICCA Statistics Report – https://www.iccaworld. org/cnt/Research/ICCA%20Statistics%20 Study%202020_270521_Final.pdf?_cldee= Z29tZXNpQGlhZnJpY2EuY29t&recipientid=le ad-23824f676259ea11a811000d3ab5d511-9dc 08289fe194be4a737f574543eeeac&esid=d 8bea26c-f2bd-eb11-bacc-000d3ab06705 Business Events Africa June 2021 9

COVERCONGRESS SAACI STORY – JSE 2021

SAACI has ‘changed gears’ with its first hybrid congress The Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) Annual National Congress changed gears in 2021 and for the very first time, showed as a hybrid event. In partnership with the City of Johannesburg, the jam-packed programme was designed to assist delegates in growing their business.

hemed ‘Changing Gear – Inspiring Change’, the congress took place at the Indaba Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa in Johannesburg and achieved a total of 362 in-person and online attendees over the two-day programme. SAACI welcomed a global audience with delegates attending virtually from all over South Africa, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States. John Arvanitakis, chairperson of the SAACI Johannesburg branch and the congress organising committee, said:

10 Business Events Africa June 2021

Report-back by Irene Costa

“We’re excited to share the recordbreaking attendee delegate figures achieved during our two-day SAACI Annual National Congress 2021. We are humbled by the support and dedication shown by all participants and look forward to #InspiringChange within the business events industry.” The SAACI Annual National Congress was the first time that many of the delegates had seen each other in fifteen months, since the business events industry last met as a collective at Meetings Africa 2020. There was a definite buzz of honest happiness to reconnect in person with fellow industry colleagues. Some exciting announcements were made which were shared during the two days. The content was informative, inspiring and filled with knowledge and conversations that will indeed shape how the business events industry will move ahead. www.businesseventafrica.com

SAACI COVER CONGRESS STORY –2021 JSE

Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Geoff Makhubo signed the MOU with SAACI, with Kim Roberts, SAACI chairperson.

City of Johannesburg signs an MOU with SAACI

ohannesburg, the host city, marked the second day of the SAACI 34th Annual National Congress by the signing of a significant collaborative agreement with the association in an effort to restart the business events sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. “As host city, and in collaboration with our industry partners, Johannesburg is thrilled to be providing the platform for not only ‘Changing Gear – Inspiring Change’, in line with this year’s SAACI National Annual Congress theme – but also to be a role player in building confidence in business events, along with industry learning, growth and collaborating,” said Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Geoff Makhubo. “Joburg is indeed the right and ideal destination to be seeking opportunities for networking, identifying future business prospects and collaborative initiatives. We are proud to have been

Sharing a Covid-19 greeting, from right, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Geoff Makhubo and Kim Roberts, SAACI chairperson.

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awarded this bid and to be the host city of such a significant business gathering during this period where we are gearing towards restarting tourism.” While promoting Joburg as Africa’s premier business and lifestyle tourist destination on all marketing platforms, locally, regionally and internationally – the current administration is dedicated to creating an enabling environment to achieve economic growth and improve investor confidence in Johannesburg. The 34th Annual National SAACI Congress also marks a significant milestone for the City of Johannesburg – the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI). This remarkable collaborative arrangement will serve as a strategic intervention to turn business tourism around and help the city to improve its economic performance in relation to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions or events (MICE). It will be implemented over a period of three years, with effect from the date of signing, to achieve common goals intended by both the public and private sector of the destination to improve goodwill and competitiveness. “As the executive mayor of the city, I am making an undertaking right here, in front of all these industry patrons, that I am available to endorse all catalytic business events initiatives that will result in job creation and SMME development,”

Adv. Cawekazi Mahlati, board chairperson of Johannesburg Tourism Company and Mayor of Johannesburg, Geoff Makhubo.

Mr Makhubo said. “I am doing this as a sign of ensuring goodwill to partnerships of this nature with organised business.” As a strategic MICE intervention that the collaboration entered into, it will be underpinned by the following elements: • Co-bidding and mutual coordination. • Enterprise development. • Research, statistics analysis and intelligence. • Business events promotion and sales activity. • Work opportunities. • Youth learning. • Joint collaboration for MICE strategic initiatives. “If we embark on this journey in the spirit of collaboration, with positive intentions, Johannesburg will improve its MICE competitiveness in Africa and globally,” Mr Makhubo said. “As a result of this partnership, we should be able to improve on our International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) annual ranking. 2019 saw us in sixth place after Cape Town (South Africa), Kigali (Rwanda), Marrakech (Morocco), Nairobi (Kenya) and Cairo Egypt). Watch the space – we are working towards becoming market leaders through partnerships like this because we need to remain globally competitive to attract MICE business,” he concluded. Business Events Africa June 2021 11

COVERCONGRESS SAACI STORY – JSE 2021

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer of the South Africa National Convention Bureau presenting the Bid Support Programme Review.

SANCB plots a way forward

assionate about the business events industry, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer of the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), presented twice over the two-day SAACI Congress. Ms Kotze-Nhlapo looked at the SANCB’s Revised Bid Support programme and the National Association Project. Ms Kotze-Nhlapo said that the business travel sector was in the engine room of powering South Africa’s economy. “Our sector is solution-driven. We are the knowledge economy that helps key industries and services – from agriculture, to tourism, mining, medical and life sciences – stay on top of their game by providing platforms to share skills, network and learn from each other,” she added. The events industry has been earmarked as a key area for tourism recovery and villages, townships and small towns could soon be getting a slice of the pie. Ms Kotze-Nhlapo said that the SANCB wants its bid support programme to also enable the economic benefits of the meetings industry beyond the country’s main metros. It has identified about 27 smaller towns to focus on, as a start. The SANCB’s sessions provided insights and clarity on the improved changes of the Bid Support Programme as well as the National Association Project.

12 Business Events Africa June 2021

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer of the South Africa National Convention Bureau presenting a global outlook of the business events industry.

Bjorn Hufkie and Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, South Africa National Convention Bureau answering questions on the Bid Support Programme.

Bjorn Hufkie and Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, South Africa National Convention Bureau and Glenton De Kock, SAACI.

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SAACI CONGRESS MARKET NEWS 2021

Tshepo Maseko, South Africa National Convention Bureau answering questions on the Bid Support Programme.

Bid statistics

he South African National Convention Bureau invested R23-million in bid submissions, through its bid support programme, to attract business events linked with the national government’s development priorities. • 55 bids for international meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions were submitted for the period 2022 to 2025. • The 55 bid submissions have a combined estimated economic impact of R899-million and may potentially attract 30,521 international and regional delegates to South Africa between 2022 and 2025. • Thus far, South Africa has won sixteen of the bids submitted for the 2020/21 financial year, with a 29 per cent conversion rate. • The secured business events will contribute R296-million to the economy in the period between 2022 and 2025. Additionally, it will also attract 9,825 international and regional delegates.

For more information: Revised Bid Support Programme https://www.saaci.org/wp-content/ uploads/2021/05/Bid-Support-Programme-.pdf A deep-dive session on South Africa’s Bid Support Programme and the amendments made to improve our destination’s competitiveness in the current environment. National Association Project https://www.saaci.org/wp-content/ uploads/2021/05/National-Association-Project-. pdf A deep-dive session on the National Association Project that aims to capacitate associations to host their meetings and conferences in villages, towns and small dorpies all across South Africa. www.businesseventsafrica.com

Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI presented the proposed new SAACI logo.

SAACI proposed logo refreshed

AACI shared the proposed refreshed version of the association’s logo at the annual national congress. The live poll and in-person responses received were exceptionally positive. Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI, said: “This logo conveys a feeling of motivation, pride, and energy, with the fresh addition of pastel colours, signifying inclusivity, growth, understanding, drive, and results. The meeting of people image symbolised in the graphic is complimented by the coloured dot above the ‘i’ to represent a modern SAACI of today. Sustainability – both human and environmental – is the rationale behind the green dot. These proposed changes come at a time when the business events industry is evolving in its service offerings and expanding its

reach into Africa.” The refreshed logo conveys: • A crisp, contemporary, professional look and feel. • A powerful and highly legible design in every form of media: print and digital. • SAACI’s mission to create, grow, and protect while our name remains the same. The refreshed logo and website have changed significantly to better represent industry relevance. The words ‘Business Events Association’ describe not only our image but also the full spectrum of the association’s representation within Southern Africa. The logo has not been passed yet as we require a resolution from members at the upcoming SAACI annual general meeting.

SAACI 2021 logo: The proposed new SAACI logo.

Business Events Africa June 2021 13

COVER SAACI TRENDSETTING CONGRESS STORY – JSE 2021

Seen at the SAACI Congress at Indaba Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa…

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, South Africa National Convention Bureau and Elmarie Swanepoel, Tsogo Sun Hotels.

Angelique Smith, Event Synthesis; Fikiswa Mgolombane, South African Tourism; Daksha Vallabh, industry consultant, and Ellen Oosthuizen, PCO Alliance and chairperson of the SA Events Council.

Glenton De Kock, SAACI and Bongiwe Nzeku, South Africa National Convention Bureau.

Craig Newman, GL events; Bongiwe Nzeku, South Africa National Convention Bureau, Neil Nagooroo, Nxlevel Consulting and Ticketpro Dome; Donovan Raman, Ephephile Travel.

Bjorn Hufkie, South Africa National Convention Bureau, Elmarie Swanepoel, Tsogo Sun Hotels and Glenn van Eck, Magnetic Storm.

Kim Roberts, chairperson of SAACI, Bjorn Hufkie and Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, South Africa National Convention Bureau and Glenton De Kock, SAACI.

Phetogo Kubheka, Synergy Business Events; Candice Geyser, Indaba Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa and Alshanthé Smith, SAACI.

Denise Kemp, Eastern Sun Events, Angela Lorimer, Lagoon Beach Hotel and Spa and Irene Vallihu, Durban ICC.

Merryl Fairfoot, South Africa National Convention Bureau and Denise Kemp, Eastern Sun Events.

14 Business Events Africa June 2021

Nico Vilakazi, South Africa National Convention Bureau; William Price, digital marketing consultant; Michelle De Sousa and Jacqui Reynolds, On Show Solutions; Minister Kganyago, CSIR ICC and Neil Nagooroo, Nxlevel Consulting and Ticketpro Dome.

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SAACICHEF’S CONGRESS TRENDSETTING PROFILE 2021

Glenton De Kock, SAACI; Irene Vallihu, Durban ICC; Projeni Pather, AAXO chairperson and Ellen Oosthuizen, PCO Alliance and chairperson of SA Events Council.

Bridget Thomas and Angela Lorimer, Lagoon Beach Hotel and Spa.

Live Poetry by Bongani Mathebula.

Mayor of Johannesburg, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Geoff Makhubo and Don Jesseman, general manager of Indaba Hotel, Conference Centre and Spa.

Kgaugelo Kgokolo, Johannesburg Tourism and Tshepo Maseko, South Africa National Convention Bureau.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Ellen Oosthuizen, PCO Alliance and chairperson of SA Events Council; Justin Hawes, Scan Display; Projeni Pather, AAXO chairperson, Glenton De Kock, SAACI and Robyn D’Alessandro, SA Events Council.

Stefan Huggett, Spier and Angela Lorimer, Lagoon Beach Hotel and Spa.

Rendani Khorommbi, Johannesburg Convention Bureau and Glenton De Kock, SAACI.

Linda Ben, Leshaus and Comien Grobler, Spier

Preetesh Sewraj, chief executive officer of Loeries Africa ME.

John Arvanitakis, chairperson of the SAACI Johannesburg branch and the congress organising committee; Rudi van der Vyver, We Are Virtual and Gillian Saunders, tourism and hospitality adviser.

Minister Kganyago, CSIR ICC and Nitta Sukha, South Africa National Convention Bureau.

Unpacking the role of institutions of higher learning towards the professionalisation of the events industry, facilitated by Dr. Nellie Swart, left with Dr. Lisa Welthagen, Department of Tourism at Tshwane University of Technology. Other presenters included only virtually: Dr. Hugh Bartis, Nelson Mandela University and Esti Venske, Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Business Events Africa June 2021 15

VENUE OF NEWS THE MONTH

Conference with confidence at Emperors Palace Emperors Palace is establishing a new standard in new normal conferencing. Things are different now. It’s a phrase we’ve heard repeatedly in the face of Covid-19. To many, change may be daunting, but to others it’s an opportunity to evolve and alter perspective.

he Emperors Palace Convention Centre in Kempton Park, which is a mere stone’s throw from O.R. Tambo International Airport and the Gautrain, has embraced the challenge and adapted their service offerings to encompass our new reality. “The impact of Covid-19 has been global, and you cannot ignore that its repercussions are here to stay for some time,” said Yugashnee Naicker, sales manager at Peermont. “And it’s during these testing times that you

16 Business Events Africa June 2021

have to evolve, because life goes on. That is why, at the Emperors Palace Convention Centre, we are here to support our clients by offering them a very flexible and evolved service.” With digital meetings and social distancing playing a vital role in everyday interaction, Emperors Palace has harnessed technology to provide innovative and hybrid solutions that allow live streaming, multi-channel broadcasting and live attendance to work together to provide an alternative solution.

“Our new Studio Iris and Theodora Boardroom both allow for more flexibility. You may stream to whoever you want, whether it is colleagues in London or a socially distanced audience in any of our nearby conference rooms. The idea is that we are able to tailor-make a solution for your needs,” Ms Naicker said. With access to adjacent hotels, the Emperors Palace Convention Centre has partnered with Medicare24 and provided a Bio-Bubble solution for multi-day, closed events. “Emperors Palace and our sister

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VENUE OFVENUE THE MONTH NEWS

resort Rio have both successfully hosted conferences in a secure bio-bubble environment,” Ms Naicker said. “Delegates undergo a rapid Covid test upon arrival and, once negative, enter the sterile bio-bubble environment for the duration of the conference. This offers a lot of peace-of-mind for multi-day events where you need to interact with colleagues.” With sanitisation being a primary requirement, Emperors Palace is proud to partner with Bidvest Prestige to ensure that all conference facilities comply with the highest standards. “There are new protocols that have now become standard,” said Tiaan Schulz,

group food and beverage manager at Peermont. “All our food is prepared in a sanitary environment and served as individual packages. Everything is sealed for the protection of our guests, from the cutlery to the complimentary stationery and there are even individualised sanitisers at each station.” The Emperors Palace Convention Centre backs its solutions with a five-star promise: 1. Flexibility Providing access to a range of setups, layout options and hybrid solutions to fulfil your needs. 2. Safety All Covid-19 protocols are in place,

providing a sanitised environment. We are even able to provide a closed bio-bubble service if you require a closed event over multiple days. 3. Service All solutions are backed by Peermont’s pledge to offer industry-leading service and attention to detail, backed by years of experience. 4. Innovation Evolving to provide technological streaming services and cutting-edge conferencing equipment to reach out locally and globally across all platforms. 5. Value Offering value-for-money solutions to suit budgets, because we understand that the times are tough.

Contact information For more information, a demonstration or just to chat about bespoke needs, contact the sales team on 011 928 1903 or sales@peermont.com www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa June 2021 17

CASE STUDY

Sign Africa and Africa Print Gauteng 2021 live at Emperors Palace The shutdown of the events industry, since 15 March 2020, has been devastating. It is painfully enforced on the fifteenth of each month as the National Disaster Management Act is now, quietly extended each month.

s an industry we should be pushing hard for fifty per cent venue capacity, like restaurants, shopping centres, large and small retailers, casinos, etc. In the meantime, we need to work within the Covid limitations, at the time of our event this was 250 people at indoor events and 500 people at outdoor events. Business to business (B2B) events, in particular, are traditionally low risk events. They remain low risk during Covid times. The entry protocols that expo organisers had in place for their events pre-Covid is already efficient when it comes

18 Business Events Africa June 2021

to track and tracing. Enforcing masks, screening, social distancing and sanitiser is straight forward,” said Dyelan Copeland, Sign Africa expo organiser. Practical Publishing, the organisers of Sign Africa and Africa Print took the decision to do a smaller Covid-compliant, B2B event at Emperors Palace from 21-23 April 2021. The event had the necessary permissions from the SAPS and local authorities, and it was Covid compliant to keep visitors and exhibitors safe. Videos of the exhibitors were shared during the event on social media.

It was good to meet face-to-face and see actual product demonstrations. The cycle to turn leads into orders is different for each company, so although a value cannot be put on the economic impact of this expo yet, it would only be positive based on the feedback from the exhibitors who had the following to say: “On the whole it was a very successful three days,” said Bradley Bate, Alliance Machinery. “We probably had more than 150 qualified leads at the show and the potential of selling five to ten machines that we are negotiating at the moment, so

www.businesseventafrica.com

CASE STUDY

it was incredibly positive.” ‘It was quite a successful show – we achieved what we wanted to,” said Gareth Fletcher, Kyocera. “The biggest thing was getting the exposure that we were after, which is really critical. We had some important clients that came through and we generated some nice leads. We introduced our new flagship product to the public for the first time and we are really looking forward to the expo in September.” “Initially we were a little concerned about attending the show, due to Covid,” said Grant Potgieter, Fujifilm. “It has been an incredibly good show and we’ve had an incredible amount of visitor interest. It’s been a great opportunity for us to showcase our full offering, whereas historically we showcase our wide format division. We had the opportunity and that has proved very fruitful for us. I’m quite excited about the leads that we’ve generated and the potential sales that will come from them.” “The show was very good and successful – there were high quality customers,” said Kevin Mc Ewan, China Direct Sourcing. “There are a lot of new businesses coming up – people who have lost their jobs through Covid are making a plan and being entrepreneurial, so they are all buying and looking around.” “We had a lot of quality leads, a lot of equipment enquiries and a lot of startups coming through,” said Liezle Barrie, Intamarket. “You see people that have been retrenched trying to start new businesses, so we saw a lot of that, and it was busier than we thought at times. It www.businesseventsafrica.com

was a good show.” “There were many new faces – not the regular customers you’re used to seeing. The first and last day of the event were exceptionally good,” said Pooven Pillay, Roland DG. “We’ve seen a lot of potential clients and there was really good interest at the show – people wanting to expand their businesses by buying new products,” said Nardus Mouton, Gencotech. “I’m very impressed with the size of the show and the amount of people. I did not expect it to be this busy and I also did not expect there to be as many serious buyers as there were, so all in all it is more impressive than what I was expecting,” said Darryl Braithwaite, Midcomp. “We were pleasantly surprised regarding how many people actually visited the show and the interest in the specific machines,” said Bernard Truter, Graphix Supply World. “We were concerned, to a certain extent, about the influence Covid would have had, but so far – we will see with the sales – the interest has been fairly high.” “We had a good show and we’re hoping to turn all the quotes into sales,” said Naveen Rajcomar, Chemosol. When planning this event, the following was considered by the expo organisers: • Work with a health and safety company to get all the necessary approvals upfront. SAPS categorisation, signed off floor plans and a permit from the relevant local authorities was required to host this event. Practical Publishing worked with the efficient team from Lodge Events to submit all the required information. • Consider a smaller venue due to the limitations. • Communicate with the venue regarding the cancellation clause of the contract. You do not want to be in a position where you lose money due to the Covid regulations changing in a way that would negatively affect the viability of your event. • Check what Covid screening the venue does. Do not duplicate efforts. Do not over complicate and over emphasise anything. Stick to what is required by law, because frankly, it will become too costly. • Manage your exhibitor’s expectations around visitor numbers and the marketing that you may do for the event. • Be flexible and keep your key stakeholders informed – the venue, exhibitors and suppliers. Covid

regulations may change without warning, numbers could spike and cause concern, for example. Practical Publishing would urge other organisers that may start doing smaller events again, to get the ball rolling. “We take our hats off to our fellow colleagues in the industry who have already taken the plunge and to those getting their events approved. It is certainly daunting knowing that everyone is watching. We need to support each other, and we need all the businesses in the event industry to get back on their feet. Thank you to our suppliers: Emperors Palace, Lodge Events, Expo Guys, King Cargo Projects, ShowWave Covid compliant registration software supplier, In Detail Advertising and Charismatics Staffing and Event Solutions, for helping us make a start again with our first event since Covid lockdown began,” said Charnia Yapp, Sign Africa expo organiser.

Amanda Janse van Rensburg, event coordinator at Emperors Palace said: “The recent Sign Africa event that took place at Emperors Palace took up half of our 2 600 square meter Centre Court, and even though it was a smaller exhibition, it was a positive sign to see events slowly making a comeback. This was the first time that this event was at Emperors Palace and we managed to impress, and gained some repeat business. We ensured all the relevant Covid-19 health and safety protocols were in place, meaning that the 500 daily visitors had peace-of-mind when attending. In this new normal we have evolved to be able to still provide a top-quality service and our team is well-trained to ensure that all the needs of our exhibitors are met. We are always on hand to partner with anyone who needs bespoke conference needs, because in today’s economy, we all need to be flexible and use innovative ways to stimulate business again.” Business Events Africa June 2021 19

Now is the best time to #RediscoverSandton The Sandton Tourism & Business Association, together with key Sandton stakeholders, hosted the first of a series of regular media walks in the precinct. This was to highlight some of the many developments and attractions in Sandton that have happened since the onset of lockdown over a year ago. The greater precinct has seen a steady increase of activity, and with business travel having slowed down, looks to boost its leisure offering.

nown to many as Africa’s richest square mile, Sandton is synonymous with business and finance, the arts and architecture, premium shopping and supercar spotting. It’s Africa’s ‘golden apple’, home to the JSE, the Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton City Shopping Centre and Nelson Mandela Square, the tallest skyscraper in Africa – The Leonardo, some of the finest five-star hotels and dining destinations, as well as numerous parks and spaces to shape mind, body and spirit. Hosted by the Sandton Tourism & Business Association and guided by the founder and managing editor of The Sandton Times, Alexander Leibner, the tour looked to emphasise the many leisure attractions Sandton has to offer, from dining to hotel stays, spa treatments, shopping, entertainment, sightseeing and more! Alexander, who resides and works in the heart of Sandton, offered a first-hand account of the latest happenings in Sandton, from a local’s perspective. 20 Business Events Africa June 2021

As South Africa moves into adjusted lockdown level 2, members of the Sandton Tourism & Business Association continue their commitment to adhering to Covid-19 regulations and protocols, to ensure the highest possible safety standards whilst offering those visiting Sandton a memorable and relaxing experience. Temperatures might be dropping around Sandton, but there are still many developments, sights and activities to take in. Here are just a few. The City Drive-In powered by Ster-Kinekor at Sandton City Located on Sandton City’s Rooftop Parking using the Sandton Drive Entrance, the 14-metre-wide screen is sure to be a hot favourite for moviegoers, even when the temperatures drop. With a release line-up including blockbusters, fresh-on-the-circuit, family, and kids’ entertainment along with cinema classics, there’s no excuse to not secure a spot! Some all-time favourite snacks will be available, because what would the movies

be without popcorn and a soft drink? And drive-in goers are free to pack their favourite picnic hamper or pop into Sandton City to purchase a bite to eat from a wide variety of food outlets before the movie. Tickets are on sale until 31 July 2021, via Quicket.co.za Nelson Mandela Square Clock The monumental clock on Nelson Mandela Square is the second largest clock in the southern hemisphere. The latest addition to the world-famous landmark, the almost half-a-ton timekeeper is not to be missed – a great photo opportunity along with a selfie of the Nelson Mandela statue, overlooking the square. Nelson Mandela Square remains a firm favourite for those enjoying the warm winter afternoon sun outside, with a myriad of restaurants to choose from, including Hard Rock Café, Big Mouth and Tashas. Once the sun sets, there’s some delicious dining at Pappas, The Butcher Shop & Grill or why not try the latest Asian inspired addition to the square, TANG. www.businesseventafrica.com

Photographs: Alexander Leibner from the Sandton Times.

PAGE STRAP SANDTON DESTINATION

DESTINATION PAGE SANDTON STRAP

Sundowners with a view There is nothing quite like some whiskey or wine (and in this weather, a hot chocolate) on the Sandton Sun Hotel SAN Deck, overlooking the impressive Sandton skyline, with some of its iconic architecture. A great location for pre- or post-dinner drinks, the open-air setup is ideal for social distancing along with fire-pits and mushroom heaters to keep things toasty. A round of retail therapy Some may have heard of the queues outside some of the Diamond Walk stores in Sandton City, but for those needing to get out of the house for a bit, Sandton City has around fifteen new stores opening over the next few weeks, bringing a fresh new selection to firm favourites in Africa’s most notable shopping destination.

Feel ‘bullish’ in Sandton Situated right outside the must-try Bull Run Restaurant, as part of the Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton, stands the beautifully sculpted Bull Run #BronzeBull. The bull, of pure bronze, weighs a crushing 1.2 tons and was created by sculptor Michael Canadas. Adjacent to the stock exchange, The Bull Run has always taken inspiration from the titans of finance, the ever-moving markets and economic energy that flows through Sandton. The bronze bull is thus perfectly situated not only for a great photo opportunity, but a symbol of strength, optimism, and hope. Courtyard Hotel Sandton Courtyard Hotel Sandton is located in the heart of Sandton’s financial district. Its 69 well-appointed units are perfect for those guests who prefer the independence of self-catering for some meals, particularly in these times. The hotel is an oasis of warmth and charm, offering guests luxurious peace that will make them forget for a moment that they are in the www.businesseventsafrica.com

middle of a busy city. Business and leisure travellers alike will enjoy the ‘home away from home’ ambience, while not missing out on any conveniences. Discovery Health vaccination center With 30 full-time vaccinators and over 100 support staff, the heart of Sandton has been transformed into a fully accredited vaccination site as part of South Africa’s national Covid-19 vaccination programme at 1 Discovery Place (1DP). Delivering around 2,500 vaccinations per day, the current phase is open to people over the age of 60-years and healthcare workers. As of May 2021, over 12,000 people have been vaccinated at the site, under the care of and supervision of a full clinical team. Deli’s, delights and decadence Sandton has seen a series of artisan and unique eateries pop up over the past twelve months, from popular brunch spot Pablo’s at the Mint Hotel in Katherine Street to the growing Italian deli at the Sandhurst Shell Garage, TiAmo Deli, run by brothers Matthew and Christopher Amoretti. Delicatessen Cremalat has opened a small outlet in Sandton’s Acorn Lane, whilst Morningside Shopping Centre plays host to a weekend market, featuring homemade treats and eats alongside handcrafted goods. From coffee shops, where coffee aficionado’s sit alongside work-from-anywhere entrepreneurs, to eateries satisfying any cold weather cravings, Sandton has it all. MINI sharing premiers in Sandton MINI South Africa launches MINI Sharing this June in Sandton, with the first all-electric MINI Cooper SE. Based at BlackBrick in Sandton, a ‘vertical village’ on the centrally-located Fredman Drive, the service will be available exclusively to residents of BlackBrick, and members of the BlackBrick Club. This pilot programme ushers in a new area of ‘ride-sharing’ and electric mobility on Sandton’s roads. Pampering for body and soul at Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton The Radisson Blu Sandton welcomed its brand-new spa facility called ‘The View’ by 27Pinkx, just in time for those lazy

winter days where a little pampering is called for. Boasting an array of refreshed facilities, the spa includes a Halogen Salt Therapy room with a sodium chloride generator, a dry sauna and heated Roman bath with a 180° view of the city. For those ready to go all-out, the newly launched winter menu at the Radisson Blu Vivace restaurant features an array of decadent comfort foods. Hotel Sky at night – visitors’ delight One of the latest additions to the Sandton hospitality offering, Hotel Sky on the corner of West and Maude Street, has combined attractive ‘staycation’ packages with world-class entertainment, by the likes of Jesse Clegg, Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, David Kau, Ross of Prime Circle as well as their regular dine and show at Eclipse Restaurant, which sees trapeze artists performing an array of different feats, over dinner. A journey through art at The Leonardo Some may have already discovered the hippest cocktail spot for a sundowner and gourmet Pizza at OctoBar, whilst others have indulged in some art-on-aplate at AURUM Restaurant, one of Sandton’s most popular dining destinations. Yet there is another side to The Leonardo that some may not have taken time to study. Powered by the four worldly elements: earth, wind, water and fire, The Leonardo’s art installations may be viewed during a one-hour guided tour, in small groups, twice per week, offering visitors an in-depth understanding of some of the beautiful pieces adorning floors, walls and ceilings of this landmark building. Business Events Africa June 2021 21

MARKET NEWS

Tourism KZN Trade Roadshows aim to attract more visitors to KZN KwaZulu-Natal’s tourism trade is getting its own vaccine to fight the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on this once thriving industry.

hile domestic tourism has restarted after lockdowns were eased and is helping to mitigate the impact on jobs and businesses, Tourism KZN is giving the tourism trade booster shots to help participants to become more resilient and to fight back against the effects of the scourge. Side-by-side with restoring traveller confidence, TKZN is also supporting tourism businesses to adapt and survive and is showing them how to cushion the blow to leisure and business travel. TKZN continues to stamp confidence in the tourism sector by connecting with their trade partners across the province to develop, promote and market tourism into and within the province. As part of the KZN Tourism Recovery Plan to rebuild the tourism economy, TKZN has embarked on a robust domestic campaign of trade roadshows within KZN to increase the quality of awareness of TKZN’s services, to showcase special deals offered on the website and to strengthen relationships and the flow of communication between TKZN

22 Business Events Africa June 2021

and the district municipalities. Phindile Makwakwa, acting chief executive officer of Tourism KZN, said: “The objective of this campaign is to provide a platform for the trade partners to understand the status of tourism in business, build a strong emphasis on safety travel measures, and increase awareness on the range of activities available in KZN. “Through our interactions with the trade, we want our partners to collaborate with our campaigns to drive local arrivals to the province, continue to provide TKZN with special offers in order to reinforce the value-for-money proposition and help TKZN track traction of campaigns by communicating bookings with us.” Roadshows will be hosted across various district municipalities over the next month, including Harry Gwala, Umgungundlovu, Uthukela and Umzinyathi. The campaign will be marketed across various media platforms with the aim of being in people’s faces 24/7 to keep KZN destinations top-of-mind when travelling. Cheryl Peters, acting chief executive

officer at Enterprise iLembe Economic Development Agency, said: “The trade roadshows delivered by TKZN are extremely useful and an insightful engagement specifically to educate people about what the entity did during the pandemic and to share future plans to rebuild the KZN tourism sector. “We are grateful to TKZN for doing a fantastic job in raising the profile of domestic marketing in KZN, to attract more tourists to visit and steadily promote the beautiful province of KZN to the public.” Paul Jeffreys, one of the owners at Wild 5 Adventures on the KZN South Coast, said: “It was good to have received diverse feedback from TKZN on how the tourism sector is performing, especially given the impact that Covid-19 had on many businesses globally. “It was valuable to see how TKZN is marketing their various campaigns across KZN and that they would like to collaborate with their trade partners to drive more visitors to the province.” www.businesseventafrica.com

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

Who is Daryl Keywood?

Mindfulness in incentive travel programmes Incentive travel delivery has evolved from the sometimes-lavish programmes of yester-year with many incentives eschewing the glam for more real experiences.

hat does not mean that the wow factor has gone, but rather that participants, as well as the organisations running incentive programmes, have become both more environmental and socially aware. This is also a reflection of the values of a younger incentive qualifier demographic who are more comfortable posting experiences and their participation in give-back/CSR projects than hanging out at glamorous venues. This is good news for Africa, as the continent has a wealth of experiences that relatively few participants from our source markets have done before. Africa also has incredible opportunities for contributing to social projects and communities as well as environment and conservation. We have seen an increase in demand to include CSR elements, usually entailing up to one full day of a typical five-day programme. Examples vary, from assisting a needy community, to rhino-notching or other ethical wildlife related conservation elements. It is encouraging to see that “instagrammers” feel that it is far cooler to share an image of oneself posing with the rhino conservation team, having just completed much needed research to protect the species, than hanging out in a fancy night club hotel or restaurant. The term “mindfulness” describes this shift — a movement that will hopefully www.businesseventsafrica.com

grow and become the norm for all incentive programmes. Mindfulness is simply a concern for any impact that one’s visit may have, and the urge to contribute and depart having left a legacy following the trip. It is a great opportunity for organisations to create closer relationships with high performing employees. Companies that show the right level of corporate responsibility are attractive to job seekers and enjoy greater employee retention rates, as they are viewed as cool places to work. SITE’s 2020 annual Incentive Travel Index shows how this trend is growing in importance, and thankfully, programme designers are acknowledging the participants’ desire to do more than tick off another city or destination and its highlights. It is more about ‘what I did when I was there’ than ‘what I saw, where I stayed or what I ate’. We may also no longer treat an incentive group as one amorphous body. Differing interests need to be catered for and this creates a challenge for both planners and DMC’s. If a multi-generational group were to visit a destination on a private holiday, they would likely do and experience different things. Incentive trips need to acknowledge this by including free time and optional activities that cater to those varying needs. At the end of the day, catering to a mindful group of participants is both challenging and rewarding. It is easier to

Daryl Keywood is the managing director and chief executive officer at Walthers Destination Business Solutions Africa, an award winning tourism business with a strong focus on incentives and conferences. Winner of six SITE Crystal Awards, Walthers is internationally recognised as a leader in corporate social responsibility. Daryl qualified at South Africa’s IMM Graduate School and worked in several corporate marketing positions in South Africa and Europe. Prior to moving into tourism in 2000, he managed a business unit within the chemicals division at Unilever South Africa. He has a deep passion for Africa and its people, travelling three to four months of each year marketing and accompanying clients within the continent. At the end of 2020, Daryl stepped down as the Africa/Middle East representative on SITE’s International Board of Directors where he spent two terms on the executive committee as vice president of education. Daryl is a former chapter president of SITE Africa and currently fills the sustainability portfolio on the chapter board.

pack a group of incentive qualifiers onto a coach for a group experience than to offer a selection of different optional experiences. Forward-thinking organisations are, however, realising that by enabling participants to select certain elements of a programme, that many do opt to participate in CSR and other activities which are more meaningful. We have also seen elements – for example room-drop gifts – shift from aspirational brand items to impact-sourcing of sustainable crafts and other locally sourced gifts. Incentive travel is evolving in a positive direction, and although business results and ROI are the prime drivers of incentive travel programmes, the optics from both the organisation and participant perspectives reflect an increase in responsibility and social awareness that bodes well for its future. Business Events Africa June 2021 23

PERSONALITY PROFILE

Lindelwa Isabelle – thrives in being challenged Passionate Lindelwa Isabelle, 48, sales and revenue director of Tsogo Sun Hotels, is a consummate professional, who is ambitious, thrives in being challenged and is self-motivated.

he is passionate about people, travelling and exploring the world around her. Ms Isabelle has held her current position for over two years. Her main responsibility is to lead the team to achieve the revenue targets set for the business at the right rate at the right time, drive relationship building with both internal and external stakeholders, clients and partners as well as to identify new opportunities for revenue growth for hotels. In her previous position, she was an executive marketing manager for Tsogo Sun Hotels – a position she held from 2009 to 2018. Her main responsibility, through marketing, was to position Tsogo Sun hotels, grow revenue and add value to the business by managing all the promotions, advertising, marketing strategies, etc. From 2008-2009 she worked at Sandton Convention Centre as a general manager: sales and marketing where she was tasked with the responsibility of generating revenue for the SCC. She has also worked at the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller as the general manager: marketing and communications. At Ogilvy Johannesburg she was a group account director working on the South African Tourism account. This, after she had worked at Gauteng Tourism Authority as a senior marketing manager for over four years. On the education front, she completed the executive development programme with the University of Stellenbosch Business School in 2014. She holds an Honours Degree in Literature from Wits University where she won The Sibusiso Mabena Memorial Award for the Best Honours Dissertation in 1996. She also holds a BA degree from the same institution. She also holds a PR Diploma from the Public Relations Institute of SA (PRISA) and a Marketing Diploma from UNISA. Above all of this, she is a wife and mother to two beautiful children that she adores. 24 Business Events Africa June 2021

Where do you see the business events industry in South Africa at present and where do you see it heading in the future? Covid-19 has had an impact on almost all aspects of our lives. Unprecedented lockdowns, strict travel bans and social distancing measures have had the biggest impact on the travel and tourism industry in general and, more adversely, on the events industry. This industry has faced significant revenue losses and contracted in terms of growth. Several companies were forced to lay off significant portions of their staff. 2019/2020 saw the cancellation of many prominent conferences, exhibitions and workshops to slow the spread of the virus. Some highly anticipated major international events like Meetings Africa have been postponed indefinitely. Despite the ban on large gatherings, connection and social interaction are still part of basic human interaction. Most companies have found novel and innovative ways to bring people together to share experiences, network, conduct business while still adhering to social distancing rules and guidelines. Covid-19 restrictions have forced us to rely on technology to connect with others and have been a catalyst for the growth of companies that facilitate this. The pandemic has hit the revenues of traditional event planning companies hard. However, there has been a steady rise in the number of virtual event start-ups who have entered the space, offering users access to a wide range of features, including virtual rooms, which attendees may move in and out of. Many companies have embraced technology to bring unique virtual experiences to their customers. “Hybrid” events have also become somewhat of a norm, incorporating both live and virtual elements. This presents a great opportunity for event planners, who will no longer be limited by, for example, the size of the venue and may expand their

audience to include virtual attendees, as well as those who prefer to attend in person. I do believe that once social distancing measures are relaxed and life once again becomes more normal (whatever the normal will be), there will still be a need for physical meetings. “Physical contact distinguishes humans from other animals. From a warm handshake or sympathetic hug to a congratulatory pat on the back, we have developed complex languages, cultures, and emotional expression through physical contact” (www.khca.org). While virtual meetings and hybrid meetings will likely not be quite as sought after when the pandemic is over, it looks like virtual events are here to stay, in one form or another. Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Dobsonville, Soweto. I spent most of my life at various boarding schools in the Eastern Cape. Where did you begin your career? At Heinemann Publishers, where I was a fellow researcher. How long have you been in the sector? I have been in this sector for over twenty years. www.businesseventafrica.com

PERSONALITY PROFILE

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector? Covid-19 and the devastation it has caused. However, it also facilitated the reinvention of the industry and how we have embraced technology and hybrid platforms. Were you always involved in this sector? No. I began in publishing after completing my studies. I was a publisher at the then Perskor, which later merged with Kagiso Publishers. I also worked for Venture Publishing Company for a short while. I love reading; therefore, being in the publishing industry came naturally for me. However, I am also a people’s person. When an opportunity came for me to work for the Gauteng Gambling Board as their Public Relations Officer, I grabbed it with both hands. Opening new casinos and the Sandton Convention Centre was exciting, and I was an integral part of that team. After spending over two years at the gambling board, I then moved to Gauteng Tourism Authority and had a short stint at OGILVY Advertising. Are you married? Yes. My husband’s name is Michael. What role does your family play in your life? A huge role. My two kids are my biggest critics as well as my cheerleaders. My husband has always been supportive of my career. Without their love, support, understanding and encouragement – I would not be where I am today. I also have my siblings and a circle of friends that have become family. What would you change in your life, if you could, when looking back? I would be kinder, gentler and more forgiving of myself. I would take it one-step at a time. Believe in myself more. Do you have any hobbies? Since lockdown, I have developed a love for skipping. It started as a joke, and now I cannot see myself without my skipping rope. I even travel with it. Do you play any sports? Besides skipping, I occasionally play netball with my daughter – depending on her mood. www.businesseventsafrica.com

What is your favourite sport? Soccer and tennis. Who is your favourite sportsman/ woman? Serena Williams. What do you do for leisure? I am blessed to work for a company that promotes leisure – so it is part of what I do. I love time out with my girls. Holiday time with family is bliss. I love reading and, of course, life would not be the same without wine. What is your secret to success? I am not there yet… the small things I do everyday to help others become better versions of themselves, while they simultaneously teach me to be a better human, put a smile on my face. Reading, learning and striving to do better all the time keeps me going. I may be extremely hard on myself. Raising my two kids has also taught me much. What has been your biggest challenge in this sector? Having to show and prove that women are capable, deserving and worthy. I guess that is the challenge for everyone in their own spaces. What is your pet hate? People who do not ask when they do not understand. I would rather ask and look stupid, for a moment, to gain wisdom and knowledge to last me a lifetime. What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why? India. The most humbling experience of my life. I hope to take my children there one day. I have been to Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Agra, Hyderabad and New Delhi. What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs? I do not like adventure. I am not into skydiving, ziplining or any of that. If you could be anyone for the day, who would you be and why? Phil Knight, the creator of Nike. He has so much wisdom, is well travelled, learned and still humble. What is your favourite city? I have travelled extensively in and outside of South Africa. I have been to many

countries, but there is not a city that stands out as they all have something different to offer. Joburg is still my first love. What is your favourite book, film, TV programme? I have so many favourite books… and all of them have touched me in different ways. I recently read Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, a memoir by the creator of Nike. I do not watch much TV, but I prefer reality competitive shows like Survivor and the Amazing Race. How do you relax? I read and drink wine. Red, please. What is your favourite food? Prawns from the Maputo Fish Market in Mozambique. Who is your favourite movie star? Denzel Washington. Who is your role model? So many people have inspired me in so many ways. I take and learn from everyone that I encounter. What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps? Ask questions. Observe. Learn. Read. Empower yourself with formal and informal knowledge. But, most of all, believe in yourself. Be prepared to do the work and get your hands dirty – that is a great way to learn. What is your dream for the future? As a leader, seeing people achieve their goals drives me. Helping people and working with them to find solutions to challenges drives me. Achieving through people drives me. I believe that we all have unique gifts and success only comes when we appreciate the value/unique contribution of each team member. I am happy to be led as much as I thrive in leading others. Raising my two beautiful children to be the best version of themselves is a dream that drives me. Therefore, my dream for the future is that people should thrive and enjoy what they do. Your work should be an extension of who you are. My dream is for a thriving society filled with people who love what they do. That way, most industries will prosper. Business Events Africa June 2021 25

CHEF’S PROFILE

Sibusiso Nhleko – as a chef ‘you never stop learning’ Sibusiso ‘Sbu’ Nhleko, 35, head chef at Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch has always had a passion for food, and still enjoys experimenting with different ingredients and flavours.

was born and raised in KwazuluNatal. I grew up in Empangeni on the north coast. We moved to Durban in 2001, where I completed my high school education at Northwood Boys High School in Durban North in 2004. “After completing high school, I attended a cooking school in Hillcrest. Back then it was called the The Chantecler Hotel School of Food and Wine. This was where I got the opportunity to grow and nurture my skills and my passion for cooking. It was the best experience of my life. I always had a love and passion for cooking. Growing up, I would watch my mother cook and thought it would be 26 Business Events Africa June 2021

exciting and amazing that you could make food as delicious as you wanted it to be. I enjoyed the idea of exprimenting with different ingredients and flavours. My biggest role model and motivater was Jamie Oliver. I would watch his cooking shows. Back then he was called the Naked Chef and I never missed any of his shows. I still enjoy watching him, I just love his cooking. If you would love to know what kind of food I love cooking, watch Jamie Oliver.” Sibusiso, added: “After completing my culinary education in 2005, my principal chef Jugeen Demke placed me at Beverly Hills in Umhlanga Durban. I worked under chef Jared Van Staden as a commis

chef. Over the years I’ve honed my culinary skills while working myself up the ranks.” “It has been a good seventeen years for me in the industry. When I began as commis chef it did not take me long to move to chef de pate. I then moved to the Drakensberg where I held the position of chef de pate for two years. This was where I polished my gourmet cooking skills. My next position was sous chef at a boutique hotel in Durban called Saint James on Venice. I worked with the opening team of this beautiful hotel. Here, I really had the opportunity to upskill my fine dining skills. As I matured, I made sure that my age aligned with my www.businesseventafrica.com

CHEF’S PROFILE

career levels and I began moving into more senior positions. Executive sous chef was my next step and boy, was I in for big exposure. In this position I started to understand admin, costs, orders etc. and for the next five to six years I was being promoted to even more senior positions, holding the head and executive chef positions in various properties over six years. “Before joining Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch, I was with Hilton Durban. There I was head chef of the Big Easy by Ernie Els fine dining restaurant where I began as sous chef when the restaurant opened. In 2015, I became head chef. Two years later, Covid-19 hit us and we had to close our doors. That is when Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch opened.” He has had one goal ever since he became a chef and, seventeen years later, he still has that dream of owning his own restaurant/outlet/food truck/franchise. “If I had enough capital for this, I would be flying high.” As head chef at the Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch, Sibusiso said, “As we are in the prime area of Umhlanga, we need to continuously keep up with local trends and quality of food. The maintaining of a good reputation is key for us.“ Many of the Hilton Durban – now closed – clientele support us and want the Hilton experience which they have been accustomed to.” In terms of trends, Sibusiso said: “We have seen that people are going for anything that is good value, big portions and good tasting food. People are not in for fine dining as before. People are just going out for a good time now, good food and drinks, as some were confined to indoors during the lockdown. People just want to make the most out of every moment they get.” From a global and local perspective, he said: “In my opinion what really matters in the current times we are living in is that people need to feel safe with what they consume. Corona-virus has drawn attention to food safety issues like never before, making many think twice about the hygiene and sanitation procedures involved in processing, transporting and preparing their food. Particularly around the start of the pandemic, there was high consumer concern about limiting virus transmission through food handling and packaging. During this time, consumer www.businesseventsafrica.com

tensions were caused by a prevalence of misinformation causing overcautious behaviour and there was a high level of information-sharing and informationseeking content.” He said that the pandemic has certainly brought many challenges. “I think for now people are not as confident as they were before when it comes to travelling to other countries or provinces, as we are still not sure how to work around this pandemic.” Sibusiso is married to Lungi and they have one daughter. For leisure he enjoys jogging and listening to classic music. “With a busy work life, I hardly enjoy any hobbies, but I try to spend some time with my family.” His advice for newcomers wanting to be an executive chef is: “All I can say is that it is not as glamourous as it looks or sounds. It is hard work and tears; you just need to put your head down and never lose focus because it is a hot seat – I would not lie. “It is a very hectic and overwhelming position but it is the best experience, as you never stop learning – this is what keeps me going. I really love challenges and, as head chef, I need to worry about everyone’s food needs. “Lastly, being a head chef teaches you discipline, control, critical thinking, unplanned and spontaneous decision making,” Sibusiso concluded. What is your signature dish? This season we are launching the de-bonded pork shank on the menu, which is served with bacon and cabbage mash and a smoky BBQ sauce, which I

have a good feeling about it. We slow-roast it in chicken stock – and add some fragrant flavours, red wine, star anise, ginger, garlic and some soy sauce – for three hours in the oven. The bone just falls off. The cooking stock becomes reduced and is then added to the inhouse BBQ sauce. It should be paired with the Warwick First Lady. What trends are emerging in the conference industry regarding food? I think that for now we must be very proactive in establishing proper Covid-19 guidelines, ensuring that all food is individually wrapped, all food to be covered, and the type of food must not be high danger zone food items. What has remained constant in this industry? The care and the warm hospitality that we give our patrons. What is your favourite beverage? A beefeater with tonic. What is your favourite food? Beef Wellington with bacon duxel. What is your pet hate? People who pretend to like you but want the worst for you. What is your great love? Long road trips. Are you adventurous? I have attempted hiking, abseiling, ocean diving, fishing, riding roller coasters. Business Events Africa June 2021 27

PAGE STRAP LOCAL TRENDS

Four reasons why local weekend getaways are taking off

The quiet winter months for owners of independent hotels, B&B’s and guesthouses are fastapproaching and the Covid-19 pandemic has made things difficult for the hospitality industry. Without international visitors – as a result of the lockdown – the survival of many businesses is going to rest on the support of South Africans.

ccording to RoomRaccoon, a tech start-up that provides hotel management software to the hospitality industry, there has been a surge in weekend tourism with occupancy numbers edging towards 60 per cent through November and December 2020. Most recently, the Valentine’s and Easter weekends saw occupancy spike to 58 per cent. Niels Verspui, country manager of RoomRaccoon offers some insights into the local weekend getaways. Domestic weekend travel has begun to show signs of revival since the lockdown restrictions were dropped to level two in August of last year. Local tourists are taking advantage of heavily discounted getaways, as indicated by global tech start-up, RoomRaccoon, with weekend occupancy numbers on the rise. Last year’s Tourism Industry Survey1 painted a grim picture at a time when many were hoping for international tourism to resume by the end of the 2020. But, by November, foreign traveller 28 Business Events Africa June 2021

numbers arriving in South Africa were far less than those visiting the country in 2019. After an economically quiet 2020 festive season, the challenge for hotels, guest houses and B&B’s to remain viable through 2021 and until international tourism resumes, will rest on the support of South African locals. Earlier this year, RoomRaccoon, monitored occupancy of more than 3,200 rooms at boutique hotels, B&B’s and guesthouses across South Africa. The company reports that since the lockdown restrictions were initially eased to level 2 mid-August last year, weekday occupancy has steadily risen to an average of 30 per cent. However, it is weekend occupancy that has shown a surge at these establishments, with numbers edging towards 60 per cent through November and December 2020. The recent Valentine’s weekend saw occupancy spike to 58 per cent. According to RoomRaccoon, establishments in the coastal areas including Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard,

as well as the Stellenbosch winelands and Franschhoek regions, the Garden Route, and the Drakensberg, have seen the highest occupancies. “The uptick in weekend tourism may represent a feint silver-lining, but the industry still needs to be agile, with initiatives to maintain guest traffic over the coming winter months, and until international visitors are able to safely return,” Mr Verspui said. It is critical for the industry to prepare for the traditionally slower months of May, June and July. “Our data indicates that people have maintained an appetite for travel despite the lockdown. With many places offering competitive prices to locals, weekend getaways are how they are choosing to indulge. Hotels, guest houses, B&B’s and lodges will be relying heavily on local support to make it through the leaner months, which is why the spike in weekend occupancy is noteworthy, and we are confident that more establishments will cater for this,” Mr Verspui said. www.businesseventafrica.com www.businesseventsafrica.com

LOCAL PAGE TRENDS STRAP

According to Mr Verspui, there are four reasons why the local weekend getaway trend is taking off: 1. Affordability The Department of Tourism’s Quarterly Performance Report2 for the period April to June 2020 indicated that the arrival of foreign travellers was down 96.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. With barely 142,000 foreign arrivals versus the 3.7 million international visitors for the previous year, the knock-on effect was a 96.9 per cent revenue decline for the South African accommodation industry. To offset the losses, establishments subsequently introduced discounted rates to make themselves more accessible to the local market who may now enjoy time at places they previously could not afford. 2. Uniquely packaged experiences The properties that have been doing well are the ones that packaged and promoted unique experiences. Over and above accommodation, they have added value by offering welcome drinks, including a romantic meal or picnic, adding tours and tastings, cultural experiences, or guided nature walks. South Africans are looking for escapes and hideaways, and opportunities to experience something unique and affordable. 3. Enhanced confidence in Covid compliance Minimising contact with property staff, establishing social distancing and hygiene protocols, and limiting the need to share facilities with other patrons provides guests with more control over their personal safety and has been critical in seeing the increase in local weekend tourism. The Contactless Stay initiative provides added confidence that guests will remain protected. Contactless Stay allows guests to check-in and make payments online, choose a contactless key system for added safety, and allow guests to book essentials and extras – like Corona kits - in advance. On request, house-keeping services may also be excluded for the duration of a stay. 4. Technology Like most industries, the accommodation sector has, similarly, turned to technology during the lockdown to create operational efficiencies. Using technology to www.businesseventsafrica.com

enhance the guest experience by making the online booking process more streamlined and direct also means that establishments may reduce booking engine fees. Hotel management systems designed for boutique and medium-sized properties are becoming popular, allowing them to benefit in ways that have previously only been available to the larger hotel groups. Affordable, accessible technology provides visibility of what competitors are doing in terms of pricing, so they may quickly apply rate changes to cater for fluctuations in supply and demand using automated yield management software. In conclusion, tech is making small and medium-sized businesses more competitive and agile during a highly challenging period, where they need to remain visible and appealing to the market, but it also gives them the edge to price themselves accordingly. 1. https://www.tourism.gov.za/CurrentProjects/ Tourism_Relief_Fund_for_SMMEs/ Documents/South%20Africa%20Tourism%20 Survey%202%20on%20COVID-9%20 (June%202020)%20Results.pdf 2. https://www.tourism.gov.za/AboutNDT/ Publications/Q2%20Tourism%20 Performance%20Report%20-%20AprilJune%202020.pdf

Who is Niels Verspui? Niels Verspui is the country manager for RoomRaccoon South Africa. His understanding of the hospitality industry challenges is boosted by his experience working at hotels and guest houses, both locally and in the Netherlands. During his internship for a bachelor’s degree – which researched the customer journey – he recognised the need for more innovative, automated hotel and hospitality systems to reduce manual work and deliver cost-savings to businesses. He introduced RoomRaccoon to the South African market in November 2017.

Business Events Africa June 2021 29

Q&A

Q&A with Volker Heiden Marriott International Volker Heiden, the area vice president Sub-Saharan Africa, Marriott International, shared insights with Business Events Africa on the Marriott’s response to the demands of Covid-19.

s area vice president Sub-Saharan Africa for Marriott International, Mr Heiden, oversees more than nine brands and 54 properties, as well as the operations of all managed properties across the region. Has Marriott International seen an increase in demand in the South African market for leisure and business travel? While there was a general increase in demand for leisure travel during Q3 and Q4 of 2020, there is still, understandably, lower demand for business travel. Most of our properties have opened their doors to all guests and are focusing on value-rich promotions across the leisure and business markets. Which local cities and areas have seen the most increase? Since reopening in 2020, we experienced a slight increase in demand for business travel in certain geographical nodes. Properties in Pretoria and Umhlanga have seen an increase in demand while secondary markets such as Mahikeng, Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Polokwane have seen a stronger demand in bookings. Have you seen an increase on the business travel front? However, just like the pent-up demand for leisure travel that we saw last year, there is also a growing restlessness for business travel. While we have all had to get used to working remotely, more and more people across business, government and nongovernment sectors are keen to get back to meeting partners, suppliers and colleagues, and connecting again, face-to-face. Does Marriott offer any hybrid/ virtual platforms? To speak to this demand while business travel slowly resumes, Marriott International offers event professionals the opportunity to plan hybrid virtual/in-person meetings and events through the launch of the Connect with Confidence programme and 30 Business Events Africa June 2021

remains committed to the long term – and optimistic about the future. Has Marriott International put any pandemic-driven innovations in place? Across our worldwide operations Marriott International has adapted to meet the changing needs of guests. In Sub-Saharan Africa this includes: • Launch of Work Anywhere programme Marriott International has initiated the Work Anywhere programme with Stay Pass options at selected hotels across Sub-Saharan Africa. Working from home is a challenge for many, and there is a demand for conducive ‘working from everywhere’ environments to ensure productivity as well as ‘workations’. This new offering is designed to help customers be more productive and achieve a better work/ life balance by reimagining Marriott International hotel rooms as local remote workspaces. By providing flexible booking options, Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members and guests have a familiar alternative when choosing where to work, while earning points. • Expansion of Connect with Confidence resources The planning and execution of meetings and events are constantly evolving in the pandemic era. Meeting and event professionals have been looking to plan hybrid virtual/in-person meetings and events as the meeting industry adapts to new ways of connecting. However, meeting and event planners often require additional information about available technologies, health protocols, and logistics available to them. Through the Connect with Confidence programme, Marriott International is offering innovative solutions, insights and guidelines to help planners streamline their planning and execution. New and updated resources for hybrid meetings and events, including provider and pricing information are being rolled

out globally. • Bio-Bubbles Marriott International responds to the current ‘Bio-Bubble’ trend which is enabling safer sports, conferencing and other group travel across the world. ‘Bio-Bubbles’ create safe hospitality spaces to reduce the risks of Covid-19 contact as far as possible across multiple aspects of hotel stay, services and events. Measures include providing larger event spaces to enable social distancing; more open-air event spaces; medical areas for conducting routine health screenings of attendees as well as clear guidelines and protocols to promote safer hotel stays and events. An example of this in Africa, is the Westin Cape Town property which is providing guests with customised experiences in the creation and maintenance of personalised ‘BioBubbles’ for each conference and event.

Who is Volker Heiden? Volker Heiden is the area vice president Sub-Saharan Africa, Marriott International. In this role, Mr Heiden provides enhanced operational support, drives efficiencies, and helps deliver the company’s growth strategy for SubSaharan Africa. Prior to his current role, Mr Heiden served as vice president finance for Marriott’s Caribbean and Latin American region, based in Plantation, Florida. He is a 24-year veteran with Marriott International, having held senior finance positions in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Mr Heiden is passionate about associate development and playing a role in building the careers and successes of his team members. Mr Heiden is a graduate of the Hotel Management School in Bad Harzburg, Germany and a 1997 graduate Bilanzbuchhalter (IHK) of the Dr. Endriss Steuerfachschule Koln, Germany, which is the equivalent of a chartered accountant qualification. He is fluent in German, English and Spanish. At leisure, Mr Heiden enjoys nature and outdoor activities, particularly hiking and skiing.

www.businesseventafrica.com

MARKET NEWS

HuntEx2021 is a go after a successful court ruling HuntEx2021, the biggest hunting and firearm show on the continent, will go ahead as scheduled at the Gallagher Convention Centre from 1-3 October 2021, following a settlement between the HuntEx organisers and the SAPS regarding the Covid-19 restrictions.

he outcome of the settlement means that HuntEx may continue to trade in a similar way as any other shopping centre, that is, at fifty per cent capacity. Earlier this month, the SAPS and the HuntEx organisers disagreed on the interpretation of the Disaster Management Act, after which Edushow (owner of HuntEx) filed against the SAPS in the Gauteng High Court on 11 May. Although the SAPS opposed the application at first, an agreement was reached between the two parties on 20 May. Based on the settlement, the Honourable Judge Makgoba ruled in favour of Edushow. Therefore, HuntEx2021 will be held at Gallagher Convention Centre for the tenth time, this year, after skipping last year due to the strict Covid-19 lockdown.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

This exhibition is regarded as one of the main drivers of an industry that annually contributes R115-billion to the economy. HuntEx caters for hunters, sport shooters, game farm owners, people with personal and defensive protection requirements, outdoorsmen, anglers, security, and trade professionals. Once again, visitors will have access to this popular consumer exhibition to view and buy a wide variety of hunting and outdoor lifestyle gear and equipment. The usual Covid-19 restrictions will be enforced, such as social distancing, compulsory wearing of masks, and sanitising hands before entering every exhibition hall. HuntEx visitors may expect the same safety precautions as when visiting their local shopping mall to buy groceries, household appliances or new winter clothes for the kids.

Both Gallagher Convention Centre and the company responsible for health and safety services during the exhibition, have comprehensive Covid-19 preparedness plans in place that comply with regular occupational health and safety legislation, and Covid-19 protocols. All visitors will be screened at the entrances of Gallagher Convention Centre. Once on the property, visitors will have to adhere to all the safety precautions. The number of visitors will be monitored to ensure that the maximum number of people per square metre complies with the Covid-19 protocols at all times. The exhibition will be open to the public between 09:00 and 17:00 from 1-2 October 2021, and from 09:00-15:00 on Sunday, 3 October. For more information go to: www.huntex.net

Business Events Africa June 2021 31

MARKET NEWS

Hotel & Hospitality Show is back for 2021 Africa’s top hotel and hospitality industry trade show is back for 2021 with a wealth of exciting events.

ormerly known as the Hotel Show Africa and now branded the Hotel & Hospitality Show1, this fastgrowing trade show has become a hugely successful component of Africa Trade Week. Giving attendees a 360° view of the latest products and services for the sub-Saharan African hospitality market, the Hotel & Hospitality Show is the mustattend hybrid event for food services, hospitality stakeholders and hotels. Its highlights include workshops, discussing industry trends, challenges and opportunities; the popular Southern Africa Housekeepers League of Champions competition and this year, the show will debut a new Game of Chefs challenge. To ensure access for all, the show is proud to present a complete online platform to facilitate buyer and seller engagement and learnings from the latest industry speakers. “It has been an incredibly challenging sixteen months due to Covid-19 and we

32 Business Events Africa June 2021

have been working hard in the background to ensure that our event takes place at the opportune time for the market to take advantage of the industry opening up. We look forward to welcoming our key stakeholders to this incredible platform to network, learn and most importantly, do business,” said Evan Schiff, Portfolio Director for show organiser dmg events. The Hotel & Hospitality Show will be co-located with SAITEX2 – Africa’s original multi-sector trade show – and Africa’s Big 73 food and beverage sector show, as part of Africa Trade Week at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 21-23 June 2020. Africa Trade Week attracts over 10,000 visitors from around the world each year. This hybrid format will provide the opportunity for both in-person attendance and digital attendance, ensuring that everyone in the industry is

able to stay connected. The show will take place from 23-25 August 2021 at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg. A limited number of stands are still available. For more information please visit www.theohotelshowafrica.com 1. https://www.thehotelshowafrica.com/ 2. https://www.saitexafrica.com/ 3. https://www.africabig7.com/ www.businesseventafrica.com

MARKET NEWS

African Construction & Totally Concrete Expo go hybrid As a significant contributor to the economic growth, recovery and transformation within Southern Africa’s construction industry, the African Construction & Totally Concrete Expo’s exceptional focus on buyer and seller engagements has cemented its place in the construction sector’s diary.

he Ticketpro Dome is excited to host a hybrid event that will bring live and digital elements together. The event is a perfect example of how innovation and creativity have changed the way in which events are presented and how thrilling it is that a vital sector in building our country’s infrastructure will also be laying the cornerstone for other Covid-compliant hybrid events. From Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 August 2021, the African Construction & Totally Concrete Expo will provide both live- and digital access to CPD accredited workshops, important industry content and connections for professionals to network, both online and www.businesseventsafrica.com

in limited-attendee capacity. To register to attend (entrance is free), to book a stand or discuss possible sponsorship opportunities, go to www.africanconstructionexpo.com. The Ticketpro Dome looks forward to hosting a safe and successful hybrid exhibition-meeting experience, where we will connect the construction industry in Southern Africa. Future of innovation leadership: African Smart Cities Summit Also at The Ticketpro Dome on 23-25 August 2021, the fourth annual African Smart Cities Summit will explore and celebrate Africa’s progress in the

smart city arena, noting major trends and challenges, while discovering the many opportunities and innovations set to advance African cities. The summit will facilitate positive growth through strategic thought leadership and inspiring case studies. The inclusion of the Smart Cities Pavilion on the exhibition floor showcases how technology and innovative solutions are able to transform African cities. Attendees will once again be able to access this summit in person or digitally, and the event – as with all events hosted at the Ticketpro Dome – will be staged with strict safety regulations in place, ensuring safe attendance. Business Events Africa June 2021 33

EVENT GREENING FORUM

Are you ready for the return of sustainable in-person events? Will organisers prioritise sustainability or will the desire to be sustainable be replaced by other priorities, when we are able to host in-person events once again? By Lynn McLeod, secretariat of Event Greening Forum.

n an article titled How to Make Sustainability a Priority Again, published on www.tsnn.com on 14 April 2021, Julia Spangler, green events consultant and owner of Ecosystem Events, shared her thoughts on this matter. She stated that many people around the world are increasingly concerned about the environment and climate change, and in some cases, this has strengthened during the pandemic, so organisers need to be prepared to meet expectations in the future. 34 Business Events Africa June 2021

Getting buy-in for sustainability in events has always been an issue and it looks like this will continue to be the case as organisers – and clients – try to get through the coming years with the least possible costs. However, this should not stop professionals in the sector from continuing to focus on sustainability in their respective fields – even if this means focusing on those practices that result in cost savings in the meantime. Julia believes that it is a common misconception that health and safety guidelines somehow impede sustainability

efforts, and at the EGF we tend to agree. While Health and Safety and sustainability often seem at odds, they incorporate much the same elements when it comes to health issues, and safety has been shown to improve when sustainability measures and practices are applied. In South Africa, the SA Events Council, together with Event Safety Council, have published reopening guidelines1 and organisers may still implement best practices for reducing food waste, recycling, reusing event supplies and many other sustainable practices, while adhering www.businesseventafrica.com

EVENT GREENING PAGEFORUM STRAP

to these guidelines. Another misconception that has arisen since the pandemic hit last year, has been the move away from bulk services and amenities to wrapped, single-serve items. While this has been driven by health considerations, in fact the opposite has been shown to be as effective. Meegan Jones of the Sustainable Event Alliance (SEA), a network partner of the Event Greening Forum, explained at our Master Class in November 2020 that reusable dishes and glassware may be just as safe, or even safer, than disposable options. The SEA released a comprehensive guide2 in October 2020 to help planners confidently and safely use reusable food and beverage cutlery and crockery, both now and post-pandemic. The issue of travel, especially by air, is not big on the South African agenda, but will become more so when the events are allowed to open again. Air travel is one of the largest carbon footprint components of an event, and South Africa remains a long-haul destination with a large domestic demand for air travel due to the lack of adequate and reliable public transport systems. Another important factor that has been severely affected by the pandemic has been reliance on organised transport for delegates. With existing fears of contamination – and regulations that reduce the number of persons that may be accommodated on coaches (for example), there will be less demand for delegate transport, but the savings here will be countered by an increase in single-occupant car use unless organisers think out-the-box with regards www.businesseventsafrica.com

this aspect. So, transport in general will remain an issue, but organisers may use the hybrid and virtual events which they have become used to, to make events available to those who are less able to travel, while at the same time reducing the overall carbon footprint. There are a few other tips such as your event design, while improving your food and beverage systems and procedures will change for health reasons in the coming years. While buffet-style operations were banned in the earlier days of the lockdown here and abroad, there is growing acceptance of these facilities once again but with marked service changes. In themselves, the changes and regulations aid in reducing food waste and may contribute largely to local economies with greater awareness of local sourcing, seasonality and portion control. Improved planning by organisers and hosts could also help by getting delegates and attendees to indicate their desire for meals rather than simply assuming that meals were expected. In short, while the last year has been particularly hard for the event and meetings sector – and we are not out of the woods yet – sustainability will remain an important consideration into the future. In fact, we believe that the demand for greater levels of sustainability and ‘even greener’ events will grow because of increased awareness by clients and the public in general. Gone are the days when delegates will simply stand in crowded spaces or sit shoulder-to-shoulder in packed meeting rooms and venues. Organisers and

professionals will need to incorporate greener practices and sustainable actions into future events even more than before in order to remain relevant and competitive. 1. https://www.eventgreening.co.za/wp-content/ uploads/2020/07/Event-Safety-Council-ReOpening-Guidelines-version-1.pdf 2. https://www.eventgreening.co.za/resources/ downloads/

About the EGF The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. It does this by hosting educational sessions for industry and lobbying government in an effort to implement sustainability principles into the daily operations of the events industry. The EGF was established through dedication and support of eight industry associations who are recognised as founding members. The founding members are key industry associations working together to promote South Africa as a destination for various types of events.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about event greening, visit wwweventgreening.co.za where you can browse the free resources, sign up to the monthly newsletter, or contact them directly with any queries. Contact: Lynn Mcleod T: 082 891 5883 E: lynn@eventgreening.co.za

Business Events Africa June 2021 35

SITE NEWS

The nature of the incentive travel market in SA By Tes Proos, president SITE Africa.

The incentives travel industry is a fast-growing segment of the business events industry often misunderstood as part of leisure tourism. The recent South African incentives travel research study was conducted to determine the value of incentive travel groups in South Africa. This was achieved by undertaking a survey amongst critical organisers of this form of travel in this region.

s an industry, we have been painfully aware of the division and misunderstandings within the public sector regarding the essence and intrinsic value of incentive travel. For the longest time, incentive travel has been viewed as leisure trips, whereas these trips are fundamental to employee motivation and performance. Corporations engaging in incentive travel for their top employees and distributors do so because the business ROI far outweighs the expense. This research project will show that the average spend per delegate outperforms that of a conference delegate. The estimated economic impact of a comparatively small group of incentive providers is estimated to be more than R1-billion, which accounts for some thirteen per cent of the total business events industry in South Africa. To that end, we argue that more national spend is required on making South Africa a

desirable incentive destination, as the growth of this sector could have increasing economic and job creation value to the South African economy. The fact that South Africa is a long-haul destination is the first negative. That said, once people arrive here, they inevitably feel that it was ‘worth the trip’. Other factors which detract from the destination’s attractiveness include the recent water shortage crisis in Cape Town, failings around South African Airways, and Eskom in terms of reliable power supply. Finally, there was a significant amount of destination perception damage caused by the xenophobic attacks in September 2019. Whilst Covid-19 had a worldwide impact, we have the additional challenge of the ‘South Africa’ strain, placing our industry under more pressure with travel restrictions. We believe this may be adjusted with positive public relations efforts. In conclusion, this study shows the

significant economic impact that incentive travel has on the destination. It may be the lowest in terms of passenger numbers, but when considering that the average spend per person is estimated to be R29 000, it far outweighs other business events segments. Though small, it has the most exponential growth potential within the business events industry. Therefore, more focus should be placed on marketing efforts for inbound incentive travel for short- and long-term travel. As it stands, the recovery for incentive travel is anticipated to begin by Q4 of 2021. However, it will be a gradual recovery, as the international market begins regaining confidence. Typically, an incentive programme takes a minimum of six months, up to two years, to plan and execute. Therefore, realistically we may only see 2019 level recovery by late 2023. For that reason, it is critical to invest in destination awareness marketing now, to secure business for 2022 onwards.

What we’re all about: motivational experiences Why we do it? Business results! Site is the only global network of travel and event professionals committed to motivational experiences that deliver business results. Site provides insights and connections that inspire the utilisation of this powerful tool across diverse industries, regions and cultures. Site serves as a source of knowledge and best practices where members can make personal connections that sustain professional growth. Only one organisation sits at the critical intersection between those who seek the benefits of motivational tools and those who can provide these extraordinary experiences. That organisation is Site...

36 Business Events Africa June 2021

Contact

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

www.businesseventafrica.com

AAXO NEWS

Venues need a 50 per cent capacity ruling The stark reality of a 2021 South Africa is the acceptance of the presence of the Covid-19 virus and our responsibility as a society to take the necessary precautions to keep each other safe. This being said, the pandemic’s reach should not be allowed to further cripple our economy and leave our workforce rudderless.

he events industry has harshly suffered the consequences of the initial necessary steps to curb the spread of the virus. As an industry, we accepted the limitations, kept our doors shut and did our best to keep our staff going as best possible. But, amidst this, we were like the proverbial ducks, paddling under the surface to come up with feasible plans to preserve the future of our industry and, more importantly, our people. As an industry, we acknowledge the importance of safety regulations, and venues such as Gallagher Convention Centre are committed to taking every precaution for the safety of our staff and guests. A venue like Gallagher is able to efficiently operate at 50 per cent of our capacity whilst maintaining the required social

distancing and observing every precaution to prevent the spread of the virus. Gallagher already has strict protocols in place for entering the property, food safety in light of the pandemic, social distancing and safety officers to monitor the execution of the protocols. With responsible events our first priority and information such as a recent study by MIT researchers that challenges our current ideas on venue capacities stating that it is presented as a more significant risk than the reality, the current restrictions leave venues such as Gallagher Convention Centre asking “why?” Why are exhibitions and conferences hailed as mass events when they are not? Exhibitions are retail activities, and conferences are business meetings. Why are we forced to retrench staff and

By Charles Wilson, chief executive officer of Gallagher Convention Centre

lose decades of experience due to severe restrictions on our trade? Why are we not allowed to work responsibly to feed our families? Why are industries such as bars, restaurants, malls, shebeens, and casinos open, but we are not allowed to operate at a feasible capacity? Why can’t we run responsible exhibitions and conferences and be contributing tax to the economy? Why are we left with no option but to rely on limited government aid when we are capable of looking after ourselves? Why not allow us to operate at fifty per cent of our capacity?

SAACI NEWS

Local communities stand to benefit from events The strategic focus of regional spread-of-business events by the South Africa National Convention Bureau through the National Association Programme is applauded.

t will not only raise the profile of the identified regional villages, towns and small dorpies, but stimulate the involvement and engagement of the local community. Whatever the type of event or purpose for running it, an event may help to facilitate local awareness, act as a vehicle or starting point for involvement or change. A community event may literally help to build community spirit. An event which has a specific ‘community’ addition, such as sending out free invitations to locals or having a ‘locals only’ session may also vastly assist in getting the community together and engaged in the wider purpose and objectives of the event. We may think that we need

considerable investment over a longer period. The fact is that it only takes one or two large events taking place consistently in the South African events calendar to put a town, city, or region firmly on the map. Once this happens, with or without long-term investment into the event itself, wider economic benefits ripple throughout the area. Retailers, hoteliers, pubs and restaurants along with local cultural venues should all enjoy an uptake in visitors. This could also result in additional local jobs, especially if the event is large and popular enough – Grahamstown Arts Festival is certainly an example! The investment from the event into the community also greatly assists with an increase in

By Glenton de Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI. infrastructure for the community. With the business events industry operating under stringent regulations due to the impact of Covid-19, even small group events like corporate break-away sessions and team-building activities may benefit communities in ways which are often surprising to participants. Small events held at independent venues frequently support small, independent businesses in the process. Finally, whether an event is large or small, it may have a real purpose in raising community-wide awareness about local issues.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CONFERENCE INDUSTRY LEADERS

CONNECT SAACI unites , supports and educates the business

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

THRIVE Join SAACI and enjoy access to an inspiring network of industry professionals, while giving your business the professional status it needs to attract the attention of business leaders. GROW Become the business events professional you’ve always wanted to be. Access the SAACI Academy and enter a world of inspiration, connections and world-class skills development.

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Visit our online community: www.saaci.org www.saacicongress.org www.saaci-academy.org

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

Business Events AfricaLearning October 2020 38 | Growth | collaboration

SAEC NEWS

Transforming and developing the township event business industry Although regulations and restrictions around events in South Africa have deeply affected tourism, business events, cultural and entertainment, public sessions, business events, sporting fixtures and more, in the townships, there is still a steady hum of smaller events happening under the oversight of the Township Events Business Council SA (TEBCO). By Raylene Johnson, chief executive officer of Township Events Business Council SA and SA Events Council member

EBCO-SA is one of the fourteen associations making up the SA Events Council. Bheki “Ma-events” Twala founded the Council in October 2018 as Townships and Villages Events Business Development and Transformation Entity, advocating for unity and a unique voice for the events business industry in South Africa. TEBCO-SA’s Soweto Chapter (SOBEC), liaises and collaborates with the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA), Gauteng Economic Department, Gauteng Department of Sports Arts Culture and Heritage, Gauteng industry stakeholders, organisations, agencies and Gauteng city regions on matters common to all segments of the business events industry. The Council’s affiliation with SAEC strategically positions TEBCO-SA as a valuable voice for township events businesses on a common platform alongside a wide range of industry representatives. Mr Twala is the president and executive director of TEBCO-SA. Our directive is to collectively assist and empower everyone in the events industry value chain in the townships and rural areas. We aim to provide sustainable and meaningful platforms to Township Events Business Council SA industry stakeholders to exchange information and cooperate www.businesseventsafrica.com

on relevant matters with a view to strengthen and grow township business. The township business events industry is facing several challenges, and our role as TEBCO will be to create sustainable solutions to industry challenges and bring the industry together as one unique and united voice. These challenges define our role and give us the strength and direction for the industry. We are looking forward to addressing these challenges and continuing to provide sustainable solutions for the township event business industry. Like everyone else under government’s Covid alert level 1 regulations and protocols, there is a slight space and flexibility in the townships to host events. While the events are very low key, mostly corporate and business events requested by chambers, business forums, etc., the industry has embraced the ‘new normal’ hybrid or virtual conferencing trends, which allow these events to include as many additional online participants as possible. The few social events that do take place also fully comply with Covid–specific regulations and protocols. Part of TEBCOSA’s mandate is to emphasise the importance of following Covid-19 protocols for all township events business regardless of the size of the event. This message is communicated on all event

invitations ensuring that attendees arrive prepared for the compulsory maskwearing, screening, sanitising and social distancing required on entry. Many of our members have not had an income for 14 months, and yes, job losses and unemployment plague our industry, but we cannot lose hope! As humans, it is important to stay optimistic despite the difficulty and uncertainty that we are currently facing. This is our current reality, but we may only stress about the things that are within our control; the rest is up to God. In the township, the future is always bright! We have to move with the times, embrace the space that we are in, and make the most of it. We look forward to an even brighter future, a future where we will again unite the industry, present a cohesive industry front, and bring buyers and sellers together, providing information, education, and face-to-face opportunities to build business relationships. e: hello@saeventscouncil.org

Business Events Africa June 2021 39

EXSA PAGE NEWS STRAP

Our exhibition journey – reimagined By Gill Gibbs, chairperson of EXSA

With the course of the Covid-19 pandemic still rolling out, in context, exhibition economic activity may unfold in any number of ways this year and into the next.

actors that influence the journey include how quickly the vaccine is to be distributed and administered over the next two years; the level of financial stress; the negative impact and strain on our industry and the composition of the remaining industry role-players. We are compelled to question what this picture is going to look like progressively, across 2021 and into 2022. An industry well-versed in environmental, health and safety protocols, and in that, we have the substantiation and support of well-documented and researched Reopening Safety Guidelines and dossiers from exhibitions safely executed in 2020 and 2021. We are more than eager and ready to mobilise and effect successful and seamless execution of exhibitions and trade shows. The language and process for us is clear – vaccination and pandemic control

40 Business Events Africa June 2021

measures, such as mandatory mask wearing, are prerequisites for sharply reducing infection and for effective pandemic management efforts. In a world of prompt, effective and widespread vaccination – one in which Covid-19 transmissions will begin to decline and one where, if the pandemic is brought under control earlier than anticipated, we will see the beginning of real recovery and growth in our sector – our resilience and agility will serve us. Our industry mission is forward-focused, knowing that our efforts to lobby, campaign, achieve recognition and to build trust and confidence in our sector, have not been in vain. Small wins have brought much-needed hope to the horizon and even more of a strong, collective industry voice – we will not be silenced, we will be heard. Our legal initiative has resulted in a

response from the State Attorney’s office and our industry matters are being addressed – watch this space. Almost at the halfway mark of 2021, we are witness to a court ruling being awarded in favour of an organiser of a trade exhibition: Huntex 2021, giving credence to our efforts and our capabilities as a sector. Another win – SA Spine Congress 2021, a successful, seamlessly executed trade exhibition, was held in May at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town. And so we begin to paint the picture for our reimagined exhibition journey. In a world of complexity and disruption, where every aspect has been touched by the pandemic, we are writing our new chapters, reimagining our world with sustainable outcomes. What is the future we want? Let’s write it together.

www.businesseventafrica.com

MARKET NEWS

New marketing manager for Wild Coast Sun Resort Sun International has announced the appointment of Cynthia Nene as marketing manager of Wild Coast Sun Resort in the Eastern Cape. Ms Nene took up the role on 1 April 2021.

s Nene has solid experience within the Sun International Group, having begun her career in 2006 at the central office, as a graduate management trainee. The following year, she became the MVG coordinator at Sibaya Casino, and in 2009, joined Morula Casino and Hotel as the database marketing manager. Three years later, Ms Nene joined Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World as the customer relations manager and acted as the marketing manager from March 2014 to April 2015, when she became the direct marketing and loyalty manager. She took a Sho’t left for six months, rejoining the group in 2018 as public

relations and promotions manager. Now, owing to her extensive business acumen, attitude and experience she has again been recognised and promoted to marketing manager for the Wild Coast Sun Resort. Ms Nene attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal where she obtained her honours in bachelor of commerce in business management and marketing. She also obtained a national certificate, level three, in leadership, communications, financial operations and business operations from QDC (Quintessential Development Culture). She has also attended several Sun International internal learning and development courses.

June 2021 Vol 41 No 6 ADVERTISER

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

PAGE

WEBSITE

AAXO

aaxo@aaxo.co.za

www.aaxo.co.za

CTICC

sales@cticc.co.za

www.cticc.co.za

sales@peermont.com

www.emperorspalace.com

Emperors Palace

IFC, 16

Event Greening Forum

info@eventgreening.co.za

www.eventgreening.co.za

EXSA

exsa@exsa.co.za

www.exsa.co.za

companyservice.co.za

www.jse.co.za

JSE

OFC, 6, 8

MJunxion

yolande@mjunxion.co.za

www.mjunxion.co.za

SAACI

info@saaci.org

www.saaci.org

SA Events Council

hello@saeventscouncil.org

www.saeventscouncil.org

SITE

info@sitesouthernafrica.com

www.sitesouthernafrica.com

www.businesseventsafrica.com

Business Events Africa June 2021 41

Business Events Africa June 2021

Articles inside

SAACI NEWS

MARKETING NEWS

THE LAST WORD

EXSA NEWS

SAEC NEWS

AAXO NEWS

SITE NEWS

EVENT GREENING FORUM

MARKET NEWS

MARKET NEWS

Q&A

LOCAL TRENDS

MARKET NEWS

CHEF’S PROFILE

PERSONALITY PROFILE

A LOCAL PERPECTIVE

MARKET NEWS

DESTINATION SANDTON

VENUE OF THE MONTH

SAACI CONGRESS 2021

COVER STORY – JSE

CASE STUDY

NEWS

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

EDITOR’S COMMENT