Meetings January/February 2016

miceplanner.net

january/february 2016 Issue 65

STOP

Put an end to boring events

15 TRENDS Transforming Cape Town’s event space

What you should be doing at your your next event

HOW TO Host green events

BIG INTERVIEW Model your career aspirations after people you admire and trust... and go over and above what is expected of you.”

Mark Jakins, group marketing and regional operations executive: Peermont Global Limited

DYNAMIC DUO Century City Conference Centre’s joint CEOs, Glyn Taylor and Gary Koetser, are ready to welcome you to Cape Town’s newest addition to the meetings and events industry.

R50.00 (incl. VAT)

A SPACE TO SHAPE IDEAS With a team of professionals that will support you, your dream event can become an unforgettable reality.

At Sandton Convention Centre, our award-winning multipurpose venue is complemented by a passionate team of highly skilled individuals waiting to provide you with everything you need to host a successful event. With stateof-the-art facilities and venues to suit events of any size, type or budget, ideally located in the heart of Joburg, this is a space to shape ideas.

If you’re looking for a proven leader in the event industry, give us a call on +27 11 779 0000.

sandtonconventioncentre.com

SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE JOHANNESBURG | SOUTH AFRICA

Situated in the heart of Sandton, The Maslow is an unexpected oasis for business and social events. Boasting 12 unrivalled meeting rooms, 2 boardrooms and a state-of-the-art conference centre. Whether you’re looking for an intimate meeting place for 4 or a grand affair for 500, The Maslow can accommodate it all.

VOTED BEST CONFERENCE CENTRE IN 2014

k

#contents January/februAry 2016 miceplanner.net

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 Issue 65

STOP

Put an end to boring events

15 TRENDS TRANSFORMING CAPE TOWN’S EVENT SPACE

What you should be doing at your your next event

HOW TO Host green events

BIG INTERVIEW Model your career aspirations after people you admire and trust ... and go over and above what is expected of you.”

ACHIEVER

Mark Jakins, group marketing and regional operations executive: Peermont Global Limited

DYNAMIC DUO Century City Conference Centre’s Terms and conditions apply. ©2013 IHG. All rights reserved.

Most hotels are independently owned and operated.

R50.00 (incl. VAT)

joint CEOs’, Glyn Taylor and Gary Koetser are ready to welcome you to Cape Town’s newest addition to meetings and events industry.

on the cover

BROUGHT TO YOU

BY MEETINGS AFRICA

Our Meetings Africa supplement provides you with all the details on what to expect from the jam-packed programme.

The new kid on block Cape Town’s new, world-class conference centre, Century City Conference Centre, will exceed all MICE expectations.

For more, turn to page 6

24

best practice

Keep your event on brand

Featured venues 45 Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank Rewarding all you do

47 CedarWoods of Sandton Welcome to the family 48 Johannesburg Expo Centre Changing for the better

50 Sandton Convention Centre Winning formula 51 Montecasino The perfect destination 52 SAB World of Beer Welcome to the home of beer destination

Gauteng

28

54 S outhern Sun Hyde Park Sandton Meeting your every need

55 CTICC Adding more value

focus on greening 12 Sustainability is more than a nice-to-have Guy Bigwood on the importance of making your events sustainable

24 Keep your event on brand Thami Motlhabane on why an event needs to be a reflection client’s brand

25 Brand your stand Sue Gannon on the importance of branding through exhibitions

14 CASE STUDY: Easy as ABC How to have carbon-neutral events

26 Beat the boredom Danie Greyling on how to make presentations interesting

16 Impressive green venues Top picks for your next green event

Destination 28 Discover Gauteng South Africa’s smallest

THE BIG INTERVIEW 18 Ahead of the trends Peermont’s Mark Jakins is a trend spotter and experienced business forerunner

33 Premier Hotels Where guests become friends 34 Tshwane – a host city of excellence Why you should consider Tshwane for your next event

best practice

in Gauteng

20 2016 and beyond Rashid Toefy on technology and innovation playing an important role in the industry

21 The planning of events

province is big on events

38 Party like it’s 1899 Try a historical Western Cape venue for your next event

Helen Brewer on the

essence of event planning

22 Let there be light… and sound Sue Marillier on the latest audiovisual and lighting techniques

You can find out more about this

www.tshwane.gov.za fabulous city on xploretshwane.co.za

talking points 57 Frank Lee Safety ahead of profit 58 SAACI Collaboration is key 58 AAXO New broom to sweep clean 59 AIPC Economic engines 59 Industry views 4 ways for clutter-free meetings

Regulars 05 Ed’s letter Celebrate the beloved country 09 Tidbits Meetings must-know minutia 40 S ound Bites The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa's Christo Pretorius

41 20 Questions Design+Display's Nicholas de Klerk

60 Miss Meet Blurred lines

FEATURED SUPPLIER 43 Living her dream Nicolene Louw visually represents ideas and concepts

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The MICE Planner on miceplanner.net is a one-stop platform for finding venues and suppliers. It’s where you can read the hottest industry tips and trends as well as source event planning tools and gain insight from valuable information in the MICE Hub. Plan your event by using the platform’s event boards and keep up-to-date with the daily newsletters. Use these resources to take your events from great to flawless.

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Packed with advice, handy tips, tools, checklists and eventplanning insight from leading industry experts and combined with the comprehensive listings, The Meetings & Event Planner is essential if you’re organising any type of event. Published annually.

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This alternative monthly publication Investigates new trends, ideas and strategies relevant to the meetings and events industry to keep you ahead of the planner pack.

Meetings provides a platform for branding and promoting venues and service providers to the heart of the South African conferencing and event industries.

The Exhibition Planner is an essential tool for exhibitors.

Information is packaged in an easily digestible format addressing the entire process of planning and arranging a show stand, what to do pre-show, during and post-show. Published annually.

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E EX XH HI BI IB T I I TO I NO

N

Looking for new and exciting desitinations?

The Incentive Planner is jam-packed with fresh ideas and top tips to turn any incentive trip into a memorable experience. Out in March and September with Meetings.

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E IX N H IC B EI N T I TO I NV

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+27 (0)11 233 2600 subs@3smedia.co.za l 3smags.co.za

3S Media gives YOU the competitive edge as a MICE planner The Planner

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ed's letter Publisher Elizabeth Shorten Editor Martin Hiller (martin@3Smedia.co.za) Head of Design Beren Bauermeister Contributors Aloysius Arlando, Helen Brewer,

Guy Bigwood, Sue Gannon, Danie Greyling, Rob Kucera, Adriaan Liebetrau, Sue Marillier, Thami Motlhabane, Rashid Toefy and Leatitia van Straten Chief Sub-Editor Tristan Snijders Sub-Editor Morgan Carter Client Services & Production Manager

Antois-Leigh Botma

Marketing Manager Philip Rosenberg Production Coordinator Jacqueline Modise Financial Manager Andrew Lobban Administration Tonya Hebenton Distribution Manager Nomsa Masina Distribution Coordinator Asha Pursotham

Advertising Ruth Baldwin +27 (0)11 233 2600 ruth@3smedia.co.za

published by No. 9, 3rd Avenue, Rivonia, Johannesburg PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/75 www.3smedia.co.za Meetings January/February 2016 © Copyright.

All rights reserved 2016 theplanner.net subscription R300.00 per annum (incl. VAT) | subs@3smedia.co.za ISSN 1684-9264 NOTICE OF RIGHTS Meetings is published bi-monthly by 3S Media. This publication, its form and contents vest in 3S Media. All rights reserved. No part of this book, including cover and interior designs, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

The authors' views may not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation and compilation of this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, completeness or accuracy of its contents, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. While every effort has been taken to ensure that no copyright or copyright issues is/ are infringed, 3S Media, its directors, publisher, officers and employees cannot be held responsible and consequently disclaim any liability for any loss, liability damage, direct or consequential of whatsoever nature and howsoever arising.

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the beloved country et’s face it, 2016 is going to be an interesting year – we started off with the rand

fighting to gain some strength, the local government elections are set to take place, and who knows if we are going to be plunged back into darkness or if our taps will run dry. It is easy to be a pessimist living in South Africa but one of my New Year’s resolutions is to stay positive. So, I have rounded up my five reasons why South Africa is the perfect destination to host your next meeting, conference, exhibition or incentive trip.

1. SOUTH AFRICA WINS MAJOR BUSINESS EVENT AWARDS South Africa climbed two places up the ICCA rankings (from 34th to 32nd place), making it the number one business events destination in Africa and the Middle East for 2014. The City of Johannesburg shot up 35 places (from 136 in 2013 to 101 in 2014) to make it one of the fastest ascending cities in the world for business events hosting. Cape Town is constantly in the headlines for its travel and business offerings.

2. SOUTH AFRICA IS A MODERN COUNTRY From inner-city sanctuaries and luxury hotels to indoor arenas and state-of-the-art convention centres, South Africa offers unique and innovative spaces. Our major cities have infrastructure, services, entertainment, restaurants, and offerings you would expect to find in American or European cities.

3. SOUTH AFRICA OFFERS A UNIQUE BLEND OF CULTURE AND CUISINE Referred to has Africa’s melting pot of culture, South Africa is infused with vibrant cultures. South Africa's culture is a unique blend of many people descending from African, Asian and European groups. This has resulted in a celebration of culinary fusion. You will find people selling samoosas, curries and biltong; coffee shops where locals eat milk tart with their flavoured coffees; and black-tie dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants.

4. SOUTH AFRICA'S WINELANDS ARE WORLD-FAMOUS The history of South Africa's winelands can be traced to the mid-1600s, when Jan van Riebeeck produced South Africa's first recorded wine. At the end of the 17th century, the Huguenots arrived in South Africa and established vineyards in the Cape region. Some of the more reputable areas are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Robertson and Constantia Valley.

5. SOUTH AFRICA IS HOME TO THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK One of the oldest established game reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park provides you with the rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the bush. The park boasts an incredible array of species (147 types of mammals, 507 types of birds, 114 different reptiles, 336 species of trees, 34 kinds of amphibians and 49 types of fish). Now those are impressive stats.

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Southafrica.net sums it up the best: “Go almost anywhere in South Africa and experience the ultimate combination of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and vibe – you’re spoilt for choice, so pack it in.”

Until next time,

Martin

cover story

The new kid on the

part of a new environmentally sound R17 billion Century City development that utilises a 250-hectare mixed-use precinct. The dynamic model of residential, commercial and outdoor leisure spaces will flow seamlessly alongside 8 km of striking waterways and canals for a conference setting unlike any other.

SHOWCASING PRIOR TO LAUNCH

Cape Town’s new, world-class conference centre, Century City Conference Centre, will exceed all conferencing and business event expectations, all within 15 minutes from Cape Town’s CBD.

J

oint CEOs of the Century City Conference Centre (CCCC) Gary Koetser and Glyn Taylor are transforming the conferencing space in Cape Town through the unveiling of the new venue in February 2016.

Century City Conference Centre is already looking set to have a strong and busy first year, with 55 events confirmed.

CAPE TOWN’S NEW METRO Gary has been active in the industry for 17 years, including, most recently, as general manager of the African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa where he gained insights into the Cape Town conferencing industry. It was in this capacity that he became aware of the growing

6 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

need for an additional conference centre in Cape Town that could meet the cross section of conferencing requests received.

A better location couldn’t easily have been found for this new, multipurpose conference facility in Century City. Located on the N1 highway, in one of the fastest-growing business nodes in South Africa, Century City is a convenient hub accessible from the Cape Town International Airport, the Cape Winelands, the northern, southern and west coast suburbs, and is only 15 minutes from the V&A Waterfront. The CCCC is intended to compliment the Cape Town International Conference Centre and position the city as the prime conference city in Africa. It forms

The biggest challenge the team has found is in marketing a site that hadn’t yet been fully constructed; despite this, the list of confirmed events is growing. Glyn communicated the benefits of marketing materials and this challenge, saying: “We have been very lucky with some fantastic artist impressions and a fly-through video showcasing the various facilities; however, a decision-maker wants to stand in a venue before they are willing to sign on the dotted line!”

A successful hardhat party for industry insiders was held as an opportunity to gain an insight into the venue ahead of the launch. Gary has been reminded through the pre-launch and construction phase of the importance of teamwork, without which the centre wouldn’t be on schedule for February’s big reveal.

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES Bigger than most hotels in the city and smaller than your traditional convention centre, it is the perfect size to become an extension of a brand.

As a company, you are able to take over the venue in its entirety and turn spaces into your vision. The venue options include: • four large halls; three can be combined for sizable events

#cccc

• a n open-plan foyer suitable for exhibitions, launches and cocktail parties •1 1 meeting rooms, accommodating from 10 to 60 boardroom style and up to 120 cinema style • a n 80-seater business lounge for buffet-style refreshments • Century City Square outdoor venue of 1 200 m2.

The centre can be customised to meet the needs of any event, through combining rooms and halls or using them individually.

CATERING Chef Abbas Abrahams, CCCC’s executive chef, takes pride in incorporating local ingredients and adding a South African flair to menus, while prioritising the accessibility of dishes for conservative or international guests.

Where possible, local ingredients are used and sourced within 160 km, to reduce the distance food travels, giving way to meals utilising fresh and seasonal ingredients. Abbas strives to source fish on the SASSI green list, as fishing for future generations and environmental sustainability are priorities for the team.

ACCOMMODATION The CCCC is adjacent to the new 125-room Century City Hotel. This enables guests to remain on-site or relax without requiring transport, making for an efficient and relaxing conference. It features a modern, bold interior, juxtaposing soft and industrial furnishings for a memorable stay. An á la carte restaurant, bar, deli, 24-hour reception, travel desk and high-speed fibre Internet highlight this hotel as a first-rate business destination.

consideration in the design and construction of the conference centre. This resulted in the CCCC and precinct achieving an innovative 4-star mixed-use rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa.

Locally sourced materials were used as much as possible in the construction of the conference centre, with the objective to benefit the local industries and reduce the carbon footprint of the project.

Practical green principles have been incorporated into the day-to-day planning of the conference centre and make up an important component of staff training. These include: •o n-site composting and waste separation • all still and sparkling water is filtered, bottled and carbonated on-site, minimising packaging, transportation and waste • air conditioners equipped with sensors for efficient energy consumption • paper is reused and paper with a recycled component is used for office usage • dual-flush toilets are used throughout the hotel and conference centre • towels are only washed when requested by guests • posters are visible throughout the centre to remind guests and staff to save water and turn off all taps to prevent wastage • plastic containers used for suppliers are returned for refilling instead of buying new.

In addition to the Century City Hotel, there are approximately 500 hotel rooms in walking distance.

PROUDLY GREEN Sustainability lies at the core for the development of the CCCC and has translated across all aspects of the venue. Numerous green architectural aspects were taken into

Venues and capacities Room name

Schoolroom

U-shape

Cinema

Banquet

Boardroom

Exhib 3X3

270

138

360

200

-

15

Hall B

270

138

360

200

-

15

Hall C

270

138

360

200

-

15

Hall A & B combined

440

228

720

400

-

30

Hall B & C combined

440

228

720

400

-

30

Hall A

Hall A,B,C combined

820

390

1 160

700

-

50

Hall D orientation 1

330

216

488

270

-

19

Hall D orientation 2

336

120

420

270

-

19

-

-

-

300

-

15

Foyer Meeting Room 1

-

-

-

-

10

-

Meeting Room 2

24

15

35

35

18

1

Meeting Room 3

-

-

12

-

12

-

Meeting Room 4

18

12

32

32

18

1

Meeting Room 5

-

-

-

-

12

-

Meeting Room 6

-

-

-

-

12

-

Meeting Room 7

36

24

60

40

30

1

Meeting Room 8

36

24

60

40

30

3

Meeting Room 9

36

24

60

40

30

3

Meeting Room 8 & 9

72

48

115

70

60

3

Meeting Room 10

36

24

60

40

30

1

Meeting Room 11

81

42

120

70

54

3

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

7

cover story

Gary Koetser Joint CEO Gary has held various management positions throughout his career. Most recently he was the regional general manager for Protea Hotels and African Pride Hotels in the Western Cape. His current appointment commenced a full year prior to the opening which allowed him the opportunity to apply his 17 years of hospitality experience when engaging with the respective professional teams in ensuring that all aspects of the building and design satisfy the operational needs and key requirements of conference organisers and most importantly guests.

Glyn Taylor Joint CEO Glyn has 22 year's experience in the hospitality sector. Starting out as a qualified chef his career path saw him climbing through the ranks of the Three Cities Group. Career highlights at Three Cities includes being the general manager overseeing the opening of Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa as well as Group Operations Director. Glyn holds a CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator) through the American Hotel and Lodging Institute.

For the past two years, he has been offering technical assistance to the CCCC development (architectural, technical and financial modelling).

5 1 2 3 4

5

reasons TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT THE CENTURY CITY CONFERENCE CENTRE

NEW DYNAMIC VENUE Century City Conference Centre is the latest venue in Cape Town. Bookings for 2016 are filling up; give delegates a fresh original experience at CCCC. LOCATION Guests will easily be able to access the CCCC when arriving from the airport or across Cape Town, as Century City is a centrally located point.

WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS Designed for maximum flexibility, the CCCC can as effortlessly accommodate large-scale events as well as small, intimate strategy sessions.

RANGE OF ACTIVITIES IN AREA A total number of 540 hotel rooms are available within walking distance of the CCCC, including the new 125-room Century City Hotel. The hotel and restaurants overflow on to the large Century City Square, for a European-styled outdoor experience. The CCCC & Century City Hotel have easy wheelchair access, having been designed for maximum accessibility.

WELL-TRAINED, EXPERIENCED STAFF AND FAST, FIBRE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY The CCCC prides itself on providing personalised, hands-on assistance for all events, regardless of size. An on-site business centre offers photocopying, faxing, printing, scanning, office supplies, packing and shipping for all delegates, to assist with a smooth event. Cell phone charging stations are provided at various points and high-speed, fibre Internet throughout the centre.

+27 (0)21 204 8000 events@ccconferencecentre.co.za www.ccconferencecentre.co.za

8 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

Walda Meyer General Manager, Century City Hotel Walda has been focused on the hotel design, offering and providing technical assistance for the past two years in the build-up to the launch of the Century City Hotel. Having 13 years of hospitality experience across various positions and property portfolios, together with her knowledge of the greater Century City precinct, she is ideally suited to her role of hotel general manager.

Kim Weber Business Optimisation Manager Kim has a background in revenue management and 15 years of experience in the hotel industry, including as revenue manager at the African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa. She is relishing the new challenge of her position at the Century City Conference Centre and Hotel.

Kayla Raa PA to Gary and Glyn Kayla’s warm, friendly and efficient approach creates a professionalism that filters through the team. She is a multitasking specialist, ready to accommodate any request, and, combined with her solid experience in hotel marketing, makes sure the team does not skip a beat.

Zandri Swartz Sales Ambassador Zandri has an infectious enthusiasm for both the industry in which she has almost 15 years of experience and a strong commitment to her clients. She had previously occupied a senior sales position for Protea Hospitality. Coupled with her extensive sales experience and determination, she is set to ensure that all events at the CCCC are a success.

Regan Randelhoff CA (SA) Financial Manager Regan is a qualified a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, following the completion of his articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Tammy Sirilli Sales Ambassador Tammy has a background in hospitality, operations, wholesale and retail sales. Her innate passion for exceeding customer expectations and excellent people skills have resulted in her advancing to her new role at Century City Conference Centre and Hotel.

Abbas Abrahams Executive Chef Chef Abbas has a unique approach as a chef to embrace the kaleidoscope of flavours that comprise our own culinary segment of South African cuisine, which has been refined through his 30 years of experience, including heading up the African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa. Expect menu options that celebrate our heritage and the essence of local cuisine, with dishes that would suit an international palette.

Meetings’ must-know minutia AFRICA’S STAR

ON TREND Food stations are the most chic and contemporary take on modern catering today.

Whether for a wedding, corporate event, birthday or anniversary party, food stations allow your guests to get up, interact and mingle, and allow hosts to plan whimsical and memorable food experiences that break away from the traditional sit-down service. And, with the multitude of dietary restrictions that any guest list now encompasses, from gluten-free, sugarfree, low-fat, low-salt, vegetarian and a dizzying assortment of allergies, you can still be certain that even your most finicky guests will find something to their taste and dietary preferences.

Have chefs at each station that can advise your guests on combining flavours. For food station ideas and bookings: barmotion.co.za

Sun International’s legendary Sun City is in the throes of an R800 million refurbishment to revitalise its iconic appeal and ensure that it retains its rightful place as one of the most exciting MICE destinations in the world. Each of the resort’s four hotels, as well as the entertainment zones and food and beverage offerings will be revamped.

Soon to come is Sun Park, a multipurpose facility for hosting lifestyle events, music festivals, product launches and other experiences. During the upgrades, Sun City will see the ambitious reinvention of the Entertainment Centre as an encompassing Experiential Centre. This will be home to arcade games, laser tag, tenpin bowling and other fun-filled activities for visitors of all ages. The Experiential Centre will also house a South African Hall of Fame honouring the country’s sportspeople and performing artists, as well as an optimised convention centre on the upper level.

During the upgrade of the Entertainment Centre, conferences will be accommodated at the Sun Sky Village, a temporary, but fully equipped, facility near Sun City’s front entrance car park. The redevelopment of Sun City will reach full fruition by the end of 2016. suninternational.com

Meetings’ top pick of food stations: sushi, miniburgers and ice cream bars.

RECOGNISED IN STYLE Recognition is the one thing we crave and strive for. We want to be acknowledged for our achievements. There are various forms of recognition, but the most cherished are those that we can look back on with fondness. A trophy, medal, or plaque has lasting value and the right amount of prestige to make it worth displaying for others to see, so they may join in on the celebration of our achievements. But, what makes recognition of this kind the most appreciated? Is it the material it is made of, the size, the design, or the physical visualisation of the award? Actually, it is a combination of all these, and much more.

The Khoja Group, based in Pretoria, is a designer and manufacturer of all types of trophies, although, to call some of the company's designs mere trophies seems to be a misnomer.

From elegant works of art to medallions, the scope of the Khoja Group's product portfolio leaves clients spoilt for choice. Khoja provides trophy design, manufacture and import services, as well as custom-made and stock trophies, medals, coins and plaques. In addition to this, it can also do state-of-the-art computerised engraving, as well as certificate design and framing. Every conceivable element can be used to create these valued memorabilia, which have been presented to individuals and institutions, from students to heads of state and corporations. +27 (0)12 327 5885 | info@khojagroup.net khojagroup.net

FAST FACTS The top 5 countries that were represented at various events held in SA in 2015 were: Note: 1 650 delegates attending 15 conferences were surveyed during 2014 to March 2015. Limitations to research: small sample, not weighted due to finalisation of weighting method, first year in field, therefore teething problems experienced. Source: SANCB

13% United Kingdom

11% USA

10% Zimbabwe

10% Germany

7% Swaziland

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

9

No. 65 Von Weilligh St / Cnr Charlotte Maxeke Pretoria West, South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 12 327 5885 info@khojagroup.net

Cell: +27 (0) 72 392 5126 www.khojagroup.net

Lauching end January 2016

Introducing the MICE Planner online platform: miceplanner.net

IT’S NOW EASIER THAN EVER FOR BUSY EVENT ORGANISERS TO PLAN THEIR EVENTS. The new MICE Planner on miceplanner.net will allow you to do all this and more: CREATE AN EVENT By pinning all relevant information to your own personalised pinboard, you’ll be able to see your whole event at a glance. You can also add and remove elements as your final choices take shape.

GET INSPIRED Collect inspiration and information on venues and service providers, and pin these to your board.

TRACK PROGRESS Never miss a deadline as you will have access to timelines and to-do lists.

GET QUOTES Request quotes then upload these and any other relevant information to your board.

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS Get access to valuable information from the MICE Hub, including: how-to guides; event planning tools; case studies; webinars; infographics; er t and e-books. s i l eg ful r e u e KEEP UP TO DATE Stay in touch with yo tak hes t e t o r n t f our daily newsletters u s rly e o eve ls. e a k o g y • Monday: industry round-up e ta a to dl M an frien ing • Tuesday: venue news t v n ne ad ser- lan . r • Wednesday: service and u p ne n o t supplier news a pl ple ar’s e o • Thursday: daily specials c i pe ye to m 0 n a • Friday: incentive o 5 t st get iptio ine. o r fi G ideas and tips. ill cr az e Th p w ubs ag s sm nu e sig fre ting ee M The Planner @miceplanner @miceplanner

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F OC U S O N

is more than a nice-to-have Raising issues of sustainability at your next eventplanning meeting may induce a few stifled yawns in the boardroom, but those who snooze through this component could be wasting valuable company time and money, writes Guy Bigwood.

12 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

S

ustainability, in all its dimensions – economic, environmental, and social – is a continuing concern for meeting professionals and an increasingly central issue for clients and meeting participants who ultimately determine the industry’s success.

The meetings and events industry can be a powerful accelerator of sustainable development and hosting sustainable events can drive economic growth and advance social and environmental development in cities.

of who we are and it’s an important ingredient in attracting and retaining the right talent and helping meeting and event organisers to realise their goals and objectives.

A significant change has happened over the last few years at MCI. We had been operating ‘below the line’ in the events arena, but progressively began to play a more strategic role in determining how companies, institutions and associations engaged with and activated their audiences around sustainability.

LOOKING ABROAD

BENEFITS FOR THE INDUSTRY

Internationally, the demand for sustainable meetings and events is becoming standard practice and the South African meetings industry needs to make it the foundation of its business practices rather than an add-on, if it wants to capitalise on this lucrative market.

At MCI, we always viewed sustainability as a need to do the right thing. It has always been a strategic imperative for us since inception and is one of the reasons why MCI is the thought leader in this space. Sustainability is at the core

One of the things the work of MCI has demonstrated is that doing this is right for your talent. If you want to attract and retain the brightest and the best talent, you’ve got to have a sustainability programme. We have seen how entrenching a sustainability mindset has resulted in staff feeling like they are part of something with a mission; 99% of our staff expect MCI to care about the social and environmental impact of our operations.

Our job is to help our clients achieve their

#greenevents ACHIEVING RESULTS

business objectives. So, we have to integrate a sustainable type of thinking in a way that helps them achieve those objectives, and goes beyond what they have set as their target. If we have sustainable food, it needs to be packaged in a way that tells a story and that motivates a delegate to feel better and happier. Then, they’re more likely to be in a space where they actively participate and engage, and derive value from the meeting or event.

We have to become more scientific in the way in which we approach sustainability and come up with innovative ways and actions that increase business performance (such as food nutrition). We also need to look at designing menus around food that accelerates delegates’ brain activity rather than making them fall asleep.

Brands are demanding venues that are responsible and do the right thing, and event organisers that ‘do’ good business. I think it’s fair to say, in general, that the South African meetings industry has created award-winning work but, on the other hand, we’ve never had an organisation like MCI come into the country to take it to that next level.

I have seen very few countries around the world that really bring this fantastic sustainability commitment to their events. Most events are purely aesthetics. There are only a select few that are truly sustainable.

Meeting and event planners need to step up and we need to ensure they do. We need to help them host truly sustainable events simply, easily and affordably.

Based on the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit, our vision is to build a sustainable business with a culture of care and responsibility and to play our role in creating a sustainable planet, fair society and growing economy.

About 10 years ago, we saw a business opportunity for sustainability initiatives to go mainstream and for us to develop that. One of my roles at MCI is spearheading a team that consults within the meetings and events industry to help corporates, governments and cities to create sustainability strategies. Our dedicated sustainability teams have worked hard to continuously integrate social and environmental considerations into day-to-day operational practices, policies and company projects. Tailoring our full range of solutions to each client’s unique sustainability challenges in the context of their industry, maturity and brand values, we help clients to turn their sustainability commitments into action and create immense value for their customers, employees, stakeholders and the communities in which they operate.

When I wrote our sustainability report for last year, our strategy was called, ‘Where the future begins’. Now, it has evolved to ‘Join the dots’. We’ve really ramped up our efforts, and whether we’re working with the clients who want to extend business into Africa or for the Green Building Council of SA, our ability, now, is to help create relationships between our clients. We look for opportunities to help them not just with our skills and resources but our contacts, our relationships, our influence, and our matchmaking skills. That’s where I think we join the dots.

PASSIONATE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY Every company has to ask itself why are we here and why do we exist? We are in an interesting position at MCI. The answer can be very powerful for us, as we really have the

Brands are demanding venues that are responsible and do the right thing, and event organisers that ‘do’ good business

5

TRENDS for more sustainable events

1 H ONESTY There will be an increasing

global demand for transparency, with more legislation put in place and an increase in public and client demand for anti-corruption and ethics programmes relating to the meetings industry.

2 LOCAL FARE There will be growing

demand for locally produced, organic, fair-trade and sustainable options in catering. Research shows that sustainable menus improve overall delegate satisfaction.

3 HYBRID MEETINGS By 2020, hybrid

meetings will be the norm, reducing carbon emissions from travel and opening up meetings to wider audiences. Many smaller events will be entirely organised using a mix of collaborative technology platforms such as Uber, AirBnB, TaskRabbit and hotelwalla.

4 DECISION-MAKERS Sustainability will

be a key factor in every purchasing decision and procurement teams will play an increasingly important role in driving and managing sustainable supply chains.

5 STRONG MARKETS Sustainable

destinations will dominate the PCO market. Leading convention bureaus will bring together key stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the sustainable development of their home city. Governments will increasingly look to the events sector as a powerful catalyst of not just economic but also social and environmental change.

potential to accelerate change on this planet. It’s been such an interesting journey: whether its cutting MCI’s carbon emissions by 20%, raising over $1.5 million to support over 200 community projects or organising over 800 projects about sustainability – it’s all these different facets and the move from 'the right thing to do’ to ‘the value-added thing to do’. MCI’s direct and indirect economic impacts each exceed $1 billion across the world.

We have a great opportunity to support the development of Africa by helping to organise truly sustainable events and by creating and bringing events about sustainability to the continent. If we do our job well, we will accelerate economic growth, reduce environmental impacts and advance social growth across the continent. guy bigwood is the group sustainability director of MCI, the Swiss-based leading events management company and global advisor in the strategic engagement and activation of target audiences.

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

13

F OC U S O N

Easy as ABC The 2014 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was declared the first ever carbon-neutral South African sporting event.

A

ll events including conferences,

festivals and sporting competitions, are sources of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change through the use of electricity, transport, air travel and paper.

However, many event organisers are recognising that events do not have to have a huge climate impact and can, in fact, play a positive role by becoming carbon neutral.

“The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon endeavours to benchmark itself against leading international city marathons and to be seen as a leader in sustainability initiatives. The three core focus areas of the event are to show concern for sustainability, to minimise environmental impact and to maximise engagement of all key stakeholders,” says Francois Adriaan, Sanlam’s head Group Corporate Affairs.

By staging a carbon-neutral event, the organisers of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon took responsibility for the event’s emissions and used their profile to play a leading role in climatechange action.

Carbon offsetting is a mechanism that allows individuals and businesses to take responsibility

14 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

for those emissions that they are not yet able to reduce, by purchasing carbon offsets (also known as carbon credits) from projects that reduce or absorb carbon elsewhere. Offsetting is a small, but necessary, part of the solution to climate change and has become an established mechanism internationally, and increasingly in South Africa.

“Some see carbon offsetting as philanthropy, where money is donated to help the environment. We see it as waste management, where you pay someone to carry out the service of dealing with your carbon waste, under the strict monitoring criteria of international carbon standards and protocols,” says Franz Rentel of Climate Neutral Group, which provided the offsetting service for the marathon.

GETTING STARTED So how exactly did the marathon organisers make the event carbon-neutral? The first step was to obtain the commitment and full cooperation of headline sponsor Sanlam in the planning phase of the event. This enabled the allocation of sufficient funds, time and

numbers of people to ensure the success of the initiative.

MEASURE The next step was to define the carbon footprint of the event by identifying all sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Major emissions sources included participants travelling to Cape Town by air and road, and the manufacture of goods and services. Smaller emissions included energy consumption at the expo, catering, paper use and food waste. Performing these emission calculations is a complex process and Sanlam brought on board carbon and sustainability consultancy Promethium Carbon to perform this role.

REDUCE Once all emissions associated with the event were identified, strategies for reducing them

From left Sanlam is the proud headline sponsor of the Cape Town Marathon; Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 10 km winners; Sanlam introduced an app that enabled participants to offset their emissions linked to travel to and from the event, in less than two minutes; the Wonderbag was chosen as one of three projects by Sanlam to offset the marathon's carbon footprint

OFFSET

were devised. This is the most important step in staging a carbon-neutral event. As such, Sanlam aims to continue to mitigate the carbon footprint resulting from events such as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, in line with the company’s overall sustainability strategy and targets, which include reducing the carbon footprint by 15% at the end of last year based on 2010 emissions.

In general, an event’s scale and nature will influence how to best reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The marathon's organisers aimed to minimise the environmental impact in the planning process by implementing a number of carbon-reduction activities such as ‘chuck zones’, which encouraged runners to dispose of their used water sachets in designated areas and bins rather than dropping them on the road or pavement. Aspects that could not be reduced were offset.

When making use of offsets to neutralise the carbon footprint of an event or activity, it is essential to choose high-quality, certified offsets to ensure emission reductions have actually occurred. There are more than 20 carbon standards on the voluntary carbon market today, but only a few have emerged as widely respected. These include the Gold Standard, Verified Carbon Standard, and Clean Development mechanism. Each of these three standards is endorsed by the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA).

By offsetting with carbon credits from these standards, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon could be certified as carbon-neutral.

“South African events have the unique opportunity to offset with projects right here in South Africa, thereby promoting local sustainable development. Projects with a strong community emphasis have many positive social benefits.

Sanlam understands that environmental issues are intertwined with socio-economic concerns, which is why the group chose to offset via three diverse South African projects: the Wonderbag, Basa Magogo, and Jo’burg Waste to Energy projects,” says Franz.

COMMUNICATE Holding a carbon-neutral event helped the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon raise awareness of climate change issues and the actions that can be taken to reduce and offset carbon emissions.

The official marathon website, event programme, subsequent media releases, signage, and opening and post-event publications all

helped deliver the message. The organisers also set up an on-site sustainability booth, manned by World Wide Fund for Nature SA, Climate Neutral Group and GreenPop, to provide information about the event’s greening initiatives, and allow participants to offset their travel emissions quickly via the offset app.

Francois says that, even though, as a financial services organisation, Sanlam’s core business activities have a low impact on the environment, the group recognises that some of its activities, such as events, have a larger carbon footprint.

“As a responsible corporate citizen that cares about the environment, and is concerned about the sustainability of our business and that of the communities in which we do business, we aim for every Sanlam event to be carbon-neutral.”

The 2015 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is the second Sanlam-sponsored event to be declared carbon-neutral. Sanlam has also purchased carbon credits to offset gas emissions from its annual Benchmark Symposium since 2013.

“We believe that an event such as this will have a real and positive influence by enabling people to live their best possible lives in a world worth living in. We also believe in doing the right thing. This is why Sanlam has taken the lead in contributing to the creation of a low-carbon economy in South Africa and has exposed itself to scrutiny by participating in the Dow Jones Index and the Carbon Disclosure Index, among other initiatives. We would like to urge all event organisers throughout the country to measure, reduce and offset the carbon emissions of their events and help position South Africa as a leading green events destination,” Francois concludes.

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

15

F OC U s o n

Impressive venues Gauteng CedarWoods of Sandton is on a mission to lower its carbon footprint. This is being achieved not only through waste reduction and using water from its borehole, but also by using local produce wherever possible. The hotel has its herb and vegetable garden from which many of the hotel’s mouth-watering dishes contains at least one ingredient. Since the recycling project began, CedarWoods has managed to decrease the average number of bins collected by refuse removal from 630 to only 101 bins per month. This is done by recycling glass, paper, aluminium and plastic. CedarWoods saves money from not having to buy compost, as it uses organic vegetable waste for its own compost to feed its lush gardens. Last year, the hotel saved approximately R10 000 per month due to becoming more sustainable. These savings will be put towards further improvement to decrease its carbon footprint. LED lighting is being installed throughout its conference centre and hotel and solar panel installation is on the cards this year. Conference rooms can accommodate up to 700 guest cinema style. To read more about CedarWoods of Sandton, turn to p.49 +27 (0)11 804 3777 l info@cedarwoods.co.za l cedarwoods.co.za

kwazulu-natal The Oyster Box may not look very environmentally friendly but, in fact, a lot of effort went into ensuring the hotel was as green as possible when it was rebuilt. The hotel makes use of sustainable water and electricity techniques while a number of smaller practices are performed at the hotel, including recycling and the planting of indigenous vegetation. Stateof-the-art performance glazing has been used in windows and doors to assist in maintaining constant interior temperatures and reducing noise. The hotel can accommodate up to 200 guests cinema style. +27 (0)31 514 5000 reservations@oysterbox.co.za oysterboxhotel.com

16 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

western cape Located in the luxury lifestyle precinct of Century City, African Pride Crystal Towers & Spa boasts numerous greening initiatives such as using recycled paper for conferencing pads, replacing whiteboards with glass and ensuring that all venues have dual flush toilets. The hotel also serves filtered water in refillable glass bottles and serves only fair-trade coffee to delegates. Banqueting menus reflect seasonal produce. The hotel also offers clients the option of adding a donation per delegate to their conference package, to be donated to the Endangered Wildlife Trust. +27 (0)21 525 3888 conferencing@crystaltowershotel.com africanpridehotels.com/crystaltowers

10

QUESTIONS TO ASK ASK BEFORE BOOKING ACCOMMODATION

1

DO YOU HAVE a recycling

2

DO YOU HAVE low-flow showers

3

DO YOU HAVE water-efficient

4

DO YOU HAVE energy-efficient

5

DO YOU PROVIDE toiletries in bulk

6

DO YOU PROVIDE a paperless

7

DO YOU IMPLEMENT a towel-reuse

8

DO YOU USE water-wise plants in

9

DO YOU PROMOTE the use of

programme for major waste such as glass, tins, plastic, paper and organic waste? and aerators on taps for guest rooms? toilets throughout the hotel? lighting?

refillable dispensers? If individual bathroom products are provided, ensure that they are not replaced before they are empty and the containers can be reused. check-in, check-out and billing process?

policy for guests and is this clearly indicated in all of the rooms? your garden?

‘green’ taxi operators?

10 ARE YOU WITHIN walking distance from the conference centre?

10

ways TO ENSURE GREEN CATERING

1

BE SEASONAL Ensure that all your

2

GO FREE RANGE Avoid red meat, if

3

GO LOCAL Always give preference

4

GO REUSABLE If possible, use

5

GO ECO-FRIENDLY Ensure that all

6

NO SACHETS Offer condiments and

7

ALWAYS RECYCLE Where

8

FOOD DISPOSAL Ensure that food

9

USE GLASS Provide water in jugs or

catering requests include seasonal ingredients. possible, but, if provided, request that it be free-range. All seafood must be on the SASSI green list. to local food and beverages. reusable cutlery, crockery and napkins. packaging is eco-friendly.

sugars in large dispensers.

disposable items cannot be avoided, ensure that these are sent for recycling.

waste does not go to landfill, but is suitably composted. consider the use of on-site filtering and bottling for your water.

10 EDUCATE DELEGATES Provide

information about the greening initiatives that you have implemented with your food and beverage offerings so that they can do the same at home.

The above questionnaires and checklists were developed by the Event Greening Forum. eventgreening.co.za

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big interview

Ahead of the A trend-spotter and experienced businessman, Mark Jakins embodies a passion for the hospitality industry.

A

s group marketing and regional

operations executive of Peermont, the renowned gaming and hospitality group, Mark Jakins is an industry leader and integral member of the original start-up executive team involved in growing the business, which is worth over R9 billion today.

NOTEWORTHY CAREER Mark has had an exciting career over the past 25 years, bursting with experience and augmented by relevant marketing and business qualifications. He started his career at the world famous Unilever school of business where his passion for marketing began. His journey included a successful five-year spell at the SABC, where he was CE: Commercial Enterprises, leading the brand strategy across 23 radio and television channels. This tenure resulted in a financial turnaround through airtime sales, sponsorships, audience services and TV licence uptake. Thereafter, he rejoined the Peermont group, initially as chief commercial and marketing officer before advancing to his current role.

Separate to this, he has served on the Vega Brand Communication School’s National Advisory Council, reflecting his passion for marketing communications.

Opportunities to learn from colleagues and others in the industry have presented themselves throughout his career. “Two mentors that have touched my life are Peter Matlare and Martin Shaw,” explains Mark. Through former SABC and Tiger Brands CEO Peter Matlare, Mark learned to balance commercial success with

18 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

the sensitivities of a changing South Africa.

Martin Shaw, former CEO and senior partner for Deloitte, and coincidently his father-in-law, demonstrated to Mark how to balance the demands of work and family.

His role models are tennis ace Jimmy Connors who taught him never to give up, Nelson Mandela whose incredibly difficult life shows that compassion and forgiveness can lead to great achievements and Sir Richard Branson who is the epitome of building one’s personal brand whilst building a highly successful business on the pillars of innovation and anti-establishment (the people’s hero).

VALUE FOR MONEY The Peermont group offers a strong and diverse value proposition for conferences and events.

This is achieved through the 13 properties that have unique characteristics, located in South Africa, Botswana and Malawi. The group’s portfolio includes numerous resorts, from the leading Emperors Palace, conveniently located adjacent to O.R. Tambo International Airport, to the International Conference Centre at The Grand Palm in Gaborone and the large Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Mark is proud of Peermont’s value proposition, which he says “prioritises value for money – offering more for less, knowledgeable and passionate staff that automatically go the extra mile; flexibility and variety in quoting, proactive planning and strong sales support to clients; better-than-market technology solutions; generous commissions and incentives; exceptional accommodation standards, quality food and beverage offerings. Peermont therefore offers the true 360 degree conference experience, including outstanding accommodation, interesting leisure activities, destination restaurants and entertainment for conference guests far exceeding the offerings of normal city hotels.”

THE PALACE OF DREAMS Emperors Palace is the group’s flagship conference destination in South Africa. The Palace of Dreams is able to justify this through its outstanding location next to O.R. Tambo International Airport, its siting on the highway and on the Gautrain bus route, for ease of navigation for local and travelling clients.

An established track record and history of successful, theatrical events is a key differentiator for the venue, with these factors enhanced by the outstanding setting and a multitude of meeting rooms at solid valuefor-money rates, enhanced by exceptional entertainment offerings.

#realsuccess in 2016 which will produce approximately 1000 kWp solar power. This will be one of the largest rooftop installations in South Africa and will result in a reduction in the daytime consumption of electricity by 20% to 30%.”.

Peermont’s contribution to water conservation is significant with numerous practices in place.

“Our conservation programme includes the use of water flow inhibitors on taps and shower heads, waterless urinal systems, the use of water dispensers, rather than bottled water, and the use of grey water for plants and boreholes,” adds Mark.

A CAREER IN THE INDUSTRY Mark‘s advice for those wanting to pursue a career in the MICE industry is to “put roots down in a reputable establishment to learn from the best.”

“Model your career aspirations after people you admire and trust, avoid naysayers at all costs and go over and above what is expected of you at every occasion.” He encourages gaining a formal business degree or diploma which would automatically be recognised by the MICE industry while an hotel or food and beverage management school diploma is also appropriate.

LOOKING AHEAD

WALKING THE GREEN PATH Sustainability programmes have already been implemented across the group for the last few years. These prioritise waste reduction, water conservation, reducing energy consumption.

A photovoltaic solar solution at the Graceland resort has reduced gas consumption by 40%. Other energy reduction tactics include the installation of heat pumps to reduce water heating costs by 70% and low wattage globes, which, together with other tactics, have improved lighting efficiency by more than 22%. “We are also proud to announce that we will commence building a rooftop solar installation at Emperors Palace

Peermont will be implementing innovative offerings in 2016, in accordance with what has been observed internationally. Mark explains that Peermont will be focusing on the following: • f urther enhancements in technology, including more AV and broadband improvements •m enu modernisation for banquets and special events • v alue-added packaging of room stays, entertainment and banquet experiences • i mproved, personalised communication to decision-makers, including the optimisation of social media platforms • c reating bespoke events, which casino resorts can do easily because of their flair and a sense of occasion.

Group Sales +27 (0) 11 928 1903 peermont.com

6

TRENDS FOR 2016

Mark has an interest in trends and developments in the MICE industry and recognises the importance of staying abreast of these to ensure Peermont pioneers new processes across its properties. He travels internationally to resorts and conference hotels often as an event delegate to gain first-hand insights.

“We provide feedback to our operations teams on any emerging trends and provide customer feedback as a standard – to keep our delivery top-notch,” adds Mark.

1 FLEXIBILITY Shorter lead times for

venue bookings result in a need for increased flexibility.

2 HEALTHY BANQUET MENUS Clients

and those attending conferences are becoming more aware of the source of their food and asking questions we should be able to answer. Catering for different cultural groups is also a growing development

3 INNOVATION Clients are looking for

variety in meeting spaces, often with requests for natural sunlight, seating variety and different settings.

4 SUSTAINABILITY Conferencing with a cause is becoming bigger, with many preferring eco-friendly venues and an awareness of waste materials, energy consumption and the like.

5 TECHNOLOGY Clients are looking

for better and cheaper technology innovations to jazz up their events, and expect venues to provide more added value in this regard. Social media links, access to apps, high-speed Internet access, broadcasts and extreme efficiency are some of these value-adds needed to better service clients.

And a bonus thought he believes strongly in...

6

HOTEL BRANDS Reputable accommodation brands are adding more value to conferencing venues – be they lodges or hotels.

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

19

best practice

2016 and For Rashid Toefy, predicting trends in any industry becomes increasingly hard as we hurtle further into the 21st century. Technology and innovation change the status quo on a daily basis.

I

n the world of events, we will certainly

see a proliferation of technological innovations and adaptations that will blow our minds. Get ready for the digital age of conferences and events, as the Generation Ys would like to experience it.

GAME ON Everything from 3D mapping projection and gesture technology to various alternative meeting architecture configurations, such as such as multi-image display software and gamification, will be part of most events in the years to come. So, you either get your game on, or you won’t be playing at all.

But, amid all this high-speed and high-tech innovation, I also predict a return to some good old-fashioned, quiet face-to-face time. Perhaps, something like the ‘slow food movement’, but for meetings.

THINKING DIFFERENTLY Last year, a large international conference

20 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

in Copenhagen engaged attendees with a different creative approach.

In order to make the extensive academic programme of 2 000 abstracts more accessible, a silent session was designed, allowing speakers to present simultaneously from five stages in the same room, giving delegates instant access to over 200 speakers through their headsets, which transmitted the various presentations on five different channels.

The conference was a real success, helping to bridge academia and industry and ensure that products developed in the academic world are applicable to the industry.

STAYING IN THE MOMENT Another trend is delivering events in a mindful way. Mindfulness, part of most MBA curricula for the past 10 to 15 years, has emerged as both a subject matter at events and a technique to engage audiences at conferences.

Mindfulness is a positive mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on

the present moment. As well as a successful therapeutic technique for overcoming anxiety and depression, today, mindfulness is also being used as a core leadership development technique in business and at events.

For companies or brands looking for innovative ways to develop leadership qualities, it’s a great theme for leadership events.

So, while we embrace the digital age, exploring ways that mindful conversations and leadership can energise and inspire is trending right now.

Rashid Toefy is the managing director of MCI South Africa. He has previously served as the CEO of the CTICC. He has worked extensively in the travel and tourism industry, both in South Africa and abroad.

Take the online Q&A test and start gaining credits. miceplanner.net

best practice

The planning of events Helen Brewer explains why, for her, the essence of event planning is twofold: conceptual and logistical.

I

rrespective of the capacity or the type of event within the MICE industry, there are conceptual components as well as logistical requirements that need to be undertaken above, and before, all others.

These are the two basic, yet essential, components of the Professional Planner Standards (PPS) framework.

WHAT COMES FIRST? It is customary for the conceptual to be handled initially while design and marketing cover development aspects such as the statement of objectives, programme contents, environment, staging and production, marketing plan, promotion, public relations and sponsorships.

The logistical planning is inherently the tasks covered in the domains of administration and operations, which are financial and human resources.

The actual site selection including the physical aspects of staging and production are also involved in logistical planning.

KNOW WHAT YOU MUST DO In determining the predominantly administrative functions, the experienced and knowledgeable planner should be able to successfully complete the tasks outline by Domain 1 (see Table 1).

With Domain 4 (see Table 2) being all the operational elements, the planner once again will be required to concentrate on the sector and subsector for a complete understanding of the duties required to be discovered and/ or knowledge updated.

It is through this framework, as detailed in the Meetings November/December 2015 issue (p.22), that planners can formulate a path in which to grow and prosper with a powerful portfolio of evidence.

SETTING THE FOUNDATIONS Within the five domains of the PPS framework, the logistical planning requirements fall under the domains of administration and operations and the conceptual planning are part of the design and operations domains.

The fifth domain of risk is inherent in both conceptual and logistical planning. The domains have been developed within the National Qualifications Framework on which the MICE Academy’s CPD online programme is based. All successfully completed Q&A tests will be issued with a certificate that will clearly indicate the domain, sector and subsector it covered.

TABLE 1 Domain 1: Administration SSETA 99055 & 6 - ID 11021 - Field 003 1.1. Finance 1.1.1. Develop budget 1.1.2. Establish pricing (sponsors, exhibitors, attendees) 1.1.3. Monitor budget performance 1.1.4. Revise budget 1.1.5. Determine feasibility of meeting or event 1.1.6. Develop financial summary 1.1.7. Manage sponsorship and donor process 1.1.8. Manage grant funding process 1.1.9. Manage registration process 1.1.10. Manage exhibit sales process 1.1.11. Manage miscellaneous funding sources 1.2. Human Resources 1.2.1. Develop selection criteria 1.2.2. Recruit staff and volunteers 1.2.3. Select best candidates and offer positions 1.2.4. Provide orientation 1.2.5. Provide training 1.2.6. Supervise staff and volunteers 1.2.7. Manage teams 1.3. Information 1.3.1. Plan and administer information flow in accordance with administrative processes 1.3.2. Develop quality standards, policies and procedures 1.5. Stakeholders 1.5.1. Identify, assess and categorise stakeholders 1.5.2. Manage stakeholder activities 1.5.3. Manage stakeholder relationships 1.6. Systems 1.6.1. Establish cash-handling procedures 1.6.2. Monitor cash-handling procedures

can commence. Planners within all sectors and disciplines are most welcome to join the Event Industry Summit’s conversations at Breakfast Briefings to be held over a 12-month period.

THE WAY FORWARD In the coming months, the first minimum standards will be available for the PPS in order to ensure the first signatories thereof

To receive updates and ongoing information regarding these events, please register at miceacademy.biz

1.7. Time 1.7.1. Undertake timelines in keeping with set deadline dates TABLE 2 Domain 4: Operations SSETA 99055 & 6 – ID 120376 – Field 003 4.1. Attendees 4.1.1. Develop admittance credential systems 4.1.2. Select crowd management techniques 4.1.3. Coordinate accommodations 4.1.4. Coordinate transportation 4.2. Infrastructure 4.2.1. Observe and manage the overall operation from a practical aspect (as whether workable) 4.3. Logistics 4.3.1. Establish functional requirements 4.3.2. Select decor and furnishings 4.3.3. Coordinate meeting or event signage 4.3.4. Manage protocol requirements 4.4. Participants 4.4.1. Select and/or detail participants and manage process 4.5. Site 4.5.1. Determine site specifications 4.5.2. Identify and inspect sites 4.5.3. Design site layout 4.5.4. Create logistics action plan for site set-up and take-down 4.5.5. Set up site 4.5.6. Monitor site during meeting or event 4.5.7. Dismantle site 4.6. Technical 4.6.1. Acquire staging and technical equipment 4.6.2. Install staging and technical equipment 4.6.3. Oversee technical production operation

HELEN BREWER is a director of the MICE Academy. She has been involved in the MICE industry for over 35 years and has immense knowledge and experience to assist with best practice.

Take the online Q&A test and start gaining credits. miceplanner.net

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

21

best practice

Let there be light… and sound Following the huge leaps in high-tech communication of the past few years, audiovisual and lighting techniques have come into their own in the event space, writes Sue Marillier and Keystone Productions.

T

ech-savvy clients, many of them generations X and Y, demand new and exciting ways to convey brand messaging. Even if your logistics, timing, food and decor are top class, you’re not going to get away with spotlight-on-the-stringquartet monotony.

The first rule in conferencing and events, nowadays, is that they must be memorable.

More than that, there have to be goosebumps.

Apart from the nitty gritty in event planning, production must focus on how to transform the brief into a memorable event and how to tell the story of the brand with drama, passion and seduction.

Creative audiovisual, lighting and staging are fundamental to producing the unique experience that will set your event apart.

Keynote speakers, too, are under pressure to escape the mundane, with most client briefs stressing the avoidance, at all costs, of death

by PowerPoint. Here, too, it’s the creative event and production planners who can help speakers look good, and inspire audiences with dynamic presentations.

Sure, there are challenges, not least the budgets, in the current environment. South Africans are particularly adept at creative and

22 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

imaginative solutions during tough times. This is especially true in innovative event planning.

There are many creative ways to stretch the budget and yet produce an awesome event.

MANIPULATE THE MOOD Consider making use of inexpensive LED lights to change the colour and mood in the venue.

Colours evoke emotion and can play a powerful role in entrenching a message, so why use random colours in lighting? We can adhere to the client’s corporate colours when delegates enter the venue and through breaks, but changing colours during proceedings will add impact and emotion. For example, lighting for the opening address can change to red, a colour associated with energy, strength, power and determination.

Green signifies inspiration and harmony, so this would be a great colour to use when you have a speaker talking about human development or team building. Get involved with your AV supplier and make sure you’re making the best use of colours for the purpose.

LET THE COMPANY’S VOICE BE HEARD Impactful voice-overs can be as effective in the opening sequence as expensive video. Create

that moment, when the venue is pitch black, delay a few minutes for guests to settle down, almost to the limit of uncomfortable silence, and then galvanise them with a combination of sound, voice and lights that will set the tone for the conference. If you have the budget, consider surround sound, which is an experience in itself.

ONE PROJECTION SURFACE TOPS IT ALL To make an impression, steer away from dual screens. We suggest one continuous screen.

You may not have the budget for image blending but even if you use three projectors, with different content on the centre screen, you are already halfway there, with one huge improvement over two screens.

This, combined with our faithful gobos and a good lighting engineer, can make all the difference.

USE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT It is great to save the client money by utilising the in-house venue equipment but not if it means you’re going to lose a client after disappointing AV. Many venues have not kept up-to-date with technology advances. Before deciding on venue, enquire about the format of the screens and the size of the projectors.

As events planners, we must constantly evolve, keep abreast of the trends and know how to convey the stories that will keep our clients relevant and a step ahead of the rest.

People forget words and actions, but not how you made them feel. Events planners can and must be storytellers!

,

#eventtrends

The rate at which technology is changing is staggering.

Here are the top audiovisual trends for 2016.

INTERACTIVITY The combination of social and mobile technology offers a wide range of new and exciting attendee engagement opportunities. Delegates want to be involved.

Allow delegates to direct the conversation.

We’re moving away from “top-down” content to “bottom-up” content. Paper is taboo – save on paper; focus on event apps and online communication.

GAMIFICATION This online marketing technique is used to encourage engagement with a product or service. We will see a much bigger adoption rate in 2016. Gamification speaks to our competitive natures and creates fun at the same time.

3D SCREENS An exciting recent development was the purchase of a holographic screen by one of the most prominent production houses in South Africa. It’s the first of its kind in South Africa. The Musion screen is different to other gauze screens that have been around for many years. The holographic screen enables the audience to experience content in 3D. So, whether it’s a virtual fashion show, a speaker presentation, content, or a

conference opening, the Musion 3D holographic presentation will add that next-level wow factor to your event!

VIDEO MAPPING Projection mapping actually dates back to the late 1960s. Disneyland introduced the first public display of a 3D object in 1969. Granted, it did take some time to reach the events and conference industry, but it is here to stay. Selecting the 3D object is one thing, but what will set you apart in 2016 is your content, and the combination of dancers and entertainment interacting with the video mapping and object.

DIGITAL SETS Instead of spending your budget on static sets with standard screens, recommend to your clients seamless and continuous LED screens, powered by Watchout, to optimise everything – from visuals to sound and lighting.

3600 CONTENT RECORDING Recently introduced to the market, DeepVR takes content viewing to a whole different level. It allows for live-action content, filmed in 360 degrees, to be viewed in 2D and 3D. DeepVR

does this by using special equipment, like an Oculus Rift, which enables you to seemingly interact with a simulated world in a real or physical way. This technology is now so accessible that you can download an app for viewing 360-degree content on a mobile, albeit on a flat surface.

DON’T FORGET YOUR ROOTS Event planners are forever in search of the newest technology and latest gimmicks, but they must not lose their soul. Bring the exhiliration of performance art and theate back into corporate events in 2016. So, yes, have your led screen; yes, do your video mapping; but, merge these with singers, dancers and the like to create a theatre of the mind, body and soul.

Article written by Sue Marillier & Associates in proud partnership with Keystone Productions. An idea generator of note, Sue Mariller's can-do attitude and limitless thinking are the backbone of a career spanning over two decades.

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MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

23

best practice

Keep your event on brand Every aspect of an event, from planning through to the execution, must be a reflection of your client’s brand, writes Thami Motlhabane.

O

ne aspect of a successful brand is a powerful visual identity. It is the planner’s job to use visual cues to create an event that is an expression of their client’s brand and not a separate initiative.

Planners need to be aware of the vital role they hold; they become brand ambassadors.

They cannot simply make a venue look glamorous and provide mouth-watering culinary fare – every decision they make needs to be in line with a brand identity.

The following event guidelines will help you execute a successful client brand event.

KNOW THE BRAND ESSENCE Think what your client’s brand represents and theme the event around this. You will also need to find a venue that reflects the brand’s image. This often means that you are going to have to think out of the box so that you can present an original concept to your client.

Example: If your client’s core value is

24 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

sustainability, you would not host an event that has a high carbon footprint. For a high-end brand client, a three-star venue will not make the grade.

WORK WITH THE EXISTING VISUAL IDENTITY Your client’s brand holds a lot of reputational equity. As a result, let their look and feel guide all your decisions. Remember that people attending the event need to immediately recognise the organisation hosting the event. An event should never be seen as a separate entity.

Example: If your client’s colour is red and uses sophisticated fonts, do not use green (this could be a competitor’s colour) and cartoonish fonts. If your client’s existing marketing material includes photographs of people, the event should not have visuals of landscapes.

KEEP IT SIMPLE Events have many different aspects to them and, as a result, it can be very tempting to introduce loads of different visual elements, but you should not. Always focus on design and visuals that are easy to digest with information that’s easy to absorb. According to Carrie Tilmann, art director for Mission Minded, you should “aim for fresh, clean and unified designs, as this will allow you to connect audiences without asking them to work too hard. Make it as easy as possible for them to attend and participate in the event with direct, clear design that keeps your collateral focused.” By keeping your visual cues simple and straightforward, you create consistency

across all your communication collateral – from email notifications to the welcome banner at the event.

Example: There is no need to have different colours for different elements such as nametags and placecards.

REINFORCE YOUR MESSAGE It is important that, at every opportunity, you reinforce the brand – whether it is in the programme, decor or even the food and beverages. Every aspect of your event will shape delegates’ impressions of your client’s brand – so chose your branding messaging carefully. “With a unified presence across all your touch points, your audience will instantly register your event, what it is, and why they should attend. One visual motif, used consistently, eliminates opportunities for distraction, making it easier for your event to be a solid, strong presence, instead of a confusing conglomerate of mixed messages,” says Carrie.

Example: Print your client’s logo or visual motif on edible paper and stick it onto a macaroon of the same corporate colour.

Thami Motlhabane is an avid student and mother with a passion for eventing, communications and marketing. She is currently a masters student in the field of communications.

Take the online Q&A test and start gaining credits. miceplanner.net

Brand your stand

best practice

Sue Gannon knows the importance of bringing your brand to life through exhibitions.

A

t the heart of a great business is a

product or service, and every business wants to be its customer’s first choice.

Building and managing a brand can play a large part in making this happen. Exhibitions and trade shows give businesses the opportunity to bring their brand to life in real time through a good exhibition stand design. According to the ‘Changing Environment’ study by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, 99% of marketers said they find unique value in exhibitions that they do not get from other marketing mediums.

Exhibitions also give your business a chance to make that all-important first impression that will generate potential leads, make sales, build relationships or just get you noticed, and doing it well can mean the difference between gaining new business or being walked past in the aisle.

If you want to strengthen and manage the perceptions of your business, then a strong brand is needed. This is especially the case when you are sharing the same floor space as your competitors when exhibiting in front of hundreds, possibly thousands, of potential customers in one place, under one roof, over a three day show.

The ‘Changing Environment’ study also found that 83% of exhibitors agree that “Building and expanding brand awareness” is a highpriority marketing-related objective for all trade shows. The next two objectives tied at 63%: “New product promotions, launches” and “Brand awareness reinforcement.” It is, therefore, important to show what your brand stands for and to ensure that your presence is consistently reflecting your company’s aesthetics and values.

OBJECTIVES AT AN EXHIBITION Successful stands are born from detailed briefs that include what the client would like

Stand by everyoneassociates.com and

WHY EXHIBIT?

to achieve from their stand. This helps the designer make informed decisions when selecting furniture, lighting, materials and finishes on the stand experience to ensure that the design stays true to your objectives.

For example, the design approach of a stand promoting a new product would be different to that of a company reinforcing its brand awareness. The first would have graphics focused on the product and its launch while the second would display the company’s logo and information.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR BRAND Think of your stand as a shop front for your business; it’s an opportunity to reflect all of your brand values in a way that you can never do in your office or on a sales call to a client’s office. Your brand’s message can

be sophisticated but should also be brief and easily processed by the audience. Take advantage of the five senses and play with the lighting, tactile material, aroma, taste (with coffee or treats), and unique signage that will create a memorable brand experience for potential customers.

Having been involved in organising many well-known exhibitions, SUE GANNON joined EXSA as general manager and has raised the profile of the organisation.

For help with all of your exhibition design needs, visit the EXSA website exsa.co.za and use a talented EXSA member.

Take the online Q&A test and start gaining credits. miceplanner.net

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

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best practice

Beat the boredom Boring presentations are a waste of time. They don’t benefit the presenter or the audience.

For Danie Greyling, sitting in a boring presentation is like being trapped in an invisible prison.

T

o rid the world of bad presentations,

whether at conferences or meetings, and instead have a presentation that captivates the audience, you need to understand two things: 1. What your audience cares about 2. How to capture and keep their attention.

WHAT DOES YOUR AUDIENCE CARE ABOUT? When preparing a presentation, ask yourself: which core desires am I tapping into? Which core desires can I include in my

26 • MEETINGS l january/february 2016

presentation? To find more specific ideas relating to what your audience cares about, look at what your audience consumes online.

Which sites do they read? Where do they congregate online? Once you find a place where they congregate, take notice of topics that are popular. One easy way to do this is to use a tool like BuzzSumo, which shows you the most shared articles from any site.

Another option is simply to ask your audience what they care about. We’ve seen presenters poll the audience with great

success, letting them vote on which topic the presenter should discuss.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR AUDIENCE ISN’T ENOUGH Understanding your audience and what they care about is a critical component of any great presentation (or business).

But, just understanding your audience isn’t enough to create a memorable presentation.

Great presenters are like magicians – they know how to capture and control the attention of the audience.

Kristi Hedges, leadership coach, speaker and author, suggests the following five tips in her article ‘Five Easy Tricks to Make Your Presentation Interactive’: 1. ASK FOR INTERACTION It sounds too obvious – yet it works. Start your presentation by telling the audience you

#TECHNObYTES

want their questions and that you expect interaction.

Tell them when you’d like them to ask, and if you’ll have designated times for it. This will help to keep them paying attention and coming up with questions they want to ask you. If you’re speaking at a larger venue, like a conference, invite the audience to blog, tweet and otherwise share their thoughts about what they’re learning.

2. ASK A QUESTION AT THE BEGINNING TO GET PEOPLE TALKING When it comes to presentations, most of us are used to being talked to, rather than being asked to share our own thoughts. Opening with a question turns this idea on its head. You can ask the audience what they’d like to get out of the session or why they came. You can poll the group for their opinion about a topic by making use of interactive engagement technology like the live voting and discussion app Meetoo.

3. GET PEOPLE’S OPINION One evergreen rule of presenting is to know your audience. One way to do that is to ask them what they actually think. You can go so far as to point to a specific person and ask for their opinion (works best in a small group) or to query a portion of the room.

4. BUILD IN AUDIENCE DISCUSSION AND REPORTING Numerous studies have shown that being asked to participate in a presentation makes listeners more interested and engaged. At Lumi, we see this every day.

People enjoy the opportunity to talk with those sitting around them during a presentation – it brings variety and deepens the learning through discussion. Ask listeners to divide into small groups and discuss a concept for a few minutes, then share what they’ve talked about with the rest of the audience. Or, another option is to make this portion of your presentation a game, and ask the teams to brainstorm ideas about your presentation topics.

5. GET MOVING We don’t usually associate presentations with physical activity, and that’s why it’s engaging. Even simple movements, like a show of hands, can reinvigorate wandering minds. You can also take things a step further, having people stand or sit to show agreement, or, if you have a lot of time and a small enough audience, by dividing people into groups who share a commonality.

Finally, it can be effective to have people pick up and change seats. The action of going from one place to another breaks the monotony and further encourages connection among group members.

The above shows that you don’t need a big budget or flamboyant tricks to keep your audience engaged.

Danie Greyling is the managing director for Lumi Meetings & Events, South Africa.

He is passionate about maximising the effectiveness and ROI of events through the use of technology.

Take the online Q&A test and start gaining credits. miceplanner.net

MEETINGS l January/february 2016 •

27

DESTI N ATIO N • G a u t e n g

Gauteng, and more specifically Johannesburg, nicknamed the City of Gold, and with obvious reason, plays host to a few gems of its own, ranging from conference and events venues to accommodation, travel and more.

G

auteng is most centrally located in South Africa, and is within close travelling distance of both Cape Town and Durban by airplane. The introduction of the high-speed Gautrain in 2010 has increased the popularity of Johannesburg as not only a travel destination, but also as the conference and eventing hub of Southern Africa. Catch a 12-minute train ride from the O.R.Tambo International Airport to Sandton, and walk safely to the venue or hotel, no traffic and no fuss.

and old-worldly Balalaika Hotel, Sandton’s oldest hotel, which, although thoroughly refurbished, still conjures up images of days gone by with its rambling gardens and beautiful long hallways decorated with memorabilia from a time long gone.

Gauteng is also host to some unique venues. Maboneng Precinct is increasing in popularity and the large, open events spaces and truly African flavour make it an events and cultural destination not to be missed.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO FIVE-STAR VENUES Sandton, nicknamed Johannesburg’s richest square mile, plays home to some of the world’s most prestigious banks and financial institutions. The Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton City and a variety of top-end hotels are within walking distance of each other, making it an obvious choice for business events, especially those hosting international delegates travelling from other countries.

Do not forget to pay a visit to the graceful

28 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

Once the event is over, fear not – Gauteng also offers many tourist attractions and is a fantastic place to spend a few extra days discovering the Highveld, and all that it has to offer.

Why not try the renowned Lion Park and spend some time observing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat; you can also play with the lion cubs, a treat for visitors and locals alike. A few hours’ drive outside of Johannesburg, a host of other beautiful

A selection of popular Italian and South African wines serves to complement the varied menu on offer at Luce restaurant, located at Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton. For more about this hotel turn to page 54

attractions await. Spend some time zip-lining amongst the tree tops in Magaliesburg, or venture further afield to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve and, of course, a day at Sun City is something not to be missed.

Whether you come for two days or two weeks, you are guaranteed to fall in love with this golden city.

#discovergauteng

ONE GROUP ONE SPIRIT ONE SOLUTION

EXHIBITIONS

“Design, manufacture, build” Shell scheme infrastructure Bespoke stands Modular stands Furniture hire Electrical hire Event branding On-line organiser and exhibitor services

INSTORE “Design, manufacture, install”

5

gauteng team-building activities

1 CHOCOLATIERING With Laser Adventures’ unique team-building

activity, you can express yourself with chocolate. Team members will create a special pledge that has to be decorated and decoded by the opposition. They will also get to try their hand at chocolate painting or making designer chocolate slabs containing crunchies, biscuits, cashew nuts and other goodies. laseradventures.co.za

2 COOKING Are you tired of climbing up walls, rafting down rapids

and fearing for your life in order to build team spirit? Why not turn this trend around and focus on your team’s inner strengths, with sustenance from food? At Taste-Buds Cook Club, the cooking sessions are designed to promote unity among teams. Preparing a meal together works wonders to boost team spirit and foster productivity.

Your team will later enjoy the meal they have prepared in a relaxed environment. taste-buds.co.za

3 DRUMMING For hundreds of years, drumming has proven to be the

most effective team-building activity in all cultures. It transcends all boundaries: personal, organisational or cultural. Drum Cafe teaches staff to increase productivity and efficiency through better team work and interactive team building. drumcafe.com

4 CANOPY TOURING Ideal for corporate team-building events, the

Magaliesberg Canopy Tour resembles a Tarzan-style adventure that essentially involves sliding from platform to platform in zig-zag formation across the top of Ysterhout Kloof. Two trained guides accompany each tour, ensuring your safety, and, at the same time, keeping you entertained with interesting facts about the history of the range and its protected fauna and flora. magaliescanopytour.co.za

5 MODERN MAZE-ING Team-building exercises with mazes help to build

trust and encourage group thinking and problem solving. At Honeydew Mazes, the courtyard area has smaller puzzles and games to keep you entertained while the main maze can be tailored to suit any particular message you might want your team to learn. The mazes’ multi-station format is perfect for distributing rewards or forfeits. This is truly a unique team-building activity. honeydewmazes.co.za

MEETINGS l January/february 2016 •

29

Showrooms Point of sale Mall displays Motor showrooms Shop fitting

EVENTS “Conceptualise, Manage, execute” Confexes

Conferences

Golf days

Gala Dinners

Launches

Sports events

Festivals

For a COMPLETE IN-HOUSE TURNKEY SOLUTION JOHANNESBURG 4 Neutron Street, Linbro Business Park, Linbro Park, Johannesburg CAPE TOWN 9 Westlake Drive, Westlake, Cape Town +27(0) 21 702 1089

+27(0) 11 608 1588 www.3ddesign.co.za

DESTI N ATIO N • G a u t e n g

8

reasons to plan your event, team-building activity or incentive in Gauteng ABOVE Gold Reef City is the ideal place to mix business with pleasure LEFT Whether you want to go to Joburg or Pretoria, you can connect quicker than ever in either direction on the Gautrain

1 A BUSINESS CAPITAL Despite being the smallest province, Gauteng has a population over 10 million and is the economic powerhouse of South Africa. According to Gauteng.net: “Gauteng has the highest population density, highest disposable income and highest contribution to the national GDP.” With such impressive stats, it is no wonder why the business tourism and MICE industries are booming in Gauteng.

ORIGINS OF HUMANKIND With over 440 attractions in the Cradle of Humankind, business travellers and conference delegates will be spoilt for choice. A visit to the Origins Centre will reveal the largest collection of rock art in the world, with what is believed to be some of the first images made by humans in South Africa.

FREEDOM STRUGGLE Delegates can tour Constitution Hill or Liliesleaf Farm, where Nelson Mandela and other political heroes once held secret meetings, or visit Freedom Park and the Apartheid Museum. A day

2

3

in Soweto is a must, with stops at Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial, Nelson Mandela’s former home in Vilakazi Street and, finally, a shebeen.

WORLD-CLASS VENUES Gauteng boasts world-class conference venues that can cater for small to very large events be they in major centres or in the bush. Venues range from conference centres to facilities at accommodation establishments and educational institutions. Whatever event needs you have, you will find the perfect venue.

4

5 G REAT TRANSPORT It’s easy to get to and around Gauteng. According to Gauteng.net: “About 70 international airlines fly to O.R. Tambo International Airport, where the Gautrain offers a fast transfer to major centres.” Transport includes coaches, buses, car hire, hotel shuttles and taxis.

THE PEOPLE Gauteng is a true melting pot of culture. Delegates will experience the heartbeat of the people through the many arts and crafts establishments. Your guests and delegates will be attended to by friendly staff.

6

30 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016 USB ANNUAL SHOWCASE AT

MEETINGS AFRICA 2016

February 23rd for VIP Sessions February 24th for the Showcase REGISTER NOW & SEE 30 EXCEPTIONAL SPEAKERS

Contact thuli@uniquespeakerbureau.com or refiloe@uniquespeakerbureau.com +27 11 465 4410 to find out more! www.uniquespeakerbureau.com

Brought to you

by Meetings Africa

What to expect

Perfect platform This year, Meetings Africa celebrates its eleventh year of success and will, once again, put Africa’s largest business event tradeshow in the spotlight.

I

f yours is a business in Africa that services the events sector of the tourism industry you seriously need to consider exhibiting at Meetings Africa 2016.

Companies that have already registered for Meetings Africa 2016 include Gearhouse Group of Companies, Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Cape Town International Convention Centre and the CSIR International Convention Centre, to name but a few.

Meetings Africa is engineered to service the businessgrowth needs of exhibiting companies, by using a number of tools. The electronic diary and prescheduled appointment system, for example, give exhibiting companies unprecedented access to opportunities.

The following pages provide details on what to expect from the jampacked programme

Meetings Africa 2015

270

exhibitors

14

African countries representing over 41 products

178

international hosted buyers

200

media representatives reported on the show

WHY EXHIBIT

Exhibiting at Meetings Africa is easy. This is a world-class, exceptionally professionally-managed show whose focus is firmly on business events (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions) and exceeding your expectations as an exhibitor. The South Africa National Convention Bureau and its Meetings Africa delivery partners are fully committed to making sure your experience as an exhibitor is seamless, accessible, and delivers the business rewards you demand from a tradeshow of this global calibre.

If your company fits the profile of a business events exhibitor and you would like direct access to over 600 qualified buyers at Meetings Africa, including African associations, international and local corporate planners, then register today as an exhibitor and be a part of Africa’s growth. n

This brochure is intended to provide For more information anyguarantees queries contact Tendai on ation only.

ECM makesorno +27 (0)11 476 5104 or email tendai@meetingsafrica.co.za. he accuracy of information contained. meetingsafrica.co.za. reasonable measures have been taken ure its reliability • MEETINGS africa 2016and accuracy.

02quality, nvite you to check the final version at

Accelerator of meetings industry worldwide European Cities Marketing (ECM) Academy is about developing future leaders for emerging destinations

h

ECM Academy, Johannesburg speakers are: Jonathan Cohen Bushey United Kingdom Owner of Azimuth Marketing Communications - a destination marketing specialist company jonathan@azmarcomms.com

E

CM offers a tailor-made course for partner organisations outside Europe such as convention bureau, hotels, PCOs, DMCs, airlines, conference venues, congress centres, convention centres, exhibition centres, and governmental bodies looking towards to a global promotion of the Meetings Industry.

WHAT THEy DO

The ECM Academy provides great insight into the structure and functioning of the Meetings Industry. It sets the background and context to this most lucrative sector of tourism, illustrating its subject with up-to-date and cutting-edge examples of European best practice.

It is perfect for those just starting out in the industry and quickly wanting to get up to speed, and for those who are exploring its potential as a tool of commercial and economic development.

The programme aims at leading the students towards practical and hands-on education with relevant real case studies and practical situations.

It is a highly successful concept; young people get acquainted with the fundamentals of our industry with a practical training approach developing concentration, team building and interaction in a full-immersion course.

Professional credits for the CMP programme are granted to the participants.

Barbara Jamison London United Kingdom

After a year in the business events industry, I was fortunate to attend the 2013 ECM Summer School in Istanbul.

The Summer School not only instilled in me extensive global business events knowledge, it also widened my worldwide network. I engaged in important dialogues that are at the heart of the industry, as well as the latest trends of other destinations."

Tshepo Maseko, coordinator: Sales and Marketing for South Africa Tourism

ITS STRENGTH

The major asset of the school in all these years has been the faculty.

They are experienced meeting professionals working for relevant institutions like convention bureaus, PCOs, association executives, hotels and conference centre managers, tourist boards, hotel chains, meeting industry exhibition corporate event planners, and related professionals that give added value to the course. The faculty members have senior management or relevant positions in the company. n europeancitiesmarketing.com

Cost: R1 500 Enquiries: Mmabatho Sikhakane mmabathos@southafrica.net

Head of business development – Europe: London & Partners (London Convention Bureau) bjamison@londonandpartners.com Anja Loetscher Geneva Switzerland Director of the Geneva Convention Bureau loetscher@geneve-tourisme.ch Mark Spivey London United Kingdom Director of international sales at Maritim Hotels mspivey.vklon@maritim.com Anne Wallin Rodven Oslo Norway Convention director Oslo Promotion – Visitors and Convention Bureau anne.rodven@visitoslo.com Pier Paolo Mariotti Bolzano Italy Meeting manager at EURAC Research and managing director of the EURAC and TIS Convention Center. He is also the course leader. pierpaolo.mariotti@eurac.edu

The first ECM Academy will be held from 19- 23 February 2016 as part of Meetings Africa

MEETINGS AFRICA 2016 •

03

BONDay

Improve your skills

The International MEET THE SPEAKERS Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) will be hosting a seminar entitled, 'Winning Tactics' Alain Pittet during BONDay. Topics Managing to be discussed are: director, Congrex

Switzerland, Basel

THE FACE OF THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY TODAY This session will

examine trends and developments faced by the international meetings industry and look at best-practice ways to respond to them.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT FOR OPTIMUM ENGAGEMENT This session will look at meeting formats, from face-to-face to fully online and hybrid versions in-between; how to develop content that is relevant, attractive to potential delegates, and what format works best for whom and when, and the associated costs and benefits.

CONDUCTING SUCCESSFUL SITE VISITS This session looks at case

studies of successful and unsuccessful site visits, and provides pointers on preparation and what matters most.

Deborah Long Sexton President and CEO, Professional Convention Management Association

Jan Tonkin Vice-president IAPCO and managing director, The Conference Company, Auckland, New Zealand

Sarah Storie-Pugh Executive director, IAPCO: UK

Monday, 22 February Cost: Free RSVP: info@iapco2016.co.za

04 • MEETINGS africa 2016

Africa Summit

T

he AIPC Africa Summit will address key topics of strategic importance to centres in this region through a combination of research presentations, local industry insights, client perceptions and global survey information designed to create a context for the strategy discussions.

KEY ISSUES

STRATEGIC MARKETING: BEYOND THE EMAIL BLAST This session will look

at strategic approaches to promoting your conference, including the careful segmentation of databases, timed campaigns, personalised messaging and the power of response tracking. n

AIPC

AIPC and its South African member convention centres will be hosting colleagues and guests at a special forum as part of Meetings Africa.

BIDDING FOR A CONFERENCE This

session will look at how to build the strongest possible bid team and how to market your bid.

FROM LEFT: Mala Dorasamy (marketing, sales and events director at the Durban International Convention Centre); Megan Arendse (general manager: commercial and business development for Cape Town International Convention Centre) and Neil Nagooroo (sales and marketing manager of the Sandton Convention Centre) took part in the 2015 AIPC Africa Summit during Meetings Africa

As with last year’s summit, issues to be addressed will range from political and community attitudes to the new marketing challenges and opportunities in what remains a highly competitive and rapidly evolving business environment. The format for sessions is steadily evolving as a consequence of the experiences of previous years, along with those from other regions, such as the Asia Pacific, where similar events have also been organised.

“We remain convinced that the greatest strength AIPC has as an organisation, is the wealth of experience and expertise among its members. Our most important challenge is, therefore, how to share this expertise most effectively and provide the global data and research backup that enable members to compare their circumstances and performance with other parts of the world, and that is exactly what the summit at Meetings Africa is intended to do," says AIPC President Geoff Donaghy. The all-day programme will combine a variety of formats from panels and presentations to workshops and other interactive sessions designed to provide the best possible platform for not just sharing information but considering a range of strategies with potential benefits for supporting regional business growth. n AIPC Africa Summit is a closed event.

BONDAY

Building a stronger Africa In order to improve skills in the sector, association executives in Africa have come together to form a continent-wide society, the African Society of Association Executives (AfSAE).

O

n 22 February, during Association Day at Meetings Africa, AfSAE will officially be launched, with 25 members representing every region of Africa. The need to form this society was due to African association leaders wanting to expand their network and share professional best practices with each other.

Members will be able to tap into other members' specific areas of expertise for advice and insight.

In addition, members will also have educational opportunities, both online and face-to-face, which will address issues reflecting best practices in not-for-profit management and enable members to build both their professional and personal skills to enhance their careers.

Speaking to meetpie.com, Gregg Talley, of Talley Management, who has been instrumental in putting the society together, said, while the aim of the society is to improve the status of associations, a more robust not-

Today, Africa finds itself at the tipping point towards great acceleration of association development due to their immense contribution to our local, national, regional and continental economies.

AfSAE’s formation comes at the right time to consolidate and leverage these gains when every corner of this great and diverse continent is embracing that growth and tapping into this dynamic evolution.”

Jeffers Miruka, AfSAE establishment committee chairman; secretariat, African Association of Agricultural Economists for-profit sector would inevitably benefit the wider economy in general and the meetings industry in particular. n Association Day is presented in conjunction with the ICCA African Chapter. This event is for African association professionals only.

What participating industry members had to say about Meetings Africa 2015 “Meetings Africa gives the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau an opportunity to market all of its offerings: from the facilities that cater to tens of thousands of delegates, through to smaller business event facilities that offer specialised services to smaller groups. Meetings Africa is the optimal platform for us. Of course we will be back in 2016.” James Seymour, CEO at Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau

“I am interested in the energy and petrochemical technology knowledge economy of South Africa. This can, and will, add great value to international conferences hosted in South Africa.” Xiaodan Mei, a hosted buyer from China says Meetings Africa was a revelation for him. It was his first visit to South Africa, and he plans, because of his exposure to the regional business events sector at Meetings Africa, to bring delegates here in future.

“You have a friendly, beautiful and efficient country here. It’s perfect for our requirements.”

Christine Villier-Dhos, a French hosted buyer reports an ample number of highquality meetings during her two days at Meetings Africa.

This was also her first visit to South Africa, and she says she looks forward to her return. She looks forward, too, to bringing groups of business event delegates to South Africa.

“We met with PCOs, associations and meetings planners. This is going to translate into great business for our members. There is no doubt that Meetings Africa is an excellent investment of our time and other resources.”

Mwabashike Nkulukusa, marketing director at the Zambia Tourism Board says he and his team have been coming to Meetings Africa for four years because it offers an exceptional platform for business.

MEETINGS AFRICA 2016 •

05

bonday

Growing our industry After a successful 2015 Bonday programme under the banner of CEP Africa, this year's programme promises to surpass all expectations.

U

nder the leadership and coordination of SAACI the associations EGF, EXSA, SITE bring to you the Business Events Associations Joint Conference with the theme, 'Advancing Africa Together by Inspiring Industry'. The programme is centred around sales and entrepreneurship with five international and four local speakers.

SAACI, your partner in business events, is the offical recognised umbrella body of the conference and meetings industry in Southern Africa. Since 1987 they have been dedicated to efficiency and professionalism. Their values of integrity, sustainability, innovation and intelligence, are reflected in everything they and their members do. saaci.org

06 • MEETINGS africa 2016

“We are excited to have speakers from ICCA and European City Marketing address delegates during Meetings Africa Bonday.

As a committee, we have carefully selected themes and topics that are both relevant and impactful,”

says Adriaan Liebetrau, CEO of SAACI. Topics to be covered: • how to conduct a site inspection • how PCO’s work with a budget • how to use branding correctly • business management and entrepreneurship • event greening standards presented by the Event Greening Forum. n

Monday, 22 February • Cost: R100 • RSVP: Lorin Bowen lorin@meetingsafrica.co.za

EXSA is a non-profit organisation with members consisting of venues, organisers, designers, stand builders and service companies.

EXSA is the official and recognised association for the exhibition industry in Southern Africa. Its main objectives are to protect the interests of its members and to promote the exhibition medium within the marketing industry. exsa.co.za

Founded in 1973, SITE is the only international non-profit organisation devoted to the pursuit of excellence in incentives. SITE provides educational services to those designing, promoting, administering and operating motivational incentive programmes to increase productivity in business.

SITE has more than 2 100 members in 87 countries. siteglobal.com

The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation established to promote sustainable and ethical practices within the business events industry in South Africa. The EGF was established through the dedication and support of eight South African associations representing the broader events industry. eventgreening.co.za

What's happening The IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum Monday, 22 February invitation only: Tourism students The Future Leaders Forum is jointly run by IMEX, MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and MCI. It’s been developed to harness the imagination of the most promising students and encourage them to join the meetings and incentive travel industry. Forums typically take place as part of a larger meetings industry conference or trade show in 12 or more locations around the world every year. During these forums, The International University Challenge is held. The winner of each challenge competition is invited to participate in the final of IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum International University Challenge.

media face off tuesday, 23 FebruarY open to all Hear the hot topics that the South African and African meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition industry are faced with debated by industry role-players.

The discussion will be moderated

by Jeremy Maggs.

corporate b2b speed marketing session tuesday, 23 FebruarY invitation only tendai@meetingsafrica.co.za Selected exhibitors will have the chance to interact with some of Africa's top corporate buyers on a one-to-one basis. This is a great networking opportunity.

Green Tips for Hosted Buyers and Delegates 1

ffset your carbon footprint o Consider purchasing a tree for only R120 excl. VAT. After the event, the trees will be planted in a local community in partnership with Food and Trees for (FTFA) as partSHOWCASE of the Meetings USBAfrica ANNUAL Africa 2016 CSI initiative.

AT

MEETINGS AFRICA 2016 2 CARPOOL Encourage your staff to carpool

to reduce their It will rd February 23carbon forfootprint.

VIP Sessions also alleviate thethparking congestion at for Centre the and Showcase February the Sandton24 Convention will

save you money. If you are from out of town, why not make use of the Gautrain Contact thuli@uniquespeakerbureau.com and shuttle when getting around? orservices refiloe@uniquespeakerbureau.com This will also go+27 a long way to reducing 11 465 4410 to find out more! www.uniquespeakerbureau.com your carbon footprint.

REGISTER NOW & SEE 30 EXCEPTIONAL SPEAKERS

3

PLAN AHEAD Make the most of your time at Meetings Africa by planning meetings around the show. With so many key players in one location at the same time, the show provides the perfect opportunity to meet, and thereby decrease your need for future travel and your carbon footprint.

4 DRINK TAP WATER Encourage your

staff to drink the filtered tap water that is freely available on the exhibition floor, rather than bottled water.

As implemented in 2015, there will be a R10 surcharge on bottled water.

This money will be donated to the event’s carbon-offset programme after the event.

On Wednesday 24 February at 12h00, the green stand awards will be taking place at the NCB stand

5

RECYCLE Use the recycling bins at the show. They will be clearly labelled but sometimes people throw the wrong waste in the wrong bin – this can contaminate recyclables and render them non-recyclable e.g. if food waste contaminates paper waste.

MEETINGS AFRICA 2016 •

07

MEETINGS AFRICA 2016 PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME 19 - 21 February 2016 Time & Venue: SCC

Event

Attendees

09h00 - 17h00 Sandton Convention Centre

European Cities Marketing (ECM) – Summer School www.europeancitiesmarketing.com Business events training workshop

Open for Registration.

Registration Cost: R1500 Enquiries: Mmabatho Sikhakhane Email: mmabathos@southafrica.net

Time & Venue: SCC

Event

Attendees

09h00 - 17h00 Boardroom 1,2 & 3 (Level 2)

Association Day - In conjunction with ICCA African Chapter Association Workshop.

By Invitation Only: African Associations

09h00 - 15h00 Boardroom 6 & 7 (Level 2)

IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leader Forum Africa Top Tourism students representing tertiary institutions from the Tourism Educators of South Africa competing for the International University Challenge at Meetings Africa 2016.

By Invitation Only: Tourism Students

09h00 - 15h00

AIPC Africa Summit AIPC – the International Association of Convention Centres – is the industry association for professional convention and exhibition centre managers world wide.

Open for registration.

Registration: secretariat@aipc.org Registration Cost: secretariat@aipc.org

08h00 - 09h00 Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

Event Greening Forum AGM Annual General Meeting for Event Greening Forum.

Members Only

09h00 - 16h00 Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

Business Events Associations Joint Conference Full day programme with local and international speakers.

Open for registration.

Registration Cost: R100 RSVP Lorin Bowen: lorin@meetingsafrica.co.za

Time & Venue: SCC

Event

Attendees

08h00 - 17h00 Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Registrations

Open to all

06h00 - 09h00 Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Morning Live A live outside broadcast of Morning Live at Meetings Africa

Open to all

08h00 - 17h00 Ballroom 2 (Level 2)

Corporate B2B Speed Marketing Session

By Invitation Only Enquiries: tendai@meetingsafrica.co.za

09h00 - 10h10

Opening Ceremony Official opening of Meetings Africa 2016 – Keynote address by the Minister of Tourism

Open to all

10h00 - 17h00 Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Exhibition Day 1

Open to all

10h40 - 11h30 Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Minister’s Walk About Pre-scheduled media walk about of the Meetings Africa exhibition with photo opportunities with key stakeholders and exhibitors.

By Invitation Only

TBC SCC foyer (Level 0)

Media Face Off A panel discussion focusing on the business events industry in South Africa and the African continent

Open to all

12h00 - 14h00 Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

Hosted Buyers Lunch

By Invitation Only

18h30 - 19h00 Ballroom Foyer (Level 2)

Welcome drinks – Gala dinner

Registration open

19h00 - 24h00 Ballroom 1/70

Meetings Africa - Gala Dinner

Registration open

Time & Venue: SCC

Event

Attendees

08h00 - 17h00 Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Registrations

Open to all

09h30 - 16h00 Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Exhibition Day 2

Open to all

07h00 - 16h00 Ballroom 1/70 (Level 2)

Local Corporate Buyer Event Hosted by Unique Speaker Bureau (USB) Attendees: Events and function coordinators of local corporate companies.

By Invitation Only Enquiries: thuli@uniquespeakerbureau.com

12h00 - 13h00 NCB stand

Green stand awards Awards ceremony for the top green stands at Meetings Africa

Open to all

12h00 - 14h00 Bill Gallagher (Level 2)

Hosted Buyers Lunch

By Invitation Only

Monday, 22 February

Tuesday, 23 February

Restaurant, Exhibition Hall 1 (Level 0)

Wednesday, 24 February

08 • MEETINGS africa 2015

#discovergauteng

7 INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENT From mine dumps, to bush, rivers and roof tops, Gauteng’s unique landscape is perfect for unique team building activities.

INCENTIVES DESTINATION With five-star luxury accommodation, one of the largest man-made forests, lakes and rivers, nature reserves, botanical gardens and a mountain range on its doorstep, Gauteng offers many opportunities for unforgettable incentive destinations.

8

For more information, visit Gauteng.net

TOP Market on Main calls Maboneng – which houses many retail outlets, entertainment venues and restaurants – home ABOVE RIGHT Discover the origins of man at the Cradle of Humankind ABOVE LEFT Learn about the freedom struggle by visting Madiba’s former home in Vilakazi Street BELOW RIGHT After a full day of conferencing, delegates will enjoy some much needed pampering at Valley Lodge & Spa BELOW LEFT A historical, urbanchic power station, the forum turbine hall has been converted into an amazing conference and special events venue

Conference

Banquets

Luxury Suites

Mowana Spa

Epsom Bistro

Chief’s Boma

INDABA HOTEL, SPA & CONFERENCE CENTRE

YOUR AFRICAN DESTINATION IN JOHANNESBURG Just north of the fast paced business world of Sandton lies the 258 bedroom Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre. It is a compelling blend of business-like efficiency and relaxed country atmosphere within close proximity of the International Airport making the Indaba perfect for groups and leisure travellers.

The hotel features 24 multi-purpose conference venues ranging from Executive Boardrooms to large Banquet Venues seating up to 500 people. Boasting 2 world class restaurants and the renowned MOWANA Spa, the Indaba Hotel is sure to meet your business and leisure requirements.

MEETINGS l January/february 2016 •

31

W: www.indabahotel.co.za | T:+27 11 840 6600 E: indaba@indabahotel.co.za

DESTI N ATIO N • G a u t e n g

Plan your City experience A trip to Soweto, organised

by Soweto Tours, will take you on a journey that will delight all your senses. Some of the stops on this tour include Vilakazi Street, where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived, as well as the Hector Peterson Museum, Diepkloof, Kliptown Squatter Camp and Kliptown Museum. soweto.co.za bush experience Anyone that goes on one of Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris will forever have a cherished memory. The company’s tagline epitomises its attention to detail and bespoke incentive experience: “If you’re going to celebrate, do it in unassailable style with a winning team.” balloon.co.za

Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris

Kievits Kroon

City experience Escape to Kievits Kroon, a beautiful, tranquil country estate, known for its luxury accommodation, superb facilities, immaculate gardens, gourmet dining and wellness spa. Acknowledged as “the Winelands in Gauteng” because of its Cape Dutch-style architecture, Kievits Kroon Country Estate offers pampering and luxury. Just 10 minutes from central Pretoria and 45 minutes from Sandton, and set along a jacaranda-lined lane on a 16 hectare estate, Kievits Kroon is a sought-after destination for those wanting to escape city life, or for corporates seeking a unique business experience. The outdoor lap pool and heated thermal pool next to the Pool Bar are perfect for a weekend of unwinding and relaxation. Visit the 41 Library Bar for pre- or post-dinner drinks, enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast in Kingsley’s restaurant, and order a gourmet picnic to savour on the shaded lawn. kievitskroon.co.za bush experience The only free-roaming Big Five reserve in the Gauteng province, Dinokeng Game Reserve boasts 18 500 hectares of idyllic bush. The best part: it’s only 90 km from Joburg and 40 km from Pretoria. Stay at the fourstar Mongena Game Lodge, which promises excellent game viewing in the distinctive African bush. dinokengbig5.com, mongena.co.za

32 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

AWARD WINNING The hotel received four Platinum and one Gold Award, as well as a Floating Trophy in the 8th West Rand Tourism Awards in June 2015, whilst TripAdvisor reflects superb guest experiences at the lodge.

Valley Lodge & Spa in Magaliesburg offers rejuvenating leisure and corporate packages designed to thrill and pamper the most deflated body and soul. It is an award-winning 4-star conference, team building, special event as well as leisure destination, less than an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. The hotel offers luxe accomodation, a world-class Spa and fine country cuisine. www.valleylodge.co.za l res@valleylodge.co.za l +27 (0)14 577 1301/5

g au t e n g

Where guests become friends With impeccable facilities to host conferences, product launches, corporate functions, weddings, banquets and cocktail parties, Premier Hotels is the obvious choice for your next event in Gauteng.

PREMIER HOTEL O.R. TAMBO AIRPORT

PREMIER HOTEL PRETORIA

LOCATION

The Premier Hotel Midrand is ideally located halfway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, the two major cities in the Gauteng province.

The hotel is a mere 1.2 km from the O.R. Tambo International Airport and 500 metres from the Rhodesfield Gautrain station – both easily accessed through a free shuttle service to and from the hotel.

Situated in Stanza Bopape (Church) Street, in the suburb of Arcadia, and diagonally opposite the Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker, Premier Hotel Pretoria offers spectacular and breathtaking views of the Jacaranda City from its open-air deck on the eighth floor.

SEE & DO

The diverse range of activities and attractions available to guests of Premier Hotel Midrand can be attributed to its location in the heart of Gauteng. From the Midrand Urban Market to the Mall of Africa (set to open its doors in March 2016), Midrand offers shoppers a unique blend of local and international shopping experiences. From the largest mosque in South Africa to beautiful bird and animal sanctuaries, Midrand is a diverse and uniquely South African destination.

Vibrant and dynamic, Joburg has a throbbing pulse, an awesome sense of rhythm and invites you to indulge in the extravagant comfort of the Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport. Joburg is a shopper's paradise, from the upmarket Sandton City shopping centre and Nelson Mandela Square to the fun Oriental Plaza and notto-be-missed Rosebank Flea Market. For those in search of the adventurous side of Joburg, a kaleidoscope of nightlife and sports events and facilities are available.

Pretoria offers a multitude of tourist attractions and activities – a little something for everyone. Enjoy uniquely South African architectural wonders like the Voortrekker Monument and Union Buildings; visit museums and local heritage sites for a look into South Africa’s richly diverse history; visit one of the area’s bustling shopping districts; or simply keep an eye out for the jacaranda trees that gave rise to the city’s nickname.

VENUES

Premier Hotel Midrand’s fully equipped conference venues have all the latest equipment to ensure a versatile experience that facilitates every possible event requirement. The hotel can accommodate up to 280 delegates in cinema style.

Premier Hotel O.R Tambo Airport assures conference delegates of excellent service standards, flawless events and tailor-made packages to suit their specific needs. The largest venue can host 720 delegates in cinema style.

Premier Hotel Pretoria prides itself on its ability to partner with event organisers in creating perfect outcomes. Tailor-made packages include event design, themes, decor, banqueting, entertainment, dance floors, lighting and sound – anything to make your event memorable and unique.

The hotel can comfortably accommodate up to 300 delegates.

ROOMS

The hotel offers 113 rooms that cater to every accommodation need including a busy executive in search of that welcoming respite at the end of the day.

This hotel boasts 275 rooms. There are 49 luxury suites, each with a king-size bed, full en-suite bathroom and private sitting room offering understated opulence in tastefully decorated surroundings.

Premier Hotel Pretoria offers 118 rooms that cater to every accommodation need.

F&B

The luxurious Premier Hotel Midrand offers guests a restaurant located on the ground floor of the hotel. This 50-seater venue provides the ideal setting in which to unwind and relax. Meals are served either buffet style or á la carte and showcase the freshest local produce available. The Grand Central Restaurant immerses guests in the dining experience with an open-plan setup.

Watch from your table as the passionate chefs display their talents.

The Kubutana Restaurant seats 180 guests with a warm and welcoming ambience.

There is direct access to the outdoor pool patio, the bar and lounge areas. The restaurant offers a culinary philosophy that is fresh, flavoursome and embraces local truly South African cuisine.

With a culinary philosophy that is fresh, fast and fun, and a wine list that contains many an award-winning estate, your journey is bound to be an explosion of visual and taste sensations. The luxurious Premier Hotel Pretoria offers guests the Ambassador Restaurant and the Embassy Cocktail Bar. Both venues have direct access to the outdoor patio, which leads to the pool and manicured gardens, providing the ideal setting in which to unwind and relax.

Contact

+27 (0)10 161 0000 midrand@premierhotels.co.za

+27 (0)11 393 8000 ortambo@premierhotels.co.za

+27 (0)12 441 1400 pretoria@premierhotels.co.za

www.premierhotels.co.za Central res. 086 111 5555

PREMIER HOTEL MIDRAND

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

33

DESTI N ATIO N • G a u t e n g

a host city of excellence The word 'Afropolitan' aptly describes South Africa’s capital city. Tshwane is an African city of excellence, a cosmopolitan city that fuses rich culture with world-class technology and infrastructure.

I

T’S A GREAT place to do business – Tshwane blends rich culture with worldclass technology and infrastructure – with a proven track record. The city has hosted international, regional and national trade missions, has been the venue of major international sporting events including the rugby, cricket and soccer world cups, and has welcomed a number of conferences, exhibitions and meetings.

Its many attractions, impressive range of accommodation options, accessible public transport and world-class infrastructure make it a destination of choice for business travel. And, as the home of more than 130 foreign missions — the largest concentration in the world outside of Washington, DC — Tshwane regularly hosts inbound foreign business missions, sport and medical

34 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

conferences, seminars and workshops, as well as government-related meetings.

WHAT'S ON OFFER Business visitors are spoilt for choice, with access to world-class hotels and conference centres. In total, more than 7 000 hotel rooms and 400 conference spaces are available in Tshwane.

Easily accessible from O.R. Tambo International Airport via the Gautrain or with flights from Cape Town directly into Tshwane’s own airport at Wonderboom, the city’s strategic location is a bonus.

As the country’s intellectual hub, Tshwane has proven itself to be a leader in academic excellence and scientific research. More than 80% of all research and development in South Africa takes place here within the walls of the

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research , the Human Sciences Research Council (CSIR), the University of Pretoria (UP), the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

SUPPORT Because business travel is so important to the city, the Tshwane Convention & Visitor Services Bureau (TCVB) focuses on providing support and strategic advice to meetings, incentives and event planners. This means that all those involved in the MICE industry are guaranteed assistance with bids, site inspections and destination information.

In addition, the bureau is able to facilitate meetings with local suppliers, negotiate accommodation rates and help with venue sourcing.

#xploretshwane

Business visitors are spoilt for choice, with access to world-class hotels and conference spaces, large and small. In total, more than 7 000 rooms and 400 conference facilities are available in Tshwane The TCVB also offers help with welcoming delegates at the airports, ensuring publicity for events, and coming up with innovative ideas for incentives.

DOWNTIME And as you would expect of a city that is home to a large diplomatic corps, there are also first-class restaurants and bars aplenty, ranging from family-friendly spaces to trendy pubs and dazzling nightclubs.

Local entertainment can be found downtown, or in the townships where you can chill with friends and listen to live jazz performances while enjoying a traditional African meal at one of the local shebeens (pubs).

You can also escape the city and be on a game drive less than an hour later. Tshwane is

the only city in South Africa with a Big Five game reserve within its metropolitan municipal boundaries, the 90 000 hectare Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve.

The must-see attractions include: the iconic Union Buildings, home to the Presidency, where all presidents since the advent of democracy have been inaugurated; the 9m tall statue of Nelson Mandela just below the Union Buildings; Freedom Park, where those who played a role in the struggle for freedom are honoured; and the Voortrekker Monument, commemorating the Great Trek, when thousands left the Cape in search of freedom from British colonial rule.

In short, the city has something for everyone. Come and explore Tshwane.

From left Tshwane is fondly referred to as the Jacaranda City; view the Big Five at Dinokeng - less than an hour's drive from Tshwane; the South African Reserve Bank stands tall in Tshwane’s CBD; the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research calls Tshwane home; Freedom Park and the Voortrekker Monument are worth a visit

Welcome to City of Tshwane tshwane.gov.za

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

35

Getting to your destination has never been easier. Gautrain will help you plan your route, assist you with bus and shuttle services as well as assist you with calculating the time and cost of visiting your destination. Finding an event, place or attraction to attend or visit makes travelling a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Log onto www.gautrain.co.za for more information.

Shuttle Services Available.

Gauteng (Sesotho for "place of gold") is South Africa's smallest province (17 000 square kilometres) and it includes most of the towns strung east to west along the gold reef, from Springs in the far East Rand to Randfontein in the west. It runs down to the Vaal River in the South, and just beyond South Africa's capital, Pretoria, in the north.

• From Marlboro to Linbro Park and Woodlands in Woodmead.

• Weekend Shuttle to Montecasino from Sandton Station.

For more information visit Gauteng Tourism Authority www.gauteng.net

Montecasino Palazzo Circle Shuttle Service on Public Holidays

Design Quarter

Epsom Downs Parc Nicol Nicolway

Johannesburg

Grosvenor Crossing Bryanston Centre Bryanston Crescent Pick n Pay on Nicol

Consumer Goods Council

Rosebank Station Bus Routes RB5: Killarney RB2: Melrose RB3: Illovo RB4: Hyde Park

Emirates Stadium is situated in Johannesburg.

Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Parktown

A valid Gold Card is required to board a Gautrain bus.

This can be purchased at the stations and at selected retail outlets.

Joburg Theatre Complex

Download the Gautrain App to plan your trip accordingly.

• For detailed and accurate bus route maps enquire at the stations or visit the website.

• Bus tickets cannot be purchased on the buses.

• To find out where a bus is, please dial 010 223 1098.

Standard Bank Art Gallery

Wits Medical School Rosebank Mall

Reef Hotel

Hyde Park Illovo Blvd

Thrupps Centre

ES UT IN 4 M Bidvest

Wanderers Stadium Protea Hotel Wanderers Melrose Melrose Place Arch

Dunkeld Centre

ES

ROSEBANK

Killarney Mall

UT

PRASA/M

Boston College Absa Bank

SANDTON

College of Digital Atholl Photography Oaklands

IN

4M

Sandton Sports Club

MultiChoice Randburg

Summer Place

Hyde Square

PARK STATION

Newtown Cultural Precinct

Brightwater Commons

Constitution Hill

Nelson Mandela Bridge First National Bank

SARS

Departs Park Station.

All Day – Every Day. www.citysightseeing.co.za

ETRORA

IL

Park Station Bus Routes J1: Parktown J2: CBD

Tshwane

SA/

ME

TRO

Pretoria Bus Routes P3: Pretoria P4: PTA Unisa - Groenkloof

RAI

L

OR Tambo Building Sheraton Louis Pasteur Hotel Pretoria Hospital Technical High Royal Thai Heart Embassy Hospital

Church Square Manhattan Hotel City Hall

PRETORIA

The Union Buildings have lovely gardens that surrounds the new Nelson Mandela Statue.

Voortrekker Monument Private Nature Reserve

Sunnyside Centre University of Pretoria

7 MINUTES 8 MINUTES

Freedom Park

Loftus Rugby Stadium

Cherry Lane Shopping University Centre of Pretoria Curves UNISA Groenkloof Brooklyn Campus SABS

Vist www.bluetrain.co.za to find out more.

Harlequins Office Park

Brooklyn Mall

Little Company of Mary Hospital

The Freedom Park and the Voortrekker Monument

Momentum Raslouw Value Spar Centre

Meadowfields Morningside Shopping Centre

Vodaworld

TE

U

IN

LEGEND

MIDRAND

Joburg Water Tower

North-South Commuter East-West Commuter Airport

Rhodesfield Bus Routes RF1: Kempton Park RF2: Emperors Palace

PRASA / Metrorail

Glen Balad Mall

A/

ME

Civic Centre

OR

Arwyp Medical Centre

Ekurhuleni

Premier Hotel OR Tambo Protea Hotel OR Tambo

MUTER

T COM EAST-WES

T

Monuments / Heritage sites close to routes

Woodbridge Square

Cavendish Glen

Modderfontein Nature Reserve

M

MARLBORO

POR

AIR

Grand Central Airport

TR

6

Sax Arena

Centurion Bus Routes C1: Techno Park C2: Rooihuiskraal C3: Wierda Park C4: Southdowns

AIL

Eskom Megawatt Park

UTE

TON SAND

Central Park

S

Garden Court Toyota Benmore Morningside Shopping Mushroom Southern Centre Farm Park Sun Barlow Park Sinosteel A&G Theatre on the Square Sandton Hilton IDC Grayston TES Protea INU Ridge Hotel 4M Office Park Atholl Square R

M Innisfree Park OM Westford Radisson Blu ST C Hotel Gautrain Hotel -WE T S EA Sandton City

Centurion Golf Estate Love More Centre

AS

Wedge Sandton Racquets Club

Nandoʼs

Value World Centurion

Tilbury Business Park

Waterfall Hospital

Woodlands Business Office Park Shuttle Service Sunninghill Hospital Linbro Business Park Shuttle Service

HATFIELD

Tuks Sports St. Maryʼs Campus School Garden CSIR Court World Bank City Lodge Xcelpark Lynnwood Spanish Embassy Checkers Pretoria Menlyn Lynnwood Country Park Club Shopping

Southdowns College Centurion Licensing Services

Protea Hotel

RHODESFIELD

Emperors Palace

T AIRPOR INUTES =15 M N IO T STA N TO ND

Emperors Palace

OR TAMBO OR Tambo International Airport, the busiest airport in Africa, forms the centre of a multi-nodal, multifunctional enterprise with major commercial development in Ekurhuleni and is known as South Africa’s Aerotropolis.

TO SA TAMBO

Kelvin Power

The first two rail cars are for airport passengers. These cars have wider seats with special areas for baggage storage.

The underground tunnel section from Park Station to Marlboro Portal is a total length of 15.5 kilometres.

IL

ETRORA

PRASA/M

Byles Bridge

Eco Boulevard

PR

Morning Glen Mall

Spar

Unisa SBL Main Entrance African Bank Boulders Shopping Centre Gallagher Convention Centre Town Lodge

Chilli Lane Shopping Centre

Rivonia Boulevard

River Club Park

Nizamiye Turkish Masjid along the Midrand train route.

Visit Auto & General Theatre on the Square at Nelson Mandela Square.

Liliesleaf Rivonia Centre

Midrand Bus Routes M1: Randjespark M2: Noordwyk M3: Sunninghill

Eco Park Estate

OR

Sandton Station Bus Routes S2: Gallo Manor S3: Rivonia S4: Randburg S5: Fourways

Highveld Shopping Centre

UTES

Waterkloof Airforce Base

Supersport Park

Centurion Lifestyle Centre

Wierdaglen Estate

Queenswood Christian College

Centurion Station

Centurion Lake

CENTURION

Amberfield Estate

9 MIN

Vist www.southafrica.net to to arrange transport to one of South Africa’s World Heritage sites, the Cradle of Humankind.

Protea Hotel Waterfront

Hatfield Bus Routes H1: Brooklyn H2: Lynnwood H3: Arcadia H5: Menlyn H6: Queenswood

Remember to visit Pretoria State Theatre.

State Theatre

National Zoo

3830 | iww | ew

PRA

Take Metrorail from Park Station to FNB Stadium.

Download the Gautrain Apps, available on: • App Store • Google Play • App World

SMS “Alert ” to 32693 for service updates Disclaimer: Please note that some of the attractions indicated along the illustrated route map may not be along the route of the Gautrain services. Certain attractions can be seen from the Gautrain but may need other public transport modes to get there. Direct enquiries for more information about places and attractions may be obtained from Gauteng Tourism Authority. The illustrated route map is not to scale.

The illustrated information published was last updated on 30 January 2015.

DESTI N ATIO N • W e s t e r n C a p e

Party like it’s Historical venues provide unique and enticing spaces for any event. They also provide enchanting stories to mesmerise delegates.

Meetings shares its top Western Cape picks… cape dutch flair Set at the foot of the majestic Zonderend mountains, on the banks of the Sonderend River, you will discover the exclusive and historic The Oaks Estate, owned and managed by the Ehlers family who farm the land with beef cattle, fruit and grapevines. The homestead and farmyard have a rich history, dating back to 1727, with six newly restored buildings that are "among the best examples of a complete Cape Dutch-style farmyard in the Western Cape". The Oaks Estate offers luxury accommodation as well as a spectacular wedding and function venue set against a backdrop of the Cape's most dramatic scenery. Close by is the tranquil and charming village of Greyton, a mere 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town.

THE SPACES • The recently renovated, grand old Cape Dutch farmyard creates a magnificent setting for weddings, conferences and other events.

• The Old Wine Cellar can accommodate up to 100 guests in a banquet seating.

• The Manor House provides accommodation for up to 10 guests. + 27 (0)28 254 9710 l info@theoaksestate.co.za l theoaksestate.co.za

38 • MEETINGS l january/february 2016

HIRE OUT THE ENTIRE TOWN To visit Matjiesfontein is to step back in time. This tiny village, on the fringe of the Great Karoo, was founded in 1884 by legendary railway man James Douglas Logan. Immerse yourself in living history; life here is a tribute to the early Karoo, the AngloBoer War and Queen Victoria's England. Matjiesfontein provides a unique setting for any occasion. Think weddings and family celebrations, as well as business seminars, conferences or workshops conducted in our quiet, historic lounges, the Court House or the Transport Museum.

THE SPACES • The old Court House was built in 1897. The venue, with its panelled walls and raised stage for seating of the judiciary, provides a historic backdrop for a small party or seminar, with seating for around 60 guests, dependant on seating arrangements.

• The Transport Museum features vintage cars, trains and bicycles within a private garden and courtyard setting. The main car hall can accommodate large corporate functions, wedding receptions and large family celebrations in its spacious double-storey interior.

• The Railway Station Conference Room is located at the working station, and is ideal for a seminar, with seating for around 60 guests, depending on seating arrangements.

• The Lord Milner offers 16 classically furnished suites in the hotel with a variety of other accommodation options located on the hotel grounds. +27 (0)23 561 3011 l milner2@mweb.co.za matjiesfontein.com

#discoverctwc

Corné Koch is the head of the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau, which is a part of the Cape Town and the Western Cape's official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, Wesgro.

grand old dame The story of Belvidere Manor begins in 1830, when the land was acquired by George Rex, the squire and proprietor of Knysna. He settled at a farm known as Melkhout Kraal, close to what is now the junction between the N2 national road and George Rex Drive. He became the foremost timber merchant in the district, as well as a ship builder. In 1833, a young Scotsman named Thomas Henry Duthie, who was serving in the British Army in the Cape, met and married George's third daughter, Caroline. He bought the farm from his father-in-law for £750, and renamed it Belvidere. By 1848, the Duthies had nine children and plans were made to build a larger house. Foundations were laid on 2 October 1848 and, according to Thomas' diary, in November 1849 the family had their first dinner at the new house. With its simple design and indigenous wood interior, Belvidere Manor became an important example of English Georgian architecture in the Western Cape, where the Dutch gabled houses were more common. During its life, Belvidere Manor served as an official post office serving the local community, with business being transacted from the glass door in the drawing room. As a crossing point from one side of the lagoon to the other, Belvidere saw many visitors from all over the country. It was a centre of gracious hospitality, welcoming every person of note who visited the Knysna area, including Bishop Gray and his wife Sophie, and the author Anthony Trollope. Today, guests can expect to receive the same warm welcome.

THE SPACES • The Executive Conference venue is suitable for small, intimate think tanks and brainstorming sessions, as well as for larger meetings, seating up to 40 delegates.

• The Duthie seats 24 delegates schoolroom style and 40 delegates cinema style.

• The gardens overlooking the Knysna lagoon can be used for functions for up to 60 delegates.

• Guests are accommodated in 28 individual cottages situated in 10 hectares of garden. +27 (0)44 387 1055 l manager@belvidere.co.za l belvidere.co.za

Discover Cape Town and the Western Cape

#discoverctwc

Why should MICE planners choose the Western Cape? Apart from breathtaking scenery, white

sandy beaches, rugged mountains, quaint villages and unforgettable experiences, the Western Cape has one of the most dynamic economies on the African continent and is an outstanding business events destination. One of the major benefits of conferencing in the region is that delegates can fill any spare time they may have with a plethora of attractions within easy reach, no matter the region of the province in which a meeting is being held.

Offering a superb combination of world-class facilities, a strong and energised industry, and a passion to adapt to the needs of business events clients, the destination is a thriving business tourism offering.

What makes a historical building a unique venue to host an event? Delegates appreciate the

story behind what a historical building can provide and it is this sense of reinventing a space traditionally used for something else that creates a nostalgic appeal.

What is your favourite historical venue in the Western Cape? Cape Town’s City Hall was built in 1905,

in Italian Renaissance style, and is one of the last Victorianstyle sandstone structures in the Mother City. Despite showing its age, this iconic building continues to be sought out by urban explorers and meeting planners. While its significance in the public life of Capetonians has dwindled in recent years, it was, for centuries, the public face of Cape Town’s spirit – a place where citizens gathered to celebrate, protest or seek refuge. It was here, too, that crowds gathered to hear Nelson Mandela address the world upon his release from prison, in 1990. The venue houses a 3 165 pipe organ that still works and the Darling Street facade has an impressive half-size replica of London’s Big Ben.

MEETINGS l jANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 •

39

capetownconventionbureau.org capetownconventionbureau.org

#1#1convention conventiondestination destinationininafrica africa

sound bites

Unique Let chef Christo Pretorius tickle your taste buds with his culinary fare.

H

ow has the food and beverage industry changed over the past five years? The whole food

industry has changed a lot, in a good way though. As chefs, we are now really pushing the boundaries, and are pushing to be better every day.

What are some of the current trends in the food and beverage industry?

Homemade products, such as making your own vinegar and cured meats, is a trend right now. Fermenting is also big at the moment – I personally love to experiment with fermentation.

What would you identify as the primary mistake people make when catering for conferences? The biggest faux pas, in my opinion, is to serve bland, boring food to hardworking delegates.

How can one present ‘plain’ food in an appealing manner? With honest flavours and respect for the ingredients.

What is your favourite dish to make?

You can’t beat a good South African braai.

What is your favourite food? Asian and Thai, as flavour is the most important ingredient.

Did you eat your veggies as a child? Yes I did, although not exactly voluntarily – I had to sit at the dining room table until I had eaten all my veggies!

What is your favourite food memory?

Having dinner in a Buddhist temple while on honeymoon, being served Indonesian cuisine by a local chef.

You have spent most of your career in South Africa, but you have worked in England and even on luxury yachts in Miami. What sets South African cuisine apart? I love working in Cape Town. It’s difficult not to love driving past Camps Bay, looking at the ocean every day and smiling, knowing this is the view from my ‘office’. Cape Town has a very close-knit community of chefs too, and it’s lovely to share ideas, knowledge and suppliers with neighbouring chefs.

The Azure Restaurant serves a mix of ‘local and foreign’ cuisine. What inspiration do you take from the rest of the world? I am a traveller at heart, and my wife and I do a once-a-year trip to whatever foodie destination tickles our fancy. We are great fans of Asia and generally just go for a month on an eating spree. It is fantastic to learn about new cooking methods and flavour combinations, and my travelling experiences inspire my cooking on a daily basis.

What is your number one catering tip?

Always make sure you have enough food!

What is your favourite kitchen equipment or gadget? I can’t work without my Thermomix.

What dish are you asked to make most often? Probably, my baby squid risotto, although all dishes have their unique flavours and ‘wow’ factors.

40 • MEETINGS l january/february 2016

Under your guidance, Azure Restaurant has featured in the American Express Platinum Fine Dining Awards in both 2013 and 2014, and you, yourself, were awarded Red Carnation Hotels Chef of the Year 2013/2014. But, what is your proudest achievement to date?

I have had many a proud moment but it came as a big surprise to me to win the Red Carnation Chef of the Year and I feel so honoured to carry

about chef Christo Christo Pretorius joined The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa as executive sous chef in November 2012 and was promoted to executive chef in September 2013. A graduate of the 1 000 Hills Chefs School in Durban, his work experience includes positions held at the five-star Relais & Châteaux property’s Kurland Hotel, Tsala Treetop Lodge, and the Cape Royale Hotel, where he was sous chef at Bistro 1 800°.

Christo has competed in several high-profile cooking competitions; he won Junior Chef of the Year at the Unilever Food Solutions and placed second in the prestigious Sunday Times Young Chef of the Year competition in 2012. His contemporary South African menu is all about creating lasting memories for guests who experience the magical setting of Azure Restaurant.

this title. Our team’s big dream is to be one of the ‘Eat Out Top 20 Restaurants in South Africa’, so we are always striving to do better and pushing ourselves to new food heights.

In March 2014, you were named one of eight WWF-SASSI (South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative) ‘trailblazers’. Just how important is it for you, and Azure Restaurant, to promote sustainable seafood practices? Being a SASSI trailblazer means a lot to me, as I want to create awareness around our environment. This doesn’t only count for fish, but for much other produce too. If we don’t start looking after our oceans, who knows what will happen to our kids one day? Would they ever be able to taste a saltwater kabeljou or snoek? We need to look after our future as chefs and treat Mother Nature with the utmost respect.

20 QUESTIONS Who is your celebrity lookalike? No idea, you tell me?

What superpower would you like to possess and why? To do things faster, so I am able do more.

What are you addicted to? I have a very sweet tooth.

What is the best and worst decor and design advice you have received? Best: Be original. Worst: Follow trends.

If you could speak any language, what would it be and why? Spanish, I relate to the passion of the Spaniards and I think Barcelona is the most inspiring city.

What is your favourite piece of trash to work with and why? Last week, I was

One man's

very inspired by an old hula hoop – this was just after I had great fun using thousands of metres of clear pallet wrap to decorate a rooftop event. Your guess is as good as mine what piece of rubbish will ‘talk’ to me next

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? Tortoise.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love the theatre.

Where other people see garbage, design and decor guru Nicholas de Klerk sees an opportunity.

W

hat three words sum up current industry decor trends? Angular, cold

and functional.

What drew you to decor and design? It was the only thing my brain told me to do.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in decor? There are virtually no limitations in what can be done.

Where do you get the inspiration to turn junk into decor? The junk talks to me. (Or perhaps I talk to the junk and it just replies.)

What has been the most memorable event you have been involved in? I was asked by the Fancourt Hotel in George, which happens to be where I grew up, to conceptualise and design their annual Children’s Charity Ball. I decided to make it a totally recycled event, with as much as possible made by local craftsmen or training locals to do it. It was a very successful and beautiful event but, for me, it was the fact that most of the money spent on the event also went to the community that makes it just that bit more special.

Tell us something about yourself that few people are aware of? I have a fear of being ordinary.

What have been your career highlights so far? The Beautiful Things Craft Exhibition at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.

What would you say has greatly contributed to your success in the industry? My love for it.

What three things would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island? One boat and two oars.

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Dog. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Antoni Gaudi, the eccentric Spanish architect who designed the Sagrada Familia and Parq Guell in Barcelona. I think he was the first true recycler; he used pieces of broken tiles to decorate everything.

What CD is in your car’s radio at the moment? A compilation of some of my all-time favourites; David Bowie, The Platters, Katie Melua, Queen and Maroon 5.

about NICHOLAS Nicholas de Klerk heads up the design team at DESIGN+DISPLAY. He has over 30 years of expertise in the design of custom-built and system exhibition stands, showrooms, retail and office interiors, hospitality suites and theatre set-building.

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

41

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SERVICES

Illustrator Nicolene Louw visually represents the ideas, concepts and conversations swirling around in meetings, conferences, award ceremonies and workshops.

A

s humans, we are are predominantly visual beings, responding better to stories and content portrayed through graphics. Visual methods of communication are increasingly adopted to enhance conferences and events. It is one method of unpacking complex ideas and simplifying concepts in an illustrative manner, augmenting the recollection and traction of presentations.

As a visual communicator, Nicolene Louw is living her dream through using her illustrative skills to make processes come alive and be easily understood for unforgettable events.

A CAREER THAT EXCITES While Nicolene had always enjoyed drawing as a hobby, she hadn’t considered it as a potential career, dabbling in other interests including occupational therapy and working on a horse farm. She hadn’t realised that her job could be fun and that it is possible to truly make a career out of pursuing her passion.

Her lecturer, an illustrator himself at the University of Pretoria, ignited the spark to become an illustrator while she was studying graphic design. He continued to be her mentor when completing her master's in illustration at the University of Stellenbosch.

Nicolene loves the variety of each project being unique and her role of transforming verbal content to visual, saying: “Each job is different and requires a different solution. I thrive on being presented with mountains of information and then having to simplify it into simple visual communication.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Nicolene has been fortunate to travel within South Africa and Africa to present graphic facilitation to impressive clients ranging from Nedbank and De Beers to Oxfam and Barloworld among others. A memorable project for her was the Landscapes for People, Food and Nature in Africa conference held in Kenya in 2014.

BENEFITS OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION The options of services Nicolene is able to provide include: graphic recording, whiteboard animation and infographics.

Live drawings are created as a visual story of an event for graphic recordings that can facilitate discussions while whiteboard animation utilises unique hand-drawn animated videos to outline intricate concepts.

Advantages can include capturing key messages for interpretation in front of live audiences, allowing for the clear representation of primary themes and re-enforcing main points.

A visual summary of discussions and decisions is created through graphic facilitation for increased content retention and boosting the delivery of presentations.

Graphic facilitation can also perform the function of providing light-hearted but relevant entertainment to maintain engagement and retention levels at an event or strategy session.

Visuals created have longevity extending beyond the event, as they be incorporated into feedback reporting, displayed as reminders at the offices, used in internal and external newsletters and social media channels.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF VISUAL FACILITATION These tips will give your event the edge and ensure excellent visual content: Prior to the event • Fully complete the event booking sheet and supply as much additional information as possible to form a comprehensive event brief.

• Supplying the agenda prior to the event is very beneficial for Nicolene to pace herself and anticipate the order whether of events.

• Ascertain what is possible at the venue in terms of whether illustrations can be placed on the wall, whether flip charts can be used or whether Nicolene should bring her own easels for display.

At the event • Ascertain where the facilitator will be placed while creating illustrations.

• Introduce her to the audience and explain to attendants her role for them to understand what to anticipate.

• Hard copies and digital versions of all artwork will be sent to the client four working days after the event.

nicolene@fine-line.co.za fine-line.co.za nicolenelouw.co.za

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

43

USB speakers have solid speaker & MC credentials; we rely on repeat business and deliver excellence constantly.

Unique Speaker Bureau is often the bureau of choice when it comes to sourcing select talent for your event. Unique Speaker Bureau’s collaborative team of keynote speakers, MCs and program directors (facilitators) are carefully chosen for their presentation content, professionalism, expertise, experience, depth and collaboration.

The aim is to give invaluable exchange in abundance to every client, resulting in successful events. USB speakers are local and international professionals, with a proven track records the world over.

Often an entire line-up of speakers is chosen from the USB stable due to the cohesiveness of this bureau. The wow factor of speakers, mcs and entertainers knowing each other and working together to achieve your conference objective is magical.

USB delivers well matched speaker solutions to Africa’s business.

For a truly impactful event that leaves everyone inspired, committed and motivated, call USB experts today on +27 11 465 4410 Alternatively, contact: Paul@uniquespeakerbureau.com I +27 83 268 6057 www.uniquespeakerbureau.com

R e w ard pr o g ramm e

all you do

CLOCKWISE Great entertainment ensured that memorable moments were created at the IHG Business Rewards function; guests grabbing IHG Bonus Points prizes in the balloons; HenriBasil Hearne, marketing and PR manager: Crowne Plaza Johannesburg - The Rosebank and Martin Hiller, editor: Meetings; Sandi Macfie, IHG director, Shaun Wheeler, general manager of Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road and Crowne Plaza Johannesburg The Rosebank and Marina Arcanjo, meetings director for Crowne Plaza Johannesburg

On 3 December 2015, Crowne Plaza Johannesburg The Rosebank hosted MICE guests and corporate bookers for the launch of the IHG Business Rewards programme. Participants can now earn points for meetings and events, packages and accommodation booked at the hotel as well as at Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road.

To join IHG Business Rewards: ihg.com/businessrewards l 0861 444 435

1

2

3

4 5

One account. One membership number When you join IHG Business Rewards, all of the points you earn for booking and staying will appear in one account. Managing multiple accounts is a thing of the past, making it easier to earn than ever before. It makes it easy for you to track your progress towards Gold Elite and Platinum Elite membership status too.

No booking threshold and no minimum qualifying spend* to earn points Whether you are simply booking a guest room for the night or busily planning a large conference at one of our participating properties, when you join IHG Business Rewards there is no booking threshold and no minimum qualifying spend* to earn points. You’ll earn three IHG Reward Club points per R15 on every qualifying booking.

Book at your choice of IHG hotels and resorts across the globe IHG Business Rewards is a global loyalty programme, which means you can earn IHG Rewards Club points when you book* at any of the other participating IHG hotels and resorts anywhere in the world.

With some of the best known and most popular hotel brands globally, IHG is likely to have the right hotel in the right location, whatever your booking needs.

Access to exclusive member-only offers and promotions You will also receive special offers and promotions available exclusively to IHG Business Rewards members.

Access to our global redemption catalogue When you start earning points with IHG Business Rewards you’ll gain access to all of the redemption options available in the IHG Rewards Club global catalogue — from hotel stays, air travel and electronic goods to brand-name merchandise and restaurant vouchers.

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

* On qualifying rates when booking on behalf of others. See full terms and conditions at ihg.com/businessrewards.

reasons why you should join IHG Business Rewards

45

SPIER WINE FARM CONFERENCING Spier has 12 different meeting venues varying in capacity. From the conference centre to the historic Manor House, we can cater for large and small conferences, business meetings, workshops, seminars and exhibitions.

Spier’s Conscious Conference package includes environmental and social components, supporting our sustainable business ethos. Conference on a historic wine farm, just 40 minutes from Cape Town, and 20 minutes from the airport.

Spier is one of the oldest wine farms

in South Africa with a recorded history dating back to 1692

SPIER HOTEL Village-style buildings, lush green lawns and spacious rooms situated next to the calming Eerste River are the defining characteristics of the 4 star Spier Hotel. Our rooms are clustered around six courtyards, each with its own swimming pool.

The design is reminiscent of the Bo-Kaap or Mediterranean villages where pedestrians have right of way. The Spier Hotel is situated on the historic Spier wine farm in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands, just 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.

CONNECT NOW

Micro-enterprises linked to Spier.

R310 Baden Powell Road, Stellenbosch , 7600 t +27 (21) 809 1100 | f +27 12 809 1134 | e conference@spier.co.za www.spier.co.za

F EAT U RED VE N U ES • G a u t e n g

Welcome to the family At CedarWoods of Sandton, guests and delegates alike will feel right at home. They will experience high-level service, friendly and efficient staff as well as state-ofthe-art facilities.

P

reviously known as Cedar Park Hotel

and Conference Centre, the hotel has been welcoming hotel and conference guests under the guidance of Randy Moniez for the past 13 years. CedarWoods of Sandton prides itself on being run like a family business, with many of the staff having been with the hotel for more than 18 years. Recent additions to the ‘family' have been hand-picked in order to add to creating memorable experiences for guests and delegates. This has resulted in many return bookings, as guests feel like they have become a part of the CedarWoods family.

LOCATION Located within close proximity to Sandton, Joburg’s central business hub, as well as near the Johannesburg–Pretoria N1 highway, on direct route to O.R. Tambo International Airport, and a mere five minutes from the Marlboro Gautrain station, CedarWoods is an ideal location for business and leisure travellers. The hotel boasts 400 free parking bays and offers a free shuttle services to nearby office parks, shopping centres and leisure destinations.

The centre caters for all functions, ranging from training, presentations, and team building to year-end functions, product launches, cocktail parties, exhibitions, birthday parties and weddings. Conference rooms can accommodate from 10 to 700 guests, and conferences are tailored to suit the individual needs of the function.

Event organisers can rest assured, knowing that CedarWoods provides the most current AV and conferencing equipment. There is also a backup generator to ensure that any event runs smoothly. Each delegate will feel well taken care of by the hotel’s competent, friendly and amiable staff, ensuring their undivided attention, and a smoothly run event.

WEDDINGS Spacious lawns surrounded by picturesque gardens with huge trees make CedarWoods the ideal location for your next outdoor wedding.

The hotel is able to help plan your client’s special day – bringing distinction and style to the big day.

ACCOMMODATION CedarWoods boasts 51 bedrooms in modernised townhouse-style apartments, ranging from single, for the individual traveller, to superior deluxe, accommodating the most discerning businessman. All bedrooms are air conditioned and have a view of the countrystyled, well-manicured, and tranquil gardens.

Guests can feel at home in the apartments, which are geared for comfort. And, with work stations, international plug points, a safe, and free Wi-Fi, no need will go unmet.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES Guests can enjoy a delicious full English breakfast in the mornings or an á la carte or buffet lunch and dinner at the Cedars Pub and Restaurant, situated in the lush gardens of the property. The pub is integrated with the restaurant and an open fireplace sets the mood in winter, creating a wonderful ambience.

It is also equipped with large-screen TVs for sports enthusiasts. One can enjoy a leisurely swim in the swimming pool or sundowners on the restaurant terrace.

CedarWoods prides itself on its greening initiatives – from recycling to energy-saving lighting, compost and a worming house, to the borehole. To read more about what makes this hotel ‘green’ turn to p.16.

CATERING MEETING AND EVENT SPACES The multifunctional conference centre at CedarWoods comprises nine conference rooms, including a ballroom and a newly added community centre that overlooks the bowling greens of the Cedar Bowling Club.

Keep your conference fresh with themed banquets, traditional outdoor braais, or try the Lebanese spit braai out on the gardens’ central lawns. Have a pool bar function, or a private dinner. Vegetarian, halaal, and kosher menus are available on request.

+27 (0)11 804 3777 info@cedarwoods.co.za cedarwoods.co.za

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

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f e a t u r e d v e nu e s • G a u t e n g

Changing

for the better Versatility is a key competency of any successful business. The team at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) has lived by this mantra for over 30 years, delivering a consistent supply of exceptional exhibitions, conferences and events to a diverse portfolio of clients and their audiences.

48 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

T

he exhibitions and events industry

is constantly changing due to a number of economic, social and political factors.

The South African economy has been hard hit and improvement is slow, but it continues to grow, which is good news for all sectors, including ours. The outlook for this year is positive and all are excited to get started.

For JEC CEO Craig Newman and his team, change is an accepted characteristic of business. “Tough times force us to keep on our toes and, irrespective of what happens around us, our clients can expect that we will always do our best to deliver outstanding shows,” he says.

“Change may be a constant but, for us, so is exceptional service. We’re focusing our energy on innovation and achieving a global reach in 2016.”

PMR.africa Awards 2015

STAYING AHEAD Versatility is defined as the ability to change easily from one situation to another. This is something that many businesses have found to be a major challenge. “When you get used to doing something or doing it a certain way, you stop considering other options, even if they could potentially work better,” says Craig.

“Stepping outside of your comfort zone in the business world is intimidating, which is why so many choose to rely on past and proven methods. Unfortunately, there will come a time when those methods are no longer relevant or profitable.

“The industry is not the same place it was 10 or even 5 years ago,” says Craig. “You can’t assume that the way you conduct business now will be the way that you serve clients for the

#JEC

JEC CEO Craig Newman next 15 years. Just as people change, so too do businesses and their needs. As a result, we are constantly looking for new ways to serve our clients as their respective needs evolve.”

However, versatility is not just about becoming better at what you do; it’s also about being able to do things you have not been able to do before. “The mere nature of our work is attracting clients with shows that challenge us and keep us on top,” says Craig. “We want to prove that we can keep pushing the bar and that no event is too different, too large, or too complicated for us.”

SUCCESSFUL YEAR In 2015, the JEC did its best to do just that.

Hosting world-class events such as Ultra Fest South Africa; the International Trade Fair for

Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Construction Vehicles (Bauma Conexpo Africa); and the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon that had runners from across the globe travelling to Johannesburg to take part, the JEC showed that it can deliver every time.

“I am exceptionally proud of our team and what we have achieved in the past few years,” says Newman. “By working together and adapting ourselves, we have managed to maintain a major competitive edge and, in August last year, we brought home the coveted Diamond Arrow for the top exhibitions and events venue at the PMR.africa Awards.”

Irrespective of industry, today’s fast-paced environment prescribes that you must adapt

to new business practices and technology standards. As technology advances and enters the workplace, businesses will be expected to keep up. Those that recognise the importance of versatility during this growth are more likely to excel.

Africa is finally taking its place at the forefront of the global exhibitions industry and South Africa’s conference, exhibition and events industry is fast becoming one of the country’s most important sectors to attract foreign visitors and investment. “We believe that international exhibitions and events companies will continue to look for new opportunities and partnerships in South Africa, having recognised the growth potential of the African market,” says Craig.

“I think, in the next three to four years, there will be much more participation in Africa by the big exhibition companies from around the world. South Africa has the experience, the expertise, the know-how and the infrastructure all in one place,” he says. “We just need to put ourselves out there in the marketplace and let other nations know that we can be their official channel into Southern Africa.”

Looking ahead to 2016, the JEC aims to focus on innovation and delivering exceptional customer service, as well as working handin-hand with leading local and international partners so that it continues to deliver worldclass events for clients and delegates.

“To remain competitive today, take the initiative and step outside of your normal duties,” Craig says. “Go beyond simply meeting the demands of your customers. Exceed their expectations every time and they will never associate your company with anything less than the best,” he concludes.

For more information: expocentre.co.za.

Follow them on Facebook: JHB Expo Centre Twitter: @jhbexpocentre

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

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f e a t u r e d v e nu e s • G a u t e n g

formula Situated in the heart of Gauteng's financial district, Sandton Convention Centre provides a platform where ideas are born — shaping industries in Africa.

S

andton Convention Centre (SCC)has taken the coveted top award in the Best Venue category at the 2015

EXSA Industry Awards, as well as the Best Venue Employee.

EXSA’s GM, Sue Gannon, says the awards – dubbed the Oscars of the industry – are a celebration of the best companies and individuals in the industry. “Winners are chosen through an independent voting system by EXSA members only, with members having only one vote each, so it’s hats off to SCC for coming out tops in both those categories.”

These wins represent SCC’s absolute commitment to excellence at every level, says Neil Nagooroo, sales and marketing manager of the SCC. “We’re extremely honoured to have been voted best venue by members in different sectors within the industry – we believe it is a tribute to our one-stop-shop experience, expert guidance by SCC’s team of professional, an understanding of the needs within the industry, a world-class food and beverage offering, and excellent facilities throughout.”

Neil also commended Lorraine Strydom, sales manager: exhibitions, on winning Best Venue Employee for the third year running.

“Lorraine is an absolute credit to the SCC – she is tireless in her efforts to ensure that we

50 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

deliver beyond customers’ expectations and has clearly made a name for herself as an achiever in the industry. Congratulations to her.”

LOOKING BACK In 2015, Sandton Convention Centre hosted the high-level African Union Summit in June, which was attended by heads of state, government, ministers and representatives from the 54 member countries; the successful Ice Age Exhibition, which featured 45 moving, life-size animals in 12 scenes, and 11 animals in an interactive play area; the massive Africities Summit 2015, the mouthpiece for Africa’s 15 000 local governments from all regions of Africa at the end of November; and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Heads of State Summit and Sixth Ministerial Conference in December; among many other top local and international consumer and trade events.

The event line-up for SCC for 2016 is as also varied and influential, and includes CITES CoP17, the inaugural Arnold Classic South Africa sports festival and much more.

“We will continue to invest our time and energy in providing a venue for the industry that offers the ideal platform for events of all sizes and requirements – doing ourselves, as well as our country, proud,” says Neil.

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reasons to have your next event at sandton convention centre

1 LOCATION SCC is located in the

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heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms, is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment sites and provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

It offers easy access to O.R. Tambo International Airport and the Sandton Gautrain station.

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL With over 22 000 m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space, SCC, which was designed to international standards, is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.

TECHNOLOGY SCC offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time.

HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF Expect a high standard of service from the staff who are there to provide you with support services.

CATERING There is always a wide variety of food available and the menus are innovative. The chefs will often use their initiative to add ‘an extra something’ to the mix.

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+27 (0)11 779 0000 scc.info@tsogosun.com saconvention.co.za

f e a t u r e d v e nu e s • G a u t e n g

The perfect Enter the magical world of Montecasino - a truly magnificent and diverse precinct where excitement and fun are combined with business and pleasure.

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ith 19 conference venues, over 20 dining options, 619 bedrooms

across three hotels, two theatres, 15 cinemas, bird gardens, casino, ten pin bowling and so much more - there is never a shortage of things to do at Montecasino, Gauteng’s premier entertainment destination.

Location Montecasino is located in Fourways, north of Johannesburg with easy access from the highway and 12 km from Sandton CBD. It is also part of the Gautrain bus route with direct link to the Sandton Gautrain Station.

The Conference Experience Whether you are looking for a gala dinner, largescale launch or an intimate meeting, Montecasino has the perfect venue for every occasion.

The largest venue, The Ballroom, can cater for up to 800 people and is ideal for banquets and large seminars. La Toscana can seat up to 300 people for cocktail functions, while the Montecasino conference room can cater for up to 120 people.

The Pivot Conference Centre is situated adjacent to Southern Sun Montecasino and comprises of 9 venues catering for up to 450 people.

The luxurious Palazzo hotel offers conference meetings for smaller, intimate groups in a tranquil environment, as well as special functions at Rosa - an intimate function venue that features a charming Italian design and overlooks the rose garden.

Catering Conference delegates will be spoiled for choice with the large variety of dining options to suit every taste. Whether it’s an early morning breakfast meeting, a leisurely lunch, a client dinner or a quick coffee break, guests will find an array of eating spots either on the Piazza, in the main complex building, or at the hotels.

meetings recommends Accommodation No matter what your group size or budget, Montecasino has your accommodation covered.

There are three hotels in the precinct, each with its own unique style, including: • Palazzo, Montecasino: 246 bedrooms •S outhern Sun Montecasino: 194 bedrooms • SunSquare

Montecasino: 179 bedrooms All hotels offer free Wi-Fi.

Venues and capacities Venue Arno Firenze Livorno Lucca Pisa Siena Verona 1 Verona 2 Verona 2 & 3 Verona 3 Verona Suite The Ballroom La Toscana Meeting Room 1 Montecasino Conference Room Montecasino Executive Boardroom Castello Executive Boardroom Rada Boardroom Rosa Soave

Montecasino offers a variety of venue options that can be customised to any event requirements. A team of highly skilled professionals will provide a one-stop shop experience across the entire complex.

+27 (0)11 367 4250 montecasino.conferences@tsogosun.com montecasino.co.za

Cinema 60 30 60 80 60 160 60 300 600 220 30 100

Schoolroom 40 20 40 50 50 140 50 200 450 120 25 80

Banquet 60 50 140 50 250 400 150 90

Cocktail 60 40 50 130 100 220 100 450 800 300 120

Boardroom 8 8 16 14 -

50 50

22 22

40 50 40

50 70 50

16 12 10 -

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f e a t u r e d v e nu e s • G a u t e n g

to the home of beer Event planners who value personal service will find that the World of Beer is the ideal destination. Here, delegates can enjoy an educational and entertaining tribute to all things beer related.

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subtle flavours of everything you have learnt.

Alternatively, you can relax in the Tap Room, soaking up panoramic views of the Newtown district as you enjoy two complimentary local SABMiller beers and delicious pub lunches.

The World of Beer is also a unique venue for conferences and events, boasting a number of first-rate facilities designed to suit your every need. On your way out, the gift shop offers a wide variety of branded merchandise, beer gear and sports accessories with which to remember your time at the World of Beer.

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES he World of Beer came into being

in 1995, an iconic year in South Africa’s history. It was the country’s first full year as a democracy, the year we came together as a nation to lift the Rugby World Cup trophy, and the year SAB celebrated a century of brewing mastery. To commemorate this milestone, the company opened what was then known as the Centenary Centre, a museum designed to showcase the history of South African beer. It was one of the first major investments made in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, ultimately paving the way for future developments in the area.

Today, the SAB World of Beer includes a tour that has been developed and perfected to give visitors insight into the history and culture of beer: from its ancient origins, to its African

52 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

heritage, its European ancestry, and its role in South Africa’s story, past, present and future.

Detailed information on the brewing process is also provided, and visitors are encouraged to sample raw barley and hops and to ask questions along the way. After the tour, vistors are invited to experience a beer tasting, all the better to understand and appreciate the

The World of Beer’s conferencing venues can accommodate any manner of functions, from product launches and press conferences to unique team-building activities, private exclusive breakaways, sophisticated black-tie events and informal festive occasions. Delegates have the rare opportunity of mixing business in a topclass venue with one-of-a-kind entertainment

Venues and capacities Room name Auditorium Gallery with an outside courtyard that can seat 80 Nonesuch (Reception, lounge and outside deck) Mash Tun 1 Mash Tun 2

U-shaped Schoolroom Theatre 70 40 100 150

Banquet 120

Boardroom -

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30

50

50

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-

-

-

-

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#uniqueexperiences

Take a tour of the SAB World of Beer, and you’ll quickly discover why it has twice been named the number one tourist attraction in South Africa.

This intriguing, entertaining and interactive journey explores the rich history of beer, uncovering the important role beer has played culturally, socially and economically across space and time.

1. The journey begins The lights fade, and soon hundreds

2 and relaxation all in an award-winning venue. Complementing the World of Beer’s conference rooms, auditorium and function facilities is the big beer experience. There is technology as well that gives the World of Beer its dazzling lights, holograms and special effects to ensure that visitors marvel at this modern day telling of the age-old story of beer.

of beer bottles flicker into life, casting a green glow across the room. This kaleidoscopic matrix provides the backdrop for an introductory video, which gives you a glimpse into the wonderful world of beer you are about to enter.

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2. Hathor's Hall Beer dates back to the dawn of civilisation,

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3. Beer in Africa The smell of wood and thatch fills the air as

and has been part of social life ever since. The Hathor’s Hall exhibit takes you through the earliest accounts of beer drinking and culture among the ancient civilisations of the world. Discover how the Egyptians and Mesopotamians enjoyed their beer, and how brewing spread to Africa and Europe. you walk into the African boma, and subtle lighting creates the illusion of a pink sunset in the corner of the room. Take a seat on one of the many tree stumps lined up in front of the screen and enjoy a short film exploring the role of beer in African culture.

4. Beer in Europe Learn how world-renowned brewmaster Josef Groll, living amid the stone streets and arcades of Bohemia, situated in present-day Czech Republic, created the world’s first clear, golden beer. He inspired others to follow suit, and soon the rest of the world learnt of the crisp, clean pleasure of lager and pilsener beers.

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5. Green Fields After all that history, it’s time to learn a little

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bit about the natural ingredients used to brew SAB beers: barley and hops. In the Green Fields greenhouse, which is flooded with natural light, you’ll get the chance to see, smell and taste these up close. Look outside and you’ll see the SAB water fountain – the third fundamental ingredient – and, beyond it, the bustling streets of Newtown.

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ACCOMMODATION A range of accommodation is available in and around the Newtown area. .

CATERING There are in-house caterers serving tasty meals for any occasion, with menus ranging from traditional African fare to exotic treats. SAB World of Beer now offers a beer and food pairing experience, where a knowledgeable SAB trade brewer conducts the tried and tested pairing.

6. Beer in the Cape Beer first arrived in South Africa through

7 7.

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the harbours of Cape Town, the main stopover on the trade route between Europe and the East Indies. Peter Visagie, a sailor from Antwerp, is said to have successfully brewed South Africa’s first clear beer in 1658, only six years after Jan van Riebeeck established a refreshment station at the Cape of Good Hope.

Heritage Hall The tour’s next stop is in the dusty mining town of Johannesburg. The year is 1886 and gold has just been discovered. With the rush of people coming into the city to claim their fortune, breweries soon followed. At this point, it’s time to stop for a halfway half-pint at the Lion Pub. Be sure to take your glass home with you.

8. Soweto Shebeen Step into the Soweto Shebeen, a recreated space steeped in the history of South Africa’s apartheid past.

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+27 (0)11 836 4900 events.co-ordinator@za.sabmiller.com worldofbeer.co.za

9. The Brewing Process Equipped with some international and local context from the ancient to the more recent past, you pass through the doors of the brewing chambers, and you are greeted by giant replicas of the brewing vats used in the SAB beer making process.

10. SAB Brands Before the tour comes to an end, you are given

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the chance to explore the different kinds of beer SAB has to offer.

Which one’s your favourite?

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

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f e a t u r e d v e nu e s • G a u t e n g

– Hyde Park Corner, with many restaurants and high-end stores, is right on the hotel’s doorstep.

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES Take advantage of the state-of-the-art conference facilities that are aimed at delegates who demand a high level of service.

A well-appointed boardroom and two fully equipped functions rooms are available to suit all your needs, from day conference packages to themed functions and events.

The Island bar is ideal for late meeting lunches or pre-dinner drinks while enjoying the Highveld sunset. Consistent high levels of service and a dedicated conference planning team ensure each event hosted at this hotel is an outstanding one.

CATERING

Meeting your every need For those who appreciate style and attentive service, Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton offers event planners and guests unsurpassed sophistication.

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ucked away in one of the exclusive

parts of Johannesburg, Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton is the perfect mixture of comfort and style. Whether you are planning a board meeting with six people or a conference for up to 100 guests, the hotel is the ideal choice for sophisticated conferencing in Gauteng.

LOCATION The hotel is 25 km from O.R. Tambo International Airport, 6 km from the Sandton CBD as well as the Sandton Convention Centre, which makes it the ideal base from which to explore the sights and sounds of South Africa’s richest province. The hotel offers access to business districts and a number of attractions

Luce restaurant offers guests the very finest authentic Italian cuisine fused with Japanese dishes and flavours.

The bold flavours of Italy cater for a host of popular favourites, while for those who desire something lighter, a selection of ocean fresh, tantalising sushi is also available. Culinary expertise, combined with attentive service in a truly elegant Sandton setting, ensures a dining experience that offers the best of both worlds.

The fusion of European and Japanese influences under one roof creates a unique opportunity for discerning diners to experience these culinary delights. A selection of popular Italian and South African wines serves to complement the varied menu, whether accompanying a gourmet platter, traditional pasta, or the famed Osso Buco.

The restaurant also caters for group functions, business meetings, celebrations, and special occasions.

ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES The spacious 132 contemporary designed rooms offer spectacular views of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs. Each room is beautifully furnished in the hotel’s signature style,.

There are also several local attractions such as the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium and Sandton Sun Spa, making Southern Sun Hyde Park the ideal location to explore the city from.

Venues and capacities Room name Kensington Gardens Marble Arch Westminster

Cinema 30 100 -

Schoolroom 30 50 -

Banquet 40 60 -

Cocktail 40 120 -

Boadroom 16 40 16

meetings recommends From its infinity pool and city views to its excellent selection of dining choices, meeting spaces and accommodation, the hotel delivers a high standard in its facilities, service and overall ambience.

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+27 (0)11 341 8080 sshydepark.reservations@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

F EAT U RED VE N U ES • W e s t e r n C a p e

Adding more value Cape Town International Convention Centre provides flexibility without compromise, as well as the most modern amenities and technology as mandatory components.

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ver the past 12 years, the Cape

throughout the construction and operation of Town International Convention Centre the centre.

(CTICC) has proved itself to As part of its commitment to growing its be an invaluable contributor to value, the CTICC’s expansion will double the sustainable growth and the centre’s existing exhibition development of Cape Town, capacity by adding 10 000 m² of The CTICC is located on Cape the Western Cape, and multipurpose conference and Town’s northern foreshore, South Africa as a whole exhibition space and nearly beneath Table Mountain and is 3 000 m² of formal and informal injecting more than only a 20-minute drive R28 billion into the national meeting space. from Cape Town gross domestic product, While the completion of CTICC International Airport and more than R25 billion East will enable the centre to meet directly to the Western Cape gross the steadily growing demand from geographic product. Over 80 000 direct exhibition and conference organisers across the and indirect jobs have also been sustained globe, the CTICC expansion is about far more

than merely adding buildings or increasing the centre’s floor space. Rather, the expansion is a key way in which the CTICC will help to raise the global competitiveness of Cape Town as a premier, world-class meetings and events destination. This, in turn, makes the centre a significant contributor towards the realisation of the city’s objective to establish Cape Town as Africa’s premier business events destination as outlined in its Integrated Development Plan.

Given the widespread acknowledgement that future global economic growth is increasingly reliant on intellectual capital, the meetings, conferencing and exhibition sectors have a serious role to play as key drivers of knowledge sharing and intellectual growth in South Africa.

The CTICC is committed to playing a leadership role in the development of this knowledgedriven economy in Cape Town and across South Africa.

By allowing the centre to attract even more global associations and large, knowledgebased events, the CTICC expansion is growing its contribution to expanding the expertise, knowledge and skills in the city, the province and the country.

For more information: cticc.co.za MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

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Experience Extraordinary There is a place where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary. A destination, at the tip of the mighty African continent, where two oceans meet in the shadow of one of earth’s seven natural wonders. Here exhibitions are transformed into unforgettable experiences, people and brands grow together, and organisations come alive in the hearts and minds of their markets.

This place is Cape Town International Convention Centre.

And to experience it is to experience extraordinary.

To transform your special event into an extraordinary experience contact CTICC: +27 21 410 5000 sales@cticc.co.za www.cticc.co.za

CLA Event Engineering

Creating extraordinary transformational events in the corporate landscape.

CLA Brand and Event Engineering specialise in creating extraordinary, transformational events in the corporate landscape. What makes us unique is our 18-year track record of trusted integrated approach with a focused strategy and a passionate creative team of people. Our philosophy is to work hands-on to elevate your brand on an international platform ensuring measurable ROI. Together we can experience the transformation of your company doing events on a level far beyond the ordinary.

Skilled in seamless event delivery from concept to completion CLA is an experiential marketing and communications company that creates unforgettable events. Since inception in 2000 CLA has been known for sophisticated, creative and remarkable event consulting and production. Our portfolio ranges from corporate gatherings and gala awards to private events and fundraisers.

We work with many leading global corporations…what truly differentiates us is that we understand the importance of effectively communicating our client’s message, brand and strategy in the most appropriate way to each individual audience, to leave a positive and lasting impression. Our event management method is innovative and adaptable resulting in impactful outcomes for your events.

CLA’s expert management team is organised and client focused. We give equal attention to large and small details to make your event one-of-a-kind. From finding the best venue to site planning and logistics, our approach to each occasion is to find the perfect creative solutions no matter the size or type of event.

We ensure that we stay abreast of the latest trends in food, décor and entertainment, all the elements that transform your event from average to incredible.

CLA has built excellent relationships with a solid network of the finest service providers, venues and creative minds. We believe in leaving you with a positive and lasting impression. CLA delivers flawless execution of your event from start to finish.

Company Details Tel: +27 11 699 8900, fax: +27 11 791 3184 info@claeventing.com, www.claeventing.com

FOLLOW US ON:

ta l k i n g p o i n t s

Frank Lee

Safety ahead of profit

An exhibition industry expert’s frank views

It seems that everyone in our industry is hungry to make bigger profit margins. “But, at what cost?” asks Frank Lee.

Speaking

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he time has come for South Africa’s venue owners and exhibition organisers to seriously consider the ramifications of their ‘profit first’ approach to suppliers and safety because, if they don’t see reason and instead persist with their current demands, they could find themselves staring down the barrel of the regulations gun.

Frank Lee is not a member of the Meetings publication team and is a completely free-minded and independent individual who is here to encourage change. Send your comments to franklee2014@ gmail.com.

TAKE NOTE Venue owners and organisers need to realise a number of things: • In the exhibitors’ minds, being forced to ensure their stand, which is the face of their company or brand at the exhibition, is slick and ready to go within an unreasonable time is unprofessional behaviour on the part of the organisers.

• Because it is such a stressful experience for the exhibitor, the event loses its appeal as a ‘must be there’ marketing tool and they refuse to sign for subsequent years.

• When it comes to suppliers and contractors, restricted time also raises their stress levels, as they are expected to work through the night to get the stands they have designed built on time, and there is no margin of error.

• Similarly so for infrastructure suppliers. They have to work through the night, too, but organisers refuse to pay overtime rates.

• Finally, there’s the very important issue of safety. Given the pace at which teams are being asked to work, as well as the lengthy shifts they have to put in, it is only a matter of time before a serious accident takes place.

The venue owners and organisers, therefore, need to put good practice in place, ahead of profit maximisation. We need to protect and grow this industry. Progressive organisations – venue owners, exhibition organisers, exhibitors and suppliers alike – will not regard this as a problem but rather an opportunity, and will cooperatively develop a solution that will give them an edge. Make certain you are one of them.

MEETINGS l january/february 2016 •

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talking points

industry views SAACI's take on keeping current

Collaboration is key In order to have a successful 2016, Adriaan Liebetrau knows that there needs to be a focus on working together.

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ollaboration has saved many businesses from going under, and it has helped many more prosper and reach new heights. Pooling resources, skills and efforts to achieve a common goal will have a compound effect, allowing businesses to operate in larger fields of business while attracting greater customer bases.

Meetings Africa Adriaan Liebetrau is the CEO of SAACI. He has many years of experience within the conference and events industry.

industry views AAXO - for the exhibition organsiers

An ideal way to find enterprises in your field and discuss possible ways of working together is business exhibitions: Meetings Africa, as an example, brings together the continent’s most influential players in the business travel, hosting, functions and events sphere.

Ultimately, collaboration is critical to staying competitive, no matter what field or sector your business is in. Forming connections allows a greater referral network to form, attracting business from competitors and passing on meaningful opportunities that are not necessarily fit for your business. Although it is mutually beneficial, many businesses are still resistant to the idea of collaboration, as

New broom to sweep clean AAXO is bringing change and energy to the exhibition industry, writes Leatitia van Straten.

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Leatitia van Straten is the marketing director of Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery – a founding member of AAXO.

a result of pride or irrational fear of being overtaken and left behind. This is simply not the case. Working together is what will bring meaningful growth to African businesses, and position us as the business powerhouse we seek to be.

The key for business owners to step up collaboration efforts is openness – openness to ideas, to change and to growth. It is quite obvious that 2016 will be the year for businesses to adapt to a rapidly changing business climate, and working on bringing businesses together is essential.

There are significant dangers to African business on the horizon – be aware of them and keep up to date with developments on the continent.

Attending Meetings Africa is an opportunity of tremendous value; to all the businesses and sectors attending and representing themselves: take advantage of what is on offer. The chance to bring your enterprise to previously unseen heights is on offer, and it would be foolish to let the opportunity pass.

Meetings Africa will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 23 to 24 February 2016.

riven by the need within the industry for leadership and governance, as well as the requirement for a credible voice that advocates exhibition organisers, Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) has quickly become recognised as an industry pioneer that represents professional exhibition organisers. To date, its members include: Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, MMI South Africa, Hypenica, Thebe Reed Exhibitions, Spintelligent, Terrapinn, The Wedding Group, SA Confex Services, TE Trade Events, Exposure Marketing and Inspire Trade Expo.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE AAXO has pledged to promote the industry, increase participation in exhibitions and empower members to run successful events. By commissioning research into industry trends, AAXO can provide members with knowledge, resources and increased business opportunities. Additionally, AAXO will offer mediation services in the event of a dispute between an organiser and an exhibitor, host training events that benefit both organisers and exhibitors, and offer networking opportunities. The AAXO code of conduct will promote fair and

58 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

ethical behaviour within the industry, and AAXO membership will reassure exhibitors of the credibility and quality of any AAXOaffiliated event.

EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS AAXO has also entered into a number of strategic partnerships with local and international organisations that are aligned with the goal of supporting profitable exhibitions that stimulate trade and attract foreign investment to the African continent.

AAXO has engaged with the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (Saaci), the UK-based Association of Event Organisers (AEO), which represents companies in the trade and consumer event industry, and the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). AAXO is also finalising agreements with the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, the ABC Audit Bureau, SARS and the Department of Trade and Industry.

BECOME A MEMBER For membership inquiries, including a full list of membership benefits and information on how to join, visit aaxo.co.za or email membership@aaxo.co.za.

Ta l k i n g p o i n t s

Economic engines

Industry views

AIPC on the role of conference centres

The kinds of events that take place in convention centres directly address economic and business priorities, writes Aloysius Arlando.

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Aloysius Arlando was recently elected vice-president of AIPC and is CEO of the Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre and SingEx Group.

onvention and exhibition centres built by governments are intended to stimulate the economy through hosting events that exchange knowledge, share experiences, support business networking and build business partnerships in that region. While significant tourism receipts result, centres also help to raise the brand profile of the destination as a business and/or tourism destination of choice, which can help to attract companies, think tanks and professional bodies to establish a presence there.

Many cities recognise the rich value centres and events bring, and have developed plans to capture this. In Singapore’s case, we attract events relating to key sectors such as healthcare, oil and gas, and aviation, as these are aligned with Singapore’s vision of a knowledge-based economy.

ENDLESS BENEFITS According to Geoff Donaghy, CEO of the International Convention Centre Sydney and director of Convention Centres for AEG Ogden, industry investment and infrastructure development, knowledge transfer and social ventures are all benefits that convention centres and business events are able to deliver to their host communities.

Securing events that are aligned with the economic strategies and priorities of government is critical, but this

4 tips for clutter-free meetings

INDUSTRY views Top tips from industry experts

Rob Kucera shares the important elements to look out for when choosing a venue.

1. LOCATION AND SIZE The first thing to consider is the location, as location is everything. It needs to be central to all parties involved. The size of the meeting area and how many people you need the venue to cater for would be the next question to ask.

2. THE VENUE Rob Kucera is the general manager of The Westin Cape Town. He has more than 22 years of local and international experience in the hospitality industry.

only represents part of the market venues need to pursue to achieve their economic targets. The result is a balanced approach that must manage a range of potential business in order to achieve multiple performance objectives.

While these broader values are generally recognised by local officials and the overall community, this appreciation must be translated into action. As centres are heavy investments, local or national governments must first see the value the centres bring both from economic and community perspectives. They can then work together to attract relevant events to support efforts to grow the economy, based on an alignment within government agencies on how centres can support efforts to boost the economy.

Donaghy agrees: “We have seen significant progress over recent years for both government and the broader industry to understand the role of convention centres, and a great deal of advocacy work has been done by both convention centres and representative industry bodies, such as AIPC, to raise the profile of business events and their benefits beyond tourism to host cities. There have been a number of studies that underscore the range of intellectual, academic and financial benefits of an operational centre to its host city, and these can be used to reinforce the need for an evolving view of what centres and their related business activities achieve.”

Is the venue professional enough in terms of look and feel to bring clients or even potential clients? While restaurants are great, they often bring about a lot of distractions and a fair amount of noise. Find a venue where you know there are no distractions and it’s easy to connect with colleagues and brainstorm ideas.

3. VALUE ADD-ONS The first question most guests ask is how fast the Wi-Fi

connectivity is, and rightly so. It has become the norm for all venue facilities to offer free Wi-Fi access to guests. Does the venue have water on standby and stationery such as pens and paper easily available?

These are value add-ons that make your meeting that much easier and stress-free. If you are planning a rather large meeting or conference, offering something as simple as a free customised website that allows attendees to book their reservation and access documents via the site is a huge bonus.

4. FOOD Everyone gets hungry during a meeting and there is nothing worse than having to come up with strategic ideas on an empty stomach. Equally as important as the rest of the elements is the menu available.

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t h e b a c k pa g e

It’s not your party, so don’t cry… even if you want to, writes Miss Meet.

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e ven if it’s not the reality (because I know you can handle your alcohol) the perception of losing control could put an end to your work with a client.

• It is your client’s prerogative to be the life of the party, not yours.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY

REMEMBER, THIS IS BUSINESS

ALCOHOL: THE BIG NO-NO

DO NOT LOSE YOUR TEMPER

No matter how well you get on with your client, remember that he or she is still your client.

Don’t forget that line of authority and respect.

Quite simply, don’t drink at your client’s events.

The reasons should be obvious but, in case you don’t get it: • Walking around unsteadily and laughing loudly will definitely get you noticed but, once again, not for the correct reason.

• Your client needs to feel that his or her event is in safe hands at all times.

How safe are those hands after a shot or two of tequila? And remember,

I’d be the first to admit that this is a stressful industry – especially when we are on-site and things don’t always work out according to plan.

But, it is vital that you remain composed and calm at events – no matter what the situation or how angry you may be with a supplier.

Losing your temper and screaming at staff or suppliers does not embody the traits clients look for in event managers – professionalism, respectfulness, and the ability to handle stress and nurture relationships.

Illustration: Nicolene Louw

s event managers and staff, we always need to be conscious and respectful of the fine line between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour at the events we are involved in. And it’s true that, in some cases, this line is very blurry or has been erased completely. I then advise that you err on “the side of the nerd” – if you have any doubt, then you should probably not be doing it!

It may be easier to get the attention if your dress is the sexiest at the event, but approach with caution: • Do you want to be noticed because of your “large and amazing personality” or because of your ability to run an amazing event?

• You should never ever steal the limelight. This is your client and their guests’ event.

KEEP THE CONVERSATION APPROPRIATE Do not swear or tell inappropriate jokes at the event – no matter the crowd. It is not your place. This behaviour – even if it makes the audience laugh – will be perceived as unprofessional and lacking self-control.

DON’T SIT AT THE REGISTRATION DESK This is my personal pet hate. The registration desk at an event is the guests’ first port of call. Your staff should be standing at this desk and not sitting. When staff are seated, it really looks as if they are too tired or too bored to help you. When they are standing, they look eager, ready to serve and interested in the guest.

Wishing you all the best for the year that lies ahead. May 2016 be your oyster. I end off with a quote by Johann Wolfgang van Goethe, “Behaviour is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.”

index to advertisers 3D Group of Companies 29 Cape Town International Convention Centre 55 Cedarwoods of Sandton 47 Century City Convention Centre IFC CLA Event Engineering 56 Crowne Plaza 45 & OBC Dan Rosenthal Studio 57 Gautrain 36 Indaba Hotel 31 Johannesburg Expo Centre 48

60 • MEETINGS l January/february 2016

Lumi Insight 27 Khoja Group 9 Montecasino 51 Orion Hotels IBC Peermont 18 Premier 33 SAB World of Beer 52 Sandton Convention Centre 50 & IFC Scan Display 17 Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton 54

Spier 46 Sue Marillier & Associates 23 The Maslow 2 Tshwane Convention & Visitors Service Bureau 34 Unique Speaker Bureau 44 Valley Lodge & Spa 32 Wesgro 39 WTM Africa 3

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