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JAN/FEB 2015 • Issue 59

Look to the future

MICE trends – what to expect in 2015

HOW TO

Green your event with flare

6 reasons why you should use mobile apps at your next event

SPOTLIGHT

MEETINGS AFRICA Advancing Africa Together

This is a very tough but rewarding industry with great people” 3D Group of Companies’ Conrad Kullman

R50.00 (VAT incl)

in this issue FOCUS ON GREENING 06 How to make your next event carbon neutral Franz Rentel provides possible solutions

09 Greening best practice A comprehensive list on how to ensure a green event

10 Venues Top picks of venues with green credentials

11 Exhibitions Green ways to build a stand

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 12 My exhibit, my show, my return 3D Groupâ€™s Conrad Kullman on getting the most out of

GREENING

Carbon neutral

ON THE COVER

an exhibition

With this issue of Meetings, we have included the Meetings Africa 2015 supplement â€“ a comprehensive guide on all you need to know about this yearâ€™s event.

DESTINATION 14 Gauteng Event plannersâ€™ city of gold

BEST PRACTICE 16 Top 15 MICE trends Helen Brewer shares her 43 Pumula Beach Hotel The personal touch

predications for 2015 DESTINATION

18 Lend me your eyes and ears Jacqui Higgins on

Gauteng

how to attract people to your stand

44 Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani The brightest star on the Golden Mile

20 Ditch the paper, drive engagement John Fisher on ways to connect delegates with your event

TALKING POINTS 47 Frank Lee Looking back

22 Improving experiences Karmen Vladar on using technology at your events

48 SAACI Which shade of green are you? 48 EXSA Exciting year predicted

SPECIAL FEATURE

51 IBTM Africa Networking opportunities

24 A to Z of hosting your events in SA

51 AIPC Making a difference

SERVICE PROVIDER REGULARS

28 ConCept G Exhibitions & Events What it takes to have a successful year

43 KwaZulu-Natal MEETING PLACES

MEETING PLACES 31 Airport venues Why location matters 32 Crowne Plaza Johannesburg â€“ The Rosebank Glitz and glamour take centre stage

33 Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road Sandtonâ€™s Conferencing Mecca

34 Johannesburg Expo Centre Local expertise goes global

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38 Riverside Sun Resort Natureâ€™s meeting place 39 Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport Fuss-free conferencing

40 Tshwane Events Centre Everlasting events 43 Champagne Sports Resort Themed functions galore

03 Edâ€™s letter Roll with the punches 05 Tidbits Meetings, must-know minutia 23 Speakerâ€™s Corner What to expect at Meetings Africa 2015

26 Sound Bite CTICCâ€™s Warwick Thomas is a passionate food fundi

27 20 Questions Scan Displayâ€™s Justin Hawes is making a difference

52 Miss Meet Dim the lights, cue the music

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ED'S LETTER

Roll

Production Coordinator Jacqueline Modise Financial Manager Andrew Lobban Administration Tonya Hebenton Marketing Manager Hestelle Robinson Digital Manager Esther Louw Distribution Manager Nomsa Masina Distribution Coordinator Asha Pursotham

with the punches F

Advertising Ruth Baldwin

CHALLENGE 1

Publish Publisher Publis her Eli Elizabeth Elizab zabeth Sh Short Shorten orten en Editor Martin Hiller (martin@3Sm (martin@3Smedia.co.za) Smedi e a.c a.co o.za) Head of Design Hayley Mendelow Contributors Brad Adler, Helen Brewer, Geoff Donaghy,

Charles Drewe, John Fisher, Jacqui Higgins, Adriaan Liebetrau, Thulani Nzima, Franz Rentel & Karmen Vladar Chief Sub-Editor Tristan Snijders Sub-Editor Beatrix Knopjes Senior Designer Frédérick Danton Designer Kirsty Galloway Client Services & Production Manager

Antois-Leigh Botma

ORGET NEW YEAR resolutions, I am all about New Year challenges. In 2015, I have a few challenges for you:

+27 (0)11 233 2600 ruth@3smedia.co.za PUBLISHED BY No. 4, 5th 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 2015 © Copyright. All rights reserved 2015 www.saconference.co.za 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.

ENDORSED BY

Be open to try new things Let’s face it, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? This seems to be the attitude of many clients who want their events to be done in the same manner as before. Throw caution to the wind and propose different themes, new entertainments and decor. On page 16, our annual trend report is filled with information to help you plan an event that is not only successful but on trend.

CHALLENGE 2 Have a sense of humour Events never go exactly as planned. Planners need to be flexible and learn to laugh things off. You need to roll with the punches, laugh it off and tend to your bruises later. Of course, I would to love to hear about some of your embarrassing moments.

CHALLENGE 3 Be humble Whether you’re dealing with clients, vendors, or other event planners, listen carefully to what they have to say and show them that their opinions matter. The

nature of event planning is that trends are constantly changing, so someone can always teach you something you didn’t know.

CHALLENGE 4 Go green Event greening is no longer a buzzword in our industry. In this issue, we give you a comprehensive breakdown on how to green your event. It is easier than you think and the benefits are truly rewarding.

CHALLENGE 5 Promote our MICE industry Last year was a fantastic year for our industry. Nina FreysenPretorius was appointed ICCA president, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo was appointed to the ICCA board as the geographical member of the region, and Craig Newman was appointed to the UFI executive board. I have no doubt that, in these positions, the South African flag will be flown high. This year, I hope to hear more success stories. Make 2015 the year for innovative concepts, creative design and flawless execution. Until next time

MY FAB

IN COLLABORATION WITH

FIND

MEMBER OF

EARN CPD POINTS BY READING MEETINGS

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MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

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Meetings’ must-know minutia YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

ICC ICCA'S FIRST AF AFRICAN A AND THIRD W WOMAN P PRESIDENT

Nina FreysenNi Pr Pretorius was elected as president ele of the th Interna onal Cong Congress and Conven on Associa on (ICCA) at the associa on on’s Annual General Assembly. Freysen-Pretorius, owner of Durban-, Cape Town- and Johannesburgbased The Conference Company, has been second vice-president of ICCA since October 2010. She is the immediate past president of the Southern African Associa on of the Conference Industry (SAACI). “Having worked interna onally with so many ICCA members across the world, I believe I understand the challenges of the industry. ICCA and the conference industry are entering a new phase of innova on and growth. The organisa on needs a president who can build on the successes of recent ICCA leaders, who can think strategically, inspire excellence and provide insight into the challenges of its members,” says Freyson-Pretoruis. Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief conven on bureau oﬃcer at the South African Na onal Conven on Bureau, was elected as geographical member for Africa on the ICCA board.

It’s the food we eat at MICE gatherings that makes all the diﬀerence. These foods should be included in your food oﬀerings: • BLUEBERRIES enhance learning capacity • AVOCADOS keep delegates more alert • BROCCOLI/CAULIFLOWER improves brain power • EGGS improve delegates’ cogni ve performance • DARK CHOCOLATE increases delegates’ powers of concentra on.

THE TABLE BAY

The Table Bay has introduced customised foraging expedi ons that deliver the opportunity to explore the Mother City’s splendid natural outdoor market. Charles Standing, a recognised urban hunter-gatherer, has intricate knowledge of the Cape’s exquisite landscapes and vast knowledge regarding the wild plants that may be used for culinary purposes. He takes foragers on an informa ve and scenic tour of Cape Town’s beau ful areas. Foragers are then invited to venture into the kitchen with charisma c execu ve chef Jocelyn MyersAdams to learn about preparing delicious food using their harvests. This is a great teambuilding experience.

CONGRATULATIONS

Johannesburg Expo Centre CEO Craig Newman has been appointed to the UFI execu ve commi ee by the main board of directors of UFI, The Global Associa on of the Exhibi on Industry. “I am, once again, honoured and humbled by the UFI’s belief in my ability to make a meaningful meanin contribu on to this pla orm,” says Newman. Newm “I look forward to seeing what w the future holds for the global glo exhibi ons and events in industry and the part that Africa’s Af exhibi ons industry can ca play in this developm development.” UFI is the associa o on of trade show organise organisers, fairground owners, na onal and interna onal associa ons of the exhibi ex on industry and its partners. pa

GO GREEN OR GO HOME

Here are AV Direct’s top ps for greening your next event: • Produce reusable, generically branded events materials that can be used at several events • Encourage guests to return their name badges as they leave the event • Plan menus that use local, seasonal produce. This will result in tas er and more environmentally friendly dishes • Use a mee ng room with as much natural light as possible. Your delegates’ concentra on will be improved and scarce resources are saved by not using unnecessary electricity.

Source: IBTM’s global events magazine, July ediƟon of ‘The Diary’

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA 1 South Africa is the only country in the world where you can order monkeygland sauce steak at a restaurant without the risk of a real internal organ being placed before you. It was invented many decades ago by overseas chefs as a pointed insult, aimed at the brash inhabitants of Joburg who poured Worcestershire and tomato sauce over everything. 2 South Africa has a penguin colony, which thrives thanks to the cold Antarc c currents on the west coast near the Cape. 3 There are only 12 countries in the world that supply tap water that is fit to drink, and South Africa is one of them. Our tap water quality is third best overall in the world. 4 The Lost City Resort Hotel at Sun City is the largest theme resort hotel in the world. 5 South Africa’s hotels, game lodges and restaurants are frequent winners of top global awards.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

GREENING

Why should your next event be carbon neutral?

As an event organiser, how can you continue to meet client, delegate and stakeholder expectations for sustainable event operations while still holding down costs? Franz Rentel provides possible solutions.

6 â€˘ MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

Holding a carbon neutral event can help raise awareness of climate change issues demonstrate commitment to sustainability and to inspire participants to choose lowcarbon options in their own lives, as well as saving money through emission reductions.

GETTING STARTED Climate-friendly event practices needn’t be limited to large-scale events. You can green an event of any size, such as a small meeting of less than 50 people. Making an event carbon neutral is similar to making an organisation carbon neutral. First, you will need to get full commitment from management when the planning starts. Then allocate enough money, people and time to ensure that the initiative succeeds.

In general, the event’s scale and nature will influence how best to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

OFFSET Once emission reduction strategies are exhausted, emissions that cannot be further reduced can be offset. It is absolutely essential to choose high-quality certified offsets to ensure that emission reductions actually occur. South African events have the unique opportunity to offset with projects in their own backyard, thereby promoting local sustainable development. Projects with a strong community emphasis, such as clean cookstoves, have many positive co-benefits. The cost to offset will depend on the type of project, and carbon credits used. As a general indication, it will cost organisers less than R10 per delegate to offset all emissions, except the travel emissions of the delegates. Once you have offset your remaining emissions you have succeeded in making your event carbon neutral.

COMMUNICATE MEASURE

IVEN ALL THE MANY things event

organisers are doing to go green in order to try and stay competitive, it’s not uncommon to occasionally overlook some of the easier ways of doing so. Large or small events such as conferences, sporting competitions, concerts, festivals and conventions are all sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity, heating, air conditioning, transport, air travel and paper are just some of the ways that events contribute to climate change. However, many event organisers are recognising that events do not have to have a huge climate impact and – in fact – can play a positive role by becoming carbon neutral. By staging a carbon neutral event, you can take responsibility for your event’s emissions and use your larger purchasing power and profile to lead in climate change action. Benefits include the opportunity to publicly

The next step is to define the carbon footprint of the event by identifying all sources of event-related greenhouse gas emissions. Major emissions sources will likely include travel to the host city, local road transportation, energy consumed by the event venue and energy used through stays at local hotels. Smaller emission sources include transportation of goods the event needs, event organiser travel during planning and preparation, catering, paper use and waste generation (especially food waste). The complexity, and hence costs, of emissions calculations will vary depending on the size of the event.

REDUCE Once all emissions associated with the event are identified, strategies for reducing these emissions need to be devised. This is the most important step in staging a carbon neutral event. If possible, targets can be set to help track performance. For instance, organisers may set out to reduce travel-related emissions by 10% by encouraging participants to use public transport. If the event is held annually, reduction targets can be based on previous years’ emissions. Virtually all aspects of any event can have a reduced climate impact, including venue, registration, transportation, catering, procurement, waste minimisation and recycling, energy efficiency, renewable energy and event accommodation.

Holding a carbon neutral event can help raise awareness of climate change issues and actions that can be taken to reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s important to inform participants about the initiative. The event’s website, event programme, press releases, opening, signage and post-event publications can all deliver the message. Large event organisers may want to set up an onsite sustainability booth to provide information about the event’s greening initiatives, and also issue a press release that discusses the event’s environmental initiatives. Organisers may also choose to get participants involved by getting them to offset their own emissions. That option needs to be part of the registration or ticketing. However, passing on the onus of offsetting emissions to participants may not work, as not all participants will choose to do so. One option is for organisers to take responsibility for any leftover emissions not offset by participants. Another is to build the cost of offsetting into the ticket price. Whichever course you choose, make sure participants know they are attending a carbon neutral event.

FRANZ RENTEL is country director for Climate Neutral Group, an international carbon management and offsetting firm. He has been active in the carbon market for almost 10 years.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

GREENING

Greening best practice GREEN MEETINGS: 5 to 20 delegates Event ac vity Greening interven ons Invita ons • Email invita ons OR use recycled paper Catering • Use caterers in close proximity to the venue to reduce the carbon footprint of transpor ng the food • Caterers must use minimal, environmentally friendly packaging • Use water jugs rather than bo led water Transporta on • Host your mee ng at a venue on a public transport route • Encourage a endees to carpool Venue • Use a venue that has natural ven la on and light to reduce the use of air condi oning and ligh ng • Make sure that recycling sta ons are available throughout the venue Mee ng • All mee ng no ces, agendas and presenta ons should be sent by email materials • If you need to print, use recycled paper GREEN LAUNCHES AND EXHIBITIONS: 200+ delegates Registra on • Use recycled name badges and registra on so ware Catering • Use caterers in close proximity to the venue to reduce the carbon footprint of transpor ng the food • Caterers must use minimal, environmentally friendly packaging • Use water jugs rather than bo led water • Le over food must be disposed of correctly • Request seasonal produce that is locally sourced Transporta on • Host your mee ng at a venue on a public transport route • Arrange group transport Venue • Use a venue that has natural ven la on and light • Make sure that recycling sta ons are available throughout the venue • Enquire about the venue’s water efficiency technology Exhibi on • All decor needs to be sourced locally and be environmentally friendly material • All equipment used during the exhibi on must be energy efficient • Once the event is done, donate all the usable recyclables to a local school or community • Put in place a policy that limits the amount of waste they can produce • Encourage exhibitors not to hand out printed informa on brochures Media • Send out media packs electronically or on a USB drive. If you need to print, use recycled paper GREEN CONFERENCES: 50 to 300 delegates Invita ons • Email invita ons Registra on • Use recycled name badges and registra on so ware Catering • Use caterers in close proximity to the venue to reduce the carbon footprint of transpor ng the food • Caterers must use minimal, environmentally friendly packaging • Use water jugs rather than bo led water • Le over food must be disposed of correctly • Request seasonal produce that is locally sourced Transporta on • Select conference venues where delegates can stay • Hire a shu le bus if the accommoda on and conference venues are not within walking distance Venue • Use a venue that has natural ven la on and light • Make sure that recycling sta ons are available throughout the venue • Enquire about the venue’s water efficiency technology Exhibi on • All decor needs to be sourced locally and be environmentally friendly material • All equipment used during the exhibi on must be energy efficient • Once the event is done, donate all the usable recyclables to a local school or community • Encourage exhibitors not to hand out printed informa on brochures Media • Send out media packs electronically or on a USB drive. If you need to print, use recycled paper Accommoda on • Select accommoda on facili es that have green cer fica on standards Conference • Source bags/gi s from local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint from transporta on emissions bags/gi s • Support local community projects • Bags/gi s must be reusable to reduce waste Gala events

• Arrange shu les to transport a endees to the dinner if the venue is not on-site • Support local ar sts and musicians as part of the entertainment • All decor needs to be sourced locally and be environmentally friendly

Greening prac ce • Waste minimisa on • Environmentally efficient transport • Waste minimisa on • Environmentally efficient transport • Energy efficiency • Waste minimisa on • Waste minimisa on • Eco-procurement • Waste minimisa on • Environmentally efficient transport • Waste minimisa on • Eco-procurement • Environmentally efficient transport • Energy efficiency • Waste minimisa on • Water conserva on • Social development and local economic development • Energy efficiency • Waste minimisa on • Waste minimisa on • Waste minimisa on • Waste minimisa on • Environmentally efficient transport • Waste minimisa on • Eco-procurement • Environmentally efficient transport • Energy efficiency • Waste minimisa on • Water conserva on • Social development and local economic development • Energy efficiency • Waste minimisa on • Waste minimisa on • Resource efficiency • Environmentally efficient transport • Social upli ment • Waste minimisa on • Environmentally efficient transport • Social upli ment • Eco-procurement

*Special thanks to eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality’s Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department. First published in Green Event Guideline.

Event greening should start at the inception of the project and involve all the key players. The comprehensive list below can be used to ensure a green event.*

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

GREENING

Planning an event?

Try these venues GAUTENG ‘Growing your own’ is a burgeoning trend against the backdrop of rising food costs and global emphasis on sustainable living. The Maslow Hotel’s chefs have brought their passion for growing their own to the hotel’s roo op to ensure a sustained supply of fresh, quality, organically grown herbs for the kitchens. The roo op garden also demonstrates The Maslow Hotel’s focus on environmental sustainability and resource eﬃciency. Roo op gardens, also known as green roofs, are becoming popular in urban environments to remove heat from the air through evapotranspira on, thereby reducing temperatures of roof surfaces of buildings and the surrounding air. By absorbing heat and ac ng as insulators for buildings, green roofs help reduce internal hea ng and cooling costs. +27 (0)10 226 4600 • suninterna onal.com

CAPE TOWN Situated at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, the Cape Town Interna onal Conven on Centre (CTICC) is commi ed to reducing the carbon footprint of mee ngs and events. The centre is con nually se ng the benchmark in terms of interna onal standards of best prac ce. The CTICC makes every eﬀort to encourage and enable suppliers, clients and visitors to minimise their footprint. To this end, the centre oﬀers sustainable conference packages and event solu ons. +27 (0)21 410 5000 • c cc.co.za

GAUTENG Built with sustainability in mind, The Peech Hotel in Melrose oﬀers a trendy and upmarket experience for delegates. The hotel’s water is heated by solar geysers, grey water is used for watering the gardens, food waste gets processed into garden fer liser and the hotel bo les its own water on-site. Its fully equipped boardroom accommodates up to 18 delegates. The hotels oﬀers an in mate mee ng space, The Green Room, which has been designed so that under normal weather condi ons it needs no light and no hea ng, even in winter. The room is ideal for small mee ngs where a crea ve space is needed. It can seat up to six people. +27 (0)11 537 9797 • thepeech.co.za

10 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

KWAZULU NATAL A lot of effort went into ensuring that Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani was environmentally friendly when it went under refurbishment. The hotel strives to reduce consump on of natural resources through the responsible use of energy, gas and water, and the iden fica on and implementa on of sustainable energy solu ons. The staff at the hotel ac vely seek to minimise pollu on, emissions and effluents emana ng from its opera ons. From a conferencing perspec ve, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani provides environmentally friendly sta onery. Eight of the mee ng venues offer natural light. +27 (0)31 362 1300 • tsogosun.com

Green from the get-go As a premier green standbuilding team in South Africa, Scan Display builds the greenest stands while not compromising on elegant, innovative design and functionality.

HILE IT CAN OFTEN seem like a

simple process to green a stand, the reality is that green elements and materials need to be incorporated from the very start of the stand design to ensure that a stand is as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. When considering how to make your standbuild as green as possible, it’s important to look at each element of the stand. Ask yourself the question: Where will this all go when the exhibition is over? Make sure that you can reuse elements of your stand, or consider donating any additional materials to worthy causes or local community projects. Everything must have a purpose after an exhibition; otherwise it will just become waste. Over the years, the team at Scan Display has carefully selected various initiatives to benefit from additional materials that become available after an exhibition. An example of this would be the leftover fabric that is sent to the Soweto Sewing Company. This initiative was started over 10 years ago and now employs 12 ladies who create a variety of items to support themselves. The Soweto Sewing Company is run out of an office in the Scan Display factory in Newtown, Joburg.

REUSE Scan Display’s design team always tries first to fulfil elements of a stand with reusable materials that may already be in storage or can be used again in future. Natural raw wood and materials that can be repurposed for other uses after an exhibition are important to consider. Similarly, you may want to look at upcycling waste products to create furniture or fittings. At Meetings Africa 2014, logs and old tyres were used to create seating in meeting areas in the exhibition hall.

REDUCE The team will also take the ‘consumption’ of a stand into account. This refers to elements like the amount of power the lighting will draw as well as how to reduce waste on a stand. For instance, an LED lighting scheme will draw less power than larger lamps while still providing the intensity of light needed. Professional Beauty Johannesburg 2014 was an exhibition run entirely on LED lighting, a coup for sustainable electricity usage at a show. The Climate Change Response Expo (CCR Expo)

at COP17 was one event where Scan Display used solar energy to power the show. After the show, the solar panels were installed in the Scan Display Cape Town offices. The CCR Expo was an exhibition that embraced green initiatives and Scan Display adopted a range of green options, including eco-friendly sound-dampening walling (used for the first time as a modular system in South Africa), glass-fronted marquees to allow natural light in, a giant banana leaf canopy made from 99% sustainable materials to provide shade, and eco-friendly floor graffiti. Scan Display also built a marquee around a tree trunk without causing the tree any damage.

GREENING STARTS AT HOME While Scan Display encourages its clients to go green at exhibitions and events, it also believes it is important to adopt sustainable practices within the company. Scan Display staff members are encouraged to car pool, recycling stations have been set up throughout their offices, the offices have LED lighting and there is even a veggie patch.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

My exhibit, my show, my return For 3D Group’s Conrad Kullmann, getting the most out of an exhibition is what really counts.

HEN CONRAD KULLMAN starts

talking about the exhibition industry, there is no stopping him. This industry runs through his veins and it is easy to see why he is the group sales and marketing director of 3D Group. A qualified gas and refrigeration technician by trade, Conrad started his career in the business event industry as a salesperson for an audiovisual company. This was the catalyst for what was to come. Knowing that he was good with people and had a natural talent for sales, Conrad started his own company in Botswana, Audio Visual Traders, even though he still lived in Joburg. Well, only on the

12 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

weekends. “When I started my first company, I owned a Beetle and it couldn’t make the weekly trip to Botswana. So I had to hitchhike up and down to Botswana. I did this for nine months until I eventually saved enough money to buy a bakkie for the weekly trips,” says Conrad. His commitment to his company did not go unnoticed and, when he sold his company, he started working for Whiteboard, which was bought by Waltons. Conrad ran this company for two years but his entrepreneurial spirit yearned for more. In 1996, Conrad, together with his brother John, started 3D Design – and the foundation for 3D Group had officially been laid.

which is a one-stop shop for the organiser, supplier and exhibitor. This online system will simplify the way our industry does business,” says Conrad.

INNOVATION

3D Group of Companies’ 2014 Markex stand

When looking back at the past 19 years, the growth of the company has been one of Conrad’s many highlights. “This is a very tough but rewarding industry with great people and wonderful comradeship between competing companies. The past 19 years have been amazing, stressful, fun, scary and rewarding,” says Conrad. Being able to offer so many people an income and getting to know them is a key driving force for Conrad. “Our people are our success. We employ the best minds in our industry who are passionate about our company culture. We are only as good our people.”

3D Group is a big supporter of the South African exhibition industry. Not only is it in their best interest but they are also passionate about the industry. They want everyone involved in an exhibition to get the most out of it. 2014 was certainly challenging on many fronts for 3D Group. January to April was a slow start and this impacted heavily on the cash flow. “We put our heads down and strategised. We focused heavily on the organisers and our infrastructure offering, and signed up a total of 15 new shows for this year, says Conrad. 3D Group will be capitalising on these shows and their existing ones to see a return on our design stand side of our business. “This year, I will be launching my new talk on ‘My exhibit, my show, my return’. This talk will be offered free to all organisers’ exhibitor briefings. This talk encompasses subjects such as design exhibition stands to support exhibition goals, how to budget for your stand, writing effective briefs, measuring your ROI, sales staff incentives, stand graphics and leveraging technology. It’s important that exhibitors use these tools to maximise their experience and return,” says Conrad.

AWARD-WINNING There is no better person to give this talk than Conrad. He is constantly keeping up with exhibition trends. “We regularly rotate our designers to keep our designs fresh. We have monthly design meetings where we discuss

ABOUT 3D GROUP OF COMPANIES 3D Group is a full turnkey exhibition solution provider. The five business units supply all services needed to ensure a successful exhibition. 3D Group has the capacity to design, construct, project manage and execute up to 400 events/ exhibitions a year. 3D Group offers the following in-house services in Joburg and Cape Town: • Shell scheme • Electrical hire • Furniture hire • Exhibitor services office • Online exhibitor and organiser management and services purchasing system • System design stands • Custom design stands • AV hire • Large-format digital printing

new trends, ideas and products. We also have a group on Pinterest that is added to on a daily basis. Regular trips to international and local exhibitions and design events help us to broaden our design minds and incorporate the X-factors that are always needed on a stand,” says Conrad. All of this hard work has paid off as, in the last three years, 3D Group has won 28 awards for design and delivery excellence. With a flawless track record for design, execution, delivery and quality, combined with passion for the industry, under the watchful eye of Conrad, it is easy to understand why the group has grown into one of the largest suppliers of exhibition infrastructure and management in Africa.

ONE-STOP SOLUTIONS With a staff compliment of 287 and an inventory valued at over R45 million, 3D Group is on hand to provide exhibition and event organisers with immediate solutions. All their services are ready to use at any given time. “For clients that have left it really late, we have a library of 4 800 stands arranged in their respective size, budget and configurations for them to choose from. Clients will be able to input their stand size configuration and budget on our website. The system will then show them various designs within their criteria to choose from,” says Conrad. In addition to this, 3D Group’s modular Octanorm exhibition system is light to transport and quick to assemble, making it a firm favourite with exhibition organisers. “3D Group has launched the EZIXPO system,

UNDERSTANDING THE EZIXPO SYSTEM 3D Shell has made great strides in our industry to close the gap between organiser, supplier and exhibitor, enabling a seamless communication between the parties which ultimately leads to happy exhibitors and a great show. As a result, 3D Group has launched an industry first – EZIXPO system.

WHAT IS DOES … …FOR THE EXHIBITOR All services, such as furniture, plants, plumbing, audio-visual, carpeting and electrical, can be ordered. Exhibitors will also have access to show manuals, mandatory forms, management spread sheets and will be able to upload any documents relating to their exhibition. The system also facilities online payment. …FOR THE ORGANISER All they have to do is load the exhibitor and everything else happens automatically. The exhibitor is sent a user name and password. Once logged in, the exhibitor is guided through the whole process. ...FOR THE SUPPLIER Extract reports can be drawn up from the system, from how much furniture was ordered, right down to how many spot lights were supplied. The supplier can also send out newsletters and communication to exhibitors on the organisers behalf using the system.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

DESTINATION • Gauteng

Built on gold From inner-city sanctuaries to luxury hotels and indoor arenas, Gauteng offers unique and innovative spaces.

LOT HAS changed for many of Gauteng’s cities that started out as mining towns. Nowadays, with its world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art meeting and exhibition facilities and ease of access, the province plays host to numerous international conventions every year and is popular with delegates. Gauteng’s rich history and heritage is complemented by modern design and innovation. Gauteng may be the country’s business gateway, but locals work hard and also play hard. Visitors can expect a variety of entertainment, from outstanding restaurants g to global g catering tastes,, to museums,,

DID YOU KNOW? The only street in the world that has housed two Nobel Peace ce Prize winners is located in Gauteng: former mer South African president Nelson Mandela d l and d Archbishop A hbi h Emeritus E it Desmond Tutu both lived on Soweto’s Vilakazi Street.

14 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

art galleries, theatres and shopping malls with designer labels to home-grown fare. It is therefore no surprise that Gauteng is the first choice for many event professionals.

MUST-USE VENUES

Garden Court Milpark boasts a fresh new look and brand-new oﬀering a er an extensive refurbishment and upgrade of facili es. Conference organisers can choose from five conference rooms, all of which are equipped with the latest conferencing equipment. The biggest room can seat up to 140 cinema style. The hotel boasts 251 en-suite rooms. +27 (0)10 219 1000 • tsogosun.com

UNIQUE SPACES Gauteng has numerous large exhibition and conference venues with world-class facilities, making the province the first choice for business tourism on the continent. It is also home to many unique venues, from rooftops to underground venues. Whatever event needs you have, Gauteng has the perfect venue for you.

GETTING AROUND With world-class road infrastructure, getting around Gauteng is easy. Public transport includes buses, the Gautrain, trains and taxis. For those wanting use of a private car, all major car hire companies are located at O.R. Tambo International Airport and throughout the province. With its melting pot of culture, explosion of art, food and music, as well as its rich history and innovative environment, isn’t it time to add a touch of gold to your next event?

Kleinkaap Bou que Hotel in Centurion is the landmark celebra on venue that oﬀers guests a vibrantly contemporary experience, while s ll evoking feelings, memories, and the warm nostalgia of days gone by. The venue provides the ideal environment for hos ng a successful mee ng, func on or conference. Rust-en-Vrede is ideal for large conferences, product launches or presenta ons for up to 400 delegates. For smaller groups, Goedehoop and Vergenoeg can cater for up to 30 guests. +27 (0)12 654 9878 • kleinkaap.co.za

Sandton Conven on Centre is situated in the heart of Sandton, near a number of accommoda on, retail and entertainment op ons. The 12-storey centre provides conven on and exhibi on space over five main levels and covers 22 000 m2. The pavilion can seat 4 500 guests, while the ballroom can accommodate 2 000 banquet guests. The smaller event rooms can accommodate up to 350 people. +27 (0)11 779 0000 • sacoven on.co.za

A GUIDE TO HOSTING YOUR NEXT EVENT IN

Maboneng F

EEL THE HEARTBEAT of Gauteng and Joburg’s CBD by having your next conference in the Maboneng Precinct. Meaning ‘place of light’, Maboneng is home to several retail, restaurant and entertainment venues as well as a museum, crea ve factory and independent cinema.

GETTING THERE Mabo’go provides a private shu le to and from Maboneng, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If driving, Maboneng is easily accessible from the M2 highway.

5 1

REASONS TO PLAN YOUR EVENT, TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITY OR INCENTIVE IN GAUTENG ORIG ORIGINS OF HUMANKIND With over 440 attra attractions in the Cradle of Humankind, bus business travellers and conference del delegates will be spoilt with choice. A vvisit 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 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.

VENUES A variety of venue op ons is available: • Chalkboard Collabora on Café is the ideal spot to grab a cup of coffee with your colleagues and have a brainstorming session. • Bioscope can be hired as a conference venue for up to 67 delegates. It is equipped with facili es such as audiovisual presenta on equipment to enhance the professionalism of your conference. • Arts on Main Events Space is designed for larger groups, as the venue can accommodate up to 400 guests, and offers a seated conference style. This venue is ideal for concerts, exhibi ons, award ceremonies and weddings. • Main Street Life Roo op Bar is the ul mate venue for an event that needs to be a li le closer to the skies. It can accommodate up to 250 guests, making it perfect for a slightly more personal event. This is an exclusive venue for product launches, cocktail-style func ons, day me events, client apprecia on and entertainment events, as well as weddings. CULINARY FARE With over 20 exci ng independent eateries, Maboneng has established itself as a proper culinary des na on for even the fussiest of foodies. ENTERTAINMENT Maboneng offers world-class entertainment for delegates. Popart is a bite-sized theatre experience with a reputa on for premiering cu ng-edge theatre. Shows run Thursday to Saturday at 20:00, with a ma nee show on Sunday. Stand-up comedy takes place at 17:30 every Sunday. popartcentre.co.za ACCOMMODATION There are a variety of hotels in a 10 km radius of Maboneng. If your delegates want to spend the night in the precinct, then the 12 Decades Hotel is for them. 12decadeshotel.co.za SHOPPING Retailers stocking a variety of local designs and cra s make Maboneng a showcase of the best fashion, art, furniture and more, and retail distribu on for discerning shoppers. mabonengprecinct.com

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. GREAT TRANSPORT It’s easy to get to and around Gauteng. 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. INCENTIVES DESTINATION With fivestar 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 incentives.

For more, visit gauteng.net

A MABONENG MUST: MARKET ON MAIN Market on Main is a weekly food and design market with over 100 independent traders. The market happens at Arts on Main every Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00. The night market takes place once a month, on the first Thursday of every month. A top-class market celebra ng the best in food and design, Market on Main is a metropolis of culinary experts, food entrepreneurs and food lovers. Couple this with an outstanding design and vintage sec on that includes locally designed furniture, clothing, accessories and cra s for one of the best retail experiences the city has to oﬀer. marketonmain.co.za

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

BEST PRACTICE

MICE trends in 2015 Being able to adapt to the changing meetings and event landscape will ensure your survival. This 2015 trend forecast by Helen Brewer will assist you in developing a strategy for success. Take note or take issue.

16 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

HERE IS A tide in the affairs of men,

when taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.” A well-worn quote from another age, yet no saying is more apt than Shakespeare’s immortal words from Julius Caesar as we venture cautiously into a year that could hold great opportunity. If we react positively to the signs, good prospects are in the offing. However, if we believe there is no shift in the tide, diminishing returns could be the outcome within all sectors of the MICE industry. The savvy end users and shrewd negotiators, spurred on by economic conditions and with a general realisation that what could be ignored or avoided or simply accepted in the past, are unlikely to perpetuate these in 2015. Dramatic changes are already prevalent and it is the prudent readers that will think through and indeed heed the coming

of a new era within the South African MICE industry.

1 SUPPLIERS Service providers with actual product – venues, staging, exhibition stand designers and decor providers – will have a greater impact on non-core sectors of organising and registration services. 2 VENUES With high competition within MICE, venues that have lower-end capacities of 200 and less will need to operate smarter in order to gain and retain bookings. While operating costs continue to rise, MICE venue management must understand the differences between hospitality and a MICE client. If MICE venues fail to grasp that a delegate is not a tourist and adopts an attitude in misunderstanding the MICE client’s needs, bookings will go elsewhere. By the

exceptions, however and these examples are in the minority. The smart travel agent will concentrate on what they do best while a preferred list of independent organisers will undertake the more logistical requirements. This manner of operating between travel and MICE is likely to grow in 2015.

TOURS AND INCENTIVES Inbound groups from countries that recognise tax deductions for incentive groups and tours only on the basis of an included meeting component will continue to handle the meeting component as an added value. Commissionable booking of venues without indicating the added-value benefits to the venue may discover venue resistance in paying the commission.

Think through and indeed heed the coming of a new era within the South African MICE Industry 6 GROUND ARRANGEMENTS Luxury bus transporters will also start adding value with custom-made passenger food and drink packs, as well as tour guide presentations of historical sites en route will be the preferred choice of group transporters by the end users. same token those who become clued-up and realise MICE client requirements are not the same as basic hospitality will grow their bottom line significantly.

3 INDEPENDENT PLANNERS Those providing an organising service as their core business activities will be required to have credible proof of ability. In fact, the proliferation of professional conferencing is becoming a challenge to the extent that highly experienced and knowledgeable independent planners will seek methods of proving their credibility going forward. 4 TRAVEL INDUSTRY The end user/buyer is realising that in most instances, whether an internal travel desk or an appointed travel agent, the knowledge base in MICE organising requirements is lacking. There are

REGISTRATION The charges will decrease as more competition enters the South African market. This situation has been brought about by the advent of international registration software providers’ successful registration software implementation in Southern Africa as an income generator.

CATERING The more people who gather for a variety of MICE undertakings, the more likely palates will become more discerning and a greater variety of choice is likely to be demanded.

11 BEVERAGES There will be little change in the range of hot and cold served beverages – dependent on the season. However, attractive displays of choice will prevail. Unflavoured bottled water will remain the single most consumed liquid. 12 AV, STAGING AND PRODUCTION End users/buyers with greater choice of staging and production companies are likely to opt for the less sophisticated with competing companies reducing charge structures to suit clients’ budget restrictions. 13 DECOR As with promotional items, the green element, with less electricity and more battery-powered table lighting, will rule the day. Suppliers also will be more cautious by using decor that cannot be easily removed. 14 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS The proliferation of trade associations will be required to provide serious, real-time benefits in order to retain members. 15

PUBLIC SECTOR Although dragging their heels towards reducing budget costs on venues and entertainment, the public sector will not undergo a major noticeable shift towards lesser venues that do not have a variety of entertainment distractions. Venues that do not secure bookings with substantial deposits may wait extended times for accounts to be settled.

8 PROMOTIONAL ITEMS As more green, local products are purchased, the lower the price per unit will become. Supply and demand with a South African brand loyalty base will be the norm rather than the exception. 9

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.

TECHNOLOGY Fibre-optic cables will be

installed in more MICE venues allowing the extensive use of videoconferencing. This will reduce travel expenses dramatically.

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BEST PRACTICE

Lend me your eyes and ears Making the most of your exhibition stand involves focusing on two key things; attracting visitors to your stand and interacting with them once they are there, writes Jacqui Higgins.

18 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

F YOU ARE able to interact with visitors on your stand, you can expect new connections, increased conversions and plenty of new business leads. This is more possible than ever thanks to amazing advances in technology. An increasingly growing trend spotted on custom exhibition stands in 2014 was the strategic use of technology. From iPads, to large audiovisual screens, to an impeccable sound system, audiovisual technology is being used in fun and innovative ways to attract exhibition visitors and help make exhibits stand out from the rest. “AV and lighting is one of the most versatile ways to highlight and showcase interesting elements. People are intrigued by it, it draws you in, giving an elevated customer experience and helping exhibitors to engage with customers. Making full use of technology on a stand communicates professionalism and successful change adaptation,” says Michael Collyer, CEO of TechRig Technical Solutions Agency. Here are some of the latest in international AV exhibition trends.

4K Exhibition trends are leaning towards modern clean designs using one of the hottest items in the tech world right now – 4K resolution. The 4K technology is rewriting the rulebooks;

irregularly shaped, into a display surface for video projection. These interactive projectorbased displays can be used on small and large scales. It works by projecting vivid imagery and user content like games and apps onto everyday surfaces such as floors, walls and even transparent materials like glass. By using specialised software, a two- or three-dimensional object is spatially mapped on a virtual program, creating optical illusions and the feeling of movement onto previously static objects. This is massively entertaining and boggles the mind. It is a crowd pleaser and can be used on almost any thing from cars to sneakers.

SIMULATORS

it has been hugely successful where 3D failed. Interactive flat-panel screens offer ultra-highdefinition image clarity, perspective and depth due to the superior display. You can stand right next to them and have a 3D experience, without utilising 3D technology – there is nothing to beat the image quality. According to a round-up of what was trending at Infocomm Expo, one of the largest international AV expos, 4K projectors dominated the show. 4K resolution is one of the technologies that are driving the high-end of the projection market. More video is being shot in 4K resolution; this higher resolution content requires less scaling and looks sharper on megapixel video walls and on the Ultra HD resolution signage displays. In plain language, your brand never looked or sounded this good.

LED DIGITAL SIGNAGE To give visitors a totally immersive experience, LED video displays are the future of the largearea display market. LED displays are versatile and can be used to excite customers, enhance experience, raise company awareness and promote brands. Many companies are opting for mobile video walls using LED technology, which can be moved and positioned wherever needed. Digital signage operators are increasingly finding that inclusion of live video in their sign designs is effective at

drawing customers to exhibition stands and it is holding their interest for longer periods of time. The versatility this gives and the interest it generates are well worth the expense.

DIGITAL CONSUMERS Whether we in the AV community think we call the trend, today’s consumers, in whatever venue they’re in, are more connected than ever before. Digital signage, kiosks, tablets and smartphones are all part of our everyday digital experience and should be part of your interaction with customers. First iPads and now Android-based tablets are finding a place in the digital signage industry and generating a variety of accessories and applications. The design of the technology enables the rapid development of multimedia-rich, multi-touchenabled, and interactive projection-based displays; for instance: door displays, floor displays, wall displays, and interactive tables. Using a variety of digital platforms to engage with the consumer makes it all the more stimulating and allows the user’s interaction to be a strong and more memorable one.

Having a simulated experience is bound to bring out the kid in you. Simulation is used in many contexts; it allows you to experience ‘life-like’ scenarios without actually being there. The most popular type is interactive simulation, which is a special kind of physical simulation, often referred to as a human-in-the-loop simulation, in which physical simulations include human operators, such as in a flight simulator or a driving simulator. If interactive simulation is the play-like-a-kid, fun part, then computer simulation is the more serious and useful older brother that allows customers to immerse themselves in your brand and gain insight into operating systems. There are many different types of computer simulation; the common feature they all share is the attempt to generate a sample of representative scenarios and how your product can be used in various ways. These are exciting times with thousands of ideas, apps and technical innovations bubbling up to help meeting planners, exhibitors, venues and other meeting participants to do their jobs better. The wonderful thing about technology is that it is constantly evolving, which means exciting changes in the way we communicate our brand and how consumers experience it. We look forward to watching the future of AV and its presence at exhibitions.

JACQUI HIGGINS is the marketing manager and media liaison for TechRig Technical Solutions Agency and CLA Brand & Event Engineering.

MAPPING Video mapping is a fascinating and growing means of communicating with customers in a fun and innovative way. Mapping is projection technology used to turn objects, often

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MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

BEST PRACTICE

Ditch the paper, drive engagement It’s no secret that everyone is connected in today’s world, but with so many distractions on the phone and tablet, John Fisher asks: “Are people connecting with your event?”

20 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

S A GOOD HOST, a lot of time and money go into planning your corporate event – from the amazing line-up of speakers to securing the perfect programme – it’s natural that your greatest priority is to ensure the best possible experience for your audience. What does this entail and how do you measure your event’s success? No longer a just trend, mobile apps are now an essential tool in the events industry. As an effective platform to engage delegates before, during and after an event, apps are used in conferences, incentive trips,

roadshow events and exhibitions. Not only do they enhance a delegate’s on-site experience but they also serve as a better communication tool for event managers and the marketing team. So why are clients often hesitant to invest in an app for their own event? Marketing managers are often highly sceptical of event apps and dismissive of them as an expensive alternative to traditional print and online solutions. If welcome booklets containing delegate information, itineraries and maps work well, why invest in a different solution?

DITCH THE PAPER Just as every person who has attended an incentive trip, conference or roadshow is no stranger to welcome booklets and bulky programme schedules; no marketing manager is a stranger to producing them for their corporate event. Print collateral is often expensive to produce and ship (especially if the event is overseas), and can lead to multiple versions due to last-minute updates in the programme (incurring high costs). Unfortunately, these often end up in the bin at the end of the event or are ditched earlier on due to their size and weight. This is not to say that print collateral should be completely abandoned. Welcome letters to accompany room gifts and printed menus at a group dinner are nice touches at any event, and the small details of these thoughtful touches are all that it could take to make your event a memorable one. A lot of printed collateral is used at events, but surprisingly very little of the event is reliant on printed paper.

DON’T JUST LAUNCH IT, FLAUNT IT Given the benefits of event apps, why are marketing managers so sceptical of investing

in their own? One of the main reasons seems to be the possibility of failing immediately after launch. The biggest mistake that a marketing team can make is to commit to a project but not shout about it before, during and after the launch. Regardless of the nature of the project, the outcome is almost always the direct result of the level of dedication by the marketing team to make it work. This is the case for training programmes and it is the case for incentive trips – event apps are no different. Commitment to make the product is one thing; commitment to make the project a success is quite another. It is at this second stage that teams often slip. Just as you would promote and communicate your event to fill registrations, you must also promote your event app and recruit advocates to encourage its success. After all, the greatest app is nothing without good PR. Apps for an event need to be valued as useful by everyone that hears about the app, so it is important to take an integrated approach to communication and shout about it across multiple platforms. The launch is only the beginning – not the end – so the only thing that marketing managers should be sceptical about is the faith they have in their own ability to succeed.

and a tablet in their seat. Many will become distracted by their mobile device and may lose interest in the task at hand. Mobile technology enables us to engage the audience directly through the event app without the use of clunky clickers and communicating devices, making Q&A sessions and voting processes quicker and easier for both delegates and organisers. People are distracted by phones and apps anyway, so why not use it to our benefit and use apps to drive engagement among the audience?

THE CRUCIAL STEP IS TO TRY Event apps do not have to be seen as the unfavourable, expensive alternative to traditional print and online solutions. Keep in mind that the cost to hire devices and produce print collateral takes. up a sizeable portion of your budget, and this can be redirected to fund an event app that consolidates information into one easily accessible source. Have an annual kick-off conference or quarterly sales review, training roadshow or regular incentive travel trips? Event apps can easily be refreshed with a different identity for each new event, providing you with a cost-effective solution. With the right content, it can only mean a better experience for your audience, event manager and marketing team.

DRIVE ENGAGEMENT Just as an event app is a great tool for information, it is an even greater tool for interaction. Frequently, audience participation is highly valued at conferences and roadshow events and, to accommodate this, third-party suppliers have traditionally been brought in to provide the required tools for engagement. Physical clickers, connectors and communicators that enable the audience to respond to quiz questions or vote in polls for real-time data have in the past proven quite popular. However, these clickers and communicating solutions are often bulky and awkward to handle – especially if delegates are trying to juggle a smartphone

This article was first published on fmigroup.co.uk/category/brandtalk/

JOHN FISHER is a director of FMI Group. He has 30 years’ business experience, as both client and consultant. He has also written a number of business books, speaks French and German, and spends most of his leisure time in Italy.

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BEST PRACTICE

Improving experiences Karmen Vladar shares six reasons why you should use technology and mobile apps at your next event 1 IN-THE-MOMENT FEEDBACK Receive instant event feedback that reflects how attendees are feeling while they’re still in session, in the moment or on-site. Attendees are much more likely to respond while still engaged in the event, rather than filling out something later online or on paper. Speaker evaluations, live polling and event surveys help you know what’s working and what isn’t, so you are armed with as much information as possible to help you plan your next event.

2 MEASURABLE ROI Return on investment matters to event stakeholders, especially CEOs. According to event industry research, over 82% of CEOs say considering return on investment is important when planning events. Real-time audience response provides

22 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

you with the quantitative and qualitative data you need to measure against your required success criteria.

3 GREENING With all the interaction taking place in a virtual space, there is no need to print anything. This means that no waste will be created. 4

attendees are given the opportunity to engage in session, sharing their thoughts, opinions and questions.

IMPROVE LEARNING Audience interaction creates an environment that encourages learning and participation, while real-time metrics and feedback show the presenter how well attendees understand the content. For events with a more formal education component, technology can also help with auditable attendee tracking for compliance regulations.

6 ADD SOME FUN Gamification via realtime response technology can add a fun and exciting twist to your event. Integrating games into your event can help facilitate networking, education, sponsor integration and more. Adding a little competition and some great prizes to the mix can really take your attendees’ event experience to the next level. KARMEN VLADAR is the marketing manager at Lumi (previously IML). In 2009, she worked at the head office in the UK, where she gained insight into international business events industry.

MAXIMISE ATTENDEE ENGAGEMENT

Attendees expect to use technology at events, whether it’s a tool provided for them or their own device. If you’re not giving them the opportunity to participate in the event with technology, you’re missing out on the conversation that’s taking place. By incorporating live audience response like polling or messaging into your event,

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Behind the scenes Mar Marilyn Woolfrey provides us with the view from the not-so-cheap seats, behind the world’s finest speakers! not-

T GOES WITHOUT saying that helping to plan and arran arrange the marketing, booking aand confirmations of some of the world’s finest speakers comes with its fair amount of pressure. After all, it must be accepted that all of the Unique Speaker Bureau’s (USB) speakers interact and interface with some of the country’s – and sometimes the world’s – biggest company leaders. We never take it lightly when we organise a showcase at which our premier speakers will talk. The same goes for promoting our emerging speakers – USB has a mentoring programme to integrate and promote exciting new talent.

USB talent. Very often, these events are collaborations with major stakeholders in South African commerce. Meetings Africa has to be the premier trade event of the year, calling into play our ability to involve local and international business into a myriad of offerings.

MEETINGS AFRICA 2015

This year is the 10th anniversary of Meetings Africa and we have lined up an exciting speaker showcase programme – 40 premier local and international speakers as well as a section for emerging talent. If you don’t have your events team there, you are missing an extraordinary opportunity to plan your whole year’s events; not just your speaking talent but destinations, venues and other relevant TALENT GALORE conferencing offerings. With the level at which we impact Behind the scenes of what we sometimes corporate South Africa, there is term the ’rock concert for business‘, no room for mistakes. That it soon dawns on you that being Not to be missed includes ensuring that the involved in a business that helps speakers know where energise, enthuse, and propel Have you booked your table for the USB Annual Speaker they have to be, when local business is an important Showcase at Mee ngs and what the brief is. and very exciting place to be, Africa on 25 February 2015? It’s knuckling down especially in these challenging For more informa on: into the role of arranging economic times. +27 (0)11 465 4410 promotional events It’s not a glamorous position +27 (0)72 577 2621 that will showcase all the to be in, planning and staging

events; whether it is for one speaker who is presenting to 20 people or 20 000, it takes as much effort. Knowing how to interface and interact with people who have not only achieved some of the highest accolades in global business but recognising their value to diverse businesses and how their talk will impact business, I guess takes insight and experience gained from years of dealing with some of the most demanding businesses and personalities that exist. Having said that, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

uniquespeakerbureau.com

In her role at Unique Speaker Bureau, MARILYN WOOLFREY connecting corporates and event organisers to premiere professional speakers who deliver exceptional messages and content.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

SPECIAL FEATURE

A to Z of hosting A

ADVENTURE SPORT South Africa is

the ultimate destination for adventure. Take to the skies, keep your feet on the ground or feel the rush of the ocean. The Northern Cape is a Mecca for adrenalin-pumping extreme sports. If you're into more laid-back sport, South Africa boasts some of the best golf courses in the world.

BIG SEVEN Few experiences are as absorbing as seeing Africa’s great beasts up close. South Africa is home to the Big Seven: buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, rhino, the great white shark and the southern right whale. If you want to see all seven, then a visit to the Eastern Cape is a must.

CONVENTION CENTRES South Africa has a wealth of conference and exhibition facilities, including custom-built centres designed to top international specifications in all major cities. Settings for your conference in South Africa range from beach resorts to exclusive golfing estates or game reserves. In 2014, Durban ICC was voted as Africa’s best convention centre for the 12th time by the World Travel Awards.

DESTINATIONS With nine distinct and diverse provinces, South Africa will appeal to any person. Explore the small towns and cultural villages or get lost in the big cities and discover their secrets; trek across the magnificent coastlines or simply be in awe of the scenic surroundings.

ENTERTAINMENT

Bursting from its seams, South Africa is home to amazing talent – from acrobats to singers and comedians. No matter the event, there is entertainment to match.

FESTIVALS You can host your event around one of the many festivals that are held throughout the year.

24 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

Delegates can maximise their stay by attending the festivals. Some famous festivals include the Standard Bank National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the Cherry Festival in Ficksberg and Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival.

GAUTRAIN Get your Gauteng event on the fast track to success with the Gautrain. With speeds of 160 km/h and access to commercial hotspots, the Gautrain is a safe and efficient means of public transport. Take the Gautrain for a convenient journey and predictable travel times. Leave Gauteng’s infamous traffic behind.

HISTORY With over 440 attractions in the Cradle of Humankind, you can learn about the origins of man. The Origins Centre boasts the largest collection of rock art in the world and is believed to be some of the first images made by humans. Visit the Sudwala Caves, the oldest known caves in the world, dating back 2 000 million years. A visit to South Africa means you can step back in time.

INFRASTRUCTURE South Africa is the powerhouse of Africa, the most advanced, broad-based economy on the continent, with infrastructure to match any first-world country. There’s more to Africa than lions. Johannesburg, a city of skyscrapers, sprawls wider than London or New York. The lights work, the water flows, there are multi-lane highways and – unfortunately – traffic jams.

JOURNEY

The best way to get to South Africa is by air – unless you have a boat or rugged overland vehicle. More than 70 airlines and more than 23 million passengers a year move through South Africa’s 10 principal airports, including the

three major international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK South Africa’s most exciting African bush destination is by far the Kruger National Park. Steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger National Park is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife. The park spans private and public game parks and stretches across national borders into neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

LUXURY From five-star hotels and super-luxury tents to subtle, sophisticated eco-lodges and glorious colonial villas, South Africa is the epitome of luxury. While staying here, treat yourself to one of the many award-winning spas. Your comfort is our treat. There are 5 779 star-graded accommodation establishments in South Africa and 109 946 star-graded rooms. Star grading is by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. MELTING POT OF CULTURE South M Africa is a nation of 51.8 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages and beliefs. There are 11 officially recognised languages, most of them indigenous to South Africa. It is this diversity that has gained South Africa its nickname, the rainbow nation.

NELSON MANDELA A man of vision, a man of integrity, a man of his people, a man of this world, Nelson Mandela left a legacy that not only South Africans, but the whole world, can be proud of. There are numerous sites throughout South Africa that pay tribute to the former state president as well as the Freedom Struggle. A visit to Constitution Hill, Liliesleaf, Freedom Park and

your event in SA the Apartheid Museum is a must.

OWL HOUSE

Helen Martins’s Owl House in NieuBethesda is an extraordinary, other-worldly home of concrete and ground-glass sculptures. Her creativity conjures up an array of emotions – from wonder to excitement, curiosity and sadness. South Africa is peppered with quirky towns and villages – from Clocolan in the Free State, Pilgrims Rest in Mpumalanga to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape and Matjiesfontein in the Western Cape. These towns with their colourful history provide a unique backdrop for any event.

POST-EVENT TOURS With lush bush, golden beaches, spectacular scenery – ranging from mountains to deserts – ecosystems found nowhere else in the world, an opportunity to experience African culture first-hand and one of the least expensive holiday destinations, South Africa is ideal for post-event tours. For an added bonus, the weather is fantastic. If you’re visiting from the Northern Hemisphere, just remember: when it’s winter over there, it’s summer over here. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen; leave the raincoat at home.

QUALITY Anyone hosting an event in South Africa can be assured of quality. From venues to service providers, every detail of your event will be taken care of by industry professionals. According to the South Africa National Convention Bureau, communication of South Africa’s service excellence track record has been constant in key markets and this has gone a long way in attracting more business events to the country.

RECORDS South Africa is the top

convention destination in Africa and the Middle East, and ranks 34th globally, according

to the International Congress and Convention Association. This can be attributed to South Africa being a capable business event destination with superbly equipped and professionally run and managed international convention centres, thousands of smaller business event facilities across the country, and skilled service-orientated people who work in all levels of business events. We offer great service by a dedicated industry.

SUSTAINABILITY Greening and

sustainability are no longer just buzzwords for events in South Africa. Many venues have significantly increased their sustainability by instituting on-site recycling facilities, limiting bottled water, and implementing automated light and temperature controls to reduce electricity consumption. Event gifts are being sourced from numerous social upliftment programmes.

TABLE MOUNTAIN Believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world, Table Mountain’s powerful and charismatic pull enchants and draws any and all who fall under its spell, creating the perfect backdrop for your Cape Town event.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE South

Africa is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites – places of outstanding value to humanity. Natural heritage sites are the St Lucia wetlands, the Cape Floristic Region and the Vredefort Dome meteor impact site. Cultural heritage includes the archaeological site of Mapungubwe, and Robben Island, for centuries a jail for political prisoners – including Nelson Mandela. The Drakensberg mountain range, with its dramatic scenery and rich store of rock art, is a mixed natural and cultural World Heritage site.

VILAKAZI STREET The only street in the world that has housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, is

Soweto’s Vilakazi Street. Soweto is the perfect location for a day excursion. Some must-see sites include: Vilakazi Street, the Hector Peterson Museum, Diepkloof, Kliptown squatter camp and Kliptown Museum.

WINE South Africa is home to the W longest wine route in the world. The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on, hop-off tour is one of the best ways to experience the picturesque Franschhoek Valley and its 300-year-old wine farms. South African wines are award-winning and perfect to drink at any event.

X-FACTOR VENUES From rooftop and underground venues to city and bush retreats, South Africa has any venue for any event. There are 178 star-graded meeting and events venues and 969 star-graded meeting rooms.

YUMMY FOOD One thing is for sure, a visitor to South Africa is in for a culinary sensation. Braais, potjie kos, koeksisters, bunny chow, biltong, tripe, vetkoek, walkie talkies and waterblommetjie bredie are some of the culinary delights that will whet your appetite. If you are not an adventurous eater make sure you know what you are about to dig into.

ZZZ With so much to see and do in South Africa, there is little time to sleep. However, when you do need to catch some shut-eye, you can fluff your pillow at the numerous establishments – hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. Sources: southafrica.net and southafrica.info

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

Passionate

food fundi Bringing an extraordinary element to the Cape Town International Convention Centre’s culinary offerings, executive chef Warwick Thomas is all about creating memorable experiences.

ow has the food and beverage industry changed over the past five years? The industry has revolutionised itself. Trends five years ago have become obsolete as we continue to push the culinary boundaries and transform a simple meal into an extraordinary experience. One such trend is a movement towards green and sustainable practices. Working at a convention centre that incorporates sustainability in its daily activities makes this easier to do. In the past it was popular to have Norwegian salmon on your menu, now we look at sourcing local produce such as Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) approved fish.

What do you enjoy the most about working at CTICC? Working at a convention centre means that each day is different and I love the challenges that come with working in such a dynamic, exciting environment. I have been provided with free creative licence and an inspiring team, to take CTICC’s cuisine offerings to Chef Warwick Thomas has garnered recogni on for new heights. his culinary feats, and boasts extensive knowledge and experience of diﬀerent culinary cultures, obtained through What are some of the his worldwide travels. He also spent two months on the trends you see in the food road cooking his way into the final 15 when he entered and beverage industry? UlƟmate Braai Master, an extreme outdoor reality TV One significant trend that has risen cooking series. He has extensive experience in highis the ‘small plate movement’, which volume banque ng and conferencing, having headed up encourages our clients and guests to the cuisine oﬀerings at various five-star establishments order several small dishes as opposed in South Africa. to eating one meal. This allows guests

ABOUT CHEF WARWICK

26 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

to sample a diverse array of cuisine. Neurogastronomy is another upcoming trend, which entails a holistic approach to dining and embraces all the senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. For example, the music that plays when guests eat their starter, and presenting that dish in a way that promotes guests to eat with their eyes – enhancing the guest’s experience.

What is the number-one mistake people make when it comes to catering for conferences? When event organisers select catering based on their personal preference instead of considering the diverse group of people who will be attending the conference. This is why I recommend meeting with clients, to help them to create memorable experiences for their delegates and visitors.

How do you present ‘plain’ food in a way that makes it look appealing to delegates? Every plate is different and I understand that people eat with their eyes first; therefore I encourage individualised portions of food. We have moved away from traditional buffet stations to more interactive stations, which enhances the experience. We focus on fresh produce that is simple yet sophisticated.

What dish are you asked to make the most often? The most popular signature dish at the CTICC is beef fillet with caramelised onions. Other dishes which we are renowned for include our lamb shank, sticky roast chicken and sustainable SASSI fish options.

What is your favourite food and why? I don’t have a favourite food as my passion is for all food; as long as it’s fresh and innovative. I do, however, relish lamb chops infused with rosemary on the odd occasion.

What was your favourite part of being a finalist on Ultimate Braai Master? I got to interact with a diverse group of people and I cooked for 52 days, on and off the road, in weird and wonderful places and even paddled down rivers. I enjoy being adventurous and trying new things – both in and out of the kitchen.

Why did you decide to become a chef? There is no grey area about being a chef – either you love it or you don’t. I have a genuine appetite for the industry and view it as culinary art. Being able to express my passion and creativity through food is an intrinsic part of who I am.

THE MEETINGS & EVENT PLANNER’S GUIDE TO

FOREWARD

Celebrating a successful first decade In the last 10 years, Meetings Africa has evolved from humble beginnings into the continent’s premier and best-represented business events exhibition. • 162 journalists (up 19%) • 3 295 people, in total, passed through the Meetings Africa 2014 gates (up 15%). While we are delighted that Meetings Africa is growing, our focus has always been on quality rather than quantity.

N 2005, A SMALL GROUP of exhibitors gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre for the inaugural Meetings Africa business events trade show. Back then, no one envisioned that one day we would be celebrating 10 years of the show’s success, growth and widespread continental imprint. If you were part of the group that initially participated, I am certain you will agree. To illustrate the great attendance at the Meetings Africa trade show, it is important to look at some numbers from 2014: • 169 international, qualified hosted buyer delegates (15% more than in 2013) • 31 regional African–association-hosted buyer delegates (down marginally on 2013) • 238 local corporate buyer delegates (up 140%) • 839 visitor delegates (up 16%) • 262 exhibitors (up 11%)

02 • meetingsafrica.co.za

In the first two decades of our democracy, we have already taken massive strides forward. We have firmly established ourselves as the leading business events destination in Africa and the Middle East, and are the 34th most popular destination globally, according to the latest International Congress and Convention Association global rankings. Furthermore, two of our cities – Durban and Cape Town – are placed in the top 100 cities in the world for business events. South Africa is focused on growing this industry not only because it sustains jobs and contributes to the country’s GDP, but because it also creates business opportunities. These opportunities would possibly not have taken place if these events had not been brought to South Africa, exposing our varied knowledge-economy credentials to global audiences.

THANK YOU

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my very heartfelt thanks to all of you who have exhibited at Meetings Africa during the last decade. It is because of you, and the variety of products and services that you INCREDIBLE SUCCESS bring to the show, that each year we are able Who do we have to thank for Meetings to attract a growing number of quality buyers Africa’s success? Without a doubt, you – the and media from around the world. people who work in South Africa’s business It is also because of your commitment events industry. It is your commitment and that more and more African exhibitors passion to work together to enhance South are convinced that Meetings Africa is an Africa’s global reputation that has seen invaluable platform to grow their business. Meetings Africa grow. I would also like to thank the South African Meetings Africa is about exhibitors meeting National Convention Bureau (SANCB) for and networking with hosted buyers from the role they play in taking Meetings Africa around the world and also about building to the next level. Through their focus and relationships with each other. commitment, the SANCB has ensured that One of our loyal an ever-increasing Meetings Africa number and quality exhibitors, Robyn of prequalified local D’Allesandro, from the and international Meetings Africa is Gearhouse Group of buyers attend about exhibitors Companies, summed the show. meeting and it up best: “Not only is I look forward to this event a very useful welcoming all of you networking with business development to Meetings Africa hosted buyers from opportunity for us but, 2015, which takes around the world over the years, it has place at the Sandton fostered a strong unity Convention Centre and pride among all our local participants from 23 to 25 February. We have good reason in what South Africa has to offer the global to celebrate and look forward – together – to business events market.” the next 10 years. It is this spirit of unity and sense of Thulani Nzima solidarity that will continue to ensure the Chief executive officer: exhibition and the industry’s ongoing growth South African Tourism and success.

EXHIBITING

Why exhibit If yours is a business in Africa that services the business events sector of the industry, you need to seriously consider exhibiting at Meetings Africa 2015.

EETINGS AFRICA 2015, which takes place from 23 to 25 February at the Sandton Convention Centre, is the single best opportunity you have to make face-to-face contact with qualified international and local hosted buyers in the business events industry. It is two days packed with opportunities to meet people whose focus is exclusively on finding the best business events products and services in Africa. Celebrating its 10th year in existence in 2015, Meetings Africa has earned its place at this continent’s premier and best represented business events trade show. It attracts quality buyers from around the world. It attracts the cream of South Africa’s corporate buyers, too. It attracts the premier business events products and services on the continent.

CONFIRMED EXHIBITORS Confirmed exhibitors for Meetings Africa 2015 include Sun International, The Blue Train, CSIR International Convention Centre, Botswana Tourism Organisation, Kempinski Kenya, Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Mozambique Tourism, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Malawi Tourism, Namibian Tourism Board, Calabar International Convention Centre, Seychelles

Tourism Group and Fairmont Zimbali Resort to name but a few. Meetings Africa is engineered to service the business-growth needs of exhibiting companies. The event is owned and hosted by the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), whose offices are based in Sandton, Johannesburg. Exhibitors and buyers are polled after each Meetings Africa to ensure that subsequent events meet their expectations, and to give them excellent return on their investment in time spent in Sandton over those two days.

MATCHMAKING Meetings Africa’s electronic diary and matchmaking system, for example, gives exhibiting companies unprecedented access to opportunities. As an exhibitor at Meetings Africa, your profile is made available to buyers who come to secure deals with businesses offering the services you deliver. Email diary synchronisation, tags and search capability makes this a seamless and effective system. At Meetings Africa 2014, 8 693 meetings between 819 profiles were set up via the Meetings Africa Matchmaking system. This averaged out at about 10 meetings per Meetings Africa participant. These kind

of opportunities are difficult to ignore. In its determined quest to provide exhibitors with the best business opportunities, Meetings Africa invests significantly in attracting the world’s very best buyers to the trade show. At Meetings Africa 2014, international buyer numbers were 15% up (to 169 international buyers). There were 31 association buyers; and 15 government buyers working the tradeshow floor to find services and products for their clients. In addition to this, 500 local corporates attended the Unique Speakers Bureau event. These buyers helped swell the total delegate attendee numbers to 3 295, 156% more delegates than attended the show in 2013. Meetings Africa 2014 had 262 exhibitors from 13 African destinations doing business on the trade show floor. Exhibiting at Meetings Africa 2015 is easy. This is a world-class, exceptionally professionally managed show whose focus is firmly on business events, and exceeding your expectations as an exhibitor. SANCB and its Meetings Africa delivery partners are fully committed to making sure your experience as an exhibitor is seamless, accessible, and that it delivers the business rewards you demand from a tradeshow of this global calibre. Register to be an exhibitor at Meetings Africa 2015 at meetingsafrica.co.za/#exhibitors

IN A NUTSHELL Meetings Africa provides the perfect business platform to present your products, services and brands to senior decision-makers, buyers and inﬂuencers. Meet local and international professionals from the meetings, events and business travel industry: • meet over 650 highly qualiﬁed hosted buyers • face-to-face meetings with key decision-makers • targeted business matchmaking (online diary system) • network with industry colleagues across multiple sectors • launch new product and service offerings • update the industry on your existing products • participate in networking events and educationals.

meetingsafrica.co.za •

Event programme DATE

EVENT

TIME SLOT

VENUE

ATTENDEES

09:00 to 17:00

Bill Gallagher

By invitation only

09:00 to 15:00

Boardroom 6, 7

By invitation only

09:00 to 15:00

Boardroom 4

By invitation only

08:30 to 12:00

Boardroom 1,2 & 3

12:45 to 15:00

Boardroom 1,2 & 3

ICCA African Chapter Meeting

15:15 to 17:00

Boardroom 1,2 & 3

SITE AGM (TBC)

18:00 to 20:00

Boardroom 1,2 & 3

EVENT

TIME SLOT

VENUE

ATTENDEES

Registrations

08:00 to 17:00

Exhibition 1

Open to all

Morning Live – live outside broadcast

06:00 to 09:00

Exhibition 1

Open to all

Opening ceremony

08:45 to 09:30

SCC Foyer

Open to all

Exhibition Day 1

09:30 to 16:00

Exhibition 1

Open to all

Minister’s Walkabout

10:00 to 11:00

Exhibition 1

Invitation only

Media Face-Oﬀ

11:00 to 12:00

SCC Foyer

Open to all

Corporate B2B speed marketing session

09:00 to 15:00

TBC

Invitation only

Hosted buyers lunch

12:00 to 14:00

Bill Gallagher

350 pax – 2 sessions

Welcome drinks

18:30 to 19:00

Ballroom Foyer

Open to all

Gala dinner

19:00 to 24:00

Ballroom

Open to all. Tickets on sale

EVENT

TIME SLOT

VENUE

ATTENDEES

Registrations

08:00 to 17:00

Exhibition 1

Open to all

Exhibition Day 2

09:30 to 16:00

Exhibition 1

Open to all

08:00 to 17:00

Ballroom

Invitation only – 500 pax round-table discussion

Green Stand Awards

12:00 to 13:00

SANCB stand

Open to all

Hosted buyers lunch

12:00 to 14:00

Bill Gallagher

350 pax – 2 sessions

Association Day – in conjunction with ICCA African Associations IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leader Africa for tourism students only AIPC Africa Summit Monday Event Greening Forum meeting 23 February 2015 SAACI, SITE and EXSA industry round-table discussions

DATE

Tuesday 24 February 2015

DATE

Wednesday Local Corporate Buyer Event 25 February 2015 hosted by Unique Speakers Bureau (USB)

04 • meetingsafrica.co.za

Registration open. Limited seating Registration open. Limited seating Registration open. Limited seating PAX: 100 – round-table discussion

meetingsafrica.co.za â€˘

GREENING

Greener than ever Africa’s premier business event exhibition, Meetings Africa 2015, will prove itself to be the greenest it has ever been.

HROUGH A PARTNERSHIP between the South Africa National Convention Bureau and the Event Greening Forum, a non-profit organisation promoting the sustainability of events, Meetings Africa 2015 is set to remain Africa’s greenest exhibition. Meetings Africa was awarded the Best Green Exhibition for 2012 and 2013 in the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa’s Annual Green Show category and it is our intention to carry on being the flagship exhibition in the greening arena, with even more initiatives implemented at the show in 2015. The major focus areas for these green initiatives include:

EXHIBITORS As in 2014, Meetings Africa 2015 will continue to offer exhibitors the opportunity to purchase renewable energy resources and contribute towards planted trees to offset their carbon footprint. While there was a small take-up in 2014, by creating greater awareness of these initiatives this year, the numbers should be impressive. The Green Stand Awards will be running again and we encourage exhibitors to submit their green stands for any innovative and effective greening initiatives.

INFRASTRUCTURE Meeting lounges created by using upcycled and natural materials will be available. These will be produced using the furniture we had last year. Indigenous plants will be used at the show and will once again be donated and planted after the show.

WASTE In order to recycle as much waste produced at the show as possible, on-site waste separation will take place again.

06 • meetingsafrica.co.za

Caterers can make use of the Bokashi (probiotic biodegrading system) for any food waste.

TRANSPORT All of the hosted buyers, exhibitors and attendees will be encouraged to use the Gautrain and its corresponding bus services to make their way to the event. Direct flights to Johannesburg are encouraged, coupled with a carbonoﬀset programme. ACCOMMODATION To encourage accommodation providers to adopt more sustainable practices, they will be required to complete a green checklist. The information gathered from the checklist will be included in the show’s eco-audit. CATERING Traditional South African food will be available for catering with lots of vegetarian options. SASSI-approved seafood will be used alongside fair-trade coﬀee and BWI (Biodiversity and Wine Initiative) wines. SOCIAL INVESTMENT Meetings Africa

ENERGY In order to decrease the amount of electricity being used throughout the exhibition, exhibitors should consider using LED lighting. Low power will be used at the show on the first evening, requiring exhibitors to turn oﬀ their plasmas and electrical appliances during non-show times. As in the past five years, the show will be run on renewable energy.

WATER Johannesburg has excellent natural water, and free filtered water will be available throughout the show. This means reducing the amount of bottled water used at the exhibition and minimising the large and unnecessary carbon footprint created by plastic bottles.

will donate trees that will be planted after the event. In 2014, a total of 15 trees were planted by Food and Trees for Africa at the Madiba Primary School in Lenasia. The aim for 2015 is to get 20 or more trees planted. The carpets from the exhibition will be donated to nursery schools and crèches in Alexandra.

TRAINING During the 2015 show’s planning stages, the Meetings Africa team identified certain key areas where more could be done to improve on the 2014 greening initiatives. These areas included accommodation, catering and exhibitors. A training session held in November covered these elements to ensure that everyone involved in these areas understands their greening options.

VENUE

The home of Meetings Africa With world-class facilities and accommodation options, combined with professional expertise and a myriad of services, SCC is the ideal venue for Meetings Africa.

ITUATED IN NORTHERN Johannesburg, in the heart of Sandton’s business, hotel and entertainment district, Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) oﬀers easy access to over 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premier shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), and provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Purpose-built to international standards, the 22 000 m2 SCC is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature. It 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.

Expect a high standard of service from the staﬀ who are there to provide you with support services. The SCC is flanked by three hotels that provide 1 000 guest rooms on the centre’s very doorstep. A further 15 hotels lie within comfortable walking distance, and as many again lie within a 15 km radius, providing a full range of modern hotel facilities and accommodation. Sandton CBD oﬀers its visitors a unique shopping experience. The SCC is linked by skywalk to Sandton City and adjacent to Nelson Mandela Square. If travelling from O.R. Tambo International Airport, use the Gautrain for the quickest and easiest access to Sandton.

meetingsafrica.co.za •

Making a difference were venues, contractors were contractors and organisers were organisers. Nowadays, the lines have become quite blurred.

Why should one use Scan Display? Scan Display adds value; its key ethos is value creation, ensuring that our clients find the most effective, best-value solution for their particular exhibition, event or retail requirements. Our national network allows us to manage activations throughout the country in an efficient manner.

Justin Hawes thinks big, green and out of the box.

ow do you see the industry at the moment? There is

quite a shift going on with people really asking whether or not it is worthwhile to be at a show or event both as an exhibitor and as an attendee. People want to be sure that they are getting a return on investment at shows and conferences.

What drew you to the exhibition industry? I qualified as a chartered d I got involved accountant and in this industry by accident. My op-up system while father saw a pop-up as and brought one he was overseas back to South Africa. I was quite nd we started inspired by it and duct. The rest selling the product. is history.

What has been een the biggest change nge in the industry that at you have seen? Years ago, everyone was defined in a box. Venues

You are passionate about event greening – what ignited this? I felt that our industry was very wasteful. Once the show or event was over, stands were destroyed and disposed of, food was left over and often transport costs were incurred unnecessarily. A lot of other industries were doing great things but nothing was being done in the event industry and we needed to do something.

What has been your career highlights so far? Winning a UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) Sustainable Development Award in 2013. We were judged against entries from throughout the world and it was a great honour to receive the award.

Building the infrastructure at the Climate Change Response Expo at COP 17; this was a greening super event and we had the budget to use some groundbreaking green initiatives.

What is your favourite holiday spot and why?

What three words would describe you? Impatient,

What are you hidden talents? Blowing huge bubbles

passionate and driven.

with bubble gum.

What quote best describes you? Don’t put off for

If you could speak another language, which and why?

tomorrow what you could do today.

I would like to speak better Zulu so I can communicate better with the team.

How would you best describe yourself as a leader? I try to engage with my staff; really listen to them and try to see different points of view. I like to think I take staff members’ feedback and use it to make positive changes. I lead by example.

What super power would you like to possess and why? My super power would be to create employment. This would change the world and people would then be in a position to worry about the environment.

What are you addicted to? Coffee, biltong and exercise.

What is the best and worst advice you have received? The best: Swim your own race. This came from a talk I heard by Penny Heyns who said one should focus on one’s own ‘race’ rather than on what other people are doing. The worst: In your business, stick to one area of expertise.

I go to a different place every year but probably the bush, so somewhere in Mpumalanga. I am a birdwatcher and love nature.

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? Mopani worms.

What do you do in your spare time? Cycle, spend time with my family and watch movies.

Are you a dog or cat person? A dog person. If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would that, be? Sir Winston Churchill, for his pure grit and determination; I admire that.

What would your obituary say? Lived life to the full and made a difference in people’s lives.

ABOUT JUSTIN J HAWES Jus n Hawes Haa es is i the managing director o of Scan Display. He has served serve on the Exhibi on and Event Even Associa on of Southern Africa’s (EXSA) execu ve commi ee for six years. He is co-founder of the Event Greening Gre Forum and treasurer of Brussels-based Interna o onal Federa on of Exhibi on and Events Services ((IFES). @jus nh nhawes1 @ScanDisplay

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 • MEETING

SERVICE PROVIDER

2014 reflections Being able to evolve and keep up with trends has made 2014 a successful year for ConCept G Exhibitions & Events. Owners Andrew and Gill Gibbs share their highlights.

HEN TAKING STOCK of 2014, it definitely was a year for celebration. It also marked the culmination of a busy and productive year for the exhibition and events industry. For trailblazing ConCept G, it was also a year of exponential growth.

DOING IT DIFFERENTLY You cannot ignore the fact that operating in the exhibition landscape in the past few years has been tough and the way business is done is very different from that of the past. ConCept G has kept up with trends, constantly evolving and moving forward. Each staff member lives by the company’s slogan and always goes ‘beyond the ordinary’. In keeping with this philosophy, ConCept G has expanded their premises to over 3 200 m2, incorporating a full graphic design, CNC and printing facility, with the latest technology printers, laminators and software.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE ON INDUSTRY As an industry, shying away from the impact of technology has is not an option anymore. We are dictated to by technology and the

28 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

virtual world has given us many choices. If used correctly, technology is a powerful and effective tool. It’s an app world – everything happens immediately and people want in-themoment feedback and measurable return on investment. One-size-fits-all is no longer welcome in this world. Looking back to 2010, when ConCept G started, there has been one constant in business, and that is trust. Brand loyalty is not guaranteed. One needs to instil and build trust in business. ConCept G does this by keeping the human factor, delivering an exceptional product on time and maintaining consistency in business and delivery excellence. Design is everything and, at ConCept G, the team constantly strive to provide a unique visual experience and appeal. The challenge lies in keeping Generation Y and Z happy while ensuring that Generation X also feel as if they’re being catered for. ConCept G creates unique experiences that have captured and maintained their client relationships. It is about doing things differently and doing them well. This has been a key driving force for the success of ConCept G.

Another factor affecting our industry is the economy. ConCept G definitely experienced this direct correlation. The first and second quarters of 2014 saw a slowdown in production with a gradual and positive rise in the latter part of the year. In September, business activity expanded at the fastest rate in over 21 months. Cost pressures remained high, with both purchase prices and staff costs climbing sharply. Power and water outages affected productivity and deliverables; but the management team at ConCept G made a plan. South Africans are world renowned for being most adaptable. With adaptation and change, comes growth.

GREENING Greening and sustainability took centre stage in 2014 for ConCept G. Event greening is the process of incorporating socially and environmentally responsible DID YOU KNOW? decision-making into the planning, organisation and ConCept G Exhibi ons & Events is a single-source supplier, specialist implementation of, and exhibi on stand contractor and participation in, an event event infrastructural supplier, or exhibition. oﬀering an a en ve-to-detail, ConCept G strives towards in-house turnkey solu on including greening. It recycles, reuses full design, manufacturing, construc on and realisa on and reduces wherever possible for other of exhibi on stands and event possible. This means constant projects applicable services locally, na onally educating across the company, to the client, or even and interna onally. with regular meetings to assess and deliver some of the change the way things are done. elements to the company’s The company has a range of clients that offices after the event for reuse. exhibit regularly in the year, with the stand In the context of exhibition and event being stored at ConCept G when not in use, manufacturing and production, architect and then refurbished and rebuilt where required interior designer Frank Lloyd Wright says it over a two- to three-year period. As the superbly, “When we use trees respectfully and trend mainly extends to bespoke structures, economically, we have one of the greatest ConCept G designs smarter and creates resources on Earth.” modular bespoke structures that can be In February 2014, ConCept G became an reconfigured to the required orientation. In OSPI partner (Octanorm Service Partners refurbishing and rebuilding the structures, the International). One of only two contractors in company utilises less timber. South Africa, ConCept G can offer its clients Where it is not required to rebuild a particular an off-the-shelf, natural anodised aluminium stand, ConCept G will still reuse elements where framework and an infill panel system, which

The Siemens stand at Electra Mining 2014 won the Best Stand Award: Custom 51 to 100 m2 at the EXSA Awards Event

is a green solution to temporary architecture. The much-anticipated arrival of their custommanufactured, large-bed CNC machine further emphasises ConCept G’s consistent strive towards greening. Having the CNC equipment on-site will reduce the wastage normally experienced when utilising conventional tools. In addition to this, the CNC capability will provide more cost-effective solutions to clients. When looking at the 2015 forecast, ConCept G’s year will be positive and exciting. It will continue to go beyond the ordinary. Watch this space!

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

Constitution Boardoom – African Presidential Roundtable

Freedoms that so many imprisoned here had fought for and won. Not only is Constitution Hill a National Heritage it is also home to the Flame of Democracy and beam of light outside the Constitutional Court in the Awaiting Trial block which were lit by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe with a flame ignited by former President Nelson Mandela. The Flame signifies the commitment of the country to Democracy, Human Rights and Constitutionalism. The Mahatma Gandhi bust in the Number Four prison was unveiled by Her Excellency, Ms Pratibha Devisingh on 3 May 2012. This is a poignant reminder to all who pass through the prison walls of Constitution

Peter Morey www.petermoreyphotographic.co.za

owhere can the story of South Africa's turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. Situated on a hill overlooking the bustling Johannesburg city and the fostered suburbs, Constitution Hill provides a unique perspective of Johannesburg and its rich history. Constitution Hill is one of South Africa’s most education-orientated heritage sites. Thousands of citizens including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Albertina Sisulu, Fatima Meer, Esther Barsel, and many more were imprisoned at Number Four, Women’s Jail, and the Old Fort, now known as Constitution Hill. The site that once stood firmly and supported segregation and later apartheid is today the Home of the Constitutional Court, the guardian of the basic Human Rights and

Woman’s Jail

Human Rights Conference

Hill of the sacrifices and contribution made by this physically fragile icon but who had through his teachings and life made such a phenomenal impact on the world as we now know it. The fight for Freedom in all its forms is not the fight of the minorities, but should be embraced by all in an endeavour to upholding the Constitution and entrenching Democracy, Human Rights and Freedom. As a multipurpose and unique Heritage Site Constitution Hill offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, available for hire. This is a prestigious location for your meetings, conferences, performance events, receptions, screenings, parties and product launches. Constitution Hill offers

Old Fort Parade Ground – 1200 pax room

dramatic venues in three prisons and heritage buildings, dating back 100 years. Some of these spaces are used to host gripping exhibitions with themes that reveal South Africa’s rich heritage and advocate human rights. Furthermore, Constitution Hill is an imperative platform for Heritage, Education, and Tourism related programmes. Constitution Hill is in Johannesburg and is ideally located with easy access from your major highways and from the airport. The Gautrain bus stop is in close walking distance to Constitution Hill which makes access to and from the airport very convenient and onsite secure basement parking is available.

CONSTITUTION HILL 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg | t +27 (0)11 381 3100 | f +27 (0)11 381 3108 info@constitutionhill.org.za | www.constitutionhill.org.za

MEETING PLACES

Location is everything

Having your event right next to an airport provides great convenience for your out-of-town delegates. Meetings shares its top picks for meeting venues close to South Africa’s major airports.

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Hotel Verde is not hailed as Africa’s greenest hotel for nothing. Every aspect of the hotel is aimed to be as sustainable as possible – from below the ground up, literally. Reduce your company’s carbon footprint by choosing this energy-eﬃcient hotel for your next conference. This will not only benefit the environment, but it will also aid your company in achieving its CSR target. Only at Hotel Verde will your conference be carbon neutral (at no addi onal cost to you). Each conference company and/or delegate will receive their very own carbon-oﬀset cer ficate, shareable by social media. The hotel is 400 m away from the airport. +27 (0)21 380 5500 • info@hotelverde.com hotelverde.co.za

O.R. TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

InterCon nental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport is a luxury hotel and a must-use venue for your mee ng needs. The conference centre is ideally situated for both local and interna onal business mee ngs without the associated logis cs of transport, road conges on and missed flights. With seven boardrooms and two conference rooms, facili es cater for between 10 and 100 delegates and can accommodate up to 140 guests for cocktail func ons in the Savu Restaurant. The hotel is 70 m from the interna onal arrivals hall. +27 (0)11 961 5400 reserva ons@icairport.com tsogosun.com

HE SAID IT Why do you think event planners are drawn to venues in close proximity to the airport? It is all about convenience and, in today’s world, the business traveller wants the convenience of being able to travel in and out of a destination without the added hassle of commuting in a large city. Being able to hop on a shuttle and be at your hotel within five minutes takes the stress and strain out of travelling to the destination, leaving you relaxed and ready for your meeting.” Ulrich Kleer, general manager: Garden Court O.R. Tambo

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Glitz and Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank transforms into a fashionista’s haven twice a year for the biggest event on the fashion calendar: SA Fashion Week.

RINGING DESIGNERS, bloggers, celebrities and fashion lovers to the hotel for four days of glitz and glamour is SA Fashion Week. Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank undergoes a complete changeover for the must-be-at event on the fashion calendar. “Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank’s urban edge and trendiness make it the perfect home for SA Fashion Week. The hotel is a true chameleon – any space hotel can change into a fashion experience. This season, the hotel’s sunken lounge in the front lobby was the place to be. We turned it into a fragrance experience thanks to Unsent,” says Lucille Booyzen, director of SA Fashion Week. She adds: “The Edgars VIP Lounge, with access to the Zen Garden, was also a wonderful space.

glamour

DID YOU KNOW? Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank provides seven venues right in the heart of greater Sandton that oﬀer some of the best conference facili es in a quiet and relaxed environment.

getting their make-up done in the brand activation stations. The Crowne Café is turned into an interactive bar with 3D viewing of the runway. The hotel’s conference rooms are changed into a wonderland of make-up and fashion with photo booths loved by lots of South African celebrities like Bonang Matheba and Zuraida Jardine, as well as designers like GertJohan Coetzee, Clive Rundle and Black Coffee. A massive marquee housing the main runway is erected in the hotel’s open parking space. A smaller marquee serves for hair and make-up. Inside the main marquee, changes are made every night from a long runway to THE STAFF a double-sided runway. “Over and above the space, it is the staff of “To feel the energy and vibe over SA Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank Fashion Week at Crowne Plaza Johannesburg that keep us coming back. They help us and – The Rosebank is a wonderful experience run with us. The hotel can definitely house and we are very excited to be in this the thousands of feet coming through partnership with them,” says Bronwen Shaw, the doors in hospitality, friendliness and director of sales and marketing of Crowne accommodation. For us, it’s our hotel and the Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank. perfect space for fashion.” For events with je ne sais quoi, make Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – WATCH The Rosebank the home of your THE SPACES ONLINE next function. There is an energetic vibe when you enter Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The To see Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank over SA Fashion Week; DJ’s are Rosebank’s transformation visit youtube. spinning the decks in the Circle Bar, people com/watch?v=TyXpVVxw37Y are taking photos at the media wall and

32 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

+27 (0)11 448 3600 reserva ons@therosebank.co.za therosebank.co.za

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Sandton’s

conferencing Mecca Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road provides nine stateof-the-art meeting rooms in one of Africa’s most sought-after destinations.

LEGANT FURNISHINGS, world-

FAST FACTS Number of mee ng rooms: 9 Total area of mee ng space: 690

Largest room capacity: 260 Largest room measurements: L: 28.5 m, W: 11.7 m, H: 3.5

class conferencing facilities and unsurpassed service all converge at the Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road to provide the ideal location for a variety of successful meetings and events. At this hotel, the staff understand all that goes into planning and hosting meetings and events. The state-of-theart conferencing technology provides the perfect tools for a successful experience – ceiling-mounted projectors and screens, audiovisual connectivity, complimentary WiFI, teleconferencing facilities and personally controlled light and temperature settings.

housed on the ninth floor. The largest venue, Cullinan Suite, offers a luxurious venue for events as well as hosting a maximum of 260 delegates in theatre-style seating. Also on the ninth floor is the opulent Skye Bar. This venue affords guests with dazzling panoramic views of Joburg and surrounds. The décor shows the incredible attention to detail and oozes luxury. This venue is serviced by an external lift with running lights and has become a Sandton icon. ed Two levels of ample parking are provided th underground. Delegates are provided with vity. access key cards for security and exclusivity.

THE VENUES

STAY CONNECTED

CATERING

Hosting a maximum of 70 guests in theatre style, the first floor boasts six meeting rooms, all of which are accentuated by natural lighting. The Emerald meeting room, hosting a maximum of 12 delegates in boardroom style, provides guests with teleconferencing facilities in a professional and modern environment. Providing unsurpassed views of the Joburg skyline, the Cullinan meeting rooms are

Knowing how important it is to stay connected, Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road provides conference delegates with 350 MB of complimentary Wi-Fi per day. HI Connect offers dedicated conference bandwidth, separate from the complimentary guest Internet, available per day from 1 Mbps to 40 Mbps speed increments over a dedicated fibre-optic line by a first-tier internet service provider.

Mouth-watering cuisine is prepared for every event hosted at the Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road. In addition to various menu options, tailor-made menus are also avaiable.

Smallest room measurement: L: 7 m, W: 4.5 m, H: 3.2

EQUIPMENT • Overhead projector* • HI Connect* • AV equipment* • Business centre services* • Videoconferencing facili es* • Flip chart and markers *AddiƟonal charges may apply

REWARD YOURSELF Every time you book a conference or accommodation at the Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road you earn BusinessClub points that are redeemable at parcipating hotels, restaurants and various retailers. For more information, visit businessclub.ihg.com or email businessclub@extrabold.co.za.

+27 (0)11 282 000 reserva ons@hisandton.co.za conferencing@hisandton.co.za hisandton.co.za

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Local expertise goes global The Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC), South Africa’s largest purpose-built exhibition, conference and events venue, is the leading venue of its kind in Africa.

34 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

We must always do our best to give each event the hospitality, professionalism and attention it deserves years, the South African exhibition industry has seen a series of new joint ventures, purchases and investments from Europe, the UK and the Middle East, and these include organisations such as Messe Frankfurt, UBM Montgomery, Terrapin, Fleming Gulf FZE, Reed Exhibitions and Fierra Milano. “Well-established international brands bring with them large international exhibitors, linked to their local distributors, and bring credibility and critical mass to an exhibition. We believe that global interest in the local exhibition, conference and events industry will continue to develop even further in years to come,” says Newman.

LOOKING BACK ON A SENSATIONAL YEAR

HE JEC HAS always remained a proud

international ambassador for the local industry. “We believe that spreading the word about South Africa’s exhibition industry capabilities, its successes, potential and what it can do to help promote other industry sectors, is what makes us an ambassador for the success of the exhibitions industry,” says Craig Newman, CEO of JEC. “South Africa’s exhibition, conference and events industry is fast-becoming one of the country’s most important industry sectors to attract foreign visitors and foreign investment,” says Newman. “The local exhibition industry also makes a considerable

contribution towards the growth of the local economy and job creation.”

SIZING UP SOUTH AFRICA’S INDUSTRY According to the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), South Africa is one of the most competitive countries in sub-Saharan Africa, increasing its global competitiveness at a steady year-on-year pace as well. South Africa is well positioned within the international exhibition sector, with many global events planned and hosted in South Africa by international investors. Over the past

CLOCKWISE With five-star catering facilities on-site, delegates will be treated to mouth-watering fare; the JEC was custom built for the Rand Show where drum majorettes are a common sight; no matter the size of the event or its theme, the JEC will cater for all your needs; the Johannesburg International Motor Show calls the JEC its home

2014 was particularly successful for the JEC. It celebrated its 30th anniversary and hosted a number of its iconic events – including the 120-year-old Rand Show, the annual Boat and Bike Show, Interbuild Africa, African Farmers Expo, Electra Mining and the China Global Sourcing Expo. To mark its 30th anniversary celebration, the JEC launched its highly innovative JEC mobile app to clients and stakeholders, providing a range of benefits to all of its exhibition, conference and event organisers, and visitors. Messe Frankfurt announced its 56% majority stake in South African trade fair organiser South African Show Services (SASS). This portfolio includes some of the JEC’s leading events, including the Johannesburg International Motor Show, the AMID Motorcycle Expo, the Johannesburg Boat Show and the SA Outdoor Lifestyle Show, as well as Automechanika Johannesburg. The JEC also bagged the PMR.Africa Gold Award for Best Exhibition and Events Venue in September 2014, reinforcing its status as a world-class events venue. In October, Newman was elected to the main board of directors of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, where

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

MEET THE TEAM T attention to detail that The general manager Hannes Venter gives to each and every exhibition, as well as to t the logistics, helps make the events the successes that they are. a

This year the JEC will once again play host to Ultra Music Fest – the world’s premier electronic music festival

he was further appointed to the UFI executive committee, the decision-making body of UFI. “Newman is the major driving force behind the JEC, and is a man of exceptional vision with the confidence and ability to make things happen. Newman has made a phenomenal contribution to the South African exhibition and events industry and will no doubt represent Africa with distinction, as a member of the main board of directors for the UFI,” says Paul Woodward, managing director, UFI.

FUTURE COMINGS AND GOINGS Looking ahead, the JEC says it plans to strengthen its position as a globally recognised venue for the exhibition and events industry. It’s calendar of events for 2015 includes Ultra Fest, held for the first time on South African soil in 2014, which proved to be such a success that its international organisers are returning for a second instalment in 2015. The New Year calendar will also see the advent of the IFAT Environmental Technology Forum and, most notably, BAUMA Conexpo Africa from Munich, Germany.

36 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

In 2015, the JEC will, for the first time, host BAUMA, which is the International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Construction Vehicles. “We are delighted by the recognition the JEC has enjoyed over the past year. This gives us an even greater incentive than before to really focus our attention on our core business. “We must always do our best to give each event the hospitality, professionalism and attention it deserves. We are confident that the future of the exhibition and events industry in South Africa will continue to grow, and we must therefore aim to exceed the expectations of our clients,” concludes Newman.

+27 (0)11 494 1920 info@expocentre.co.za expocentre.co.za

Exhibitions and events manager Desrae McDonnell’s logistics experience is monumental in the planning process. She advises and helps clients plan and see their event come to fruition – an extremely important role. Christo Venter is the operations manager. He and his team are vital to the smooth and daily operations of the venue before, during and after any exhibition, conference and event. Karabo Moikangoe, marketing and sales executive, handles the JEC’s business development. He secures new venue clients and builds on existing relationships too – it’s all about keeping the client happy. And then there’s the glue that holds everything together: JEC’s CEO, Craig Newman. “The JEC’s mission has always been to offer professionalism, flexibility and hospitality so that we can provide our clients with world-class service and ensure that their experience exceeds expectations each and every time,” he explains.

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appointed as the official infrastructural contractor for the rAge expo held at the Coca-Cola dome, Northgate in Johannesburg. The 12th annual rAge expo ran from Friday 10 October to Sunday 12 October, 2014. rAge is Southern Africa’s largest consumer gaming and technology exhibition, held annually in Johannesburg, featuring the sleep-depriving three day NAG LAN, the biggest gaming LAN in South Africa, with 2,000 gamers connected to the same network for a weekend of pure gaming. Over the course of a single crazy weekend, tens of thousands of eager visitors gather within the Dome to soak up the latest and greatest in gadgets, video games and everything else that gets attendees’ hearts racing. bluCube Exhibition Design Studio… evoking inspiration, creating impact

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Nature’s

meeting place Known for its scenic surroundings and its unique events, Riverside Sun Resort offers a variety of meeting and event facilities to suit your budget.

IVERSIDE SUN RESORT offers a

LOCATION

spectacular setting for private celebrations, weddings, business conferences and any other corporate functions. They can accommodate anything between 10 and 500 guests with ease. The resort is also ideal for team-building events and corporate getaways.

On the banks of the flowing Vaal River, Riverside Sun Resort offers a serene setting, traditional hospitality and world-class facilities. Delegates are guaranteed the perfect balance of business and pleasure. Riverside Sun Resort is only a 45-minute drive from Johannesburg.

VENUES AND CAPACITIES

MEETINGS AND EVENT SPACES

Room name Cinema Schoolroom Banquet Cocktail Conference 500 300 300 400 Centre (D) Ethunzini 40 30 30 40 Garden Centre 90 50 30 90 Meyerton 50 30 25 50 Monyake 40 30 30 40 Sasolburg 50 30 25 50 Syndicate Room 1 20 12 12 20 Syndicate Room 2 20 12 12 20 Syndicate Room 3 20 12 12 20 Syndicate Room 4 20 12 12 20 Vanderbijlpark A 150 60 65 150 Vanderbijlpark B 150 60 65 150 Vereeniging 50 30 25 50

38 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

With 11 venues on offer, conferencing has never been easier at Riverside Sun Resort. For events with a difference, the hotel’s lower lawns, with the Vaal River in the background, are ideal for any event under

For a wide range of rang events, eve Riverside Rive Sun Resortt oﬀers an excep excep o onal des na on on the banks of the Vaal River.

the African sky. The Riverside Island is the perfect spot for summer barbeques and spit-braais. Event planners can also make use of the Liquid Lounge, a floating restaurant and party boat on the Vaal River that can accommodate up to 120 guests. A variety of packages to suit your business and event requirements, including day conferencing and accommodation packages, with themed functions and tailored menus available. The banqueting team is on hand to ensure that your event is handled with meticulous attention. Complimentary Wi-Fi is offered to all delegates.

CATERING Dining at the resort offers diverse menu options to suit every taste. Forget the tea and biscuits, delegates will be treated to themed tea breaks. In addition to this, overnight delegates can enjoy a delicious daily buffet breakfast, a leisurely a la carte lunch and a mouthwatering buffet or a la carte dinner menu at the Riverview Restaurant. The restaurant can also be used for private functions.

ACCOMMODATION A total of 398 en-suite rooms are available. Selected rooms have spectacular views over the hotel’s landscaped gardens and the Vaal River. Smoking and wheelchair-accessible rooms are available on request.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

+27 (0)16 982 7300 riversidesun.reserva ons@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Fuss-free conferencing W

HETHER IT’S A CONFERENCE,

Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport offers uniquely crafted event experiences set in an energetic environment.

product launch, wedding or exhibition, you can be assured that Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport will deliver an exceptionally high standard. The energetic banqueting team work hand in hand with you to tailor each event to suit your specific requirements, right down to the smallest of details.

LOCATION

VENUES AND CAPACITIES Room name Ilanga Imbizo Boardroom Khanya 1 Khanya 2 Khanya 3 Khanya Suite (D) Score Boardroom Sports Boardroom

The hotel lies just 500 m from O.R. Tambo International Airport with a complimentary shuttle between the airport and hotel. The Gautrain bus service stops directly outside the hotel’s entrance en route to the nearby Rhodesfield Gautrain station. Nearby, a host of commercial headquarters, business facilities, restaurants, shops and local attractions can Cocktail Boardroom be found. 330 – – 10 MEETINGS AND

Cinema 480 –

Schoolroom 230 –

Banquet 250 –

140 140 140 530

70 70 70 240

60 60 60 300

80 80 80 380

– – – –

–

EVENT SPACES With eight venue options, the hotel offers tailor-made conferencing solutions. From the large 468 m2 Khanya Suite to the smaller yet equally impressive

Imbiza Boardroom and Score Boardroom, Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport has just the right venue for your function. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for delegates.

CATERING Exceptional service and delicious meals are on offer, whether it’s a quick snack or leisurely dinner. The Bernoullis Restaurant provides an extensive array from both the buffet and a la carte menu. The executive chef is on hand to create menus perfectly suited to any type of event, whether an indulgent gala dinner or light cocktail snacks.

ACCOMMODATION The hotel boasts 366 en-suite rooms. Other facilities include a fitness centre, swimming pool, Caroline’s Day Spa and Salon as well as a business centre.

+27 (0)11 977 3600 ssortambo.reserva ons@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com Ideally located and renowned for its i excep onal facili es, Southern facil Sun O.R. Tambo mbo Interna onal A Airport conference venues cater to events and private func ons without a glitch.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Everlasting events The Tshwane Events Centre has been part of the Pretoria landscape since 1954 and has hosted some of the most memorable events in the country’s history.

HE TSHWANE EVENTS Centre is part and parcel of the community of Pretoria and the greater Tshwane Metropolitan Area, and has helped boost local economic development and activities on various levels. With more than R50 million being generated, for the regional economy, and an estimated 1.3 million people visiting the centre, its Jacaranda Agricultural Show (previously the Pretoria Show) is a highlight on the Tshwane Events Centre’s calendar.

THE BEGINNING The show’s rich history already begins before the Second World War, when farmers were exhibiting produce on the lawns of City Hall in Paul Kruger Street. Lack of space forced the organisers to seek another venue and, in 1954, the show moved to its current home, Tshwane Events Centre, which was then known as the Pretoria Showgrounds. The show was also famous for its beauty pageants. The first Miss Pretoria Show was held in 1975. Initial rules were amusing. It didn’t matter if you were single or married, you just needed to be beautiful. Winners, Bernalee Daniel, Odette Scrooby and Cindy Nell went on to be crowned Miss South Africa and Anneline Kriel was crowned Miss World. Nowadays, the Jacaranda Agricultural Show is regarded as one of South Africa’s

DID YOU KNOW? Having accommodated the Independent Electoral Commission’s na onal opera onal centre during na onal and provincial elec ons, the centre’s been at the heart of poli cal milestones since 2005.

40 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

top agricultural events. It is a platform for farmers and the agricultural community, to come together, network and promote the importance of the agriculture industry and food security of South Africa. “Many generations of families have visited the centre over the years and we would like to uphold this tradition,” says the centre’s marketing manager, Ricky Da Costa. With Tshwane Events Centre’s impressive infrastructure and facilities, turnkey solutions and knowledgeable team, not only will the Jacaranda Agricultural Show remain one of South Africa’s top shows, any event held at the centre is guaranteed to be memorable and successful.

BRIMMING WITH POSSIBILITIES From business meetings and conferences to themed events and exhibitions, the Tshwane Events Centre team looks forward to helping existing and new clients take their events to new levels of innovation, colour

and excitement. The centre offers space, variety and flexibility to its clients, allowing for truly memorable and successful events to take place – it is a true blank canvas awaiting the artist to fill it with imagination, innovation, creativity and colour. Over the years, the Tshwane Events Centre has kept up with national and international trends to maintain its status as one of the best conference facilities and events locations in the country. The centre is the second largest exhibition venue in South Africa.

SPACES The centre is a multipurpose facility which can accommodate more than 50 000 visitors simultaneously. There are 11 exhibition halls that vary in size and can accommodate a variety of functions, from large-scale indoor exhibitions to music concerts and sporting events,” says Da Costa. The main arena can accommodate an impressive 25 000 people. The centre also has excellent auction facilities for every type of livestock auction. Other infrastructure services include on-site banking facilities, telecommunication services – including wireless internet access – top-class catering facilities and easy access and secure parking for up to 3 500 vehicles. Over the last few years, the centre has also carved a name for itself as a top-class conference facility. “We’ve decided to unlock the potential of the centre even further by focusing on offering full-scale conference facilities that can host up to 300 delegates at a time,” says Da Costa.

“In a sense, you can describe us as a one-stop shop for all your exhibition and conference needs. It’s like having a blank canvas that you can paint according to your needs. Here at Tshwane Events Centre, you will not only get a great location for your event, but also helpful staff who can be as involved as you would like in the planning and execution of your event. Whether you would just like someone to open the doors, or you would like assistance with set-up and catering, we are here to help. “Not only are we a multifaceted events centre and organising company, our focus is offering full turnkey solutions to our clients – full logistical services, from the draping, to the flowers, to the accommodation – you name it, and the centre organises it. We allocate a project manager to each function or event and run it on behalf of the client,” concludes Da Costa. The turnkey services are not restricted to inside the centre, and they can provide the same packages to outside events. Without divulging much information, Da Costa hinted at many more exciting developments for the centre in the near future. “We’re busy with a continuous rejuvenating process to ensure unique, innovative and exceptional services in the years to come. This will ensure that the Tshwane Events Centre remains a centre of choice for our clients and delegates alike,” concludes Da Costa.

TURNKEY SOLUTIONS The exhibition and conference centre also includes other essential turnkey services such as decor, flowers, catering, sound equipment and many more.

+27 (0)12 327 1487 ricky@tshwabac.co.za tshwane-events.co.za

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

1350 delegates and can now accommodate up to 750 delegates at the foot

everyone to enjoy.

years with the clubhouse rated in the tŽƉ Įve 19th holes in South Africa. So whether you are wearing your

Tel: 036 468 8000 Fax: 036 468 1169 l www.champagnesportsresort.com

MEETING PLACES • KwaZulu-Natal

Themed

functions galore

Themed events are becoming increasingly popular in the corporate world. Let Champagne Sports Resort help you choose the right theme for your event.

THEMED EVENT can be lots of fun, but it is also very hard work to get those little details just right and on budget. Champagne Sports Resort has a range of materials and colours with which to provide your basic colour selection and contrast detailing. The team will work around your themed colour choice with a variety of materials, such as taffeta, velvet, and organza, to create the

look and feel to suit your conference theme. Draping of venues, ceiling decor, serviette detail, buffet decor and gifts for your guests can all be arranged through Champagne Sports Resort. The decor is designed around your individual needs. +27 (0)36 468 8000 com conferences@champagnesportsresort.com champagnesportsresort.com

FUN THEMED EVENINGS With trends changing continually, Champagne Sports Resort will adapt its themed evenings to suit your conference theme. Themes that have been done successfully include: • Around the World • Crystal Ice • A Night of Magic • Seven Seas • Four Elements • Sands of Time • Mexican Fiesta • African Affair • Western • Pub Evening • Tropical Evening

The personal touch

Charming and intimate, the highest levels of personal service and excellent cuisine are what you can expect at Pumula Beach Hotel.

UMULA BEACH HOTEL – with its

stunning views of the Indian Ocean – has the best seaside location on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Situated 100 km south of Durban and surrounded by indigenous coastal vegetation, it makes an ideal venue for relaxing, stress-free conferences.

MEETINGS AND EVENT SPACES The hotel offers four conference venues including the newly renovated Intshambili conference room, which seats up to 140 delegates and banquets up to 120 guests. Pumula Beach Hotel will gladly arrange tailored menus to give your conference, event or team-building event that special touch. From Mongolian braais, spit braais to potjie kos competitions and even magicians, bands, comedians or just about anything your heart desires, the conferencing team will arrange it for you. The hotel boasts 62 beautifully appointed hotel rooms.

the annual sardine run, and dolphin and whale viewing, there is a sea-facing, saltwater swimming and paddling pool, beach sand volleyball court, nine-hole adventure golf course, table tennis, trampolines, ladies bar, original pub and a TV and games room. Nearby amenities include a selection of well-known golf courses, tennis courts, deep-sea fishing charters, ocean safaris, hiking trails and much more. Now you can mix business with pleasure. You can confidently arrange you conference or event knowing that Pumula Beach Hotel has a backup plan for everything – including inclement weather.

ATTRACTIONS Besides the obvious attractions of neverending golden beaches, protected bathing, rock pools, excellent fishing opportunities,

+27 (0)39 648 6303 reservations@pumulabeachotel.co.za pumulabeachhotel.com

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

MEETING PLACES • KwaZulu-Natal

The brightest star on the Golden Mile Whether it’s a small or large conference, an intimate meeting or a sizeable launch, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani has the right venue for you.

OUTHERN SUN Elangeni & Maharani

boasts 15 venues, 734 stylish bedrooms and eight restaurants. Its great location, easy access and endless views of the Indian Ocean make this hotel the perfect choice for your next meeting, conference, incentive trip or event in Durban.

the vibrant boardwalk and many other local attractions. The hotel complex is situated 32 km from the King Shaka International Airport, 1.8 km from the Durban International Convention Centre and 1.6 km from the Durban central business district.

LOCATION

MEETINGS AND EVENT SPACES

Located on the spectacular Durban beachfront, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani overlooks some of the best beaches in KwaZulu-Natal. The hotel complex is just metres from

With 15 venues to choose from, each of these spaces will allow you to bring your concept and theme to life. The largest venue is over 400 m2 and is ideal for banquets and larger seminars

44 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

and events. In addition to this, there are many other varying sized venues that perfectly suit any type of event. The suite can be subdivided into five rooms ensuring that there is plenty of space for your event. When used as one room, the floor space is 564 m2, making this an ideal venue for exhibitions. Eight of the meeting venues offer natural light. Want that wow factor for your event? Then Sky is for you. Located on the 31st floor of the Maharani Tower and offering breathtaking 180-degree sea and city views, Sky is a multipurpose venue for a conference, launch or themed event. It can accommodate up to 150 people for a cocktail party. Being so close to the coastline gives Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani the advantage of being able to arrange group check-ins, tea breaks or themed lunches served on the beach.

5 1

The professional events team provides personalised service and meticulous care to meet exact requirements. Complimentary Wi-Fi keeps delegates connected at all times.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

With an array

of 15 1 mee ng rooms, Southern room Sun Elangeni &

Maharani oﬀers private, fully serviced facili es

CATERING

for any size group. Themed func ons and

A place to enjoy great food and beautiful scenery, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani offers you a wide choice of restaurants and bars to suit every taste, appetite, occasion and celebration. Restaurants like Panini and Ocean Breeze can be used for private functions. Your event catering needs will be taken care of, as you can chose from a wide range of menu options.

menus can be tailored for events that will host

ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES The hotel offers 734 stylish bedrooms and suites all beautifully furnished. Facilities across the complex include two well-equipped gyms and three swimming pools all of which are heated. For those in search of relief from the stress of busy days, Mangwanani Boutique Spa provides a tranquil oasis.

+27 (0)31 362 1300 sselangenimaharani.reserva ons@tsogosun.com tsogosun.com

from 12 to 500 people.

REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT SOUTHERN SUN ELANGENI & MAHARANI LOCATION Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani is ideally located in the heart of Durban, on the Golden Mile, and is in close proximity to uShaka Marine World, Moses Mabhiba Stadium and SunCoast. ARRAY OF VENUES With 15 meeting venues to choose from, your every need will be catered for. For a truly memorable event, Sky offers 293 m2 of space as well as its own stage, lighting, sound and production equipment. EVENTING WITH A DIFFERENCE Bring your event outdoors by taking advantage of the Durban beachfront on the doorstep of Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani. A GREEN FOCUS Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani is committed to environmentally friendly stationary and is consistently looking for ways to reduce its energy consumption. Eight of the meeting venues offer natural light. ONE-STOP-SHOP SERVICE When organising your event at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, you will deal with one person who will assist you with all your event requirements – from decor to audiovisual. As an added advantage, you will receive a single invoice for all the services used for your event.

VENUES AND CAPACITIES Room name Boardroom

Size (m2) -

Cinema -

Schoolroom -

Banquet -

Congella East Ilanga Great Ilanga North Ilanga Sky

95 67.2 420.4 67.2 293

90 50 500 50 150

48 40 400 40 120

30 40 350 40 120

80 50 500 50 150

Small Ilanga (D)

238.6

150

100

150

South Ilanga Suite 1

Cocktail -

Boardroom 12

112.5

Suite 1 to 5

564

500

Suite 2

100

Suite 3

100

Suite 4

100

Suite 5

175

100

Tugela

292

200

150

200

Umgeni and Congela (D) Umgeni

142

110

100

Sundeck

100

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

KAGGA KAMMA NATURE RESERVE'S Y^dY]QdU fU^eU Yc YTUQ\ YV i_e QbU \__[Y^W d_ X_cd Q^ EXCLUSIVE CONFERENCE _b dbUQd i_eb F9@C d_ Q^ UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

Our facilities can accommodate up to 18 single delegates and 36 delegates sharing

CONFERENCES -

Packages from R 1 59 9 pppns

Luxury accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, 2 coffee breaks + 1 TOUR PER DELEGATE CONFERENCE EQUIPMENT INCLUDES: Â“ 3UY\Y^W ]_e^dUT <7 `b_ZUSd_b gYdX F71 SQR\U Q^T ! (] h ! (] `b_ZUSd_b cSbUU^ Â“ H" GQ\\ ]_e^dUT cÙQ[Ubc Q^T 1]`\YVYUb V_b c_e^T gYdX c]Q\\ ZQS[ S_^ÛSd_b V_b \Q`d_` Â“ 4F4 `\QiUb d_ `\Qi 34 4F4 _^ `b_ZUSd_b Â“ C_î "72 4YWYdQ\ F_YSU BUS_bTUb gYdX ]YSb_`X_Û Â“ GY 6Y 8_dc`_d Y^ S_^VUbU^SU b__] gYdX " Ûdg_b[ QSSUcc `_Y^dc

CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT -

Packages from R9 9 9 pppns

EXAMPLE ITINERARY: Â“ GU\S_]U TbY^[ c^QS[ Â“ 5hSebcY_^* >QdebU 4bYfU B_S[ 1bd D_eb DbUQcebU 8e^d Â“ Ce^T_g^Ub D_eb Â“ 4Y^^Ub Â“ 1 ^YWXdÂľc QSS_]]_TQdY_^ Y^ _eb \ehebi 3QfU 8ed ceYdUc Â“ 2bUQ[VQcd Get in touch with us today for a tailored made package.

Contact us: 021 872 4343 / info@kaggakamma.co.za / www.kaggakamma.co.za Terms and Conditions FQ\YT V_b bUcUbfQdY_^c ]QTU Vb_] :QêQbi " !% Â° 1`bY\ " !% FQ\YT V_b bUcUbfQdY_^c gYdX Q^ _SSe`QdY_^ TQdU :QêQbi " !% Â° :e\i " !% 1\\ ]UQ\c RUfUbQWUc Q^T QSdYfYdYUc ^_d cdYè\QdUT gY\\ RU V_b WeUcdÂľc _g^ QSS_e^d BQdUc QbU Ûd Q^T ^_^ S_]]YccY_^QR\U ?VVUb Yc ceRZUSd d_ QfQY\QRY\Ydi D_ aeQ\YVi bUcUbfQdY_^ ÛUTc d_ RU cUSebUT gYdX Q % TU`_cYd CdQ^TQbT ;QWWQ ;Q]]Q D 3c Q``\i

TA L K I N G P O I N T S

FRANK LEE

Looking back

An exhibi on industry expert’s frank views

Before you join the rat race for 2015, Frank Lee wants to reflect on the successes of 2014.

SPEAKING

HAT AN INTERESTING year 2014 was. There was a lot of change – good, bad and ugly.

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.

capabilities. Let’s be mindful of our industry’s capacity and remember that a happy exhibitor is a returning exhibitor.

THE GOOD

THE UGLY

Once again the EXSA Awards showcased the best of the industry. Congratulations to all the worthy winners and thank you to EXSA for organising this prestigious event for our industry. See, I can be nice to EXSA. For me, there were two stand-out exhibition companies in 2014. 3D Group brought well-known shows into their fold – Design Indaba, Mama Magic and Huntex. Well done to Concept G and Inspire Trade Expo. Great show, well designed and well organised.

Something I have noticed is how volatile our continent is. Just as I thought Africa was on the dawn of an exhibition/ business tourism awakening, we have terrorist attacks in Kenya, kidnappings in Nigeria and then to top it all off, Ebola. I know that many international exhibitors have cancelled stands at shows like IFEA and NGV due to these incidents. Unfortunately South Africa feels the repercussions of these events even though we are far removed from them in many ways – quite sad really. I have also heard that certain foreign investors in our industry do not see Africa as a priority anymore. With this mind, it has never been more important to work together to not only promote our industry but our country. As the cogs of 2015 start turning, let me leave you with this thought, “If you can dream it, you can build it.” Have a great year!

THE BAD Please can exhibition organisers communicate with each other with regard to their shows and dates. Last year, Electra Mining and AAD were held at the same time. This put all suppliers under huge strain and stretched their

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

TALKING POINTS

INDUSTRY VIEWS SAACI's take on keeping current

Which shade of green are you? Globally, the pressure to be environmentally friendly – in all aspects of life – is mounting, writes Adriaan Liebetrau.

ADRIAAN LIEBETRAU is the CEO of SAACI. He has many years of experience within the conference and events industry.

INDUSTRY VIEWS EXSA – giving a voice to the industry

T THE BEGINNING of a new year, I believe it is apt to pause for a moment to reflect on the principles we use to do business. So much has been said in recent years about greening – to the extent that many industry members just don’t want to hear any more about it. The reality is, though, that it is not going to go away. I think the secret is that we should be careful not be too fancy or clever when going green. We shouldn’t make it too complicated or scientific, unless of course it is our actual business to do so. But for most of us involved in arranging business events, there is a myriad of essential aspects to give attention to and being environmentally friendly should not be a punishment – rather, it should be second nature. We should build greening principles into whatever we do – and before we know it, we will be experts. SAACI is a proud founding member of the Event Greening Forum. As such, we regard it as our duty to encourage our members to implement greening principles and initiatives. We are putting our money where our mouths are. An

Exciting year predicted Brad Adler shares his predictions for what we can expect from the exhibition industry in 2015.

T BRAD ADLER is the chairman of EXSA.

environmental audit was done of our annual congress in St Lucia last year, based on the principles of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard Methodology. A mouthful, but a whole lot of common sense. St Lucia, in particular, is a destination with scarce resources and taking our congress there was, on the one hand, very exciting but on the other, well, a calculated risk. The organising committee was acutely aware of this. In planning the event and communicating to delegates, the efficient use of the town’s resources, including water and electricity, was top of mind. Waste reduction and recycling also received attention and delegates were most cooperative. After all, the town is surrounded by the greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. A number of SAACI members also won the prestigious Imvelo Responsible Tourism Award last year and we congratulate them on their sustained efforts to make a difference to the environment. Let’s get the basics right in 2015 – one by one. Let’s grow together on this essential, yet exciting journey.

HE EXHIBITION INDUSTRY has been fairly resilient in difficult economic conditions. This resilience originates in creativity, innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit, which is plentiful in the exhibition industry. Furthermore, the ability to adapt to change is creating new efficient opportunities for companies to communicate and market their products. With traditional media becoming more fragmented and expensive to reach targeted audiences, exhibitions continue to bring in immediate and solid results. We have also seen increased recognition for the role of exhibitions and events in contributing towards the economy. As we approach the midpoint in the decade, more international franchised exhibitions and events will reach South Africa in 2015, with increased joint ventures and partnerships with international exhibition companies. Furthermore, there will be an increase in the reliance and integration of electronic communication and social media for both pre- and post events, while app culture could become the preferred method of visitor registration, communication updates and payments.

48 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

Despite a challenging and tough business environment, EXSA believes 2015 has a lot going for it. The AGM will take place on 17 February, CEP Africa (the new industry professional body) will launch during the year and the EXSA app catering to both suppliers and organisers will be completed in time for the EXSA conference, which has been moved to June. The exhibition industry will also see two of the biggest exhibitions, BaumaAfrica and the Johannesburg International Motor Show, take place in 2015. BaumaAfrica, the international trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines and construction vehicles, deemed the biggest event for the sector in Africa, takes place from 15 to 18 September. The biennial Johannesburg International Motor Show 2015 is a 12-day comprehensive automotive exhibition and automotive lifestyle event that takes place from 14 to 25 October. Both shows will be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. The exhibition industry and business in general is changing rapidly, and 2015, in my opinion, will be an exciting year full of promise and opportunities.

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TA L K I N G P O I N T S

INDUSTRY VIEWS IBTM 2015 – what to expect

Networking opportunities IBTM Africa 2014 was hailed a success by both buyers and exhibitors. Charles Drewe tells us why you should exhibit in 2015.

CHARLES DREWE is the hotel operations manager at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways.

INDUSTRY VIEWS

AIPC on the role of conference centres

AVING ATTENDED many of the IBTM shows, from EIBTM in Barcelona, GIBTM in Abu Dhabi, CIBTM in Beijing and AIME in Melbourne, I have always taken great interest in the IBTM brand. What specifically attracted me to IBTM Africa was that I would get the same quality of international buyers without having to travel abroad to find them, as I usually would. I couldn’t miss out on this opportunity.

COST-EFFECTIVE

A real cherry on top was that there were no hidden costs, which meant that not a lot of money was spent on our stand. In addition to this, IBTM Africa took place during Africa Travel Week, IBTM Africa is the leading global one-towhich consisted of IBTM Africa, one event for Africa’s inbound incentives ILTM Africa and WTM Africa. This and meetings industry. Taking place in Cape Town from 13 to 15 April 2015, this meant I could attend WTM Africa highly targeted event offers an exclusive as well. opportunity for African exhibitors to My team and I are really looking connect and engage with top-level forward to IBTM 2015. It’s going international decision-makers during to be bigger and better. The whole three days of face-to-face business concept is growing and IBTM is sure conc meetings and networking. to pull pu bigger crowds.

ABOUT IBTM

REFLECTIONS IBTM Africa 2014 was very successful. There were fantastic quality buyers and, more so, qualified buyers. They were very relevant to our business at the Indaba Hotel, in that they are entrenched in the business events industry. All the buyers turned up for their appointments, nts,

Making a difference A recent study has highlighted the direct impact that convention centres have on their communities, writes Geoff Donaghy.

HE 172 AIPC MEMBERS’ convention centres represent a collective capital investment of more than R679 billion in over 50 countries around the world. This investment provides an additional measure of the economic impact such facilities have in their host communities, as it is typically repaid by the incremental tax and operating revenues generated by the events they attract from a variety of markets.

GEOFF DONAGHY is the AIPC president, CEO of International Convention Centre Sydney and director: Convention Centres, AEG Ogden.

which made the experience that much more useful. There were networking opportunities for both hosted buyers and exhibitors every evening. This provided everyone with immeasurable benefits.

CREATING JOBS As an industry, we have long focused on the economic impacts generated by the events our members host rather than the stimulus that the initial construction creates in a community. What this study shows is that even in the development stage, centres are already generating jobs and spending in the local community, all of which will ultimately be paid for largely by the users of the facility. When you add these impacts to the ongoing business and tax revenues a centre will continue to generate throughout its operating life, you begin to realise just how much of a factor our member facilities represent in their respective communities.

The recent analysis was performed by Sentis Research on data gathered on investments made in centres over their lifespan, and includes secondary investment made for the purposes of upgrades, renovations and facility expansions. These are not just one-shot investments. In today‘s highly competitive markets, centres need to keep improving their products and adapting to the rapidly changing expectations of clients and delegates. Our members maintain a close watch on industry developments in order to ensure they can deliver what event organisers want and need in a time when those requirements are evolving quickly.

ADVANTAGES Another aspect to consider is the role that convention centres play in helping communities address their economic, academic and community development priorities. As well as the stimulus surrounding construction and the ongoing revenue benefits, government investors are realising they can use to their advantage the power a centre has to attract events that help them profile and address their own policies. Taken together, these factors make a powerful economic argument that is driving centre development throughout the world today.

MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015 •

T H E B A C K PA G E

Dim the lights, cue the music Miss Meet had the privilege to work as a sponsorship activation manager during Season 10 of South Africa’s biggest reality competition, Idols.

T WAS MY F FIRST time working in the world of reality co competition shows. The experience was truly am amazing and opened my eyes to some valuable lessons le that can be drawn from the world of rea reality talent competitions and the entertainment industry.

THE WORLD WORLD’S YOUR STAGE As it is for the contestants on Idols, which is broadcast to millions of viewers, so too is the world our stage s as event organisers. There really are no lim limits to where events can take place and who the audience audie will be potentially. This made me realise tha that we should always keep an open mind so so that th we can receive opportunities when they knock. We also need to keep learning, keep k on top of trends and keep trying outt new n and creative ideas as we never know where aand when our next ‘stage’ will be.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR AUDIENCE

MISS MEET, a professional event manager, shares her personal experiences within the meetings, events, incentive and exhibition industry.

As many a fallen Idol has experienced, the power of one’s audience cannot be underestimated. The audience keeps you on the show. As event planners, our audience is vitally important. They are never to be underestimated and we need to remember that they are the people that keep us in business. We therefore need to put on a fantastic show every time – no matter how big or small the audience.

YOU’RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST PERFORMANCE A contestant’s last performance is generally what everyone remembers. This performance keeps them on the show or gets them voted out. So too, in the event world, we need to

ensure that we always give our best performance so that we stay in demand and in business. Factors such as arrogance, bad preparation, a lackadaisical attitude or a misunderstanding of the brief and the audience can lead to a poor performance. We therefore need to keep a clear head, over-prepare, listen carefully, research and remain confident in our abilities. This will ensure that our name does not complete the sentence “Dim the lights, cue the music, the person with the least votes who is going home tonight is…”

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR TEAM The spotlight and attention may be on the contestant when they walk out on stage at the live shows, but it is in no way a solo performance. There is a huge team behind the contestant making them look good. There are mentors and voice coaches, make-up artists, wardrobe consultants, technical teams, the band, back-up singers, family and fans, just to mention a few. This is even more the case in our world of events. Behind every successful event manager is a huge team that makes them look good. Remember that it’s not only your own staff that should be seen as your team, but also your suppliers and anyone that forms part of your support system. To keep churning out successful events, we need passionate, inspired and dedicated teams. It is therefore essential to acknowledge the team’s contribution to the successes, to treat team members with courtesy and respect, listen to the advice and suggestions of team members and make everyone feel that they are part of a team. Remember this African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” So as we move into a new year, I wish you all a long and successful journey and may the lights never dim on your passion and success.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Avis Rent a Car 31 blucube Exhibition Design Studio 37 Champagne Sports Resort and Pumula Beach Hotel 42-43 Climate Neutral Group 8 Concept G 28-29, IBC Constitution Hill 30 Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank 32 Event Greening Forum 4 Holiday Inn Sandton, Rivonia Road 33, IFC

52 • MEETINGS l JAN/FEB 2015

IBTM Intercape Ivok Studios Johannesburg Expo Centre Kagga Kamma LUMI Premier Hotels & Resorts Riverside Sun Resort Scan Display Sandton Convention Centre

50 49 47 34-36 46 22 2 38 11 OBC

Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani 44-45 Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport 39 Tshwane Events Centre 40-41 Unique Speaker Bureau 23 Val du Charron 1 Xplore Afrika 3

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www.conceptg.co.za info@conceptg.co.za Tel: +27 861 222 678 Active Members of :

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creative

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ds n a st

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SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE JOHANNESBURG | SOUTH AFRICA