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JUL/AUG 2014 • Issue 56

SPRUCE UP YOUR EVENT Get the right look for a lasting impression

Women in MICE making a difference

Creative conference content

SPOTLIGHT

ConCept G

Proficiency of planning • communication innovation • inspiration • information

We go the extra mile for our clients” Craig Newman, CEO of Johannesburg Expo Centre R50.00 (VAT incl)

Experience Extraordinary There is a place where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary. A destination, at the tip of the mighty African continent, where two oceans meet in the shadow of one of earthâ€™s seven natural wonders. Here exhibitions are transformed into unforgettable experiences, people and brands grow together, and organisations come alive in the hearts and minds of their markets. This place is Cape Town International Convention Centre. And to experience it is to experience extraordinary.

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

in this issue TRENDS 06

www.saconference.co.za

The importance of décor What you need to

JUL/AUG 2014 • Issue 56

SPRUCE UP YOUR EVENT Get the right look for a lasting impression

know in order to create a lasting impression

08 Top décor tips Nine ways to ensure you get the

Women in MICE making a difference

most out of your event décor

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 10 The centre that can! A look at Johannesburg

DESTINATION

Creative conference content

Joburg

Expo Centre successes

SPOTLIGHT

ConCept G

Proficiency of planning • communication innovation • inspiration • information

WOMEN IN MICE that it’s no longer a man’s world

The team at ConCept G Exhibitions & Events are dynamic, passionate and committed – attributes that have ensured successful project realisation such as the German Pavilion at Africa Health. p4

13 Inspiring and influential 40 Women en who have haave stry made their mark on the MICE industry

DESTINATION 20 Western Cape is Africa’s favourite conferencing destination

22 Tsogo Sun’s conferencing gems 24 Joburg is a delegate's playground

BEST PRACTICE

The blueprint of the PCO

BEST PRACTICE

ways to present conference content

55 MICE Speak Staying relevant

role of the professional conference organiser

57 Frank Lee Speaking A rant and a rave

36 The truth about event registration Terry

58 SAACI views Beating to a different drum

Sutherland: the worst advice about registration

58 AIPC views Keeping up with the times

MEETING PLACES

Wine, dine and conference

59 EXSA views Shaping the future of exhibitions 60 Miss Meet Insert expletive here

Winelands are ideal for meetings and events cruise conferences really attractive

43 Gwefey Meeting Spaces take your conferences to new heights

44 FNB Conference Centre offers unforgettable experiences through innovation and service

46 Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre is the ideal venue for your next conference

54 Compex is touching tomorrow

TALKING POINTS

34 The blueprint of a PCO Helen Brewer on the

40 Just add water All-inclusive packages make

SERVICE PROVIDERS SE through technology

33 Conference content creativity John Fisher on

38 Wine, dine and conference The Cape

R50.00 (VAT incl)

ON THE COVER O

12 Natural born leaders The CTICC are re provin proving ng

MEETING PLACES

We go the extra mile for our clients” Craig Newman, CEO of Johannesburg Expo Centre

48 Sandton Convention Centre provides a platform

REGULARS

where ideas can be generated

51 Champagne Sports Resorts offers turnkey solutions and mouth-watering menus

51 Pumula Beach Hotel is the ideal beach location 52 African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa is

LUXURY

COACHCHARTERS

09 Tidbits Meetings’ must-know trivia 26 20 Questions Bronwen Shaw, director of sales and marketing for the Crowne Plaza,

for your next event Cape Town’s conferencing haven

03 Ed’s letter So much to celebrate

Johannesburg - The Rosebank

28 Sound Bite 54 on Bath’s Gerard Vingerling

Stop dreaming, just do it..

SCHOOL TOURS EVENTS DAILY EXCURSIONS TOURING CONFERENCES CORPORATE FUNCTIONS SPORT GROUPS

+27 (0) 21 380 4400 | charters@intercape.co.za www.intercape.co.za

CCreatiting Expe p riencecess

Publish Publisher Publis her Eli Elizabeth Elizab zabeth Sh Short Shorten orten en Editor Martin Hiller (martin@3Sm (martin@3Smedia.co.za) Smedi ed a.c a.co o.za) Head of Design Frédérick Danton Contributors Helen Brewer, Geoff Donaghy, John Fisher,

Sue Gannon, Adriaan Liebetrau, Terry Sutherland

Chief Sub-Editor Tristan Snijders Sub-Editor Beatrix Knopjes Senior Designer Hayley Mendelow Designer Kirsty Galloway Client Services & Production Manager

Antois-Leigh Botma

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 Advertising Ruth Baldwin

+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 July/August 2014 © Copyright. All rights reserved 2014 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 vests 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. 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

ED'S LETTER

So much to

celebrate

HE LATEST INTERNATIONAL Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings are cause to crack open a bottle (or two) of Moët. South Africa has gained three places on the global rankings, placing it at number 34 and cementing it as Africa’s top business events destination. No doubt the South Africa National Bureau is already hard at work to improve on this remarkable feat. For me, three key factors have played a major role in South Africa’s ICCA ranking: the natural beauty of this country, the phenomenal people working in this industry and our infrastructure.

NATURAL BEAUTY 'Reconsider South Africa', a video published by South African Tourism, recently went viral on social media networks. At the start of the video, the narrator asks, ‘What is beauty?’ The viewer is then taken on visually stunning journey of South Africa – reminding not only those that have not been to South Africa but those that call it home what a special country it is. I love Africa Geographic’s response to the advert: ‘It reminds us that we need to reconsider what surrounds us; that the answer’s not hard to find. Sometimes we just need someone with a different perspective to show us.’ For those who

still have not seen the video, log on to saconference.co.za/satourism.

PHENOMENAL WOMEN

Of course, this industry would not be what is it if were not for the people who go beyond the ordinary. In May, Meetings embarked on a journey to find the Top 40 Women in MICE – and what a journey it has been. This initiative honours women who have made a difference in our industry and I was not surprised by the calibre of talent found in MICE. I am a firm believer in recognising people’s achievements. This will be an annual recognition, so watch this space!

STATE-OF-THE-ART INFRASTRUCTURE Not only does South Africa offer natural beauty, dedicated event practitioners and service providers, but also many venues with world-class facilities. It is also great to see that there are many new conference and exhibition centres being built and let’s not forget about all the refurbishments happening.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Meetings is proud to announce that it has formed a collaboration with the PCO Alliance Network and become a member of the Event Greening Forum (EFG). Through the collaboration with the PCO Alliance Network, Meetings will have access to PCO Alliance Network members in order to get expert opinions and contributions on industry topics covered in each issue. Under guidance from the EFG, Meetings will be highlighting and educating the event practitioner about best greening practices for events. Until next time,

MY FAV

IN COLLABORATION WITH

FINDS

MEMBER OF

EARN CPD POINTS BY READING MEETINGS

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MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

COVER STORY

Proficiency of planning ABOUT THE GERMAN PAVILION, AFRICA HEALTH

ConCept G Exhibitions & Events’ successful execution of the German Pavilion at Africa Health 2014 illustrates the importance of planning.

Africa Health was held at Gallagher Conven on Centre from 29 to 31 May. The 216 m2 German Pavilion housed 18 exhibitors – mainly manufacturers of medical equipment. The pavilion was predominantly bespoke, with a few system elements. It housed a full-service kitchen and an IT centre.

The exhibitors were able to provide an overview of their products, which contributed to the further improvement of the rela ons between medical professionals from Africa and German manufacturers of medical equipment.

THE SUCCESS OF A PROJECT

4 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

HERE IS NO DOUBT that the team at

ConCept G are trailblazers. They are dynamic, passionate and committed – attributes that have ensured successful project realisations. ConCept G’s reputation of going beyond the ordinary continues to grow.

You can’t build a house without an architectural design. Similarly, you can’t build a stand or plan an event without proper planning. The devil is in the detail – the details are crucial and whatever you do, do it properly.

Any project starts and ends with a design. “An accurate and detailed drawing leads to better planning and preparation in the production phase, which results in the successful realisation of the project during build-up and finally, a timeous and proficient handover of the project,” says Gill Gibbs, CEO of ConCept G. ConCept G plans the project scope of work thoroughly and effectively, down to the last detail – nothing is left to chance. The team is highly attentive to detail, fully utilising stateof-the-art electronic design interfaces. They are also committed to delivering a high level of client service, establishing and retaining relationships over the long term. “ConCept G

FAR LEFT: ConCept G Exhibitions & Events’ successful realisation of the German Pavilion stand at Africa Health was through a combination of planning, communication, inspiration and information; Many samples and photographs of the various stages of the stand were sent to Germany to ensure that the client was always kept abreast of the stand during the various stages ABOVE: The German Pavilion housed 18 exhibitors, full-service kitchen and an IT centre

is more than a valued asset and a trusted resource, we are committed to the continued success of our clients,” says Gill.

FULL IN-HOUSE SERVICES That is not all, the ConCept G team also has valuable expertise in infrastructural build, both system and bespoke solutions, as well as providing installation and dismantling services globally with complete project management, from cradle to grave. With contemporary build materials and safe and easily accessible warehousing facilities, ConCept G proficiently and adeptly realises projects, having invested in system shell scheme and system design infrastructure as well as in furniture and décor elements – some of which were used in the successful realisation of the German Pavilion at Africa Health.

THE GERMAN PAVILION ConCept G is an OSPI partner (Octanorm Service Partners International) – one of only two such exhibition companies in Southern Africa. OSPI comprises skilled partners with country-specific exhibition-stand expertise in more than 50 countries across five different continents. This partnership is founded on trust, reliance and reassurance. The philosophy of OPSI is ‘co-operation based Skilled in 50 on trust, in the area of partners exhibition-stand countries worldwide construction, no matter where in the world’. Through its own reputation and that of basedtoon OPSI, ConCeptCo-operation G was the firm favourite

trust, reliance, reassurance

build the pavilion. ‘We were contacted to tender on the German Pavilion at Africa Health through our OSPI partnership, via a fellow OSPI partner,” says Andrew Gibbs, managing director of ConCept G. Once awarded the tender, ConCept G started with the planning process from the detailed drawing of the stand they were provided. The pavilion was broken into different sectors in the ConCept G production phase, to ensure that every possible detail was taken into consideration. These sectors included the kitchen, IT, flooring, structure, graphics and furniture. Daily internal meetings were held in order to see where each of the sectors was in the planning process. The planning stage also saw many samples being sent to Germany and countless emails showing the client the work in progress. ‘Attention to detail, breaking down the project into sectors with full team allocation, proficient planning, constant communication with the client, consistent reassuring, asking the right questions and using our experience and expertise to execute it all adeptly, resulted in the successful realisation of the stand,” says Andrew.

C’S OF CONCEPT G

A contributing factor to the company’s phenomenal success is that each team member has incorporated ConCept G’s seven Cs into their work ethic. The seven Cs are:

1 2 3 4 5 6

CONSISTENCY Concept G constantly delivers the same high levels of service. COMPETENCY Being involved in the industry for many years, the team has a unique set of skills. CREATIVITY The team is made up of highly creative and innovative service ambassadors. COMFORT Clients enjoy the comfort of knowing that, from cradle to grave, everything is under control. CAPACITY ConCept G is aware of and understands their capacity. No unrealistic solutions are offered. COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS In accordance with the allocated budget, ConCept G will realise projects that will effectively communicate their client’s needs. CONFIDENCE Clients have confidence in their deliverables.

FUTURE PLANS There are many exciting projects that ConCept G has lined up for the coming months and one thing is for sure: they will be well planned, well executed and breathtaking. Watch this space.

ConCept G, proud and active members of:

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

TRENDS

Spruce up your event Décor, if done correctly, sets the scene, creates the vibe and encourages social engagement. Meetings asks the experts on how to get the right look that at will leave a lasting impression on guests.

HETHER IT IS A CORPORATE function, fund-raising event,

networking occasion or a wedding, event décor transforms ordinary venues into organic spaces and makes the occasion inviting, sophisticated and memorable. ‘One of the easiest ways to spruce up any corporate event venue is the use of décor. Décor imparts a sense of formality to an event and creates an appealing atmosphere across tables, seating, walls, ceilings and walkways. An event is a visual extension of your brand or personality and, when done well, décor will create a cohesive reflective of the host,’ explains Alastair Laing, CEO for Unlimited Events Group.

He also cites cluttering tabletops as a popular mistake made by event planners. Whether the table surface is designed for guests to eat off, for placement of a centrepiece or for decorative purposes, avoid having it cluttered unnecessarily so that it makes it cumbersome to be used for its purpose. Make sure that there is ample room for guests to comfortably do what they need to without having to awkwardly rearrange décor to make notes or eat dinner. For Jana King, general manager of Songhai Events, over-branding is the number one mistake any event planner can make. ‘Subtle detail and considered branded elements are far more effective than numerous pull-up banners and too many logos.’ She advises event planners to use speciality suppliers instead of one-stop shops, as this will ensure that your client has an event that has a unique look.

A happy client is a continued client

DON’T GET IT WRONG Setting up event décor takes time. ‘There is nothing more unprofessional than still setting up decorations as guests start arriving, or discovering that electrical décor items have no power supply five minutes prior the event starting. Plan out the event set-up well in advance, and make sure you have enough hands on deck to place all décor before the event starts,’ says Laing.

6 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

CLIENT FIRST, DÉCOR SECOND Always consider the client first. ‘Never reject your client’s décor ideas and do not force a décor concept onto your client. A happy client is a continued client after all. A clever

décor stylist will suggest and subtly advise on alternate décor possibilities, but never criticise or reject a client’s specific décor request,’ says King. ‘Clients want more ‘chill’ and pre-dinner drink areas and, as a result, we have been combining furniture hire with our offerings,’ says Laing. Other requests that Unlimited Events Group have received are for events that are colourful, vibrant and playful.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS When deciding on what décor you want to use to realise your client’s event, remember the following: • Avoid abnormally large items, props and staging. They are expensive to transport and may pose problems when gaining access to the venue or fitting into the room.

TOP TIP Create mood ood boards fo for your clients when pitching. The mood board is a tool that can help you and your design client get a be er understanding of what they want, what’s needed, what can be done, what works and what doesn’t.

• Know the 10-day forecast before an event and have a back-up plan for décor items you are using that are affected by adverse weather conditions. • Don’t use decorations that violate fire or safety codes, such as flammable paper – including posters, kraft paper and streamers. • Don’t hang decorations, draping and backdrops from light fixtures, freestanding structures and ceilings as this creates a potential safety hazard. • Avoid choosing a theme and decorations which may be disrespectful of the guests’ cultures, backgrounds, identities and beliefs.

HAVE FUN King advises, ‘Make sure the client signs off on décor concepts and the event look and feel

before the actual installation. This will ensure all expectations are met, if not surpassed, on event day.’ Don’t be afraid to try new things. Be enthusiastic and have fun. Event décor is such an exciting element of the event industry. Don’t be too serious and get your clients excited from the start.

9 1 2 3 4 5 6

MEET THE EXPERTS

FROM LEFT: Alastair Laing is the CEO for Unlimited Events Group; Jana King is the general manager of Songhai Events Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. miceacademy.co.za

8 9

QUESTIONS AN EVENT PLANNER SHOULD ASK THEIR CLIENT WHEN DECIDING ON EVENT DÉCOR WHAT DO YOU WANT to achieve from the event? WHAT KIND OF EVENT is required? Is it formal, a sit-down dinner or a cocktail? IS THERE A preliminary look in mind? IS THERE A preferred colour scheme? WHAT ARE THE brand guidelines and how far can these be adapted? HAVE YOU GOT a particular venue in mind? WHAT TIME OF the day will the event be? HOW MANY GUESTS will attend the event? WHAT ARE THE budget parameters? This will allow for accurate planning and quoting without too much time on back and forth.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

TRENDS

WAYS TO ENSURE YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DECOR

SYNERGY Too often there is a notable detachment between the décor and design concept, food and menu presentation, entertainment and technical elements. All areas of an event should be considered as a unified process throughout. Key role players working on an event should be included from briefing to installation phase. This will ensure a coherent and successful event is achieved overall.

DO NOT OVER-BRAND When designing a décor scheme for corporate events, subtle detail and considered branded elements are far more effective. Many corporates make the mistake of over-branding their events with an abundance of pull-up banners, branded folders and flash sticks - the result: too many logos. Considered placement and some ‘out the box’ thinking will go a long way as far as branding goes.

LIGHTING Lighting is one of the most important décor influences and needs particular consideration to bring the magic and sophistication of the event to life. Lighting transforms a room and creates varied levels of energy, dependant on the required mood. Lighting elements need not be over the top. In fact, subtle and iridescent lighting accents are far more effective in terms of décor-specific installations. People are intimidated by bright florescent lights. If it’s a night-time event, a good tip is to ensure all lights are dimmable to ensure a relaxed setting.

8 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

DRAPING Incorporate elegant draping wherever possible at your chosen venue – it provides a blank canvas for the rest of your décor and lighting. Draping is ideal for transforming unattractive spaces into magical wonderlands. It’s cost effective and adds a sophisticated touch to the look and feel of any event.

CENTREPIECES The heart and pulsee of event décor are the centrepieces. Combining ing elements such as glass, crystal, candles and nd florals, centrepieces are key touch points, which communicate the event theme, sophistication ation and mood. However, ensure that your beautiful utiful pieces don’t block the line of sight to the podium or create obstructions between guests. uests.

COLOUR Nothing defines an event like co colour – it sets the mood, feel and overall vibe of your event. Colour trends evolve constantly; some are classics while others go out of style along with the latest fads. Hot colours for events at the moment include colour palates of pastels, bright candies and the colour of 2014: Radiant Orchid.

FLOWER POWER Whether gracing a table as a centrepiece or adding colour to your event, flowers breathe life into any venue. Placing bowls or vases of fresh or silk flowers on your tables creates inviting décor. Ferns, succulents,

floral arrangements and water-growing bamboo are some trending items you can use. Flowers can also be cleverly interwoven into restrooms, entrances, and serving or buffet tables to add that intimate touch.

LOCALLY PRODUCED DÉCOR Global trends are very focused on reducing carbon footprint. fo South Africa has an abundan abundance of world-class designers and manufacturers man to suit all tastes and styles. sty Keep it local and encourage the use of locally produced décor and furnitu furniture items – from food fare, wines aand craft beers to hand-crafted ceramic ceramics, chairs and lighting features. Not only does this provide a bespoke element to an event, it also supports local craftsmen and small business enterprises.

SPACE PLANNING A good event practitioner will always consider the effective placement and layout of furnishings with clear and unobstructed sight lines. A key consideration when designing an event floor plan is to consider your back of house/staff and ablution access areas. Keep kitchen and bathroom access along outer perimeters. Alternately, consider the effective placement of room-divider screening to conceal these areas. Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. miceacademy.co.za

Tidbits

Meetingsâ€™ must-know trivia

AND THE TOP AFRICAN BUSINESS EVENT DESTINATION IS... South Africa is Africaâ€™s top business events des na on. The Interna onal Congress and Conven on Associa ons (ICCA) 2013 ICCA rankings show that South Africa has gained three places on the global rankings, placing it at number 34 of 37. In 2013, South Africa hosted 118 mee ngs oďŹƒcially making it the number one conven on des na on in Africa and the Middle East. Furthermore, Durban and Cape Town are placed in the top 100 ci es in the world for business events.

MORE CHANCES TO WIN A series of refurbishments, new builds and upgrades of facili es will cost Peermont Hotels and Casinos over R373 million. This will include a new casino resort in Burgersfort, Limpopo, entertainment theatre upgrades at Emperors Palace, as well as various conference room and bathroom upgrades at various proper es, and the opening of new restaurants and bars.

LOCAL IS LEKKER

Living in South Africa is a prac cal handbook on moving to, working and enjoying life in, South Africa. This guide is useful to all interested in embracing life in South Africa. It is packed with 296 colourful pages of informa on, useful ps and resources and gives a comprehensive detailed overview of this unique country. You know it is a good book when the African Union Commission Chairperson, Nkosazana DlaminiZuma, writes the forward. living-in-south-africa.com

NEW ONLINE HOME FOR TSHWANE EVENTS CENTRE Tshwane Events Centre has launched its new website. The website is a hub of useful informa on about the centre, its venues and staďŹ€. From business mee ngs and conferences to themed events and exhibi ons, the Tshwane Events Centre team is looking forward to helping exis ng and new clients take their events to new levels of innova on, colour and excitement. tshwane-events.co.za

LETS TALK ABOUT EGGS BABY Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Eggsperts are like egg ninjas or egg whisperers â€“ only be er. The Eggspert has the mammoth task of flipping, mixing and boiling over 300 eggs every morning during breakfast service. The Eggsperts will be on hand during each breakfast service to provide omele es as fluďŹ€y as li le clouds and eggs poached to perfec on.

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WEâ€™LL MAKE YOU SHINE

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The centre that can! South Africa is becoming the destination of choice for business tourism locally, in Africa and abroad, and the Johannesburg Expo Centre is determined to become the official host of every noteworthy event. The centre’s CEO, Craig Newman, knows how to do this.

CRAIG NEWMAN is the CEO of the Johannesburg Expo Centre

10 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

ESIDES BEING ONE of the largest built exhibition, multi-purpose-built d events venues in conference and Southern Africa, the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) and its employees know what it takes to provide a great event and excellent client service. Their philosophy is, ‘meeting your demands and exceeding your expectations’. “We go the extra mile to provide our clients with an excellent service offering, first understanding their requirements and then doing whatever we can to meet them,” says Newman. A good practical example of this attention to detail philosophy is the recently held Rand Show. Not only did the Rand Show welcome more than 220 000 visitors but, thanks to the well-orchestrated planning and meticulous management of its host venue, the entire event was major incident free.

LEADING EXHIBITION CENTRE JEC can host any event, conference or function. There are a range of venues and facilities to meet the requirements of any event – be it a high-end cocktail party, or a large expo that requires the facilities to accommodate massive, heavy machinery and thousands of visitors. “We have all the facilities to meet those demands. Over the years, JEC has become the permanent home to some of Africa’s most popular consumer shows, including the Rand Show, as well as world-class trade events such as Automechanika, Joburg International Motor Show, Interbuild and Electra Mining. Today, the JEC hosts exhibitions, conferences, cocktail and themed events, product and media launches as well as private and intimate functions such as weddings, birthday parties and year-end parties,” explains Newman. In addition to positioning itself as the exhibition, conference and event organisers’ venue of choice, JEC is committed to strategically aligning itself with partners that provide an experience that prioritises convenience, aptitude and delivery.

VALUE-ADDED SERVICES The JEC has stayed true to its reputation for delivering world-class events for clients and delegates alike, irrespective of the size. The venue has undergone a series of refurbishments over the years to ensure that it can continue to accommodate its clients’ growing needs and hold its reputation as a leading national and international exhibition, convention and events centre. A passion for excellence and a commitment to staying relevant and innovative, while adding that essential personal touch, is what has kept the JEC at the top of its game. The JEC is constantly marketing and promoting itself, its facilities and services. This is achieved through an extensive local and global marketing and media campaign, in collaboration with keeping abreast of industry trends and developments.

11 1

3 4 5 6 CLOCKWISE The JEC is home to the Rand Show which is well known for military demonstrations; with over 50 000 m2 of indoor exhibition space, the JEC is ideal for shows like the Joburg International Motor Show; the JEC can cater for small intimate events or for large events of up to 100 000 people; this year the JEC hosted Ultra Music Fest – the worlds premier electronic music festival; DJ Fresh at the Rand Show.

PROMOTING THE EVENTS INDUSTRY The JEC has always been a proud ambassador of the industry. Newman believes in innovation as an important tool for growth in any business and partnering with like-minded individuals and businesses. “It makes it easier to promote growth in the industry when your peers and partners share the same values, which in turn translates to sustainability in spite of tough economic climates.” He also advises to find new ways to achieve the same goals, and then keep moving the goal posts. “This is not a stagnant industry,

and none of us can ever afford to get left behind. We need to focus on innovation and delivery, helping our clients get the absolute maximum value for their events investment.”

THE FUTURE “We continue to put our clients’ needs first, particularly when it comes to those events that now have a permanent home here at the JEC. At the same time, we are also expanding our portfolio and looking at global opportunities. A strong focus into the rest of Africa will be a priority. We are attracting the attention of international partners and clients, and demonstrating the enormous potential of the events industry in Africa. As well as demonstrating how international partners and clients can use our facility as a platform to reach the South African and greater African market,” concludes Newman.

8 9

REASONS WHY THE JEC IS UNIQUE LOCATION The JEC is conveniently located with ease of access to all of Johannesburg’s major arterial highways and within a 30 minute drive from OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria Airport. It is also within 15 minutes of a variety of choice hotels, ranging from three to five stars. FACILITIES The variety of conference facilities on-site make the JEC ideal for hosting any event, and always to absolute world-class standards. JEC offers warehousing and storage facilities. SIZE The JEC covers over 50 000 m2 of covered space and over 100 000 m2 of outdoor space. FLEXIBILITY The JEC can cater for small, intimate events for 10 people or large events of up to 100 000. CATERING Five-star in-house catering ensures that your delegates will be treated to a culinary affair. UNFORGETTABLE EVENTS The JEC is an event and exhibition specialist that partners with your brand, ensuring your needs are meet. UNIQUE EXPERIENCES A registered helicopter landing, managed by Capital Air, ensures that your event has something extra special. The staff at the JEC are on hand to not only meet your needs but exceed your expectations. MULTIPLE ENTRANCES The JEC boasts multiple entrances with all infrastructural requirements provided. SECURE PARKING There is safe parking for up to 20 000 vehicles.

10 AWARD-WINNING The JEC has

world-class facilities, validated by the receipt of the coveted PMR Africa Diamond Award in 2007, 2011 and 2013.

11 PARTNERSHIPS In line with its new

partnership with BFree Events Group and Stadium Management, the JEC provides safe and secure parking for patrons of all big events taking place at Soccer City.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

WOMEN IN MICE BACK ROW FROM LEFT Arnolette Freeks, event manager; Olivia Bruce, marketing and sustainability manager; Adele De Wet, business development manager: national and Lindy Geyer, business development manager: national FRONT ROW FROM LEFT Esmaré Steinhöfel, business development manager: international; Megan Arendse, general manager: commercial and business development and Zeenat Parker, corporate communications manager ABSENT Chantal Croaster, revenue manager

Natural born

leaders

Success isn’t just what you accomplish in life; it’s about what you inspire others to do. CTICC’s Megan Arendse and Fairoza Parker are proving this.

they can prosper.’ This could be the reason why CTICC has such a low staff turnover. Fairoza’s personal achievement has been driving and spearheading the centre’s unqualified clean audit, which resulted in the CTICC being awarded the Municipal Finance Management Act Clean Audit Award 2013 by the Auditor General of South Africa. CTICC was the only municipal entity in South Africa to receive this prestigious accolade. The criteria for obtaining a clean audit are stringent and only 38% of municipalities in South Africa achieved this. Achieving a clean audit is therefore a huge accolade for the centre and the highest commendation that a municipal entity can receive.

ATTRACTIVE INDUSTRY For both Megan and Fairoza, women generally tend to be good communicators, are intuitive and inclusive, making them highly influential. This is possibly the reason why the MICE industry is attractive to women. The MICE sector is continually evolving and it’s an exciting time to be part of transforming this industry in order to position South Africa as a leading meetings and events destination.

NO LONGER A MAN’S WORLD

HE CAPE TOWN International

Convention Centre (CTICC) stands for innovation, passion and excellence – qualities all its employees exude. This has enabled the centre to position itself as one of Africa’s leading convention centres, create jobs and grow South Africa’s economy. By 2020, the centre aims to be in the top 10 convention convent centres in the world, as well as significa significantly grow the economy. In order to achieve a this, strong leaders are ne needed at the helm – leaders like M Megan Arendse, general manager fo for commercial and business de development (top left), and Fairoza Par rke chief financial officer. Parker,

FACTORS OF SUCCESS FA ‘I was part of the team that launched th the centre 11 years ago. It has been an incredible journey and I am a proud amba ambassador and remain committed in

12 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

promoting the CTICC and Cape Town,’ says Megan. It is this commitment, and an ethos of working hard and smartly, that has played a major role in Megan’s relationship with clients and stakeholders. For Fairoza, being successful is about having a positive mindset. ‘My passion and commitment to developing my team and my ability to be flexible and think outside of the box have been contributing factors to my success,’ she says.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE The CTICC is a fairly young organisation and it has seen many changes – notably the change of ownership. This has allowed the centre to reposition itself, and Megan has been a part of all the changes over the years. ‘I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in staff development, talent and change management. I enjoy being able to develop colleagues and create an environment where

Stereotypes about women in the workplace have changed dramatically over the last years. ‘I have never felt that my gender has played a role in people’s perception of me. I have noticed that the stereotypes that are still at play involve age, race and culture. I work hard and smart in order to challenge perceptions and I hope that I am a role model to my team,’ says Megan. She adds that the CTICC recognises and rewards hard work, dedication and commitment above all. Fairoza agrees, ‘At the CTICC I have never felt that I need to work harder than my male counterparts in order to get ahead.’

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Julie-May Ellingson has been appointed as the new chief execu ve oﬃcer of the CTICC. ‘Julie-May is exactly the calibre of leader we were hoping to appoint to take the CTICC into the future,’ said CTICC chairperson, Gary Fisher.

WOMEN IN MICE

Inspiring

influential

Meetings celebrates the women who have made their mark on the MICE industry.

ITH AUGUST BEING recognised as Women’s Month, Meetings started a nationwide search for the top 40 women in the MICE industry, in order to pay tribute to them. Having so many outstanding women who are doing amazing things for this industry, we should be proud of them and celebrate their achievements. This list is not just about event practitioners – it covers everyone in the industry, from motivational speakers and exhibition organisers to venue personnel. For you to make the

list, we consider everything from your ability to motivate those you work with and the influence you have over clients and peers, to the amount of money you generate or simply the passion you have for this industry. It was not an easy task finding the final 40 because of the calibre of talent and dedicated professionals in our industry. Based on readers’ proposals and follow-up research, the following 40 women are the top in their respective fields. We may have missed some phenomenal women and you may not agree with all those that made the list. If that is the case, let us know, as we want to grow this initiative. When looking at those women who have made the list, one cannot help but be reminded of what Julia Child once said, ‘Find something you’re passionate about and stay tremendously interested in it.’ To all of you on this list, Meetings salutes you!

EMMA BRANSON

MEGAN BUCHANAN

Co-owner of Vanila Exclusive Event Management Event prac oner

Co-Owner of Event Aﬀairs Event prac oner

Originally from Buckinghamshire in the UK, Emma gained much event experience while working for Goldman Sachs and Commerzbank, organising conferences in and around Europe. She went on to run a successful events department in London at Threadneedle Investments. Having visited South Africa numerous mes, Emma decided it was me to call it home and, in 2005, she opened Vanila Exclusive Event Management with Kim Gloyne. Emma understands that each client’s needs and objec ves are diﬀerent and that is why she makes certain each event is unique and fresh. She is constantly delivering new ideas and memorable events. FAST FACT Emma’s level-headedness, unparalleled focus on the finer details and elegant approach to her work produce a pillar of strength within Vanila.

Megan loves corporate events and there is a lot to love – the crea ve conceptualizing of elegant and strategic ways to bring in a company’s brand colours, the crucial decision-making in order to choose the perfect entertainment, the calculated menu design and, of course, ensuring a flawless audio and technical produc on. Megan is passionate about showcasing the Cape and crea ng unique memories for locals as well as foreign travellers. It is these very reasons why Megan decided to head up the corporate and experien al events division of Event Affairs. Her crea vity, love and passion for this industry has cemented Event Affairs as one of the top events management companies in South Africa. FAST FACT Megan grew up in Johannesburg, has an honours degree in Psychology from the University of Cape Town and has a background in events management, staff management and logis cs.

MEGAN ARENDSE General manager: Commercial and business development for Cape Town Interna onal Conven on Centre (CTICC) Service provider: Venue Since star ng her career at the CTICC in 2003, as a conference and exhibi on manager, Megan has progressed through the ranks. In 2011, she was appointed to her current role where she is responsible for enhancing the centre’s service oﬀerings and providing extraordinary experiences for clients and visitors. She has a proven career track record of growing the CTICC’s profitability. Her natural ability to lead her team is one of her key strengths and is one of the reasons why she serves on many local and interna onal industry boards and associa ons. FAST FACT Megan was instrumental in the conceptualizing of the centre’s first Integrated Annual Report, which achieved a Level B+ cer fica on from the Global Repor ng Ini a ve.

BRONWEN CADLE DE PONTE Marke ng and sales manager: CSIR Interna onal Conven on Centre Service provider: Venue Highly successful people are naturally leaders in their respec ve fields. This is exactly what Bronwen is to the MICE industry. Her passion, crea vity and commitment to always be innova ve in our industry, where compe on is fierce, are an inspira on to us all. With her leadership and mentorship, she has created a strong founda on within the CSIR ICC. Bronwen lead the CSIR ICC expansion project, having conceived the idea in 2004 and seeing it to frui on in 2011. She has successfully grown to be a great leader in the industry and is admired by her colleagues and industry peers, more so because her success is about upli ing others, and that is what sets her apart from the rest. FAST FACT Earlier this year, Bronwen received an award from the Gauteng Tourism Authority for Aspiring Woman in Tourism.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

WOMEN IN MICE

ZELDA COETZEE

SAMANTHA CROFT

Owner of Imfunzelelo and SAACI na onal chair Event prac oner

General manager of Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Service provider: Venue

An established icon in the South African conference and events industry, Zelda started her career at the Cape Town Conven on Bureau. She then headed up the conference division for Thebe Reed. In 2008, Zelda opened her own company, Imfunzelelo (meaning ‘to be inspired’). In 2010, she was appointed as local project manager for the pres ge Fortune Global Forum, a conference organised by Time Inc and Fortune, which hosted the world’s top CEOs in Cape Town. Zelda has been described as a dependable and innova ve conference organiser. During her career, she has held numerous posi ons in associa ons. FAST FACT Zelda worked and lived with her family in Chengdu, China, for three months as part of an assignment to assist with the management of the 2013 Fortune Global Forum.

At the helm of Durban’s iconic and newly refurbished mega-complex, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, which is Tsogo Sun’s most profitable hotel in South Africa, Samantha is confidently steering the ship to a ain top- er results. Despite the huge demands and challenges faced as the only female general manager on the Golden Mile, she s ll finds a tremendous amount of joy in her work. Samantha’s achievements have not gone unrecognised – she recently won the regional Businesswomen’s Achiever Award in the corporate category. FAST FACT She currently holds the posi on of vice chairperson of the newly formed Durban Community Tourism Organisa on and is also the vice chairperson of the Durban Community Tourism Organisa on and a member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Commi ee.

CORINNE DURRHEIM CORNELISSEN Managing director of Voilà Events Event prac oner With a very posi ve a tude and outlook, Corinne has a proac ve approach, goes the extra mile and is reliable and diligent – a ributes of a successful professional conference organiser. “She is not only a constant source of new ideas and sugges ons, but has also performed her func ons systema cally, diligently and persistently,” says one of her clients. Corinne is in her element when she is planning corporate and celebrity events, image consul ng, team building, golf days and weddings. She lives by her mantra daily - you can do anything you dream of. Just dream it, act on it and live it. In her spare me, Corinne runs courses for teens to help them with their selfimage and she also works on upli ment projects in various communi es. FAST FACT Corinne was placed in the Top Five in Miss SA in 1989 and runner up in the Miss SA in 1993.

CHARLENE ELLAPPAN

JULIE MAY ELLINGSON

MANDY ELLIOTT

Managing director of Charly London Interna onal Event prac oner

CEO of the Cape Town Interna onal Conven on Centre (as of 1 Sep 2014) Service provider: Venue

Owner of Mee ngs Management Services Interna onal (MMSI) Event prac oner

Looking at her track record and impressive creden als, it is no surprise that Julie-May has been appointed the new CEO of the Cape Town Interna onal Conven on Centre. She has extensive experience in construc on, a thorough understanding of municipal government legisla on and a proven track record when it comes to organising and hos ng major interna onal events and conferences. For the last three years, she fulfilled the role of CEO of the Durban Interna onal Conven on Centre where she was instrumental in transforming the centre into a profitable business en ty. Julie-May is the chairperson of the Global Alliance of Congress Centres. As a well-respected professional, she has played a key role in the successful bidding of local and interna onal conferences.

Mandy began her career in the MICE industry in 1999 by mistake – the best mistake she has ever made. Having worked on interna onal congress logis cs and general travel and events management, Mandy made the decision to open up her own specialised events management company and, in 2010, MMSI was founded. In 2013, MMSI handled 75 events ranging from five delegates travelling to interna onal des na ons to simultaneous mul ple-city events with 2 700 a endees. Mandy’s a en on to detail in event execu on has received various comments from her client base, which consists mainly of pharmaceu cal companies.

For the last 10 years, Charlene has travelled the world – from Australia to the United States of America. During this me, Charlene acquired an insurmountable amount of knowledge and experience in all genres of business e que e and customer service, globally, which included working with people from all walks of life, varying culture and over 55 diﬀerent na onali es. Charlene’s versa le experience and me culous a en on to detail is what has made her popular with the people she works with. In an ever-changing world, success is determined by good choices for las ng impressions, Charlene has the passion and talent to design and create that ‘wow’ event. FAST FACT Charlene’s career highlight was working with Sixthman Produc ons for VH1’s Save the Music Event headlined by John Mayer.

14 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

FAST FACT She holds a degree in economics and a masters degree in town and regional planning from the University of KZN.

FAST FACT One of the highlights of her tenure at Pfizer was implemen ng a strategic mee ngs management programme that resulted in a R1 million savings achieved in the first year.

NINA FREYSEN PRETORIUS Owner of The Conference Company Event prac oner Nearly 20 years ago, Nina got her first job at a Durban conference company. Today, she’s the owner of The Conference Company, one of South Africa’s largest and most-noted professional conference organisers – running out of three oﬃces in Durban, Cape Town and Joburg. She has confessed that when she started her company, she never imagined it would grow into such a big opera on involved with highprofile conferences. Her passion and dedica on for this industry have resulted in her being elec ng to various associa ons, locally and globally. She has served as chairperson of SAACI and been a board member of the Interna onal Conven on and Congress Associa on (ICCA). FAST FACT Under Nina’s leadership, The Conference Company organised the UN’s COP17 mee ng in Durban, in 2011.

GILL GIBBS

KIM GLOYNE

CEO of ConCept G Exhibi ons and Events Service provider: Exhibi ons services

Co-owner of Vanila Exclusive Event Management Event prac oner

Gill’s handson approach, experience and, most importantly, passion are the driving forces behind ConCept G’s growing success. Those who have worked with her have said that the industry runs through her veins. Gill’s mantra is to build and maintain rela onships with her clients. By doing this, she is able to go beyond the ini al client brief and give them a stand that is out of the ordinary. Gill is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and she is always on-site at a stand build. Her dedica on and hard work have not gone unno ced – Gill won the Supplier Employee Award (Stand Designers and Manufacturers) at the EXSA Awards in 2012. FAST FACT Gill has been instrumental in ConCept G’s phenomenal growth over the last four years. Under her leadership and guidance, ConCept G has extended its network into China and has became an OPSI member.

IRENE HATTINGH

CHARLENE HEFER

Owner of Irene Ha ngh Management Services Event prac oner

Por olio director at Specialised Exhibi ons Montgomery Event prac oner

With more than 18 years’ experience in event project management and various aspects of event coordina on, Irene has made a name for herself in the industry. She has worked with budgets over R2 million and has had to deal with over 3 000 event a endees. Besides being known for her dedica on, a en on to detail, commitment and great organisa on skills, Irene’s infec ous laugh and her ability to solve any crisis are the reasons why many blue-chip clients have trusted her with their events. Experienced in organising any type or size of event, Irene is in her element when she has to deal with a sports star or two!

Charlene joined Specialised Exhibi ons in 2010 as a sales execu ve and worked her way up to por olio director. She has recently been appointed as one of the local board members. Prior to her posi on with Specialised, she spent 10 years in the publishing industry where she learnt the tricks of the trade. Charlene’s leadership style is described as driven and dedicated – she is a great mentor and encourages others to be er themselves. Charlene truly values the rela onships she holds with her superiors, peers and personnel – and she invests a lot of me in them. Everything she does, she does with integrity, passion and a hint of tac ul, feminine compassion.

FAST FACT Irene is the driving force behind Stop Hunger Now Mandela Day, which aims to pack in excess of 500 000 meals with over 5 000 employees from various corporates.

FAST FACT Charlene always sends a bunch of flowers to her marke ng manager on a showopening, to wish them good luck.

A er spending five years working in the events industry in London, Kim returned home to explore the local field. Her strengths are definitely a en on to detail, the ability to delegate and me management – Kim obtained her diploma in conference, exhibi on and event management while working on numerous high-profile events. In 2005, she joined forces with Emma Branson and opened Vanila Exclusive Event Management. What started out as a wedding/private func ons company, quickly led into the corporate world of clients, including Absa, Allan Gray, Bri sh American Tobacco and Rand Merchant Bank. Kim ensures that all her events deliver maximum impact and eﬀec veness. FAST FACT Kim describes herself as a lover of all things fun and exci ng, wife to the best hubby Steve and mom to two incredible boys.

JACQUI HIGGINS Marke ng and media manager for CLA Brand & Event Engineering and TechRig Technical Solu ons Agency Service provider/Event prac oner A Jozi born and bred journalist for 15 years, Jacqui has worked across various glossy magazine tles. The late nights and ght deadlines prepared her for the MICE industry. She has conceptualised several innova ve ideas to showcase both the events and technical company in eﬀec ve and interes ng ways. Her crea ve input and knowledge of media have been extremely useful as she constantly manages to secure posi ve exposure for the work that both companies are involved in. She is well liked by the other members of the team thanks to her easy-going manner and outgoing personality. FAST FACT Jacqui loves innova ve technology and building brands in unexpected ways. She hates bullies, bribery and corrup on and is an anarchist at heart.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

WOMEN IN MICE

LORRAINE JENKS

CAROLYN JONES

Founder of Hotelstuﬀ and Greenstuﬀ Service provider: Speaker

General manager of African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa Service provider: Venue

Thought leader, change agent and reless ac vist – avid follower and advocate of all things green for some 40 years, mo va onal speaker Lorraine Jenks’s passion for preserving the environment and sustainable living started in the 1970s. Today, that passion has evolved into a remarkable dedica on to educa ng, illustra ng, mo va ng and pu ng right some of the environmental disasters that business, its brands and consumers have made and con nue to make on a daily basis. Lorraine has enjoyed wide industry acclaim for her reless work in the field of sustainability with many an award on her proverbial mantelpiece. FAST FACT A er working with environmentalists in California in the early 1970s, Lorraine returned to South Africa and became the contracts manager for Africa’s biggest hotel group.

Carolyn has been with Protea Hotels for more than 20 years, ini ally star ng as a trainee. She was on the opening team of Protea Hotel President, and has worked in various management posi ons at diﬀerent Protea proper es such as Protea Hotel Midrand, Protea Hotel Victoria and African Pride Private Game Lodge. Carolyn is currently the general manager of African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa – Cape Town’s premier conferencing hotel. Carolyn is a firm believer in ge ng the basics right and this is evident in the success of each hotel she has overseen. FAST FACT In 2012, Carolyn was the joint winner of general manager of the year at the Protea Hospitality Group awards. This award is judged on various criteria, which include ambassadorial skills, exper se in finance, sales and marke ng, and asset management.

MARTINA KOMANE

AMANDA KOTZE NHLAPO

Services manager and account execu ve at Scan Display Solu ons Service provider:

Execu ve manager of the South African Na onal Conven on Bureau (SANCB)

Exhibi ons services

Event prac

Mar na had recently matriculated when she joined Scan in 2004 as part of Siyacima Solu ons, the company’s internship programme for unemployed matriculants. She started working as a database capturer and quickly moved up the ranks. Mar na is the kind of woman who takes the necessary steps to get the job done. She has played an important role in mentoring staﬀ members and helping them improve their skills. Over the years, Mar na has implemented new ideas and systems, which have assisted in making life easier for staﬀ and clients.

Bringing more than 17 years’ experience in senior management to the SANCB, Amanda has been instrumental in crea ng awareness and understanding of the power of mee ngs and events to build interna onal rela ons and help s mulate economic growth in South Africa. Amanda brings in mate knowledge of policy, procedure and protocol of both na onal and provincial government to her role at the SANCB and her commitment and passion towards growing the global mee ngs and events industry in South Africa is absolute. Her advice to female managers is to always plan, priori se and find a balance between work and family life.

FAST FACT Mar na is the chairperson of the Scan Display BEE Trust, which empowers previously disadvantaged staﬀ members who are involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

16 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

oner

FAST FACT Amanda holds a BA in Poli cal Science and BA honours degree in Interna onal Poli cal Rela ons, both from the University of the Free State.

JANA KING General manager of Songhai Tourism and Events (STE) Event prac oner Jana brings extensive events and incen ve management as well as corporate travel experience to her posi on at STE. She also has experience in managing and leading a team, having mo vated, trained and mentored teams in the past. Jana was the conference and banque ng manager at Brenton-on-Sea Hotel in Knysna where she gained invaluable insight and events management experience in crea ng client memories that will last a life me. Jana’s passion for travel started as a child; her family extensively travelled Southern Africa, and exploring exci ng des na ons remains a focus to this day. FAST FACT When she is not busy at work, Jana is an avid mountain-bike enthusiast and theatre lover. She also enjoys reading biographies and spending lots of quality me with her husband and their two children.

VANGILE MAKWAKWA Founder of Wealthy Money Service provider: Speaker An exemplary leader in the field of innova ve entrepreneurship, Vangile takes complex theory around the rela onship between emo ons and financial behaviour and makes it accessible through her work as author and speaker. She has a strong web presence (website, blog and social media) and is using these pla orms to reach out to everyone who comes across issues around money and emo onal intelligence. She has published a book on emo onal finance and is the Sanlam financial literacy speaker for the youth segment. Vangile is passionate, innova ve, crea ve, a mentor and student, living in the body of a black woman, who refuses to fit into any box. FAST FACT Vangile has a heart for African development and s ll finds me to mentor young people in Gugulethu, helping them to build their self-esteem, know their selfworth and to have a vision for their lives.

AMANDA MARGISON

SARAH MCLEOD

JANE MOKHARI

Managing partner: On Show Solu ons Service provider/ buyer

Founder of Chocolate Orange Events Event prac oner

Client services and liaison at Tshwane Events Centre Service provider: Venue

Over 18 years of dedicated exhibi on experience has put Amanda at the forefront of opera onal logis cs. She exemplifies passion and crea vity for the business events industry, which she has clearly demonstrated throughout her career. Amanda believes in building on exis ng rela onships while finding and encouraging new ones, as without these connec ons and aﬃlia ons we cannot be successful. Clients, staﬀ and suppliers alike can rest assured when dealing with her, as they are working with an individual who is reliable, honourable and completely trustworthy and she demands the same from those around her. FAST FACT Apart from being a leader and mother figure to her team, she is also a wife and mother of two teenagers and four children – life certainly looks glamorous on the road but Amanda is always sure to make me for close friendships and those special to her when she is home.

STEPHANIE MOSS Managing director of Solu ons Group Event prac oner Star ng her career in client service of adver sing agency Grey Philips, and then doing the adver sing and public rela ons for Unisys Computers, Stephanie saw a gap in the event industry for innova ve and stylish events. In 1990, she started Solu ons Groups and under her guidance it has grown into one of the leading events and incen ve companies in South Africa. Pu ng her exper se and knowledge at your disposal, Stephanie ensures the smooth running of every aspect of an event, down to the very last detail. With her passion for perfec on comes her lack of tolerance of anything but the best that people can give. For Stephanie, there are no boundaries to innova on and to achieving the ul mate event for you. FAST FACT The passion and rigour Stephanie puts into orchestra ng very special events bring out the individuality of each client and func on.

Sarah loves people and it is this passion for engagement that naturally lead her into this industry. Throughout her many successful years of designing, planning and implementa on of events she has had the privilege of working with people from all over the world and hosted events that have achieved acclaim and acknowledgement from clients, guests, media and colleagues. She offers a sophis cated, professional and world-class events solu on to her clients. This has been the founda on of the success of Chocolate Orange Events and has allowed the company to grow and to offer an annual internship programme. Offering those who are enthusias c to join our vibrant industry the opportunity to gain exposure and learning from the team at Chocolate Orange Events. FAST FACT Sarah has qualifica ons in conference and events management as well as carbon audi ng.

Fondly referred to by the staﬀ at Tshwane Events Centre as the resident dinosaur, Jane has worked at the centre since the 1960s in various posi ons. As a customer liaison oﬃcer, she’s a focal point for customer problems, ques ons or concerns. When thinking of Jane, a Maya Angelou quote comes to mind, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your a tude. Don’t complain.” Jane is one of the most posi ve people alive and can seldom be found without a smile – a real a ribute having to deal with clients on a daily basis. She constantly seeks to fully understand a customer’s requirements and provide uns n ng support. It is this reason why the centre has a lot of repeat business. FAST FACT Jane’s mo o in life is to work hard to ensure success.

DR MATIFADZA MATI NYAZEMA

SIGAL NASSIMOV GEVA Assistant opera ons manager for Premier Hotels and Resorts Service provider: Venue Overseeing the day-to-day opera ons of both the HR and marke ng departments, Sigal has been instrumental in the growth and development of the hospitality sector. She has con nuously grown the permanent staﬀ con ngent at Premier despite tough economic mes and has been pivotal in structuring the company’s employment equity and skills development plans. Sigal’s drive to ensure that customers’ needs are met has resulted in the group receiving various awards, such as the South African Tourism five-star award, which was given to the East London Interna onal Conven on Centre. FAST FACT Her skill and passion have not gone unno ced. She was recognised in the hospitality industry when she was awarded the Regional Business Woman of the Year in the Corporate Category in 2012.

Execu ve director of Sandton Conven on Centre Service provider: Venue Ma ’s extensive experience in many aspects of the tourism and hospitality industries, including airlines, hotel groups and tourism boards, spans more than 20 years. In her current role, which she has been in since 2005, Ma holds execu ve accountability for overall financial, business and opera onal performance of the SCC and represents the conven on centre at local and interna onal forums to steer business growth and development. She holds a doctorate from the University of Stellenbosch business school, based on a study of broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) policy in the hotel industry in South Africa in 2013. FAST FACT Ma started her career in broadcas ng, as a television news editor, before moving into in public rela ons and des na on marke ng in tourism.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

WOMEN IN MICE

FATIMA OMAR

JACQUI REYNOLDS

NICOLE ROLLINGS

Managing director of Divaz Event Management Event prac oner

Managing partner: On Show Solu ons Service provider/ buyer

Managing director of EnOv8 Event Management Event prac oner

Fa ma not only strives to infuse genuine innova on into this saturated industry, she also serves to inspire those yearning to enter the daun ng sphere of business ownership. Cu ng her teeth following gradua on, through various learnerships, Fa ma gauged an insight into the travel, events management and tourism industry from the bo om. Her upward soar through the corporate ranks took her to companies like Thebe Reward, Uwin Iwin and Global Choices, before eventually knuckling-down to birth Divaz Event Management in 2013, at the age of 29. As a hardworking young woman, Fa ma’s mo o in life is, “Nothing is insurmountable, provided you are determined to pursue those goals relentlessly.”

Jacqui leads a team of dynamic ladies at On Show Solu ons, where innova on and improvements coupled with vision and crea vity are a must in their day-to-day ac vi es. Passion for the business events industry is what drives Jacqui to pursue new opportuni es. With her extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, Jacqui has cemented a number of interna onal rela onships that have enabled her to grow their business from strength to strength. Jacqui inspires and mo vates her team and those around her to achieve great heights. She con nuously supports and guides her clients on making the best out of the roadshows and exhibi ons that she and her team put together.

Nicole started EnOv8 Event Management in 2009 with one conference client on the books, and has grown the company in five short years to a fully fledged event agency, which works with many well-known big brand names like Ray-Ban, All Gold and Cape Town Tourism. Nicole is an event and brand expert with 11 year's event experience. She brings to the industry an interna onal customer service background, and her work is completed to the highest standards, with the consumer experience in mind at all mes. Regardless of the size of an event, promo on or conference, Nicole recognises the importance of brand authen city and the delivery of a ‘genuine experience’ that engages and encourages the audience to bond with a client’s brand.

FAST FACT Fa ma describes her company as the events management mavericks that aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

FAST FACT With a masters degree in tourism and 17 year’s experience in the local and interna onal exhibi on industry, Jacqui has played an instrumental role in expanding the exposure of Africa’s tourism trade.

FAST FACT With amazing energy and a true passion for event management, Nicole’s mantra is ‘consider it done’.

DEBBIE RORICH

LINDY SCRUBIS

BRONWEN SHAW

Director of Event Management Solu ons Event prac oner/ service provider

Co-owner of Event Aﬀairs Event prac oner

Director of Sales and Marke ng for the Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank Service

Before star ng Event Management Solu ons, Debbie achieved execu ve management level in a mul na onal hospitality organisa on. She is very much a people’s person who invests a lot of me and energy into any project she is involved in. Debbie brings broad-based management experience to every event through her ability to think, plan and implement strategically. She has been privileged to manage several medical conferences over the last few years, allowing her to meet and work with many doctors and professionals from all areas within the medical sector and, more specifically, those working at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and Groote Schuur. FAST FACT Debbie has travelled extensively around the world, gaining invaluable interna onal work experience in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney.

18 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

Lindy has been in the events industry for over 11 years. She began her career in London where she supervised service staff at events and got a good taste of what the events industry had to offer. Returning to South Africa with goal to eventually own her own events company, Lindy worked as a staff and event manager, then as an events coordinator for a magazine company to gain as much experience as possible. When she was retrenched in 2009, she knew it was me to start her own company – and as the saying goes, “the rest is history”. Lindy heads up the wedding and private event divisions at Event Affairs. Her dedica on, commitment and passion for this industry has cemented Event Affairs as one of the top events management companies in South Africa. FAST FACT Although her inten ons were to become an actor, her passion for events took her life on a different path.

provider: Venue The passion Bronwen radiates for the MICE industry is clearly evident. She started her career working on cruise ships from 1987. Bronwen also worked for Sun Interna onal in between her long career at Avis, where she held posi ons in both sales and marke ng. She currently sits on the Northern Territory Branch Commi ee for SAACI, is a board member on the Na onal SAACI Board as well as a commi ee member on the Event Greening Forum. Bronwen remains focused on con nuing to raise the profile of this country for delegates coming in, making sure that sustainability is consistent and maintained and growing and crea ng opportuni es for all concerned in the business events sector. FAST FACT She loves travelling, mee ng new people, sharing knowledge and making a diﬀerence.

JACQUELINE STUMKE

TERRY SUTHERLAND

LEATITIA VAN STRATEN

Founder of PCO Alliance Network and owner of Jacqueline Stumke and Associates Event prac oner

CEO of The RSVP Agency and TS&A Events Service provider/ event prac oner

Marke ng director at Specialised Exhibi ons Montgomery Event prac oner

Jacqueline is a highly revered professional conference organiser with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Her first taste at an exhibi on could have le a bi er taste – the company was liquidated six weeks before the opening – but her innate ability to run successful events ensured that the exhibitors who paid their 50% deposit s ll had a show. Jacqueline’s crea ve solu ons, organisa onal skills and her hands-on approach have played a major factor in the success of her company. Seeing a need to share skills and ideas, she founded the PCO Alliance Network. Under her guidance and leadership the network has grown into a significant group of highly respected PCOs. FAST FACT Jacqueline was an interna onal model and travelled the world doing fashion shows and fashion shoots.

Terry Sutherland is the driving force behind the success of Terry Sutherland & Associates (TS&A) and The RSVP Agency. To improve the even ng landscape, Terry has invested in crea ng RSVP so ware that allows clients to communicate with their customers in a truly effec ve and unique way. In addi on to the strides made by The RSVP Agency, Terry has con nued to grow TS&A, one of South Africa’s elite bou que agencies. Terry is a natural leader and entrepreneur. Staff describe her management skills as fair, firm and above all honest. Being crea ve is a way of life and a way of thinking that Terry brings to both companies. She is constantly on the lookout for new and exci ng trends and shares these insights with her clients and staff. FAST FACT Terry started her career in 1979 in the motor industry, selling BMWs.

Described as a remarkable colleague, leader and woman, Lea a is the first female director of Specialised Exhibi ons Montgomery. She heads up the marke ng and digital teams and is responsible for delivering audiences to more than 10 shows per year. She leads her department with great insight, passion and innova on. Under her leadership, the marke ng department are constantly coming up with fresh ideas such as improved checklists and internal systems to new look-and-feels for shows and innova ve new products like a marke ng toolbox to assist exhibitors in making the most of every show. FAST FACT As the shows she is involved with are varied, Lea a is required to have rela onships with various media houses and associa ons. This may seem as a challenge for some but Lea a has truly exceled at this and has close rela onships across various industry sectors.

KARMEN VLADAR

CAROL WEAVING

TAMLYNNE WILTON

Marke ng manager for Lumi (previously IML Interac ve) Service provider: event technology

Managing director of Thebe Reed Exhibi ons Event and exhibi on organiser/ venue manager

Director: Business development and marke ng for MCI Group: South Africa Event prac oner

Being able to turn what you love into a career is an opportunity a few people can realise. This is not the case for Karmen. She is passionate about educa ng the industry on the importance of event technologies and how event managers can incorporate them in their events. In 2009, she was invited to work at the head oﬃce of IML in the United Kingdom to help launch the IML Connector and gain interna onal experience in the conference and events industry. She returned in 2010 and con nues to take care of all marke ng aspects of the business.

Carol has worked in South Africa’s business tourism industry for the past 25 years – from arranging exhibi ons, events and conferences, to managing venues and facili es. Anyone who has ever worked with Carol will agree: the energy, passion and enthusiasm she exudes make it impossible to be a passive bystander with any project she tackles – and completes. A self-confessed adrenaline junkie with seemingly boundless levels of energy, those closest to Carol can bear tes mony to her commitment to living out her daily mantra of carpe diem. Carol has served as the chairperson of EXSA and has also been on the board of SAACI.

FAST FACT As soon as she completed her honours degree in marke ng management at the University of Pretoria in 2005, she started working at Lumi’s first incarna on, Audience Alive as their marke ng and logis cs coordinator.

FAST FACT Carol has won numerous awards for her entrepreneurial spirit, including the Top Performing Business Woman of the Year at the African Access Na onal Business Awards 2011.

With a professional background heavily concentrated in associa on strategy as well as conference and event management, Tamlynne brings an array of personal experience and partnerships to the table. Ever looking to challenge herself, Tamlynne boasts an impressive educa onal ar llery; bearing dis nc ons in event and conference management, travel and tourism, nego a on, marke ng and sales. She believes that conferences provide a powerful pla orm from which to aﬀect change, mo vate and inspire – and this is why she con nues to work in the industry. Excep onally crea ve, Tamlynne is a strategic thinker, a surge of posi ve energy, and an asset to the industry. FAST FACT Tamlynne’s passion and goal is to educate and help as many people as she can along the way.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

DESTINATION • Western Cape

Africa’s favourite With its picturesque landscapes, world-class venues and exciting attractions, it is no wonder that Cape Town is Africa’s premier conferencing destination.

APE TOWN HAS A LOT to celebrate – it has come out tops again as Africa’s number one conferencing destination in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings for 2013; it is the Design Capital of the World and its famous landmark, Table Mountain, was voted as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

A MICE HAVEN Cape Town is an event and incentive organiser’s dream – from pristine beaches, the meeting point of two oceans and botanical gardens to museums and galleries – Cape Town has something for everyone. And the best part: it’s easy to get to. Cape Town International Airport

DID YOU KNOW? Dr Chris aan Barnard performed the first-ever heart transplant in 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital. The original theatre where the surgery took place is today a museum, aptly named Heart of Cape Town. Let your delegates relive this awe-inspiring act.

20 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

is a mere 20-minute drive and has been awarded Africa’s Leading Airport for the last four years. And there is no need to worry about finding accommodation. The city has 14 000 rooms, ranging from five-star hotels to guest houses. This is complemented by numerous state-of-the-art conference facilities as well as an international convention centre. A city would not be complete without its people and Capetonians, as they are fondly referred to, truly represent a melting pot of culture. These rich cultures, ranging from African, Malay, European and Indian, are celebrated through art, history, music and food. Then there is the wine! The Cape Winelands region is often referred to as one of the wine capitals of the world – not surprising considering the number of farms in the region producing award-winning wines. Most of the wine farms also offer meeting and conference facilities. With the magnificent Table Mountain as your backdrop, make Cape Town your next MICE stop.

MUST-USE VENUES The African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Conven on Centre has four large and technologically superior conference venues that can accommodate up to 450 delegates. They also have eight elegant and dis nc ve boardrooms, as well as conferencing butlers, assigned to each boardroom, who are very comfortable with launches, events, day conferencing and func ons. To read more about this venue go to page 52. africanpridehotels.com

Townhouse Hotel and Conference Centre oﬀers the event planner and delegates the best of modern ameni es. From large cinema-style presenta ons accommoda ng up to 250 people, to product launches, sit-down func ons and banquets, as well as smaller mee ngs – all your event needs will be meet. Stateof-the-art technical facili es allow venues to be customised with the latest presenta on, audio-visual and conferencing equipment. Fully catered, the centre oﬀers a range of menus for breakfasts, lunches, cocktails and banque ng func ons. townhouse.co.za

A mul purpose conference and exhibi on centre in the hub of Cape Town’s business and entertainment centre, the Cape Town Interna onal Conven on Centre (CTICC) combines the impassioned dedica on of its capable personnel with an extensive range of premium venues, services and facili es. They create cap va ng experiences that see hosts and their guests returning year a er year. This innova ve venue oﬀers a comprehensive array of services for interna onal and locally based clients, playing host to prominent global conferences, trade shows, concerts and celebrated stage produc ons. c cc.co.za

7 1

WHEN IN CAPE TOWN…

EXPLORE The Cape Town Diamond Museum and the Shimansky Diamond Experience are some of Cape Town’s top tourist a rac ons and a one-ofa-kind experience tracking the en re journey of diamonds – from mine to finger. Located in the famous Clock Tower precinct at the V&A Waterfront, conveniently situated close to the gateway to the legendary Robben Island, the museum takes guests on a personally guided tour through the Cape Town Diamond Museum. You can even walk through a replica mine sha , and see replicas of the world’s most famous and exquisite diamonds. This is truly a great conference add-on for your delegates. capetowndiamondmuseum.org

REASONS TO PLAN YOUR EVENT, TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITY OR INCENTIVE IN CAPE TOWN SEA VIEWS Let delegates enjoy the fantastic views of the sea. Numerous venues take advantage of their sea views with panoramic windows that let in natural light, allowing delegates to enjoy the fantastic sea views. GREAT GARDENS Cape Town is recognised globally for its rich biodiversity and is the only city in the Cape Floral Region. The region was declared a natural World Heritage Site in 2004, and includes Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS From kayaking with African penguins to watching whales and riding ostriches, Cape Town and its surrounds offer something for everyone.

TASTE Luke Dale-Roberts’ The Test Kitchen, which opened in November 2010, has the celebrated chef cooking at his most crea ve in a dis nc ve contemporary space. The in mate 60-seater restaurant provides guests with the op on of a casual or more formal dining experience, but always a taste of Luke’s apparently limitless culinary imagina on and exquisite presenta ons. Guests are able to see and hear the buzz of the chefs at work, and smell what’s coming next across the pass. This year, it was placed number 48 in the World’s Best Restaurants and was the winner of the Con nental Restaurant Awards: Best Restaurant in Africa award. thetestkitchen.co.za

CREATIVE As the Design Capital of the World for 2014, share in Cape Town’s cultural riches. Let your delegates learn African drumming, participate in Cape Malay or African cooking workshops, take private art classes, learn African beading or even enjoy an evening of local poetry and storytelling. ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE With fantastic mountains, beaches and over 3 000 hours of sunshine on average each year, Cape Town is a top destination for adventure incentives. CUISINES As a result of the cosmopolitan mix of people and cultures, Cape Town’s numerous restaurants and food hubs offer mouthwatering food. THE STADIUMS Cape Town Stadium, as well as Newlands Cricket Ground and Newlands Stadium are worldclass facilities and offer some of the best views.

For more: capetown.travel

SWING A first for South Africa, the Cape Canopy Tour in partnership with Cape Nature Conserva on is situated in a pris ne World Heritage Site within the Ho entots Holland Nature Reserve, Grabouw. The tour consists of at least twelve pla orms constructed on the cliﬀs and fynbos covered mountain slopes above the Riviersonderend gorge and joined by thrilling slides up to 300 m long. Clients will also get to experience - a unique bridge crossing between a narrow sandstone gorge high above a spectacular double waterfall below. The Cape Canopy Tour is a fully guided nature experience with a strong emphasis on the endemic fynbos and geology of this World Heritage Site. Two trained guides will accompany each group on the two-and-a-half hour tour, which will also include a 4 x 4 journey through the nature reserve, refreshments on one of the cliﬀside pla orms and a light lunch a er the ac vity. canopytour.co.za

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

DESTINATION • Western Cape

Conferencing

gems

Experience a blend of elegance, traditional hospitality, stylish accommodation and world-class conferencing facilities – all offered at these Tsogo Sun hotels. WHET YOUR APPETITE The dedicated banque ng team at Southern Sun Cape Sun is always on hand to assist you and in ensuring that everything is planned to perfec on. Themed events and special menus can be tailored for func ons catering for 12 to 650 guests. Guests are invited to par cipate in the live-cooking concept, to ensure that their favourite cut of meat or seafood is grilled to their exact preference. The hotel also oﬀers a complimentary shu le to the V&A Waterfront. Experience business beyond the usual at Southern Sun Cape Sun.

CONTACT Strand Street, Cape Town sscapesun.reserva ons@tsogosun.com t +27 (0)21 488 5100

22 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

CREATIVE TEA BREAKS With a wealth of experience and exper se in handling conferences and events, the team at Southern Sun Newlands will assist with menus, themes, team building as well as a host of ac vi es designed to ensure that your event is successful. With venues that vary in size from 18 m2 to 207 m2 and a team that ensures you are provided with a en on to detail and personalised, professional service, Southern Sun Newlands is ideal for conferencing with a diﬀerence.

CONTACT Main Road, Newlands, Cape Town ssnewlands.reserva ons@tsogosun.com t +27 (0)21 683 6562

BREATHTAKING VIEWS Let the events team at Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard help you plan an event your guests will remember for years to come. The loca on of this hotel, not too far from Cape Town Interna onal Airport is convenient for business travellers. The hotel overlooks Table Bay and the harbour and guests can take in the fantas c views of some of the city’s most well-known landmarks. With a total of six rooms you will be able to choose the size and layout that best suits your event requirements – making Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard an ideal venue to have your next event at.

CONTACT Corner of Melbourne and Corona on roads, Walmer Estate gcnelsonmandelaboulevard.reserva ons@ tsogosun.com t +27 (0)21 448 4123

OPULANT SPACES Nothing quite prepares you for when you first step into the lobby and recep on area of Southern Sun The Cullinan. The colonial-style architecture of the exterior of the building is carried throughout the hotel – high ceilings, sweeping staircases, a welcoming recep on area, a balconied mezzanine level as well as majes c columns in the pool area with a spacious deck. Why not treat delegates to al fresco dining on the pool deck while enjoying the sounds of a classical quartet? With complimentary shu les to the V&A Waterfront, guests can take a break from their conference schedule and enjoy the numerous oﬀerings available. Experience luxury at its finest with the help of the dedicated conferencing, event and banquet planners at the award-winning Southern Sun The Cullinan.

CONTACT Cullinan Street, Cape Town sscullinan.reserva ons@tsogosun.com t +27 (0)21 415 4000

Tailor-made menus create memories Cape Town is the undisputed culinary capital of South Africa and it is hard to ignore the irresistible aromas of its famous dishes and wines.

ATERING CAN MAKE or break ak an on event. It is for this very reason e that the events teams at the pe Tsogo Sun hotels in the Western Cape offer tailor-made menus. om If you can’t find what you need from their extensive menu selection, challenge the talented chefs in any of the hotels to custom create a menu. With the diverse he Cape, range of top quality ingredients in the there is no doubt that the talented chefs can satisfy even the most complex tastes. Cape Town can offer its visitors lise unique dishes that are sure to tantalise out the taste buds, let us not forget about the world-famous Cape wines. With the help of regional chef David van Staden and their ever charming sommelier Georgio Meletiou, rest assured that they will be able to create a mouth-watering menu complete with the perfect wine pairing for your next event. In addition to this, Georgio and David are available to assist Guests on their food and wine selection.

ABO DAVID VAN STADEN ABOUT A As Tsogo Sun executive chef, D David works with all the culinary te teams within the Western an and Eastern Cape Tsogo Sun properties. p Combined with his 10 years’ experience in Asia and the Middle East, David creates food and beverage experiences that will delight g guests. A ABOUT GEORGIO MELETIOU D Described as one of the ccountry’s most flamboyant wine co connoisseurs and professional wine presenters, Georgio studied his craft at the Cape Wine Academy. Georgio also offers guests wine-tasting experiences in a number of languages including English, Afrikaans, Italian, Greek, Portuguese and Spanish. Georgio has conducted wine tastings for various celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, Tina Turner, Sir Cliff Richard, Morgan Freeman and Josh Groban.

7 1

REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT A TSOGO SUN HOTEL IN THE WESTERN CAPE LOCATION With a 20 km radius of Cape Town International Airport, each hotel is ideally located near the top Cape Town attractions such as Camps Bay, Mowbray Golf Course, Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Green Point Stadium, Artscape and Ratanga Junction. DEDICATED TEAM A team of dedicated conferencing, event and banquet planners will assist in making your event a spectacular, memorable occasion. They take pride in ensuring that each event is carefully planned and tailored to suit your event and conference requirements, giving your events a uniquely crafted experience in a creative and energetic environment. TAILOR-MADE EVENTS Each event is tailored to suit your specific requirements, with a range of venue options in each hotel. Exciting, affordable and creatively designed packages that are perfectly tailored for business meetings or conferences are available. VARIETY OF MEETING ROOMS The hotels offer various seating layouts, including cocktail, boardroom, school room, cinema and banquet arrangements. Depending on the number of guests and the type of event you are organising, this further adds to the flexibility of venue options. TRUSTED NETWORK OF SUPPLIERS The events team is on hand to assist in making your event one to remember. Should you need audiovisual aids, they are able to use their trusted network of suppliers to secure items for hire at competitive rates. ROOMS WITH VIEWS Each of the hotels offer postcard-perfect views of Cape Town that delegates can enjoy. These views include Table Mountain, Robben Island, Table Bay and the renowned Green Point Stadium. ACCOMMODATION With a range of room options to suit every preference, all hotel rooms are tastefully furnished with various amenities to ensure that your stay is comfortable and relaxing. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available. Smoking and wheelchair-accessible rooms are available on request.

Experience Tsogo Sun’s

conferencing, hospitality and events

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

DESTINATION • Joburg

Explore and enjoy While a vast number of visitors arrive for business reasons or events, increasing numbers are staying to experience Joburg.

SENSORY OVERLOAD On Saturday nights, Fordsburg’s Mint Street comes alive with a hub of ac vity. There are a variety of stalls selling anything and everything – from clothes to jewellery, incense and spices and lots of street food. No trip to the night market would be complete without buying colourful sweetmeats, ge ng a Turkish shave and having freshly squeezed juice from the Juice Den.

Now proudly taking its place as Africa’s second largest city, there is always something new to get excited about in Joburg. This extraordinary city is seen not only as the economic hub of the con nent, it also oﬀers a plethora of cultural, leisure, spor ng, fashion and lifestyle ac vi es that is fast making it the leading des na on for both leisure and business tourists.

24 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

Visit

Work

info@joburgtourism.com www.joburgtourism.com +27 11 214 0700

Play

PARTY LIKE ITS 1929 The Radium Beerhall, established in 1929, is the oldest surviving bar and grill in Johannesburg, with a genuinely historic ambience that’s just as en cing as the good food on the menu; as authen c as the foot-tapping live jazz that makes the embossed n ceiling vibrate in sympathy. The walls are covered in memorabilia, from photos of pre-war soccer teams and jazzmen who have played there, to vintage posters and press clippings that record The Radium’s history. With live performances by diﬀerent ar sts four nights a week, The Radium is an Orange Grove landmark and has been featured in overseas travel guides as a genuine South African experience, and a must for tourists passing through Joburg. theradium.co.za t +27 (0)11 728 3866

HEAR ME ROAR A great day out is guaranteed at the Lion Park – home to four prides of lion (including the rare white lion), a clan of cheetah, wild dog and hyena and a wide variety of antelope, which roam freely in the antelope area. Guests have an opportunity to interact with some of the animals in the Cub World area, which has a giraﬀe feeding pla orm that puts you at eye level with their tame resident giraﬀe, crea ng a fun experience for all ages. Then there is the popular cub interac on, which allows guests to touch the cubs and take photographs. Facili es include a curio shop, restaurant, children’s playground, picnic and braai area. lion-park.com t +27 (0)87 150 0100

Images tangerineandcinnamon and supplied

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

HIDDEN GEM OF LIBERATION TOURISM

Within the walls of Satyagraha House, Gandhi created and developed his philosophy of passive resistance. The house was built in 1907 by Gandhi’s close friend, the German architect Hermann Kallenbach. Today, the house is both a museum and a guest house. It comprises seven rooms that are spread out between the original house, called the Kraal in reference to its architecture resembling a tradi onal African farm, the co age added a few years later, and the modern wing built in 2010. A museum retracing Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa, and par cularly those he shared here with Kallenbach, is installed in the very heart of the house. satyagrahahouse.com t +27 (0)11 485 5928

24 hours in

Maboneng M

ABONENG, MEANING ‘place of light’, A

is home to several independent retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as a museum and creative factory spaces.

IN THE MORNING Mainstreetwalks is a concept that encourages people to rediscover the inner city. The best way to explore these spaces, like any other city in the world, is by foot and public transport. mainstreetwalks.co.za t +27 (0)72 880 9583

FOR SUPPER The Blackanese Sushi and Wine Bar fuses African flavour with Japanese cuisine. Sushi and curries can be enjoyed throughout the week and on Sundays, guests can relax while waiting for their tasty prawns on the braai. theblackanese.co.za t +27 (0)11 024 9455

IN THE EVENING

Pata Pata boasts a full menu of Africaninspired cuisine as well as daily specials. The menu also offers more simple foods such as burgers, wraps and salads. mabonengprecinct.com t +27 (0)73 036 9031

Maboneng’s local cinema, The Bioscope, is Johannesburg’s only truly independent cinema. The Bioscope screens unique and diverse local and international films and documentaries. The Bioscope hosts local musicians, as well as popular signature events such as NoodleBox Cinema and Mystery Movie Night. thebioscope.co.za t +27 (0)11 039 7306

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

WHERE TO SLEEP

• Displaying vivid scenes from the streets of Joburg, I Was Shot in Joburg sells items all printed with photos taken by street children. This project provides a platform for youth at risk to learn skills and generate an income. iwasshotinjoburg.co.za t +27 (0)82 922 5674 • All items in 1886 Boutique Joburg are an ode to the city. It stocks household objects from taxi hand-sign printed tea towels to ceramics bearing the image of the Hillbrow Tower. 1886boutiquejoburg.co.za t +27 (0)11 469 3770

12 Decades Hotel offers boutique hospitality for visitors to the city. The hotel will blow you away with its uniqueness, boasting rooms designed and conceptualised by some of South Africa’s top artists and designers. 12decadeshotel.co.za t +27 (0)11 026 5601

FOR LUNCH

Images supplied

CLOCKWISE Maboneng is filled with amazing street art; buy unique Joburg souvenirs from I Was Shot in Joburg and 1886 Boutique Joburg; enjoy African cuisine at Pata Pata; stay at 12 Decades Hotel which offers true boutique hospitality

ON A WEEKEND Market on Main takes place every Sunday morning and the first Thursday night of the month. marketonmain.co.za t +27 (0)82 868 1335

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

hotel we partner with you to plan and create a uniquely tailored event. Our services and expertise are designed so that we can concentrate on what matters most – the success of your event by combining all the right ingredients for that perfect occasion.

What have been the highlights in your career so far? Being chosen to represent

On MICE and snakes A trailblazer within the MICE industry, Bronwen Shaw’s mission is to make a difference in people’s lives.

ow do you see the meetings, conferences and exhibition industry at the moment? It is so exciting, it continues to grow on a daily basis with so many opportunities for anyone who is brave enough to take it on, make a difference and work very hard.

What drew you to the meetings, conferences and exhibition industry? The adrenaline rush that comes from all the challenges and opportunities that exist is the biggest drawcard for me. Also,

26 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

the fact that my days are never the same – it is so exciting.

What has been the biggest change in the industry that you have seen?

What quote best describes you? ‘Be the change you want to see in the world,’ Ghandi.

What are you addicted to? Pretty red lipstick.

Sun International at the opening of the Paralympic Games in Greece in 2004. I was in awe of every athlete’s courage, determination, passion, tenacity and spirit. My life has never been the same since I had that experience.

What is the best and worst advice you have received?

How would you describe yourself as a leader? I believe

What is your favourite holiday spot? Definitely

in creating a fun environment to work in, generating enthusiasm, passion, encouraging rather than discouraging, teaching, learning and leading by example through all I do.

a cruise on one of the MSC cruise ships.

Live each day as if it’s your last

What four words describe you? Passionate, tenacious, honest and kind.

If you could ask your future self-one question what would it be? I have

Best advice was from my dad, ‘Live each day is if it’s your last’. I don’t think I have ever received bad advice and if I have I don’t remember.

What book do you wish you had written? Screw It, Just Do It by Richard Branson and Who moved my cheese? by Spenser Johnson.

What is your best characteristic and biggest flaw? I would say that my best characteristic would be that I am incredibly passionate and care about people, which can sometimes be to my detriment, and that would be my biggest flaw.

I have been delighted to see, over the past three years, how the MICE industry has experienced significant growth.

none. I’m too busy living in the now.

What super power would you like to possess?

If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why? Just me – why would I

What makes you laugh?

Definitely the power to heal.

want to be anyone else?

Everything – I laugh at every opportunity I can.

What have you learnt the hard way? The voice of experience is always right.

What makes Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank a great MICE venue? In my opinion, The Crown Plaza Johannesburg - The Rosebank is Joburg’s most stylish venue. At the

What do you do in your spare time? Any time off is spent with my daughter, visiting family and friends, enjoying my little home and an adventure here and there.

What are you scared of? Snakes, I’m so terrified of them I could not even read or watch the Jungle Book with my daughter when she was growing up.

ABOUT BRONWEN Bronwen onwen Shaw iis the newly appointed director of sales and marke ng for the Crowne Plaza Johannesburg The Rosebank. She currently sits on the Northern Territory Branch Commi ee for SAACI (Southern African Associa on for the Conference Industry), is a board member on the Na onal SAACI Board as well as a commi ee member on the Event Greening Forum.

Creative cuisine 54 on Bath’s executive chef, Gerard Vingerling, surprises and delights delegates with his bold signaturestyle dishes.

ESCRIBE CHEF GERARD in three words. Stubborn,

driven and creative.

How has the food and beverage industry changed over the past five years? I have noticed

What would you say is the number one mistake people make when it comes to catering for conferences? Clients over-

that the restaurants in Joburg are doing much better than ever before. I feel that we’re at the bottom of the upwards curve. Food-wise – a drive towards simplicity and molecular gastronomy or elements of this have worked their way into the kitchen.

cater, especially in the high protein and carbohydrates range. They also often make assumptions on dietary requirements and we’ll end up making 15 halaal or kosher meals only to find that just one delegate follows this strictly.

What are some of the trends you see in the food and beverage industry? Simpler and smaller

creative, be abundant in variety, plate individual-sized portions, garnish healthily, surprise and delight your clientele.

ABOUT CHEF GERARD Chef Gerard‘s cooking is not preten ous; instead he focuses on providing his customers with a en on to every detail and a great dining experience. His career highlights include: being the execu ve sous chef at The Dining Room at the original Grace in Rosebank; the execu ve chef at Hilton Sandton and Southern Sun Montecasino’s Punchinellos; and running his own restaurant.

28 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

portions with a great emphasis on taste and texture.

What are your five catering top tips? Be

How do you present ‘plain’ food in a way that makes it look appealing to delegates? By using smaller portions, plating different dishes individually and using fresh edible garnishes. We place a major focus on the quality of our food and beverage offering as well as efficient, friendly service and a high degree of preparedness.

WIN

By combing centuries of tradi on, a variety of teas from around the world, great company and exquisite surroundings, 54 on Bath’s a ernoon tea is sure to delight. To stand a chance to win an a ernoon tea for two, email mar n@3smedia.co.za with ‘A ernoon Tea’ in the subject line before 20 August 2014. Gauteng readers only. Terms and condi ons apply.

Let’s face it, a delegate doesn’t arrive at a conference to ‘ooh and ahh’ over what brand of projector was used in the conference room.

What dish are you asked to make most often? These days it’s healthy dishes, low to no carbs, high proteins or high fat, no carbs.

What is your signature dish? Any dish that requires creativity and attention to detail.

Why did you decide you wanted to become a chef? I started in a pizzeria when I was young and fell in love with the crazy environment. I wanted to be the man in charge. t +27 (0)11 344 8500 54onbath.com

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All you need to know about chartered events on The Blue Train

n 9 August 1956, women from around South Africa participated in a national march against the pass laws imposed by the Apartheid government. This day has come to represent women’s courage and strength. It is because of this day that you can do almost anything you put your mind to. You can swim the deepest ocean and climb

the highest peak. Be a doctor or fly a plane. You can face adversity and still walk tall. You are strong, beautiful, compassionate and much more than words could ever say.

THE BLUE TRAIN SALUTES YOU.

WOMEN’S DAY SPECIALS

SECRETARY’S DAY SPECIALS

To celebrate women’s month, you are invited to a well-deserved day of pampering on board The Blue Train. Women’s Day lunches/dinners will be held every Friday and Saturday during August 2014. T&Cs apply • Nett rates: 42 guests @ R126 500; 84 guests @ R160 600 • Five to six hour lunch/dinner trip for a minimum of 42 guests and maximum 84 guests Inclusions: snacks, applicable meals, all local drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic – including wines), Cuban cigars and Blue Train gifts Dining car accommodates a maximum of 42 guests, If more, there will be two sittings.

On 3 September 2014 be prepared to be pampered on board The Blue Train. T&Cs apply • Number of guests: 84 (two sittings lunch/dinner) • Rate per group of five bookings: R16 130 • Rate per person: R3 390 Inclusions: Secure parking for seven hours, head and shoulder massage OR foot massage, five-course fine dining experience on board Africa’s leading luxury train and a Blue Train commemorative gift

t +27 (0)12 334 8459

f +27 (0)12 334 8464/8081

info@bluetrain.co.za www.bluetrain.co.za

Get a new view on business Shift your focus. Energise your mind. Get a new experience of motivation in motion. Have your next conference on The Blue Train.

HE BLUE TRAIN HAS been the ultimate in luxury rail travel since 1946. It offers a unique way of experiencing some of Southern Africa’s magnificent landscapes and landmarks. On this train you can experience a meeting, seminar, think-tank, company incentive or get-together with a difference.

THE CONFERENCE CAR Whether you’re rallying your sales force, rewarding outstanding performance, wooing potential clients or hosting your year-end function, The Blue Train has the perfect solution for you. The fully equipped conference car can comfortably seat 22 delegates boardroom-style and is fully equipped with audiovisual and technical equipment for a high-level business meeting or small conference. Delegates will stay connected at all times thanks to the free Wi-Fi. For smaller sessions, the conference car can be transformed to suit your needs, with full business facilities, plush lounge seating and a breathtaking panorama of the world around you.

CELEBRATE MILESTONES The Blue Train can be chartered for any occasions. Just for you, it can meander along its standard routes, or on custom-made trips and cross-border excursions that last from a few hours to several nights. It’s your sojourn, it’s your train. You can, for example, go on a golfing or safari charter, with the train stopping at or near golf courses or game lodges that are situated along a rail route. As long as the option chosen involves rail networks compatible with The Blue

Train’s technology, it can be arranged. Other popular tailor-made charters include stops at other major South African events such as the Vodacom Durban July, the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City and J&B Met in Cape Town.

CORDON BLUE While The Blue Train lives up to its fivestar reputation in every sense, its cuisine surpasses even the highest expectations. It could be said that dinner will be the most unforgettable experience of your adventure. Call it Cordon Blue. On-board chefs regularly refresh their menus to intrigue and tantalise your palate, as they prepare their signature dishes using the freshest of local ingredients. And indeed, there’s a menu for every taste simply make your needs known at the time of reserving your passage. The elegant dining car seats 42 guests in a single sitting and, in the event of having more guests, meals are served in two sittings to ensure all guests experience absolute bliss.

REASONS TO USE THE BLUE TRAIN

1 Luxury in motion Expect a trip that is defined by the hallmarks of personal attention and devotion to detail.

2 Movable feast The Blue Train’s legendary cuisine is an irresistible tribute to culinary mastery on the move.

3 Personal service To ensure an unforgettable experience, a dedicated butler will be at your beck and call, ready to meet your every whim.

4 Tailor-made charters

Fully

equipped and capable of following any line that is compatible with its technology, The Blue Train can be chartered along its standard routes, or on custom jaunts.

5 Award winning The Blue Train has gathered an impressive list of accolades, such as being voted Africa and the

CONTACT bluetrain.co.za • info@bluetrain.co.za @BlueTrainSA Pretoria: t +27 (0)12 334 8459/8460 • f +27 (0)12 334 8464 Cape Town: t +27 (0)21 449 2672 • f +27 (0)21 449 3338

world’s leading luxury train.

CHARTER YOUR OWN EVENT Dinner/lunch charters available Fridays and Saturdays from Pretoria. Indulge in fine cuisine with personal butlers at your beck-and-call. The Blue Train is not just a mode of transport – it is an all-inclusive five-star luxury rail experience.

T&Cs apply • Nett rates: 42 guests @ R126 500; 84 guests @ R160 600 • Five to six hour lunch/dinner trip for a minimum of 42 guests and maximum 84 guests. • The quotations above are inclusive of snacks, applicable meals, all local drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic – including wines), Cuban cigars and Blue Train gifts • Dining car accommodates a maximum of 42 guests at a time. In cases where there are more than 42 guests, there will be two sittings

t +27 (0)12 334 8459

f +27 (0)12 334 8464/8081

info@bluetrain.co.za www.bluetrain.co.za

BEST PRACTICE

Conference content

creativity

John Fisher suggests there may be more than one way to present conference and meetings content.

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.

OU KNOW ALL ABOUT waste operatives (bin men) and talent managers (HR), now please welcome ‘meeting architects’. But it’s not as daft as it sounds. A book by Maarten Vanneste called Meeting Architecture – A Manifesto sets out a vision for a new way of looking at meetings content. He argues, rightly, that the vast majority of meeting planners do not actually plan the meeting messages or have any influence at all over the content/creative style of a meeting. The role of the new meeting architect is to respond to the meeting objectives by employing a combination of learning, networking and motivation techniques in the formulation of the content to maximise the overall return of investment. Some people may argue that this is actually what real conference producers do, given enough access to the initiators of the meeting, so nothing new there. In general it has to be said that the content of most conferences is usually handed down to the meeting planner without much thought as to how to engage the audience, apart from a perfunctory slice of creative theming, so it’s no wonder that the overwhelming majority of events are pretty formulaic and predictable.

BREAK THE MOULD If your conference supplier is a logistics company, you are likely to get an event that runs like clockwork but perhaps lacks creativity in the delivery of the message. If you employ a ‘creative agency’, you get lots of fizzy ideas but the coffee is always late and, although everyone enjoyed the production gimmicks, no one can remember the main point of the meeting.

Below are sure ways to ensure that your conference content is well received: • MOTIVATION is only one part of conference content. Many meetings of over, say, 200 delegates rely on some ‘wow’ factor such as a celebrity speaker or a new product, with the idea that revealing such detail is sufficient for a successful meeting. • NETWORKING is often squeezed in but many delegates say that this is often the real reason they wanted to attend. If speakers run on and logistics require delegates to cut short their chance to talk to other delegates, you will have wasted a big opportunity and disappointed your delegates. • LEARNING means collaborating or sharing ideas with experts in your industry. Using special contact software in an open forum set-up can vastly improve the so-called ‘take-aways’ from meeting with trade or organisational colleagues. • CHATT is an acronymic guide to ensuring you use the technology of meetings effectively when planning a conference: C is for the concept around which the meeting is built; H is for a human element such as actors; A is for artistic design of the presentation; T is for technical tools that are not electronic, such as flip charts; and the last T is for technological items that are computer-based. This article is reproduced by kind permission of Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine (copyright CAT Publications) Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. miceacademy.co.za

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

BEST PRACTICE

The blueprint of a PCO

Of the extraordinary multitude of acronyms within the MICE industry, perhaps the most misunderstood is the one describing the professional conference organiser (PCO), writes Helen Brewer.

HOSE DREADED initials used so glibly by all and sundry, PCO. If one had to ask six industry individuals: ‘What’s a PCO?’, the chances are that six differing answers would be forthcoming. These answers would range from a highly experienced independent planner to someone with the right connections, taking the commission and doing a limited amount, if anything, to earn the agreed percentage. The term PCO is used by MICE suppliers (staging, décor and venues with meeting facilities) to explain any individual that places an order/booking and gets remunerated via a commission, after the order/booking has been completed. There are a variety of other commission-payment permutations in what can be termed a love/hate relationship between suppliers and PCOs. The majority of suppliers, venues in particular, have plenty of time for PCOs simply because it’s a great way of getting business with no marketing expenditure and the venue only pays when the booking has been completed. The dissenting voices of other venue personnel on PCOs concerns the amount of commission paid for conceivably little or no tasks being

34 3 4 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

undertaken during the booking’s execution. And because there are no real rules and limited transparency of what a PCO should be doing – it’s open season. Anyone and everyone can claim to be a PCO. c If a PCO has a close relationship to a corporate, association associ or public sector individual who is booking suppliers either once-off or on a regular basis – it’s just too easy to split commissions between the one internally internall and the one externally, culminating in a ve very nice bonus for the parties concerned.

KNOW YOUR PCO The MICE Academy b believes it is the prerogative of the en end-user/decision-maker who is contracting th the services of a PCO to know the differen differences together with the various payment structures. Hence we chronicle the definitiv definitive PCO blueprint.

1. CONCEPTUAL TASKS: TA a. Programme content: cont • develop statement containing goals • determine requirem requirements to carry out meeting or event • monitor strategic plan p and sustainability/ environmental ma management plan • develop eval evaluation, project, theme, integrated co communications and evaluation/au procedures. evaluation/audit Marketing b. Marketing: • conduct situational situationa analysis • define target mark market segments • select marketing distribution d channels • implement marketing market plan • determine needed marketing materials for the event. c. Risk: • compliance and decisions • type of risk • insurance, legal and security. Thereafter the event practitioner will ‘drilldown’ into the various extensive components of the marketing requirements.

2. LOGISTICAL TASKS: a. Administration: • develop budget • establish supplier charges • monitor budget performance • manage registration procedures • human resources • develop selection criteria • recruit personnel. b. Design including entertainment, catering and set-up. c. Operations including attendees, site inspections and technical requirements.

d. Risk including compliance and decisions, type of risk, insurance, legal and security. Thereafter the event practitioner will ‘drilldown’ into the various extensive components of the logistical requirements. Most important is investigating whether the PCO has indeed the experience and authentic references to undertake all or any of the tasks as required by the end-user.

3. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Remember, professionals earn fees while agents charge commissions. a. Fee structure Whether conceptual or logistical (or both), an hourly rate dependent on the type of task should be levied together with time sheets in substantiation. The basis for ongoing payments needs to be part of the memorandum of agreement or contractual arrangements. b. Commission structure Unless the PCO is adding value to the selected suppliers services such as extensive coordination and on-site rearrangements, commission-structured payments as the main aspect of remuneration for investigating and/or selecting suppliers is fraught with complications. For whoever is paying the PCO, the bulk of remuneration is determined as the client with the end-user deemed secondary to the organising task. The double-dipping aspects (that is fees and commissions from various suppliers for the same service) are a separate issue. Suffice that in many countries doubledipping is against the law.

ROUND PEGS IN ROUND HOLES Will the various misinterpretations go away? It’s unlikely. What is important is that those tasked with securing the services of a PCO need to determine at the outset what their specific interpretation and, indeed, requirements for contracting a PCO are. It’s a question of substantiation with total transparency between the stakeholders. Whoever initially contracts with the PCO is the only party responsible for the financial arrangements and hence the end-results.

HELEN BREWER is a director of the MICE Academy. She has been involved in the MICE industry for over 35 years and has immense knowledge and experience to assist with best practice. Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. miceacademy.co.za

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

BEST PRACTICE

The truth about event registration From Excel to the printing of name tags, Terry Sutherland shares the worst advice she has heard about conference registration.

OST EVENT MANAGERS have their preferred way of doing things, and some practices make more sense than othe others. I’ve rounded up a couple of the most misg misguided pieces of advice we’ve heard about the conference registration process. Read on to find out what not to do.

ONE REG REGISTRATION DESK FOR REGISTRATION Some event managers are under the impression that one desk, with a single check-in point, is the most efficient way to register their guests. They’re guided by the thinking that the area will be easy to spot, and staff will be able to work together as a team. Unfortunately, this often leads to congestion and frustrated guests – painting an unprofessional portrait of your brand. Avoid this situation by placing multiple registration desks in a room. Ensure stations are visible by making use of clear signage, and use ushers to direct your guests. In addition, guests could be grouped according to surname clusters to make the process even more organised.

NAME TAGS ONLY NEED TO BE PRINTED AS PEOPLE ARRIVE While this seems like a great idea in theory, mainly because of the

36 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

cost-saving aspect, this process is incredibly time consuming and not worth the couple of cents you are going to save. What’s more, if you encounter technical difficulties on the day, like a printer that’s run out of ink, you’ll hold up the entire event programme, resulting in unhappy guests. Instead, print them before the day and then have the facilities to allow you to print a few new tags in case an uninvited guest arrives, or someone’s name is spelt incorrectly.

USING SALES STAFF TO COORDINATE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS This seems like a smart choice, as most of your sales team will be able to recognise guests. However, this also means that your key sales people are stuck doing grunt work, missing out on valuable network opportunities. Instead, outsource this to experienced administrators who are adept at registration processes.

ensure that everyone is at the venue already, and by having a short registration period they’ll reduce both the costs involved, and the time it takes. Waiting for everyone to arrive before opening your registration desks is a recipe for disaster – there will always be hiccups, which means extra time must be allocated. Some guests might be put off by long queues, or be in a hurry to get to a talk in time, and won’t register at all. Make sure you have at least one desk open beforehand to allow early birds to register before the rest of your guests.

Waiting for everyone to arrive is a recipe for disaster

USING UNSKILLED, TEMPORARY STAFF AS REGISTRATION FACILITATORS The conference registration process is someone’s very first impression of your brand. If you’ve hired inexperienced staff to register your guests, you’ll come off looking unprofessional. A guest’s experience of the conference registration also sets expectation for the rest of the conference or event – rather spend a portion of your budget on hiring people with the relevant skills – the payoff of using inept staff isn’t worth it.

TREATING GUESTS, SPEAKERS, VIPS AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA EQUALLY

WAITING FOR ALL GUESTS TO ARRIVE BEFORE OPENING THE REGISTRATION DESK Event planners often

each registration desk has a different – and often conflicting – version of your guest list, which makes collating the data extremely difficult. What’s more, if one of your

think this is a good idea, as they’ll be able to

As egalitarian is this is in theory, you don’t want your VIPs having to stand in a queue with the rest of the attendees. Ensure that they’re made to feel important, by creating a VIP check-in table and by briefing registration staff on who’s who before the day.

computers is stolen you’ve lost precious data that won’t be recoverable. Using an online event software solution eradicates all of these problems. This will ensure that all of your data is synced, in real time. You’ll also be able to send out SMSs or emails to notify people about last-minute changes to the programme – positioning your events as highly organised and professional.

RELYING ON DESKTOP COMPUTERS TO CHECK PEOPLE This is an outdated and unnecessary practice. You’ll need to organise the setting up of each station and, if you need to move, you will need to pack up and unpack a whole lot of heavy equipment. You’ll also need to find a phone line or Wi-Fi connection. This isn’t conducive to positioning your brand as an industry leader. Make use of tablets such as iPads to check in guests, so that you can freely move about the venue, all the while being connected via 3G. So, there you have it. If you’re planning your next registration process, take any advice you receive with a pinch of salt and commit the above to memory.

TERRY SUTHERLAND is the founder of The RSVP Agency and has extensive experience in the development of RSVP solutions for clients across industries. rsvpagency.co.za

USING EXCEL TO RECORD ALL REGISTRATION DETAILS This means that

Take the online Q&A test and start accumulating credits. miceacademy.co.za

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

// Turnkey exhibition stand partner // Event infrastructure provider // Retail display solutions // Print and display products

Cape Town +27 21 409 1200

Durban +27 31 564 7602/3/4

Gaborone +267 318 2525

Johannesburg +27 11 447 4777

Port Elizabeth +27 73 236 6618

justin@scandisplay.co.za www.scandisplay.co.za

MEETING PLACES

Wine, dine and conference Legend has it that Plautus once said, ‘Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.’ Martin Hiller couldn’t agree more. He shares his top pick of the crops from the Cape Winelands ideal for meetings and events. OUR

FAV

FRANSCHHOEK Its wide veranda, contemporary open spaces and stretched-out lawn make Leopard’s Leap a par cularly suitable venue for a wide variety of func ons. With its variety of func on rooms, it is the ideal venue for corporate func ons. Six diﬀerent areas are available for events and func ons. The Veranda, with a view of a large lawn leading to the Leopard’s Leap vineyards, can accommodate 60 guests in a more informal sea ng arrangement. Other venues include: The Tas ng Room, accommoda ng 28 guests; The Private Tas ng Room, designed for formal and educa onal wine-tas ngs, has room for 20 guests; The Boardroom, ideal for mee ngs, can accommodate up to 16 persons and can be reserved for mee ngs or corporate tas ngs; The Kitchen, with 22 work sta ons for hands-on cooking classes conducted by various local and interna onal chefs; The Demonstra on Kitchen, ideal for larger groups, can seat 58 comfortably. leopardsleap.co.za WINE TO TAKE HOME: Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2011

38 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

CONSTANTIA Steenberg Vineyards holds the dis nc on of being the oldest farm in the picturesque Constan a Valley, which is generally considered to be South Africa’s premier wine-growing region. Award-winning chef, Garth Almazan, will host you at Catharina’s Restaurant, in which guests are invited to relax, dine in style and enjoy sophis cated South African cuisine. The professional staﬀ in the luxurious and spacious spa will oﬀer guests the perfect treatment to suit their par cular needs. A championship 18-hole golf course, designed by Peter Matkovich, makes full use of the natural features and hazards of the estate surrounding the hotel. steenberg-vineyards.co.za WINE TO TAKE HOME: Nebbiolo 2011

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FRANSCHHOEK The 300-year-old Grande Provence Estate offers an exquisite experience from gourmet cuisine to five-star accommoda on, with some of the finest South African contemporary art, bou que conference facili es and award-winning wines. At Grande Provence, you will find the perfect venue for your corporate retreat or conference. The estate is a des na on in its own right so team-building ac vi es can be readily and imagina vely handled on-site. An experienced team of staff will be dedicated to ensuring your event is most successful and enjoyable for all par cipants. The estate’s staff is flexible and crea ve in their approach to your event and their a en on to detail makes it possible for them to work closely with you to meet your specific needs on a very individual basis. grandeprovence.co.za WINE TO TAKE HOME: Angels Tears Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Tsogo Sun’s group sommelier, Miguel Chan, is responsible for building a worldclass wine and beverage standard across the group. @capewinereview.

STELLENBOSCH Sea ng 64 delegates, the

Auditorium, at Zevenwacht Wine Estate, is lavishly equipped with the most advanced technological facili es, which include a high-quality mul -scan projector, videosourcing capability and video conference and computer facili es capable of interfacing with the technology of overseas lecturers. There is also a professional sound support system coupled with a hi-tech stereo mixer. This advanced technology makes Zevenwacht a first-league player in the interna onal conferencing. With the addi onal advantages of smaller breakaway and mee ng rooms, full administra ve support, and a team of professionally trained staﬀ running it, the conference centre is well prepared to meet the most challenging of corporate requirements. zevenwacht.co.za WINE TO TAKE HOME: Syrah 2009

What are your top tips when deciding on food and wine pairing? SEEK wines with high natural acidity. For example, go for Champagne or Methode Cap Classique (MCC) as your sparkling wine; Riesling as white and for your red try Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo or Sangiovese. TAKE into account the alcohol percentage of the wines, anything over 13.5%, tends to clash with the food. High alcohol wines are anything labelled 14% and above. MAKE an effort to seek wines of elegance and relative fruitjuiciness over oak spiciness. TRUST your own taste – there are no rules cast in stone. Taste is subjective, so always go into wine selection with an objective approach.

What are your top three favourite wines and why? Champagne as choice number one for anything sparkle, German Mosel Riesling as white and any well-made Pinot Noir as red. This is simply based on their elegance, freshness, delicacy and nuance.

Why should an event planner consider sabrage as a form entertainment? Sabrage is the

WHEN IN FRANSCHHOEK... THE FRANSCHHOEK Wine Tram hopon, hop-oﬀ tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300year history. The tour takes passengers right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, with a narra on focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cul va on in the valley, complimentary wine tas ngs and unparalleled views of the valley and vineyards. winetram.co.za

process of opening a bottle of Champagne or MCC by means of a sabre or flat knife. Breaking the neck of the bottle with a sabre always adds an element of mystery, prestige and fun to any event as long as it is done correctly.

What is the current wine craze? Seek out the diversity of Chenin Blanc and unoaked/unwooded Chardonnays. These two should be your white wines of choice when entertaining, dining out or simply for the perfect glass at home after a long day at work.

If not serving wine, what would you recommend?

Craft beers or craft ciders – it is the rage at the moment.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

MEETING PLACES

Just add water With all-inclusive packages that offer conference facilities, entertainment and meals, moving your next event off land makes perfect sense. Meetings shares its top picks. SOAK IN THE TRANQUILLITY The Zambezi Explorer strives to provide its guests with the best cruising experience on the Zambezi River, through unparalleled service on-board an innova ve and ecofriendly vessel. With a fantas c hospitality team, guests are taken on a luxury adventure in comfort and style. It is also available for private hire for corporate or social events. Alterna vely, a deck can be reserved for a private func on and will be solely for your use. Conferencing on-board the Zambezi Explorer is a sophis cated and classy alterna ve for product launches, annual conferences or corporate mee ngs. With a sea ng capacity of 30, classroom-style or 50, cinema-style, modern conferencing and AV facili es, as well as high speed Wi-Fi, you can expect VIP service for you and your guests. Enjoy fivestar cuisine and a wide range of premium beverages on-board when you book a corporate cruise. zambeziexplorer.com

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RAZZLE AND DAZZLE A cruise on-board the MSC Opera or MSC Sinfonia is the ideal opportunity to host a conference, team-building or incen ve event. Widely acclaimed for their spectacular interiors, both ships offer a luxury resort with a view of the world that’s different every day. Various cruise routes throughout the summer season, out of both Cape Town and Durban, offer exci ng des na ons, from exo c islands to bustling ports. The cruises range from two to fourteen nights, offering the perfect variety to suit budget and incen ve need. World-class conference facili es include a theatre for large corporate events, mee ng rooms and complete technical infrastructures. Varied modern sport and leisure facili es provide valuable team-building opportuni es, while sumptuous spa centres, gourmet cuisine, varied entertainment and a en ve staff pamper guests in elegant surroundings. MSC Cruises offers a specialist groups department that can comprehensively tailor the facili es and services to your needs, advising on and taking care of every detail of your ini a ve. msccruises.co.za

LUXURY AFRICAN SAFARI

Located along the banks of the great Chobe River, the Zambezi Queen, affec onately known as the ZQ, offers world-class sophis ca on in one of the most remote loca ons on Earth. With only 14 suites, the ZQ is as unique and adventurous as it is comfortable and elegant. In fact, it is unsurpassed in all aspects and the last word in luxury African river safaris. Each suite features aircondi oning and a private balcony, offering unobstructed views of the river and spectacular vistas. Whether dining on the upperdeck restaurant while watching the animals gather at dusk or doing a water-based river safari from one of the private boats, the professional team will be on hand to meet your every need. Unlike a land-based lodge, the ZQ allows for an en re stretch of river to be explored from a vantage point, making for incredible game viewing. And rightly so, as the banks of the Chobe Na onal Park boast one of Africa’s densest elephant popula ons and is home to a large number of buffalo, leopard, lion and antelope, as well as abundant birdlife, much to the delight of birding enthusiasts. zambeziqueen.com

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George Argyropoulos has over 20 years’ experience in the marke ng and sales of cruise holidays. He is the owner of Cruises Interna onal. AHOY MATEY! The Jolly Roger is the only authen c pirate ship in South Africa and sails daily from Quay 5 in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Should you wish to celebrate Pirate-style, this ship was custom-built to accommodate a variety of events – whether it is a press launch or year-end func on, the captain and crew will ensure that you have an event to remember. All charters include a live theatrical pirate show. Taking a capacity of 75 passengers, and with facili es including a bar area, sound system, ligh ng and gas braai, the Jolly Roger is the perfect party venue. pirateboat.co.za

EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES Take your business to the next level, on-board the ul mate event des na on: a Royal Caribbean cruise. In addi on to ship-wide Wi-Fi, event spaces in every size category and conference rooms loaded with the latest mul media technology, there’s on-board ac vi es, entertainment and endless dining and customisa on op ons. Why make a few waves when you can make a splash on-board and onshore in over 260 of their worldwide des na ons? It’s me to take your next event from ordinary to extraordinary. Royal Caribbean oﬀers the largest percentage of public space dedicated to mee ng facili es in the cruise industry. Their mee ng facili es are sleek, modern spaces that can accommodate everything from a board retreat, to a na onal sales mee ng or a pure incen ve programme. They take care of everything, so you can take care of business. royalcaribbeanincen ves.com

Why should an event planner consider having a conference on a cruise?

Delegates want something different and cruise ships have a great appeal. Event planners will not need to worry about AV, tea breaks, lunches or venues, nor will they need to organise entertainment, theme nights or transfers – it is all included in the price. It is truly exceptional value for money.

And for an incentive? In a recent SITE (Society of Incentive and Travel Executives) study, a cruise is on the top of the list for incentives. Cruises exert exceptionally high motivational influence over the target audience. A cruise allows group members to be together and apart, according to the needs of the organiser – a major plus for an incentive. Why should an event/ incentive planner work with Cruises International? With

23 years in operation, a dedicated team specialising in working together with conference and incentive organisers, and a portfolio of nine carefully selected cruise liners allow us to offer the right cruise to the right audience, at the right budget. Our team will work together with the incentive or conference organiser to prepare a stunning presentation and proposal so that the business gets secured.

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

MEETINGS & INCENTIVES

COMPLETE CUSTOM SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MEETINGS AND INCENTIVES Inspire your team or client with a unique & special experience From just R1 320 per person sharing, per night all this includes: #EEQOOQFCVKQP Â† $TGCMHCUV .WPEJ &KPPGT CPF /KFPKIJV UPCEMU (WNN EQPHGTGPEG HCEKNKVKGU Â† (NQQTUJQYU CPF ECDCTGV GXGT[ PKIJV Â† .KXG OWUKE CPF $CPFU QHHGTGF VJTQWIJQWV VJG FC[ Â† &KUEQ Â† )[OPCUKWO BONUS HQT GXGT[ HWNN RC[KPI RCUUGPIGTU DQQMGF TGEGKXG 2CUUGPIGTU HCTG FREE (QT OQTG KPHQTOCVKQP CPF VGTOU CPF EQPFKVKQPU ECNN WU QP QT XKUKV OUEETWKUGU EQ \C

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Take your conference to new heights Gwefey Meeting Spaces is a contemporary, upmarket and unique conferencing event centre that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Sandton.

ISING OUT OF the Sandton skyline,

Sinosteel Plaza is home to Gwefey Meeting Spaces – offering state-ofthe-art facilities with magnificent views of the north of Johannesburg.

LOCATION Gwefey Meeting Spaces is situated in the heart of the Sandton CBD, on a Gautrain bus route and is less than five minutes’ drive from Sandton City. Shuttle services to and from the airport can be arranged on request. Ample and secure undercover parking is complimentary for all conferencing delegates.

CATERING

CONFERENCE VENUES All conference rooms are fully furnished with luxury fittings and furniture, and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Gwefey Meeting Spaces has 10 various-sized boardrooms and an expandable auditorium; ideal for breakaway rooms, should they be required. The maximum capacity for banquet seating is 350: perfect for gala dinners, launch functions and annual events. The attention to detail and personalised service will ensure that your event is an enjoyable and memorable experience. One can be assured that the Gwefey Meeting Spaces’ team will go the extra mile to make your function a great success.

Offering a range of customised menus, including celebrated South African dishes and Euro-centric menu options, Gwefey Meeting Spaces’ in-house catering team serves mouth-watering cuisine. Meals range from sumptuous finger snacks to tailor-made menus with distinct culinary influences from VENUES AND CAPACITIES the West to +27 (0)11 783 7226 Room name Size (m2) Banquet Schoolroom Cinema Boardroom U-shape the East. spaze@gwefey.co.za Bloemfontein 30 16 12 20 12 12 gwefey.co.za Johannesburg 60 40 18 40 18 16 Gwefey Mee ng Spaces oﬀers state-ofCape Town 50 40 25 40 18 16 the-art conferencing facili es, awardtheAuditorium B 90 40 180 100 26 24 winning catering and magnificent views win The Auditorium 176 100 106 200 of th the Sandton CBD, making it a venue Banque ng hall 350 200 350 of choice for or your next event.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

An oasis of serenity

At the FNB Conference Centre, you will have an unforgettable experience through innovation, inspiration and, above all, simply outstanding service.

HE BEAUTIFULLY MODERN FNB Conference Centre is surrounded by lush, manicured gardens, creating a peaceful refuge in the middle of Johannesburg’s most sought-after business district. In its 30 years of operation, the centre has successfully hosted a wide range of conferences and events; from intimate executive workshops to large, corporate yearend parties.

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION

Centrally located in Sandton, the FNB Conference Centre is just a short At the FNB Conference distance from the Sandton Gautrain Centre, delegates and Cen station, the JSE, Sandton City, conference organisers are conf Nelson Mandela Square and some promised a memorable prom of Johannesburg’s most renowned experience – it is where unforge able service meets modern convenience. boutiques, night spots and restaurants

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

44 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

– making it an ideally located conference and accommodation venue. Shuttles can be arranged to a variety of destinations with a complimentary shuttle service, operating daily, to and from the Gautrain Station and local malls.

ACCOMODATION The 120 en-suite rooms available at the FNB Conference Centre feature spacious, comfortable and contemporary facilities including a complimentary coffee station and bar fridge. There are three furnished apartments for those individuals who require long-term accommodation.

CATERING The g2Gourmet restaurant seats 150 guests and the executive dining room caters for up to

UBUKHOSI SUITE The Ubukhosi Suite – a royal experience for execu ve mee ngs. The Xhosa word ubukhosi means ‘royal’ and the Ubukhosi Suite lives up to this name in every way. The luxurious 20-seater boardroom oﬀers an experience in elegance that makes other boardrooms pale in comparison. With its exclusive facili es, en-suite bar and personalised butler service, the boardroom provides a world-class se ng for private execu ve mee ngs and conferencing.

20 guests for more intimate gatherings. The Liquid Lounge bar is a popular venue for postevent drinks and snacks. Its poolside location makes it a popular venue for hosting braais and other outdoor social events. The food and beverage team is passionate about preparing delicious food for a variety of dietary requirements on request. Halaal and kosher meals are available via external suppliers at a surcharge. This means that they can create a mouth-watering menu according to your exact specifications.

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REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT THE FNB CONFERENCE CENTRE

PERSONAL SERVICE The in-house event team will ensure that every detail of your event is taken care of. CATERING Tailor-made, mouth-watering menus ensure that all your delegates’ meal requirements are met. TRANQUIL SETTING Although located in the heart of Sandton, the centre is surrounded by beautiful gardens – ideal for creating a relaxed atmosphere for your event. LOCATION For conference delegates that want to experience Sandton, the centre is located close to various trendy spots. Shuttle services are available. PROVEN TRACK RECORD In its 30 years of operation, the centre has hosted numerous successful events. This has led to substantial repeat business.

CONFERENCE ROOMS The 140-seater auditorium is a very popular venue for presentations and is complemented by an exhibition foyer with access to an outdoor patio and the gardens, which can also be utilised for pre and post event refreshments. All your meeting room needs are taken care of with 16 versatile conference venues and three boardrooms, some of which have natural lighting. There are also a number of smaller rooms that are ideal for breakout sessions whilst the expansive public lounge areas are very popular for networking sessions in between meetings.

TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCES The FNB Conference Centre offers inhouse event management for your specific

function, assisting with décor, audiovisual, live entertainment, guest gifts, hampers and unique flower arrangements. Swimming, tennis and volleyball facilities are available for both private use and team building.

fnbconferencecentre.co.za bookings@fnb.co.za t +27 (0)87 032 8000 f +27 (0)87 032 8300

CONFERENCE OFFERINGS The centre’s conference oﬀerings include: • 140-seater fully equipped auditorium • 16 fully equipped conference rooms, which can accommodate up to 200 people depending on the sea ng style • the Ubukhosi Suite (an exclusive 20-seater boardroom) • the Execu ve Boardroom (an exclusive 30-seater execu ve boardroom).

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

Experience ubuntu There is no better venue that evokes the spirit of Africa. Meaning ‘meeting place’ in SeSotho, Kopanong is the ideal setting to host your next event.

ET IN A TRANQUIL country estate, Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre offers versatile conferencing facilities and can accommodate up to 850 delegates. Many clients return to Kopanong due to the committed, skilled team that goes the extra mile. Whether it is an exclusive board meeting or a product launch, training seminar or gala dinner, with four-star, luxury accommodation, Kopanong is the venue for you.

LOCATION Kopanong is conveniently located near OR Tambo International Airport and within easy access of highways leading to Johannesburg, Sandton, Tshwane and Midrand. There is a complimentary shuttle service to the airport.

their executive conference, board meeting, banquet, exhibition, product launch or teambuilding seminar.

MEETING SPACES Kopanong has 14 uniquely designed conference venues offering spacious flexibility by means of opening partition doors, creating a space that can hold up to 600 delegates in theatre-style seating. The outdoor space allows for cocktail functions for up to 850 delegates. After a day of conferencing, delegates will be able to relax in beautiful gardens surrounding the koi fish ponds and enjoy the harmonious aura of Kopanong. Free Wi-Fi is available in all the meeting rooms, the dining area and all the public areas except the hotel rooms.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Kopanong oﬀers indoor and outdoor professional venue outd facili es, tailor-made for facil mee ngs, conferences, team building and leisure even events nts incl including weddings and any other social themed events.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

46 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

Kopanong has proudly gained the recognition of being one of the leaders in providing a flexible, professionally maintained conference venue. For many of their clients this has become the ideal venue to host

ACCOMMODATION Kopanong is comprised of 80 fully detached chalets, with a total of 240 bedrooms, situated on six acres of undulating landscaped gardens. This haven of peace and tranquillity blends with the traditional ethnic feel of Africa

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REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT KOPANONG HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

FLEXIBILITY OF VENUES With 14 uniquely designed conference venues you can host up to 600 delegates. TRANQUIL SETTING After a day of conferencing, let your delegates relax in the beautiful gardens surrounded by koi fish ponds. LOCATION Kopanong is conveniently located near OR Tambo International Airport and within easy access of highways leading to Johannesburg, Sandton, Tshwane and Midrand. TAILOR-MADE PACKAGES A variety of packages are available from day conference packages to special menus and wedding packages. EXPERIENCED STAFF Rest assured that your stay, conference or event at Kopanong will exceed your expectations.

with a luxurious style of its own. Each chalet consists of three individual rooms with private entrances, which can, on request, be opened up via inter-leading doors for use of the entire chalet.

CATERING With the warm, welcoming and relaxing atmosphere of Moshate Restaurant, delegates can expect Kopanong’s chefs to prepare the finest local cuisine combined with continental specialities. In addition, delegates will be spoilt for choice with the selection of cocktails, fine wine selection, whiskeys, gins and other spirits as well as a variety of coffees at Imbizo Bar.

kopanong.co.za sales@kopanong.co.za t +27 (0)11 749 000

VENUES AND CAPACITIES Room name Cycad 1/2/3 Cycad 1-3 Cycad 4/7 Cycad 5/6 Cycad 6-7 Cycad 5-7 Cycad 4-7 Cycad 7A Cycad 4A/4B/4C Marula 1/2/3/4/5 Marula 1-3 Marula 4-5 Marula 1-2 Boardroom Execu ve boardroom Mapogong 1 Mapogong 2 Mapagong 3 Mapogong 4

Size (m2) 120 360 126 126 252 378 504 82.8 40.5 20 60 41.3 40 23.5 26.32 64.35 64.35 25.92 25.92

Schoolroom 60 200 55 70 120 210 280 36 15 27 15 15 33 33 15 15

Banquet 60 200 50 60 110 210 280 30 30 30 -

Cinema 100 320 80 100 230 310 420 60 35 10 36 25 24 60 60 20 20

U-shape 33 84 33 36 60 90 27 15 9 24 15 15 8 10 27 27 9 9

DBL U-shape 55 120 50 55 100 130 -

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • Gauteng

High standards of excellence

Situated in the heart of Gauteng’s financial district, Sandton Convention Centre provides a platform where ideas can be generated – shaping industries in Africa. MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

With world-class facili es and accommoda a on op ons combined bi ed wit with th profes professional exper se and a myriad of services, SCC is the ideal venue for your next event.

RGANISING ANNUAL two-to-three-

day conferences for around 1 000 professional delegates, along with the attendant exhibitions, workshop sessions, networking opportunities and food and beverage specifications, requires a venue that is consistently professional, helpful, flexible and friendly. ‘That’s Sandton Convention Centre (SCC),’ says Felicity von Oettingen, manager: training and seminars for LexisNexis South Africa – a leading provider of workflow solutions to legal, risk management, business, government, and academic professionals and marketer on behalf of third parties of two top annual conferences that have been held at SCC for several years running.

FPI PROFESSIONALS CONVENTION The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) is a South African Qualifications Authority-recognised professional body for financial planners. A founding member of the international Financial Planning Standards Board, FPI exists to improve the level of professionalism and positively influence the

48 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

quality of advice delivered by its members. The FPI Professionals Convention has been held at SCC for three consecutive years, with another contract in place for 2015. It is the largest annual event on the South African financial planning calendar, attracting over 1 000 delegates each year. The convention includes keynote sessions from local and international industry experts, practical workshops, as well as an exhibition that runs for the duration of the convention.

ANNUAL LABOUR LAW CONFERENCE Facilitated by LexisNexis on behalf of the universities of Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg, the Annual Labour Law Conference is the flagship event in the labour law calendar. It has been held at the SCC for the last five years. The conference, which ran from 30 July to 1 August 2013, attracts practice representatives from government, unions, bargaining councils, private sector and others, and features leading lights in the industry such as the Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court and the Minister of Labour. It also attracts about 1 000 delegates each year and features plenary sessions and several workshops.

with the Gautrain; and the SCC maintains consistently high standards with regard to service, cleanliness, building maintenance, and advanced technology facilities. Von Oettingen says that when issues do arise that need resolving, they are handled by the SCC staff in a highly professional and efficient manner. Flexibility is also a strong feature of SCC’s service. ‘For instance, they have their own AV supplier, but they are extremely accommodating and helpful when we bring our own.’ She adds that the food and beverage offering is excellent. The bar service too is good. What impresses Von Oettingen is that turnover among the banqueting staff is very low – and from year to year, the same professional standards are maintained by a team that knows and understands the clients’ requirements. In her personal capacity, with extensive experience in the conference and event venue industry, Von Oettingen says the warmth and friendliness of the SCC staff is wonderful. ‘I’m greeted like an old friend. They know how important it is for a guest to feel comfortable!’

VENUE OF CHOICE ‘The venue is ideal for professional events for several reasons,’ explains Von Oettingen. ‘It’s centrally located in the area where at least 75% of the financial planning industry and a large proportion of the labour law delegates are located; transport to and from the venue is extremely convenient

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

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REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE LOCATION SCC is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms, is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment sites and provides 10 600 secure parking bays. It offers easy access to OR Tambo International Airport and the Sandton Gautrain station. UNLIMITED POTENTIAL With over 22 000 m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space, SCC, which was designed to international standards, is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature. TECHNOLOGY SCC offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF Expect a high standard of service from the staff who are there to provide you with support services. CATERING There is always a wide variety of food available and the menus are innovative. The chefs will often use their initiative to add ‘an extra something’ to the mix.

The venue is ideal for professional events for several reasons MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

MEETING PLACES • KwaZulu-Natal

Work and play Champagne Sports Resort offers professional service, turnkey solutions and mouth-watering menus.

ET IN THE Champagne Valley of the

Central Drakensburg region of KwaZuluNatal, Champagne Sports Resort is easily reached on tarred roads all the way from all major business centres.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING Champagne Sports Resort can now accommodate up to 750 delegates in the 152 hotel rooms and 91 timeshare chalets, of which the majority have three bedrooms. The buffet and dining areas comfortably feed up to 700 delegates with little queuing and outstanding food.

CONFERENCE AND EVENT VENUES With 16 state-of-the-art conference rooms, event organisers are spoilt for choice at

Champagne Sports Resort. The largest venue seats up to 1 400 delegates and banquets 850 guests at round tables. There are more intimate venues ranging between 150 delegates down to the private boardrooms seating up to a maximum of 20 people. Conference equipment includes the most upto-date equipment.

TEAM BUILDING AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES From the 18-hole championship golf course to the roaming herds of blesbok and impala, and the rare birdlife that inhabit the estate, there is something for everyone to enjoy. champagnesportsresort.com reservations@champagnesportresort.com t +27 (0)36 468 8000

Whether your delegates are dele wearing your wea golf cap or your thinking cap,, they will find find insp inspira on at Champagne Sports Resort.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

Relaxing conferences Pumula Beach Hotel is the ideal location for conferencing, team building or any corporate event.

ITUATED ON A BLUE FLAG status

beach alongside the warm Indian Ocean, Pumula Beach Hotel is a mere hour’s drive south of Durban, making it the best seaside venue for relaxing, stressfree conferences.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING There are a variety of room options to suit all needs. There are 25 family rooms, of which 15 are inter-leading, as well as 37 double/ twin rooms with sea or garden views. The hotel is able to assist with specialised menus and events.

CONFERENCE AND EVENT VENUES Pumula Beach Hotel offers four conference venues. There is also an outdoor space, which is ideal for product launches.

TEAM BUILDING AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES Besides the attraction of the golden beaches, rock pools, fishing, the annual sardine run and dolphin and whale viewing, there are numerous activities on-site to keep your delegates entertained. Staff at Pumula Beach Hotel are able to assist in themed evenings and professional teambuilding activities. pumulabeachhotel.com reservations@pumulabeachotel.co.za t +27 (0)39 648 6303 Mix business with pleasure. You can plea confidently arrange your conference or you event knowing ng that Pum Pumula mula Be Beach Hotel has your every need catered for.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

M E E T I N G P L A C E S • C a p e To w n

The pride of

Cape Town African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa is Cape Town’s exclusive executive hotel and the second largest conferencing venue in the city after the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

52 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

HE ARCHITECTURALLY stunning 5-star African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa offers a 24-hour porter and bar lounge service and full undercover parking with a valet parking service on offer. All rooms and public areas offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi access that supplements the state-of-the-art business centre, which offers delegates and guests fibre optic broadband connectivity and telephone access, as well as printing and fax facilities.

CONFERENCE ROOMS The hotel has four large and technologically superior conference venues, which accommodate up to 450 delegates, as well as eight elegant boardrooms. Crystal 1, 2 and 3 are the crown jewel of the hotel’s conference offering, with a stunning view over the Grand Canal in Century City. This 350-delegate venue is ideal for exhibitions, car and product launches and has drive-in access. It is a flexible, multipurpose space that can open up for a large event or be sectioned into

three unique spaces, each accommodating a maximum of 100 people. An adjacent, spacious cocktail/food station area ensures privacy and exclusivity to enjoy the superb catering options on offer. Crystal 4, an elegant multipurpose venue on the reception floor, also enjoys a view of the Grand Canal and can accommodate up to 100 people, cinema-style. The hotel’s eight boardrooms are perhaps in highest demand because of their versatility. They can cater to between seven and 20 people around the elegant glass tables, while two can be converted to comfortable cinema-style conference venues for between 70 and 80 people.

CATERING African Pride Crystal Hotel & Spa has become the first hotel to work with international sports-science expert and Original Eating proponent, Professor Tim Noakes, to create an additional conferencing menu for the many

VENUES AND CAPACITIES Room name Crystal 1/2/3 Combined: Crystal 1/2/3 Crystal 4 Boardroom 1 Boardroom 2 Boardroom 4/5 Boardroom 6 Boardroom 7 Boardroom 8 Boardroom 9 Private dining Ruby bar Pool bar thousands of executives who choose to follow a healthier diet.

Prof Noakes’ Original Eating logo is placed next to each approved menu item, making

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REASONS TO HAVE YOUR NEXT EVENT AT AFRICAN PRIDE CRYSTAL TOWERS HOTEL & SPA LOCATION The hotel is 10 km from Cape Town’s CBD and Cape Town International Airport, and is adjacent to one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest shopping centres. PROFESSIONAL STAFF Rated among the best in the country, the staff can organise everything from fresh flowers to a Maserati – whatever the conference-goers might need. CULINARY JOURNEY Delegates can enjoy a variety of mouth-watering themed dinners. A VARIETY OF VENUES With four large conference venues that can accommodate up to 450 delegates, as well as eight elegant boardrooms, your room needs will be catered for. STYLISH The entire hotel oozes sheer luxury – from custom-designed fittings to the elegant glass tables.

Size (m2) 99 297

Schoolroom 50 220

Banquet 50 200

Cinema 80 350

Cocktail 150 450

271 67 71 47 82 76 52 31 -

100 27 40 40 15 -

90 30 40 40 20 20 100

150 50 70 70 30 36 -

150 30 50 50 20 20 50 160

it easy for health-conscious conference delegates to choose the right snacks and dishes. Besides the Original Eating conference nibbles, the hotel offers a truly staggering array of finger food menus for conference breaks or cocktail events, as well as themed dinner options.

TAILOR-MADE CONFERENCES African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa’s conference organisers are at hand to help plan events and arrange venues, menus, drinks and team-building experiences for every sort of conference or exhibition gathering at the hotel.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING The hotel offers 180 superbly styled bedrooms with crystal shower pods, custom-designed fittings and a flat screen television that rises from the foot of the bed. The luxury of the hotel extends through to the gourmet Towers restaurant, the Pool Bar as well as the designer-cantilevered pool deck suspended over the porte cochère.

U-shape Boardroom 25 20 70 30 18 20 20 10 24 -

30 16 16 12 18 18 12 9 -

WHET YOUR APPETITE Themed dinner op ons for conferencing groups of more than 30 delegates oﬀer an interna onal culinary journey that include:

AMERICAN Inspired by 1950s diner culture and full of delicious home-style favourites.

CAPE MALAY A delicious fusion of Asian, European and African food genres, Cape Malay cuisine is seasoned with history, infused with culture and full of delectable flavours.

INDIAN From subtle aroma cs to bold, asser ve spices, each mouthful of Indian cuisine is an exo c adventure in flavour.

ITALIAN Fresh, homemade pasta. Simple, beau fully cooked sauces. Bursts of flavour in every bite.

MEDITERRANEAN Dine on cuisine that invokes thoughts of sun-drenched getaways and lazy pleasures.

MEXICAN A fiesta of flavour filled with all the spice, heat and passion that make this La n cuisine such a popular choice.

SOUTH AFRICAN A feast of local favourites from biltong to oxtail to chakalaka; experience the variety of mouth-watering flavours that make up the country’s rainbow cuisine.

RELAX AND UNWIND But if that’s not enough relaxation after a hard day of conferencing, then the Life Day Spa right next to the pool is an exclusive sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of life. From mouth-watering cuisine to state-ofcuis the art conference facili es and luxury faci accommoda on, African n Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa is the ul mate MICE des na on.

MEETINGS RECOMMENDS

t: +27 (0)21 525 3888 reservations@crystaltowershotel.com africanpridehotels.com

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

SERVICE PROVIDER

SHELL SCHEME AUDIO VISUAL FURNITURE

SOLUTIONS

INFRASTRUCTURE

STAND DESIGN

21 YEARS: BUILD WITH EXPERIENCE

Touching tomorrow Compex are fast becoming leaders in exhibition stand technology.

XHIBITION STANDS HAVE to be more than walls, floors,

lights, graphics and furniture. It is the investment in technology that is driving inspiration and fuelling the ‘can-do’ drive to deliver solutions, on a sustainable basis, that are rooted in meaningful and measurable benefits for the client.

CLIENT ENGAGEMENT

We believe in the power of engaging experiences that bring people together, innovative solutions that support cutting-edge events, and a seemingly endless service offering that consistently delivers superior outcomes.

Dean Gunningham, director of Compex, says, ‘Technology is all about engagement, immersing the individual into an experience that is memorable and lasting. What makes our industry unique is the fact that every stand, every show and every event will be different because, for example, all exhibitors have different products and services that need to be showcased.

GAME-CHANGERS

Get in touch with COMPEX and allow us to lend a hand in turning your ideas into reality. Nicole East 011 262 3444 meetings@compex.co.za www.compex.co.za

The theme of ‘Touching Tomorrow through Technology’ was admirably demonstrated by the participation of Compex at the recent Markex Joburg, at which cutting-edge technologies in the form of 3D printing and the controlling of graphic displays based upon the demographics of the audience were demonstrated. These technologies are game-changers, and will very rapidly become the norm throughout the sphere of marketing. Reactive graphic lets the viewer of a graphic determine what is being shown in a seamless, professional way. For example, an insurance company will utilise the technology to graphically illustrate a policy cost for a mature male, or a young man or a young female, depending upon who is viewing the graphic on the same screen. Depending upon demographics, a screen may show a top-end red car, or a pair of red high-heeled shoes. While at the same time, extensive broad marketing demographics are being collected, allowing for the audience responses to be assessed and assimilated into marketing strategies. Interactive graphics enable the targeting of a specific market segment in a unique, truly client-focused, innovative, solution-driven way.

54 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

TALKING POINTS

Stay relevant in a changing world Keeping your knowledge and skills current are essential to secure MICE business. The MICE Academy’s CPD online programme is the key to unlocking your potential.

ITH THE CHANGING world in which we work, interact and communicate, it has been internationally recognised that the individuals with years of experience and knowledge should be effectively kept up to date regarding a vast variety of methods and the manner in which tasks and operations are undertaken and evolve. Continuing professional development (CPD) is viewed internationally as a process of lifelong learning on a regular basis. It stands to reason that in our fast-paced world, the possibilities are great indeed that what we learnt and commenced practicing a mere five years ago requires adaption and, at times, upgrading in order to meet the requirements of today’s world.

The following event practitioners completed the various online tests in order to achieve their CPD recognition. They share their thoughts on the online programme. Rocaline Dube: ‘It’s a great learning experience; I find that there is a lot to learn from the programme.’ Rocaline works at Fizz Marketing and has a certificate in event management and has worked in the event industry since 2001. Roxanne Kirsten: ‘I find the reading material extremely educational – it has broadened my understanding on issues I was unsure about prior to reading.’ Roxanne works at Hackle Brooke Conference Centre and has experience in hosting events. Thabile Mdletshe: ‘Even if I fail some of the tests, the additional knowledge gained with the pre-reading material is value enough for me.’ Thabile works at Fizz Marketing, has a diploma in hotel management and has worked at a number of South Africa’s leading hotels. Dean-Adam Rubinek: ‘The CPD online programme is simple to use while at the same time improving my knowledge.’ Dean-Adam works at Hackle Brooke Conference Centre and has over five years’ experience in the events industry both in South Africa and the USA. Celeste Whitaker: ‘The programme is certainly not difficult to use and one of the major advantages is being able to do the tests at any time during the day or night.’ Celeste is the owner of Fizz Marketing, has a postgraduate diploma in management and is an accredited certified meeting professional. Raymond van der Berg: ‘The programme keeps me abreast of new developments within the industry. I look forward to the next series of articles.’ Raymond is the head of conference at the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and previously worked for an international event management company.

The MICE Academy tests its subscribers via an online Q&A

ONLINE MICE CPD PROGRAMME

FROM LEFT Rocaline Dube, Fizz Marketing; Celeste Whitaker, Fizz Marketing; Thabile Mdletshe, Fizz Marketing; Roxanne Kirsten, Hackle Brokke Conference Centre; Peter Schoeman, director sales and marketing for City Lodge; Lynn Baker, managing director of Executive Presence; Raymond van der Berg, SAIMM and Dean-Adam Rubinek, Hackle Brooke Conference Centre

CPD RECIPIENTS

In partnership with Meetings, The MICE Academy has developed an online MICE CPD programme to keep event planners on trend. Based on the various education and training articles published in Meetings, The MICE Academy tests its subscribers via an online Q&A. These tests contribute to the overall credits needed to receive CPD recognition.

miceacademy.co.za

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

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TALKING POINTS

A rant and a rave

FRANK LEE

SPEAKING

An exhibi on industry expert’s frank views

Frank Lee shares his experiences at two events he recently attended.

N MAY, I attended the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival at Emmarentia Dam as a VIP. This is the second year of the festival and I thought that the organisers would have learnt from the rookie mistakes that were made. Well, I was wrong. When I ordered drinks, I was told that the only beer they had was Peroni, not my drink of choice. Then, when it was time to order food, I decided on the tapas – you know, that dish that’s a variety of small, savoury finger foods. Well, what I got was Simba chips with two fried eggs on top. To add insult to injury, this ‘tapas’ was prepared by a celebrity chef from the UK. Unable to drink my favourite beer and eat something decent, I drowned my sorrows in tequila. To make matters worse, the service was dreadful and the stage layout resulted in us not being able to see the stage, even though I was in the VIP section. Needless to say, the tequila kept flowing – the only way to tolerate the day. I doubt whether this event will be around in the next two years. I will certainly not go again and believe there are much better ways to spend your hardearned money.

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.

Needless to say, the tequilla kept flowing – the only way to tolerate the day MY RAVE Madame Zingara is an unbelievably well-oiled machine. This was my third time at this amazing event. From the time you enter, your eyes and palate are layered with sensations. This iconic show (and venue) seats 450 people. With only 20 waiters, the 450 people get their starters in seven minutes and their mains in 12. Their food is unbelievable – try their signature chilli-chocolate steak or the salmon. Both dishes are cooked to perfection. But of course, there is more than the food in Madame Zingara’s tent. With acts from around the world, including China, Russia and Ukraine, you know you will be left in awe. We had an absolutely incredible night out and I would strongly recommend all to experience this incredible event. Until next time, good luck with all your build-ups and let’s keep this amazing industry alive and vibrant. Don't forget to send your rants, raves and comments to frankleespeaking2014@gmail.com.

In the last issue of Meetings EXSA needs to be focused on full-time to be able to make the impact that we need. I also believe we need new blood in the EXSA office – young, fired-up, passionate people who are keen to make an impact and market EXSA as a vibrant, energetic association. Hold a meeting, a FRANK meeting with the forums, to discuss how members feel about EXSA.” – Frank Lee

EXSA RESPONSE Dear Frank The current EXSA general manager is certainly focusing full-time on what EXSA needs and with the establishment of the new Young Professionals Forum, the association has surrounded itself with young, fired-up passionate people in the industry. The EXSA board is made up of 14 vibrant industry members across the venues, organisers and suppliers, who regularly meet to discuss the latest issues in the industry. The industry is changing – venues are organising exhibitions, suppliers are also organising exhibitions, and more international organisers are coming into South Africa to buy existing shows and bring new titles. All great for the expansion of the industry, wouldn’t you say? Face-to-face marketing has never been so prominent in the marketing mix. And with the right marketing campaign to bring the visitors into an exhibition, of course there are enough people to sustain the industry. There are challenges, we know that. Buildup times are reducing, damage deposits are creating havoc with cash flows, big shows are crossing over and dates are clashing. These are all issues that EXSA is discussing with its members and the industry. EXSA is planning an exhibition summit and would like to invite you to sit on stage as part of the panel. Kind regards Brad Adler Chairman: EXSA

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

TALKING POINTS

INDUSTRY VIEWS SAACI's take on keeping current

Beating a different drum Get a fresh perspective on the way you do business at the 2014 SAACI congress, writes Adriaan Liebetrau.

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

HEMED ‘TO THE beat of a different drum’, the 2014 SAACI congress is now only weeks away and I dare say this is one not to be missed. St Lucia took my breath away when I recently visited the town with the organising committee. It’s the perfect setting to make a mind shift and start beating to a different drum. Congress chairperson Merryl Fairfoot advises delegates to drop off their stress at the R618 turn-off to St Lucia and, when you arrive there, you will see why that shouldn’t be too difficult. What is more, the organisers have pulled out all stops to present a stimulating congress programme, designed to provide solutions to many of the challenging realities of today’s business environment.

Organisers have pulled out all stops to present a stimulating congress programme

INDUSTRY VIEWS

AIPC on the role of conference centres

Keeping up with the times For Geoff Donaghy, the biggest challenges centres are facing worldwide are competition, adaptation and relevance.

HERE HAS BEEN tremendous growth in the centre product in recent years, through both new entries into the market and the renovation and expansion of existing facilities. The result is that clients have a lot more choice and centres have to compete harder for business. Today, we have what is essentially a buyer’s market and as a result everyone needs to work harder, and find new ways, to distinguish themselves from their competitors. It also means that centres that can’t deliver a highquality product are finding it tougher to attract business.

ADAPTATION AND RELEVANCE GEOFF DONAGHY is AIPC President, CEO of International Convention Centre Sydney and Director of Convention Centres, AEG Ogden.

‘Smart business meetings destinations: moving from suppliers to strategic partners’ will be the theme of an address by Juan José Garcia, director of sales and marketing at Barceló Congresos, one of the leading professional conference organisers in Europe. Among others, delegates will also be addressed by soughtafter trend analyst Dion Chang, who uses a global perspective to source new ideas and identify cutting-edge trends and then translates them to ensure they have relevance for South African businesses. His trends-analysis company, Flux Trends, specialises in tracking shifting social dynamics and understanding consumer mindset. Of course we will also present an update on the implementation of SAACI’s five-year strategy, including plans to open new branches, both locally and elsewhere in Africa, and a new approach to staging the annual congress. I truly look forward to meeting delegates in St Lucia. Remember, anyone in the business events industry can attend. The 2014 SAACI congress will be held in St Lucia from 17 to 19 August 2014.

Events today are constantly evolving in terms of formats, technology and delegate expectations and centres need to be able to respond to these developments, often within the constraints of a fixed set of spaces. The key to success is increasingly an ability to create flexibility in both facilities and services that can respond to new demands. Centres aren’t just about generating visitor spending – they’re more about

58 • MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014

what events can do for a destination, from creating broad economic impacts to facilitating knowledge transfer and attracting new investment. This means centres need to do a much better job of underlining their broader role in supporting community development policies, and demonstrating how they are responding to today’s most urgent government priorities. Many are doing just that. Two rapidly emerging factors for centres in recent years have been technology and connectivity (in response to growing delegate communications expectations) and the quality of the experience offered in both the centre itself and the immediately surrounding area. Centres that can respond to these factors have a better shot at acquiring the available business. As the industry continues to evolve, so will the needs that centres have for programmes and tools that help them respond effectively. AIPC will continue to monitor changing conditions and expectations, and will develop new ways for members to access useful resources and interact more effectively with one another, much to their benefit.

INDUSTRY VIEWS EXSA – giving a voice to the industry

Shaping the future of exhibitions

EXSA is looking at a new sense of direction and approach in the industry for its members, writes Sue Gannon.

T IS CURRENTLY estimated that the events industry is valued at R450 billion globally, with over 400 000 events, exhibitions and conferences held each year. With stats like these, it is important to be part of an organisation that will give you knowledge to do your job better. For the last 34 years, EXSA has been the driving force for the events industry in South Africa, communicating with its members on the various issues outlined below.

DAMAGE DEPOSITS GUIDELINE Some venues and organisers are charging either the exhibitors or contractors damage deposits to safeguard their property/expo. This has become an extremely contentious issue resulting in contractors laying out huge sums of money even before a stand is built. EXSA is initiating a solution for its members by looking at an insurance policy for EXSA members at individual exhibitions.

A SARS VAT RULING EXSA offers a real advantage for its members, concerning international clients, through a special SARS ruling on VAT. The full VAT ruling is available to members on the EXSA website: exsa.co.za.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT EXSA offers workshops on basic skills knowledge for fire safety, first aid and power tools. It also provides information on trademarks and how to copyright. Management seminars for understanding the Consumer Protection Act and Protection of Personal Information Act are offered as well.

Not sure where to look for the right venues and suppliers, speakers and team building service providers? Look no further – SA Conference online is the deÀnite online point of reference for Ànding venues, products and suppliers for the meetings, conferencing, events and exhibition sectors.

BEE/DTI TRANSFORMATION EXSA is working closely with other industry associations on the DTI transformation forum panel to put together a BEE charter for the events industry.

STANDARD CONTRACTS EXSA’s website offers a resource library that is comprised of standard contracts for exhibitors, standard terms and conditions, as well as a standard safety file to help new members. It also provides security and safety guidelines, industry terminology and a job recruitment section.

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

SACONFERENCE directory

The SA CONFERENCE website will simplify your purchasing decisions.

Start exploring today

MEETINGS l JUL/AUG 2014 •

www.saconference.co.za

T H E B A C K PA G E

Insert expletive here With over 20 years’ experience as an event manager, Miss Meet has pretty much heard it all from event attendees and clients. However, there are still those requests that leave her speechless.

WOULD LIKE TO consider myself a bit of a doyenne in the industry. I have not only been around the block, I have been over and under it. Yet, from time to time, I am still amazed at some of the requests I receive from delegates and clients. Being the professional that I am, I bite my tongue and reply in the most diplomatic way possible. Here are my favourite requests and my uncensored answers.

SCENARIO: EVENT ATTENDEE TO REGISTRATION DESK STAFF REQUEST: No, I didn’t bring proof of payment because my finance department told me they had made arrangements to pay later. Didn’t they phone you? ANSWER: Methinks not.

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

REQUEST: Would you mind keeping my mobile phone with you at the registration desk while I’m in the conference and take messages for me please? ANSWER: Certainly and, while I’m at it, would you like a backrub with that?

SCENARIO: FROM AN ATTENDEE NOT REGISTERED TO EXHIBIT OR SPONSOR REQUEST: I’ve taken the liberty of bringing some company brochures with me in the hope that you will hand these out to all the attendees when they register please. ANSWER: I’m going to take the liberty to decline.

SCENARIO: COMPANY DIRECTOR TO EVENT MANAGER AT STAFF YEAR-END FUNCTION REQUEST: So we’ve paid for all this food on the buffet? Yes? Please tell the kitchen to put the leftover food in Tupperware

containers and get these across to the fridge at the office to use for next week’s board meeting. ANSWER: I have an idea. Why don’t you tell the kitchen and while you’re at it ask them for a health and safety update on removing food from the venue.

SCENARIO: REGULAR WORKSHOP PRESENTER TO EVENT MANAGER REQUEST: As you know, I often run my own in-house training as well. Please can you get your team to collect the leftover notepads and pens after this workshop so I can use these during my training sessions – you know, to save overheads. ANSWER: Sure. Just as a matter of interest, how do you structure your in-house workshop delegate fees when you have sponsored notepads and pens? It’s a great concept I’d like us to look into for our company.

SCENARIO: EVENT ATTENDEE TO EVENT MANAGER AT EVENT REQUEST: What are the chances of getting a speaking or marketing slot during the conference? ANSWER: Same as the chances of me getting paid overtime for staying till the end of tonight’s post-conference cocktail party. REQUEST: When I come through to the movies on a weekend, I park in the conference centre parking. Would it be in order if I took the leftover parking vouchers to use? ANSWER: Sure. Would you like me to assist you in finding a sponsor for the movie and your popcorn as well? REQUEST: I am not going to make the lunch today, as my car is in for a service and I need to collect it during lunch time. Can I get a refund on the lunch? ANSWER: Why don’t you stay for lunch and I’ll get your car. REQUEST: The MC mentioned that we can take the centrepieces home after the event. I’ve taken two – they really are beautiful. Would you be able to get your driver to drop these for me at my home in the morning? ANSWER: Why don’t I drop these at your house on my way back from fetching your car from its service… just saying! I clearly understand that these above requests are often based on what a person thinks we do and of course their warped sense of entitlement.

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