Event issue 2_2014

ISSUE 02 | 2014

+ MEETINGS AFRICA 2014 Africa's Business Tourism Lekgotla is Back

+ AFRICA IN THE SPOTLIGHT At Sustainability Conference

+ EASTERN CAPE Wild and Wonderful

© Reg Caldecott

CONTENTS | 01

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2. Inside Meetings Africa 2014 4. Africa in Spotlight at UFI Sustainability Conference

6. Cape Town Tops List of Places to Visit in 2014

8. Delay for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda Single Visa

10. GBTA Report: US Business Travel

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Meetings Africa 2014

Sustainability Conference

Everything you need to know about Africa’s business tourism lekgotla.

Africa was in the spotlight at an UFI event focused on best sustainibility practices.

Spending to Increase in 2014

12. AirlineRatings.com Awards Top Airlines

14. Meetings Africa – Africa Delivers Events that Exceed Expectations

26. Record Number of Buyer Registrations for IT&CM China

28. Nigeria –A Burgeoning Market in West Africa

30. The Eastern Cape – Wild and Wonderful

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30

Nigeria

Eastern Cape

Take a closer look at this economic powerhouse with one of Africa’s fastest growing middle classes.

Explore the new venues in this beautiful province that is the hub of South Africa’s motor industry.

32. Events 34. Industry Moves 35. Case Study: Greening Meetings Africa 2014

36. Associations 39. Opportunities 40. Directory

02 | NEWS

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INSIDE MEETINGS AFRICA 2014

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo

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eetings Africa is back and better than ever in 2014. The Event spoke to Amanda KotzeNhlapo, Executive Manager of the South African National Convention Bureau, about what attendees can expect this year.

What is in store for Meetings Africa 2014?

Meetings Africa 2014 will kick off with the annual BOND DAY (Business Opportunity Networking Day) on Monday, 24 February 2014. BOND DAY is designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for the South African business events industry.

The day will kick off with the Event Greening Forum’s 2014 Conference at Meetings Africa.

This half-day event will be packed with information on Responsible Tourism, with a specific focus on business events.

Two educational tracks will follow after lunch which is open to all exhibitors. Global business events experts, Rob Cameron from the International Association of Convention Centres, Linda Pereira, CEO of L&I Communications Group and Niki Clarke, global hosted buyer qualifier, will be presenting topics on how to maximize on business opportunities.

Association day will take place from 09h00 and will be attended by association representatives from across the African continent. The objective of the event is to build the national and Pan-African association communities, to promote their engagement with international associations

and to create major macro-economic benefits and lead development for the country. Association day will be followed by the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) African Chapter – Client /Supplier workshop where members will have an opportunity to meet and interact with the association representatives.

The IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum will be hosted for the second year at Meetings Africa. The top tourism and hospitality students from universities across South Africa will be competing in the International University Challenge. The winner of this challenge will be representing South Africa at the global challenge at IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany.

BOND DAY will conclude with the Meetings Africa gala dinner, a must attend event!

For the first time ever, Meetings Africa and the Unique Speakers Bureau will be staging the biggest single congregation of all the major operations in events facilities and venues, professional speakers and MCs all under one roof. The event will be attended by over 800 local and regional corporate buyers (ABSA, Liberty Life, Discovery, etc.) and 40 of USB’s top speakers - of which 20 are leading global presenters. All the corporate buyers will be part of the Meetings Africa diary system which will allow exhibitors to schedule oneon-one meetings with the buyers. Visit www. meetingsafrica.co.za for more information on our exciting events programme.

How is Meetings Africa demonstrating its commitment to the theme “Advancing Africa Together”?

Africa and South Africa are rising. Our capability and our track record as business event destinations are now beyond dispute. When we assigned Meetings Africa 2013 the Advancing Africa Together theme, we were exceptionally conscious of the great potential that this region offers the world. We were united, too, in our ambition to position Meetings Africa as a platform to grow our share of the regional and global market.

To date 33 African exhibitors have signed

up for Meetings Africa 2014 and we have 30 confirmed African association representatives for Association Day. Meetings Africa offers the world a single platform to do business with the cream of this continent’s service providers...all under one roof.

How many international hosted buyers attended in 2013? How many are you expecting in 2014?

In 2013, 147 international buyers and 100 local corporate buyers attended the show – and this year, all indications are that this number will be exceeded. We set ourselves a target of attracting 160 international buyers to Meetings Africa 2014. By mid-January, there were already 180 international buyers confirmed to attend, and another 800 regional and local corporate buyers. This will be the biggest contingent of qualified buyers ever hosted at Meetings Africa. Each of the international hosted buyers has been vetted and accredited against the global business events trade show standards. These buyers are vetted by ICR (International Conference and Incentive Travel Research, Inc) to ensure that only quality buyers, with excellent and serious intentions to do business, are hosted at Meetings Africa.

This gives exhibitors access to the world’s (and the region’s) premier buyers, and an excellent opportunity over the two days of the show to close lucrative business deals.

Meetings Africa 2014 takes place in the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg from February 24 to 26. Do not miss it. For more information visit www.meetingsafrica.co.za If you are a buyer and would like to register to attend Meetings Africa 2014 or make a query, send an email to tshepo@ southafrica.net All exhibitors wishing to attend Meetings Africa 2014 send an email to daksha@ meetingsafrica.co.za

04 | NEWS

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AFRICA IN SPOTLIGHT at UFI Sustainability Conference

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ashid Toefy, CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (winner of the UFI 2013 award on “Best reporting on sustainability”) and Justin Hawes, Managing Director of Scan Display (winner of the UFI 2013 award on “Best environmental initiative”) were speakers at the UFI conference focused on sustainability in the exhibition industry late last year.

More than 40 participants from 12 countries attended the conference, organized by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and hosted by UFI Member Palexpo. The event focused on sustainability best practices. On the African continent, the only country with companies that have declared that sustainability has been implemented across their organization is South Africa.

At the meeting, UFI released the first edition of a report designed to assess the status of sustainability in the exhibition industry. The report provides information on sustainability in the industry.

Ninety-nine percent of those surveyed for the report believe that the exhibition industry is concerned with the issue of sustainability, with no significant difference across regions or industry segments (venue, organizer, service provider). The report states that, “besides

obvious reasons to implement sustainability such as sense of common responsibility, positive image, competitive advantage and cost reductions are other more defensive reasons such as: the stakeholders demand (local authorities, shareholders, clients) or compliance with legislation.”

The report concludes that there is a strong perception that the exhibition industry is concerned with sustainability for each “pillar” (i.e. for environmental, economic and social reasons). In addition, whereas a few pioneers started implementing sustainability across their organization in the 1990s, the strongest development occurred in the 20082010 period.

However, barriers and challenges still exist, including: • Lack of awareness /interest/ commitment from stakeholders: supply chain or clients or shareholders • Complexity: lack of knowledge of where to start or what to follow, lack of time (to implement significantly), need time before results (solutions are not easy to implement), different entities and/ or different national contexts (for large groups) • Cost: “green” products/sustainable initiatives are/appear more expensive Paul Woodward, UFI Managing Director

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On the African continent, the only country with companies that have declared that sustainability has been implemented across their organization is South Africa.

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says, “A focus on sustainability is definitely on the rise and the fact that many of the largest companies of the exhibition industry are present here today is encouraging.

One of our mission statements is to serve our members by promoting, encouraging and supporting sustainability within the exhibition industry, thus becoming a reference point for best practice, tools, standards and learning.”

To read the full report visit: www.ufi.org/susdev

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CAPE TOWN TOPS LIST T “ of Places to Visit in 2014 he New York Times has named Cape Town, South Africa the number one place to visit in 2014. The newspaper said that the city is currently experiencing a renaissance.

The Times said, “By November, we had a strong sense that Cape Town would be our No. 1 destination, but the subsequent death of Nelson Mandela made the choice all the more meaningful; the South African leader spent years gazing at the city (and Table Mountain beyond) from his cell on Robben Island. Of course much has changed since then, and that is what we look for in a top pick: a destination that has its own transformative story to tell.

From Rio (2013) to Sri Lanka (2010) to Beirut (2009), the places that land at No. 1 are chosen because at this moment there is a defining reason to go.”

This year Cape Town is also in the spotlight as the World Design Capital – a factor which contributed to its selection as the top place to visit in 2014. The event is a celebration of design in all its forms and across income levels, including fashion shows, architecture open houses, and open artist studios.

Cape Town’s achievement comes on the heels of another milestone for the city – in December the Cape Town Tourism Facebook

By November, we had a strong sense that Cape Town would be our No. 1 destination, but the subsequent death of Nelson Mandela made the choice all the more meaningful; the South African leader spent years gazing at the city (and Table Mountain beyond) from his cell on Robben Island.

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page hit 300,000 likes. This reportedly put the fan page ahead of Samsung SA (227 000 likes), MXIT (263 000 likes) and 5Fm (212 000 likes).

South Africa’s Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said of South Africa’s tourism industry nationwide, “The fast-growing tourism industry contributed R35.4 billion to the economy in the first six months of 2013 – more than the R32.6bn from gold exports.”

He went on to point out that over a four-year period, the sector had achieved 9.4 percent compound annual growth in the first half despite ever-increasing competition, tough conditions in some source markets and a fluctuating rand.”

Cape Point © Cape Town Tourism

Robben Island © Cape Town Tourism

06 | NEWS

08 | NEWS

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DELAY FOR KENYA, UGANDA AND RWANDA Single Visa

“ Nairobi, Kenya

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he adoption of a single visa for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda has been delayed. It was meant to launch in January.

The most recent effort to create a common tourist visa for the East African Community (EAC) has been underway since the 1990s. Last year Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda announced that they would launch a joint tourism visa in January. The visa is meant to facilitate free movement of tourists and citizens within the three countries.

However, the debut of the visa is reportedly delayed. According to Kenya’s Capital News, the adoption of the visa has been postponed in part to allow for each country to sign a security pact to ensure that criminals do not

Uganda © Shutterstock

cross borders. The security chiefs of the three countries were directed to co-ordinate efforts in order to mitigate crime.

Also complicating the process is a recent announcement by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta that African passport-holders no longer require visas for stays shorter than six months to Kenya.

The EAC region is home to some of the continent’s most well-known tourist destinations and hosts high-profile events.

The tourism efforts are aimed at helping the region compete more effectively for international tourists with destinations like South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.

Marketing budgets within the EAC have been low in comparison with leading countries.

Rwanda © Shutterstock

According to Kenya’s Capital News, the adoption of the visa has been postponed in part to allow for each country to sign a security pact to ensure that criminals do not cross borders. The security chiefs of the three countries were directed to co-ordinate efforts in order to mitigate crime.

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10 | NEWS

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GBTA Report:

U.S. Business Travel Spending to Increase in 2014 © www.all-free-download.com

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.S. spending on international outbound business travel should jump a hefty 12.5 percent in 2014 to $36.7 billion, after just 1.8 percent growth in 2013 and only 0.8 percent expansion in 2012. This revival will be helped in particular by steady improvements in the Euro-zone, the U.S.’s largest trading partner.

Overall, U.S. business travel spending is expected to advance 6.6 percent to $289.8 billion in 2014, while total person-trip volume is expected to increase 1.7 percent to 461 million trips for the year, according to the GBTA BTI Outlook – United States 2013 Q4, a report from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) sponsored by Visa, Inc. At the close of 2013, annual U.S. business travel spending is estimated by GBTA to have grown 3.8 percent to $272 billion, on a slight -0.3 percent decline in trip volume to 453.3

million person-trips. Notably, despite the Federal government shutdown in 2013, the private sector delivered a stronger third quarter than expected, which boosted business travel spending.

The meetings business has been on an upward swing for the past two years and this trend should continue in 2014. GBTA expects group travel spending to rise by 6.5 percent to $124.5 billion based on a volume increase of 1.7 percent.

The GBTA BTI, a proprietary index of business travel activity, is estimated at 128 for Q4 2013 and 130 for Q1 2014. The BTI regained its pre-recession peak of 120 in the first quarter of 2012, but muddled through a sluggish 2012 and beginning of 2013. However, with economic momentum increasing, the BTI is now projected to reach 136 by the end of 2014.

Source: International Meetings Review Network

3D DECO | 11

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3D DECO DELIVERS Stunning Results

By 3D Deco

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magine sunset splashes or brilliant white icicles, imagine a night of enchantment or a day of frivolous fancies. Imagine your dream and we will bring it to life.

3D Deco is a world class leader in curvilinear event space transformation. Their products are fluid and dynamic, visually enhancing any venue.

The 3D stretch sets of this design studio use curves to soften large walls or ceilings or even small corners. Organic shapes and naturally occurring geometrical patterns harmonise, streamline and uplift all linear spaces. There is no space 3D Deco cannot uplift. Guaranteed.

The portfolio of 3D Deco, a company established in 2000, is spectacular. At Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre, 2013, they wowed guests at the IIG Annual Dinner with their emphatic fire and ice theme, hosted by Event Help Line. In Durban 2012 they decorated the ‘Four Elements’ event for Velti at the International Convention Centre. At the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 2014, 3D Deco came to the party for Red Hot Events with an old-school UV theme. Microsoft’s end of year function, 2012, held at the Champagne Castle Resort in Drakensberg boasted a wild Willy Wonka theme with inflatable mushrooms, giant candy sticks, an array of icicles and a blast of juicy colours.

Lauren Kemp (Marketing) of Microsoft said, “We were very impressed with the work 3D Deco did and how hard their crew worked in getting the stretches just right. It was pleasant to work with such a hard working team who had vision and delivered the results!”

Other clients of 3D Deco include: • 3D Design • Clientele Life (direct) • Draft FCB (JHB and CT) • Event Horizon (Visa) • Gold Reef city (direct) • Johnic communications (Sunday Times) • Midnight oil (Pantene) • Off the Wall Productions (Scandia, OK franchise, Nashua) • Word Of Mouth Catering (Supersport) • Z-Zone (Eskom) • Four D Marketing (Jacaranda FM) • Siemens • Shop SA • ANC • Jazz Festival (Annual event at Cape Town International Convention Centre) • Variety of event companies (Organisers, Blue platinum, Tsakani etc.)

• MTV • DC sports management

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DB SCHENKER Cell C Nokia Effervescents (Renaut, Nissan South Africa) • Mind Shift (Anglo American) • Anglo American Ashanti The beauty and versatility of 3D screens and stretch sets allow them to be used in a wide range of environments from outdoor to indoor, for functions and at the office, shopping malls or even at home. By combining colour and shapes in an aesthetically pleasing and functional manner your space can be transformed into one of inspiration, bringing in an atmosphere that you desire, be it well being and relaxation or productivity and focus. Their stretch screens and other décor have also been popular for TV sets, as seen in Mnet’s ‘The Wild’ series and SABC’s ‘Tomz’.

Subscribe to our mailer @ www.3ddeco. co.za to receive our decor and eco updates.

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AIRLINERATINGS.COM AWARDS Top Airlines A “ irlineRatings.com, an airline safety and product rating review website that celebrates and promotes excellence in the airline industry, has named the winners of its Airline Excellence Awards, including airlines serving the African continent.

Emirates won multiple awards including “Best Long Haul Airline” for Middle-East/ Africa, “Best First Class”, “Best In-Flight Entertainment”. “Its First Class product is a new industry benchmark and is offered over almost all of the airline’s long haul fleet,” says AirlineRatings.com editor Geoffrey Thomas. “For those who want the ultimate experience Emirates’ First Class is just that,” he says. First class features include showers on the A380 and a bar that has become famous for its luxury.

Emirates was one of the pioneers of in-flight entertainment, which makes its win in the entertainment category no surprise.

Emirates’ entertainment features currently offer travellers views from the aircraft’s external cameras, sms and email capability and 600 channels of premium entertainment.

When it comes to long-haul flights, Geoffrey notes of the winners, “Each in their own way defines long haul travel and can be counted on to deliver the best product.

Emirates and Singapore in particular are standouts in long haul travel and pioneer new aircraft designs to enhance global travel,” said Geoffrey. “Swiss and Air Canada also have rich histories in pioneering long haul travel and are deserving winners.”

Emirates launched the world’s longest non-stop A380 service (13,414 kilometers) in December, with its daily flight between Dubai and Los Angeles. Emirates’ only A380 destination on the African continent is Mauritius.

Air New Zealand was named “Airline of the Year” for 2014.

Emirates’ entertainment features currently offer travellers views from the aircraft’s external cameras, sms and email capability and 600 channels of premium entertainment.

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© www.sxc.hu

12 | NEWS

14 | FEATURE

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MEETINGS AFRICA Africa Delivers Events that Exceed Expectations By Lesley Stones

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he annual Meetings Africa trade show and conference is already recognised as one of the most important gatherings on the continent for the business events industry.

But until last year, the event was considered by some to be South Africa centric. This year Meetings Africa is building on last-year’s legacy of being an Africa-wide trade show with the theme of Advancing Africa Together underlining the commitment to pull together as a continent for the benefit of all.

If the industry can begin to think more

broadly, it will be able to capitalise on the fact that Africa has a great many destinations and attractions that could earn it a far more important place in the global meetings industry than the share it already holds.

The broad and ambitious theme of Advancing Africa Together was first introduced last year by the event’s hosts, the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB), when Executive Manager Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, announced a strategy of making the event a truly African showcase. The overall aim is to grow the capacity of Africa’s business events industry

and to transform Africa into a business events powerhouse. As more individual African nations improve their transport, communications, hospitality services and conference facilities, event planners are looking at Africa as a way of enlivening their meetings by taking people to fresh destinations and offering them unique travel experiences.

This deliberate expansion of focus for Meetings Africa to create a far more panAfrican event is a commitment that demands a long-term effort. For a start, many of the most sophisticated and accessible locations and

FEATURE | 15

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Africa is one of the fastest growing economic regions in our world today and as such there are so many new opportunities just within the Africa to Africa trade zone.

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venues are in South Africa, which also boasts the largest and most well-organised body of eventing industry professionals on the continent.

The rest of Africa could seek South African partners who can lend their expertise to operators on the ground in other countries to help improve effectiveness and help channel business in their direction. In return, the South African operators could see new opportunities opening up, such as easier access to off-thebeaten-track venues and African attractions offered by their new partners on the ground.

This will entice conference or exhibition organisers who are looking for fresh venues for their customers, or seeking a fresh audience of consumers or association members from the growing African middle class.

“In recent years, the global meetings industry has begun to recognise Africa as a sought-after destination. Meetings Africa showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products where

African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform our continent,” the organisers say.

There is also plenty of business to be done between the various African countries themselves as organisers in other African countries begin to stage more revolving meetings or want to extend their customer base into different countries.

“Africa is one of the fastest growing economic regions in our world today and as such there are so many new opportunities just within the Africa to Africa trade zone,” says David Sand, CEO of Uwin Iwin, a conference, meetings and incentives travel company.

Uwin Iwin has grown its service reach to Africa in a significant way and it is tremendously encouraging to see how this intra-Africa trade can enhance its businesses, he says. “With the growth of business comes the increasing need for industries and associations to meet

and design future strategies within the African context. This will no doubt drive the meetings and events business and we will see more and more venue and hotel facilities being built around meeting the needs of this sector. This is a very positive outlook for our sector within the African context.”

David says one area where many African organisations need to improve is in the use of incentives, and those attending Meetings Africa will hopefully learn some valuable lessons there. “The use of incentives in Africa is well understood but poorly executed, and as corporate governance and more robust infrastructure emerges, the growth of the corporate incentive sector will bring about higher levels of professional delivery and adoption of international standards. Our South African experience will bring a great deal of added value to other African markets as we are considered quite a mature incentive industry,” David believes.

Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) will once again be exhibiting at Meetings Africa, and welcomes the move towards a more pan-African focus. “Industry events such as Meetings Africa play an instrumental role in raising the global profile of South Africa as a leading meetings and events destination. While South Africa’s major events credentials are firmly established, there remains the potential to attract a greater share of the global and regional business event market,” says the CTICC’s General Manager for Commercial and Business Development, Megan Arendse.

“The new business opportunities within the African region are also promising, and this is something that we need to take full advantage of. There is scope to increase intra-African

16 | FEATURE

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© Reg Caldecott

Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk

meetings and Meetings Africa provides an ideal platform to tap into this potential.”

Refilwe Nchebisang of the Council for Scientific Research (CSIR) describes Meetings Africa as a melting pot of authentically African business-tourism service providers and products. “There are many reasons to host your conference in South Africa, with its rich cultural heritage, world-class facilities, cosmopolitan cities and breathtaking natural landscapes,” she says. “Meetings Africa offers business event suppliers a great platform to showcase their diverse offerings of services and products. The CSIR International Convention Centre recognises this and always strives to exceed buyers’ and

visitors’ expectations at Meetings Africa.”

South Africa has the proven capacity and infrastructure to successfully host international business events and offers a variety of hotel and conference facilities to host successful meetings, Refilwe adds. “We have proven with the 2010 World Cup that SA can host any event, on any scale, successfully. With the establishment of the National Convention Bureau, the businessevents industry has seen tremendous support and engagement from the government to aid the growth and prosperity of South Africa as an ideal business-events destination.”

The CSIR has recently completed a R35million expansion and refurbishment project for

The new business opportunities within the African region are also promising, and this is something that we need to take full advantage of. There is scope to increase intra-African meetings and Meetings Africa provides an ideal platform to tap into this potential.

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MEETING IN AFRICA? MEET EPG L AUNCHING AT MEETINGS AFRICA 2014

THE EVENT PL ANNER’S GUIDE TO AFRICA IS THE WIDELY ACCL AIMED PREMIER MARKETING TOOL FOR AFRICA’S BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY. CONTACT TARYN FOWLER

tel: 021 674 0646 | email: taryn@filmeventmedia.co.za

18 | FEATURE

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There are many reasons to host your conference in South Africa, with its rich cultural heritage, world-class facilities, cosmopolitan cities and breathtaking natural landscapes.

its International Convention Centre in Pretoria to help it successfully stage medium-sized conferences and exhibitions. The centre has 13 meeting venues, including a newly-constructed outdoor wooden deck and a new exhibition hall. Value-added services include a new wireless internet system and secure access, exit and holding facilities for VIP guests, so CSIR representatives will be showcasing those services to the international and pan-African audience at Meetings Africa this year.

The Durban International Convention Centre has attended Meetings Africa for many years

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and regards it as a key event in its sales calendar.

“With its theme ‘Advancing Africa Together’ in 2014 and the vision to grow the show’s panAfrican reach, we are confident Meetings Africa will continue to go from strength to strength and further cement its position as the leading business tourism trade show in Africa,” says Julie-May Ellingson, the CEO of Durban ICC. “According to the latest International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) report, Africa as a whole is still hosting less than 3% of the international association meetings which rotate around the world. There is great potential

Gala Dinner © Reg Caldecott

on this continent and as Africa’s leading meetings and conference centre, the Durban ICC looks forward to playing its part in growing this percentage in the years ahead,” she says.

That is not an idle boast, as Durban ICC has been voted ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre’ at the World Travel Awards 12 times in 13 years, Julie-May adds. “We firmly believe that Durban is an affordable, value-formoney destination that offers delegates a worldclass venue and truly African experience. This is evident in the number of conferences coming to the African continent for the first time in 2014.

20 | FEATURE

Green Stand Award 2013, Selby’s Productions

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Small Stand Award 2013, Protea Hotel Balalaika

Medium Stand Award 2013, Cape Town International Convention Centre

Large Stand Award 2013 - Tshwane Convention Bureau

© Reg Caldecott

These include the Congress of International Union of Architects and the International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics, both to be hosted at the Durban ICC this year.”

Once again Meetings Africa will feature The Event Greening forum, with experts sharing information on how to make events more environmentally friendly. That is becoming an essential priority now for many international buyers. It is also an area where Africa could gain a great competitive advantage, as the new conference venues and hotels being built across Africa can incorporate green technologies and building practices as they are built, and can do that far more easily and cheaply than existing venues can retro-fit the facilities needed to achieve green operational objectives. The Meetings Africa team aims to showcase Africa as a premier business events destination that cares about its people and the natural environment.

By hosting the event in a responsible manner it reflects the importance of local economic development, as well as keeping up with international trends, the organisers say. Its website has been loaded with Greening Tips to help exhibitors make their own participation as environmentally friendly as possible. The Stand Awards will also have a dedicated category for the Best Green Stand, judged on criteria including being reusable, minimising the amount of material used and eco-friendly gifts or catering.

Meetings Africa 2014 takes place in the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from February 24 to 26.

22 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

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SCC IS THE IDEAL PLATFORM

for Growing African Ideas

By Vanessa Naudé

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hanging the world – or even a continent – for the better requires great ideas; and great ideas require a stimulating and sound platform to develop and mature. Sandton Convention Centre is focused on providing great thinkers and world changers with the ideal environment for global ideas to be born and nurtured.

“It’s a privilege to be able to offer a place for change-generating conferences that not only provides an environment that is conducive to encouraging innovative thinking and idea generation, but is also ideally located in the heart of South Africa’s economic hub and Africa’s chosen location for many of its developmental conferences,” says Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre.

“Johannesburg was chosen as Africa’s most popular destination for 2013, according to the third annual Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index, and one of the 20 fastest-growing cities in the world. It is also one of Africa’s foremost meeting, exhibition and event venues, providing a platform for local and international businesses and individuals to generate ideas that help shape and grow industries throughout Africa,” adds Nyazema.

In the last four months of 2013 alone, Sandton Convention Centre provided the venue for change-focused events as diverse as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, One Young World, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) Annual African Conference & Exhibition, and more.

“Several of these events returned to the Sandton Convention Centre for the second or third time and are growing in significance in the

global arena, which is positioning SCC as the right venue for signature events and is a proud achievement for us,” she says.

The 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, held from 28 August to 6 September 2013, was hosted by the Parliament of South Africa with the aim of ensuring that South African Parliament’s international relations were part of broader political processes and discussions that take note of global developments and a changing world order. The conference was attended by over 1 000 participants.

The One Young World Summit 2013, which took place on the 2-5 October, was for 18-30 yearold delegates from all over the world who had demonstrated their leadership potential, with the aim of helping them make lasting connections that have a positive impact. At the Summit, delegates graduated as One Young World Ambassadors, joining a global network of young leaders who are creating constructive change around the world. About 1 200 delegates from around 180 countries attended this year’s event.

The ACFE African Conference & Exhibition which took place in mid-October was the 6th Annual ACFE African and the 15th Annual Fraud Conference hosted by the ACFE South African chapter. ACFE is recognised as the largest anti-fraud event in Africa and the second largest in the world, bringing together more than 1 000 anti-fraud professionals from more than 15 countries, all with a shared desire to gain leading-edge knowledge, explore the newest resources for fighting fraud, and expand their networks with fellow professionals within Africa.

DISCOP Africa, the continent’s premier content development, production and distribution industries gathering, was held from 6-8 November 2013. DISCOP Africa has been designed to facilitate content development, production and distribution business across and with Africa, focusing strictly on business deals and transfer of practical knowledge, and delivering high-level connections and superfast growth opportunities.

Mid-November saw the fourth World Conference on Doping in Sport held under the auspices of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and hosted by Sport and Recreation South Africa and the City of Johannesburg.

The approval of the 2015 World AntiDoping Code took place at the World Conference, which made it the ‘must-attend’ event in the anti-doping sporting calendar. The conference provided an important opportunity for delegates to take stock of how far the fight against doping has come and to identify its next critical tasks. Close on 2 000 delegates attended this year’s conference.

“These events aim to make a positive difference to our world – and we’re proud to provide the platform and create the atmosphere with professionalism, proficiency, and credibility,” concludes Nyazema.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on www.facebook.com/groups/39739504327/ or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvent.

24 | PROFILE

At Idea Lab Events it’s about irresistible chemistry - chemistry between the powerful team that literally bring brands to life and clients, who just love them to bits. Also, chemistry between their event partners and selected service providers that enable the team to conjure up spectacular events, which, over the past 10 years, has helped them grow into an experiential agency that can truly create experiences with passion and real brand value.

Innovative creativity, along with a firm commitment to providing quality without compromise, plays a major part in securing the respect and success that Idea Lab enjoys today. Offering a comprehensive range of professional services that involve the focused management of events, from Corporate Hospitality, Product Launches, Road Shows, Awards Ceremonies, Gala Dinner Celebrations and Corporate Incentive Programmes to Internal Communication Activations, Idea Lab takes pride in being hands-on, committed to detail and sound project management principles that secure memorable brand engagement.

Their philosophy - an event, aside from delivering truly revolutionary experiences, should also carry through key brand messaging and align strongly to the overall campaign objectives or brand identity with measurable results.

This team creates inspired events, renowned for being distinct, original and always imbued with unrivalled passion.

www.theevent.co.za

Services Offered • • • • •

Event Concept Development and Management Entertainment, Staging and Theatrical Production Design Tactical and Brand Activation Event Websites, Interactive and Collateral Design Concierge and Hospitality Management

Contact Details t: +27 11 880 0058 f: +27 82 823 9774 e: diego@idealabevents.co.za www.idealabevents.co.za

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To keep abreast of the massive improvements taking place in Braamfontein and the surrounding areas, the Protea Hotel Parktonian All Suite has been doing vast upgrading and modernising. Part of this massive upgrade is the recent completion of the entrance to the hotel. The new paving, revolving door, glass frontage and chandelier have been designed around the concept of “funky grand�. The Skylevel, situated on the 24th floor of the hotel, is another new addition. The Skylevel has two executive boardrooms with state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, a gymnasium and a pool deck. Strolling around the Skylevel allows you to see 360-degree breathtaking views of the amazing Johannesburg skyline.

Another six venues and four boardrooms offer all the flexibility required to host a successful function. Seating accommodates up to 450 delegates. The 300 one-bed roomed suites have a separate lounge, service area with bar fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and a desk. All rooms have balconies. The entire hotel has Wi-Fi and offers 500MB free per day.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Gautrain Park Station. Complimentary shuttles in the morning and evening are offered free of charge within 10kms of the hotel, whilst the evening shuttle will take you to areas of dining and entertainment.

The Protea Hotel Parktonian All Suite appeals to both the domestic and international business traveler and continues to be the hotel of choice amongst clients who are looking for a true Jozi experience.

PROFILE | 25

Contact Details Protea Hotel Parktonian All Suite 120 De Korte Street Braamfontein 2001 P O Box 32278, Braamfontein, 2017 t: +27 114035740 f: +27 114032401 e: accom@parktonian.co.za www.proteahotels.com/parktonian

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RECORD NUMBER OF BUYER REGISTRATIONS for IT&CM China

I

T&CM China, the international MICE event that seeks to “Promote China to the World and the World to China”, is experiencing its largest number of buyer registrations in its eight year history. When The Event went to print, over 963 buyers from across 37 countries had submitted their interest to participate at the event and vie for one of 400 hosting places available. IT&CM China 2014 will be held from 15-17 April at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center.

German buyer - Bernd Maesse, Managing Director of Maesse Marketing Consulting Limited estimates that the total volume of MICE business that he will be buying into China this year alone will reach some 1 million Euros. “As China is the number 1 trading partner in Asia for Germany, the destination will be the most important MICE destination in the region for us and our clients,” he said.

Buyers cite continued interest in already popular cities within China and the Greater China region including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Sanya, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Up and coming destinations such as Dalian, Fujian, Guilin, Guizhou, Hunan, Tianjin, Tibet, Xian and Yunnan are also on the radar for some of the attending IT&CM China buyers.

Teresa Sans, Manager of Sol Dor Travel Agency, Spain said,“We want to offer our

clients something different from the wellknown destinations in China. My interest in visiting IT&CM China is to look for ‘insider’ destinations that may already be a hit with locals but is not yet so for the Europeans.

I expect water towns and small, boutique traditional Chinese hotels to be something of interest to my small incentive groups.”

The buyers that will be present at IT&CM China span a variety of portfolios and include those representing and/or serving MICE, Association and Corporate Travel companies.

Group sizes handled by the buyers also vary, and can range anywhere from 10 to 100 people.

Returning buyer Kim Burdett, Student Experience Coordinator of University Of Adelaide, Australia looks forward to searching for new and unique destinations, products, services and engagement opportunities as she plans to bring more student group tours and events into China. She says, “IT&CM China is the most comprehensive platform in the market that brings all these suppliers together in an excellent showcase. This makes the sourcing effort on my part simple, convenient and efficient. From my experience with the show, the exhibiting DMCs have good track records of handling the type of groups I manage, and I have since also collaborated on several projects and initiatives with contacts made at the networking events.

Thus, partner selection at IT&CM China has been extremely successful for us.”

Others like first-time Polish buyer, Agata Goscinska, President of Viventum is on the look-out for Chinese imperial places of interest, destinations with outstanding Chinese landscapes, ultra-modern metropolis cities and experiences involving the Chinese culture, heritage, religious and natural aspects. In this regard, she adds, “IT&CM China is the largest and leading international MICE trade event in China. I have heard of the show’s excellent organisation, extensive range of quality suppliers and business partners, as well as buyer benefits that include the opportunity to participate in the well-crafted post-show tours. I am confident that this trip to IT&CM China will certainly enable us to be more competitive in the Polish incentive market.”

International buyers are slated to occupy 35% of all available hosting slots, with another 480 Chinese trade, corporate and association buyers expected to participate at the IT&CM China 2014. Registration for the buyer hosting programme closes on 15 February 2014. If successful, fully-hosted buyers receive entitlements that cover both flight and accommodation costs.

For more information visit www.itcmchina.com

IT&CM China 2013

26 | SPOTLIGHT

28 | COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT

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NIGERIA A Burgeoning Market in West Africa

N

igeria is an economic powerhouse with one of Africa’s fastest growing middle classes. Bordering the Gulf of Guinea and nestled between Benin and Cameroon, Nigeria has five major geographic regions including a low coastal zone, hills and plateaus, the Niger-Benue river valley and a mountainous region along the eastern border. It is Africa’s largest oil producer and most populous country with 250 ethnic groups.

The nation’s booming Nollywood scene has recently caught the world’s attention and as a result, the government has begun investing heavily in the local film industry. Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the biggest cities on the continent.

The chaotic, congested metropolis includes a central business district on Lagos Island and Eko Atlantic City – a district the size of Manhattan that is being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean.

“

Concept for Eko Atlantic City, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the biggest cities on the continent. The chaotic, congested metropolis includes a central business district on Lagos Island and Eko Atlantic City.

“

COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT | 29

www.theevent.co.za

Lagos, Nigeria © Shutterstock

explore the latest cosmetics and beauty products at Cosmex Nigeria. This expo offers importers, exporters and distributors a lucrative, African platform to market and to discover new personal care products.

From facial treatments and hair styling to nail accessories and fitness equipment, this exhibition has an extensive collection of categories – making it an appealing trade show for the industry.

Key Venues © www.canstockphoto.com

What’s Happening Now Nigeria Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition The 14th annual Nigeria Oil & Gas Conference Exhibition takes place between 24 and 27 February 2014 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. From crude oil theft to oil output, country-to-country analysis and domestic gas exports, this four-day conference and expo targets individuals in the industry and looking for opportunities in it. Last year’s event saw over 7000 exhibition visitors, 1300 conference delegates, 200 exhibitors and 100 speakers gather at the International Conference Centre, with international conglomerates like Shell, Exxon and many more making the trip to West Africa.

Cosmex Nigeria 2014 From 29 April to 1 May 2014, attendees can

Abuja International Conference Centre The International Conference Centre (ICC) is situated in Abuja. The massive edifice holds a main conference hall – the Africa Hall – as well as a number of committee rooms, smaller halls, a VIP lounge, a mezzanine floor and a gallery. The facilities also include an expansive garden, ATMs on the premises, videoconferencing and satellite downlinking, and storage and catering services. The Africa Hall holds up to 2000 people seated cinema style. The annual Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition takes place here.

Population 174,507,539 as of July 2013 (according to CIA World Factbook)

Climate Nigeria’s climate varies by region, but generally has its dry season from December to February. March and April have the highest temperatures, with the highest rainfall taking place between April and July. In the far north, the Sahara desert transforms into savannahs, which make up most of the country.

You Need to Know About Nigerians prefer to develop relationships prior to conducting business. If you are meeting with a company for the first time, expect to devote a fair amount of time getting to know people on a personal level.

Bypassing this lengthy protocol can hamper your business success.

Getting to Nigeria by Air There are a number of international and regional carriers that operate between Nigeria’s two main airports in Abuja and Lagos and the rest of the world. These include the country’s own Arik Air, which offers domestic and regional flights, as well as intercontinental services in North America and Europe. The airline is the largest operator in Nigeria after taking over the assets of the bankrupt national airline, Nigeria Airways. The carrier has recently also added a new generation Bombardier jet to the fleet – a perfect example of the nation’s burgeoning aviation sector.

Wusa Market © Jeff Attaway

Did you know?

To date, over 521 living languages are spoken in Nigeria. Although English is the official language of the country, it is not often spoken at a first-language level. The majority of the population speak Niger-Congo languages like Yoruba, Afro-Asiatic languages such as Hausa, or Nilo-Saharan languages like Kanuri primarily in the northeast.

30 | REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

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THE EASTERN CAPE Wild and Wonderful Eastern Cape © SA Tourism, www.greatstock.co.za

R

oughly the size of Uruguay, South Africa’s second largest province is sandwiched between the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal. The Eastern Cape is renowned for its incredible biodiversity. Tropical forests along the northern coast give way to the lush woods of the Garden Route in the south, and the Wild Coast offers plenty of adventure for visitors. The province is the hub of South Africa’s motor industry, while tourism and agriculture make up the remaining portion of the Eastern Cape’s economy. The East London International Convention Centre and Boardwalk Hotel, Convention Centre and Spa have raised the profile of the province in the events industry.

Eastern Cape © SA Tourism, www.greatstock.co.za

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT | 31

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2150 delegates cinema-style and also has a 650-seater auditorium. It is located near two quality hotels, as well as the Mpongo Private Game Reserve.

Port Elizabeth Boardwalk Convention Centre The five-star Boardwalk Hotel, Convention Centre and Spa in Port Elizabeth provides space for meetings of up to 1680 delegates, with a multi-divisible ballroom of 2000 square metres. It also has four additional, multi-purpose meeting rooms and 760 square metres of pre-assembly area. The centre includes eight al fresco restaurants and a casino.

East London International Convention Centre

What’s Happening Now Scifest Africa The national Science Festival, Scifest is a high-profile event that offers visitors a progressive programme featuring 50 exhibitions, 42 workshops and more than 400 interactive events. These include the Afrobot Amateur Robotics Tournament, art and science masterclasses, field trips, murder mysteries, and the incredible Water World hosted by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. Last year saw almost 70,000 visitors from across Southern Africa. Scifest 2014 takes place in Grahamstown from the 12-18 March.

Getting to the Eastern Cape by Air

National Arts Festival For ten days in July each year, thousands of artists, playwrights and musicians pile into Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival (NAF). Taking place at various venues across town and run in conjunction with the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival, the NAF is a much-anticipated event. The Jazz Festival has grown to become one of the most significant jazz development programmes in the country, bringing together over 300 students and up to 100 teachers and educators from across the globe.

The Eastern Cape has two major operating airports – one in Port Elizabeth and one in East London. Known as the ‘ten minute airport’, PE Airport is situated five minutes’ drive from the central business district and the beach front. East London Airport, formerly known as Ben Schoeman, offers between 20 and 30 regional and international flights into the city each day.

National Tourism Careers Expo The National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE) takes place in late September and attracts over 10,000 learners, tourism students, graduates and educators over three days.

It is an interactive exhibition designed to showcase career opportunities available in tourism and hospitality. The NTCE also brings over 200 expert speakers from within the industry to lead workshops and sessions.

The Eastern Cape’s climate varies from place to place. It enjoys both subtropical and Mediterranean weather. Inland is a bit hotter, depending on topographical features.

Towards the north, the climate is semi-arid, while southern areas generally experience a higher rainfall.

You Need to Know About The Eastern Cape has some of the best game reserves in the world. From the Addo Elephant Park and the Mountain Zebra National Park to private reserves like Shamwari, Kantu and Kwandwe, this region packages pure luxury together with natural wonder.

Key Venues East London International Convention Centre This flexible, multi-functional centre has raised the profile of the Eastern Cape as a major business events destination. The East London International Convention Centre (ELICC) was recently nominated for the Business Travel Awards from Business Destinations. The ELICC is 15 minutes from East London Airport and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It holds up to

Population 6,562,053 according to the 2011 Census (www.beta2.statssa.gov.za)

Climate

Did you know?

The capital of the Eastern Cape is Bhiso, which was originally the capital of the former Bantu homeland of Ciskei. Although it was granted nominal independence in 1981, this was never recognised outside of South Africa.

It was reabsorbed into the nation in 1994.

32 | EVENTS

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FEBRUARY J&B MET 01 Cape Town, South Africa INVESTING IN AFRICAN MINING INDABA 03-06 Cape Town, South Africa LAND TRANSPORT MOZAMBIQUE 03-06 Maputo. Mozambique TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE EAST AFRICA 03-06 Maputo, Mozambique SEYCHELLES AFRICAN ECONOMIC CONGRESS 04-07 Victoria, Seychelles MEDICAL AID AND INSURANCE CONFERENCE 05-06 Cape Town, South Africa CAPE TOWN TENS 07-08 Cape Town, South Africa COLOUR ME CRAZY BLOEMFONTEIN 08 Bloemfontein, South Africa

DISCOVERY SPORT INDUSTRY AWARDS 13 Johannesburg, South Africa SIGN AFRICA 12 Nelspruit, South Africa

DEBT COLLECTION CONFERENCE 19-20 Johannesburg, South Africa

CORE BANKING SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE 12-13 Cape Town/Johannesburg, South Africa

MEETINGS AFRICA 24-26 Johannesburg, South Africa

AFRICAN ENERGY INDABA 18-20 Johannesburg, South Africa ASIA-PACIFIC INCENTIVES & MEETINGS EXPO (AIME) 18-19 Melbourne, Australia BANKING DOCUMENT AND WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 19-20 Cape Town, South Africa

PAN-AFRICAN FILM & TV FESTIVAL OF OUAGADOUGOU (FESPACO) 21-28 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso ALGER FASHION 27 Feb - 01 Mar Algiers, Algeria GAUTENG HOMEMAKERS EXPO 27Feb-02 Mar Johannesburg, South Africa DESIGN INDABA EXPO 28 Feb-02 Mar Cape Town, South Africa

EVENTS | 33

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INFECTING THE CITY 11-15 Cape Town, South Africa OMNI-CHANNEL RETAILING CONFERENCE 12-13 Johannesburg, South Africa

MARCH

SIGN AFRICA 12-13 Cape Town, South Africa

SUCCESS SUMMIT SA 01-02 Johannesburg, South Africa

CAPE GETAWAY SHOW 14-16 Cape Town, South Africa

NEXT GENERATION PAYMENTS CONFERENCE 05-06 Cape Town, South Africa

DISTRIBUTECH AFRICA 17-19 Cape Town, South Africa

MUSIC EXCHANGE 06-09 Cape Town, South Africa

POWER-GEN AFRICA 17-19 Cape Town, South Africa CARDS & PAYMENTS AFRICA 18-19 Johannesburg, South Africa

NWJ BRIDAL & EVENT SHOW 07-09 Durban, South Africa

FOOD AND DRINK TECHNOLOGY AFRICA 18-19 Johannesburg, South Africa

LABEL SUMMIT AFRICA 10-11 Cape Town, South Africa

RETAIL WORLD AFRICA 18-19 Johannesburg, South Africa

Eastern Cape © SA Tourism, www.greatstock.co.za

HOBBY-X 06-09 Johannesburg, South Africa

34 | INDUSTRY MOVES

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Tourvest Travel Services Awarded Level 2 BBBEE Status Tourvest Travel Services (TTS), the corporate travel management division of integrated tourism group Tourvest, has been rated a level 2 contributor to broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE)

by National Empowerment Rating Agency (NERSA).

The high rating is attributable to TTS’s 72.87% black equity ownership (full marks) as well as its enterprise development and socio-economic development, both of which scored full marks. Skills development received a score of 18.11 out of a total of 20, preferential procurement 13.83 out of 15, employment equity 8.82 out of 14 and management control 7.56 out of 14.

The status means that TTS is more than compliant with the Tourism Charter Codes and clients of TTS can claim 125% of their procurement with the company in their own BBBEE credentials.

“We are very pleased by this objective measurement of the significant progress we’ve made on the empowerment front,” said TTS chief executive Morné du Preez. “However, we’re far from complacent about our BBBEE credentials. It remains a high priority to find more ways of enhancing our empowerment efforts and keeping us in the forefront of transformation in the industry,” he said.

TTS is one of the top two corporate travel management companies in South Africa, providing travel management services to more than half of South Africa’s top 100 companies. It holds the franchise rights to the American Express Travel Services brand in sub-Saharan Africa and also comprises the renowned Seekers Travel brand as well as the more regionally focused IndoJet and Maties Travel.

Bradley Kent Thring

New Guest Relations Coordinator Appointed for Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa

© M&J Kotsopoulos

Equatorial Guinea

Awarded 2013 Convener of the Year New York City-based South African Arts International, Ltd., an organization that promotes multimedia events in venues all over the world through contributions and funding from both private and public resources, has announced that the Republic of Equatorial Guinea has been selected for the 2013 Convener of the Year for a second consecutive year.

The award is given to a country that has “showed great skill, courage and humanity in bringing Heads of State, government officials, International Humanitarian Agencies, Non Governmental Agencies, International Sports Governing Bodies, Artists, Artisans, Intellectuals and the Diaspora together.”

“H.E. Obiang, President of Equatorial Guinea, continues to navigate his vision of the Horizon 2020 Development Plan for the betterment of its citizens as the country moves towards an emerging economy”, said Victor Mooney, executive director and founder of South African Arts International, Ltd. “Through this initiative [Horizon 2020 Development Plan], this country’s infrastructure enables the ability to convene small and large groups of people successfully. Bringing people together remains a critical component in today’s society. Equatorial Guinea is becoming a model for the future of development”, Victor added.

Bradley Kent Thring has joined the marketing team for Guvon hotels as Guest Relations for Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa. He was previously Operations and Events Coordinator at Shumisana Events Management and has also worked at Isilumko Recruitment & Staffing and Point Blank, giving him a good background in events and guests relations.

“At Guvon we pride ourselves in employing people that possess the right skills to take Guvon to higher levels. Bradley is a great fit to the team as he, possesses all the right skills and shows enthusiasm in his work. In this short period of employment Bradley has already been complimented by guests for his excellent guest relations skills,” says Christa Badenhorst, Group Marketing Manager.

Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa is known for being the essence of tranquillity and ultimate luxury. With stunning vistas of endless stretches of water and nestled at the foothills of the Zwartkops Mountains in the Cradle of Humankind.

“It is very exciting for me to be part of the dynamic Guvon team and I look forward to the year ahead” says Bradley.

EVENT GREENING | 35

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GREENING MEETINGS AFRICA 2014: Case Study

M

eetings Africa is the leading business events trade show on the African continent, and is hosted annually over two days at the Sandton Convention Centre. The 2014 show will be the fourth year that event greening practices have been implemented at the show.

In 2013, Meetings Africa attracted 299 hosted buyers, 166 media members, 1 278 visitors and 237 exhibitors. As a result of the large numbers of people travelling to this event, a significant volume of carbon emissions is generated. This cannot be avoided, and in fact the success of the show requires that this increases year on year.

“Therefore,” says Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Executive Manager of the South Africa National Convention Bureau, “our focus is on making the travel more efficient, for example by booking the most direct flights for the hosted buyers, and using the Gautrain and shuttles for inner city travel. At the same time we have also looked at all the other variables that we can control, for example to see how we can make our event more efficient in terms resource use, such as energy, water and food.”

The event’s catering has been identified as an area where more can be done to be green, in terms of procuring locally grown and seasonal goods. This in turn reduces the transport and refrigeration requirements for food delivery, while also supporting the local economy – which is an important aspect of greening.

Food waste will be avoided through donation of un-served food to Food Bank, a non-profit entity which will collect and redistribute excess food to charity organisations in a manner that is compliant with health and safety regulations.

Food that is not fit for human consumption, such as scraps from plates, will be temporarily stored in Bokashi bins in the kitchens, before being taken to community gardens to be made into compost. Bokashi is a powerful composting system - it speeds up the breakdown of food waste to get it compost-ready, and can handle bones, citrus,

garlic and other wastes that are not normally easy to break down. It is also effective in eliminating the smells around food waste, making it an ideal temporary storage solution for kitchens.

“The carbon footprint of food waste is about four times its weight, which is why it is important to compost it and avoid significant green house gas emissions. The Bokashi not only does this, but also converts the waste into another useful resource; compost. It really is an elegant solution,” says Amanda.

Only BWI wines and SASSI approved seafood will be served, while an effort is also being made to procure organic and Fair Trade items – where the cost is not prohibitive.

“We have to be practical in terms of what is achievable,” says Amanda. “And unfortunately some green products can be costly. The key thing is that we keep an open mind about them, in case they are workable within our budget.”

Another way in which the show has been greened is through improved waste management, such as deterring high volumes of waste output (for example, discouraging bottled water to avoid plastic bottle waste), reusing as many items as possible (for example, donating the carpet post-event to charities), and recycling what cannot be re-used. This should keep the landfill waste to a minimal and unavoidable amount.

Energy efficient technologies are being promoted, while Renewable Energy Certificate (RECs) will be purchased for the event.

“Communication is also a vital part of the greening process, so we are doing our best to spread our message and educate the people at our event as to why this is important, and how they can play a part in this sustainability drive,” adds Amanda.

An eco-audit will be conducted to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives, while also making recommendations for future events.

EVENT GREENING FORUM 2014 CONFERENCE The EGF will be hosting their 2014 Conference at Meetings Africa. This half-day event will be packed with information on Responsible Tourism, with a specific focus on business events.

An exciting new conference format will be used for the morning, allowing over ten speakers (representing both government and the private sector) to present on a diversity of aspects relating to this topic.

Date: Monday, 24 February 2014 Venue: SCC, Johannesburg Time: 08h30 – 13h00 For more details go to: www.eventgreening.co.za/events

36 | ASSOCIATIONS

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SA Tourism © www.greatstock.co.za

UFI CEO Forum to Take Place 10-12 February 2014 UFI’s 12th Global Barometer Confirms Growth in 2013 Results of the 12th Global Barometer survey confirm that the exhibition industry has grown in 2013. When reviewing the consolidated results over the last five years, the UFI identified a majority of companies in all regions declaring an increase in turnover since at least 2011. Around one company out of two has also declared an increase of over 10% in 2013.

63% of respondents still declared, however that the impact of the “economic crisis” on their business is not yet over.

Most do not expect it to end until 2015.

Most companies are planning new strategic developments in either the classic range of exhibition activities or in live or virtual events.

49% plan to expand exhibition operations to new countries.

UFI Managing Director Paul Woodward, said in a recent press release, “While we shall remain cautious about the development of the global economic situation, the exhibition media continues to demonstrate its strength with growth over the last 4 years. The industry remains remarkably dynamic with a majority of companies positively embracing the challenges of new ranges of activity or geographical development.”

The Global Barometer survey was conducted in December 2013 and was answered by 178 companies from 57 countries. Full results can be found on the UFI’s official website. The next UFI survey will take place in June 2014.

The UFI also released their first report on sustainability for 2014. These results can also be viewed or downloaded from their website.

The UFI’s annual CEO Forum will take place in Paris, France from 10-12 February. The theme of this year’s forum is “Leadership In Times Of Change”. The programme covers key issues in 2014 including creativity and innovation, recipes for success, and finding market gaps. It will also showcase the latest innovations from global players.

The forum will take place at the Hotel Du Collectionneur, just minutes from the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue des Champs Elysees. UFI’s Managing Director, Paul Woodward, will moderate the event, with a line-up of keynote speakers including Wolfgang Marzin, president of Messe Frankfurt, Denzil Rankine, Executive Chairman at AMR International, Trevor Foley, MD at tfconnect and Nicole Yershon, Director of Innovative Solutions at Ogilvy Group Advertising. For the full list of speakers or to register for the forum, visit the UFI official website.

EXSA Conference Heads to KZN The annual EXSA Conference will be taking place in Durban this year from 26-28 January. This year’s theme is “Future Proofing the Exhibition Industry” and will be hosted at the Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga. The programme includes a networking function at uShaka Marine World and a Welcome Gala Dinner.

Speakers include Aggrey Maposa, head of TNS Connect, Dr Graeme Codrington, an expert on multi-generational workplaces, David Nemeth of Trend Forward and Chris Bruwer, CEO of Comrades.

EXSA plans to attract a younger and more diverse mix of delegates at the 2014 conference, arranging “a massive discount” on fees for “young professionals” in the industry. All individuals under 35 qualify for the discount. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, as well as some exhibition space. The local conference committee is in negotiations with international speakers.

For more information or to register, visit the official EXSA website.

ASSOCIATIONS | 37

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ICCA Meets in China with Record Attendance The 52nd annual ICCA Congress saw over 900 senior representatives from 60 countries meet late last year. This is by far the largest attendance for an ICCA Congress venue outside of Europe and shows the growing importance of ChinaPR in the international meetings industry.

ICCA CEO Martin Sirk said in a press release, “In total, almost 120 members and guest speakers will be contributing towards this year’s programme, drawn from every region of the world.” Last year’s conference included visits to the Shanghai World Expo and the Research and Development facility at SKF, a world-class engineering company.

ICCA also honoured Connie Cheng with the Moises Shuster Award for her contribution towards the development of China’s international meetings industry. It was presented at the 50-year Anniversary Gala. The award is the association’s highest honour.

Gdansk Convention Bureau also won ICCA’s Best Marketing Award, which was announced at the closing session.

When EU funds dried up, they made an impact at Congress by creating a Christmas atmosphere at the Gdansk stand and engaging visitors to make their own personal Christmas bauble. All baubles were sent to a chosen children’s organization in Barcelona.

SAACI Strategic Launches Set for 30 January to 11 February SAACI begins 2014 with four regional strategic launches. These will take place in the Northern Territories, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape on 30 January, 4 February, 5 February and 11 February respectively. The launches mark the start of a new year and set the stage for the upcoming AIME in Melbourne, Australia, as well as Johannesburg’s annual Meetings Africa.

In an official statement for The Event, National Chairperson Zelda Coetzee said, “The Southern African Association for the Conference Industry’s (SAACI’s) national board, which was elected in July last year, has been hard at work, planning not only for 2014, but for a number of years into the future.

“Our new business plan, with clear, tangible goals, will be launched and rolled-out in January and February 2014 and members have a lot to look forward to. Among others, initiatives relate to membership benefits, industry intelligence, training, expansion into the southern African region and youth involvement.

“All will be revealed at members’ events in Gauteng on 30 January, the Western Cape on 4 February, KwaZuluNatal on 5 February and the Eastern Cape on 11 February. We thank those members who participated in our focus groups at the end of last year. Their input has been invaluable and will be reflected in the business plan.”

38 | PRODUCT SHOWCASE

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OPPORTUNITIES| 39

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THE 2014 UFI SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AWARD COMPETITION "Best measurement tool for effective results"

I

n order to promote the importance of measurement, UFI has decided that this year’s Sustainable Development Award will reward a tool that is successful in measuring the data required to report effective results on a sustainability issue.

The following 2 criteria must be covered by any entry in order to be considered as valid: • The entry must be related to a tool designed to collect data of relevance to a sustainability issue chosen by the applicant; • The data measured by the tool must highlight effective results.

Entry applications must describe each of these criteria. Evaluations will be based on both the tool and its results.

Entry Requirements Entries are welcome from UFI member and non-member exhibition venues, organizers and service providers.

The 2014 UFI Sustainable Development Award competition theme is “Best measurement tool for effective results”.

Please e-mail a short summary in English (no longer than five pages) briefly describing your entry to sdaward@ufi.org. The following elements should be addressed: Scope and background: Describe the sustainability issue related to the tool and briefly explain how this issue was identified. Indicate the action plan which was defined to tackle this issue.

Measurement tool: Describe the tool which was created and/ or applied. This description should include organizational or monitoring aspects when this represented a significant element in the action plan.

Results: Provide the detailed objectives and results of the tool’s application with, when available, trends over a defined period of time. Explain the quality assurance measures implemented to ensure that these results are reliable.

Indicate whether these results have been made public. While some confidential data may be accepted as part of the award application, only those applications permitting a minimum level of data for public communication will be considered.

Benefits For Winner & Finalists The finalists will: • Have a permanent hyperlink to their website from www.ufi.org; • Gain significant press coverage in major international tradeshow publications, including UFI Info.

• Be named at the next UFI Congress (in Sao Paulo, November 2014) and also at other UFI meetings.

In addition, the winner will: • Receive a complimentary participation for 2 persons to attend the 2015 UFI Focus Meeting of his choice (exact dates and locations to be announced); • Be invited to present at UFI meetings

Deadlines The deadline for receiving the entries is 11 March 2014.

The jury of the UFI Sustainable Development Committee is responsible for the selection of the winner of the award, which will be designated after a 3-step process: All entries will be assessed by a jury composed of UFI Sustainable Development Committee members who agree to be

part of the assessment process. No representative of a company entering the award may be part of the jury. This assessment will take place between midMarch and early April 2014.

This assessment will lead to a shortlist of finalists (number to be decided by the jury) who will be asked to prepare a detailed PowerPoint presentation providing an in-depth description of their entry and also possibly provide additional documents. This should be submitted to the jury by mid-May 2014. The jury will, if necessary, organize a question and answer session by phone conference, before selecting the winner in June 2014.

A general justification for the selection will be provided on request (with e.g. the average score result for all entries and for all finalists) but no detailed scores will be provided.

For additional questions, please contact: Mr. Christian Druart – Secretary of the UFI Sustainable Development Committee, sdaward@ufi.org.

40 | DIRECTORY LISTINGS

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