meetings africa 2014 daily news

www.theevent.co.zaPlease recycle me Published by

Join us on

SouthAfricaNationalConventionBureau

@SA_NCB

MeetingsAfrica14

www.meetingsafrica.com

2014/meetingsafrica

ADVANCING AFRICA TOGETHER AT MEETINGS AFRICAMeetings Africa Media Panel Discussion

Yes, Africa is taking huge strides forward in terms

of global competitiveness in business events.

But partnerships between the countries on the

continent are vital for continued growth.

As important are service excellence, infrastructure,

capability and accessibility. The African nations can, and

should learn from each other, support each other and lobby

for improved airlift and visa accessibility to the continent.

This was the takeout yesterday from the Meetings Africa

2014 Media Panel Discussion that was moderated by highly

regarded socio-economic and political journalist, Justice

Malala with panellists Thulani Nzima (Chief Executive

Officer at South African Tourism), Mike Schussler (well-

renowned economist), Mati Nyazema (Executive Director

at the Sandton Convention Bureau), Beatrice Makawiti

(Sessional Lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya

and former Executive Director of the Kenyatta International

Convention Centre) and Martin Sirk (Chief Executive Officer

at ICCA).

The ninth Meetings Africa was officially

opened yesterday in a ceremony that was

simple yet perfectly suited to the expo. With 262

exhibitors raring to get onto the floor, the CEO

of South African Tourism, Thulani Nzima, began

with a brief speech on business tourism, after

which Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa

officially opened the exhibition floor. Her short yet

rousing speech was focused around both tourism

and business events. Radiant in a light blue

outfit that match the iconic blue Meetings Africa

carpets, she welcomed all visitors to the expo and

wished them a successful two days ahead.

“Africa is gaining prominence as a business

events host,” she said in her opening address.

“Through Meetings Africa we want to showcase

how accessible...we are.” She placed emphasis on

the large African contingent that has attended the

expo this year – much more than in previous years.

Sub-Saharan Africa, said panellist Mike Schussler,

is the second-fastest growing economy on earth today,

with a young and economically active population and

with significantly improved levels of education that drive

economic growth.

However, Schussler said, while the ‘fundamentals’

were in Africa’s favour, the continent needed to open up

accessibility in terms of visas and airlift, making it easy for

Africans to do business with each other and with the rest of

the world, too.

Beatrice Makawiti agreed, adding that it was

essential for the African business events sector to

collude on a strategy for growth. “Our destinations are

different,” she said. “We grow and develop at different

levels. We need to acknowledge this, and put strategies

in place that ensure we invest in services accordingly.”

She added that continental accreditation would give

the market predictable service excellence benchmarks

across the African destinations that would do much to

attract business events to host countries across the

continent.

Martin Sirk of ICCA said the sector and the market

were experiencing unprecedented change. “The number

of international association events has doubled every

five years in the last few decades,” he said. “This offers

the African destinations astonishing opportunities.

African destinations must go after meetings that support

their national agendas to contribute to the knowledge

economies of their countries.”

He added that Africa must support itself, creating

regional chapter of associations, and hosting those

meetings on the continent. “There are great opportunities

for the African destinations in a business event sector

that’s literally changing and growing by the hour. The ICCA

rankings are important. But more important is flexibility,

innovation and collaboration across this continent.

Create new events for Africa. This industry gives you an

opportunity to create your own future.”

Mati Nyazema told delegates the success of a

destination, or of a business, depended on the ability to

anticipate the needs of clients, and to offer (and deliver) a

seamless and professional service. “We have a great team

of skilled, professional and capable people who deliver

at the Sandton Convention Centre. It’s this – along with

anticipation of client needs – that makes us successful,”

she said.

Thulani Nzima said the Meetings Africa 2014 theme

Advancing Africa Together was a reflection of this one truth:

African destinations will succeed together, or they will fail

together. “There are strong business imperatives for the

decision to host a pan-African Meetings Africa. We’re in this

business,” he said, “to lift the continent… together.

SHORT BUT SWEET OFFICIAL OPENING

South African Tourism

SA TravelTrade

02 / MEETINGS AFRICA 2014 ISSUE 3 www.meetingsafrica.co.za

TODAY’S TOP TIPSMeetings Africa 2014 has proved to be exciting and extra-busy, so make sure you keep yourself hydrated. You’ll find drinks and snacks around every corner.

Feeling peckish? Try one of the many fantastic restaurants in this fabulous city. You won’t be disappointed.

Tweet us @sa_ncb or use the hashtag @MeetingsAfrica14. We want to hear your thoughts!

Get Involved - There is plenty to see and do at Meeting’s Africa 2014, so explore! Around every corner is a different exhibit to see.

Scan here for Full Schedule

EVENTS Not to Miss!

08:00 - 10:00 Society for Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) – Annual General Meeting

09:00 – 16:00 Tourism Communicators Forum

09:00 - 16:00 Meetings Africa Exhibition Day 2

11:00 – 12:00 Award Ceremony

• Green Award

• Matchmaking Awards

• Partner Recognition

12:00 - 14:00 Hosted Buyers and Media Lunch Venue

www.meetingsafrica.co.za ISSUE 3 MEETINGS AFRICA 2014 / 03

TODAY’S TOP TIPSMeetings Africa 2014 has proved to be exciting and extra-busy, so make sure you keep yourself hydrated. You’ll find drinks and snacks around every corner.

Feeling peckish? Try one of the many fantastic restaurants in this fabulous city. You won’t be disappointed.

Tweet us @sa_ncb or use the hashtag @MeetingsAfrica14. We want to hear your thoughts!

Get Involved - There is plenty to see and do at Meeting’s Africa 2014, so explore! Around every corner is a different exhibit to see.

Scan here for Full Schedule

EVENTS Not to Miss!

08:00 - 10:00 Society for Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) – Annual General Meeting

09:00 – 16:00 Tourism Communicators Forum

09:00 - 16:00 Meetings Africa Exhibition Day 2

11:00 – 12:00 Award Ceremony

• Green Award

• Matchmaking Awards

• Partner Recognition

12:00 - 14:00 Hosted Buyers and Media Lunch Venue

HOW GREEN IS YOUR HOTEL?Meetings Africa is striving to implement greening principles and practices – from encouraging the use of the Gautrain and doing on-site recycling, through to selecting appropriate accommodation for the hosted buyers and visitors.

Heritage, while Park Inn indicated that they were

accredited with Green Leaf but did not provide any

additional information. It was encouraging to note

that three of the five hotels have an eco procurement

policy in place, giving preference to environmentally

friendly and locally sources products and service.

Most of the hotels indicated that they have

recycling programmes in place for major waste

streams such as glass, tins, plastic, paper and organic

waste. Most of the hotels implement a towel and

sheet re-use policy for guests and they said that this

is clearly indicated in their rooms. To save water they

also have low flow shower heads and water efficient

toilets with small cisterns and interruptible flush

systems.

DaVinci stood out above the rest because they

make use of renewable energy sources. They also

promote alternative transport. They have an eco

procurement policy in place, and they use eco friendly

paper that is FSC approved with recycled content.

Balalaika indicated that they have a rainwater

harvesting system in place that is used for watering

their gardens, while Maslow indicated that they use

waterwise plants in their gardens.

So, when you go back to your hotel, have a

look around and see what they are doing to help

implement environmental sustainability. The full

checklist that was sent out is available under the

resource section of the Event Greening Forum website

(www.eventgreening.co.za).

This year a questionnaire was sent out to the

main hotels to determine how green they

are and the feedback was very positive. The

main questions that were addressed were:

• Do you have an environmental policy

• Are you a member of a green rating system such

as FTTSA, Green Leaf or Heritage?

• Do you have a recycling programme in place

• Do you have low flow showers and aerators on

taps for guest rooms?

• Do you use energy efficient lights?

• Are you within safe walking distance of the

conference centre?

Da Vinci provided us with their environmental

policy and proof of their green rating system,

Based on 21 simple ‘yes/no’ questions the hotels

received the following scores:

• Da Vinci 90%

• Radison 80%

• Maslow 71%

• Park Inn 69%

• Balalaika 50%

The Library and Information Association of

South Africa (LIASA) was launched on 10 July 1997.

LIASA is a professional non-profit organisation,

uniting and representing all institutions and people

working in libraries and information services

in South Africa. It strives to unite, develop and

empower all people in the library and information

field into an organisation that provides dynamic

leadership in transforming, developing and

sustaining library and information services for all

people in South Africa.

LIASA together with the Cape Town & Western

Cape Convention Bureau bid to host the IFLA

World Library and Information Congress in 2015.

It was recently announced that the bid has been

awarded to Cape Town. The Congress will take

13 - 21 August 2015 and is expected to attract

3000 delegates over the 5 day period, making an

estimated economic impact of R42 000 000.

BID WIN FOR CAPE TOWN

NEW SMART MEETINGS & EVENTSConnection, Choice and Community from Park Inn by Radisson

of packages, plus, a uniquely delicious and nutritious

Smart Food menu.

Smart Food is created with love for delegates who are

used to great tastes. The self-service features a selection

of beautifully presented modern dishes - all a feast to the

eye and soul - reflecting locality, seasonality and healthy

options that our guests want.

Our lean cuisine is light but truly satisfying, with a low

fat, high protein content, featuring Omega 3 rich fish and

healthy fruit & vegetables, all smartly designed to ensure

optimum, ideas, energy and creativity. In every meeting,

from start to finish.

Park Inn by Radisson is also a truly Responsible

Business focused on making a difference in the

Communities we operate in. Through our Think Planet

energy saving strategy, all carbon emissions associated

with your meetings can now be offset through our Club

Carlson for Planners program.

“Our Smart Meetings & Events featuring Surf4Free

internet is designed to create value and success for our

guests every time they meet in our hotels,” says Eric De

Neef, ‎Senior Vice President of Marketing & CRM, Global

Branding Park Inn by Radisson. “We empower them to

focus completely on achieving their business meeting

ambitions, while we focus on delivering all the essential

hardware and software of a successful meeting or event.”

Smart Meetings & Events will be rolled out in Sub-

Saharan Africa during the next two quarters of 2014.

Park Inn by Radisson – opening soon in 2014

Brimming with life and a vibrant personality and

creating a friendly, down-to-earth sense of welcome, Park

Inn by Radisson can now be found all around the world –

in capital cities and economic hubs, close to city centers,

airports and railway stations. Our portfolio is growing

faster than ever with 160 hotels and 31,000 rooms in

operation or under development in 35 countries across

Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group anticipates

four new Park Inn by Radisson Hotels to open in Sub-

Saharan Africa in 2014 in Abeokuta, Cape Town, Kigali and

Libreville.

For more, visit www.parkinn.com.

An innovative and youthful hotel brand, Park

Inn by Radisson, is designed to meet all

modern expectations of an international hotel

experience. A smart investment. A smart

consumer choice. A smart alternative in full-service, mid-

scale arena. A global name that you can rely on wherever

you go.

Park Inn by Radisson brings you a brilliant new Smart

Meeting & Events hospitality concept, offering consistent

Connection, Choice and Community to modern business

get togethers. Smart Meetings & Events are designed to

deliver the right type of smart food, drinks, event spaces

and technology to support our guests’ life and work styles.

The Smart Meetings & Events concept focuses on

Connectivity, providing guests with Surf4Free Internet

access throughout all our hotels, on smartphone, PC or

tablet. Anytime. Anywhere.

Fresh, colorful and engaging, Park Inn by Radisson

is passionate about Choice, offering a great selection of

beautiful destinations, flexible spaces, a valuable selection

HOW GREEN IS YOUR HOTEL?Meetings Africa is striving to implement greening principles and practices – from encouraging the use of the Gautrain and doing on-site recycling, through to selecting appropriate accommodation for the hosted buyers and visitors.

Heritage, while Park Inn indicated that they were

accredited with Green Leaf but did not provide any

additional information. It was encouraging to note

that three of the five hotels have an eco procurement

policy in place, giving preference to environmentally

friendly and locally sources products and service.

Most of the hotels indicated that they have

recycling programmes in place for major waste

streams such as glass, tins, plastic, paper and organic

waste. Most of the hotels implement a towel and

sheet re-use policy for guests and they said that this

is clearly indicated in their rooms. To save water they

also have low flow shower heads and water efficient

toilets with small cisterns and interruptible flush

systems.

DaVinci stood out above the rest because they

make use of renewable energy sources. They also

promote alternative transport. They have an eco

procurement policy in place, and they use eco friendly

paper that is FSC approved with recycled content.

Balalaika indicated that they have a rainwater

harvesting system in place that is used for watering

their gardens, while Maslow indicated that they use

waterwise plants in their gardens.

So, when you go back to your hotel, have a

look around and see what they are doing to help

implement environmental sustainability. The full

checklist that was sent out is available under the

resource section of the Event Greening Forum website

(www.eventgreening.co.za).

This year a questionnaire was sent out to the

main hotels to determine how green they

are and the feedback was very positive. The

main questions that were addressed were:

• Do you have an environmental policy

• Are you a member of a green rating system such

as FTTSA, Green Leaf or Heritage?

• Do you have a recycling programme in place

• Do you have low flow showers and aerators on

taps for guest rooms?

• Do you use energy efficient lights?

• Are you within safe walking distance of the

conference centre?

Da Vinci provided us with their environmental

policy and proof of their green rating system,

Based on 21 simple ‘yes/no’ questions the hotels

received the following scores:

• Da Vinci 90%

• Radison 80%

• Maslow 71%

• Park Inn 69%

• Balalaika 50%

The Library and Information Association of

South Africa (LIASA) was launched on 10 July 1997.

LIASA is a professional non-profit organisation,

uniting and representing all institutions and people

working in libraries and information services

in South Africa. It strives to unite, develop and

empower all people in the library and information

field into an organisation that provides dynamic

leadership in transforming, developing and

sustaining library and information services for all

people in South Africa.

LIASA together with the Cape Town & Western

Cape Convention Bureau bid to host the IFLA

World Library and Information Congress in 2015.

It was recently announced that the bid has been

awarded to Cape Town. The Congress will take

13 - 21 August 2015 and is expected to attract

3000 delegates over the 5 day period, making an

estimated economic impact of R42 000 000.

BID WIN FOR CAPE TOWN

NEW SMART MEETINGS & EVENTSConnection, Choice and Community from Park Inn by Radisson

of packages, plus, a uniquely delicious and nutritious

Smart Food menu.

Smart Food is created with love for delegates who are

used to great tastes. The self-service features a selection

of beautifully presented modern dishes - all a feast to the

eye and soul - reflecting locality, seasonality and healthy

options that our guests want.

Our lean cuisine is light but truly satisfying, with a low

fat, high protein content, featuring Omega 3 rich fish and

healthy fruit & vegetables, all smartly designed to ensure

optimum, ideas, energy and creativity. In every meeting,

from start to finish.

Park Inn by Radisson is also a truly Responsible

Business focused on making a difference in the

Communities we operate in. Through our Think Planet

energy saving strategy, all carbon emissions associated

with your meetings can now be offset through our Club

Carlson for Planners program.

“Our Smart Meetings & Events featuring Surf4Free

internet is designed to create value and success for our

guests every time they meet in our hotels,” says Eric De

Neef, ‎Senior Vice President of Marketing & CRM, Global

Branding Park Inn by Radisson. “We empower them to

focus completely on achieving their business meeting

ambitions, while we focus on delivering all the essential

hardware and software of a successful meeting or event.”

Smart Meetings & Events will be rolled out in Sub-

Saharan Africa during the next two quarters of 2014.

Park Inn by Radisson – opening soon in 2014

Brimming with life and a vibrant personality and

creating a friendly, down-to-earth sense of welcome, Park

Inn by Radisson can now be found all around the world –

in capital cities and economic hubs, close to city centers,

airports and railway stations. Our portfolio is growing

faster than ever with 160 hotels and 31,000 rooms in

operation or under development in 35 countries across

Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group anticipates

four new Park Inn by Radisson Hotels to open in Sub-

Saharan Africa in 2014 in Abeokuta, Cape Town, Kigali and

Libreville.

For more, visit www.parkinn.com.

An innovative and youthful hotel brand, Park

Inn by Radisson, is designed to meet all

modern expectations of an international hotel

experience. A smart investment. A smart

consumer choice. A smart alternative in full-service, mid-

scale arena. A global name that you can rely on wherever

you go.

Park Inn by Radisson brings you a brilliant new Smart

Meeting & Events hospitality concept, offering consistent

Connection, Choice and Community to modern business

get togethers. Smart Meetings & Events are designed to

deliver the right type of smart food, drinks, event spaces

and technology to support our guests’ life and work styles.

The Smart Meetings & Events concept focuses on

Connectivity, providing guests with Surf4Free Internet

access throughout all our hotels, on smartphone, PC or

tablet. Anytime. Anywhere.

Fresh, colorful and engaging, Park Inn by Radisson

is passionate about Choice, offering a great selection of

beautiful destinations, flexible spaces, a valuable selection

After twenty-one years, Complete Exhibitions

has come of age and, after an extensive review, has

rebranded itself as Compex®. Dean Gunningham,

Director of Operations says, “This became a

necessity because we are so much more than just

a provider of shell scheme. Following an extensive

investment over the last five years in stock, staff

and training, the company is now well positioned

to provide our clients and the industry with a turn-

key solution.” An event is all about the experience,

an engagement with all of our senses. The ability

to devise inspired and reliable solutions is what

makes experience the key differentiator between

service providers.

Compex announces Appointment of Lorin Bowen

It is with great pleasure that the appointment

of Lorin Bowen into the position of Manager:

Marketing and PR at Compex® can be announced.

Lorin will join Compex® as soon as her

responsibilities at SAACI have been concluded.

Lorin is well known throughout the Conference

and Event sector having recently been the GM for

SAACI, and previously held the position as the

marketing manager for the Indaba Hotel.

Come and visit us at Stand L31

COMPEX

Industry NewsCITY OF TSHWANE

GALA DINNER

Igniting Excellence

A Truely African Experience

government departments. The city is thus the heart of

policy development, which has changed and will continue

to change the face of South Africa. The Union Buildings, the

seat of government and site of presidential inaugurations,

is Tshwane’s most iconic landmark. There can be no doubt

of its powerful status when one sees the majesty of the

sandstone building as it watches over the city.

Tshwane, as the hub for science and technology,

knowledge and industry, receives a high number of national

and international delegations and the city hosts various

conferences and conventions related to these sectors every

year. The city boasts a number of conference facilities

of international standing, such as the CSIR International

Convention Centre, situated on the CSIR campus, and

the one-stop sports development facility at the High

Performance Centre of the University of Pretoria.

Tshwane is host to many inbound foreign business

missions, sport and medical related conferences, seminars

and workshops and government-related strategy meetings.

In support of its trade and investment drive, the City of

Tshwane continuously engages with international and local

investors and also hosts a biannual Tshwane International

Trade and Infrastructure Investment Conference. Tshwane’s

ideal weather conditions and relaxed cosmopolitan

composition make it the city the ideal host.

the world. Each of South Africa’s cultures is represented

here. The original residents of the Tshwane valley were

the Ndebele, an offshoot of the southern Nguni people.

Today the most common language spoken is Sepedi,

from the Sotho group originating from the northern areas

of Southern Africa. This is followed by Afrikaans, whose

large community in Tshwane dates back to the late 1800s

when Pretoria was the capital of a Boer republic. Other

dominant local languages are Setswana, Xitsonga, isiZulu

and English.

There is also a strong influence of cultures brought

to the area generations back by immigrants from the

Orient and Western Europe who still speak their ancestral

tongue and have established mini communities in the

city. Alongside the rainbow people live newer arrivals from

numerous African and other countries.

As the administrative capital, Tshwane is the

proud host of the country’s national government and

houses the ministry and head office of all the national

City of Tshwane, seat of government, meeting

place of the world and capital of the Rainbow

Nation. In Tshwane you will experience an African

city of excellence - one which blends the depth

of local culture and character with world-class technology

and infrastructure - all on the backdrop of natural splendour

and architectural diversity. Sport, arts and culture, research

and development, industry, learning and the business of

running the nation are all captured in the daily lives of the

city’s 2.5 million residents who make this city what it is. It

is a city with a welcome as warm as its climate and for very

good reasons named the best host city for the 2010 FIFA

World Cup™.

The City of Tshwane covers 6 368km² of Gauteng’s

19 055km² and stretches almost 121 km from east to west

and 108 km from north to south making it the third-largest

city in the world in terms of land area, after New York and

Tokyo/Yokohama. The City has about 2,5 million residents.

Tshwane is indeed a cultural microcosm of Africa and

It has becomes a real African show, rather than a South African show

““

A CHAT WITH NONNIE KUBEKAOn the economic impact of Meetings Africa

are employed to build temporary structures, the

hotels where you fi nd more staff being employed for

breakfast and for bed making, we’re seeing a lot of

indirect employment during this time.” She says that

the number of business tourists also rises during this

time as people start arriving as early as the Saturday

before Meetings Africa for pre- and post-tours. From

Soweto to nearby game reserves, the conference itself

indirectly generates high tourism revenues.

If you look at transportation, she says, visitors

need to be accessible and as such people use more

taxis in order to have their meetings in places other

than the convention centre. Small restaurants, dinner

places, coffee shops and of course shopping malls

also see more customers – especially those within a

kilometre of the centre. “The economic spin-off that

we see is more at employment levels; at shopping

levels, and if you look at Nelson Mandela Square in

Sandton, you can actually see people running there in

the afternoons!”

Ms Kubeka says that this year’s Meetings Africa

has drawn a much larger contingent of exhibitors,

buyers and visitors from the wider African continent.

“This year there were many more African countries

so the African contingent has grown,” she says. “It

has becomes a real African show, rather than a South

African show, and we’ve seen many more African

associations and hosted buyers so the rotational basis

of the meetings business will be much higher.”

She believes that this will be a win-win situation

for Meetings Africa in that there will be more interest

in business events not just in the country but across

the continent – and this single event is what has

facilitated this growth. “This is what we want to grow

so that we can keep the African economy running

in both ways. The other part that is much more

interesting is that the government buyers – the

government and the corporate buyers – have grown in

numbers. And it’s decision-making people that we’ve

seen here more than just representatives.”

When asked whether Meetings Africa might be

held in other cities on the continent, Ms Kubeka

says no. “We don’t see it as having a franchise in

other African countries, but we might see training

sessions, mentoring sessions and sales missions or

client supplier workshops for Meetings Africa in other

African countries. But we’d like to see it grow to the

next exhibition hall like that – having more African

nations joining so that we can become a stronger

African chapter in the meetings industry.”

Nonnie Kubeka, head of the Gauteng

Convention Bureau, had a quick chat with

the Daily News, sharing why Meetings

Africa is important and how it impacts

Johannesburg and the province’s economy. “Gauteng

is open for business,” she says, and one can already

see the enormous difference between last year and

this year’s Meetings Africa event, with economic

effects felt throughout the city.

“When you think about the exhibition stands that

are built,” Ms Kubeka says, “of how many people

Nonnie Kubeka

After twenty-one years, Complete Exhibitions

has come of age and, after an extensive review, has

rebranded itself as Compex®. Dean Gunningham,

Director of Operations says, “This became a

necessity because we are so much more than just

a provider of shell scheme. Following an extensive

investment over the last five years in stock, staff

and training, the company is now well positioned

to provide our clients and the industry with a turn-

key solution.” An event is all about the experience,

an engagement with all of our senses. The ability

to devise inspired and reliable solutions is what

makes experience the key differentiator between

service providers.

Compex announces Appointment of Lorin Bowen

It is with great pleasure that the appointment

of Lorin Bowen into the position of Manager:

Marketing and PR at Compex® can be announced.

Lorin will join Compex® as soon as her

responsibilities at SAACI have been concluded.

Lorin is well known throughout the Conference

and Event sector having recently been the GM for

SAACI, and previously held the position as the

marketing manager for the Indaba Hotel.

Come and visit us at Stand L31

COMPEX

Industry NewsCITY OF TSHWANE

GALA DINNER

Igniting Excellence

A Truely African Experience

government departments. The city is thus the heart of

policy development, which has changed and will continue

to change the face of South Africa. The Union Buildings, the

seat of government and site of presidential inaugurations,

is Tshwane’s most iconic landmark. There can be no doubt

of its powerful status when one sees the majesty of the

sandstone building as it watches over the city.

Tshwane, as the hub for science and technology,

knowledge and industry, receives a high number of national

and international delegations and the city hosts various

conferences and conventions related to these sectors every

year. The city boasts a number of conference facilities

of international standing, such as the CSIR International

Convention Centre, situated on the CSIR campus, and

the one-stop sports development facility at the High

Performance Centre of the University of Pretoria.

Tshwane is host to many inbound foreign business

missions, sport and medical related conferences, seminars

and workshops and government-related strategy meetings.

In support of its trade and investment drive, the City of

Tshwane continuously engages with international and local

investors and also hosts a biannual Tshwane International

Trade and Infrastructure Investment Conference. Tshwane’s

ideal weather conditions and relaxed cosmopolitan

composition make it the city the ideal host.

the world. Each of South Africa’s cultures is represented

here. The original residents of the Tshwane valley were

the Ndebele, an offshoot of the southern Nguni people.

Today the most common language spoken is Sepedi,

from the Sotho group originating from the northern areas

of Southern Africa. This is followed by Afrikaans, whose

large community in Tshwane dates back to the late 1800s

when Pretoria was the capital of a Boer republic. Other

dominant local languages are Setswana, Xitsonga, isiZulu

and English.

There is also a strong influence of cultures brought

to the area generations back by immigrants from the

Orient and Western Europe who still speak their ancestral

tongue and have established mini communities in the

city. Alongside the rainbow people live newer arrivals from

numerous African and other countries.

As the administrative capital, Tshwane is the

proud host of the country’s national government and

houses the ministry and head office of all the national

City of Tshwane, seat of government, meeting

place of the world and capital of the Rainbow

Nation. In Tshwane you will experience an African

city of excellence - one which blends the depth

of local culture and character with world-class technology

and infrastructure - all on the backdrop of natural splendour

and architectural diversity. Sport, arts and culture, research

and development, industry, learning and the business of

running the nation are all captured in the daily lives of the

city’s 2.5 million residents who make this city what it is. It

is a city with a welcome as warm as its climate and for very

good reasons named the best host city for the 2010 FIFA

World Cup™.

The City of Tshwane covers 6 368km² of Gauteng’s

19 055km² and stretches almost 121 km from east to west

and 108 km from north to south making it the third-largest

city in the world in terms of land area, after New York and

Tokyo/Yokohama. The City has about 2,5 million residents.

Tshwane is indeed a cultural microcosm of Africa and

It has becomes a real African show, rather than a South African show

““

A CHAT WITH NONNIE KUBEKAOn the economic impact of Meetings Africa

are employed to build temporary structures, the

hotels where you fi nd more staff being employed for

breakfast and for bed making, we’re seeing a lot of

indirect employment during this time.” She says that

the number of business tourists also rises during this

time as people start arriving as early as the Saturday

before Meetings Africa for pre- and post-tours. From

Soweto to nearby game reserves, the conference itself

indirectly generates high tourism revenues.

If you look at transportation, she says, visitors

need to be accessible and as such people use more

taxis in order to have their meetings in places other

than the convention centre. Small restaurants, dinner

places, coffee shops and of course shopping malls

also see more customers – especially those within a

kilometre of the centre. “The economic spin-off that

we see is more at employment levels; at shopping

levels, and if you look at Nelson Mandela Square in

Sandton, you can actually see people running there in

the afternoons!”

Ms Kubeka says that this year’s Meetings Africa

has drawn a much larger contingent of exhibitors,

buyers and visitors from the wider African continent.

“This year there were many more African countries

so the African contingent has grown,” she says. “It

has becomes a real African show, rather than a South

African show, and we’ve seen many more African

associations and hosted buyers so the rotational basis

of the meetings business will be much higher.”

She believes that this will be a win-win situation

for Meetings Africa in that there will be more interest

in business events not just in the country but across

the continent – and this single event is what has

facilitated this growth. “This is what we want to grow

so that we can keep the African economy running

in both ways. The other part that is much more

interesting is that the government buyers – the

government and the corporate buyers – have grown in

numbers. And it’s decision-making people that we’ve

seen here more than just representatives.”

When asked whether Meetings Africa might be

held in other cities on the continent, Ms Kubeka

says no. “We don’t see it as having a franchise in

other African countries, but we might see training

sessions, mentoring sessions and sales missions or

client supplier workshops for Meetings Africa in other

African countries. But we’d like to see it grow to the

next exhibition hall like that – having more African

nations joining so that we can become a stronger

African chapter in the meetings industry.”

Nonnie Kubeka, head of the Gauteng

Convention Bureau, had a quick chat with

the Daily News, sharing why Meetings

Africa is important and how it impacts

Johannesburg and the province’s economy. “Gauteng

is open for business,” she says, and one can already

see the enormous difference between last year and

this year’s Meetings Africa event, with economic

effects felt throughout the city.

“When you think about the exhibition stands that

are built,” Ms Kubeka says, “of how many people

Nonnie Kubeka

ON THE SHOW FLOOR…

It’s been an excellent event! The daily Meetings Africa newspapers have been awesome and it’s nice to get some up-to-date information at the hotel before you turn up at the event. The quality of the people at the event has been fantastic and it’s nice to see Africa bubbling away. There’s clearly been a lot of growth in the area!Steve Garrett – Ungerboeck Software International

We think the show is great, with a vibrant energy and excellent quality of hosted buyers. The networking opportunities are fantastic. Seipati Tlaka and team – Limpopo Tourism Agency

We have met a lot of interesting people, and have made loads of networking contacts. There is room for improvement, such as the smaller stands at the front. But the show is growing rapidly!Clifford Morake and Lee-Ann Hodgson – Gooderson Leisure

We’ve had fantastic meetings and all of the hosted buyers showed up for their meetings! Our expectation is to sign up at least 10 large international conferences to take place at our hotel in the next two years. All in all, a fantastic experience.Cheryl Schmidt – Lagoon Beach

We represent seven properties, and the show has been great for us. I’ve managed to see 10 clients and I’ve only been here for two hours!Francois Joubert – Guvon Hotels and Spas

The diary appointment system is working perfectly and the quality of the visitors has been really good.Wayne Johnson – Fancourt

It’s been a great show for us. Our expectation was to be exposed to a big international market as well as the local market, and so far we have seen both. All the international visitors have stuck to their schedules, which is good. We’re hoping to continue with the good leads.Raymond Goncalves – The Hyde Hotel

Steve Garrett Seipati Tlaka and team

Clifford Morake and Lee-Ann Hodgson

Cheryl Schmidt

Francois Joubert

Wayne Johnson

Raymond Goncalves

The meetings have gone well, the groups I talked to are out of Cape Town. I spoke to the Westin Group and I also talked to the Cape Town Convention Bureau. I’m on the board of the BK Style Foundation and we produce fashion week once a year in Brooklyn and we have an exchange programme so we look for capacity build and opportunities in other countries and South Africa’s our next stop. [Meetings Africa sent] a wonderful invitation and even with certain expectations, what you see here it’s still amazing. Meetings Africa is wonderfully planned, the opening ceremony last night was very nice, very fitting and I have great hopes. Michael Johnston, New York, USA

My meetings have been good so far – I’ve only had three – so I’ve got a long day ahead of me. I’m here to find out a bit more about Africa and in Australia, if people have been to maybe one part of South Africa, they often think “Oh, we’ve been to Africa so we’ll go somewhere else” so for me it’s more about finding out about all the different places because obviously it’s a very big place and every country has so much to offer. Kristy Macrae, Sydney, Australia

So far so good. I met with someone from Zimbabwe Tourism Board and they offered to fly me out and show me around so I’m really happy about that! It’s so much better to see a place before you decide to have a conference there. I also met someone from Namibia so I’m quite excited about maybe having a conference somewhere in Southern Africa. We normally have conferences in South Africa every year but I’d like to branch out. I like that Meetings Africa is quite laid back and an overall good experience – a good opportunity to meet new people.Amanda Wills, United Kingdom

I’ve only had a couple of meetings and they’ve been good so far. I like that Meetings Africa is a little bit more intimate, it’s easier to get around. I feel that there’s more time to get personal with people and more opportunities to meet people in one area because at IMEX you’ll meet somebody from Asia, somebody from Korea, somebody from Costa Rica but this is all Africa so it’s more specific, which I like.Mark Walker, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Michael Johnston

Kristy Macrae Amanda Wills Mark Walker

The first day of Meetings Africa 2014 was in full swing from the minute it opened. Here’s what exhibitors and hosted buyers had to say. WHAT YOU’RE THINKING

We ask you what the most important topics, meetings and networks are that you’ve been involved in at Meetings Africa 2014

It’s been great so far. We’re just here as a visitor, but it’s been great to see all the new exhibitors. We have hotels based in East Africa and Maputo so it’s nice to our competition and what they are offering! And of course, this is a fantastic event to network.Aayesha Ouamar – Serena Hotels

Aayesha Ouamar

This is my first time exhibiting at Meetings Africa and the level and quality of buyers is way up there! I have had people approaching me from overseas and all over Africa. This is exactly our target market, and I can’t wait to grab as much business as I can.Alosha Lynov – 3D Deco

Alosha Lynov

This is our fourth participation at Meetings Africa. We are a sustainable bag supplier, and we make bags in Cape Town townships. It’s great to connect on the different levels, such as PCOs and destination management companies. I like the environment here, and there are a lot of spaces where you can have meetings. I am trying to make as many contacts as possible and I’m looking forward to connecting.Carlos Yerena – Township Patterns

Carlos Yerena

follow us#MeetingsAfrica14@MeetingsAfrica

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE TWITTERSPHEREMeetings Africa @SA_NCB

“@SA_NCB’s goal is clear - to grow business

events hosted in South Africa by 50% by 2020.” -

Tokozile Xasa #MeetingsAfrica14

Meruschka @MzansiGirl

Funky African decor at the meetings area @

sa_ncb stand #MeetingsAfrica14

Bruce Davidson @bruceybld

Thulani Nzima asks South Africans to help market

#SouthAfrica positively at #MeetingsAfrica14

media face-off @SA_NCB

Meetings Africa @SA_NCB

#Didyouknow: All plants used at

#MeetingsAfrica14 are indigenous and have been

locally sourced.

John Arvanitakis @johnarv

“At #MeetingsAfrica14, you get to meet everyone

in the industry without having to travel around.

City of Joburg ‏@CityofJoburgZA

“Africa is growing twice the rate of SA today...

we need to market Africa as a destination”.

#MeetingsAfrica14

The world’s travel buyers are increasingly

demanding one seamless, accessible experience

of Africa. - Tokozile Xasa #MeetingsAfrica14

kimberleigh @kimcrowbar

Awkward laughs in Media Face Off room when

South African Tourism CEO asks journos

to be more positive in reporting on SA

#MeetingsAfrica14

ON THE SHOW FLOOR…

It’s been an excellent event! The daily Meetings Africa newspapers have been awesome and it’s nice to get some up-to-date information at the hotel before you turn up at the event. The quality of the people at the event has been fantastic and it’s nice to see Africa bubbling away. There’s clearly been a lot of growth in the area!Steve Garrett – Ungerboeck Software International

We think the show is great, with a vibrant energy and excellent quality of hosted buyers. The networking opportunities are fantastic. Seipati Tlaka and team – Limpopo Tourism Agency

We have met a lot of interesting people, and have made loads of networking contacts. There is room for improvement, such as the smaller stands at the front. But the show is growing rapidly!Clifford Morake and Lee-Ann Hodgson – Gooderson Leisure

We’ve had fantastic meetings and all of the hosted buyers showed up for their meetings! Our expectation is to sign up at least 10 large international conferences to take place at our hotel in the next two years. All in all, a fantastic experience.Cheryl Schmidt – Lagoon Beach

We represent seven properties, and the show has been great for us. I’ve managed to see 10 clients and I’ve only been here for two hours!Francois Joubert – Guvon Hotels and Spas

The diary appointment system is working perfectly and the quality of the visitors has been really good.Wayne Johnson – Fancourt

It’s been a great show for us. Our expectation was to be exposed to a big international market as well as the local market, and so far we have seen both. All the international visitors have stuck to their schedules, which is good. We’re hoping to continue with the good leads.Raymond Goncalves – The Hyde Hotel

Steve Garrett Seipati Tlaka and team

Clifford Morake and Lee-Ann Hodgson

Cheryl Schmidt

Francois Joubert

Wayne Johnson

Raymond Goncalves

The meetings have gone well, the groups I talked to are out of Cape Town. I spoke to the Westin Group and I also talked to the Cape Town Convention Bureau. I’m on the board of the BK Style Foundation and we produce fashion week once a year in Brooklyn and we have an exchange programme so we look for capacity build and opportunities in other countries and South Africa’s our next stop. [Meetings Africa sent] a wonderful invitation and even with certain expectations, what you see here it’s still amazing. Meetings Africa is wonderfully planned, the opening ceremony last night was very nice, very fitting and I have great hopes. Michael Johnston, New York, USA

My meetings have been good so far – I’ve only had three – so I’ve got a long day ahead of me. I’m here to find out a bit more about Africa and in Australia, if people have been to maybe one part of South Africa, they often think “Oh, we’ve been to Africa so we’ll go somewhere else” so for me it’s more about finding out about all the different places because obviously it’s a very big place and every country has so much to offer. Kristy Macrae, Sydney, Australia

So far so good. I met with someone from Zimbabwe Tourism Board and they offered to fly me out and show me around so I’m really happy about that! It’s so much better to see a place before you decide to have a conference there. I also met someone from Namibia so I’m quite excited about maybe having a conference somewhere in Southern Africa. We normally have conferences in South Africa every year but I’d like to branch out. I like that Meetings Africa is quite laid back and an overall good experience – a good opportunity to meet new people.Amanda Wills, United Kingdom

I’ve only had a couple of meetings and they’ve been good so far. I like that Meetings Africa is a little bit more intimate, it’s easier to get around. I feel that there’s more time to get personal with people and more opportunities to meet people in one area because at IMEX you’ll meet somebody from Asia, somebody from Korea, somebody from Costa Rica but this is all Africa so it’s more specific, which I like.Mark Walker, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Michael Johnston

Kristy Macrae Amanda Wills Mark Walker

The first day of Meetings Africa 2014 was in full swing from the minute it opened. Here’s what exhibitors and hosted buyers had to say. WHAT YOU’RE THINKING

We ask you what the most important topics, meetings and networks are that you’ve been involved in at Meetings Africa 2014

It’s been great so far. We’re just here as a visitor, but it’s been great to see all the new exhibitors. We have hotels based in East Africa and Maputo so it’s nice to our competition and what they are offering! And of course, this is a fantastic event to network.Aayesha Ouamar – Serena Hotels

Aayesha Ouamar

This is my first time exhibiting at Meetings Africa and the level and quality of buyers is way up there! I have had people approaching me from overseas and all over Africa. This is exactly our target market, and I can’t wait to grab as much business as I can.Alosha Lynov – 3D Deco

Alosha Lynov

This is our fourth participation at Meetings Africa. We are a sustainable bag supplier, and we make bags in Cape Town townships. It’s great to connect on the different levels, such as PCOs and destination management companies. I like the environment here, and there are a lot of spaces where you can have meetings. I am trying to make as many contacts as possible and I’m looking forward to connecting.Carlos Yerena – Township Patterns

Carlos Yerena

follow us#MeetingsAfrica14@MeetingsAfrica

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE TWITTERSPHEREMeetings Africa @SA_NCB

“@SA_NCB’s goal is clear - to grow business

events hosted in South Africa by 50% by 2020.” -

Tokozile Xasa #MeetingsAfrica14

Meruschka @MzansiGirl

Funky African decor at the meetings area @

sa_ncb stand #MeetingsAfrica14

Bruce Davidson @bruceybld

Thulani Nzima asks South Africans to help market

#SouthAfrica positively at #MeetingsAfrica14

media face-off @SA_NCB

#Didyouknow: All plants used at

#MeetingsAfrica14 are indigenous and have been

locally sourced.

John Arvanitakis @johnarv

“At #MeetingsAfrica14, you get to meet everyone

in the industry without having to travel around.

City of Joburg ‏@CityofJoburgZA

“Africa is growing twice the rate of SA today...

we need to market Africa as a destination”.

#MeetingsAfrica14

The world’s travel buyers are increasingly

demanding one seamless, accessible experience

of Africa. - Tokozile Xasa #MeetingsAfrica14

kimberleigh @kimcrowbar

Awkward laughs in Media Face Off room when

South African Tourism CEO asks journos

to be more positive in reporting on SA

#MeetingsAfrica14

SEEN ATMeetings Africa 2014

The goal is to reach a point where only CEP Africa accredited training courses are opted for and ultimately a requirement for all tenders.

THE EVENT PLANNER’S GUIDE TO AFRICA IS THE

WIDELY ACCLAIMED PREMIER MARKETING TOOL FOR

AFRICA’S BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY.

VISIT US AT STAND A6

CONTACT SHAUN ROSS Tel: 021 674 0646 | email: [email protected]

BOLD MOVE TO PROFESSIONALISE THE BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRYRepresentative business events industry associations have joined forces to professionalise the industry.

CEP Africa, which is currently being registered as a Non

Profi t Company, will create recognised certifi cation for

the business events industry and work closely with the

South African Qualifi cations Authority (SAQA).

Four certifi cation levels will apply to individuals

who apply, namely Event Coordinator, Event Manager,

Event Director and the Convention Industry Council’s

Certifi ed Meetings Professional.

EXSA will determine which international

qualifi cation applies best to the exhibition industry for

certifi cation by CEP Africa.

According to van Eck other associations are

welcome to join CEP Africa, either as fellow founding

members with a fi nancial stake in the body or as non-

executive directors. “We encourage them to join us in

this bold initiative. It is about making Africa a good

event destination.”

He says CEP Africa will not certify companies, but

courses and individuals. “This will include Recognition

of Prior Learning (RPL) and in this regard we will engage

with experts including the Event Management Body of

Knowledge Project (EMBOK) and the Canadian Tourism

Human Resources Council. RPL requires a portfolio of

evidence which includes years of experience, published

industry articles and serving on industry bodies.

“SAQA’s Directorate for Foreign Qualifi cations,

Evaluations and Advisory Services will assess

recommended foreign qualifi cations against South

African standards.”

Van Eck says CEP Africa has no intention of being

exclusive. Instead it is an honest attempt to lift

standards of training where necessary. “The goal is

to reach a point where only CEP Africa accredited

training courses are opted for and ultimately a

requirement for all tenders.

“CEP Africa will enable the industry to approach

government with one voice and to ensure industry

ownership of its own affairs. We will engage with

the industry to determine what is lacking in terms of

education and training. Based on this, we will accredit

training courses related to all industry sectors, including

specialist functions like safety and security.”

CEP Africa will appoint voluntary advisory panels, which

will advise on certifi cation and Continued Professional

Development (CPD) points earned by individuals.

A CEP Africa administrator will be appointed soon,

certifi cation fees determined and the body is expected

to be operational by the end of the year.

The formation of the Council of Event

Professionals (CEP) Africa was announced

at Meetings Africa today – with

founding members the Exhibition and

Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), the

International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA)

Africa and the Southern African Association for the

Conference Industry (SAACI).

SAACI National Board Member Glenn van Eck says

SEEN ATMeetings Africa 2014

The goal is to reach a point where only CEP Africa accredited training courses are opted for and ultimately a requirement for all tenders.

THE EVENT PLANNER’S GUIDE TO AFRICA IS THE

WIDELY ACCLAIMED PREMIER MARKETING TOOL FOR

AFRICA’S BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY.

VISIT US AT STAND A6

CONTACT SHAUN ROSS Tel: 021 674 0646 | email: [email protected]

BOLD MOVE TO PROFESSIONALISE THE BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRYRepresentative business events industry associations have joined forces to professionalise the industry.

CEP Africa, which is currently being registered as a Non

Profi t Company, will create recognised certifi cation for

the business events industry and work closely with the

South African Qualifi cations Authority (SAQA).

Four certifi cation levels will apply to individuals

who apply, namely Event Coordinator, Event Manager,

Event Director and the Convention Industry Council’s

Certifi ed Meetings Professional.

EXSA will determine which international

qualifi cation applies best to the exhibition industry for

certifi cation by CEP Africa.

According to van Eck other associations are

welcome to join CEP Africa, either as fellow founding

members with a fi nancial stake in the body or as non-

executive directors. “We encourage them to join us in

this bold initiative. It is about making Africa a good

event destination.”

He says CEP Africa will not certify companies, but

courses and individuals. “This will include Recognition

of Prior Learning (RPL) and in this regard we will engage

with experts including the Event Management Body of

Knowledge Project (EMBOK) and the Canadian Tourism

Human Resources Council. RPL requires a portfolio of

evidence which includes years of experience, published

industry articles and serving on industry bodies.

“SAQA’s Directorate for Foreign Qualifi cations,

Evaluations and Advisory Services will assess

recommended foreign qualifi cations against South

African standards.”

Van Eck says CEP Africa has no intention of being

exclusive. Instead it is an honest attempt to lift

standards of training where necessary. “The goal is

to reach a point where only CEP Africa accredited

training courses are opted for and ultimately a

requirement for all tenders.

“CEP Africa will enable the industry to approach

government with one voice and to ensure industry

ownership of its own affairs. We will engage with

the industry to determine what is lacking in terms of

education and training. Based on this, we will accredit

training courses related to all industry sectors, including

specialist functions like safety and security.”

CEP Africa will appoint voluntary advisory panels, which

will advise on certifi cation and Continued Professional

Development (CPD) points earned by individuals.

A CEP Africa administrator will be appointed soon,

certifi cation fees determined and the body is expected

to be operational by the end of the year.

The formation of the Council of Event

Professionals (CEP) Africa was announced

at Meetings Africa today – with

founding members the Exhibition and

Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), the

International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA)

Africa and the Southern African Association for the

Conference Industry (SAACI).

SAACI National Board Member Glenn van Eck says

meetings africa 2014 daily news

Documents

business tourism

african business events

business events host

african destinations

subsaharan africa

ceo of south african

african nations

large african contingent