meetingssa mar/apr 2012

www.saconference.co.za ISSUE 42 March/April 2012

mee t ings • incen t i ves • con fe rences • exh ib i t i onsSSAA

Mark Strydom, Oasys Innovations COO, reveals the real value behind turnkey solutions P6

IINN TTHHEE IINN TTHHEEIN THE HHOOTT SSEEAATT R35.00 (VAT incl)

E X P O V E N T E V O L U T I O N S S O U T H A F R I C A

Unique and ever so spectacular in 2012

The Pavilion event showcase

Technology in conferencing & events

Catering for groups of up to 32 participants, each four hour package includes lunch and refreshments.

To find out about pricing and to make a booking for your team contact:Veni Naidoo at 011 639 8457 or [email protected]

Learn more about Dialogue Exhibitions atwww.dialogueinthedarksa.blogspot.com

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre,Miriam Makeba between Jeppe and President St, Newtown, Johannesburg www.sci-bono.co.za @SciBono / scibono01

Winners of the 2010 National Science and Technology Forum Awards for innovative sciencecommunication to a mass audience, and the 2011 JDA Halala Awards for the top recreationdestination in the city, the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is situated in the cultural heartlandof Newtown, Johannesburg.

The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and Dialogue in the Dark offer a unique team building workshop designed to: build cohesion;

foster trust; enhance collaboration; improve communication and promote diversity in the work place.

A combination tour of the internationally acclaimed Dialogue in the Dark and series of team challenges using Sci-Bono’s world class interactive

exhibits: ME Games and Science of Soccer.

Changing the way we see

Provoke a change in perspective: Discover your team in the dark!

Dialogue in the Dark is a life changing, totally darkened exhibition. Supported by a blind guide, team members rely on one another to navigate a path through a series of darkened environments. Darkness provides an ideal surrounding for team members to sharpen their senses, focus on the essentials and learn to really listen to one another. In the dark, ordinary routines become extraordinary experiences.

Problem solving tasks in the ME Games exhibition and competition in the Science of Soccer playfully challenge participants to discover their individual roles within the team. Placing emphasis on effective communication, the programme facilitates the development of a common understand-ing; fundamental to producing a high-performing team.

C O N T E N T S

in this issue

06 In the Hot Seat

18 Johannesburg Expo centre

In the Hot Seat

Oasys Innovations

COO Mark Strydom uncovers more about the

company’s turnkey solutions and services 6

Industry Insight

EXSA column

UFI open seminar and Expo Summit in Africa 8Compex column

Running the numbers 10AIPC column

A focus on the international meetings industry

facing the future together 12

Product News

Hot topics in business tourism revealed

MSA presents new developments in MICE

products and service offerings 16

Meeting Places

Meeting your demands, exceeding your expectations

Johannesburg Expo Centre venue showcase 18Luxury African safaris

Thornybush Collection venue showcase 20Investing in business tourism

Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the

Nor th West regional focus 22Venue focus

A look at country, bush and spa venues 27

MEETINGS SA | MAR/APR 2012 1

Expovent Evolutions South AfricaUniquely spectacular exhibition and events services 4

Cover Story

2 MEETINGS SA | MAR/APR 2012

C O N T E N T S

Conference technology 3732

Event showcase

22Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West

20 Thornybush Collection

Event ManagementEvent showcase

S.I.X. 2012 at the Pavilion Conference Centre 32Making sense of it all

Conferencing & event technology 37The rise of digital technology

A focus on exhibition stands & services 44The art on interpretation

A look at the associated services in

the meetings arena 49

Reward & DevelopUSB Speakers Corner

Justin Cohen reveals the secret to

telling better stories 52The business of innovation

A focus on the latest trends in teambuilding 54

RegularsEditor’s comment 3Join the SA Conference community online 14Subscribe 43Coming up & Looking back 57Who’s who? People on the move 58Events diary 60Index to advertisers 60

in this issue

Scan on Show, for putting together such a successful Meetings Africa in 2012. Here’s to increasing success year-on-year, and to boosting business tourism arrivals to South Africa.

In this issue of Meetings SA, we investigate the ways in which the Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the North West provinces are investing in business tourism, while uncovering the very latest developments at country, bush and spa venues.

In the event management section, we’ve got all things technology-related covered, from AV and video conferencing to audience response and LED lighting. Turn to page 37 for the full article.

Renowned professional speaker, Justin Cohen contributes his knowledge on storytelling in the USB Speakers Corner in this issue, and we speak to leaders in the field of teambuilding to get the latest on what’s cooking in this area of innovation.

Do enjoy!

Editor

Having just become a mom, I was unable to attend Meetings Africa this year, and from what I’ve heard, I certainly missed

out. According to a press release distributed by South African Tourism, Meetings Africa 2012 has been hailed as an undoubted success for the South African travel and business tourism industry and also for the local and foreign buyers, exhibitors and visitors who flocked to the show in record numbers this year. When the exhibition closed on 1 March, overall attendance of 3 452 visitors was up 20% on 2011 figures (2 637), with registered international visitor numbers nearly doubling from 106 in 2011 to 205 in 2012 (up 93%). A total of 8 906 meetings were requested during the three-day show through the Meetings Africa match-making electronic diary system, giving real substance to the show’s usefulness as a business-enabling and revenue-generating environment.

In addition to its success in visitor numbers, this year’s Meetings Africa saw the launch of the National Convention Bureau (NCB). Speaking at the opening of the trade show, Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, said the NCB will act as a ‘one-stop shop’ for independent information and assistance, giving neutral advice on all aspects of hosting and organising any business tourism-related event in South Africa. In addition, the NCB will co-ordinate national bidding, undertake research and collaborate with national convention centres and the business tourism industry to present a united front for destination South Africa. It will add considerable value to the country’s business tourism industry, and will strengthen and support efforts already being made to drive expansion in business tourist arrivals to make South Africa a truly global force.

Meetings SA congratulates the organisers,

South Africa is world classPublisher Elizabeth Shorten

Editor Abby Vorster

[email protected]

+27 (0)11 233 2608

Creative chief executive Frédérick Danton

Sub-editor Claire Nozaic

Production manager Antois-Leigh Botma

Financial manager Andrew Lobban

Administration Tonya Hebenton

Distribution manager Nomsa Masina

Subscription sales Nomsa Masina

[email protected]

Distribution coordinator Asha Pursotham

Advertising sales Caroline Martin

+27 (0)11 454 6051/2

+27 (0)72 235 5725

[email protected]

Meetings SA Mar/Apr 2012© Copyright. All rights reserved 2009

No. 4, 5th Avenue, Rivonia, JohannesburgPO Box 92026, Norwood 2117, South AfricaTel: +27 (0)11 233 2600Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/75www.3Smedia.co.za

Annual subscription: R270.00 (incl. VAT)ISSN 1684-9264

NOTICE OF RIGHTSMeetings SA is published bi-monthly by 3S Media. This publication, its form and contents vests in 3S Media, January 2008. All rights reserved. No part of this book, including cover and interior designs, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

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On the cover: Expovent Evolutions South Africa In the Hot Seat: Oasys InnovationsEvent Showcase: The Pavilion Conference Centre Event Technology: Strike Alliance

Interest in South Africa as a premier business tourism destination is heating up for sure. Could the record attendance of visitors to this year’s Meetings Africa be a sign of good things to come?


SA

and little Mackenzie

Soweto Marathon

From elevating the simplicity of the walk-on exhibition stand package to servicing all corners of the exhibitions and events industry, Expovent Evolutions is unique and ever so spectacular in 2012.

By successfully pulling together all services related to the exhibitions and events industry, Expovent Evolutions is continually evolving its approach to the way in which exhibitions

and events are hosted. Collectively, the Expovent group of companies enables its clients to source a single provider of all services and products for their events. The group of companies includes Regal Rentals Southern Africa, which is the largest furniture rental specialist company of its kind in South Africa; CME Decor Specialist and Just Events, which decorate leading events and drape exhibition stands across the country; DammFine Events, which specialises in event management; DammFine Cuisine, which provides only the finest in catering services; DammFine Liquids, which is a licensed beverage facility; DammFine Flooring, which provides up market flooring and carpeting products; Expovent Freightage, which provides logistics solutions; Majestic Expressions, which designs and produces extraordinary custom-made furniture; and Surrey Common, which is a versatile meeting and events venue.

While building on the abovementioned service offerings, Expovent is also looking to enhance service delivery and business opportunities within the exhibitions industry. Its latest venture in this area is its exhibition stand set up service. Expovent managing director, Adrian McKnight, explains, “This entails the Expovent team handling the entire setting up of a client’s exhibition stand, taking the walk-on package offering to a whole new level. Previously companies would lose precious time with having employees out of the office for additional days prior to and after exhibitions, to set up and break down the company’s exhibition stand. Now we handle this for you.”

Expovent Freightage will package and transport all your exhibition collateral to the venue, so you no longer need to deal with expensive


C O V E R S T O R Y

p ysimplicity bition stand g all corners nd events Evolutions o

Exhibitions & Event Services

Expovent Evolutions South Africa

Expovent Freightage, these companies and other exhibitors too can have their stand goods delivered on time and in perfect condition to wherever they are exhibiting, regardless of the location,” says McKnight.

New addition to the groupIn months to come, Expovent will be introducing in-house floral design services. Once the division is launched, exhibitors will

have access to incredible floral services for their stands which will see floral designs being maintained (or even changed) throughout the duration of an exhibition to ensure freshness and appeal.

Tips for exhibitorsNot only does Expovent Evolutions seek to bring the very best in services to the exhibitions and events industry, McKnight is also very keen to share his expert knowledge and innovative ideas in generating increased interest and heightened stand traffic at exhibition stands.

“Furniture is always a must on a stand. It invites the visitor in and encourages conversations. Whether an exhibitor opts for a creative unique custom-made piece of furniture or any of the eye-catching options from our existing furniture ranges, they are sure to generate increased awareness,” he explains.

Creative and inventive lighting techniques are also a must. Free-standing lamps, light

boxes or specialised light displays are just some of

In each issue, Meetings SA offers advertisers the opportunity to promote their company’s products and services to an appropriate audience by booking the prime position of the front cover, which includes a two-page feature article. The magazine offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure for their brand. Please call Caroline Martin on +27 (0)11 454 6051/2 to secure your booking.

courier companies. CME Decor Specialist and Just Events will handle the decorating of the stand, according to the client’s specifications while the rest of the Expovent team will see that all your furniture needs are met via Regal Rentals, allowing your staff working on the stand to arrive just in time for the opening of the exhibition, walking on to a perfectly set up stand with no stress or the additional fuss.

This is the ideal solution for smaller- to medium-sized companies, for which having key marketing and sales staff out of the office for a number of days to work at exhibitions and trade shows can prove to be rather costly. And companies will also save in terms of the additional nights’ accommodation needed for stand staff to oversee stand set up and break down.

In addition, with its extensive fleet and years of experience in handling, loading and transporting fragile goods and soft furnishings, Expovent Freightage now offers support services to smaller exhibition stand design companies, and exhibitors too.

“There are a number of smaller exhibition stand building companies that do not have the vehicles needed to transport their clients custom stands to the various centres where exhibitions are hosted. This results in their clients having to pay additional and often costly transport fees. Yet by making use of the professional services offered by


C O V E R S T O R Y

Expovent Evolutions South Africa took home

the EXSA Award for the Best Supplier Company

(category: general) at the association’s glittering

gala dinner event hosted at the Sandton

Convention Centre on 3 November 2011.

Striving to be the captains of the industry, the

Expovent team holds this accolade in high

esteem and is driven to uphold such winning

standards. “On behalf of the team, I’d like to

thank the industry for recognising Expovent

Evolutions South Africa as the best supplier

company in 2011. May this be the start to

an unbeatable winning streak for us,” says

McKnight.

Best Supplier Company in 2011

Furniture is always a must on a stand. It invites the visitor in and encourages

conversations

the options available to exhibitors. Always pioneering new ideas, Expovent Evolutions introduced, at the 2011 Markex and World of Events in Johannesburg, the use of décor panels on its pink Uniquely Spectacular exhibition stand. Instead of covering up one’s shell scheme with pull up banners or branded posters, Expovent can provide exquisite panels covered in draping, of whatever colour, graphic and design desired. This eye-catching offering is unique to the company and something the industry will be seeing lots more of in the months to come.

Ultimately, Expovent encourages exhibitors to take a more minimalist approach when putting together their exhibition stands. By ridding their stands of typical exhibition clutter and creating an inviting and attractive environment, exhibitors are sure to see an increase in visitor number to their stands, with increased leads and business development.

Adrian McKnightc +27 (0)76 279 [email protected]

Adrian McKnight receiving the award

Supplying fl ooring, furniture and decor in the form of city props,

Expovent Evolutions South Africa was proud to be part of the successful Microsoft 2011

Expo hosted at the ICC Durban


From design to installation

MSA How ready-to-use are your services for the exhibiti ons and events industry? MS Virtually all our services are under one roof except, for example,

if fl oral arrangements are required for decorati ve purposes. In that case we would contract a

relevant supplier. As an infrastructure supplier that has been conducti ng business worldwide for

35 years, we have developed an inventory that is comprehensive enough to cater for organisers

and end users. We follow a seamless process – from design to installati on. Several projects are

run simultaneously and we therefore have to have the stock to accommodate demand, also in

the event of additi onal casual requests. The defi niti on of turnkey services also implies that the

inventory – in our case valued at R125 million – requires the support of professional employees to

apply the many diff erent items into one project.

What benefi ts do the services provide to the organiser? Several organisers have used our services repeatedly for many years. This is a sure display of confidence in our

ability to take ownership of the infrastructure of an exhibition. In other words, our turnkey solution – reception areas and carpeting to shell schemes – provides peace of mind. We

understand the briefing process and that the organiser’s task is to market the show, satisfy the requirements of the exhibitors and to get feet through the doors.

I N T H E H O T S E A T

According to Wikipedia.org, the term turnkey is often used in industry, most commonly to

describe pre-built packages in which everything needed to perform a certain type of task is put together by the supplier and sold as a bundle. This often includes a service with pre-installed applications, various types of hardware and accessories. Turnkey products are synonymous to ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions, that is, not bespoke.

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Mark Strydom, COO of Oasys Innovations, speaks to Meetings SA about the company’s turnkey solutions and services, and how readymade they really are.

A specialist in idea development

Best light weight stand: Tsogo Sun- Meetings

Africa 2012


infrastructure supplier in South Africa we strive to be exemplary in everything we do. We support all relevant industry events and activities and are a leading employer of both white and blue collar workers. We make every effort to be transparent in our conduct and to be ambassadors for the industry. We invest more than R1 million annually in manpower development and skills training, while service delivery and excellence are intrinsic to those programmes.

Our vision in this regard does not differentiate a local orientation from our global interests.

For more information about Oasys turnkey solutions and services, visit http://www.oasys.co.za

I N T H E H O T S E A T

How has innovati on been incorporated into the development of these turnkey services? Our company brand stands for innovation and we are serious about this value proposition in word and deed. We have developed a model that pulls together all our resources into one integrated solution. We motivate innovative thinking in workshops and one-on-one meetings. We are part of the broader communication industry and creativity is one of the pillars of our behaviour. We develop and manufacture new concepts and components that allow our customers to differentiate them from their competitors. From energy saving LED technologies to products that enhance the image of ‘show business’. We are specialists in the development and application of ideas and are supremely diversified within the parameters of the broader exhibitions and events industry.

How is Oasys meeti ng its clients’ needs in terms of keeping up with new design trends? We are an international company and therefore have access to the latest designs that may create an impact on a custom stand, in an exhibition hall or for an event. We benchmark on the designs of our international partners and our designers travel the world to explore and source solutions that meet best practice in every respect. They have worked side-by-side with the design teams for major events of global proportions, and have built a network of creative talent in our partner companies to support the creative process. They simply understand design and all the associated elements and can interpret client briefings beyond words.

What areas of the exhibiti ons and events industry do Oasys services cover turnkey soluti ons? If one can imagine an empty piece of land today and within a few days there is a completed house and a family living there using all the services, including electricity. That is a turnkey building project. We do the same for an exhibition or an event. We are the proverbial A-Z contractor for an exhibition or an event, except that we move on site with our gear and afterwards take it back to our premises again.

Why would a prospecti ve client choose Oasys turnkey services and soluti ons over those of a

competi tor? Normally a client would review one or more of the following attributes in the adjudication process. Track record, client credentials, company image, empowerment, business processes, supply chain management, project management, condition of inventory, creativity, people skills, service orientation, quality of partnerships, globalisation, social responsibility and value for money. These and more is our differentiator.

In what way do Oasys turnkey services and soluti ons uplift the exhibiti ons and events industry in South Africa and abroad in terms of service delivery and service excellence? As we are the largest

We specialise in the development and application of ideas and are

supremely diversifi ed within the exhibitions and events industry

Nedbank Golf Challenge- Sun City 2011

Annecy bid for 2018 Winter Olympics -

Durban 2011


I N D U S T R Y I N S I G H T

EXSA is once again delighted to welcome India’s Manch Communications to South Africa, together with UFI, which

will be presenting its open seminar for the Middle East and Africa, together with the Expo Summit hosted in Cape Town, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 15 to 17 March.

“This event will see the association strengthening international bonds for the local exhibition and event industry and will, I am sure, lead to incredible networking with our fellow colleagues who will be visiting South Africa to attend the summit,” says Sue Gannon, EXSA’s GM.

The theme for the summit is ‘reality, potential, access and needs in the African exhibition industry’.

The summit welcomes an exciting array of speakers, including:Dirk Elzinga, managing director, Convention Industry Consultants, Cape Town, who will be talking on ‘the South African exhibition industry scene and future promises’. He says, “Africa is an interesting continent. With more than one billion inhabitants, it is increasingly recognised as potentially an interesting trade

partner. In order for countries like China and India to sustain their growth, there is a need for many raw materials – most of which is supplied by African countries. International and

UFI open seminar and Expo Summit in AfricaUFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, is bringing its seminar to Cape Town, with EXSA as its supporting partner.

South African show organisers recognise these trade movements. Important economic sectors that are already or soon could be served with trade fairs and conferences are mining, IT and telecommunication, energy, food, fishing, agriculture and tourism.”

Essam El Haddad, chairman, Arabian Development Group, Egypt, who will uncover ‘what the influences of the Arab spring on North African markets are. He will discuss what happened exactly,

what the implications are on the economy in general and the exhibition industry in particular, as well as what are the possible scenarios or opportunities?

Thorsten Kolbinger, general manager, Ungerboeck Software, Germany, will look into ‘how to use technology to achieve business goals’. Today’s exhibition managers and venues are presented with more

choices than ever for marketing and selling, planning and evaluating the success of their events. This session will uncover the latest trends as observed by a global provider of

software solutions to the exhibition industry, including concepts such as social media and mobile applications, executive dashboards, best of breed versus integrated software and other key considerations to ensuring the best fit is selected.

Gerd Weber, senior expert, JWC Gmbh, Germany, will delve into exhibition and convention infrastructure from the perspectives of emerging markets. He says, “The exhibition and convention industry is still based on extensive investment in the infrastructure. Therefore all investment plans

– new build, expansion or refurbishment – have to be generated on an intensive strategy and planning process. Long before architects and engineers take over this process the venue owner/management has to make important decisions, which will shape the future development of the venue substantially.”

Douglas Emslie, group managing director, Tarsus Group, United Kingdom, will talk about whether ‘to clone a show or introduce a new one in an emerging market’.

Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, from the United States of America, will discuss mobile applications for tradeshows, that is, the 10 ways that smart phones are revolutionising events.

For more information about the seminar and expo summit, visit www.exsa.co.za and click on the link entitled 'download summit info brochure'.

EXSA COLUMN

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I N D U S T R Y I N S I G H T


The use of figures is a game of smoke and mirrors, where numbers are not all what they are made out

to be. Asking the wrong question will result in the wrong answer. Yes, you should ask the question, but when you get an answer you should not accept it at face value.

In September last year, there were over a million visitors to South Africa (1 033 426). This sounds really good, but dig deeper. A little under one third of these visitors were day visitors, who probably arrived, shopped and left the same day. Do not

get me wrong, this is good for retail business close to the borders.

Digging deeper, 173 497 of the remainder were from overseas, 484 139 from

the SADC countries, 16 575 from ‘other’ African countries and 2 222 unspecified. Still digging deeper, only 6 184 came for business. Thus from the top-line figure of

COMPEX COLUMN

“Exhibitors must use available tools and technologies to ensure that they see and talk to the right decision makers” Nigel

Walker CMP, MD, Complete Exhibitions

visitors to our country in September last year, only 0.6% came for business.

As an exhibition organiser, the most common question we receive is: “How many visitors are expected?" The Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) Organisers Code of Conduct states that, “Members shall be liable to record and publish attendance visitor figures at exhibitions accurately and issue attendance figures to exhibitors on request”. Of course the number of visitors represents the pool of potential purchasers and thus is the currency of exhibitions (along with the number of exhibitors). So, exhibitors must then ask to view such figures. However the bottom line figure should be unpacked, examined and understood.

The presented top level figure is not usually accompanied by a breakdown, so organiser staff, exhibition staff and children may be included. How many couples attend lifestyle expos together? The visitor numbers will count as two, however in reality they are in effect a ‘single’

purchasing unit.Numbers are important,

but absolute visitor figures are not everything. The most important characteristic is that of visitor quality. So exhibitors must use available tools

and technologies to ensure that they see and talk to the right decision makers at an exhibition and ask the right question to interpret and understand the numbers.

Running the numbersRunning the numbers

meetingssa mar/apr 2012

Documents

team members

c o n t e n t

team contact

unique team

u t i o n s s o u t

t i onsssaamark strydom

series of team challenges

mee t ings incen t i