First world countries have always been the powerhouses of mega trade fairs, with the UK, Europe and the US producing humongous exhibitions that have to some extent become the main ‘buying’ exercise for supply chains. But this has slowly begun to change, with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economies now producing future opportunities in the meetings, incentives and conferencing and exhibition industries. South Africa is a natural leader in this arena, with emerging markets in Africa placing the nation on the global exhibition landscape. This helps to strengthen SA’s own position and that of the continent, allowing it to meet increasing demand. But although Africa has become a beacon of hope for the business events industry, there are many who worry that it is not yet ready to take on the many responsibilities that come with creating a world-class meetings economy. Actually, what is a PCO? To demonstrate the lack of education and expertise in Africa, Convention Industry Consultants’ Dirk Elzinga recently shared a story about a trip to Kenya. “All of us were stunned speechless three years ago at an ICCA Africa workshop in Nairobi,” he said, “when an almost retired Ugandan professor timidly […]
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IBTM Africa is the highly targeted table-top event for the continent’s Meetings & Events industry bringing together buyers and suppliers of incentives, meetings and business travel for three days of business appointments, education and networking. Highlights of the event will include the IBTM Africa Forum which kick-starts the event with keynote speaker Alex Granger who will be followed by a live panel debate on the future meetings industry growth in Africa. Totally dedicated to inbound business it is the unrivalled event for African and Indian Ocean suppliers to meet with international Hosted Buyers. Bettina Wiethoff, Manager Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe Middle East, who will be attending as a Hosted Buyer says, “the event is perfect for the current Meeting trends where attendees are looking for an experience, a sense of place, being in nature and IBTM Africa is the platform to facilitate this”. IBTM Africa will provide the opportunity for international Hosted Buyers to meet with African and Indian Ocean suppliers including Hotels and Venues, National/State Tourism Organisations and Convention Bureaus, Travel Management Companies, Destination Management Companies, Event Management Companies, Professional Conference Organisers, Airlines, Technology, Business Travel and MICE related suppliers, who are showcasing their ‘products’. Exhibiting companies include: […]
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As we are now facing winter and the wind is blowing across Europe, our entertainment agency decided to fly to Dakar, Senegal with some great wedding entertainment. Talents & Productions flew to Africa with four of its finest close-up magicians. All bi-lingual (French and English) entertained all 500 guests present at the wedding party. At the end of the evening, our exclusive speed painter VIKTOR, created the portrait of the brides in just a few minutes using glue and glitters. By Alexandre Hourdequin
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In April, 2014 Thebe Reed Exhibitions will launch the new Africa Travel Week in Cape Town, South Africa. It will include the World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa), IBTM (Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings) Africa and International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa. The Event spoke exclusively with Carol Weaving, Managing Director Thebe Reed Exhibitions about what attendees can expect. Q: Why has Reed decided that now is the time to launch Africa Travel Week? A: Following the successful launch of ILTM Africa earlier this year, the decision to launch an all-encompassing travel week was based on several factors. Firstly, the African continent has one of the highest growth rates in the world, surpassing even Asia. Secondly, Africa holds enormous potential for the global travel industry both inbound and outbound, and finally we believe the time is right for Africa to take a bigger role on the global stage. Read More
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It’s hardly a secret that the Middle East and Africa are getting some top-notch luxury hotels from world-class brands—and that these hotels are boosting the region’s profile for high-level business functions. Here are just a few notable properties that have opened in 2013. See why they’re good picks for swank meetings and events… Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort and Spa This Asian-style resort has 293 guest rooms and suites grouped in units of four to eight (with 130 rooms offering direct access to 107,639 square feet of lagoon pools), 12 beach villas, 18 over-water villas — the first of their kind in the Middle East — and three Royal Beach Villas. The ballroom, right next to the beach, can accommodate 300 people for mid-scale gatherings. Kempinski Hotel Villa Rosa, Nairobi The Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel (pictured below) is right in the middle of of Nairobi, and has 200 rooms and suites across 10 floors, including a Presidential Suite (with a private terrace, plunge pool and BBQ) on the top floor. The main ballroom, which has no pillars, can accommodate 600 for a reception or 500 theater-style. Read More
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Seychelles Minister congratulates Tourism Board on winning Best Destination Management Award at 2013 ROUTES Africa Aviation Forum in Kampala, Uganda, for 2nd year running. For the second year in a row, Seychelles was awarded the Best Destination Management Award at the closing ceremony of the 2013 ROUTES Africa Aviation Forum that took place in Kampala, Uganda between 6th and 9th July. The award was collected by the team of Seychelles delegates headed by the outgoing CEO of the Tourism Board, Elsia Grandcourt; Gilly Faure, CEO of Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority; Glynn Burridge, the board’s tourism consultant and chief copywriter and Amy Michel, the Seychelles Tourism Board’s senior marketing executive. Read More
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