An degree in Mathematics and B.Com (Hons) would probably not be the most likely qualification for a career in events and catering. But perhaps it is the problem solving approach of this background that gives the forum company's Managing Director and founder, Glynis Hyslop, a head start when it comes to managing the company's multiple venues and unique events.
With a successful 15-year career as a divisional M.D. at Didata, Glynis was certainly no stranger to the iconic venue that was to become the forum | the campus and whilst venue- and event-management were certainly not her professional background, she took up the challenge in 2003 to set up a business model for the forum company. Based upon her vision of providing world-class food and event-management with a distinctive South African personality and style, the forum | the campus was born.
With Glynis's eye for a business opportunity and a host of talented, passionate individuals behind her, the forum | the campus very soon became the go-to venue for state-of-the-art functions and catering along with their popular staff restaurant division, Deli To You. It wasn't long before Glynis turned her attention towards expanding the forum company's venue offering and an old 1920's former power station in the heart of Johannesburg's CBD became her new focus with a vision of creating a modern, stylish and distinctive inner city venue. The reconstruction of the building began and in just two short years, the forum | turbine hall came into existence. Situated in the heart of the arts and culture precinct, the forum | turbine hall became a coveted venue choice for chic inner-city weddings and super-stylish events of the likes of S.A. Fashion Week. The popularity of the forum | turbine hall remains unmatched and was voted runner up in the 2010/11 SA Tourism Welcome Awards in the Meetings Venues Exhibitions and Special Events category. This accolade is shared with the forum | the campus that received the same award in 2009.
Glynis recently shifted her attention to one of her first loves, the arts, and set her sights on Cape Town's popular Baxter Theatre. It was here that the forum | the baxter came into being with the creation of a virtual conference and events centre in the Baxter Theatre Centre which includes the trendy Act Restaurant and ever-popular Play Bar. Whether it's private functions or a personalised package for theatre-goers, the forum | the baxter has a host of different dining and entertainment offerings for Cape Town's discerning theatre lovers.
In her rare time spent out of the office, Glynis is passionate about the arts, music, décor and great food - all of which she gets to experience and live-out in her day-to-day job and most likely contributes a large part to her continued success. With three hugely successful venues and multiple events to her name, Glynis bases her achievements within the forum on a whole lot of luck - mainly in the form of the good fortune she experienced in crossings paths with some of the exceptionally committed and passionate individuals who share her work ethic and the desire to continuously strive to create the extraordinary. She thrives on the thrill of discovering potential in new opportunities and creating projects that can add to the forum company offering. With no end to her future plans for the business and with new venues and a variety of exciting events in the pipeline, it seems there's still plenty of forum fortune to be discovered.
