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SAACI accredits first black PCOs
The Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) has accredited its first black professional conference organisers (PCOs): Moya Events in Johannesburg and Ikhono Communications and The Gatekeeper in Durban. The accreditation, by independent accrediting agency Grant Thornton Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Consulting, was announced yesterday, 13 July 2006.
"To ensure quality and professionalism in the industry, accreditation is very strict, is done on three levels and is valid for five years. SAACI is confident that these three accredited organisers have proven their worth and will stand the industry in good stead," comments Denise Kemp, SAACI chairperson.
Level one is an accredited conference organiser, level two an accredited professional conference organiser and level three an accredited international conference organiser. Based on experience, international conference organisers are further distinguished into two sub-categories.
Continues Kemp, "At present there are very few black professional conference organisers in the industry and we trust that these newly accredited ones will pave the way for others to follow as they have a meaningful contribution to make to the industry.
Guiding the industry
"As we fully realise that black economic empowerment is not merely a 'nice-to-have' but that indeed, it makes sound business sense, we believe this assists in fast-tracking the process. We are guiding the industry in this very important process.
"One of our board members, Eddy Khosa, also chairperson of the South African Meetings Industry Federation, is a member of the Tourism BEE Charter Council, representing the business tourism industry," explains Kemp.
A conference organiser is an individual or company that specialises in the organisation and administration of a conference. SAACI offers accreditation in three categories, based on experience, level of support infrastructure and range of services provided.
International affiliation
Since 2000 SAACI has been affiliated to the International Congress and Convention Association ICCA), which has more than 600 members in more than 76 countries. This allows access to the latest international information and trends in the international conference industry
SAACI's more than 800 members represent a variety of sectors within the conference industry, including conference venues, professional conference organisers and a large variety of services such as audio visual, entertainment, décor and catering.
