SAACI intensifies conference organiser accreditation

1 Nov 2006

The Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) is intensifying the process to accredit conference organisers. "For South Africa to grow its stature as a conference host of note, the level of professionalism, customer care and value-for-money needs to be developed to its fullest - thus our intensified drive to accredit conference organisers," explains SAACI chairperson Denise Kemp.

According to Kemp, SA is rapidly becoming a world conference destination and is already drawing more than 110 000 foreign participants to meetings, incentive visits, conferences and exhibitions every year.

"South Africa is, for example, already experiencing an increase in conferences linked to the 2010 Word Cup Soccer tournament. This will increasingly be the case. SAACI is committed to ensuring that international conference organisers and delegates get a value-for-money experience.

Benefit

"By using a SAACI accredited conference organiser, people benefit from our commitment to excellence as our accredited conference organisers adhere to a strict code of conduct. Accreditation, by Grant Thornton Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Consulting, is done on three levels and is valid for five years," she says.

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.

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.

Significant impact

Kemp says the industry, and international conferencing in particular, is an important component of the tourism industry and has a significant impact on the South African economy.

"Annually foreign delegates and accompanying people spend more than R500 million. This is worth more than R900 million in total contribution to GDP and represents some 11 500 jobs.

"SAACI is therefore committed to the enhancement of the conference industry," says Kemp.

Conference organisers interested to be accredited can contact Estelle Lotter on telephone +27 (0)11 482 2835 or email .

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 audiovisual, entertainment, décor and catering. It has been affiliated to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) since 2000, which has more than 600 members in more than 76 countries, allowing access to the latest international information and trends in the international conference industry.