“The conference industry is dynamic and very competitive. It is therefore essential for the representative body to respond to the needs of members and to remain relevant and valuable,” says Kemp.
There will in future be two main categories of SAACI membership – for individual and corporate members respectively. This will allow SAACI to implement a different range of benefits for these two distinct groupings.
Individual membership will reside with the person and will move with the person if and when the person seeks alternative employment. The membership fee for 2007/8 will be R975 (+VAT).
There will be three types of corporate membership – category A for companies with one to three representatives at R2500 (+VAT), category B for companies with four to eight representatives at R7500 (+VAT) and a category for patrons that have between nine and 20 representatives at R20 000 (+VAT). Corporate membership resides with the company. Thus, when the company's representative leaves the company's employ, a replacement representative can be nominated.
A category B member will be entitled to one free registration for the annual SAACI conference from 2008, saving at least R2000. A patron member will be entitled to two free conference registrations and, in addition, a free exhibition stand, saving at least R6500.
Patron members will also have their company logos on the SAACI home page with a direct link to their own websites.
“We believe the new structure – and indeed, the financial benefits that it brings – will make membership more affordable and help to grow the association even more,” says Kemp. “For example, a company with three representatives can now save 15% on its SAACI membership fees, while a company with four to eight representatives or a patron member can save up to 23%.”
SAACI currently has more than 800 members from a variety of sectors in the conference industry, including conference venues, conference and event organisers and a variety of service providers to the industry.
