SAACI conference seeks simple solutions

Conference chairman Keith Garnet Millar says the conference will address topics that are relevant to everyone in the meetings and events industry, seeking simple solutions to challenges faced and problems encountered. “Among others, it will focus on business opportunities posed by the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, social investment and implementing black economic empowerment.”

International rankings

Last year alone, 64 international congresses were held in South Africa, which saw us moving up to 31st place on the international rankings. Conference delegates are ranked among tourism's bigger spenders. New statistics show that at least 40% of the delegates who fly to South Africa for a three or four day conference are so impressed by the experience that they return on holiday with their families and friends. An estimated 8% come back to start businesses and to buy holiday homes.

“We need to keep abreast of the changes in our industry” explains Keith Burton, head of the Conference Secretariat for SAAC). “The annual conference gives us a chance to network, to meet service providers, stakeholders and government representatives. It's also a chance to be educated about best practices in our industry.”

Delegates will be welcomed by Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool, where after keynote speaker Marthinus van Schalkwyk, minister of environmental affairs and tourism, will address the conference on the challenges faced by the tourism industry. The conference will also see the launch of Young SAACI, a mentorship initiative aimed at launching young talent in the industry, being run in co-operation with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Compare to rest of world

Alec Gilbert, chief executive of the Adelaide Convention Centre, will compare South Africa's conference industry to the rest of the world.

A plenary session entitled ‘South Africa's capacity to handle mega-events and the benefits to all' will be chaired by Dirk Elzinga, chief executive of the Cape Town International Convention Centre, while Tim Modise of FIFA 2010 Communications will chair a session entitled ‘Business opportunities for us all – 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup South Africa.'

Other key speakers include Guy Bigwood, group CSI Director of MCI, one of the world's foremost conference organising companies, and Brian MacDonald of Global Conferences, widely recognised as the father of the international conferencing industry in South Africa.

Breakaway sessions dealing with specific day-to-day issues faced by the industry – such as boosting conference attendance and revenue, yield management and block bookings, as well as websites as the backbone for events – will give delegates practical, real take-home value.

Garnet Millar says the conference industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in South Africa, with committed professionals who can help their organisations grow through their expertise. “The SAACI conference is the ideal vehicle to do so.”

Annual presentation and AGM

The programme will include the annual SAACI awards presentation and the association's AGM.

In recognition of the important role that conferencing plays in South African tourism, SAACI 2007 is supported by both Cape Town Routes Unlimited and Johannesburg Tourism.

SAACI currently has more than 800 members and has regional committees regulating its activities. The 2008 national conference will be held in Port Elizabeth.

Go to www.saaciconf.co.za for further information.