A conference for the conference industry

"These are among the factors that we believe will bring above average attendance by anyone involved in conferencing to our annual conference in July," says Eddy Khosa, chairperson of the organising conference committee of the Northern Territories branch of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI). "The conference will, in a sense, be a showcase of the conference Industry's huge progress in the past few years."

Khosa, who is also acting CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC), says that through its Convention Bureau, JTC is giving active and direct support to SAACI national Conference, which is to be held at Sandton Convention Centre from Sunday 24 to Tuesday 26 July 2005.

Leora Berger, SAACI Northern Territories Vice-chairperson goes on to say, "SAACI is in its 18th year and boasts over 700 individual companies from all parts of South Africa, as well as members in Southern African countries such as Botswana and Malawi. Our South African branches are situated in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. Membership of the Association is divided into three chapters: Conference, Event and Exhibition Organisers, Venues, and Services. SAACI, in an effort to raise industry standards, offers accreditation to SAACI Conference, Events and Exhibition Organisers subject to rigorous criteria by Grant Thornton in various categories".

"This year Johannesburg is proud to be hosting the conference which will serve to highlight national and international industry trends," says Berger.

Referring to recent developments in the conference industry, Khosa says that South Africa has become a popular long-haul destination for international conferences. This, he believes, is due to the new political climate following the advent of democracy, the country's outstanding tourist attractions, the emergence of world class convention centres in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg and the track record these cities have established in the organisation of some of the biggest international conferences, such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development and major conferences on AIDS and Human Rights.

The growth in conference bookings, he says, is reflected in the average "lead-in-time" for conferences (from venue booking to conference opening) shrinking from three months to two weeks. Berger, who is also a Gauteng-based conference organiser, agrees: "Venue availability at short notice is a problem in Gauteng."

Against this background, says Khosa, the conference industry in South Africa is entering a critical and challenging time. "Our drive now is to raise professionalism among our members," he says. "We want to promote pride in our work and ethical standards throughout the industry." As part of this process, SAACI has established mediation committees that can act in cases of dispute or non-payment of fees so that members can try to settle matters through industry channels.

As part of the accent on professionalism, Khosa cites the upgrading of the SAACI website, www.saaci.co.za to make it more user-friendly by publishing information on the activities of the four branches, and featuring all SAACI news as well as relevant industry news. "As a progressive, professional body, we are using the cutting edge of IT," he says. "For example, conference registration and other relevant delegate interaction can be done online. All information on sponsorship opportunities, exhibition/showcase opportunities and delegate packages for this conference can be found on the SAACI National Conference website at www.saaciconference.com which is linked in turn to the SAACI website. "

"What we have is a vibrant, go-ahead industry," says Khosa. "We are ready and well equipped for the challenges that lie ahead of us."

For further information on SAACI or the conference contact Leora Berger on +27 11 731 4800 or 082 881 5071 or email: .