Conference association to embark on marketing campaign

SAACI chairman, Brian McDonald, says since its inception in 1987, SAACI has become the mouthpiece of the conference industry. "It is our objective to ensure that it keeps its rightful place in the broader business tourism environment. The conference industry is already a major contributor to South Africa's tourism economy and we intend to increase this hence our new positioning: SAACI - at the forefront of the Business Tourism industry."

He says South Africa has illustrated its expertise in conferencing, having hosted some of the largest conferences and conventions in the world in recent years.

SAACI's new marketing campaign will, among others, illustrate the influence of the association in the tourism industry, its membership benefits and communicate new statistics and industry regulations related to aspects such as safety and security and disaster management.

According to McDonald, the campaign is aimed at increasing SAACI's role in negotiating with government and other industry bodies and improve the role it can play in the newly formed South African Meetings Industry Federation (SAMIF). It will also highlight its presence at major industry exhibitions such as Indaba and Meetings Africa.

McDonald says SAACI is determined to welcome previously disadvantaged individuals and newly formed BEE companies into the conference industry, in line with the BEE charter for the tourism industry. "Many exciting opportunities exist in this field that will make our industry quite unique in the world."

SAACI's more than 600 members have access to the latest international information and trends in the conference industry through its affiliation to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), which hosted its annual congress in South Africa last year.

The marketing campaign will take place under the guidance of SAACI board member Carol Weaving and implemented by consultancy, Junxion Communications.