First Name
Sonja
Last Name
du Plessis
Phone
Position on SAACI Committee
Gauteng Branch Chairperson (Acting)
Company Name & Designation
By Design Africa (Pty) Ltd – Owner
Contact Details
082 922 0470 / zoe.molapisi@bydesignafrica.com
Position on SAACI Committee
Eastern Cape Committee Member
Company Name
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Contact Details
073 334 3158 / nnicol@nmbstadium.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Eastern Cape Committee Member, Events
Company Name
Magnetic Storm
Contact Details
082 906 4198 / david@magnetic.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Johannesburg Branch Committee Member
Company Name & Designation
Thornleys Events – Events Specialist
Contact Details
076 988 2185 / sam@thornleysav.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Johannesburg Branch Committee Member
Company Name & Designation
Travel With Flair – Head of C & E and Inbound Group Travel
Contact Details
082 410 7337 / taniaa@twf.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Johannesburg Branch Committee Member
Company Name & Designation
Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts – National Sales Executive
Contact Details
066 306 0027 / zsibisi@peermont.com
Position on SAACI Branch Committee
Eastern Cape Chairperson, Youth Development, Events
Company Name & Designation
B and E Conference Centre – Director
Contact Details
082 437 7600, 041 404 2431 / melissa@becbc.co.za
Bio
With a passion for the events industry and a responsibility towards skills development, Melissa has built her business around the business and education sector that require venues and related services to support their needs. Part owner of three branches throughout the Eastern Cape, Melissa has built her business and grown from strength to strength over her 8 years of being Director. Melissa is extremely passionate about the Business Events Industry and loves sharing experiences and skills in this space. 22 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and 15 years’ experience in the MICE industry, Melissa loves to connect with and meet new people within the industry. Melissa also love to learn from other mentors within this space and will never pass an opportunity to do so.
Position on SAACI Board
Gauteng Branch Chairperson
Company Name & Designation
Nxlevel Consulting – Managing Director
Contact Details
082 929 5241 / neil@nxlevel.co.za
Position on SAACI Branch Committee
Eastern Cape Committee Treasurer, Learning, Stakeholder Management
Company Name & Designation
Scan Display Africa (Pty) LTD – African Business Development Manager
Contact Details
073 236 6618 / alastair@scandisplay.africa
Bio
I have worked in the MICE Sector for the past 20 years, firstly as an event organiser and now as an Infrastructure provider, Scan has been around for more than 20 years and is a market leader in the Sector. Scan Display has started developing a network across Africa to assist in developing the MICE Sector in Africa and we have representative across more than 15 African Countries. I enjoy travelling and meeting people across Africa. Together we can grow Africa.
Position on SAACI Committee
Eastern Cape Committee Member, Secretary, Events
Company Name & Designation
Green Room Design & Communication – PR & Marketing Director
Contact Details
071 045 2556 / margorie@greenroom.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Eastern Cape Communication / Marketing
Company Name & Designation
Eastern Sun Events – Exhibition & Sponsorship Manager
Contact Details
072 608 1641 (cell), 041 374 5654 (work) / wanda@easternsun.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Eastern Cape Community / Membership
Company Name & Designation
Bidvest Car Rental – Business Development Manager
Contact Details
079 5277 619, 041 581 4242 / gilld@bcr.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Western Cape Committee Member
Company Name & Designation
ATKV – Sake (Goudini) – Head of Marketing and Entertainment
Contact Details
076 790 9788 / jpp@atkv.org.za
Company Name & Designation
Cape Town International Convention Centre – National Sales Executive
Contact Details
073 117 8598 / ernestv@cticc.co.za
Bio
With over 5 years of experience in event co-ordination, sales, design, management, operations and hybrid events, Ernest has been involved in successfully hosting events such as the World Economic Forum on Africa 2019, Ubuntu Awards, and Green Building Convention – to name a few. Ernest currently project manages the CTICC’s Digital Events Offering, and also represents the Africa Chapter on the ICCA Future Leaders Council. He holds Cvent Virtual Events Certification, Events Management Certification from UCT and has completed the New Managers Development Programme at the USB.
Ernest enjoys generating new ideas and devising feasible solutions which produce exceptional experiences. He is driven by an eagerness to grow and develop as captured in his work ethos, ‘There’s no failure, only feedback’. Not only does this guide his approach to his own advancement but motivates him to contribute to the development of his peers. When not on the floor for an event, he enjoys spending time at the piano.
Position on SAACI Committee
Eastern Cape Vice Chairperson
Company Name & Designation
Overall Events & Communication – Managing Director
Contact Details
082 4641 504 / claire@overallevents.co.za
Company Name & Designation
Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa – Head of Sales & Marketing
Contact Details
074 550 1000 / salesmanager@lagoonbeachhotel.co.za
Bio
With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality sector, I have a proven track record in travel and tourism as it is in my blood! I began my journey when I graduated from Granger Bay as the first intake in Hotel Management. I have worked both locally and internationally in a number of properties amongst other, Sun International, NH Hotels as well as privately owned hotels. My experience ranges from hands-on Banqueting to Commercial Manager. Over the years I have built solid, long-term relationships with key stakeholders across all market segments. What drives me is that I am passionate about this industry and believe in collaboration across all associations.
Position on SAACI Committee
Johannesburg Branch Committee Member
Company Name & Designation
Pure Grit Events and Exhibitions Management – CEO
Contact Details
082 555 1049 / zaida@puregrit.co.za
Company Name & Designation
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) – Senior lecturer & Programme Coordinator AdvDip Event Management
Contact Details
083 482 9276 / venskee@cput.ac.za
Bio
Esti Venske is a senior lecturer and programme coordinator for the Advanced Diploma in Event Management in the Department of Tourism and Event Management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. As curriculum project leader in the department, she is extensively involved in Tourism and Event curriculum development projects that encourage partnership between educators and industry practitioners to advance knowledge and skills alignment in the sector. Her experience in event management education spans over 18 years and she serves on a number of academic and industry committees.
Apart from lecturing and supervising postgraduate students, Esti has standing experience in organising local and international conferences. She has authored and co-authored accredited international academic journal articles, international conference proceedings and book chapters in the field of event management. She is involved with various community engagement projects and her current research focus areas include event management curriculum, business event tourism, sustainability and wellness events.
Company Name & Designation
CSIR ICC – Business Development Manager
Contact Details
079 513 8708 / mkganyago@csir.co.za
Bio
Minister is a young dynamic individual, passionate about the tourism and business events industry. He holds a BA degree in Corporate and Marketing Communications from the University of the Free State and an Honors degree in Strategic Marketing from the University of the Johannesburg. He is currently under the employ of CSIR International Convention Centre as a Business Development Manager. Given his passion for the meetings industry, Minister is in pursuit of a Masters degree in Communications at the University of North West. His research seeks to understand how the latest communication paradigm, can be used to advance business events in South Africa. He serves on the national board of SAACI as a board member responsible for Youth Development.
Position at SAACI National Office
Chief Executive Officer
Contact Details
082 575 7565 / ceo@saaci.org
Bio
“Promoting positive community and economic growth in our neighbourhood” is an objective that drives Glenton daily. Glenton had refined his public and private sector strategic management skills during his tenure as MD of Tourism Buffalo City, as CEO of Nelson Mandela Bay and as CEO of the ECPTA. As an Associate Director at KPMG he led the Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Unit for Africa before moving onto Grant Thornton in a similar position.
His position as Project Manager at the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber ensured that Business embraces its civil society role by driving a holistic approach which enables business within the Metro to work towards long-term sustainability. Glenton’s business management experience cuts across various sectors, such as Tourism Hospitality, Petro-chemical, Mining and all spheres of government. As an active citizen, Glenton acts as an independent advisor to the Nelson Mandela Bay Consultative Christian Churches, The Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition, and the Northern Areas Education Forum. He also mentors’ businesses within the ICT and Services Sector. He is the President of the Nelson Mandela University Football Club and is a budding golfer.
Company Name & Designation
Mise-en-place Solutions – Owner
Contact Details
082 652 2008 / info@mise-en-placesolutions.com
Bio
Professionalism has been the foundation of each of the roles that have enjoyed, mostly within the tourism sector. My goal is to continually deliver consistent, top quality, friendly and value to the client experience within the business environment.
The Role of SAACI Chairperson weaves into my personal goals as the association works to build on norms and standards. Supporting our members through our stakeholders, educational opportunities and newly formulated professional designations we am to continue to add to the Tourism sector GDP.
Position on SAACI Committee
Eastern Cape Committee Member
Company Name & Designation
Peri Expo – Owner
Contact Details
082 578 5987 / andrew@periexpo.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Western Cape Committee Member
Company Name & Designation
International Congress and Convention Association – Regional Director: Africa
Contact Details
084 056 5544 / esmare.s@iccaworld.org
Position on SAACI Committee
Johannesburg Branch Committee Member – Events Portfolio
Company Name & Designation
Event Synthesis – Event & Wedding Specialist / Safety Officer
Contact Details
060 970 7653 / angie@eventsynthesis.co.za
Position on SAACI Committee
Johannesburg Branch Committee Member – Treasurer
Company Name & Designation
Multi-Media (Pty) Ltd – Director of Innovation
Contact Details
082 854 2230 / chris@multi-media.co.za
Company Name & Designation
Durban ICC – General Manager: Marketing, Sales and Events
Contact Details
079 692 4604, 031 360 1360 / irenev@icc.co.za
Bio
Irene Vallihu is the General Manager of Marketing, Sales and Events at the multi-award winning Centre, Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC). She is a creative, focused, energetic, resilient and customer-focused professional with over 29 years progressive experience in the hospitality industry. Irene has held 6 positions during her 15 year tenure at the Durban ICC. Her management experience includes Marketing, Sales and Events, thus contributing positively to a comprehensive event lead management strategy. Irene is adept in planning and executing aggressive strategies to achieve organizational and departmental goals. She is a results orientated individual with experience in leading high performance teams and successfully increasing efficiency and productivity whilst reducing costs and inefficiencies. Irene also serves as a Trustee of the DUT (Durban University of Technology) Foundation.
Irene’s personal mantra is “I am because you are”.
Company Name & Designation
Chat’r Xperience (Pty) Ltd – Founder & CEO
Contact Details
083 415 2774 / john@chatr.co.za
Bio
John founded Chat’r Xperience after 15 years as a Founding Director at Magnetic Group and Brand Activations Director at Ogilvy|Brand Activation. He brings his organisational and project management skills, creative conceptualisation, choreography and passion for client satisfaction and years of experience in the eventing and experiential marketing into the online and streaming world. When he’s not working, John spends his time outdoors in his boat or 4×4 and following his passion for photography, and lately he considers himself a bit of a masterchef.
Position at SAACI National Office
SAACI National Office Membership Services Consultant
Contact Details
071 299 0601 / members@saaci.org
Bio
Alshanthe has previously been employed as a Project Manager for Meetings Africa, Africa’s Travel Indaba, GovTech 2019 and Comrades Marathon Expo. Prior to this she has worked extensively in Convention Centre’s around the country, fulfilling both Sales and Event Coordination roles. Alshanthe is also a proud Top 40 Women in MICE nominee for 2018 and have won the 2017 SAACI National Young Achiever of the Year Award. Her passion for Business Events is evident in all roles undertaken throughout the decade she has spent in the industry, and she is honoured to continue serving and contributing to this legacy.
Company Name & Designation
Eastern Sun Events – Owner
Contact Details
041 374 5654 / denise@easternsun.co.za
Bio
Denise owns and runs a conference management company, specialising in medical association conferences. Denise has been involved with SAACI for many years and was Chairperson of the Eastern Cape branch, head of the PCO Chapter and National Chairperson of SAACI. Eastern Sun Events has run successful online conferences during Covid but is looking forward to being host live events again.
Company Name & Designation
Be-Moved – Managing Director
Contact Details
060 993 7542 / jaques@be-moved.co.za
Bio
With a passion for events, exhibitions and activations, Jaques thrives on elevating a client’s brand through unforgettable experiences. While employed at Gearhouse and Formative he has gained a wealth of knowledge in production, stage design and the technical ‘know how’ of running in person, virtual and hybrid events. He accumulated over 10 years’ experience working on some of the most prestigious local and international conferences and stage productions. Jaques has also served on the SAACI Western Cape Branch prior to being elected to the National Board. Jaques is passionate about the Business Events Industry and eventing runs through his veins with production as his game.
The sought-after Branch of the year award was originally judged on membership growth and retention, but additional criteria was added in 2014.
Branches needs to:
The Young Achiever of the Year Award is an acknowledgement of a minimum of 3 years’ service to SAACI. The individual is between the ages of 25 – 35 years and is motivated, energetic, involved and an active member of the Association. The individual presents an extraordinary view of the value of being a member to the community at large and within the business events industry and has provided a special and positive contribution to the development of SAACI through service on a branch committee.
These awards are presented at branch level during the annual general meeting and is nominated by the committees in each branch. The winners in each region are then eligible for the national award at the national congress.
The Fellowship award is an acknowledgement of a minimum of 10 years’ service to the Association. The individuals noted below have provided a special and positive contribution to the development of SAACI through:
The individual is:
