SAACI National Annual Conference 2026:
Here And Now – This Industry. This Moment. No Waiting.
Why Here & Now?
The theme is intentional. The past few years have demanded a great deal from the industry. Tighter budgets. Higher expectations. Constant change. And still, the South African business events industry keeps showing up, adapting, creating, and moving forward.
HERE & NOW is about recognising the realities of the industry, while bringing people together to reconnect, share ideas, strengthen relationships, and shape what comes next. This July at Zimbali, SAACI invites the industry to be part of the conversations that moves business events forward. Because the future of the industry will be shaped by the people in the room.
About the SAACI NAC:
The SAACI National Annual Conference (NAC) is a yearly gathering of our members and the most influential voices in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry – where conversations and innovations meet actions that set the tone for the future of business events across Southern Africa.
Every year, we use the latest industry trends, new developments and expert insights to design an immersive experience that challenges conventional thinking, inspires collaboration, and equip attendees with the tools they need to navigate the evolving landscape of business events.
Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities, the industry explores game-changing strategies and practical solutions to address both the challenges and possibilities on the horizon – with a strong focus on professionalisation, sustainability, data, and technology.
Join us at The Capital Zimbali in Durban this year from Sunday, 26 July to Tuesday, 28 July for the SAACI Annual National Conference 2026.
What You Can Expect:
- Keynote speakers and industry voices who will challenge, provoke, and inspire — not tell you what you already know
- Practical, immediately applicable sessions on navigating budget pressure, client retention, and sustainable event delivery
- Unmatched peer networking with South Africa’s leading PCOs, venues, DMCs, meeting planners and suppliers
- The Annual SAACI Awards, that recognising excellence across the full business events sector
Event Programme:
| Time | Session | Programme | Speaker / Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09h50 | DEPART | Bus 1 departure — Southern Sun Elangeni Bus 1 departs from Southern Sun Elangeni. |
Shuttle transport |
| 10h00 | DEPART | Bus 2 departure — The Capital Zimbali Bus 2 departs from The Capital Zimbali and travels direct to Club Med. |
Shuttle transport |
| 10h15 | PICKUP | Garden Court Umhlanga pickup Pickup from Garden Court Umhlanga and thereafter proceed to Club Med direct. |
Shuttle transport |
| 11h00 | SITE VISIT | Club Med site inspection Hosted guided inspection of Club Med’s conference and event facilities. Delegates experience venues, accommodation, catering and leisure facilities with a dedicated hosting team on hand. |
Club Med hosting team |
| 12h00 | LUNCH | Networking lunch Sit-down networking lunch. Delegates connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting before the afternoon programme. |
|
| 13h30 | DEPART | Depart for Durban Beachfront Coaches depart for the Durban Beachfront. |
Shuttle transport |
| 14h30 | ARRIVAL | Arrive at uShaka Marine World Delegates arrive at uShaka Marine World. |
uShaka Marine World |
| 15h00 | SHOW | Dolphin show All delegates attend the dolphin show. The show is approximately 30 minutes. |
uShaka Marine World |
| 15h30–16h45 | ACTIVITIES | Activities around the uShaka precinct Activities planned around the uShaka precinct. Options include Segways, Rickshaw Pullers and Gondolas. Each delegate will choose one activity, subject to availability. Each activity is approximately 30 minutes. |
Activity options |
| 16h45 | TRANSPORT | Promenade ride Delegates return to the buses for a ride along the promenade. |
Shuttle transport |
| 17h00–18h00 | COCKTAILS | Cocktails and canapés — Olive Convention Centre Delegates arrive at Olive Convention Centre for cocktails and canapés. |
Olive Convention Centre |
| 18h00 | DEPART | Depart for hotel drop-off Delegates depart for drop-off at hotels. |
Shuttle transport |
| Sunday sets the tone for the conference. The welcome brunch opens the programme in a warm, welcoming way, while the afternoon sessions bring key industry issues into focus. The day closes with a relaxed networking evening that allows delegates to connect and settle into the days ahead. |
| Time | Session | Programme | Speaker / Host |
| 12h00 | ARRIVAL | Delegate registration & welcome brunch
Delegates arrive, register and settle in with a welcome networking lunch. Conference bags, badges and programme guides are available at the registration desk. |
|
| 12h30 | LUNCH | Welcome Lunch and Networking | |
| 13h30 | Welcome & conference opening
The MC opens the conference, introduces the ‘Here and Now’ theme and sets the tone for the programme ahead. |
MC & SAACI | |
| 13h45 | KEYNOTE | The unfiltered state of the South African business environment
A frank view of the forces shaping business in South Africa, followed by a short MC-led response from the floor. |
Prof Bonang Mohale |
| 14h30 | TED TALK | The real picture
A clear-eyed view of current market realities, risks and opportunities. |
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa |
| 15h15 | TED TALK | The client has changed. Have we?
A focused look at how client and delegate expectations have shifted, and how the industry needs to respond. |
Nina Freysen-Pretorious |
| 15h45 · SUNDAY TEA BREAK | |||
| 16h00 | KEYNOTE | What South Africa is worth: the country brand in a competitive world
A look at how South Africa is perceived globally and what it will take to strengthen the country brand in a competitive market. |
Khaya Dlanga |
| 16h45 | PANEL | Destination focus: a KZN conversation
A KwaZulu-Natal showcase of destination strength, culture and event potential, hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Film & Tourism Agency. |
Panel:
Hamish Erskine Phindile Makwakwa Winile Mntungwa Gill Slaughter |
| 17h45 | COCKTAILS | ABSA Welcome cocktail evening — The Capital Zimbali Estate
The official conference Welcome Cocktail Evening. All delegates welcome by KZN. Brought to you by ABSA |
Hosted by ABSA |
| 20h00 | CLOSE | Evening concludes | |
| Monday is the conference’s main working day. Keynotes, practical discussion and two focused panel sessions are designed to move beyond ideas and produce tangible outcomes. The evening then shifts into a more social, relaxed format with the Gala Dinner at Southern Sun Elangeni, hosted by Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency with Southern Sun. |
| Time | Session | Programme | Speaker / Host |
| 08h30 | ARRIVAL | KwaZulu Natal Welcome & coffee
A warm Official KZN Welcome with Coffee on arrival and welcome by Sibusiso Gumbi, Interim CEO of KZN Tourism & Film,. |
Sibusiso Gumbi |
| 08h45 | KEYNOTE | The opportunity brief — what we need, what we offer, and how we grow together
The Meetings and Events Industry’s economic contribution to the GDP as a growth industry that can accelerate South Africa’s economic performance. |
Dr Pali Lehohla |
| 09h30 | TED TALK | The Human Edge: Our Story
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and digital convenience, the business events industry is one of the last and most important defenders of a simple, profound truth: that human beings in the same room, in the same moment, having a real conversation, create something that no technology can replicate. |
Gcina Mhlophe |
| 10h15 · MONDAY MORNING TEA BREAK | |||
| 10h30 | DISCUSSION | South Africa as a destination — where we are and where we must go
A practical discussion on South Africa’s position as a MICE destination, including competitiveness, bid performance, air access and global visibility. |
Panel:Taubie Motlhabane,Sthembiso Dlamini, Jerry Mabena, Corne Koch.
Moderator: Miller Matola. |
| 12h00 | SAACI ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING | ||
| 12h45 LUNCH | |||
| 13h15 | DISCUSSION | What buyers actually want in 2026
A direct buyer-side view of current expectations around format, value, sustainability and supplier readiness, followed by audience Q&A. |
Panel: Nonnie Kubeka, Adriaan Fourie, Peter John Mitrovich, and Sadiq Dindar Moderator: Gwynneth Matthews |
| 14h10 | LAB 1 | Lab: The crisis simulation — ’72 hours out’
A live simulation that places delegates in the middle of an event crisis, testing judgement, teamwork and response under pressure. |
|
| 15H10 MONDAY TEA BREAK | |||
| 15h45 | CLOSE | Day 2 close | |
| 16h00 | FREE | Delegates free — time to freshen up for Gala Dinner | |
| 17h15 | TRANSPORT | Shuttle departure — Zimbali & Umhlanga to Southern Sun Elangeni.
Shuttles depart from The Capital Zimbali and Garden Court Umhlanga at 17h15. |
Shuttle transport provided |
| 18h00 | GALA DINNER | Gala Dinner: ‘Here and Now — After Dark’ — Southern Sun Elangeni, Durban
A themed evening of celebration, entertainment and connection. Dress code: smart-casual / cocktail. Full evening programme to be shared closer to the event. |
Hosted by Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency · Southern Sun |
| 22h00 | CLOSE | Evening concludes · Return transport to hotels | Return transport provided |
| Tuesday brings the conference to action. The ideas and outputs gathered over the previous two days are brought together into a practical conversation about what the industry must do next. |
| Time | Session | Programme | Speaker / Host |
| 08h30 | ARRIVAL | Day arrival & coffee
Coffee on arrival with delegates brought back into the room with clear focus. |
|
| 08h45 | TED TALK | Think Differently
Explore how to turn creative chaos into purposeful design in this dynamic session on the new era of experiences. |
Mike Saunders |
| 09h30 | TED TALK | Innovate Differently
Innovation is one of the most overused and least understood words in the professional services world. For the business events industry, it rarely means a new technology; it means a new approach to a familiar problem. |
Aurelia Albert |
| 10h15 | TED TALK | Perform Differently
KG’s story is one of the most powerful illustrations of what Perform Differently actually looks like, not as an abstract concept, but as a daily, disciplined, joyful choice made in the face of obstacles that most people would accept as reasons to do less. |
Kgothatso Montjane |
| 11h00 | CLOSING | Formal conference close
SAACI formally closes the 2026 National Conference. |
SAACI |
| 11h30 | CLOSE | Conference ends
Safe travels to all delegates. Thank you for being part of SAACI 2026. |
|
| Conference venues | The Capital Zimbali (primary conference hotel and main programme venue) · Southern Sun Elangeni (Monday Gala Dinner venue) |
| Transport pickup points | The Capital Zimbali · Garden Court Umhlanga (Saturday and Gala Dinner only). Please be at your pickup point ten minutes before the scheduled departure time. |
| Saturday dress code | Comfortable, casual. Beachfront activities and outdoor setting — sunscreen and comfortable footwear recommended. |
| Sunday/Monday dress code | Smart-casual for daytime sessions. Smart-casual / cocktail for the Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner. |
| Tuesday dress code | Smart-casual for all sessions. Conference closes at 11h30. |
| Meals included | All meals and refreshments listed in the programme are included in your delegate registration fee. |
| Transport provided | Shuttle transport is provided for Saturday site inspection, the Monday Gala Dinner (depart 16h30) and return from Gala Dinner (depart 21h30 from Elangeni). Transport details communicated at registration. |
| Programme updates | The programme is correct at the time of publication and is subject to change. SAACI will communicate any changes via official delegate email communications and on-site announcements. |
| Contact | For all conference enquiries, contact members@saaci.org |
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