With the gradual recovery that we experiencing and witnessing around the country, albeit at a slow, safe and responsible manner, SAACI continues to work with our colleagues at the National Department of Tourism and the South African National Convention Bureau on proposed projects that we can roll-out to aid the members and the broader Business Events Industry.
With that, and in partnership with our association colleagues within the SA Event Council, we had a discussion with the City of Johannesburg this week. Our continued efforts to ensure we work within the regulatory framework that is currently in place for Business Events, dialogues have been held on the recently released JOC compliance and COVID-19 safety protocols document. A link to the document is attached here, alternatively, we have shared it on all our social media platforms when it was released.
We have had meetings to discuss the option of hosting an information sharing session, which will be led by the City of Johannesburg and the Events Safety Council for the Business Events and Exhibition Industry. The session will aim to educate members and the industry on the process the City of Johannesburg’s Joint Operation Centre have put in place, to ensure compliance and adherence to the safety protocols.
We continue to encourage members, owners, or operators of any indoor or outdoor facility where gatherings are held, to display the certificate of occupancy which sets out the maximum number of persons the venue may hold.
All event managers/organisers involved in the planning of events are, according to the City of Johannesburg, required to book a presentation slot by completing the form that is available on the website. You are also able to request a slot via email, by contacting jocevents@joburg.org.za. Notification of the proposed event by the Events Management Office (2) two weeks before the event.
For more information, please contact the Event Management JOC team, on the details below:
Itumeleng Mankge Shaun Harrison
Deputy Director Divisional Chief
Events Compliance EMS Events
Itumelengman@joburg.org.za ShaunHa@joburg.org.za
011 407 7051 011 407-6018
Earlier this week, The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) 2020 Congress took place with the Regional Africa Hub hosted by the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau at the Century City Convention Centre.
The programme contained some world-leading speakers, and educational content in ICCA Congress history. It was a record-breaking event which delivered over 100 hours of live and on-demand content to over 1500 attendees: via more than 100 sessions and with over 220 speakers over the 6 week period.
“This was uncharted territory for everyone in the context of the pandemic which forced the entire world to embrace technological solutions and revise the ways in which we traditionally do business.
Challenges across this event ranged from health and safety barriers affecting travel and opportunities to meet in person, to modifying the way education is delivered and selecting the correct tools to achieve this; however, it was also a chance to be innovative and rethink the way we do things so that we can fortify the future of the Events Industry,” said Regional Director for ICCA Africa, Esmaré Steinhöfel.
As many of us venture out, we continue to encourage all that, when attending a gathering, and in order to limit exposure to Covid-19, must please:
- Wear a face mask
- Adhere to all health protocols
- Maintain a distance of least one and a half meters from each other and
- Adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures as provided for
Keep safe and stay positive
The SAACI Team
