Ray Douglas Bradbury was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th-and 21st-century American writers, who wrote – “Action is hope. There is no hope without action.”
This week the exhibition industry hosted the Restart Expo held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. Indeed, we witnessed ACTION. We have all heard the talk, but we all want to see the action now.
For most that attended this event, it was an opportunity to gather, to experience the protocols that currently regulates our industry, and to demonstrate that our organised events can drive the economy in a safe and responsible manner.
As the private sector in the Business Events and Exhibition Industry we have demonstrated our willingness to show Government that we are not an ordinary “gathering”, and that the industry will always play a significant role in our countries’ economy.
A key take-away from the Restart Expo was the call by South African Tourism’s Chief Executive Office, Sisa Ntshona for input by the Business Events and Exhibition Stakeholders on the proposed work SAT, and in particular, the South African National Convention Bureau are proposing to do in the next financial year. He called for far better collaboration as we work towards the recovery of our industry.
As SAACI, we have already engaged the SANCB and will provide impetus to this call as the document gets finalised.
To further enhance our inputs and to understand where members are since the move to Alert Level 1, we wish to probe you to participate in our “Industry Pulse” survey on this Link. We thank you in advance and look forward to sharing the results with you, our Members.
As we move towards the final month of what is left of the calendar year 2020, we are reminded of a quote from Greta Thunberg – “There is hope – I’ve seen it – but it does not come from the Governments or Corporations, it comes from the people. The people who have been unaware are now starting to wake up, and once we become aware, we change. We can change and people are ready for change.”
Our industry has witnessed many rapid changes, but we as a People, have driven those changes to allow us to adapt, accept and move towards HOPE.
Stay Safe and stay in touch,
The SAACI TEAM
