After several months of lobbying, and providing significant amounts of evidence and research to government, working closely and in partnership with our colleagues at the SA Events Council, SAACI are delighted to confirm that we have meet with the Minister of Tourism and our colleagues from South African Tourism and the South African National Convention Bureau, to understand the recommencement of business events and exhibitions.
While this news will come as a great relief to the entire events industry, we are still conscious that the sector will require significant support going forward, as it looks to rebuild and renew. We will continue to engage with government to look at practical ways to ensure that our world class industry continues to thrive and support South Africa’s overall recovery over the years to come.
We also look forward to working with the Minister and the National Department of Tourism team, together with the South African National Convention Bureau to ensure a successful outcome of our sectors’ request to:
- Support the Events Safety Re-Opening Guidelines,
- Increase the capacity for organised gatherings from 50 pax to 50% floor capacity, and
- Work with the commercial banks to ease their requirements in financial aid for business event companies.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled in the coming week with the working team to work on the above as we move to get our sector further activated.
Finally, we would like to thank the entire business events industry for their patience, resilience and support that they have demonstrated over what has been an incredibly challenging few months. We look forward to working together, with one voice, as we look towards the next stage of our recovery.
National AGM:
The SAACI National AGM is scheduled to be held towards the end of October 2020. In the coming week we will share details on the hybrid platform inclusive of activities around the AGM. To ensure eligibility for voting, please contact Alshanthe at members@saaci.org to check on your organisations status.
National Board Meeting:
The SAACI National Board has also met via Zoom and we are excited to confirm the following post our Board meeting:
- The Marketing and Communications RFP is currently being reviewed by the Board and shortlisted candidates will be contacted soonest.
- We have successfully migrated the SAACI website
- Branch Committees have been hard at work to bring forth events in the upcoming months, details will be shared once events are confirmed
Celebrating the inaugural Africa Meetings Industry Day:
The Africa MICE Industry Stakeholders Round table event that took place on Wednesday, 9 September 2020, saw the launch of the very first official Africa Meetings Industry Day – a day that will now be recognised annually and dedicated to the significance of the African continents’ contribution to the MICE Industry.
Robust discussions were held throughout the event around the recovery and growth of Africa’s MICE industry in a post-pandemic era, during which collaboration was a clear theme.
Shanna Jacobsen, editor of Meetings Magazine, a 3SMedia title, moderated the final sessions of the day that included the launch of an exciting research project, driven by MICE research house, Niche Partners, that will be developed into the African Perspectives on the MICE Industry Report.
“Today, we are thrilled to be able to present a completely original and homegrown solution to address the major gap in research within Africa’s MICE space,” commented Shanna.
The final session of the day saw the organisers of Africa MICE Industry Stakeholders Roundtable, Mulemwa Moongwa from Zambia, KezyMukiri from Kenya and Nigerian-born Obinna Nwachuya, discuss the future of the MICE industry in Africa. Going forward, the event will be titled the Africa MICE Summit and run together with the Africa MICE Awards, thus ensuring that it is truly encompassing as a homegrown and pan-African event.
UIF/TERS
Within the past month, the Department of Labour has also confirmed the extension of TERS benefits. Organisations and employees are provided a continuation of benefit payments. More on the updated TERS Direction can be found on the department’s website.
SAACI working remotely:
The National Office continues to work remotely and members are encouraged to contact:
Glenton De Kock ceo@saaci.org 0825757565 and
Alshanthe Smith members@saaci.org 0712990601
Stay SAFE,
The SAACI Team
