On Thursday (8 May 2025) SAACI’s Gauteng branch held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Onomo Hotels in Sandton. During the event, members and industry stakeholders assessed the association’s progress over the past year and set their strategic objectives for the year ahead: changing from victims to victors.
As a 38-year-old association, SAACI is prioritising structural reinforcement – streamlining governance, expanding board representation and enhancing operational capacity, including:
- For the first time, a national call for board nominations invites qualified members to campaign and contribute diverse expertise.
- A substantial investment in the Glue Up CRM and event-management platform aims to centralise member data, automate communications and track engagement.
CEO Glenton de Kock emphasised the need for SAACI to work with tertiary institutions that offer event management, aligning with the association’s mandate to professionalise the industry. “The path forward includes developing clear accreditation pathways – acknowledging that while each member may have a different view of what professionalism looks like, a collective standard is needed,” he said.
Opportunities for Business Events
De Kock then took attendees through some of the trends SAACI is currently seeing in the business events industry, explaining that there are various external factors currently influencing the Southern African tourism markets. However, the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry is getting increasing attention for its economic and social development contributions, which means there are many opportunities ahead, such as:
- Markets like India and China were highlighted for specific segments such as incentive, pharmaceutical, and academic events.
- Some venues are already booked out until 2027, forcing the sector to find innovative ways to still attract international clients to the region.
He also pointed out that Gauteng members have been asking how they can get access to new markets. “Gatherings like these are a good example,” de Kock explains. “Where else can you host an outdoor event in the winter? Leverage what the province has to offer.”
Many venues, like Onomo Hotels, for example, offer hybrid indoor-outdoor spaces to host get-togethers, where attendees can enjoy the world’s second-largest urban jungle. They’re also a stone’s throw away from offices, making it ideal for business events.
Become The Victors, Not The Victims
In a powerful and physical keynote address, well-known South African speaker Shakes Dlutu reminded delegates that “Everything we do in life is a choice”. He challenged everyone to shift from being victims who let other people define their narratives with accusations, blame, and complaints. Instead, Gauteng needs to take ownership of its story and become the victor. “You must be the change you want to see in your life,” Dlutu quoted Mahatma Gandhi.
He encouraged attendees to have the attitude and agency to:
- Proactively shape event narratives and client experiences.
- Adopt hybrid and contingency models to mitigate external disruptions.
- Leverage digital and sustainable technologies to enhance value propositions.
As an icebreaker for the networking portion of the event, Dlutu took attendees through an immersive activity, forcing them to get on their feet and engage with each other.
The change starts with YOU
The Gauteng AGM reminded us that each member holds the power to shift perceptions, inspire innovation, and strengthen the business events industry if we work together. Real and sustainable transformation requires more than policy – it requires participation.
SAACI member, STRONG PR, Marketing and Communications, supported the event by capturing the memorable moments with their cameras – including various short interviews with members and partners. This will help us highlight the untapped potential that still exists within the province’s MICE sector.
Member Bar motion brought the coffee, which kept attendees fuelled as they tried to catch each other’s fingers during Dlutu’s interactive networking exercise. Dlutu was brought to you by the Unique Speaker Bureau, who also ensured our speakers were audible with their sound equipment and microphones.