VIDEO: 13th annual Meetings Africa hosted at Sandton Convention Centre
SANDOWN – Meetings Africa aims to highlight Africa as an ideal destination for business and pleasure.
The annual Meetings Africa conference will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre to highlight all the unique business opportunities Johannesburg has to offer.
Joburg Tourism, along with the Gauteng Convention Bureau and the Sandton Convention Centre, will be partnered with Meetings Africa for the next five years.
Meetings Africa, which celebrates its 13th anniversary this year, aims to highlight a diverse offering of services and products offered by the African Conferencing Industry. The event also stands to showcase all the conferencing opportunities available in Sandton.
We are here!!! #MeetingsAfrica2018 We consider #MeetingsAfrica as a strategic business tourism fair which has potential to position our destination as a must visit MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) destination in Africa.@ZtaUpdates @karikogakaseke pic.twitter.com/IyDEdxjEA1
— Min of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe (@MOTHI_ZIMBABWE) February 28, 2018
Rendani Khorommbi, the head of the convention bureau for the City of Johannesburg, said, “For us, it [Meetings Africa] is so important because it’s where we source our business; it’s a great platform to source bids for future business.”
Meetings Africa 2018 Stakeholder Dinner
SA Tourism Minister supporting Business Tourism with PASSION@visitjoburg @visitgauteng @ pic.twitter.com/UBJTj4vBty— Rendani Ramphabana (@lovetourism2004) February 25, 2018
The conference, which was hosted from 26 to 28 February, welcomed 257 exhibitors from various hotels, tour groups and tourism bureaux from various cities and African countries.
Gauteng Tourism CEO @Ngwenya_SS talks about #MeetingsAfrica and the success of day 1. #GautengMeansBusiness pic.twitter.com/aNslqdIbkr
— Visit Gauteng (@visitgauteng) February 27, 2018
Khorommbi added, “I think this is the ideal place for a convention. If you look around, there’s plenty of hotels for delegates, there are great shopping experiences, so it doesn’t get better than this.
While the conference focuses on bringing business to the area, Khorommbi added that all the conferences have a suggested itinerary, which encourages business travellers to come back for a holiday in the future.
When shared minds come together, Africa comes to life. Glad to be visited by the very hands on @sisantshona at our stand @ProjectEnza @TourismKZN. Join in on the conversation at #MeetingsAfrica18 #Enza🤚🏽#WeDoTourism pic.twitter.com/OsKRZQvL2O
— Project Enza (@ProjectEnza) February 28, 2018
“We find that people are continuously wanting to return; I think the African market is growing so people are wanting to come here for a holiday.”
Mweteise Godwin, the owner of Yala Safaris Uganda and one of the exhibitors at the event said, “It’s been an amazing experience so far and lots of people who want to have partnerships so there’s always an exchange of ideas.”
Leah Knott, the MMC for the City’s Department of Economic Development said, “Aside from the significant role played by tourism in strategically creating and strengthening international relations, and contributing significant economic benefits, hosting business events also contributes to the knowledge economy of host cities and communities at large.”
Member of Mayoral Committee Cllr Leah Knott welcoming Meetings Africa 2018 delegates at the Sandton Convention Centre
@JHBEconomicDev @LeahK28 pic.twitter.com/lIvFgc6owg— Rendani Ramphabana (@lovetourism2004) February 27, 2018
Details:
National Convention Bureau 011 895 3000.
Did you attend Meetings Africa? Share your thoughts on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page.
Related:
Joburg Tourism’s head office moves to Sandton Library building
Joburg Tourism launches Welcome to Jozi campaign
