In keeping with South Africa’s knack of creating memorable business experiences, Meetings Africa 2011
has exceeded expectations and cemented its status as the African continent’s leading business tourism
exhibition.
This year’s show at the Sandton Convention Centre ended today, with the four-day event leaving industry
stakeholders and trade partners even more eager, excited and optimistic about the future of Africa’s
meetings industry. International and local buyers left even more knowledgeable about Africa’s diverse
business tourism offerings and equipped with a wealth of new business networks.
“Meetings Africa 2011 has definitely paved the way for South African Tourism’s strategic development to
grow the business tourism industry in South Africa,” says Nomasonto Ndlovu, Global Manager of Business
Tourism at South African Tourism. “Africa’s flagship business tourism event has been hailed by its
attendees as a success and has achieved its goal of showcasing Africa as a world-class international
meetings and events destination.”
Over 7,000 official meetings were scheduled during Meetings Africa 2011, breaking all previous records
and exceeding the expectations of platform owners, SA Tourism.
“The enhancement of the Meetings Africa Matchmaking Programme this year was undoubtedly the strategic
feather in our caps. A record 7,387 business meeting requests were sent, of which 6,176, or 83.61%, were
already actioned by the end of the first day of Meetings Africa,” continues Ndlovu. “The success of this
programme and the enthusiasm with which it was received by our valued stakeholders, exhibitors and
visiting buyers is extremely encouraging and a great sign of things to come for our industry.”
The Matchmaking Programme was further supported and extended through the integration of Poken™
technology - an electronic business card unit that facilitates the exchange of contact information
digitally; all but negating the need for business cards and significantly modernising the networking
experience.
In addition to the added emphasis on speedier networking platforms, Meetings Africa 2011 saw the
introduction of several additional elements that elevated the event to arguably one of the best
in its category globally. Progressive developments to the domestic business tourism agenda included
the addition of the Corporate Brunch and Meetings Africa Golf Day, offering further opportunities for
networking and encouraging greater involvement from the local corporate sector.
The positive sentiments and impressive event results were shared by many of this year’s exhibitors.
“Meetings Africa 2011 was much improved and we saw a lot of growth this year. I was particularly
pleased that there was a definite increase in the number of buyers interested in Africa,” says Beatrice
Makawiti from The Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
Exhibitors rose to the challenge of an even bigger and better Meetings Africa by showcasing their
offerings competitively, creatively and uniquely. Meetings Africa 2011 judges were hard-pressed to
name the winning stands in each category, as the quality and heightened marketing efforts by all
exhibitors was of a particularly high standard this year.
The small stand award winners were NH Hoteles and runners up were Uniquely Spectacular. In the medium
stand category the overall winner was Legend Lodges, Hotels and Resorts and runners up were Peermont
Hotels & Casino Resorts. Runners up in the large stand category were Gauteng Tourism Authority and
the overall winner for best large stand was awarded to Johannesburg Tourism Company.
Unaudited attendance numbers for Meetings Africa 2011 were 3,353, up from the 2,899 delegates who
attended last year’s show. South African Tourism hosted 123 international buyers and 32 international
media from global core markets and this year’s Association Day was attended by 52 delegates.
Meetings Africa in conjunction with SAACI also hosted educational seminars that were very popular
with the Meetings Africa attendees. The attendees were enlightened on how the Consumer Protection
Act affects business tourism on the first day of Meetings Africa. The topic for the second seminar
created heightened awareness about the greening of the business tourism industry and how the industry
can better apply and adhere to global greening trends.
Ndlovu felt the continued success of Meetings Africa ensured that South Africa remained well-poised to
cement its position as one of the most intriguing and dynamic business tourism destinations in the world.
“What remains most promising to us is that the growth of this event elevates the exposure of the African
continent, our world-class facilities and uniquely African personality. In turn, this could translate
to even further growth for the continent as a whole.” Ndlovu concluded.
To view or download Meetings Africa 2011 photos go
www.jpg.co.za. This website will be available to
media personnel until end of March 2011.
Issued by Kezi Communications (Pty) Ltd on behalf of South African Tourism -
For further information contact
Thandiwe Mathibela at SA Tourism
Tel: +27 11 895 3177
Email: thandiwe@southafrica.net
Website: www.southafrica.net
Charmaine Shangase at Kezi
Tel: +27 11 334 2493
Email: charmaine@kezi.co.za
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South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a
preferred tourist destination. It is headed up by Chief Executive Officer, Ms Thandiwe January-McLean,
Chief Operating Officer Mr Timothy Scholtz and Chief Marketing Officer, Ms Roshene Singh.