Meetings Africa 2018 to highlight the importance of shared economies in the continent

JJOHANNESBURG, 01 February 2018: Today at the media roundtable held at the South African Tourism’s offices in Sandton Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, the Chief Convention Bureau Officer at South African Tourism, reinforced the importance of the business events industry to the continent’s economy.

Regarded as Africa’s premier business events trade show, Meetings Africa 2018, will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 26 to 28 February 2018.

Meetings Africa gives exhibitors in the business events industry opportunities to network with key decision makers in the industry, as well as a platform to showcase their products and services to hundreds of global buyers and event planners. This is an industry that cuts across the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) sectors, and this year will be hosted under the theme of Shared Economies.

“The theme is a critical component of the work that our industry does which of course is way beyond tourism.  While Meetings Africa has shown its commitment to sustainability by introducing the use of low cost energy, eco-friendly material, recycled paper and being carbon footprint conscious; the goal this year is to expand the overall conversation and focus on how collaboration help us find innovative solutions to bettering the lives of our people,” said Ms Kotze-Nhlapo.

As Meetings Africa builds on the many years of success, it will once again be attended by the best of local and international industry minds ready to network and share valuable insights on global trends.

The first day of Meetings Africa, Monday 26 February 2018, known as BONDay (Business Opportunities Networking Day), is exclusively designed to add value to exhibitors, and will feature a combination of industry experts and speakers who will engage with them on trends and topics affecting the business events industry. 

On Tuesday, 27 February, Tourism Minister, Ms Tokozile Xasa, will officially open the show, setting the tone for what Meetings Africa 2018 hopes to achieve.  This will be followed by panel discussions titled Business Talks, where South African Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona, will be joined by industry experts to discuss the various forms of shared economies and their effects on business events.

The exhibition will this year also showcase 15 small and medium enterprises. This will illustrate how the industry continues to grow and contribute enormously to the tourism sector’s development – through the generation of income, employment and investment.  South African Tourism through the South Africa National Convention Bureau has already helped secure more than 170 bids for the next five years with a total economic impact estimated at R3 billion.

For more information on Meetings Africa 2018, please visit: www.meetingsafrica.co.za

Email: exhibitor@meetingsafrica.co.za  or info@meetingsafrica.co.za

Follow us on twitter @SA_NCB and follow the hashtag #MeetingsAfrica18

• ENDS -

Issued by South African Tourism

For further information contact:

Thandiwe Mathibela        

Tel: +2711 895 3177

Email: thandiwe@southafrica.net        

Website www.southafrica.net   

South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. It is headed by Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sisa Ntshona.