Sustainability, innovation big focus for Meetings Africa 2017

Johannesburg - Sisa Ntshona, CEO of South African Tourism, recently reinforced the importance of the business events industry to Africa’s economy during the launch of Meetings Africa 2017.

Meetings Africa will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 27 February to 1 March 2017. This year’s theme is sustainability.

Meetings Africa gives exhibitors in the business events industry a platform to showcase their products and services to hundreds of buyers and event planners, and network with key decision-makers. The business events industry cuts across the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (Mice) sectors.

“The theme is a critical component of the work that our industry does which of course, is way beyond tourism. While Meetings Africa has previously 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 see sustainability as a business value and a means of transforming lives,” said Ntshona.

“The value of such a trade show extends beyond the business transactions. Through trade shows such as Meetings Africa, where dialogues and collaborations are key - innovation can only flourish.  This is beneficial because innovation is crucial for the growth of our industry.”

According to Ntshona, in South Africa alone, the business events industry continues to grow and contributes enormously to the tourism sector’s development as a generator of income, employment and investment. 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 R3bn.

Last year, there was an increase of 11% in both international and regional hosted buyers at Meetings Africa, with top international buyers coming from India, the United States, China, the United Kingdom and Russia as compared to 2015. There were 274 exhibitors at Meetings Africa 2016 representing 16 countries (including South Africa).