‘Success should be celebrated – just like a birthday’ The Academy started the MICE Focus Groups in January 2013 and with six Focus Groups under our belt, we can claim the experience has been an interesting and fulfilling one. Many participants have joined us on the road to discovery of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and more importantly the testing of attendees to achieve more than attendance certification but
also the coveted compliance certification with their pass score achievements.
Subjects have ranged from: lighting, technology, promotional gifts, décor, design, legal issues, sales techniques and professional speakers. All the event management topics have been aligned to the NQF core competencies with an outcomes-based statement from each participant.
It’s not easy being pioneers with no precedent or yard-stick on which to measure. Yet over 150 certificates have been issued and the Academy has been pleased with the results to date.
Going into our seventh month and building on our first half year successes – the Academy has made the following improvements to the next series of MICE Focus Groups:
* Presenter/s will be selected for their expertise on the topic as well as aligned more
directly to one or more of the NQF event management core competencies in keeping
with the best practice documentation issued to the participants;
* Presenter/s brief will be in tandem with the documentation and commitment will be in
accordance with the outcomes as agreed between the Academy and the presenter/s;
* Times remain 08h30 for 09h00 to 12h30 allowing for a 30 minute break and
confidential Q&A test;
* 3 credits for attendance and 4 credits for compliance with authentic certification will
be issued via the Academy’s unique certification software;
* Subscribing Academy members will continue to enjoy their Portfolio & Event Spec.
ring-binders.
* Venue will be the 5 star Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand;
Re-scheduling the July Focus Group – the new strategic MICE Focus Group on
Friday 30th August will be:
‘Understanding Volume Catering’ with Thomas Overbeck of the South African
Chefs Assoc.
This CPD session will be focussed on cuisine that works and what should be avoided. Also on the cards will be the differences between a business group of attendees in comparison to individual or personal limited luncheons / dinners. Included will be the varying types of caterers dependent on capacity and ethnic considerations. The SA Chefs Association is planning to involve top executive chefs for the Academy’s upgraded MICE
Focus Group launch in the second half of 2013. Diarise the date and check the Academy’s website regularly.
