Yoshni Sigh
The successful conclusion of two significant international tenders for events in Gauteng has put the spotlight on Sandton Convention Centre’s international sales manager, Yoshni Singh.
The recent wins for the Sandton Convention Centre include the five-day Africities Summit 2015, which is organised by the United Cities and Local Government of Africa and is held every three years to look at issues affecting urban and economic development in African cities and to find ways to share knowledge and experiences. Singh worked on the project from start to finish. Also on the Sandton Convention Centre’s calendar is the Africa & Middle East Conference of Junior Chamber International in 2016, a prominent global platform for young business leaders.
Holding the international sales portfolio for Sandton Convention Centre is an exciting step forward for Singh, whose long experience in the industry is proving to be excellent grounding for the challenges of the global market.
Durban-born Singh, who obtained her International Diploma in Hotel Management from the International Hotel School in 2001, moved from her position in corporate sales at Sandton Convention Centre to the international portfolio in 2013 and is reaping the rewards of her efforts with new events booked at the world-class venue.
“This portfolio entails long months of careful planning, lobbying, and working closely with organisations such as the City of Joburg and the SA National Convention Bureau to attract international events to our city as this is beneficial to all of us. The City of Joburg is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to bring more people into the city to enjoy its multi-faceted offerings and the Convention Bureau is designed to attract business tourism to this country, with the Johannesburg branch focusing on our local area,” explains Singh. “We all do research to find international events that could come to South Africa.”
Singh spends much time travelling to international conventions and expos where the Convention Centre will take space on the South African pavilion or to meet with local associations in different countries.
The bidding process for international events is usually a long-term project, with results taking time to manifest themselves. “But when we do have a positive result, it usually means an event that will have a significant impact on tourism to Gauteng, which is very rewarding,” she adds.
Singh has worked her way through the ranks in Sandton Convention Centre, having joined the company in 2003 as a junior events coordinator and taking over the position of conference and exhibition event co-ordinator in 2006. In 2007 she joined a corporate and professional hospitality group as a sales executive and then returned to Sandton Convention Centre in 2011 to take on the corporate sales position.
“Having had training and experience in a range of departments at Sandton Convention Centre and elsewhere has given me skills and insight that are invaluable in my new position – and I am able to understand the needs of our clients and potential clients and how we are able to fulfil them,” she says.
She adds that selling the convention centre to even the most sophisticated and demanding international clients is much easier knowing that the team at the rock face of the business in Sandton are not only skilled enough to deliver on the promises, but share with her a real passion for the business and for making sure that every eventuality is covered to beyond clients’ expectations.
Her strengths, she notes, are founded on her commitment and ability to always put clients first in all her dealings, which is underpinned by her steadfast attention to detail.
Singh’s great love in life – apart from her husband and toddler son – is travelling and meeting new colleagues around the world; this job provides that in abundance together with the exciting challenges of developing new markets for Sandton Convention Centre.
