This month, the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry is offering two superb workshops – one seminar and one master class – that will both cover crucial aspects of involvement in the MICE industry.
On 27 January, Shariefa Allie-Nieftagodien will present a seminar on the challenges involved in starting up a new business in the travel industry, including understanding the current market and how to be competitive in the field as a new entrant. Laying out an effective business plan will also be central to the session, since it is a challenge that faces many new business owners. The session will also be interactive, to increase understanding and allow for entrepreneurs to share their own circumstances.
Shariefa is highly experienced in the tourism sector, with more than 30 years’ experience to her name. She holds a Masters Degree and was instrumental in the transformation of the tourism industry after the end of apartheid. She has researched extensively over the course of her career, and maintains a particular focus on the empowerment of women in the tourism industry.
The following day, 28 January, SAACI’s Master Class workshop will take place. The workshop will cover the full day, with the aim being to provide in-house operational staff with a general understanding of how to identify client and venue expectations. These include venue requirements for catering, accommodation, meeting logistics, health and safety requirements, infrastructural limitations, audiovisual systems, environmental issues and finance. It will also cover the client’s perspective, the right questions to ask, quoting and the duties expected of them.
The Master Class will be run by Managing Director of Core Competency, Melanie Sillince, as well as Managing Director of Creative Presentations, Dave Gladwin. They have combined industry knowledge totalling 60 years. They are both tremendously experienced in the business tourism industry, bringing vital skills to the session that is invaluable to operational staff that handle a variety of clients on a regular basis in their regular course of business.
SAACI is maintaining a strong focus on its commitment to it’s 2016 theme of “With Education, It’s Possible”, the theme was anncouced last year as part of the launch of the SAACI Academy. The Academy is already attracting major interest from big players in the business events industry, with its offerings of internationally-accredited courses that improve the skills of vital employees in several organisations.
Both of these sessions will be held at the SAACI headquarters in Rosebank, at Association Hub, 158 Jan Smuts Avenue, on the 4th floor of the East Wing. The session hosted by Shariefa costs R350 per person to attend, with registration online on the SAACI website. The Master Class is R1 250, with a maximum of ten participants.
