Koketso Menong, Director of The Main Okasion and Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Alliance Network member, was honoured with the title of Exemplary MICE Female Leader of the Year at the Global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) Summit that took place in Nairobi, Kenya on 11-13 September 2019.
The Awards seek to recognise those corporates and individuals who are innovative and demonstrate a level of professional excellence in their field. Koketso’s award winning achievement was due to her passion for youth development. Her company, The Main Okasion, trains graduates and prepares them to enter the tourism and event organising job markets. Thus she is helping to nurture and develop the future of the MICE industry.
“It is almost impossible not to come out a winner when surrounded by the country’s very best, I’ve been truly blessed.” – Koketso Menong
Koketso says, “I am truly humbled by this award and would like to especially thank the organisers of Africa MICE Awards 2019. This award represents my journey and everyone who has been a part of it – it belongs to all of us. I have made many friends in the industry and most notably, I have found myself a home in the PCO Alliance Network. It is almost impossible not to come out a winner when surrounded by the country’s very best, I’ve been truly blessed.”
She adds, “I have a very tight schedule coming up, there’s going to be a lot of travelling in 2020 that is focused on what has always been my vision, to see South Africa – and ultimately the rest of Africa – playing a leading role in the MICE sector. This industry belongs to all of us, directly and indirectly. There are many significant roles everyone can play in lifting our continent up to global standards. It is very important for us to understand our unique circumstances and work through them until we get there. In other words, we should not rush and compare ourselves to others. However, we must keep track of our progress collectively and allow each of us to be a part of it.”
Ellen Oosthuizen, Chairlady of the PCO Alliance Network, adds, “We are immensely proud of our fellow PCO Alliance Network member Koketso Menong, who was honoured with the title of Exemplary MICE Female Leader of the Year. She truly embodies what this award is all about with her mentorship of young entrants into the MICE and tourism industry, and with the exemplary way she runs her business.”
The annual MICE Summit is emerging as the leading platform for the business events and meetings industry in East and Central Africa. This year was its second year, and it attracted 200 professionals, investors and industry experts from 15 countries around the globe.
