The eagerly-awaited Meetings Africa 2024 trade show is set to inject a surge of energy into Africa’s business events sector while significantly boosting South Africa’s economy.
This was the assertion made by South Africa’s Tourism Minister, Patricia De Lille, during the media launch of the South African Tourism-owned strategic business event trade show, Meetings Africa 2024, held on 24 January at the Radisson Blu hotel in Sandton.
Minister De Lille expressed confidence that this year’s show, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from the 26 to 28 February, will bring even more value to the delegates and the global business events sector as a whole.
Over 3 000 delegates, 350 exhibitors and 350 buyers are expected to attend
Meetings Africa brings hundreds of exhibitors, buyers, and key global business events sector decision-makers under one roof and has become a sought-after platform by exhibitors and buyers alike. With the show attracting thousands of attendees, it is expected to propel the tourism sector’s growth forward, capitalising on its robust recovery momentum.
“Building from the successes recorded in previous years, Meetings Africa 2024 will no doubt enhance the already upward trajectory of our business events and tourism sector’s performance. At this year’s event, we anticipate the attendance and participation of more than 350 exhibitors, 350 local and international buyers, over 20 international media and more than 3 000 delegates,” said Minister De Lille.
Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille
Last year’s edition of Meetings Africa contributed a staggering R388.5 million to the South African economy, creating and sustaining 753 jobs while also generating significant business deals worth millions of rands for exhibitors.
Last year’s edition of Meetings Africa contributed a staggering R388.5 million to the South African economy.
Emphasising Meetings Africa 2024 as a Pan-African trade show, Minister De Lille highlighted its critical role in telling the African story and promoting the continent as a premier destination for business events and tourism.
No less than 19 African countries are expected to participate in this year’s show as exhibitors will look to showcase their various destinations and products to the strong contingent of international buyers drawn from 52 countries.
De Lille said, “Meetings Africa offers a perfect platform to tell the African story. This is an essential platform for us as Africans to collaborate and present the continent’s compelling narrative to global buyers and audiences. Themed ‘Africa’s success built on quality connections’, the event serves as a rallying call for us to champion the African continent as a coveted destination for business events. We must leverage this platform to narrate our compelling story as Africans.”
The Minister emphasised that the economic advantages stemming from hosting the event will extend beyond the host province, Gauteng, and will be felt even in some of the small towns and villages outside the host province. In pursuit of this goal, pre and post-tours have been meticulously organised for media and buyers.
As part of the media launch, tourism sector leaders took part in a panel discussion which explored the economic impact of hosting business events. Panellists included Glenton De Kock, the CEO of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI); Sthembiso Dlamini, the CEO of the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA); Frank Murangwa, the Director of Destination Marketing at the Rwanda Convention Bureau and Septi Bukula, founder of Rendzonetwork.
Making Meetings Africa accessible
These tours showcase lesser-visited destinations in small towns and villages within Gauteng and other provinces. Fostering inclusivity within the sector remains a paramount objective for Meetings Africa. Consequently, a robust emphasis will be placed on enhancing market access for SMMEs, coupled with dedicated efforts in skills development and capacity-building initiatives.
Several activities likely to benefit emerging entrepreneurs and SMMEs have been planned in this regard. These include educational sessions, speed marketing sessions, and a marketplace.
On BONDay, scheduled for 26 February, participants can engage in educational sessions to foster thought leadership and knowledge sharing and provide insights into global trends and local perspectives.
A speed marketing session will also be featured on the same day, highlighting a diverse range of products for global buyers and media.
Another initiative to enhance market access is the Sustainability Village – a vibrant mini marketplace showcasing products by local craftspeople and entrepreneurs.
The economic value of business events
From 1 April 2023 to date, the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB), in conjunction with South Africa’s business event industry, has sourced and submitted 63 bids to host international meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions in South Africa between 2024 and 2029. These 63 bids have a combined estimated economic value of R1.205 billion and the potential to attract 46 470 international and regional delegates to South Africa during the same period. Of these, South Africa has been successful in securing 16 bids (meetings, incentives, and conferences) for the 2023/24 financial year, which is excellent news for the economy.
These successful bids will bring in an estimated total of R71 million between 2024 and 2025, as well as attract 2 505 international and regional delegates. The SANCB invested R5,7 million for these bid submissions through its bid support programme to attract business events that align with the National Government’s development priorities.
The conferences will also help to spread business events across the region, and they will take place in various locations, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town, Sun City, Parys, Skukuza, and Potchefstroom.
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