EXSA is proud to welcome Hanlie Delport as our new Association Manager, effective 17 June 2025. With over 30 years of experience in exhibitions, events, strategic marketing, and corporate communication, Hanlie brings deep industry insight and a proven track record of delivering both live and digital events. As the current President of the SA Council for Business Women, she is also a passionate advocate for collaboration, empowerment, and ethical business leadership.
Hanlie joins EXSA at a pivotal moment as we double down on raising professional standards and embedding good governance across the exhibitions and events industry. Her strategic mindset and hands-on experience make her an ideal fit to lead this next phase.
Emmanual Patty from Specialised Exhibitions states that ‘Good governance is the foundation of successful event execution — from transparent decision-making and sound budgeting to clearly defined roles and proactive risk management. A critical but often overlooked element is the early appointment of service providers. Doing so ensures aligned planning, timely resource allocation, reduced risk, and better cost control.’
Patty goes on to say that early engagement also enhances project outcomes through sufficient time for compliance processes, and improved communication among stakeholders. It enables providers to deliver quality service with confidence, which ultimately reflects on the professionalism of the event.
Under Hanlie’s leadership and in partnership with the EXSA Board, we will continue to champion these principles through training, resources, and support for our members. Together, we are committed to building a resilient, efficient, and ethically led exhibitions and events industry in South Africa.
Hanlie’s strategic mind and hands-on experience make her a perfect fit for EXSA. We look forward to the impact she will make as we continue to work together to build a resilient, well-governed industry.
Written by Angelique Smith – EXSA Board member and Chair of the Events Working Group
