The Women in MICE Awards 2026 brought the business events community together at Monte De Dios Wedding and Conference Venue on Wednesday, 5 August, for an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence, leadership, innovation and influence within the MICE industry.
Presented under the theme Timeless Influence, the awards recognised the exceptional professionals whose work continues to shape organisations, uplift colleagues, inspire future leaders and strengthen the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry.
From the moment guests arrived, the venue was filled with excitement and energy. Networking, interactive partner activations and meaningful industry connections set the tone for the evening, complemented by the beautiful setting, exceptional décor, outstanding food and warm hospitality of Monte De Dios.
The formal programme opened with a captivating LED dance performance by Oriental Fire, followed by a powerful live performance by Stephan Nel. Master of Ceremonies Gerry Skerritt, together with the Dream Team Experience, brought humour, energy and interaction to the programme, keeping guests laughing, engaged and on their toes throughout the evening.
While every detail helped create the magic of the occasion, the heart of the Women in MICE Awards remained its nominees and winners.
“The evening was everything we had hoped it would be and so much more,” says Antois-Leigh Nepgen, Owner and Publisher of 4Mal Media Management.
“It was beautiful, energetic, emotional and filled with moments that reminded us why this industry is so special. The venue, entertainment, food, décor, activations and production were absolutely exceptional, but ultimately, the evening belonged to our nominees and winners.”
“The Women in MICE Awards are about acknowledging the people behind the events, experiences, venues and organisations that move our industry forward. They are the people who lead, mentor, innovate, support, collaborate and quietly make extraordinary things happen every day.”
Women in MICE Awards 2026 winners
The Women in MICE Awards 2026 recognised the following recipients:
Emerging Talent of the Year
Danielle Wintershoven – Montgomery Group
Junior Event Coordinator of the Year
Louise van Den Berg – ATKV Buffelspoort
Young Professional of the Year, Under 30
Sipokazi Mhlabeni – CTICC
Next Generation Leader Award
Domine Stapelberg – Concept G Global
Event Operations Professional of the Year & Hospitality Excellence Award
Sondie N Qamata – CTICC
Venue Operations Champion
Ronel Maartens – ATKV Klein Kariba
Culinary Excellence in Events
Cindy Tshabalala – Gallagher Convention Centre
Housekeeping and Guest Experience Excellence Award
Thembisile Arends – African Rain Collection, Century City Conference Centre
Technical Production Professional of the Year
Sankie Mohale – CTICC
Event Innovator of the Year
Natasha Jane Heiberg – Montgomery Group
Community Impact Award
Chriselle Visser – Concept G Global
Mentor of the Year
Megan de Jager – RX Africa – Accepted by Olivia Gradige
Entrepreneur of the Year
Gina Vanessa Beyers – The Source Solutions (Unfortunately unable to attend)
Industry Trailblazer Award
Colette Taylor – The Business Tourism Company – Accepted by Londi Khumalo
Male Supporter of the Year
Moses Nefale – Scan Display
MSC Cruises Top MICE Supporter Award
Dalene Oroni – Incentives at Sea and Beyond
The Women in MICE team extends its heartfelt congratulations to every winner and nominee.
Each nomination represented an acknowledgement from an industry peer who had witnessed that individual’s dedication, influence and contribution firsthand. A special thank you is therefore extended to every person who took the time to nominate a colleague, mentor, leader, team member or industry partner.
“The nominations are an important part of the Women in MICE Awards,” Nepgen adds. “They show people that their work has been noticed and that the contribution they make matters. We thank every peer who put forward the name of someone deserving of recognition.”
An evening made possible through partnership
The Women in MICE Awards 2026 was made possible through the generosity, creativity, expertise and commitment of an extraordinary community of sponsors, partners, supporters, contributors, suppliers and industry friends.
Heartfelt appreciation is extended to:
RX Africa, Concept G Global, Monte De Dios Wedding and Conference Venue, Strong Event Décor, Strong PR Marketing & Events, EPH Productions, Event Synthesis International, Event Assist, EXSA, the PCO Alliance Network, SITE Africa, LDM Properties, MSC Cruises, Gallagher Convention Centre, Gallagher Event Promotion, Scan Display, Garona Communications & Projects, and ATKV.
Special thanks are extended to the category partners whose support contributed directly to the recognition of the award recipients: PCO Alliance Network, EXSA, Event Synthesis International, LDM Properties, SITE Africa and MSC Cruises.
The evening’s entertainment was brought to life by Oriental Fire, Stephan Nel, Gerry Skerritt, LaserX and the Dream Team Experience, whose talent, energy and professionalism helped create an unforgettable atmosphere.
The Women in MICE team is equally grateful to the generous hospitality, experience and prize partners who helped ensure that the winners and guests were celebrated in a meaningful and memorable way:
Peermont Global; Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris; Raggy Charters; Pullman Cape Town; Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre; Dream Hotels & Resorts; Sun International; ASARA Wine Estate & Hotel; Premier Hotels & Resorts; Guvon Hotels and Glenburn Lodge & Spa; Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre; Whispering Pines; Liquid Lounge; Oliver’s Lodge; Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Sugar & Spice Photography; Hotel Verde; African Hills Safari Lodge & Spa; Century City Conference Centre; Buffelsdrift Game Lodge; Poised Solutions; Skål International; Metswako Brew; Around Africa; Hotel Sky; EGF; ATKV Oorde; AP-LBC, Hippo Boutique Hotel; Festival of Eventing; Anew Hotels & Resorts; Mnandi Times Experience; and MSC Cruises.
“An event of this scale is never created by one person or organisation,” says Nepgen.
“It is created through collaboration. Whether our partners contributed financial support, expertise, services, décor, production, entertainment, hospitality, activations, prizes, time or encouragement, every contribution played an important part in creating the magic experienced on the evening.”
“We are deeply grateful to every person and organisation that believed in the Women in MICE Awards and helped us create an event worthy of the extraordinary people we gathered to celebrate.”
Special recognition is also extended to the who judges who dedicated their time, experience and expertise to reviewing an exceptional number of nominations and completing the important task of selecting the 2026 winners.
The Women in MICE Awards 2026 concluded with a shared sense of pride, connection and renewed appreciation for the professionals who continue to raise standards, create opportunities and shape the future of the MICE and business events industry.
More pictures to follow……..
