By Londi Khumalo, Managing Director, Niche Partners & SAACI Board Member
Congratulations to all the hardworking and resilient women in the MICE industry.
I had the honour of serving as a judge for the 2025 Women in MICE Awards. Reading through the nominations filled me with admiration for the passion, creativity, and leadership that women bring to meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Your dedication is the reason this industry thrives.
But as I celebrated, I noticed something important: too few women of colour nominations were made by and and for women of colour.
I know many women of colour who are brilliant and hardworking. I also know this from personal experience—I grew up with the rule to “speak when spoken to.” While this taught me respect and humility, it sometimes translated into silence in unfamiliar or intimidating spaces, even when I had important contributions and views to share.
Years ago, in 2017, I had a conversation with a white male colleague and friend—someone with whom I have an open and honest relationship. He asked me a question that stuck with me: “Why are black people so quiet? Why don’t they speak up in meetings?” At the time, I didn’t fully understand how to answer. But now, after judging these awards and reflecting deeply, I’d like to share some thoughts.
That silence is often the product of a lifetime of conditioning—to be respectful, to not rock the boat, to “speak when spoken to.” But in doing so, many of us have muted our own voices, and the world misses out on our insights, our ideas, and our leadership.
The workplace cultures and environments of our industry can add even more complexity. They often feel worlds apart from the familiar contexts we come from—different ways of communicating, of asserting ourselves, of being heard. It can be intimidating. And so we hold back, even when we have something meaningful to offer.
To the women—all women—who hesitate to share your story or to nominate an exceptional colleague: this is your reminder. We work in an industry full of women doing extraordinary things. Let’s look out for that greatness. Let’s commend it, applaud it, and make space for it.
That brilliant woman you didn’t nominate this year? Let’s agree—next year, we see her, we celebrate her, and we put her name forward.
Let’s keep building a community where we clap loudly for one another, speak boldly, and lead proudly.
