Helen Brewer | Nov 28, 2013
South Africa is annually increasing it’s share of superstars to our shores. The list of names and groups are impressive. In 2013 the likes of Cirque du Soleil, John Cleese, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the heart-throb Justin Bieber graced many of our...
Helen Brewer | Nov 28, 2013
Event Managers in South Africa can be rated amongst the finest the world has to offer. Whether corporate, association, public sector or independent – the nation’s event managers have bragging rights with their range of in-depth ability on...
Helen Brewer | Nov 21, 2013
As the Captain asked of his first officer ‘Do you see any ships on the horizon?’ to which he replied:   ‘No Sir – I see no ships – only hardships’. Although not quite hardships – the industry’s loyalty to this annual government-financed exhibition...
Helen Brewer | Nov 14, 2013
The invitation received by the MICE Academy to attend SA Tourism’s ‘Power of One’ session was met with mixed feelings as to whether we would be ‘talked at’ or ‘talked to’ during the four hour series of presentations. The pleasant surprise was the...
Helen Brewer | Oct 31, 2013
There was a time when converted hotel ball-rooms into some kind of table and chair seating witnessed the odd conference with chandeliers, mirrors and dance floors still evident. Conferences in those days were so unusual that the spoken word...
Helen Brewer | Oct 24, 2013
‘A delegate is nothing more than a tourist with an expense account’ This quote was first spied in the 3rd edition of Convention Sales & Services written by Milton T Astroff & James R Abbey circa 1999 and sponsored by several American hotel...
Helen Brewer | Oct 24, 2013
‘Is it a bloody blow for several MICE services and suppliers?’ commented a planner listening to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s mid-term budget speech in Parliament yesterday. The announcement more than intimated as from December, event...
Helen Brewer | Oct 17, 2013
Once upon a time it was customary to write a letter of thanks or mail a postcard of appreciation. That was in the long forgotten days before the advent of technology or modern rules that – for some obscure reason – prohibit...
Helen Brewer | Oct 17, 2013
Following on from September’s MICE Focus Group when SACA’s (SA Chefs Associations) Thomas Overbeck took us through three hours of real understanding of what happens in the kitchens and participants gained much valued credits – the MICE industry is...
Helen Brewer | Oct 10, 2013
Within your scope of influence, the Academy leads the way in producing a green check-list when undertaking a site inspection or influencing a potential client to confirm a booking. The key words are ‘scope of influence’.  The individuals that...
Helen Brewer | Oct 3, 2013
Over coffee following an excellent September luncheon, a well-seasoned meeting planner/manager posed the question ‘Who needs initials behind one’s name – imported or otherwise – just to prove one has the knowledge to do the job?’ It’s a good...
Helen Brewer | Sep 26, 2013
‘There are tight purse strings in the MICE industry – at this time – with costs being shaved wherever possible but not always in a practical manner’ so witnesses the Academy in checking the temperature as we go into the final and customary...
