The Planner

IBTM Wired 2021
2021-06-28 - 2021-07-01
Join the organisers of IBTM Wired 2021 this June for the brand new, landmark virtual MICE event from the IBTM Events portfolio.
IBTM Wired is the newest addition to IBTM’s global portfolio of events and intelligence for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry. The event takes place annually online and unites thousands of industry professionals from around the world for four days of one-to-one business meetings, sparking new connections and renewing existing ones and a programme of live and on-demand education sessions.
Attend exclusive 1-2-1 appointments with leading exhibitors across the 4 days of the show and find that spark that will last long after the final day of the show.
Also, gain key industry insights and knowledge from expert speakers, such as Stephen Attenborough from Virgin Galactic, Cathy Breden from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, Senthil Gopinath from ICCA, Alistair Turner from EIGHT PR & Marketing, Linda McNairy from American Express Meetings & Events and many more.
Only pay $199 to get full access to the 4-day event.
Register here now!

Restart 2021: The African Edition - The Era of Experiential Digital Events
2021-06-22 09:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Helsinki)
The burning question: Will the world ever really return to normality?
The world of corporate events and exhibitions has changed forever!
The organisers of RESTART 2021 invite you to join them for a full day of rich content, prominent speakers and impactful panels to discuss the future. Among the insightful discussions, heated conversations and thought-provoking content, you can sit back and take in the information of the ever-evolving virtual and hybrid world. RESTART 2021 has invited the participation of global industry leaders to showcase and share their ways of embracing change and shedding light on the industry’s questions and concerns.
Registration is now open! Click HERE to secure your seat
RESTART 2021 is brought to you by Virtual Event, The Collaborative Exchange and global virtual event pioneers, Hubilo. This inaugural event and marketing industry interactive virtual showcase covers the currently evolving events sector.
We encourage you to attend this powerful digital experience to realign your business and become part of the solution.

INDUSTRY DISCUSSION: Will Covid-19 vaccines restore confidence in the events industry?
2021-06-09 11:00 - 12:00
Join Tes Proos, President of SITE Africa, and Justin van Wyk, CEO of Big Concerts, for an insightful discussion as they explore the pros and cons of South Africa’s vaccination process and the impact it has on the recovery of the events industry.
Click here to register.

Winelands Bridal Fair 2021
2021-06-05 09:00 - 2021-06-06 16:30
Now in our 10th year of running, the Cape’s most renowned, exclusive and upmarket bridal show, Winelands Bridal Fair, invites you to view a showcase of local exhibitors, all specialising in the bridal, wedding and special occasion industry. Find everything you need to plan a wedding – all conveniently in one location at the stunning venue at Hudson’s at Vredenheim Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. (All under roof in case of winter weather.)
As an added attraction, top South African designers will showcase their most unique bridal Haute Couture. Be sure to catch the fashion shows that will be taking place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily.
There will be place for you to buy something to eat and drink, and enjoy your meal among the beautiful scenery that Hudson’s Venue has to offer.
Also keep an eye out for the many competitions running, both preceding the expo as well as the Win-4-Your Wedding Lucky Draws after each fashion show.
The show will run on from 9h00-16h30 on both Saturday & Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the expo or at Webtickets, and cost R100 p/p (children under 12 are free) and are valid for one day. Free parking is available.
If you would like more information or if you’d like to exhibit, please contact: Desiree Kleynhans at Donato Events, on 084 596 1753 / 021 910 2779 or desiree@donatoevents.co.za.

Event Safety for Dummies
2021-06-04 09:00 - 12:00
Win client confidence in the events space! Join Event Safety for Dummies taking place as a hybrid event on 04 June 2021, and learn how to be event safety ready!
A panel discussion proudly hosted by the PCO Alliance Network and panellistsf from the City of Johannesburg EMS – JOC.
Who should attend?
• Event organisers
• PCOs
• Event managers
• Travel agents
• Venues
• Anyone who hosts events
Topics that will be covered include:
• Covid-compliant safety protocols
• Emergency Management Services
• What should be in your JOC file
• SAPS categorisation
• JMPD
• Food COA
• Structure certification
Event Details:
Venue: Focus Rooms
Registration: Onsite / Online
Entrance: FREE!

Global Exhibitions Day 2021
2021-06-02 | Online
Global Exhibitions Day (GED) recognises the important role that trade exhibitions play in driving economies throughout the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has had significantly detrimental, and potentially lasting, effects on the global economy, across nearly all business sectors and regions. Exhibitions have traditionally played a role in bolstering and growing economic sectors, but this year they will play a new role – rebuilding and recovering communities.
The 2021 GED campaign will focus on just how instrumental exhibitions are in creating platforms for growth and recovery, while also instilling confidence in others to participate in organised events that prioritise safety and success in equal measure.
While the event is hosted by the global association of the exhibition industry, UFI, all members of the sector are encouraged to join the GED celebrations on 2 June by recognising the impact of exhibitions on local economies – both in building businesses and connecting people all around the world.

Soweto & Township Economic Remodelling Long Table Dialogue 2021
2021-05-27 10:00 - 13:00 | 1947 on Vilakazi, Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Join Mr Mpho Parks Tau, the MEC for Economic Development, together with the organisers of the Soweto & Township Economic Remodelling Long Table Dialogue, Mr Bheki Twala, President of the SSICCF, and Mr George Sebulela, Founder and President of the SAUBC, as they discuss the following:

MEC Plan for Gauteng Economic Development
Township Economic Development Bill update
SAUBC Economic Policy and Development
Township Economic Remodelling Strategy 2030

For more information and to RSVP for the event Tumi Mahlo, SSICCF Secretary-General:
tumelomahlo.mdlalo@gmail.com | +27 (0)76 430 7676

Explained 3 Ways: How Do I Run Effective Social Ads in 2021?
2021-05-20 11:00 - 12:00
60% of organizations that run social ads plan to increase their spend in 2021, says Hootsuite’s Trends survey. Are you one of them?
Whether you’re a paid social newbie or a campaign-optimizing machine, you can always get more out of your social ads.
Hootsuite’s Explained 3 Ways webinar will show you how. On May 20, they will bring together three experts to share basic, intermediate, and advanced social ad strategies.
You’ll discover how to:

Get your brand in front of new eyeballs by boosting your most engaging organic content
Convert new customers by using things like targeting to make your campaigns as effective as possible
Get even more out of your paid social efforts with advanced strategies for optimizing and automating your top-performing ads

Register here

Unpacking the Great BIG Wine Survey results - FREE WEBINAR
2021-05-20 09:00 - 10:00
indAn overwhelming response from winemakers to the recently released results of the first Great BIG Wine Survey brought to you by Hollard has inspired an informal webinar hosted by Andrew Douglas who will be joined by panellists, Peter McAtamney, founding Principal of Wine Business Solutions (WBS) and Caitlin Bauristhene from KLA, a leading independent consumer insights agency.
The free-to-attend webinar will take place via Zoom on 20 May 2021 from 9-10AM, and take an in-depth look at some of the insights and answer any questions attendees may have, in addition to highlighting future plans for the next Great BIG Wine Survey.
If you are interested in attending the FREE webinar, please register here and the organisers will send you the Zoom link.
Wine industry stakeholders interested in finding out more about the 2020 Great BIG Wine Survey, or plans for 2021, can contact Andrew Douglas at andrew@wineshow.co.za. Visit the Great BIG Wine Survey website to keep up to date with all the latest information.

SAACI Annual National Congress 2021
2021-05-19 - 2021-05-20 | Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre, Cnr William Nicol Drive & Pieter Wenning Road, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
This year’s Congress will be delivered as a hybrid event with a focus on future technologies, design thinking, resilience, and a dedicated youth element to name a few key topic themes. The Congress will launch the association’s drive to guide members and the business events industry for 2021 and 2022.
The in-person component will be held at the Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre in Johannesburg.
Registration fees are as follows – please note that the Early Bird rates end on 05 May 2021:
Virtual attendees

Paid SAACI members – complimentary, or R290 after 05 May
Paid SA Events Council members – R150, or R290 after 05 May
Non-members – R290
Students / youth – complimentary

On-site attendees

Paid SAACI members – R250, or R300 after 05 May
Non-members – R550, or R600 after 05 May (this includes SA Events Council members)

Register

IMEX BuzzHub
2021-05-12 14:00 - 16:30 | Online
The new IMEX BuzzHub is launching on 12 May, from 3:00pm – 6:30pm London time, with a fantastic ‘Buzz Day’ line-up of 20-minute speaker sessions, audience Q&As and a closing industry panel. The theme is ‘Collaborations, Connections and Community’.
As well as monthly Buzz Days, the IMEX BuzzHub will be offering Let’s Talk Round Tables, casual and more formal networking activities, and their usual smattering of community-centred fun and togetherness.
More details coming soon on how to RSVP.

UFI Female Leadership Special Interest Group
2021-04-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Launched in March 2021, the UFI Female Leadership Special Interest Group focusses on empowering women in the industry: help them to shape their career paths!
Gender equality is in our interest as human beings both for women and for men! Inclusivity is not only about meeting the immediate economic needs of women, but lays out a long-term strategy for creating stronger systems and companies that reflect the experiences and contributions of women in the workforce and in society. It is also good for business!
Diverse thinking is crucial for success of a company, people from different genders and cultural backgrounds bring to the table new points of view, “outside the box” thinking and economic benefits. First and foremost, we want to raise awareness and extend support for more gender equality in the exhibitions industry.
Join this group if you want to:

empower women and be empowered,
get access to learning new skillls, inspiration and resources to help you advance your career,
build confidence,
create new opportunities and collaborations,
share your experience,
and more!

Networking is a major component to joining this group, which is another great reason to be part of it! The group is open to all, men and women.
This event is the first meeting.
Register

The Five Percent Roadshow
2021-04-29 12:30 - 18:30 | Online
Budding entrepreneurs who want inspiration to turn their idea into the next big thing in travel and MICE sectors are invited to sign up to a marketing workshop later this month, run in association with WTM London and IBTM World.
The Five Percent Roadshow promises insight, encouragement, and best-practice examples from those in the know during a six-hour online event that’s jam-packed with seminars, breakout sessions and in-depth discussions as well as networking opportunities.
There will be four sessions. The first, Defining Your Company Character Diamond, explains how a well-crafted character diamond can help entrepreneurs understand their own personal values and how that can be used to inform the messaging for their company. Session two is entitled: Discovering Your Ideal Customer Profile.
Session three covers how to Clarify Your Company Message, while session four, Turning Complete Strangers into Raving Fans of Your Business, looks at how to create a roadmap that will help people discover your brand, build a relationship with you, and become buyers who turn into raving fans.
The Five Percent co-founder and CEO Marcus Murphy says, “If you’re going to be starting a business in 2021 and beyond, you need to be a practitioner, not a theologian, and that starts by making sure you’re going to be building the right foundation. Don’t just sit around for the next year where you didn’t do anything about that great idea.”
Register

Event App Bible LIVE: Ask the Experts
2021-04-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Online
Filled with thought-provoking discussions and bite-sized presentations from experts, this event is the must-attend event for anyone considering investing in events apps.
With hybrid events about to hit the mainstream, EventMB invite you to join us for this FREE event where they’ll unpack the latest trends in event apps.
Register

Soweto Freedom Day Roundtable
2021-04-27 09:00 - 16:00 | Sud Restaurant, 6877 Vilikazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
The Soweto & Surroundings Industry Chambers Councils Forum (SSICCF) is hosting a roundtable event to discuss how to unlock Soweto’s economic freedom and business opportunities for local SMMEs.
Speakers include Councilor Lawrence Khoze, the MMC of Economic Development, and Ms Jacki Mpondo-Hendricks, SAUBC CEO.
The cost is R200 per person.
To RSVP, please contact:
Tumi Mahlo
SSICCF Secretary General
076 430 7676
tumelomahlo.mdlalo@gmail.com

Responsible Revenue: How to Host a Profitable and Safe Hybrid Event
2021-04-21 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
Hybrid events are top of mind and planners need to make sure they are safe but also profitable.
The rethinking and redesigning of events as hybrid experiences brings with it challenges that require new ways of thinking about events. This webinar addresses these challenges and covers a range of revenue-generating concepts, many of which are different from in-person-only events.
On this webinar you will learn about:

What attendees and sponsors actually find value in and are willing to pay for
Ideas for sponsorable products and services that all contribute to the bottom line
How additional safety protocols can be used to offset costs
The best way to partner with your venue and hybrid event technology provider

Join this FREE webinar designed to help you elevate and expertly monetize your hybrid events!
Register

Webinar: Taking the leap into the wellbeing economy
2021-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
The South African Events Council and Event Greening Forum are proud to announce that the distinguished academic and world renowned proponent of the concept of a wellbeing economy Professor Lorenzo Fioramonti will be the guest speaker at our upcoming webinar.
Prof Fioramonti is a distinguished academic, world-renowned proponent of the ‘wellbeing economy’, as well as a sought-after and captivating speaker
During this webinar, he will talk on: Taking the leap into the wellbeing economy – redirecting the economy toward community, the environment & a sustainable future.
The Covid pandemic has made clear that there is no economic success without social wellbeing, which is founded on the health of people and ecosystems. When we imperil wellbeing, we demolish any economic activity, resulting in more poverty and destitution.
For over a decade, Prof. Fioramonti has been advocating a new theory and practice called “wellbeing economy” to demonstrate the shortfalls of our obsession with economic growth and to place personal and ecological wellbeing at the centre of development policy for governments and business alike. In this talk, he will discuss many tangible examples of how the “wellbeing economy” is the only way forward to achieve a sustainable and equitable future, as well as happier and healthier lives.
His talk will be followed by a Q&A session.
Register

Webinar: Addressing UIF Challenges for Tourism Sector
2021-04-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) will be hosting a webinar tackling the challenges that the tourism sector has been having in accessing UIF.
Joining TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa is Allan Ragavaloo, UIF Director Provincial Support.
Date: 15 April
Time: 10h00 to 12h00
RSVP: Click HERE to register

BoxIT launch event
2021-04-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Convention Bureau Italia, a non-profit organization that represents all the major players in the Italian MICE Industry and that promotes the country as a destination for major international corporate and association events, is launching BoxIT to the world on 13 April.
BoxIT is the free, intuitive digital platform developed and engineered by CBItalia during 2020’s lockdown that makes networking between selected Italian suppliers and top international buyers time-efficient and super easy. The Live Webcast will feature an in-depth tech demo of the platform.
BoxIT was designed with a dual goal in mind: on one hand to act as a ‘virtual window’ into Italy, giving users constant updates about reopening dates and the latest safety protocols, while also showcasing to buyers the latest trends and news in MICE in Italy, in order to give them a crucial edge when MICE will be back in business.
On the other hand, when things will be back to normal, BoxIT will act as the virtual beacon for MICE-related business in Italy, a powerful tool -without the complexity- that can overcome the physical limits of one-shot or once-a-year B2B events by digitally filling the gaps in between: a discreet business companion always at its users’ fingertips, supporting them in fulfilling their networking needs no matter where they are nor when they use it.
Register

Global Meetings Industry Day: Virtual broadcast
2021-04-08 14:00 - 2021-04-09 02:00 | Online
Join MPI in association with Meetings Means Business for a very special Global Meetings Industry Day: Virtual designed specifically to “Meet Safe.”
In 2020, nearly 11 000 of your global peers connected digitally to buoy support and signal hope for an industry in crisis. This year, MPI is looking forward — seeking the opportunities of tomorrow and mapping recovery for individuals, organizations and economies.
Join your global industry peers and leaders as they share victorious stories, conquered challenges and forge the path ahead for an industry preparing for its critical return to the world stage. There’s nothing we can’t accomplish together.
This free digital experience will feature education and activities worth 12 clock hours of continuing professional development.
Register

Africa Travel Week
2021-04-07 - 2021-04-09 | Online
Africa Travel Week (ATW) focuses on inbound and outbound markets for leisure tourism, luxury travel, LGBTQ+ travel, economic development, investment and the MICE/business travel sector as well as travel technology.
This year’s event involves a blend of both live and virtual events across 365 days, which includes:

WTM Africa and ILTM Africa will both take place virtually from 07-09 April 2021
Africa Travel Week: Connect in the City Live will take place in Cape Town from 1-3 September
Educational webinars will run from May to August
A series of virtual masterclasses will run from September to November

Register

WTM Africa
2021-04-07 - 2021-04-09 | Online
WTM Africa will go ahead from 07-09 April 2021 as a fully virtual event, delivering a much-needed platform for connection between tourism industry stakeholders engaged in bringing business to Africa, and Africa to the world.
Find out more about this event here.
Mirrored on WTM flagship events WTM London and Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, Buyers’ club, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors.
Register

Spier Easter Weekend Celebrations
2021-04-02 - 2021-04-05 | Spier Wine Estate
Spier is offering a number of amazing opportunities to spend some special quality time with your family this Easter. These include:
Easter Sunday feast
Enjoy a decadent three-course lunch on Spier’s terrace, next to the Eerste River while the Supernova band serenade you. The meal includes gourmet salads and freshly baked bread to start, followed by a selection of mains such as slow-braised brisket, roasted leg of lamb, smoked ocean trout, a cheesy butternut pasta bake, bacon-flecked charred broccoli and aubergine & tomato melanzane. You’ll also be able to sample the Estate’s fine wines at the Spier Wine Tasting Station.
Easter Weekend braais
From 2-4 April, a daily pop-up braai station on the Spier Werf will be open from 11:00-16:00. On the coals will be lamb tacos, pickled fish tortillas and curried sosaties.
Keep the kids entertained
Throughout the Easter Weekend (2-5 April) children are invited to attend a 1-hour workshop at 9:30, where they will make their own rabbit ears and a basket for collecting Easter eggs. The costs is R100 per child.
Kids can also enjoy grape juice while they decorate their own Easter Bunny cookie at the Tasting Room, for just R40, while adults can indulge in some chocolate and wine tasting for R70 per person.
Additionally, the Spier Hotel Kids’ Clubhouse will be offering a full programme of exciting Easter activities with extended open hours (08:00-19:00) throughout the long weekend.
Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery’s Easter treats
Vadas’s will again be serving up their famous hot cross buns, as well as many other treats such as Easter Egg croissants and mosbolletjie bread. It’s best to pre-order to avoid disappointment: either phone 021 809 1137 or email info@vadas.co.za.
Family picnics
Relax under the ancient oaks of the Spier Werf with a picnic basket packed with deliciousness, including gourmet salads, a charcuterie and cheese selection, a baguette with various dips, harissa grilled chicken strips and more. Every kid’s basket will also include a chocolate-filled Easter cracker.
Weekend stay-overs
Spier is offering South African residents a special Easter rates for the Easter Weekend, from R1 015 per person per night. Use promo code EASTER21 when you make your booking to receive a complimentary Easter Egg hunt kit for your kids, so you can create your own egg hunt in the farm’s expansive gardens.
For more information and bookings please visit www.spier.co.za

How to Solve the Challenges of Networking in Virtual and Hybrid Events
2021-03-30 20:00 | Online
One of the big challenges of virtual and hybrid events is how to facilitate networking opportunities between participants. Recreating what comes easy for in-person events is challenging to do for virtual and hybrid events; as a result, attendee expectations are rarely met.
In this webinar, they’ll dive into the value of creating deep networking opportunities and how to bring the fidelity of in-person to virtual and hybrid events. Creating a better networking experience is possible and it may be simpler than you think.
This webinar features the number one advocate for deep networking, Lawrence Coburn, who will guide us through the power of deep networking and explain how to bring it to event participants who are yearning for high-quality networking opportunities.
Register
EventMB is accredited by the Events Industry Council to provide clock hours for webinars. If you are working on your Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) accreditation and want to earn CEs, you can add one clock hour by attending this webinar.

Virtual Speaker Training Session
2021-03-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
Many of us have experienced how difficult it can be to speak at a virtual event, whether we’ve been the ones in the hot seat or by helping our speakers get over their nerves.
However, with the right tips and training, event speakers can learn how to make an impact and develop a powerful virtual stage presence.
Join Will Greenblatt – actor, educator, and co-founder of the OutLoud Speakers School – for this very special, 1-hour free Virtual Masterclass inside the EventMobi Virtual Space.
In this workshop, you will learn:

How to warm up your face, body, voice and mind for your big talk
Learn daily exercises to improve your vocal and physical power and clarity
How to learn and control your “Speech Settings”, to make your audience hear, understand, care, remember and believe in you
How to tell stories to increase engagement and CTA’s from your audience
How to handle Q&A’s with confidence
And much more…

Register

Jurni Masterclass: How to make your property Covid-safe
2021-03-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
If you run a guesthouse or small hotel in South Africa, this free masterclass is for you.
Jurni is offering its first masterclass on 29 March at 3pm.
The panelists will answer your questions around the new health and safety protocols and how to implement them. They will also share insights and practical tips on how to adopt the TBCSA protocols, overcome challenges related to them, and flag which protocols are likely to stay in place after the pandemic has passed.
The panelists are:

Sandile Ntseoane – GM SAVRALA and Chairperson Jurni Advisory Panel
Boitumelo Moleleki – TBCSA Client Relations Manager
Rosemary Anderson – National Chairperson of FEDHASA

Please send your questions to jurni@bigambitions.co.za.
Register

Webinar: Managing Africa's Reputation
2021-03-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
The labelling of new variants and how African countries are handling the pandemic have been the subject of much discussion locally and internationally in recent weeks. What impact does this have on the continent’s travel and tourism sector?
Join Africa Travel Week (ATW), for a webinar on ‘Managing Africa’s Reputation’, focused on this and the impact of the vaccine rollout in international media on the continent’s travel and tourism sector. During the panel discussion, industry experts will also get to grips with the so-called SA variant and ways destinations and tourism products can counter negative reporting to ensure Africa’s tourism recovery.
Register

AHIF Marketspace
2021-03-25 12:00 - 18:00 | Online
Preparations for the agenda for AHIF (Africa Hospitality Investment Forum) Marketspace is underway. The event will showcase why hospitality investors should look at investing in Morocco, key performance indicators for the region will be shared and the measures that have been put in place by governments to support and reboot the economy will be discussed.
Programme highlights include:

A conversation with HE Nadia Fettah Alaoui
Marketspace Presentations
Is the future bringing us new operating models?
Conversation with the investors

Register

Uphill Challenge 2021
2021-03-20 | Paarl, South Africa
On 20 March 2021, it will be just about one year since lockdown was announced.
Our mission with the Uphill Challenge is to create awareness and exhibit tour operators, wheel operators and event organisers who all promote our country and beautiful destinations, but due to a challenging year, had no income. We want to educate locals and change their mindset to rather use inbound operators to help them plan their holidays, this will create jobs/income during these tough times.
Participants will run/walk uphill for 8.5km to Paarl Rock (this is the official challenge part of the event) and then hike back down for 5km to the Taal Monument, where they will finish and receive a medal.
Participants who are slightly less fit and do not want to do the 5km hike downhill, can catch a lift back to the Taalmonument from Krismis Camp with one of our tour operators, but this will only happen after the last participant has arrived.
Register
This event is supported by the SA Events Council.

Spier Light Art 2021
2021-03-19 19:30 - 2021-04-18 22:00 | Spier Wine Estate
Get ready for the third edition of Spier Light Art, hosted at Spier Wine Farm from 19 March to 18 April 2021. This night-time adventure is suitable for the whole family to enjoy, as you wander around this historic Stellenbosch estate to admire interactive artworks that use light, sound and video – illuminating the present moment to help us imagine where we might be headed next!
Entrance to the event is free, and the lights are switched on at dusk.
The Sunday Times Neighbourhood supplement wrote this about Spier Light Art 2019: “What a spoil to walk around safely in near darkness… the beautiful surroundings merging with the night skies, and, interspersed with the pristine gardens, an array of light art surprises…”
