South African Tourism, the South African National Conventions Bureau (SANCB) and the Meetings Africa organising team are working on enhancing the Meetings Africa 2023 platform’s offerings across six key areas to improve delegates’ experience.

“We listened to your feedback and inputs that were raised at the debriefing, focus groups and one-on-one sessions that took place between July and September and the team is pleased to advise that we have heard you and this has translated into a robust implementation plan,” said Acting Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the SANCB, Zinhle Nzama.

Meetings Africa 2023 will be held at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre from February 28 to March 1, with the following key changes:

Improved communication

“It is our commitment to improve on our communications to all our delegates, ensuring that all communication is informative, engaging and inviting. We aim to improve our timing and frequency of communication across the relevant channels. We also want to ensure that we build closer relationships with our valued exhibitors, buyers, media partners and broader stakeholders,” said Nzama.

In keeping with the above, Meetings Africa 2023 Exhibitor, Hosted Buyer and Media Applications are now all live on the official exhibition website. 

Nzama noted that South African Tourism had already received over 100 hosted buyer applications in less than seven days. 

“We also aim to host briefing sessions leading up to Meetings Africa 2023. We envision the briefing sessions taking place earlier than previous years. This is to ensure all attendees are kept up to date with new changes planned for the exhibition. Briefing sessions will include a training element to ensure all attendees are well prepared for the 17th edition of Meetings Africa.”

Hosted buyer programme

The Hosted Buyer Programme has been globally benchmarked encompassing the best practice across all tourism trade shows. The SANCB team has partnered with a vetting agency who will assist in ensuring that all hosted buyers are vetted in accordance with a set of criteria. 

“For the first time at Meetings Africa 2023, exhibitors are now being given the opportunity to nominate and recommend potential buyers upon application, that may form part of the hosted buyer programme, subject to evaluation,” highlighted Nzama.

“We invite all exhibitors to form part of this integral process as an important partner, to ensure that we collectively work towards the desired quality of buyers for the exhibition.”

Online diary system and mobile app

“We have heard your plea and are pleased to announce that the Meetings Africa team is working on digitising meeting confirmations that take place between exhibitors and buyers. Both parties will also be able to rate the meeting. We also intend launching the online diary system earlier than in previous years, enabling more time for both buyers and exhibitors to schedule meetings,” said Nzama.

Part of the new enhancements include a single login across the website, online diary, and the official mobile app. This will allow for a faster, seamless and more centralised engagement across all three platforms.

Pre- and post-show tours

Nzama pointed out that, for 2023, Meetings Africa’s approach would consist of inclusive engagement with industry and the private sector to collaborate in developing pre- and post-show tour packages. 

“This will enable exposure for new experience offerings for hosted buyers. We further encourage exhibitors to package special hot deals for the broader audience of Meetings Africa 2023 specifically,” she said. 

Events programme and networking events

The SANCB has heeded the call to facilitate more engagements and more networking opportunities. “We therefore aim to strategically design the events programme that will be more targeted at creating additional opportunities for exhibitors and buyers to engage,” said Nzama.

The BONDay structure will also comprise active networking sessions between exhibitors and, for the first time, buyers will also be included in certain sessions to create value-add for their participation. 

“Youth will not be left behind, we are looking at ways of including educational programmes that will focus on the youth in order to ensure inclusive growth for the sector,” commented Nzama.

New Recovery Package

In the spirit of empowering industry participation, the Meetings Africa team has introduced a new Recovery Package for 2023. “This package is an entry-level plug-and-play package, comprising basic infrastructure and furniture, with a 50% floor-space subsidisation, at a total cost just shy of R15 000 (€882) inclusive of VAT.” 

This will promote market access for all exhibitors and is a more cost-effective option for those looking to participate at the exhibition at an affordable price point. 

“We have also re-evaluated the stand numbering system and synchronisation to the diary system, mitigating some of the issues that had arisen in 2022.”