The South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB) – which has invested R17,3m (€1m) in 79 bid submissions through its Bid Support Programme to attract business events in the country – has, to date won 34 bids submitted for the 2022/23 financial year.

“This secured business will contribute R288m (€16.9m) to South Africa's economy between 2022 and 2025 and attract 13 085 local, international and regional delegates,” said SANCB Acting Chief Convention Bureau Officer, Zinhle Nzama.

She told Tourism Update that the conferences would contribute to the regional spread of business events and would be hosted, respectively, in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Hammanskraal, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban, Mokgopong, Muldersdrift and Pietermaritzburg.

The 79 bid submissions have a combined estimated economic impact of R1bn (€4.8m) and can potentially attract 40 512 delegates to South Africa between 2022 and 2029.

“Business events deliver much more than travel and hospitality spend, as significant as that is. They provide researchers and practitioners with a platform to discuss and disseminate new ideas. They are where the brightest minds come together to solve the world’s problems – from health and medical breakthroughs, technology and ethics, engineering and development, to environmental sustainability and more,” said Nzama.

Call to industry

For the first time this year, SANCB has issued a call to South African organisations, corporates and associations to submit applications for the Bid Support Programme.

This is to, amongst others, ensure the growth, recovery and sustainability of the MICE sector, which was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Nzama, the Bid Support Programme provides financial support to the provinces and cities as well as the conference organisers in their bidding process.

“The SANCB assists clients in bidding for business events by lending support across the entire bidding process to maximise South Africa's chances of winning the rights to host international and regional business events.

“Support is given for both the actual bidding process and bid enhancements such as committing support services to the client during the staging of events, as well as pre-and post-event support should the bid be successful,” she said.

Nzama said this support would include boosting and marketing of the events, helping to source local vendors for on-the-ground services such as catering, entertainment and supplies.

“We will also offer on-site exhibition support as part of a sustainability village where local crafters can exhibit their wares for conference delegates to purchase a keepsake,” she said.