ITMSA Event

 The Institute of Travel and Meetings Southern Africa (ITMSA) is hosting a forum and its AGM at the Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo on the 21st of February. The forum is titled ‘What is Meetings Management?’ Strategic Meetings Management (SMMP) is the current global term used to manage meetings, conferences and “events” – in some instances it will also include incentive travel.
 By definition, it is the process of consolidating group travel, meetings and event planning into a centralised function, strategically determining how total spend, volumes, standards, suppliers and risk can be managed more effectively to align with the company strategy, maximise on resources and have a positive impact bottom line.
 The South African business environment, and in particular global companies, have started to explore this initiative in the hope that they can achieve the same results as with corporate travel management. It is, however a new and evolving initiative and still at the beginning stages, with a great deal of work to be done to achieve the full benefit.
The ITMSA will have two expert panels, with panellists including corporate travel buyers and SMMP industry specialists, who will be on hand to answer questions as well.
 Registration and breakfast are at 07h30, with the forum commencing at 08h00. The AGM will take place at 09h30. The forum is free for ITMSA buyer members, whilst the supplier member fee is R350. ITMSA connect members will have to pay R450, whilst non-members will have to pay R550. For more information, contact nicky.duplessis@itmsa.org.

SATTIC Conference: 2- 4 September 2012

Expanding South Africa’s tourist market share is one of the key issues to be debated at the inaugural South African Travel and Tourism Industry Conference (SATTIC), which will take place at the Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo, in Ekurhuleni, to the east of Johannesburg.
Timed to kick off Tourism Month, the conference is expected to provide the opportunity for all industry thought and opinion leaders, across the total value chain, to get to grips with what it will take for South Africa to become a successful tourism nation.
 SATTIC will be opened and addressed by the Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk. The Minister’s opening speech will be followed by a high level discussion of the industry’s competitiveness, led by a presentation of the 2012 World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness report by Professor Geoffery Lipman, advisor to the UNWTO and WEF, and a presentation by David Scowsill, CEO and President of the World Travel and Tourism Council. The session, titled “Is South Africa getting its fair share of tourist arrivals?” will delve more into the dynamics impacting on the country’s ability to expand its market share and explore possible solutions.
 This session will be moderated by Wayne Duvenage, previous CEO of Avis Car Rental and current Chairman of the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA), and will feature the following industry leaders: Thulani Nzima, CEO of SA Tourism; Martin Wiest, CEO of Tourvest Destination Management Services and Bongani Maseko, Acting MD of Airport Company South Africa (ACSA).
There are only 11 days left to register for the conference. Register online at www.sattic.co.za or www.tourismvision2020.co.za.