Cvent sees 50% growth in Africa
INTEREST in event technology has certainly increased in Africa, confirms Gokul Bajaj, Cvent senior manager of sales based in Dubai. “In 2019, we expect to see almost a 50% growth in business volume!” Cvent has nearly 100 customers in the region, he says. “To support this event tech growth, we are hosting more local events to be closer to our customers. We are big believers in the power
of face-to-face interaction and are looking forward to expanding our customer base with these events in the year ahead.” Cvent technology can handle the entire event lifecycle, from finding venues, setting up a budget, marketing events, hosting online registration, facilitating check-in, engaging attendees onsite and offering post-event analytics. Gokul says it’s incredibly exciting to be at the forefront of this move toward using
technology to help event organisers maximise the impact of their live events. Cvent works with small organisations that put on one to two meetings a year all the way up to enterprise-level customers who may host hundreds of events each year. Pricing is customised with no set requirements, he says. “Our comprehensive platform and mix of individual point solutions makes it easy for anyone to pick and choose the tools they need most.
Venue Secure evolves rapidly into digital event centre
VENUE Secure, a brand-new, locally developed app that provides an easy-to-use, digital event centre, has completed its first client roll-out with Guvon Hotel’s Glenburn Lodge and Spa this month. “What started off as a smattering of an idea over a glass of wine with a friend about poor security at venues has grown into a digital event centre that has far more strategic implications, says Venue Secure spokesperson, Carl Townsend. “Once we realised we were helping firms with supersimple but effective security, with attendees confirming attendance by clicking a link on an SMS and giving their details to get a pin code, we realised we’d built a brilliant RSVP system.” The system also sends
venue directions and tracks attendee accommodation, dietary needs as well as arrivals on the day. “The organisers can see in real time who has responded and who is coming via an event dashboard, while keeping up to date with
upcoming events.” The next big realisation about the system’s ability, says Carl, has been that communicating with a guest means that an event organiser can market accommodation offers as part of the RSVP process (i.e. attend this event and get 10% off accommodation). “This gives them a great up-sell opportunity. It also provides event organisers with the data and contact details of every guest for future marketing campaigns and internal research.” Venue Secure is also able to provide customised branding for corporate, venue or conference organiser clients. The company is currently in advanced discussions with various corporates, including multiple pharmaceutical companies, says Carl.
Switch on with Saaci
THE Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (Saaci) is hosting this year’s annual congress from July 28-30 at the Southern Sun Elangeni in Durban, confirms Saaci ceo, Rudi van der Vyver. “We’re very excited about our programme – themed ‘Switched On’ – and believe the speakers and content will be the major drawcard.” One highlight will be a keynote address about creating world-class experiences for delegates. “The international speaker represents the leading company for experience creation across very different venues as well as customer/delegate interaction points.” Rudi believes discussions around the education and development of industry youth will also be a hot topic. “This is a crucial
element to ensure not only sustainability, but also to create a platform for our youth to express their creativity and fresh ideas to keep our industry on the edge of innovation and inclusiveness.” Another talking point will be the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he says, looking at how machines are interacting in a functional way with humans at a delegate face point and also internally in organisations. Rudi says by far the most concerning trend in the sector at present is the emergence of ‘fake’ training and conferences. “As one of the fastestgrowing industries, we are attracting the attention of scamsters.” He encourages the industry collectively to drive professionalism and alert industry bodies when coming across practices such as these that harm the industry.
Top trends shaping 2019
FROM kimchi and chatbots to delegate wellness and themed events, 2019 is set to be an exciting year for the conferencing industry, believes Mark Cooper, ceo of IACC, a global venue-based association that certifies meetings- and conferencefocused venues. “Creating memorable experiences and promoting attendee interaction is at the top of planners’ wish lists,” he says. “Due to advancing event technology, real-time data and wearable technology will soon become the norm. Delegates have high expectations and it’s
up to meeting planners and venues to provide innovative experiences to wow guests and streamline events.” The creation of immersive, world-class experiences for delegates will be a key topic at this year’s annual congress for the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (Saaci), says Rudi van der Vyver. “It’s always a challenge for us in terms of how best to impress people who are experts in the field. We take the approach of content being the key ingredient. Then we aim for immersive experiences, whether in the learning
engagements, networking sessions or social functions. Experience creation is a must for our audience.” The days of multi-day, multi-event international conferences are, however, on the decline for South African companies, believes Marc Wachsberger, md of The Capital Hotels and Apartments. “Tighter budgets and an increased expectation of value for money and return on investment have seen more SA companies looking for conference venues that offer everything they need in one venue at a reasonable price.”
Latest technology
Guests now expect the latest technology at conferences, says Mark. He mentions, as an example, EventBots, a chatbot system programmed to provide answers to human questions in a conversational manner over SMS. “The goal here is for chatbots to answer attendees’ key questions about event logistics.” Venues are expected to provide superior WiFi as standard, even in remote or unusual locations, he adds. “Gone are the days when a patchy connection didn’t equal uproar.” Check-in with Facial Recognition (FR) may also be the next big thing, he suggests. Wearable technology such as Smart watches, wristbands and badges will continue to evolve and aid interaction. Another 2019 trend will be advances in data integration and analytics from event technology providers to create personal profiles of attendees, Mark adds. On the local front, the new Venue Secure system is doing just that, making inroads with regard to venue security, event RSVPs and data while rapidly evolving into a digital event centre, according to spokesperson,
Carl Townsend. “Venue Secure is easy to use, with no annoying apps to install. In fact no installation is needed, as it works from a site on any smart phone and primary communication is by SMS. It’s essentially about data – knowing what happened at events and who came – and providing a seamless RSVP experience through it.” Michelle Bullmore, Travel Counsellors marketing manager and recruitment – SA, is currently involved in arrangements for the annual conference in Durban from May 3 to 5. As a registration tool, she recommends Cvent. “Everything is so much easier. I’ve also heard that Slido makes events more interactive.” She recently saw a new application for the headsets used mostly for silent discos, a format enabling multiple speakers to speak simultaneously while delegates choose who they listen to. “The headsets can also be used for workshops where each person in the room tunes in to a different channel.” Mark says more venues will increasingly use integrated AV systems that are affordable, efficient and superior to portable versions.
Memorable experiences
The importance of creating memories through experiences and inspiring delegates is gaining more traction, says Mark. In 2019, themed events won’t just rely on eye-catching physical design elements, he says. “Themes are being implemented from initial registration right through to the feedback stage, incorporating all the senses. Lighting, music and food all play a part in creating a memorable experience.”
According to Marc, most conferences still have a fun or team-building element. “Venues offering a blank canvas that welcomes any kind of creative activity are the ones that will enjoy more bookings.” Popular events, he says, include chocolate making, MasterChef-type culinary competitions or even painting, but there should be no venue-imposed limit on what organisers can do to inspire creativity among attendees.
Beach & Bush Teambuilding, for example, includes an Indiana Jones series, Amazing Race or Pirates of The East Coast adventures that see teams racing to complete tasks. A Movie Making challenge involves writing a script, producing, directing and acting in a ‘movie’ using limited resources. Michelle says it’s also good to give back through charity and community service teambuilding initiatives.
No more ‘same old’
In the current environment there is not enough outof-the-box thinking in the conferencing sector, says Rudi. “We remain constrained by clients’ pictures of what they think they want. This is where professionalism plays a large role. We must guide clients to create memorable, immersive and engaging event experiences, which all translate into a higher return on investment against their initial objectives.” Industry professionals, he says, must push more of the traditional boundaries. “Clever and creative ideas don’t always mean more money, but the same old events are just
not cutting it any more.” Choosing a cruise as your next conference venue offers attendees a far more exciting and novel experience than they would have on land, while giving organisers convenience and value for money, believes Ross Volk, md of MSC Cruises SA. According to Mark, IACC’s Meeting Room of the Future 2018 report found that 77% of venues now offer creative meetings spaces to assist with experience creation. He says the bar will be raised higher this year when it comes to meeting room layouts. Classroom-style seating is now medieval.
Attention is now paid to the style and décor of spaces, with multi-functional furniture and lush greenery examples of this. Flexible seating suitable for indoor and outdoor use will become standard, while demand for informal loungestyle seating will increase. Venues offering spaces that can be dressed up or down and easily reformatted to accommodate the agenda will be the most popular, says Marc. “Being willing to transform a daytime pool area into a night-time ballroom under a Bedouin tent, for example, will win an event organiser’s heart and business.”
Photocap: Capital conferences
The Capital On The Park in Sandton creates a cosmopolitan setting for conferences, meetings and events. It offers a multi-functional room that opens on to a deck as well as four boardrooms. The space caters for a maximum capacity of 500 delegates. Conference packages range from R530pp for a half-day package (excluding lunch) to R650pp for a full-day package (non residential).
Work and play
The bleisure concept continues on its meteoric rise, says Mark. “This year will see planners arranging more events in exciting and unusual locations (even in far-flung destinations) to entice their most valuable attendees and loyal customers.”
Ross says cruise conferencing offers a wide variety of activities that can be ideal team-building exercises or great options for down time. Activities include sports, video games, theatre shows, spa treatments and on-shore excursions.
Wellness and nature
Wellness and nature Mark says 2019 will see increased demand for organic, seasonal or locally sourced menus. Special dietary requests are the new norm. He adds that it is not uncommon to see yoga, taichi or mindfulness sessions as optional activities on agendas. The Capital Hotels and Apartments conferencing team agrees that companies are seeking maximum output
from delegates. A small bowl of chewy mints and a bottle of water to last between breakfast and lunch aren’t going to keep energy levels high, says Marc. Michelle says it’s important to consider all types of guests’ requirements, whether they are diet-related, special needs or religious. “Don’t risk things. Keep it safe and make everyone feel special.” This year will also see an increased demand for outdoor meeting spaces and breakout
areas, says Mark. “Meeting spaces incorporating greenery and natural light to mimic nature will become commonplace.” Michelle recommends making the most of the environment or surroundings. “We held a conference at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge. In the afternoon, delegates went on a game drive. When it was time for dinner, we shone a big spotlight directly in the sky so guests could find their way to a surprise boma dinner.”
Photocap: Conferencing at the Falls
Set onsite at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa in Zambia, the Victoria Falls Conference Centre offers 250 sqm of air-conditioned event space overlooking a waterhole. It offers a boardroom (up to 12 delegates,) a 140 sqm outdoor patio area under a Bedouin tent and a reception area. WiFi is available. Activities include white-river rafting, game drives, helicopter or microlight flights over the Victoria Falls and sundowner cruises on board the Lady Livingstone .
MSC Orchestra heads for Southern African waters
FOR organisers who want to opt for a local cruise, MSC Orchestra will make her maiden voyage to Africa and will cruise in Southern African waters from November 2019 to April 2020, says Ross Volk, of MSC Cruises SA. “It is one of the largest and most luxurious cruise ships to do a seasonal tour in this corner of the globe,” he says. “MSC Cruises has taken note of the growing popularity of cruising in SA and continues to bring even more superior cruising experiences to our market.” Ross adds that MSC Cruises offers special group rates for conferences as well as one free cruise fare for every 23 delegates
booked. This is limited to a maximum of ten free cruise fares per booking. Cruising offers value for money, he adds, as group packages include accommodation, all meals, entertainment and conference facilities. Tedious travel time is limited once attendees are on board, he says. “They can wake up every morning with a different view without having to leave the ship. With a destination cruise, they experience a taste of what another country has to offer without travelling for ages on a tour bus or getting on an aircraft. This also limits transportation hassles for conference organisers.”
