SOCCER
FEVER STRIKES; SCC FULLY BOOKED FOR 2010 FIFA
WORLD CUP
The
hot topic on everyone’s lips since the announcement
of the host country for the 2010 FIFA World
Cup, is no longer a dream, but a reality.
With less than a week to go until the world’s
biggest sporting event kicks off in South
Africa, Sandton Convention Centre (SCC)
is already fully booked. The centre will
play host to various clients and countries
during the month-long event, from broadcasters
and exhibitors to FIFA and the fans, as
Sandton is transformed into a hub of football
fever.
Says
Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of SCC:
"Hundreds of thousands of tourists
will be visiting South Africa during the
30-day event and we are capitalising on
this by hosting various delegations during
the month of celebrations."
"One
of the most popular pre-event functions,
the FIFA Congress which is now in its 60th
year, will take place on the eve of the
opening match on 11 June. FIFA President
Joseph S Blatter will chair this high-level
congress where delegates representing each
of the 208 member associations, will gather
to discuss important football topics and
issues."
Another
highlight following the FIFA Congress, is
a 'street carnival' being staged by Mexico
to showcase their country and their passion
for the beautiful game. They will utilise
SCC’s Pavilion for this celebration. The
government of Brazil will also utilize the
SCC, showcasing their country and promoting
Brazil 2014. The main Brazil event will
be the launch of the emblem Brazil 2010
in early July.
For
the duration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,
Sandton will become the world's premiere
location for hospitality and brand promotion
with the launch of World Football House.
Hosted from 05 June to 12 July, at SCC,
World Football House will offer a 'Global
Village' of football to fans, young and
old alike, and will provide visitors with
a unique opportunity to sample and delight
in the sights, sounds and flavours of the
cultural and commercial diversities of the
32 countries participating in the 2010 FIFA
World Cup.
Says
Nyazema: SCC track record in successfully
hosting major international and domestic
events is recognised around the world. The
fact that we are fully booked for the duration
of the World Cup bears testimony to our
world-class facilities, state-of-the-art
technology and expertise, and superior service.
"The
management team and staff have undergone
extensive training and we are ready and
excited to welcome and host our clients
during the event. We are confident that
South Africa is going to host an exceptional
World Cup and are privileged to be a part
of it all," concludes Nyazema.
NEW
BOOKING SYSTEM AT CTICC
A
new online booking system initiated by the
Cape Town International Convention Centre
(CTICC) is set to position CTICC as one
of the first convention centres in Africa
to offer this service.
According
to Chief Executive Officer, Rashid Toefy,
CTICC identified a niche in the conference
and events industry for a fast and convenient
event booking system. "At present,
there are few other convention centres in
the world that have this service offering"
said Toefy.
"We
noticed that there was an increasing trend
towards short term bookings. During the
past year alone 46 % of all bookings processed
had a short lead time of four weeks or less"
said Toefy. Clients were consistently requesting
standardised conference packages as opposed
to customised packages, as these were more
cost effective he said.
To
cater to this demand CTICC decided to develop
an innovative online system, which would
allow clients to book standardised packages
twenty four hours a day. With the quick
turn around time for short term bookings,
the online booking facility was the ideal
solution. "The convenience of booking
an event online at any given time is a definite
value add for any event organiser"
said Toefy. The online booking system offers
a 2 week window of venue availability, which
can also be extended from time to time,
reducing the workload of the CTICC team
by 25%.
"As
a centre that is committed to service excellence,
we designed premium conference packages,
which would afford clients the opportunity
to host world class events at an affordable
price" said Toefy. Clients are able
to book events for 30 - 220 people depending
on their requirements. The price range of
these packages varies from R 160 to R 365
per delegate excluding VAT.
Toefy
added that in line with CTICC's commitment
to transforming the events industry to one
that is socially, economically and environmentally
sustainable, the conference packages offer
clients a range of environmentally friendly
options to suit their needs and budget.
"We
are continually thinking of new and innovative
ways of enhancing our service offerings
and we are excited about this initiative"
concluded Toefy.
THE
2010 CHEESE FESTIVAL
The
2010 Cheese Festival was held recently at
Bien Donne in Franschoek to great acclaim.
EXSA GM Sue Gannon visited the show and
was bowled over by the experience. "It
was just so festive with locals enjoying
picnicking in the sun enjoying the wide
variety of cheeses, breads and wines, with
lots of different foods on offer. The infra-structure
was well planned with all the various marquees
and parking was not a problem. Stunning
venue and ambience."
EXSA Express asked Show Director Ann Dalton
for a comment:
"The 2010 Cheese Festival was our most
successful to date - we had the highest
number of visitors over the 4 days, our
200 000th visitor attended on Sunday, the
cooking demos were extremely well attended
and our exhibitors recorded their best sales
ever. Add to that the fact that we had 4
days of the most perfect Cape weather, two
massive picnic areas with live music, an
extended kiddies area and a wonderful variety
of catering stands, and you understand why
our visitors just did not want to leave!!
Plenty to taste, drink, see and hear - a
perfect recipe for success!"
JOBURG
WINE SHOW - 4-6 JUNE 2010
The
Wine Show Joburg moves to the Coca-Cola
Dome with Expo Solutions at their side!
Expo
Solutions has made the transition of moving
their client, The Wine Show Joburg, across
to the Coca-Cola Dome an easy move. Expo
Solutions was instrumental in the new floor
plan layouts, the infrastructure of the
build and the features for this 4500sq/m
event. The features that Expo Solutions
has built include the 'Friends for Dinner
Theatre' and the 'Wine Theatre'.
The
Wine Show Joburg has grown from strength
to strength with Expo Solutions at their
side. In addition to the main features,
approximately 130 exhibitors are on site.
Expo Solutions has the contract to build
all shell scheme stands as well as the infrastructure
needed for the event.
'Expo
Solutions makes organising an Exhibition
in South Africa as simple and cost effective
as possible. With a very personable team
from top to bottom of their command chain,
they are very professional, courteous and
a pleasure to work with. The Wine Show Team
could not recommend them highly enough!
We've tried the others and find them the
best'’ says Alex Woodward, Director of The
Wine Show Joburg.
For
the second year running, The Wine Show Joburg
is having their 'Wine Laid Bare' competition,
a photographic competition in aid of breast
cancer awareness. The on-site structure
for this competition has been proudly sponsored
by Expo Solutions Southern Africa.
The
Wine Show Joburg is South Africa's fastest
growing wine show designed for a targeted
consumer market. Visitors can experience
anything and everything that our local wine
estates have to offer and more. Expo Solutions
has been a part of growing this event to
what it is today.
Southern
African Expo Solutions (Pty) Ltd
JHB 011 704 1953
CT
– 021 510 5871
www.exposolutions.co.za
TASTE
OF CAPE TOWN
The
Taste of Joburg and Taste of Cape Town events
have become a real success-story on the
social calendar. The shows are owned by
UK Company Brand Events and put on in South
Africa by a local team. EXSA member Expo
Solutions build the event.
GALLAGHER
APPOINTS NEW CEO
Charles Wilson, Elaine
Crewe and Adolf Venter - the Gallagher Convention
Centre team - at the recent "Bush Bash"
held at the EXSA Conference
Adolf
Venter has been appointed as the new Chief
Executive for Gallagher Convention Centre.
He has been serving as the Acting Chief
Executive since December 2009. Adolf joined
Gallagher in May 2009 as Financial Manager,
after working in various African countries
as Financial Manager in the mining industry.
He holds a B.Com (Hons) degree in Financial
Accounting, which he attained through the
University of Pretoria.
Says
Venter: "Gallagher is a prosperous
venue with an excellent reputation. Although
I realise that managing one of the finest
venues in South Africa is a challenge, especially
considering that there are many new venues
from which to choose, we accept the challenge
with enthusiasm. I set high expectations
for my team and myself and always push for
better results. The experience I have gained
in an acting capacity has also given me
a great deal of valuable insight into the
business aspects of venue management."
Gallagher
has been the venue of choice for various
large exhibitions and events in both the
public and private sector and a recent highlight
was when the organisers of Miss World 2009
chose Gallagher as the venue for the grand
finale of the pageant. Venter says that
bookings for 2010 look very promising and
enquiries for 2011 have already been recorded.
"We
plan to build on the past success that has
been put in place by former managements
of Gallagher and to enhance our excellent
reputation. We have a strong focus on our
customers, and service excellence and training
have always been a priority for Gallagher.
I strongly believe it is the secret to our
success" says Venter
WARNING
ON NAME CONFUSION FROM GEARHOUSE COMPANY INHOUSE
It has come to our attention that a new
company is soliciting work with a very similar
name to one of our own Gearhouse companies,
INHOUSE Venue Technical Management.
We
would like to state that we have no association
with this new company and that we are currently
in consultation with our legal department
regarding the infringement.
In
the interim we would like to make sure that
you are aware of our full name INHOUSE Venue
Technical Management (Pty) Ltd (IVTM) and
that our logo is as above. These brand marks
are your assurance that you will receive
the service standards you are accustomed
to, so please be vigilant when approached.
OASYS
BUILDS JHB BABY EXPO
Parents
and expectant parents from all across Johannesburg
headed to The Baby Expo, a MamaMagic expo,
which took place at the Coca-Cola Dome in
Johannesburg in May 2010. Oasys Innovations
supplied infrastructure to this show.
Since
2005 this expo has served as a 'one-stop-shop'
for parents and parents-to-be, with new
products, pregnancy, baby and childcare
necessities, toys, clothing, talks and educational
workshops on parenting and baby care, competitions
and entertainment for kids visiting the
show. Projeni Pather, Managing Director
of Exposure Marketing, is the founder of
The Baby Expo. Now in its sixth year, Pather
has introduced a second show in Johannesburg
for November, having expanded in 2007 from
a single expo to introducing two additional
shows for Durban and Cape Town.
Carl
Woodland, Chief Operating Officer for Oasys
Exhibitions explains what was provided for
the show. "We supplied 7990m2
of carpeting, 940m2
of shell scheme, furniture, electrical infrastructure
as well as some design stands".
Pather
shares some of the show's successes, “The
Baby Expo won the "Best Exhibition
of the Year" award in 2007, 2008 and
2009, making it the biggest baby and parenting
exhibition in South Africa. The award was
received at the annual Exhibition and Events
Association of South Africa (EXSA) awards.
The show also holds a world record for the
world's largest gathering of pregnant women,
an attempt that was sanctified by the Guinness
World Records in 2007. Apart from these
awards, the visitor figures for the show,
as well as media interest also continue
to increase yearly, something which we are
very pleased about."
Oasys
Innovations also sponsored a stand for the
South African National Blood Services (SANBS),
in conjunction with the Coca-Cola Dome,
who in partnership with The Baby Expo Joburg
hosted the stand and services of SANBS.
Visitors to the expo had the opportunity
to donate blood in support of the SANBS
"Save Mother, Save Baby" campaign,
which was very well received by visitors.
The
Baby Expo and Oasys Innovations will continue
to bring MamaMagic to visitors and clients
as they gear up for the expos in Durban
27-29 Aug (ICC), Cape Town 29-31Oct (CTICC)
and back in Johannesburg 25-28 Nov (Coca-Cola
Dome).
FROM
THE DESK OF THE TREASURER
Competiton
Amendment Act
A
few weeks ago I went to a short presentation
on the Competition Amendment Act - which
although is yet to come into force, when
it does it will have a dramatic impact
on individuals who are directly or indirectly
involved in anti-competitive actions.
When the Amendment Act does come into
force an individual who causes a company
to engage in cartel activity, or who knows
that the company is so engaged in such
activity will face personal and criminal
liability. This will not only be limited
to company Directors, but will also include
any individual with management authority
(or purporting to have management authority).
Current
fines are up to 10% of the company's turnover
(note not profit). Whereas some may say
the maximum fine of R 500 000 under the
Amendment Act for individuals will be
of limited deterrent effect, the and /
or up to ten years in prison will certainly
make many individuals think twice. In
addition, it will be illegal for a company,
even your own company, to assist the individual
financially, to defend one’s self.
It
was stressed during the seminar that there
were a number of clauses within the Amendment
Act which could foreseeable be challenged
in the Constitutional Court. However,
I am not sure that I wish to become a
test case!
There
are three categories of cartel activities
(the so-called ‘hanging offences’), which
may not be engaged in by competitors,
namely -
• price fixing (including the fixing of
trading terms and conditions);
• dividing markets through the allocation
of customers, geographic areas, and/or
particular goods/services; and
• collusive tendering (i.e. bid rigging).
In
view of the prison sentence clause under
the Amendment Act, it is not surprising
that the number of Leniency applications
by 'whistle-blowers' under the Immunity
Policy of the current Act, has dramatically
increased from single figures in 2008,
to 23 cases in the first six months of
2009 and to about 35 in the final six
months of 2009. What it will be before
the Amendment Act comes into force is
anyone’s guess.
One
interesting anecdotal story given during
the seminar was that because Immunity
is only conferred upon the first successful
applicant, one prospective 'whistle-blower'
was beaten to the door by a matter of
minutes by the cartel ringleader , who
had got wind of the pending submission.
Thus the intended original 'whistle-blower'
was prosecuted, whereas the ringleader
primarily responsible for the creation
of the cartel in question received the
immunity, following full disclosure!
My
advice to anyone is thus firstly never
in any forum, including informally around
the braai fire, discuss or even be a ‘silent
participant’ in any of the above 'hanging
offences' - and if you are put in a position
where such issues are discussed ensure
that you leave the meeting, ensure that
the minutes of such a meeting detail that
you left - and then take urgent and immediate
legal advice! For large corporate entities
It may well be advisable to appoint competition
law experts to perform an audit of your
business to ensure that employees have
not or are not engaged in such activities
- ignorance is after all no defence.
[Seminar
host: Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc]
SA
TOURISM APPOINTS SCAN ON SHOW
South
African Tourism appoints Scan On Show
to manage their business tourism exhibitions.
After an extensive tender process, Scan
On Show has been selected for the exhibition
management of Meetings Africa - 'Africa's
business tourism lekgotla' - and the national
pavilion at IMEX in Frankfurt.
'It
is exciting to be working with South African
Tourism again,' says On Show director
Amanda Margison, ‘and we feel honoured
to be part of the team growing the country’s
global business tourism share.'
Exhibition
organiser On Show has partnered with infrastructure
provider Scan Display and Tau Management
Consulting to create a dynamic unit for
execution of the three year contract.
Justin
Hawes, MD of Scan Display, adds: "We
are absolutely delighted to be involved
in this project. We’ve been involved in
some other exciting trade exhibitions
in the past - such as Design Indaba, where
we brought a huge amount of creativity,
flair and experience, changing the look
of this show on a yearly basis."
In
contrast to traditional travel for holiday
purposes, business tourism focuses on
travel for the purpose of meetings, incentives,
conferences and exhibitions. The national
tourism authority has earmarked this smaller,
niche sector of the travel trade as a
key area of future growth.
Scan
On Show strives to be an innovative industry
leader, and has already proposed novel
enhancements to develop the profile of
these business tourism platforms.
EXSA'S
ZIMBABWEAN MEMBER NEWS
The
2010 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair
(ZITF) took place in Bulawayo during April.
The theme for this year’s Fair was 'Unlocking
Our Investment Potential' and the fair
was opened this year with an address by
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Earlier this year, Oasys signed an agreement
with the ZITF, naming them the preferred
infrastructure provider for the fair.
Says
Kevin Kennedy, Managing Director for Oasys
Innovations: "The ZITF is more than
a trade fair. It incorporates and unites
many industries in Zimbabwe. These extend
from mining and agriculture to hospitality
and tourism and provided a unique opportunity
for exhibitors to engage with potential
and existing customers from all over the
African Continent."
Mr.
Daniel Chigaru, EXSA member and General
Manager for the ZITF, says that a partnership
with an infrastructure supplier in South
Africa was important to the success of
this year’s ZITF. "Not only is South
Africa at the forefront of Africa's economy,
but the majority of foreign exhibitors
also originate from South Africa. Therefore,
a partnership with Oasys as a leading
South African infrastructure provider
was chosen".
Through
successfully hosting the ZITF, the country
is viewed as proactively attempting to
improve its commercial and industrial
environments in order to revive its economic
infrastructure. "If other countries
on the continent follow suit, Africa can
significantly increase its financial contribution
and improve on its products and services
offering. We are honoured to have been
given the opportunity to be involved with
a show that can play a role to improve
the future of a country in transformation,"
says Kennedy.
SET
SQUARED - INCIDENT STATEMENT
Regretfully
there was an incident during the build up
of Grand Designs at the Coca Cola Dome recently,
in which a crew member was seriously injured.
In a statement released by Set Squared,
the company would like to clarify that Joshua
Mudau, a very experienced and qualified
set builder, and long service employee of
Set Squared, did incur a very serious head
injury, and he is currently in a stable
condition in the trauma unit of the Sunninghill
Hospital.
Operations Director Craig Bosman stated
"Although Josh is responding well to
the excellent treatment he is receiving,
we cannot speculate on his recovery and
we take one day at a time, praying for a
full recovery in time, knowing what a strong
fighter Josh is."
Set Squared would like to thank members
of the industry for their concern, good
wishes and support and we will pass these
on, with our prayers for Josh’s family and
friends.
EXPOSCREENS
ANNOUNCES NEW SCHEME
ExpoScreens
launches all-risk insurance for exhibitors!
ExpoScreens now offers even better protection
for exhibitors' stand content. For a premium
starting from R185.00 exhibitors can cover
their goods against theft, accidental damage
and fire with no excess if the stand is
equipped with an ExpoScreen. Various options
and insured limits available. Email floh@exposcreens.co.za
with the subject line 'insurance' for more
info.
OPEN
LETTER TO ALL WIVES; SWEETHEARTS; GIRLFRIENDS;
PARTNERS AND WHOMEVER ELSE IT MAY CONCERN
1.
Between 11 June and 11 July 2010, I really
think that you should read the sports section
of the newspaper so that you are aware of
what is going on regarding the World of
Soccer. That way you will be able to join
in conversations. If you fail to do this,
then you will be looked at in a bad way
or you will be totally ignored! DO NOT complain
about not receiving any attention.
2.
During the World Cup, the television is
mine at all times, without any exceptions.
If you even take a glimpse of the remote
control, you will lose it (your eye).
3.
If you have to pass by in front of the TV
during a game, I don’t mind, as long as
you do it crawling on the floor and without
distracting me.
4.
During the games I will be blind, deaf and
mute, unless I require a refill of my drink
or something to eat. You are out of your
mind if you expect me to listen to you,
open the door, answer the telephone, or
pick up the baby that just fell on the floor
…. It wont happen.
5.
It would be a good idea for you to keep
at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all
times, as well as plenty of things to nibble
on (excluding your body parts) and please
do not make any funny faces to my friends
when they come over to watch the games.
In return, you will be allowed to use the
TV between 12 am and 6 am, unless they replay
a good game that I missed during the day.
6.
Please, please, please!! If you see me upset
because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT
say “get over it, it’s only a game”, or
“don’t worry, they’ll win next time”. If
you say these things, you will only make
me angrier and I will love you less. Remember,
you will never ever know more about football
than me and your so called “words of encouragement”
will only lead to break up or divorce.
7.
You are welcome to sit with me to watch
one game and you can talk to me during half-time
but only when the commercials are on, and
only if half time scores are pleasing me.
In addition, please note that I am saying
“one game” hence to not use the World Cup
as a nice cheesy excuse to “spend some time
together”.
8.
The replays of the goals are very important.
I don’t care if I have seen them or I haven’t
seen them. I want to see them again. MANY
times.
9.
Tell your friends NOT to have any babies,
or any other child related parties or gatherings
that requires my attendance because:
a) I WILL NOT GO
b) I WILL NOT GO, AND
c) I WILL NOT GO.
10.
But, if a friend of mine invites us to his
house on a Sunday to watch a game, we will
be there in a flash.
11.
The daily World Cup highlights show on TV
every night is just as important as the
games themselves. Do not even think about
saying “but you’ve already seen this – why
don’t you change the channel to something
we call all watch?” Because the reply will
be: Refer to Rule No. 2 of this list.
12.
And finally, please save your expressions
such as “Thank God the World Cup is only
every four years”. I am immune to these
words, because before and after this comes
the Champions League, Premier League, Italian
League, Spanish League, KPL, FA Cup, Euro
Cup, etc.
Signed:
P.S.
If you get stuck on the road call the Police
or the AA.
Thank
you for your cooperation.
Our
time is now!
