Corporates are still choosing Gauteng

ARGUABLY the country’s most
popular business destination,
Gauteng, has a major role to
play in driving business event
growth. It currently hosts more
corporate meetings than any
other province in South Africa,
says Nonnie Kubeka, head of
the Gauteng Convention and
Event Bureau (GCEB).
Nonnie believes that
the destination is most
popular for its accessibility,
infrastructure, facilities
and service. What’s more,
she says that people are
travelling less, which adds
to the destination’s appeal.
“Although companies are
travelling less they are
definitely still acknowledging
the importance of face-to-face
meetings, in spite of their
ability to conduct meetings
digitally. We have seen growth
in the number of networking
functions being held.”
Nonnie says that events
such as Meetings Africa act
as important platforms for
generating business leads
for the bidding and hosting of
events. Last year, the GCEB
won business for 52 different
events off the back of
Meetings Africa, she says.
Large-scale international
events are important
contributors toward economic
growth. Nonnie says
the indirect employment
generated by the business
events industry continues
to grow. “We are creating
a significant value chain
extending through to
hoteliers, caterers and the
like. The economic spin-off is
considerable.”
To encourage international
delegates to spend more
time in Gauteng, the province
offers pre- and post-tours,
which can be linked to
conferences and feature
negotiated prices. “Hoteliers
offer specials, which are
linked to a particular
conference, and we invite
delegates to take advantage
of those specials before
and after the conference,”
Nonnie says. “As part of
our ‘Accompanied Persons
Programme’, delegates can
also bring their family along
to join them for dinners and
breakfasts on conference, and
then to tour the province with
them thereafter.”