The South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) and the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, are pleased to announce that South Africa has won a bid to host the 59th ICCA Africa Regional Hub Conference taking place between 2 & 3 November 2020.
The tourism industry, particularly (The Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions) MICE sector, was at the forefront of the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The sector saw the cancellation of many conferences and big events on our shores and globally, and now ICCA is re-imagining the future of global events by transforming the congress into a hybrid experience like no other. With over 800 attendees, 40 speakers, 30 sessions and 80 global associations, the congress remains a global event which is why it was important to provide the opportunity to join the Congress in ways that are safe and suit individual preferences.
The Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions (MICE) industry is forward thinking.
ICCA - the International Congress and Convention Association - is the global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry. ICCA was founded in 1963 by a group of travel agents whose first and foremost aim was to evaluate practical ways to get the travel industry involved in the rapidly expanding market of international meetings and to exchange actual information related to their operations in this market.
Attendees, partners and the general public can join in the host destination KAOHSIUNG, VIRTUALLY or in one of ICCA’s seven regional hubs; Cape Town, Kuching, Latin America, Luxembourg, Malaga, North America, Riyadh. The Coronavirus pandemic has changed how we do business, and this conference will showcase how world-class face-to-face events can thrive in our new normal. The seven hubs that are hosting this conference will strictly observe all COVID-19 protocol and precautions as per guidelines in each of the countries.
Chief Executive Officer of Wesgro, Tim Harris said “The safe re-opening of air connectivity to international corporate and leisure travel is key on our agenda, and we hope to welcome all delegates from around Africa safely to the Mother City in November. With the recent Proof of Concept Conference, the business tourism sector successfully demonstrated how the industry is well equipped to continue business in a safe and responsible manner. We look forward to demonstrating from touch down, to conference, to take off, how prepared the industry and greater value chain is to resume business.”
The Chief Executive Officer of ICCA, Senthil Gopinath said “This years’ Congress is the first hybrid experience that ICCA will host and we’re excited to be able to offer delegates the opportunity to join from a regional hub. The South Africa National Convention Bureau and the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, after submitting a combined bid, was selected as our regional hub hosts in Africa because of their commitment and dedication, and we trust that they will support us in providing an excellent programme and experience for our delegates in this region.”
Ms Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the SANCB said; “Winning this bid is a major achievement for the country and the continent of Africa. Our role as SANCB is to ensure that we integrate the African continent business events under a singular strategic positioning of “Advancing Africa Together” which aims to market Africa as an ideal business destination and showcases Africa’s readiness and capabilities to host world-class business events for the industry. We must kick start international tourism as the country gears up to open its boarders again for international travel in 2021.”
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