Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> February 2005
Ook in die Vrystaat, soos trouens in die sentrale deel van SA, is die konferensiebedryf besig om van krag tot krag te groei in ooreenstemming met die duidelike tendens landswyd.
Die rede daarvoor is eenvoudig dat ondanks die krag van moderne tegnologiese kommunikasie, is daar geen plaasvervanger vir persoonlike interaksie - oog tot oog kommunikasie - nie. Mense het 'n onomkeerbare behoefte om persoonlik bymekaar te kom en van aangesig tot aangesig sake uit te pluis. Dit geld ook die sake en bestuurswêreld en is die rede waarom konferensies, berade, vergaderings, werkswinkels, seminare, kongresse, indabas, bosberade, noem maar op, so aan die orde van die dag is.
As hierdie byeenkomste dan ook goed gereël is en professioneel aangebied word in die besmoontlike en aangenaamste omstandighede, soveel te beter. Daarom is dit van kritieke belang om te weet watter fasiliteite en verskaffers is beskikbaar in terme van konferensies, ens. Dit is waarom die Vrystaat Sake Bulletin hierdie spesiale oorsig aanbied hier vroeg in 2005. Hoewel die oorsig slegs 'n oogopslag is op dit wat beskikbaar is in die sentrale streek van SA, is hier meer as voldoende om in enige behoefte te voorsien.
Wat ook uit die oorsig blyk, is dat die konferensiebedryf in sentraal SA besig is om te floreer - dit is goeie besigheid en entrepreneurs klim in met 'n groot verskeidenheid van produkte. Na raming is daar in die Vrystaat alleen sowat 700 plekke wat konferensiegeriewe van een of ander aard professioneel aanbied - van klein en informeel tot groot en gestruktureerd.
Dan natuurlik wat deesdae hand aan hand met konferensies en berade gaan, is spanbou. Dit is dikwels 'n behoefte van maatskappye, kleiner firma's en staatsinstansies om spanbougeleenthede vir hul personeel en selfs kliënte aan te bied ten einde verhoudings te verbeter, produktiwiteit te verhoog, spanwerk op te knap en gesamentlike pogings te integreer.
Nie alle produkeienaars van konferensiegeriewe bied ook spanboufasiliteite aan nie, maar dikwels word albei egter by een plek aangetref.
Hoe dit ook al sy, in hierdie oorsig is daar wel terdeë te kies en te keur.
The meetings, incentives, conventions and events (MICE) industry can be seen as one of the most vibrant sectors in the tourism industry, already making up 32% of the tourism economy of SA.
The country is also regarded by the international MICE industry as providing amongst the best value for money in the world and it is rated among the Top 20 destinations for international conferences.
More statistics provided by Mar'c Scholtz, Marketing Director of Upstream Global, the company developing the Bloemfontein Convention Centre, show that SA is the best venue for MICE in Africa and holds 60% of the continent's market share. SA has in total about 1 700 facilities catering for conferences and in 2002/2003 the SA MICE industry brought in R26 billion.
According to the office manager of Mangaung Tourism, Johan Hattingh, the Free State as a MICE destination has many positive attributes. This includes the central location of the region and good facilities, while in Bloemfontein there is also plenty evening programmes and entertainment for visitors. He added that some of the programmes also include tours to the Eastern Free State and game farms. “The Free State is an easy accessible and cost-effective destination.”
Other advantages Scholtz mentioned are the tranquillity of the region. “There is an assortment of venues and a pleasant mix of products offering an unique experience.”
He added that activities offered by the region include the rich history and culture of the region, outdoor activities such as adventure and sports which include white river rafting and game driving to name a few. “One of the advantages of the area is that there are so many activities close together.” Visitors also have access to township tours and tavern tours. “The central region unit has so much more to offer, with the diversity making it an attractive destination,” Scholtz said.
Some of the challenges faced by the MICE industry in the Free State include an availability of flights and the cost of flights, Hattingh said. He pointed out that although there are many organisations with excellent facilities, it is important that there is one organisation that specialises in this market and caters specifically for its needs.
Scholtz echoed these sentiments by stating that the biggest challenge to the industry in the Free State is that it needs an integrated and co-ordinated marketing strategy. “The marketing needs to be focused on are the needs of the consumers and the benefits and other attractions of the region,” he concludes.
It would therefore seem that the MICE industry in the Free State is growing substantially and all that is required at this stage is co-ordinated and concentrated marketing exposure.
In this special feature on conference and team-building facilities available in the Free State/Central SA, a random selection from some high standard suppliers can be made.
In no particular order, some fleeting references are made.
Letsatsi Game Lodge in the Smithfield district is a comprehensive and just about five star facility. Marketing manager Tania Smith and her team will go out of their way to meet your every need for whatever event. Camorhi Game Lodge is quite an unique set-up with its white lion breeding project, while Casa Mia Guesthouse and Conference Centre under the able hand of Alida and Hendrik Lambinon offers everything in the Sasolburg-Vaal Triangle area. Hanzet Activities on the Viljoenskroon-Potch road is a centre place, including a Witblits distillery-friendly Elzette is your hostess.
Amimaweh Resort and Conference Centre near Tweespruit is one of the most exciting and comprehensive developments in the Free State, is under the stewardship of Neels Bothma. Cranford Inn at Clarens, headed by enterprising Simon Kerr, is especially strong in team-building and the outdoors. Protea Hotel Golden Gate is of course in a class of its own, while its counterpart in Bloemfontein, the Premier Protea Hotel, is characteristically stylish.
Wintershoek Safari's just across the Northern Cape Border, not far from Kimberley, has its own strong branding, including conferencing as well as professionally led team-building. Oudekraal Country Lodge, closer to Bloemfontein, off the N1 near Tierpoort Dam, is a renowned top class facility run by Gerhard and Marie Lombaard.
In Bloemfontein itself the Halevy Heritage Hotel was recently restored to a four star facility wrapped in old world charm-experienced Bruce McKay is the MD. Another outstanding facility in Bloem is The Village Boiketlo, run by Frank and Sheila Mareka and offering a true African experience. Then one of the mega conference facilities in the Rose City is Bloem Spa and Conference Centre, on the northern side of the city and handling, under seasoned manager Hentie van Heerden, a multitude of conferences and meetings on a daily and weekly basis.
One of the newcomers on the scene is Lusthof Guesthouse and Resort at Reddersburg, positioning themselves as a must-visit in the southern Free State and on the N6 route.
There is of course also the supplementary conference services, like catering at your own premises, audio-visual equipment and services suppliers, etc. Some of them can also be picked up in this feature, e.g. Die Rooi Kombuis, Corrie Prinsloo's proven catering enterprise, ESR Electronic Services, specializing in electronic sound and FVH Productions, with photo and video pro's Dries and Henko Myburg, well-known for years all over the region.
However, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating - try these advertisers yourself!
In every company, business or institution needs at some time or other to arrange a conference, or large meeting, whether it is to introduce a new concept or to discuss important issues. But what must a conference organiser do to ensure a conference's success?
A company that arranges conferences, Meeting Expectations, say on their website that arranging a good conference means that from the strategizing phase through to the post-conference review, everything has to be perfect.
The planning or strategizing phase involves many steps: Hiring qualified staff, providing excellent customer service, using proven processes and technologies, capitalising on solid industry relationships, and more. “The conference organiser needs to plan the event through seamless logistical co-ordination and flawless execution.”
Meeting Expectations say that you need to define conference objectives, after which you can start deciding on the site of the conference and developing a timeline, budget and all the logistical details.
Site selection for the conference is critical. “You need to know how to secure the best possible venue rates, dates, and space.” Conference organisers need to provide the right environment to keep the attendance up and the costs down.
When deciding on a venue, organisers need to highlight all the options, pros and cons, cost savings and contract terms. Site inspection is a must and once a venue is selected, strong hospitality relationships and buying power is necessary to secure the best possible rates.
Once the venue is decided upon, organisers need to plan the event itself. It is important to work with your objectives in mind and to set the proper environment. Meeting Expectations say that you can leave a lasting impression on attendees if you used theme events. This can energise them and promote networking, while working in the budget. You can also provide them with well-known entertainment.
It is also important to know how to find the right speaker to kick off your event, engage your audience, or tie in your message. The keynote speaker must set the right tone and present the relevant topic that attracts audiences.
Post-conference reviewing is an essential step in the process. “Attendee feedback provides valuable insight for creating future events and successful meetings.” Organisers need to provide detailed wrap-up reports using registration data, on-site comments and questionnaires. Then, you need to break the data down, analyze it, and use the findings to improve for the next time.
Durban, Kaapstad en Sandton het almal een en nou is dit die sentrale streek se beurt. Bouwerk aan die Bloemfontein Convention Centre (BCC), wat op die Vrystaatse Universiteit se gronde geleë gaan wees, begin in Maart vanjaar.
Volgens Mar'c Scholtz, Bemarkingsdirekteur van Upstream Global, die organisasie wat die BCC ontwikkel, het konvensiesentrums 'n ander mark as konferensiesentrums. “Dit het 'n internasionale standaard en ontwikkel volgens internasionale tendense.” Die teikenmark vir die BCC is nasionale konferensiegangers in die akademiese, wetenskaplike en assosiasie sektore.
Die BCC het 'n paar unieke eienskappe wat deur Scholtz uitgelig is, naamlik dat dit die enigste konvensiesentrum in SA is wat op 'n kampus geleë is. Verder, is die BCC van dieselfde gehalte as ander konvensiesentrums, maar meer bekostigbaar.” Koste-effektiwiteit is een van die groot voordele van Bloemfontein as ligging vir die konvensiesentrum. Verblyf en kos is goedkoper in Bloemfontein en die afstande wat gery moet word is ook heelwat korter,” sê Scholtz.
Die BCC maak dit nou vir die sentrale streek moontlik om vir groot konferensies te bie. “Die BCC maak dit vir kliënte moontlik om 'n nuwe ervaring te kry en maak die hele sentrale streek vir kliënte oop. Lewenstyluitstallers het ook nou toegang tot die sentrale streek. Voorheen, kon die uitstallers nie hulle volle potensiaal bereik nie, want hulle moes regkom met die fasiliteite wat hulle tot hul beskikking gehad het. Dit het die kwaliteit van die uitstallings beïnvloed,” aldus Scholtz.
Daar was 'n behoefte vir nog 'n konvensiesentrum in SA en daar is besluit dat Bloemfontein die beste plek daarvoor is, aangesien die infrastruktuur reeds in plek is.
Scholtz het bygevoeg dat nie net Bloemfontein voordeel uit die BCC sal trek nie. “Ons gaan daguitstappies na dorpe in die area reël, sodat konferensiegangers meer van die besienswaardighede in die area kan sien. Ons wil hê dat hulle die hele ervaring moet geniet en dat hulle sal terugkom vir nog, miskien as vakansiegangers.”
Die BCC gaan ook tot besigheid in die streek bydrae, wanneer konferensiegangers gaan inkopies doen of petrol ingooi. “Dit gaan 'n rimpel-effek op die hele sentrale streek hê. Die toerismebedryf is deel van die toerisme-ekonomie, almal gaan daarby baat,” sê Scholtz.
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa also has a grading system in place for establishments in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events) industry.
Their definition of a meeting venue is a specialised facility designed to meet the demands of groups of people convening for the purpose of a meeting or function.
According to their website, the grading criteria for these establishments have been developed based on user and guest expectations. The criteria covers: The building exterior, meeting and function venue's, exhibition and special events venue's, public toilets, public areas, permanent dining facilities, food and beverage, services and service and housekeeping.
The assessor gives a grading of between 1-10 for the various assessed elements. “In the Tourism Grading Council's Star Grading Scheme the highest marks awarded, 9 or 10, reflect excellent quality together with excellent condition. These standards have been set as the highest levels possible to achieve.”
The required overall score for each grading band is: 5-Stars (91%-100%), 4-Stars (81%-90%), 3-Stars (71%-80%), 2-Stars (61%-70%), 1-Star (51%-60%).
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