Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions/Events - MICE

During the recent Meetings Africa 2018 conference it was pointed out that business tourism contributed an astonishing R115bn to the South African economy. These business visitors generally spend more than the usual leisure traveller. This money is most commonly spent at hotels, conference centres, restaurants, country clubs, and convention centres. Together with this, some of this money is spent at nearly every unique venue imaginable. It's obvious that corporate event planning and all that goes with it is a big financial boost for our country.  While a few larger corporations have business event planners or are contracted with an event planning agency, many other companies (mostly the smaller companies) utilise someone in HR or another department to plan their business event.

> What are Business Events?

There is a fine line between business events and event shows. Business Events must measurably change a combination of asset, liability or equity accounts, otherwise it is not a business event.

There are different types of Business Events, to name a few:
• Seminars and Conferences
• Board Meetings & Shareholder Meetings
• Executive Retreats & Incentive Programs
• Golf Events
• Appreciation Events
• Company Milestones
• Team Building Events
• Product Launches
• Trade Shows

What is ‘MICE’?

MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions.

MICE can be likened to a type of tourism.  Tours are usually planned well in advance for larger groups and delegates are brought together for a particular purpose.

MEETINGS

The coming together of a group of two or more people in one place.  This provides them with the opportunity of conferring or participating, in particular activities.  There is often a ‘frequency’ element attached to meetings, for example, Annual General Meetings, Committee Meetings, Executive Board Meetings, etc.

INCENTIVES

These gatherings usually form part of a programme which offers delegates rewards, based on previous performance, or promises rewards on future expectations.

CONFERENCES/CONVENTIONS

Conferences usually take on a smaller module than congresses.  They are more select in character and invite participation from delegates, encouraging an exchange of information, fact-finding and problem solving.  Conferences are usually limited to time, having specific objectives.

EXHIBITIONS/EVENTS

Quite simply, an Exhibition is a public assembly for the purpose of Marketing, Celebrations, Education and even Reunions.

Why are Business Events so important for our economy?

As in many other countries, South Africa is greatly affected by the Meetings and Events industry, which has a tremendously powerful impact on the country’s economy.

Whilst leisure is an important component, operators are developing a more diverse offering, driven by business tourism and conferencing. According to the South African National Convention Bureau, South Africa hosts about one million delegates at business events every year, supporting over 250,000 jobs directly and indirectly in this sub-sector alone.

It is apparent that more and more Corporates are investing in Business Eventing, whether it is a Business Meeting, Trade Exhibition, Gala Dinner, an incentive drive or a conference.

Cape Town has once again claimed the number one spot as a global competitive business destination.  The recent expansion of the CTICC (II) to the tune of R900-Million has played an integral role in securing this prestigious recognition.

In 2017, 3 400 international delegates experienced Cape Town, helping grow the economy and creating jobs in the areas of tourism, conferencing and hospitality.  Investment teams and streams like the Convention Bureau are hard at work, to attract major events and to make Cape Town the world meeting destination.

Trends & Tips for Business Events

Below are Trends that have been analysed and the collected data has shown what the progression of a successful Business Event takes.

Trending for a while now, brands are needing to find new ways of reaching their target markets and this trend continues to grow.  The need to connect and socialise is slowly gaining a bigger share of the pie and as a result, meetings and events are growing in popularity. 

 

Innovative

Unique event spaces, different options and numerous features.

Flexibility

Flexibility to work with smaller budgets and shorter lead-times.  It is key to be totally flexible.

Catering

Take clients’ specific food and dietary requirements into consideration.  Various options and cultural groups are important to them.

Sustainability

‘going green’ seriously when planning an event.  Eco-friendly options are a huge thing and must form part of the programme.

Technology

Always endeavour to source free and reliable Wi-Fi for your and your clients’ convenience.

How can GL events South Africa help you with your Business Event?

Over the years and close to the communities it services, GL events is an established world-class participant, specialising in the organisation of trade and consumer shows in France and throughout different countries in the world.  They cover a cross-section of major economic sectors, for which the Group organises international meetings and major events in these industries across several continents.

As a responsible International stakeholder, GL events South Africa has released some impressive statistics (below).  These are a true indication of professional services that are offered, from the design to the accomplishment of an event.  GL events South Africa continues expanding to meet market-related innovation.

Take a look at these statistics:
• 4,200 Events staged
• 90 Locations worldwide
• 12 million visitors and exhibitors per year
• 3,900 employees (36% outside of France)

GL events South Africa offers a wide range of services across the MICE industry. Well known for our role in supplying the Event and Exhibitions sector our services can also be adapted for the Conference and Confex market.  A lot of business events have a small exhibition or display component to which our solutions are well suited, alternatively customising the venue – such as adding a large fabric printed backwall to a conference room or venue entrance. Any business event requires elements of branding for the participants, organisers or sponsors, we have multiple modular solutions to suite these branding requirements. In addition to the above we also offer a large range of furniture suited to the business events environment.

Any of our solutions are adaptable to suite your business event, be it for 50 or 20 000 people.

A GLOBAL NETWORK OF VENUES

CONGRESS CENTRES │ EXHIBITION CENTRES │ RECEPTION VENUES │ MULTIPURPOSE VENUES & CONCERT HALLS DESIGN │ CREATION │ PRODUCTION │ LOGISTICS │ STRUCTURE │ GRANDSTAND │ GENERAL CONTRACTING│ POWER │ LAYOUT │ STAND │ VIDEO SOUND │ LIGHTING │ FURNITURE │ FLORAL DECORATION │ HOSPITALITY SERVICES │ CATERING SERVICES