JOBURG TAKES CENTRE STAGE TO HOST SAACI ANNUAL NATIONAL CONGRESS 2021
19 May 2021

Having won the bid to host the 34th SAACI Annual Congress, Joburg is thrilled to be taking centre stage to make a memorable success of this year’s hybrid event on 19 and 20 May 2021. The Congress programme will be taking place online on 19 May, while the in person event will be hosted at the renowned Indaba Hotel in Fourways on 20 May.

“After a year’s delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Joburg is exactly the right place to be hosting one of the South African conference industry’s most significant calendar events,” says Councillor Geoff Makhubo, Executive Mayor for the City of Johannesburg.

“The prime objective of this year’s congress is to inspire change, collaborate to build solutions and grow our businesses and the industry in which we thrive - and there’s no better place to inspire growth and optimism than Joburg!” enthuses Makhubo.

“A vibrant African city known for its top flight business credentials as South Africa’s economic and commercial hub – along with wonderful weather, world heritage sites, entertainment, wildlife and unspoilt natural surroundings – we issue a warm welcome to all potential delegates, participants and visitors to “Come Feel the Joburg Vibe!”

“The SAACI Annual National Congress will be changing gear in 2021 and will take
place, for the very first time, as a hybrid event,” explains Kim Roberts, Chairperson of the SAACI National Board. “Our proud host city, the City of Johannesburg, is the economic and financial heartland of South Africa and a World Class African City, a superb fit to host the in-person. At the same time delegates will be able to register and attend the live stream from anywhere with the comfort of any device.”

The theme for this year’s congress – CHANGING GEAR and INSPIRING CHANGE -
Confidence in Business Events, has been designed to challenge and dare us to find
solutions to the unusual times we currently live and work in….”.

“Making connections is a cornerstone of why we all gather at events,” says Roberts. “By offering a combination of live streaming and an in-person event, we look forward to connecting with you how, where and when you want to participate. We were all caught unaware by the disruption, but it’s time to change gear and
inspire change in order to thrive.”

In line with this theme, the SAACI Annual National Congress seeks to Change the Gear in which the Business Events Industry finds itself in a post-pandemic world. The sector will be presented with the opportunity to collaborate, engage with one another and gain knowledge from industry experts. The programme has been designed to ensure that by attending, delegates will have access to information to help them survive, thrive and be inspired by:

• Placing a spotlight on where Business Events currently find itself.
• Discussing the key areas affecting the business events sector to find solutions.
• Learning from experts that have made positive changes in their environments.


Dates: 19 May 2021 (Online Event) & 20 May 2021(Hybrid Event)

Venue: Indaba Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, or virtually www.saaci.org

EDITORIAL NOTE:

To watch the Welcome to Joburg - A City Reimagined campaign, click on this link:

https://www.facebook.com/VisitJoburg/videos/299209221138418

ABOUT JOBURG’S ACCOLADES:

• Johannesburg, Egoli, Jozi or Joburg - Africa’s Most Visited City since 2013 [according to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index released in December 2018] - is a vibrant, diverse, global, all year round destination for business, leisure and lifestyle, sports, the arts, fashion and design. And so the list goes on.

• Our extraordinary city boasts plenty of accolades as a destination, including
making it onto TripAdvisor’s top ten list in the Travelers’ Choice Awards for Best Destinations in Africa [May 2018].

ends

Released by: Laura Vercueil : PR & Communication Manager Joburg Tourism
Department of Economic Development
City of Johannesburg
Tel: +27 11 779 0200
Email: laurav@joburgtourism.com
______________________________________________________________________

Joburg Tourism is a destination marketing directorate within the City’s Department of Economic Development, dedicated to promoting tourism growth in Johannesburg. Its primary function is to promote Johannesburg as a business, lifestyle, sport and leisure destination, both locally and internationally. Its operations include running a Convention Bureau, a Visitor Services Bureau, as well as co-ordinating city-wide tourism marketing programmes, tourism information gathering and analysis.