Apex Business Events Body Unveils 2025 Priorities

South Africas apex business events industry association the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry SAACI has unveiled its plans to address industry challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth in the sector this year.

The association will kickstart the year with its annual Morning Memo Breakfast on the sidelines of Meetings Africa in Sandton on February 26. Under the theme Moving Forward Together, the annual gathering of industry peers and professionals will host International Association of Convention Centres Chief Executive Officer Sven Bossu as a speaker. The breakfast will feature key discussions on the associations goals for 2025 and further insights from another apex private-sector tourism body, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

SAACI will also launch the MeetIQ project this year an initiative designed to gather and analyse data in the meetings and events sector to provide SAACI members with actionable insights to better navigate market trends and assess business opportunities.

In collaboration with South African Tourism, SAACI will work with members and the team appointed by the South African National Convention Bureau to finalise and implement a comprehensive strategy to strengthen South Africas position as a premier meetings and events destination. The strategy will focus on expanding domestic and international market opportunities for SAACI members including tradeshows, workshops and forums locally and internationally.

As part of SAACIs commitment to professionalising the meetings and events industry, the association will work on a framework that aligns with global standards and addresses the skills development needs of the sector. This initiative follows the call to action from Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille during last years SAACI conference.