The Nelson Mandela Bay Convention Bureau (NMBCB) has reaffirmed its commitment to driving growth in the local business events sector by participating in the 2025 SAACI National Annual Congress, held in Cape Town from 27 to 29 July 2025.
Hosted under the theme “Shaping Tomorrow, Together, Today – Transforming Ideas into Impact,” the congress brought together key players across the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, including national and provincial tourism bodies, private sector stakeholders, and destination marketing organisations.
NMBCB’s participation ensured that Nelson Mandela Bay remained actively represented in national-level conversations around sustainability, professionalisation, and the future of business events in Southern Africa.
“Engaging at this level allows us to align local priorities with national and continental strategies, while gaining insight into best practices and innovation in the sector,” the Bureau said following the congress.
Key Industry Themes and Innovation-Driven Dialogue
The programme tackled critical themes shaping the MICE sector, including the integration of data and technology, professional development, and sector transformation. Highlights included the Green Innovation Shark Tank, CEO Simulations, and intergenerational panel sessions that facilitated meaningful knowledge exchange across age groups and areas of expertise.
Renowned futurist and innovation strategist Dr. Craig Wing delivered the keynote address, exploring how innovation will continue to drive industry evolution. He later joined Gary Corin in a panel debate moderated by Gwyn, discussing Africa’s readiness to compete and collaborate in a rapidly changing global events landscape.
Africa’s Business Events Growth Plan – Blueprint 2030
A major milestone of the congress was the official launch of Africa’s Business Events Growth Plan – Blueprint 2030. The strategy outlines a shared continental vision for the sustainable and inclusive development of business events, with a strong focus on regional integration, infrastructure development, and capacity building.
This forward-thinking plan provides a guiding framework for destinations like Nelson Mandela Bay to position themselves more competitively within the African and global events ecosystem.
Governance, Planning, and Future Collaboration
Congress delegates also took part in the SAACI Annual General Meeting, which included board elections, financial reporting, and governance updates. Additional sessions enabled structured networking and scenario-based engagement to test future planning models in the sector.
NMBCB has confirmed that insights gained during the congress will feed into its ongoing strategic planning, with particular attention to how Blueprint 2030 can be localised to strengthen Nelson Mandela Bay’s positioning as a business events destination.
“We remain committed to building a competitive, sustainable events sector that contributes meaningfully to the local economy,” the Bureau said. “Our continued participation in national dialogues ensures we are part of shaping that future.”
Leave a Reply