On the back of successful attempts to bring big events to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (Port Elizabeth and surrounds) Inkanyezi Event Organisers is spearheading an initiative to elevate the position of the Friendly City as a competitive confex (conference and exhibition) destination.
Recently the Metro hinted at its potential when it trumped heavyweights Cape Town and Rustenburg for the right to host a leg of the IRB World Sevens, which will now move up the Garden Route from George.
With the support of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, Inkanyezi is spearheading an initiative, with the collaboration of leading venues and suppliers in the Metro, to actively bid for medium to large sized conventions.
Inkanyezi CEO Andrew Binning said the building of a new Sun International five star hotel and convention centre at the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World on world renowned Hobie Beach, would act as a catalyst for growth in the sector.
“The region’s ability to host national and international conventions had in the past been severely impaired by a shortage of large, suitable and upmarket venues but the luxurious new 2000-seater centre and Five star hotel will make an immediate impact.”
The development of the 5 star Radisson Blu Hotel on the beachfront, major upgrades to the Town Lodge, Edward Hotel and the development of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, home of the EP Kings, which will play Super Rugby in 2013 have recently bolstered Nelson Mandela Bay’s image and supported its prized beach and Big game viewing leisure attractions.
Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO, Kevin Hustler said a recent independent economic impact assessment of South African Automotive Week, and the hosting of Ironman SA showed the ability of the metro to host large-scale international events and the value of these events to the region’s economy. “Around R80 million is calculated to have been generated from these two events alone,” he said. “Every effort to grow this sector, will be handsomely rewarded.”
Binning said several leading venues and suppliers form part of this bidding team and would provide a special package to organisations that “provide unbeatable value (better prices than can be acquired in any other way), the highest quality service and a memorable delegate experience”.
He said local businesses and associations now could also get assistance from Inkanyezi and access to the special package which they could present to their own organizations to secure for the city their annual conferences and exhibitions.
South African Association for the Conference industry (SAACI) General Manager Adene Pringle applauded Nelson Mandela Bay for the initiative.
“This renewed energy to drive revenue through events is well received and supported by SAACI. It holds returns for a broad spectrum of businesses, including accommodation establishments, restaurants, car rental agencies, tour operators, tourism products and retail outlets as well as suppliers directly involved with the event such as AV & Sound, caterers, photographers, security companies, printers and the like,” Pringle said.
Inkanyezi Event Organisers Pty Ltd, a member of The South African Association for the Conference industry (SAACI) and the Exhibition and Events Association of South Africa (EXSA), is a professional conference organiser with an impressive reputation built over 13 years.
For more information about the incentives for Nelson Mandela Bay contact Andrew Binning at Inkanyezi Event Organisers.
Alan Straton
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