CIS, CITP - CEO, Meetings Profile, Luxembourg
Director, BDO, South Africa
Managing Director & CEO, Walthers and Site International Board member for Africa Middle/East
Regional Director: Africa International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
Chief Convention Bureau Officer, South Africa Tourism
Director, BDO Advisory Services, South Africa
CEO, Millvest, South Africa
Chief Executive Officer| Southern African Association for the Conference Industry
Managing Director, MICE Knowledge, UK
Senior Trade Advisor on Trade in Services , AfCFTA Secretariat,, Ghana.
Director, Destination Marketing, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Rwanda
Founder & CEO, Uwin Iwin International
Chief Business Development Office , ICCA , Netherlands
District Director East Africa Radisson Hotel Group & Complex General Manager – Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali
Acting CEO - Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Harare, Zimbabwe
General Manager: MIC Sales, South Africa Tourism
Deputy Minister, Tourism Department
Commercial Manager , Travel Start & Innovation City, Cape Town, South
CEO - Africa Tourism Partners South Africa
Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) is a UNWTO Distinction Award winner and Pan-African tourism development and strategic destination marketing advisory firm. We specialise in strategy formulation, master planning and strategic marketing development in the travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and golf sub-industries. The firm leverages the expertise it has established, global strategic partners and global networks to execute impactful and uniquely designed programs with measurable outcomes.
For registration and further information please contact: Ms. Rejoice Chisamba
A MICE industry veteran, Didier Scaillet recently assumed the role of CEO for SITE and the SITE Foundation for the last three years. During his tenure, the Society adopted a new Vision/Mission and Strategic Architecture, experienced record revenue, membership and retention, sealed new industry partnerships and developed new progams globally. For 18 years he held various roles with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and was vice-president business development for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). He has engaged and served on various industry forums and organisations: Joint Meetings Industry Council, Events Industry Council, Canadian Tourism Commission and United Nations World Tourism Organisation. He was also instrumental in the development of the Meetings & Business Events Competency Standards, which was the backbone for the development of SITE’s competency-based education model for incentive professionals. Scaillet was named one of the most influential people in Incentive Travel in 2018.
Christelle has more than 23 years’ consulting experience and carries out and heads project teams for macro research, economic impact assessments, valuations, marketing and organisational strategies, market feasibility studies, financial viability assessments, business case assessments and transaction advisory assignments.
Christelle has also facilitated numerous workshops and large meetings and is proficient in using a range of facilitation approaches and tools
Daryl is the Managing Director and CEO at Walthers – Destination Business Solutions Africa, an award-winning company with a strong focus on incentives and conferences. The business is internationally recognised as a leader in corporate social responsibility programmes. Daryl has a deep passion for Africa and its people, travelling 3-4 months of each year, marketing and accompanying clients within the continent. He is a past Chapter President of SITE Southern Africa and currently sits on the SITE International Board of Directors.
Regional Director: Africa International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
Esmaré currently fulfils the role of Regional Director for Africa for the International Congress and Convention Association. Her key focus is to deliver ICCA services, products and events, for the recruitment and retention of members and for maintaining and enhancing ICCA’s reputation and awareness amongst target markets.
She has extensive experience in the international marketing and sales arena. Before joining ICCA, she managed the International Sales portfolio at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Prior to her joining the CTICC she worked at Arabella Starwood South Africa, promoting the 5* Westin Cape Town and the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa. She was also part of the opening team that started the Cape Town Convention Bureau where she fulfilled the role of promoting Cape Town to the meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition industry with a focus on Association Marketing and Research.
Esmaré is currently a member of SAACI, the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry, and has served on the SAACI National Board as Venues Forum Chair as is currently a Board member of the SAACI Western Cape Chapter. She also serves on the Board of the African Society of Association Executives.
She has been awarded the SAACI Fellowship Award in 2017 as well as the Top 40 Women in MICE in both 2017 and 2015.
Chief Convention Bureau Officer, South Africa Tourism
Ms Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer Ms Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo was appointed in November 2011 as the Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), a unit within South African Tourism. Ms Kotze-Nhlapo joined South African Tourism following a successful tenure at the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau where she held held the position of head of the Bureau for six years. Her appointment and the establishment of the National Convention Bureau have worked to strengthen South Africa’s capacity in support of business events efforts to secure bids for the meetings, incentive, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry. Amanda has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.
Lee-Anne Bac is a Director at BDO Advisory Services Johannesburg with more than 20 years experience consulting to clients in the tourism, hospitality, leisure and property sectors in South Africa and the rest of Africa. Lee-Anne’s consulting experience includes strategic planning, market and financial feasibility studies, financial evaluations, business valuations, economic impact studies, socio-economic impact studies, market research and demand assessments and strategic management consulting.
Lee-Anne holds a BSc degree in Microbiology and Zoology from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA degree from the University of Cape Town. She joined BDO Advisory Services in 1997 as a Senior Consultant and was appointed as a Director of BDO Advisory Services in September 1999.
Lee-Anne is regularly quoted in the printed press about issues relating to the tourism, hospitality and property industries and with regard to women in business and she regularly presents at industry functions, workshops and conferences.
Lee-Anne is passionate about the transformative role of tourism in economies and societies. As her commitment to enhancing sustainable tourism, Lee-Anne is a Director of Fair Trade Tourism (FTT).
Lee-Anne is a member of the national executive of the Woman’s Property Network in South Africa and was a recipient of the Women’s Property Network “Excellence in Property” award in 2013. She is also a member of SAMRA – the South African Market Research Association.
Miller has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of the North, Miller Matola began his career as a lecturer at Vista University where he worked for four years. During this time, he obtained a BA Honours (Cum Laude) from the University of Potchefstroom. Thereafter he took on a project management course whilst working as a Project Manager at Technikon in South Africa. He was then awarded a scholarship by the United States Agency, for International development, to travel to the US amongst others as part of the USAID South Africa- Namibia Institute. Upon his return to South Africa in 1996, Miller was assigned to design a tourism course, which fueled his interest in the tourism sector. Since then he has worked with various organizations in Executive positions in the tourism and hospitality industry, including working with the Department of Tourism, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife KZN, Tourism Grading Council of SA, Durban Chamber of Commerce and the International Convention Center Durban, amongst others.
Chief Executive Officer| Southern African Association for the Conference Industry
Glenton De Kock
Rob Davidson is the Managing Director of MICE Knowledge, a consultancy specialising in research, education and training services for the meetings and events industry.
His main areas of expertise are conferences and incentive travel, and he has written seven books on these themes, including his latest publication, Business Events (https://www.routledge.com/Business-Events/Davidson/p/book/9781138735767).
He has carried out research projects for a number of major organisations including the Poland Convention Bureau, the Ireland National Tourism Development Authority, and the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence.
He is regularly invited to speak at international conferences on themes linked to business events, in particular to present the results of his ongoing research into conference industry trends. Rob also teaches as a Visiting Professor in four European universities, where he educates and inspires Events Management and Tourism Management students every year.
In 2015, he was awarded a Doctorate from the University of Greenwich for his thesis, entitled ‘Technological and Demographic Factors as Agents of Change in the Development of Business Events’.
In 2016, he won the Best Conference Speaker award at the Global Event Awards.In 2017, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the IBTM WORLD exhibition in Barcelona.
Senior International Trade Expert, with high specialised knowledge of the multilateral trading system and particularly Trade in Services, Intellectual Property and Environment Law. He cumulates an extensive experience in trade negotiations and policies developed in various capacities with international organisations, regional economic communities, national governments and with the private sector. Lawyer and Patent and Trademark Attorney, he is currently Senior Trade Advisor on Trade in Services at the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana. He is a key member of the Team developing, not only, the Trade in Services continental single market, but also the continental intellectual property area under the AfCFTA.
Founder & CEO, Uwin Iwin International
David Sand
Chief Business Development Office , ICCA , Netherlands
Expert in the international Association meetings- & Convention industry. High-level destination- & venue marketing experience related to complex bidding procedures. Executive Management, Recruitment & Training. Advisor to leading organisations in Europe, South Africa & USA. Emerging markets specialist.
Professional Experience
Director of Conventions ROTTERDAM AHOY, Regional Vice President HELMSBRISCOE South-East Africa & Benelux, Country Expert & Trainer KIT Royal Tropical Institute Intercultural Professionals, Founder & Owner CAPEMOTION CC, Consultant to USAID United States Agency for International Development, Shareholder & Director AGS Association Global Services Africa, Executive Director SCC Supply Chain Council Africa, Marketing Director CTICC Cape Town International Convention Centre, International Marketing & Sales Manager Amsterdam RAI Group, Corporate Account Manager Banque Paribas, Communication Manager Krijger & Roozen Group / Aerssens & Associates, Corporate Business Unit Manager International Desk, Media & Events
Background
Born in The Netherlands, lived in Switzerland, France, Spain, and spend 16 years in magical Africa.
Fluent in Dutch, English, French. Proficient in Spanish, German, Afrikaans, and a bit of isiXhosa.
Travelled and worked in over 55 countries.
Education
Masters in European Studies & International Law at the University of Amsterdam
Licence Degree at La Sorbonne, University Paris IV, Erasmus Scholarship Program
Specialism: Economic Business Analysis, Commercial Law and Applied Linguistics
Public Relations & Mass Communication at the University of Utrecht
District Director East Africa Radisson Hotel Group & Complex General Manager – Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali
A dynamic and effective management executive, with over 20 years of experience and a portfolio of delivering excellence within the Hospitality Industry.
In a career of dedicated service delivery, coupled with the capacity to drive business growth, all the while managing multiple functions of premier, luxury, high- volume Hotels, Resorts and Spas, Rob Kucera has occupied the positions of leadership from the early days of his career.
Accountable for comprehensive business, financial & operational management, he exceeds his mandate to deliver profitability, to maintain and/or improve standards of operation in addition to maximizing the total customer experience. Exposure to a variety of team dynamics within different hospitality Industry environments, has facilitated his strength in management. Rob now offers dexterity both as a dynamic leader who has built successful teams, and as a proactive team member. He commits to mentoring employees and encourages ownership of areas of management, thus leveraging higher levels of service.
Testimony to such excellence is a portfolio of multiple awards. Notably, Rob led the Westin Cape Town team to achievement of international recognition within the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Group, receiving the Best Team Collaboration Award (2015). In 2004 he received the Protea Hotels General Manager of the Year Award at Protea Hotel President in Bantry Bay, Cape Town. On an industrial level, he held the position of Chief Operations Officer at the Hospitality Property Fund Ltd the only dedicated hotel REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) in South Africa and whose market value is approximated at R4.6 billion. Additionally, he played a key role in South African hospitality industry as Chairman of the FEDHASA Cape Board, the body responsible for monitoring the operations of over 700 companies in the Western Cape.
His educational background draws from esteemed institutions such as University of Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg which accorded him a Citation with the status of Golden Circle Alumnus in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the South African Tourism & Hospitality Industry. He did his Advanced General Manager Course at Cornell University, USA and is also a certified NQ (National Vocational Qualification) Assessor. He also attended INSEAD Business School in Paris to complete a course called Managing Complexities.
Currently, Rob holds a regional function as the District Director EA & GM Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali, giving him an oversight role of existing properties (Radisson Blu hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Radisson Blu Hotel Upper Hill, Park Inn by Radisson and the newest entrant Radisson Blu Residence in Arboretum, in Nairobi, Kenya, Park Inn by Radisson, Kigali) & future openings in East Africa. Prior to moving to Kigali-Rwanda, he was the General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill and the Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul -Turkey.
Acting CEO - Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Harare, Zimbabwe
Givemore is holders a Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) Degree majoring in Tourism and Transportation from the University of Applied Sciences, Worms, Germany and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the City University, Bellevue, Washington, USA. He joined the tourism industry straight form university in 1986, starting his career as an Assistant Research and Planning Officer for the then Zimbabwe Tourist Development Corporation. He rose through the ranks of Research and Planning Officer, Research and Planning Manager, Head of the Research and Planning Division and served in the Diplomatic Field as the Tourism Attaché for Zimbabwe responsible for Continental Europe and based in Frankfurt, Germany from 1996 – 2001.
Chidzizi returned to Zimbabwe as Marketing and Communication Director for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and rose to the current position of Chief Operating Officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, a position held since 2010 interspaced with several stints as Acting Chief Executive. In this position, he has been involved in the development of tourism legislation and policy, marketing strategy, destination branding and institutional capacity building, representing Zimbabwe on the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA), regional initiatives such as the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, African Union Tourism initiatives as well as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). He also serves on several Boards in Zimbabwe.
Among these are the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO), Council Member of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (2017 – 2019) and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority representative on the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe Board.
General Manager: MIC Sales, South Africa Tourism
Bjorn Hufkie
Deputy Minister, Tourism Department
Mr Amos Fish Mahlalela is the Deputy Minister of the Department of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa from 29 May 2019. He is a member of the African National Congress in the National Assembly of South Africa
Hon Fish holds an Honours Degree in Governance and Leadership from the University of the Witwatersrand.
After 1994 general elections he was deployed as a member of parliament and has since served the country in different responsibilities in both the province and the national legislatures.
He has been a member of the provincial legislature, where he served amongst others as a chairperson for the Standing Committee on Public Account (SCOPA) and chairperson for the Association of Public Accounts Committee of South Africa, and also served the chairperson of the Southern Africa Development Committee on Public accounts.
During his tenure in the Mpumalanga province he served in various executive positions and notably the following responsibilities, MEC for the department Environmental Affairs and tourism, MEC for department of Culture, Sports and Recreation, MEC for the department of Local Government and Traffic, MEC for the department of Roads and Transport, MEC for the department of Safety and Security, and MEC for the department of Health and Social Development.
He also previously served as the ANC Whip in the Portfolio Committee on Health in the National Assembly
Mr Mahlalela has a proud history in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, was exiled in the 1980s and received military training in numerous countries as a member of the ANC’s military wing, Mkhonto We Sizwe. In 2002 he was elected the Chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga Province.
Commercial Manager , Travel Start & Innovation City, Cape Town, South
Linda Balme has been in the travel industry for 20 years. After 14 years in senior management roles, across 4 countries, leading 6 different brands, Linda returned to South Africa to join Africa’s largest on-line travel company, Travelstart, as their Senior Commercial Manager.
Recognized by industry professionals for her passion as well as her ability to create vision and buy-in, she is entrusted with the relationship between international tourism boards, travel providers and corporate partners, to promote African inbound and outbound tourism. With an audience size of 25 million across all online and offline channels, Travelstart is in a position to increase both awareness and increased passenger numbers to different destinations.
CEO - Africa Tourism Partners South Africa
Kwakye Donkor is the CEO of Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), a Pan African tourism advisory firm and a UNWTO award-winning firm. He is a renowned Pan-African strategist and expert in areas of tourism development, strategic and destination marketing, destination brand management and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition/Events). He is a recognised and highly respected personality in Africa tourism space, and speaks at global conferences, seminars and think tank fora.
Kwakye has demonstrated expertise in destination master planning as well as strategy formulation and execution, business transactional advisory and leadership development worldwide across education, finance, and hotel development. His expertise and experience have earned him the privilege to regularly serve on expert panels and think tank fora facilitated by international organizations including UNWTO, AU, SADC, The World Bank Group, GIZ, BBC, CNBC Africa, Channel Africa, ENCA, SABC and others across Africa.
He is the convener of the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Forum & Awards, Africa MICE Masterclass, Africa Youth in Tourism Summit and Africa Women in Tourism Summit series.
