News
Welcome to the hotel of 2119
Hilton Releases Future-Gazing Report To Mark Its 100th Anniversary Intergalactic getaways, fast-food nutrient pills, 2-3 hour working days and adaptable, personalised rooms that can transport guests everywhere from jungles to mountain ranges; in celebration of its...
read moreThe EGF – “We practice what we preach”
“The pressure is on,” admits Event Greening Forum (EGF) Chairperson Greg McManus. “That was always going to be the case, as we preach sustainable event practices and now we need to practice what we preach!” This is in reference to the EGF’s upcoming Master Class on...
read moreMeet Montecasino’s newest Marketing Manager
Gareth Kaschula, Montecasino’s Marketing Manager since August 2018, is in his element – in “undoubtedly the finest casino in South Africa,” he states, and in an industry and a career he loves. Gareth has been in marketing in the casino industry for 24 years. “Apart...
read moreSponsorship isn’t a freebie; it’s a partnership of a different kind
As a brand that believes in, and nurtures community and relationships, it’s increasingly difficult saying no to the daily calls for sponsorship. Yes or no. Small words with a big impact, if used correctly. Everyone is looking for a helping hand in some way or...
read moreONE WEEK TO GO! Final call for entries – nominate your Top Women in MICE today!
With just one week to go before nominations close, the Top Women in MICE has sounded its final call for entries. Each year, professionals from across the MICE industry come together to nominate not just their favourite female role models within the industry, but icons...
read moreBohemian Rhapsody Sing-Along Experience to rock you at Montecasino
For most of the world, from the first beat of a Queen song nostalgia takes hold, instinct takes over and voices start belting out the lyrics we know and love – ‘We will we will rock you’, ‘We are the champions (no time for losers)’, ‘All we hear is radio ga ga radio...
read moreMyan Moodley takes the reins at Sibaya
There is a new man at the helm of Sun International’s Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom, Myan Moodley. Myan recently took the position of General Manager after a successful tenure at the same group’s Wild Coast Sun Casino. Bringing with him a wealth of...
read moreTsogo Sun Hotels celebrates 50 golden years of growth
Tsogo Sun Hotels is celebrating 50 years of successful growth and an enduring contribution to the South African hospitality industry as the country’s biggest hotel group. The company was founded in 1969 with the launch of six Southern Sun Hotels by SA Breweries and...
read moreNOMINATE TODAY! Top Women in MICE Awards extends nominations deadline
The Top Women in MICE Awards has announced that it will extend the deadline for nominations until the end of June. "We are so excited about all the new developments we are seeing taking place in our industry and we remain committed to recognising the invaluable...
read moreR2.7 million in crispy cash notes…because Cash IS King at Silverstar!
For the first time in the Tsogo Sun Gaming group, the new Cash is King gaming promotion at the West Rand’s favourite entertainment destination, Silverstar, is giving away a tantalising total of R2.7-million in instant cash prizes! To be one of the guaranteed 2 300...
read moreSilverstar’s Bomi Bukali is building the brand with passion
Bomi Bukali, Silverstar Casino’s new Communications Manager, has embraced her career in the casino industry with energy and passion, which she says: “is an essential part of thriving in this exciting industry”. Bukali joined Tsogo Sun in August 2016 as PR &...
read moreStop smacking the snooze button; Climate disruption is here
“Stop smacking the snooze button. Climate disruption is here. You need to know what to do,” says sustainability facilitator, greening specialist and climate change leader Lorraine Jenks. Having researched the impacts of climate change on events and tourism in Africa,...
read moreGold Reef City set to sizzle with fiery dance and musical extravaganza, Ignited
Gold Reef City is warming up to showcase a fiery new dance extravaganza, entitled Ignited. This music and dance spectacular will take to the stage on Friday, 24 May at The Lyric, with performances running until Sunday, 16 June. Ignited – a collaboration with renowned...
read moreTOP 40 WOMEN IN MICE: 4 WEEKS TO GO!Nominate a Top 40 Women in MICE to guarantee your place at this year’s awards!
With the high calibre of nominees and a beautiful luncheon celebrating the achievements of the Top 40 Women in MICE, the Awards achieved new heights in 2018 and we are looking forward to the sixth instalment of this exceptional event. This year, in a bid to drive...
read moreTourism: Economic friend or environmental foe?
Whilst it boosts the economy, encourages growth and development, by nature, tourism takes its toll on the planet. On the doorstep of Cape Town International, Hotel Verde finds ways to turn the potential curse into a blessing. In 2017, Iceland received over two million...
read morePalazzo presents perfect wine and dinner pairings
“Wine is the only artwork you can drink.” Luis Fernando Olaverri The pairing of food and wine takes centre stage at The Palazzo at Montecasino for one elegant, exclusive event each month as a selection of fine wines from a leading wine estate are paired with a...
read moreKnowledge Hub
Lacto-ovo whatinism?
From Banting to Veganism – there are so many different types of dietary requirements out there – how on earth does one know what to cater for and where to draw the line when catering for large groups? There are two main streams of dietary requirements – belief based...
read moreMagazines, newspapers or print media for events advertising
Getting your name or your event name “out there” in major publications can be very important, depending on the event that you are running and your budget. Remember again that’s it’s a case of perceived perception – your brand alongside the brand of the magazine or...
read moreSetting your event budget 101
Setting the budget for any event is possibly the most critical aspect of event planning. If not properly managed, it can be easy to go over budget, and in some cases under budget for the event, especially when budgeting or planning events is a new experience for you....
read moreIncrease your event ROI
There are obvious benefits to attending an event or conference, among them learning, sales and lead generation, however many companies miss the fantastic opportunity to create content and also for amplification. Akin to breaking news, events are up to date, are...
read moreAdministration aids that can benefit any company
As a creative personality, administration has never been my strong point. I have always worked very hard at not falling behind in admin tasks, as the stress of sitting and sorting it all out a few months down the line is not worth it for me – I just don’t have the...
read moreMarketing your venue: 7 practical tips to attract new clients
Whether you are marketing your venue full-time or whether acquiring new venue clients only forms part of your list of daily tasks, there are countless fresh marketing ideas you could make use of. The question I would like to ask you today is whether you are making full use of all your marketing opportunities or are you missing some amazing opportunities while you stick to the same old strategy?
read more10 tell tale signs you are in events management
A tongue in cheek note from a local events manager - see how many of these apply to you too. Wardrobe filled with mostly black clothing? You are not boring or funereal. Nope, you are an events manager. You can totally rock black every day for the next 3 weeks, without...
read moreStandard events operations procedures
Putting documented procedures in place is vital for any business, not just events-related ones. As a small business owner, I have until recently been guilty of not having any formal, written procedures for new staff to follow – what’s the point, if it’s just me doing...
read moreSupplier News
CTICC achieved recording breaking revenues
On the 11th of December, CTICC Chief Executive Officer Julie-May Ellingson announced the convention centre’s 2017/18 Annual Financial Results, which showed that not only had the CTICC achieved recording breaking revenues and impressive operating profits but...
read moreWin a Jodi Deerling Box
Giving and receiving incentives is very important. Everyone wants to feel valued, whether they're employee, colleagues, partners or managers. So why not take the initiative and give them something to smile about? Win 1 of 2 Jodi Deerling Boxes, It's easy! How to...
read moreSplendid Inn Bloemfontein opens in 2019
Premier Hotels & Resorts continues to cement its presence as one of the fastest growing, independently owned hotel chains in South Africa. Starting off with 40 bedrooms, the group now plans to expand and add 13 new hotels to their portfolio over the next 5 years...
read moreUsing beacons at your next event
I always get asked what the next great thing in event technology is going to be. Among other things, my answer always includes the integration of beacons. I found an interesting blog about this that I would like to share with you. Apple first introduced beacon...
read moreExhibitions as focused marketing tools
Sometimes, we at Travelbags see ourselves as a mini events team. Any event, exhibition or meeting is only as successful as its organising team. Exhibitions are one of the fastest growing industries in South Africa. Exhibitions are focused marketing tools; they offer...
read moreRisk mitigation in booking business travel
Businesses booking corporate travel for executives focus on every itinerary detail, from flights to accommodation, dinners to entertainment. But is risk mitigation considered when transfers between events are simply listed on the itinerary as “transfer by taxi” or...
read moreBest service for VIPs at Montecasino
Greg Lotriet is reaching a dream that started as a teen when he first saw the classic Al Pacino movie, Casino. As a gifted people’s person, he is thriving in his new position as VIP Services Manager at Montecasino, overseeing the Privé and ensuring memorable guest...
read moreFlock Platform adds value to MTN App of the Year Awards
Recent studies show that the average person is exposed to up to 10 000 brand messages a day. With consumers switching between screens – television, laptop, smartphone and tablet – this equates to 21 times an hour, which correlates with Microsoft’s claim that the...
read moreCurating Luxurious Dining Experience
Luxury dining is a multisensory experience that takes one through a journey of enjoyment, from the harmonious surroundings and the exquisite tastes on one’s palate, to the satisfaction that lingers long after the meal. Marika Nikolaidis, Restaurant and Bar Curator at...
read moreThe Transition of Taste
No fine-dining experience is complete without an unforgettable dessert. Chef Chelsea Logan, who helms the pastry team at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, said, “Dessert plays a defining role in rounding off the overall dining experience; it cleanses the palate and...
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