On the 1st of September, the PCO Alliance Network in partnership with Focus Rooms, The Capital Hotel Group and Cape Town International Convention Centre staged a 5-venue event, effectively demonstrating that the events industry is ready to open safely. Adopting the SA Event Council Safety Guidelines, which were drafted during lockdown by the Event Safety Council, the organisers found the use of the Safety Guidelines imperative in their preparation for this event in the current climate.
“Yes, we have had to change our thinking and mind-set – the stringent event safety protocols add an additional layer onto the safety protocols we have always used. As event organisers, planning is what we do best, and the safety of all our participants is of utmost importance,” said Ellen Oosthuizen, Chairperson of PCO Alliance.
The catalyst for Reignite your Business was the Proof of Concept Conference organised by the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) in July under the auspices of the SA Events Council. While the Proof of Concept Conference specifically targeted conferencing stakeholders, Reignite your Business was aimed at building confidence in the ability of the events industry to mount safe events for the corporate sector as well.
An example of the ‘new normal” multi-venue, hybrid event, the main performance hub was hosted in the Focus Rooms in Johannesburg and streamed to all other venues between 09h00 and 14h30. Attendees in each venue also enjoyed live entertainment in each of the venues.
The Capital Pearls
At Focus Rooms there were musicians entertaining on arrival with Duane Rockwell as MC and a Game Show.
The Capital On The Park’s arrival entertainment was by Kristel Birkholtz with MC/Comedian Farai, followed by a Blue Naartjie Events teambuilding activity after lunch.
The Capital Menlyn provided arrival entertainment by Jacques Lagesse and MC Henry Motau.
After-lunch live entertainment was provided by Christina Rodriquez & Team.
The Capital Pearls Umhlanga’s entertainment was provided by the School of Arts.
CTICC ‘s guests were entertained by Elton with MC Ernest van Sitter.In the afternoon, comedian Alan Committie kept the audience in stitches.
The PCO Alliance’s Reigniting your Business was an event not to be missed. “All the entertainers/performers, suppliers and venues contributed their services to build confidence so that we can all get back to business,“ said Ellen, “We are committed to rebuilding the events industry and I am confident that we can safely host corporate events once again.”
The PCO Alliance is one of 13 associations that form part of the SA Events Council - an industry-wide coalition uniting the broader events industry to speak with a unified voice. The council has representation from the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI), The Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), Southern African Communications Industries Association (SACIA), Technical Production & Services Association (TPSA),The Event Safety Council (ESC), Council of Events Professionals Africa (CEPA), Event Greening Forum (EGF), Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), Professional Conference Organisers' Alliance Network (PCOAN), Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA), International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA) and the South African Live Performance Association (SALPA).