JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Meetings Africa has earned its place as Africa’s leading business events trade show through years of partnerships with dozens of tourism organizations.
For its 20th anniversary show, which is set for Feb. 23-25 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, organizers have formed a 13-member advisory panel consisting of both local and international leaders from various sectors within business events and tourism — MICE associations, business events companies and venue stakeholders — to provide strategic guidance.
The decision reflects the organizers’ commitment to collaboration between government, local business and international partners, and their understanding of interconnectedness of business tourism, as well as South Africa Tourism’s aspiration to become the continent’s top destination for business tourism.
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The advisory panel includes: Glenton de Kock, CEO of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry; Thulani Nzima, Chairperson of the South African Township and Village Tourism Association (SATOVITO); Thato Mothopeng, CEO of SATOVITO; Projeni Pather, Chairperson of the Association of African Exhibition Organisers; Nina Freysen-Pretorius, CEO of The Conference Company; Jeffers Miruka, Managing Director of the African Associations Management Company; Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Business Events Strategist; Frank Murangwa, Regional Director for Africa at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA); John Arvanitakis, CEO of the Event Greening Forum; Shaun Bird, General Manager of the Sandton Convention Centre; Mzamo Masito, South African Tourism Board Chairperson; Thandubuhle Mgudlwa, CEO of the Joburg Tourism Company (JTC); and Rendani Khorombi, Executive Head of Tourism Strategic Services at JTC.
The panel’s work is evident in the agenda. Highlights include an IMEX–MPI–MCI Future Leaders Forum and an ICCA Meetings Africa Association Day, both on the pre-show day. A Sustainability Village, which has become an iconic feature of Meetings Africa, allows delegates to support local arts and crafters by purchasing authentic South African products. In addition to the trade show featuring exhibiting destinations from across the continent, discussions will focus on issues impacting the business events industry.
“We are committed to fostering stronger partnerships within the tourism value chain and to co-creating a platform that continues to enhance South Africa’s position as a premier business events destination,” South African Tourism Acting CEO Darryl Erasmus said.
This comes on the heels of a successful G20 Leaders’ Summit November 22-23, 2025 — the first G20 summit ever to take place on the African continent, setting a precedent for Africa’s role in global economic governance.
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