Africa Event Connect

Epizodes

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  Think Like a Futurist: Preparing Africa's Event Industry for What's Next 25.09.2026 36min

  What does it actually mean to think like a futurist? Charlotte Kemp - futurist keynote speaker, executive coach, and Past President of the Global Speakers Federation joins Africa Event Connect to explore how organisers, venues and industry leaders can move from reacting to trends to deliberately co-creating the future they want.
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  Beyond the Title: What Actually Changes an Industry 10.09.2026 42min

  The first time Professor Nellie Swart was on Africa Event Connect, she spoke about women in MICE, mentorship, and career mobility. This time she brings the research instead. With a BCom in Leadership Performance and Change and more than 75 peer-reviewed publications behind her, she looks at what actually separates leaders who create real change from those who just perform it. She pushes back on the industry congratulating itself on gender progress, points out where leadership development keeps getting it wrong, and shares some of the patterns her data keeps turning up that most organisations would rather not hear. Practical and evidence-based, not another feel-good career chat.
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  The ROI of Wonder: How Smart Event Organisers Use Entertainment Strategically 28.08.2026 47min

  International mentalist Larry Soffer joins Africa Event Connect to argue that entertainment isn't a cost line, it's a strategic lever, with measurable impact on audience energy and event outcomes.
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  Here & Now: SAACI's National Annual Conference 14.08.2026 45min

  SAACI CEO Glenton De Kock joins host Projeni Pather for a direct debrief on the National Annual Conference's "Here & Now" theme - Prof Mohale's blunt opening read, why KZN was chosen, the R14 trillion inefficiency figure, and what it takes to lead an industry through its hardest chapter.
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  The Commercial Case for AI: What Africa's Events Industry Is Leaving on the Table 17.07.2026 1h

  In this episode, we sit down with Neil Nagooroo - a strategist and digital transformation leader with over two decades in South Africa's exhibitions, events, and MICE sectors - to talk about what AI is actually worth to an events business. Neil unpacks why so much revenue is still left uncaptured, what data-driven sponsorship and pricing really look like, and how organisers can rethink the value they offer exhibitors and attendees. He also tackles Africa's specific infrastructure challenges, the most common commercial mistakes he sees, and the one concrete move any organiser can make in the next 90 days. This is a sharp, practical conversation for anyone serious about the commercial future of events.
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  Beyond the Ballroom: Hotel Events, Group Excellence & Women Leading in Hospitality 17.06.2026 43min

  Zandi Sibisi aka Zandi Soul, Founder & Director of ZA Conferences, joins Africa Event Connect to unpack the realities of hotel and group event management - from operational excellence and the gap between promise and delivery, to her dual life as a DJ, and the future of women’s leadership in hospitality across Africa.
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  Why Most African Events Fail Before They Begin 29.05.2026 53min

  What if your event was already failing before the venue was booked? In this episode, Projeni Pather speaks with Mulemwa Moongwa, Meeting Architect and former Central Bank of Zambia planner about designing events for outcomes, not attendance, and why the brief is where most African events are won or lost.
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  The Psychology of Event Design & The Future of Experiences in Africa 13.05.2026 52min

  What separates an event people attend from one they never forget? In this episode, Projeni Pather speaks with Tamlynne Wilton-Gurney, CEO of IDNA Africa about the psychology of event design, emotional storytelling, and why Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the future of experiential events.
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  AI, Technology & The Future of Exhibitions 01.05.2026 46min

  Exhibitions are evolving as AI and technology reshape how value is created and experienced. In this conversation, Projeni Pather and Errol Bryce explore innovation, leadership, and the practical application of technology in the events industry, focusing on what is truly driving progress and what requires more intentional adoption moving forward.
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  The Economic Impact of Business Events in Johannesburg 17.04.2026 50min

  Johannesburg is more than an economic hub, it is a driver of connection, opportunity, and growth across the continent. In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Rendani Khorombi of the Johannesburg Tourism Company shares how business events shape cities, influence industries, and contribute to long-term economic impact. From global positioning to partnerships and legacy, this conversation explores what makes a destination competitive. A powerful reminder that the true value of events lies beyond the room in the impact they leave behind.
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  Designing Meetings for Impact, Not Attendance 03.04.2026 1h 1min

  Are we designing meetings for impact — or simply organising gatherings? In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather sits down with Maarten Vanneste, meeting industry leader from Belgium and author of Meeting Architecture, to challenge how we approach MICE — Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions. With over three decades of experience, Maarten reframes meetings as intentional tools for transformation, not just attendance. From psychology and learning design to outcomes and participant engagement, this conversation explores what it takes to move beyond logistics and design experiences that deliver real value. Because the future of meetings isn’t about scale. It’s about impact.
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  From Buzzwords to Real Action: What Sustainability Actually Looks Like in Events 20.03.2026 43min

  Sustainability is everywhere in event marketing - but rarely embedded into real delivery. In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Herkie du Preez, Founder and CEO of STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, and a CEPA-certified event professional, breaks down how event professionals can move from intention to measurable impact across design, PR, procurement, and execution.
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  Hosting the G20: Leadership, Readiness & Global Credibility 16.03.2026 50min

  In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather speaks with Adele Hartdegen, CEO of the Johannesburg Expo Centre, about hosting the G20 Summit. The conversation explores leadership under pressure, venue readiness, stakeholder collaboration, and what delivering a summit of this scale means for South Africa and Africa’s global credibility.
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  Managing Change, Leadership & Service Excellence 13.02.2026 37min

  The exhibitions and events industry is under constant pressure, facing economic challenges, evolving client expectations, workforce shifts, and the rapid introduction of new technologies like AI. In this episode of Africa Event Connect, host Projeni Pather sits down with Pamela Robinson, a global leadership facilitator and corporate trainer with over fifteen years’ experience across hospitality, healthcare, and corporate sectors. Pamela brings a unique blend of strategy, psychology, and real-world leadership insight, shaped by her work across the Caribbean, Asia, and North America. She also draws on her recent IMEX Las Vegas keynote, “The Soul of Service: Leadership, AI, and the Human Touch,” to explore how leaders can guide teams through uncertainty without losing the human connection that defines service-driven industries. Together, they discuss: • Reframing uncertainty as an opportunity for growth • Leadership in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments • Emotional intelligence during moments of delivery pressure • Calm leadership onsite • Service excellence in people-driven industries • How leaders can balance technology with empathy This episode offers practical insight for event professionals and industry leaders navigating change while striving for consistency, performance, and exceptional service.
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  Beyond the Price Tag: How Event and Marketing Procurement Can Drive Real Value 26.01.2026 37min

  In this episode of Africa Event Connect, host Projeni Pather sits down with Brett Cohen, Managing Director of Promo One, to explore how event and marketing procurement can move beyond cost-cutting to create real value. With over 25 years of industry experience, Brett unpacks the shift from commodity buying to strategic procurement, the true cost behind pricing, and why promotional products should support brand storytelling rather than just visibility. The conversation also dives into value-added services, supplier partnerships, and lessons learned from decades in the industry. A must-watch for event professionals, marketers, and procurement leaders.
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  From Passive Attendees to Active Participants: How Technology Is Redefining Event Engagement 04.12.2025 46min

  In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather talks with David Wilson, a tech strategist and presentologist, about the future of event engagement. Together, they explore how technology, storytelling, and design can turn audiences from passive attendees into active participants. David shares insights on data-driven decision-making, the rise of hybrid and phygital experiences, and the growing importance of collaboration across tech providers, organisers, and brands. Listeners will gain a clear, practical understanding of how to use technology with purpose, to enhance, not replace, human connection in events across Africa and beyond.
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  How AI and Human Insight Are Transforming Event Matchmaking 28.11.2025 43min

  How do you turn chance encounters into meaningful business opportunities? In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather sits down with Bianca Hindmarch and Tracey Lodrich, co-founders of B&T Matchmaking, to unpack how they’re transforming event networking into a science of purpose and precision. They explore how AI and human insight work together to design smarter, more intentional connections, ones that go beyond foot traffic and deliver true ROI. From understanding attendee behaviour to curating impact-driven meetings, this is a must-listen for anyone rethinking the future of event engagement.
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  What makes event entertainment truly unforgettable? 21.11.2025 46min

  From London’s theatre stages to South Africa’s grandest events, Brooke Greenhill, Managing Director of Elegant Experience, has mastered the craft of turning entertainment into emotion. In this episode, we examine how storytelling, performance, and production converge to create impact, not just spectacle. Brooke shares her journey from theatre to entrepreneurship, the creative process behind unforgettable shows, and what’s next for event entertainment in Africa. Whether you’re a producer, planner, or creative, this episode will inspire you to see entertainment as more than a moment; it’s an experience that lives beyond the spotlight.
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  The Evolving Role of Speaker Agencies in Shaping the Narratives of Modern Events 14.11.2025 38min

  In this episode of Africa Event Connect, host Projeni Pather chats with Melisa Tsotetsi, Customer Manager at Unique Speakers Bureau, on the evolving role of speaker agencies in Africa’s event landscape. Melisa highlights how agencies go beyond booking talent - they shape narratives, align keynote content with brand strategy, and amplify authentic African voices. The discussion covers trends in audience expectations, the growing demand for relatable and diverse speakers, and the importance of representation on stage. Melisa also reflects on her leadership journey, the role of technology in audience engagement, and why storytelling remains central to impactful, future-ready events.
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  The Business of Events: Partnerships, Sponsorships, Brand Alignment & Media 06.11.2025 50min

  What does it take to build sports and entertainment platforms in Africa that truly last? In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather sits down with Lyndon Barends, CEO of Arena Holdings, to unpack the business of sustainability in events, the power of brand alignment, and why purpose-driven experiences win loyalty. From real-world case studies to future-focused insights, Lyndon shares hard-won leadership lessons and the keys to creating scalable, meaningful properties that connect audiences across the continent. If you’re in events, sponsorship, or media, this is your playbook for building impact that endures.