A new 10-member Board has been elected to lead the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI).
Experienced MICE professional Alex Wrottesley, MD of Business Events at Into Africa DMC, will take over the reins as SAACI Chairperson, moving from the position of Treasurer. She will be supported by Vice Chairperson Londi Khumalo who is Chief Development Officer at MICE market research and lead development firm Niche Partners. Lara le Roux, Director and Partner at Paragon Africa, steps in as Treasurer.
The other Board members are:
- Kim Roberts (Director of Mise en Place Solutions)
- Projeni Pather (MD of Exposure Marketing)
- Merryl Fairfoot (Head of Sales at the Cape Town International Convention Centre)
- Ronelle Pillay (Regional Revenue: Gauteng and Revenue and Sales: KwaZulu-Natal for Southern Sun Hotels)
- Esti Venske (Senior Lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology)
- Zimkitha Bavuma (Lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology)
- Clarissa Ann Carsten (MD of Clarissa Carsten Specialised Services)
“I am delighted to have been voted by my peers to lead SAACI through this next chapter,” said Wrottesley. “Alongside my fellow Board members, we will work hard to continue the strides made by the previous Board. We will continue to be the voice of the business events industry with our mission to advance the professionalisation and growth of the industry while promoting Southern Africa as a leading global events destination.”
Welcoming the new Board, SAACI CEO Glenton de Kock said:
“Leadership within our industry is not just about guiding strategy; it is about showing innovation, compassion and inclusiveness. As we step forward with this new team, we are reminded of our responsibility to lead on behalf of our members in a way that strengthens professionals, companies and communities alike.”
