Following the announcement by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) to form a Southern African MPI Community, Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) has become the first official partner to support this development.

Commenting on the partnership Joyce Dogniez, MPI Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) director of operations said: “This is a significant development in reinforcing MPI’s commitment to its global vision to build a rich global meetings industry community.

“South Africa has a growing and vibrant meetings industry. This partnership, which sees CTICC provide operational funding, will open up new business opportunities for the Convention Center through increased branding and visibility, international networking opportunities, knowledge exchange and an opportunity to benchmark themselves with their counterparts around the world.

“Initially, we are committed to recruiting 10 new local meeting planners from CTICC to join the MPI Community in Southern Africa.  The partnership truly illustrates the potential that exists to develop an MPI meetings industry community in South Africa.”

Dirk Elzinga, managing director of the CTICC, explains that venue’s  partnership with MPI was a strategic choice. “South Africa is still a relatively young international meeting destination,” he said. “Creating the possibility for a number of local meeting planners to benefit from the global MPI knowledge base will undoubtedly contribute to further increase the level of professionalism in the African meeting industry. It certainly will enhance the experiences of the CTICC and meeting organisers throughout the country.” 

For more information, visit www.mpiweb.org