Meetings Africa 2012 – Visit us at Stand 906 African Pride Irene Country Lodge

29th February 2012 at 9:02 am

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk opens Meetings Africa 2012 – Blog – Gauteng Tourism Authority.

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk opens Meetings Africa 2012

Minister van Schalkwyk pictured here with the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in Gauteng, Qedani Mahlangu and the Gauteng Tourism Authority team: CEO Dawn Robertson and Marketing Manager Nonnie Kubeka

 

South Africa’s National Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, arrived at Meetings Africa 2012 to applause and great fanfare. After a short walk around the exhibitor hall at the convention centre and brief discussions with exhibitors, the Minister officially opened Meetings Africa 2012.

Thulani Kzane from South Africa Tourism (SAT) welcomed Minister van Schalkwyk along with dignitaries including MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in Gauteng, Qedani Mahlangu, the Director-General for the Department of Tourism, Kingsley Makhubela, the MEC for Economic Development in Johannesburg, Councillor Lemau and the Deputy Chairperson of the SAT board, Frank Kilbourn.

Kzane welcomed international and domestic media to the opening ceremony, and extended his welcome to include industry players. “We got the Meetings Africa 2012 ball rolling with a round of golf at the Legend course and spa,” he quipped.

“An event such as this is proof that South Africa has plenty to offer the leisure and business tourist. At SAT our aim is to bring all MICE parties together in order to grow leisure and business tourism together.”

The Minister officially opens Meetings Africa 2012

 

MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in Gauteng, Qedani Mahlangu, extended an official welcome to the tourism Minister.

“We recognise Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk and the provincial government departments and we are proud to be associated with this established business tourism event,” she said. Addressing the exhibitors, MEC Mahlangu said she hoped that they would make business deals that offered associated investment for the country.

“It is apt that we are hosting Meetings Africa 2012 in Gauteng. The province is an economic gateway to the rest of Africa, and is Africa’s fourth-largest economy. We aim to grow from strength to strength as we continue to host Meestings Africa for the next five years,” she added.

MEC Mahlangu urged visitors to visit the Constitution Hill stand (4501), and to join the AmaGeePee movement, an initiative put in motion by the Gauteng Tourism Authority, which offers superb visitor discounts to domestic travellers.

Minister van Schalkwyk pictured here with GTA Marketing Manager Nonnie Kubeka

 

In his opening address Minister van Schalkwyk spoke about the national tourism department’s intention to grow business tourism in South Africa, and how as an industry business tourism had experienced continental growth.

“In the first three months of 2012, with the help of the National Convention Database, the cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban have secured 50 conferences for the country,” he said. “With further assistance from the NCB, South Africa aims to host another 200 conferences over five years.”

But what does this mean for the economy? Minister van Schalkwyk explained that South Africa’s hosting of 200 conferences over five years equalled a R1.6-billion cash injection that would see more than 300,000 delegates visit our shores.

“Now that the National Convention Bureau (NCB) is up and running, the body is committed to bid for another 30 conferences, which equals a further R162-million in investment and 80 000 more delegates who are expected to visit,” he explained.

The National Convention Bureau logo, as unveiled at Meetings Africa 2012

 

Speaking about the potential of tourism, and business tourism in particular, the Minister said that during his walkabout he had the privilege of viewing some local toursim products. “I have seen wonderful convention centres, hotels and leisure products. South Africa has good infrastructure – We have it all!”

In terms of the convention bid process, the Minister reiterated that the NCB would consolidate bidding with a view to making the process professional and ensuring that the most people benefited.

Speaking to domestic exhibitors and visitors, the Minister added: “I invite you to attend the Association Lekgotla’s corporate speed-dating session, which promises to be a fun and exciting event, and I wish you ‘good hunting’.”

The Minister then unveiled the official logo for the NCB and declared Meetings Africa 2012 officially open.

Irene Village Mall – What is happening in Irene?

28th February 2012 at 3:33 pm

Irene Village Mall – Newsletter.

WITH LOVE

There are only two days left to vote for your favourite love letter in our With Love competition on Facebook. The one with the most votes will win a romantic night for two at the Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference Centre, and a random lucky voter will win a R500 Gift Card just for voting! Go vote for your favourite by clicking on the “Be a Fan” Facebook link above.

CANSA SHAVATHON

The Annual National CANSA Shavathon has become an event to diarize for a great many South Africans. Family and friends of cancer survivors, as well as many brave individuals still battling the disease, make a point of migrating to their favourite shopping centre to participate.

Irene Village Mall is one of the favourite “shave or spray” destinations, raising the third highest amount of Pretoria malls in 2011. The 2012 CANSA Shavathon at Irene Village Mall will be organized in conjunction with the Targetlife Gap-year programme from the Living Word Church in Centurion, bringing an enthusiastic and lively bunch of young people as volunteers. The stylists from Carlton Hair Express will ensure that all those brave enough to shave it all off get a professional haircut! Spot prizes aplenty will be handed out by our MC, Marinus Hayes, on the day.

The CANSA Shavathon will be hosted in the Woolworths court at Irene Village Mall on 3 March 2012 from 09:00 – 15:00. Keep your eyes peeled for a few celebrity surprises!

 

SA DACHSHUND CLUB FUN DAY

Irene Village Mall will be hosting the annual South African Dachshund Club Rescue Fun day on 10 March in the parking lot next to Spur from 09:00. Anyone and everyone will be allowed to enter their Dachshund (Worshond) into the competition for only R30. The categories for entries include best tricks, fancy dress, happiest Daxie and many more. Celebrity judge Bailey Schneider from 94.7 will be giving away the prizes. An on-call vet and educator will be on site to answer any question you may have regarding your Dachshund. If you’re looking to adopt a dog please don’t miss this event. Come and enjoy a doggie day out! For more information on the Dachshund Club contact Karen on 082 798 9104 or Charmaine on 082 925 7609.

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE!

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to our wonderfully unique new tenants. In the corner across from Ackermans we have Rock my Baby (Shop 143), exclusive “alternative” baby and pet outfitters. Pop in for a baby shower gift guaranteed to be different from all the others!

Artjamming, the home of paintertainment, will be opening their doors mid-March next to Engenius Toys (Shop 154). We can’t wait! Go to www.artjamming.co.za for more information.

WILD HAWK SPUR SPECIAL

Wild Hawk Spur has partnered with the popular cinema at Irene Village Mall for an offer that’s hard to resist!

Simply present your Ster Kinekor Irene Village Mall movie ticket at Wild Hawk Spur on a Tuesday or Thursday, and you’ll be treated to a starter or dessert of your choice.

Wild Hawk Spur is located at the Woolworths entrance and can be contacted on 012 662 4050 or wildhawk@telkomsa.net.

Win a one-night stay for two adults and two children at the luxurious African Pride Irene Country Lodge, valued at R22 000!

28th February 2012 at 9:32 am

An historic piece of paradise..

Win a one-night stay for two adults and two children at the luxurious African Pride Irene Country Lodge, valued at R22 000! The Irene Estate, owned by the van der Byl family, has been around since the 1800s, with former Prime Minister General Jan Smuts having owned a third of it in 1908. Today the village is home to African Pride Irene Country Lodge and the famous Irene Dairy Farm. The Lodge offers five-star accommodation, breathtaking views, and fun activities for the whole family. A visit to the Irene Dairy farm is a must, as well as the Farm Shop which sells fresh milk and cheese. And be sure to try the Deck, Barn and Meadow Green restaurants. You can also visit the Smuts House Museum and Rietvlei Nature Reserve, take a trip to the bi-monthly Irene Market, play golf, or enjoy treatments at the Camdeboo Spa. Entertainment for kids is available from 9am to 5pm and the kiddies’ cinema runs on weekends and public holidays, giving you and Dad a blissful night off! African Pride Irene Country lodge now has a leisure all-in-one Family Fun package where children stay and eat for free when sharing the hotel’s accommodation with their parents. For more info, go to www.irenecountrylodge.co.za Now you can win a trip to this gorgeous lodge, with flights, accommodation, breakfast, dinner, kids’ entertainment and cinema, spa treatment, and a picnic at Irene Farm, valued at R22 000! For more information on how to enter see the March 2012 issue of Living and Loving Magazine. Competition expires on 31 March 2012

African Pride Irene Country Lodge hosts SACS 2012

13th February 2012 at 12:50 pm

SACS 2012 7-11 May.

PROGRESS OF CHEMOMETRICS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The second convention of the South African Chemometrics Society, SACS2012, will take place at Irene Country Lodge, Pretoria, from 7 to 11 May 2012. Numerous developments regarding Chemometrics have taken place since the previous convention in December 2008 in Stellenbosch: Chemometrics is applied more frequently in industrial as well as academic laboratories, and in analytical, production, and manufacturing processes.

Progress in Chemometrics will be outlined by invited speakers during the convention: local experts will talk about topics including Chemometrics for biological materials (Prof. Marena Manley, Stellenbosch University) and application of Chemometrics in research and development (Prof. Ben Zeelie, NMMU, Port Elizabeth). Well-known overseas specialists will describe the optimization of multi-responses in analytical Chemistry (Prof. Roy Bruns, Campinas State University, Brazil) and representative sampling and validation (Prof. Kim Esbensen, Copenhagen, Denmark)

Developments in Chemometrics and the advancement of applications will feature at the convention – to be shared and discussed with delegates and fellow users of the discipline. We invite contributions covering all aspects of chemometrics and experimental design.

Two workshops are to be offered at the convention, both presented by well-known overseas experts: one dealing with a topic that is often overlooked, generally underestimated in significance, yet valuable and important as far as economy and efficiency of processes are concerned, namely Experimental Design. The other covers the importance of sampling procedures, and how sampling is performed correctly and representatively in industrial processes, namely process analytical techniques (PAT).

Irene Country Lodge is situated in tranquil surroundings outside Pretoria in Gauteng; it can be readily reached from Pretoria, Johannesburg, and OR Tambo airport. We are looking forward to welcoming you at the SACS 2012 at Irene Country Lodge.

Valentine @ African Pride Irene Country Lodge

2nd February 2012 at 10:45 pm

Valentine Dinner @ Camdeboo

For my Valentine Accommodation Promotion

Camdeboo Valentine Promotion

 

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