Events & Conferencing News South Africa

SAACI joins international convention organisation, CIC

The Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) has become a member of the US-based Convention Industry Council (CIC), which manages the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) industry certification programme and the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) initiative to develop accepted practices for the industry.
SAACI joins international convention organisation, CIC

The CIC has just over 30 member organisations representing some 103 500 individuals and 19 500 firms in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. It offers tools and programmes designed to support the industry and meet its challenges, facilitate the exchange of information and ideas and educate the public on its profound impact.

Significant benefits for members

SAACI GM, Adene Pringle, says the association's membership of CIC will hold significant benefits for members. "In our continuing efforts to professionalise the conference industry in South Africa - and all its sub-sectors - our CIC membership will play an important role. I have no doubt that we will now see an increase in the number of CMPs in South Africa. This certification is widely regarded as the most authoritative indicator of professionalism in our industry."

She says SAACI members will now also have access to comprehensive industry reference materials and research reports. The CIC also embarks on specific projects that benefit members, such as the 'Face time It matters' campaign that is designed to promote the benefits of meeting face-to-face.

SAACI has approximately 1200 members across South Africa, representing all industry sub-sectors such as organisers, venues and support services.

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