The 5th African Association Summit will bring together association professionals, thought leaders, and innovators from across Africa to discuss and advance the role of AI and digital innovation in associations. This two-day summit aims to empower associations through insights on technology, strategy, advocacy, and sustainable growth. The event will also highlight the significance of strategic collaboration and the future of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector in Africa.
Objectives:
Promote Technological Advancements: Emphasize AI as a transformative tool for associations to foster innovation, improve member engagement, and enhance operational efficiency.
Inspire Strategic Thinking and Sustainability: Equip associations with strategies to develop lasting, innovative cultures while emphasizing sustainability in event design.
Strengthen Advocacy and Collaboration: Highlight the importance of advocacy and strategic partnerships to amplify the influence and reach of associations across Africa.
Program Highlights:
Day 1:
Key sessions will include a keynote on leveraging AI as an innovation catalyst, strategies for sustaining a robust innovation culture, and discussions on social impact and event sustainability. The day will conclude with a panel on empowering associations through advocacy, followed by a welcome reception.
Day 2:
Discussions will focus on global sustainability targets, technology for community building, the roles of professional conference organizers, and financial strategies for associations. The summit will wrap up with insights on strategic MICE roles in Africa and key takeaways.
Expected Outcomes:
Participants will gain actionable insights to advance their association's mission, leverage AI, and contribute to a connected, innovative, and sustainable association sector in Africa.
8:45 AM - 9:45 AMWelcome address: Chief Executive Officer, Arusha International Conference Centre
African Society of Association Executives - President : Mungai Nfi South African National Convention Bureau – Head of Convention Bureau: Bjorn Hufkie ICEBREAKER: Lowell Aplebaum
9:45 AM - 10:15 AMTea Break
Tea Break
10:15 AM - 11:00 AMKEYNOTE 1
Leveraging AI as a catalyst for innovation in your associations - CEO and Founder, Gevme: Veemal Gungadin
11:00 AM - 11:45 AMDeveloping a robust, lasting strategy and innovation culture for your associations – CEO, Vista Cova
Speaker: Lowell Aplebaum
11:45 AM - 12:15 PMQ&A & interactions
Q&A & interactions
12:15 PM - 1:30 PMLunch Break
Lunch Break
1:30 PM - 2:15 PMSocial impact, event design, and sustainability - Co founder and CEO of Meet4Impact
Speaker: Genevieve Leclerc
2:15 PM - 2:45 PMVIRTUAL
AI, the future for the global associations industry - Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer at ASAE: Reggie J. Henry, CAE
2:45 PM - 3:15 PMDriving Business Events in Africa – CEO: Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)
Speaker; Glenton De Kock
3:15 PM - 4:00 PMTea Break
4:00 PM - 5:00 PMPanel Discussion:
Empowering your association through advocacy and fostering collaborations: Glenton De Kock, Frank Murangwa, Jeffers Miruka, Tanya Mulamula
5:00 PM - 5:15 PMQ&As & interactions
Q&As & interactions
5:15 PM - 7:00 PMBREAK
7:00 PM - 8:30 PMWelcome Reception/Dinner
Welcome Reception/Dinner
Day 2 (October 30, 2024)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AMWelcome & Registration
9:00 AM - 9:30 AMKwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau: Head Convention Bureau
Rwanda Convention Bureau: MICE Sales Manager by Henry Mugweri
9:30 AM - 10:00 AMKEYNOTE 2
Towards Global Net Zero Carbon Events
Alexander Alles
Operations at Joint Meetings Industry Council
10:00 AM - 10:30 AMTea Break
10:30 AM - 11:00 AMLeveraging technology to build stronger and more connected communities
Matt Raven
Director of Sales at Glue Up
11:00 AM - 11:30 AMWhy do association professionals need coaching?
Kathleen Lihanda
Director of Social Impact International Coaching Federation Foundation
11:30 AM - 12:00 PMThe role of Professional Conference organizers (PCOs) in association meetings –
12:30 PM - 1:00 PMQ&A and Interactions
1:00 PM - 2:30 PMLunch Break
2:30 PM - 3:00 PMAssociations and MICE: Opportunities and Strategic Roles
Frank Murangwa
Director of Destination Marketing at Rwanda Convention Bureua
3:00 PM - 3:30 PMPath to financial freedom for your association.