Africa Event Connect

Are we designing meetings for impact — or simply organising gatherings?

In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather sits down with Maarten Vanneste, meeting industry leader from Belgium and author of Meeting Architecture, to challenge how we approach MICE — Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.

With over three decades of experience, Maarten reframes meetings as intentional tools for transformation, not just attendance. From psychology and learning design to outcomes and participant engagement, this conversation explores what it takes to move beyond logistics and design experiences that deliver real value.

Because the future of meetings isn’t about scale. It’s about impact. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

Sustainability is everywhere in event marketing - but rarely embedded into real delivery.

In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Herkie du Preez, Founder and CEO of STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, and a CEPA-certified event professional, breaks down how event professionals can move from intention to measurable impact across design, PR, procurement, and execution. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather speaks with Adele Hartdegen, CEO of the Johannesburg Expo Centre, about hosting the G20 Summit. The conversation explores leadership under pressure, venue readiness, stakeholder collaboration, and what delivering a summit of this scale means for South Africa and Africa’s global credibility. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

The exhibitions and events industry is under constant pressure, facing economic challenges, evolving client expectations, workforce shifts, and the rapid introduction of new technologies like AI.

In this episode of Africa Event Connect, host Projeni Pather sits down with Pamela Robinson, a global leadership facilitator and corporate trainer with over fifteen years’ experience across hospitality, healthcare, and corporate sectors.

Pamela brings a unique blend of strategy, psychology, and real-world leadership insight, shaped by her work across the Caribbean, Asia, and North America. She also draws on her recent IMEX Las Vegas keynote, “The Soul of Service: Leadership, AI, and the Human Touch,” to explore how leaders can guide teams through uncertainty without losing the human connection that defines service-driven industries.

Together, they discuss:

• Reframing uncertainty as an opportunity for growth

• Leadership in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments

• Emotional intelligence during moments of delivery pressure

• Calm leadership onsite

• Service excellence in people-driven industries

• How leaders can balance technology with empathy

This episode offers practical insight for event professionals and industry leaders navigating change while striving for consistency, performance, and exceptional service. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

In this episode of Africa Event Connect, host Projeni Pather sits down with Brett Cohen, Managing Director of Promo One, to explore how event and marketing procurement can move beyond cost-cutting to create real value.

With over 25 years of industry experience, Brett unpacks the shift from commodity buying to strategic procurement, the true cost behind pricing, and why promotional products should support brand storytelling rather than just visibility. The conversation also dives into value-added services, supplier partnerships, and lessons learned from decades in the industry. A must-watch for event professionals, marketers, and procurement leaders. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather talks with David Wilson, a tech strategist and presentologist, about the future of event engagement. Together, they explore how technology, storytelling, and design can turn audiences from passive attendees into active participants. David shares insights on data-driven decision-making, the rise of hybrid and phygital experiences, and the growing importance of collaboration across tech providers, organisers, and brands. Listeners will gain a clear, practical understanding of how to use technology with purpose, to enhance, not replace, human connection in events across Africa and beyond. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

How do you turn chance encounters into meaningful business opportunities? In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather sits down with Bianca Hindmarch and Tracey Lodrich, co-founders of B&T Matchmaking, to unpack how they’re transforming event networking into a science of purpose and precision.

They explore how AI and human insight work together to design smarter, more intentional connections, ones that go beyond foot traffic and deliver true ROI. From understanding attendee behaviour to curating impact-driven meetings, this is a must-listen for anyone rethinking the future of event engagement. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

From London’s theatre stages to South Africa’s grandest events, Brooke Greenhill, Managing Director of Elegant Experience, has mastered the craft of turning entertainment into emotion. In this episode, we examine how storytelling, performance, and production converge to create impact, not just spectacle. Brooke shares her journey from theatre to entrepreneurship, the creative process behind unforgettable shows, and what’s next for event entertainment in Africa. Whether you’re a producer, planner, or creative, this episode will inspire you to see entertainment as more than a moment; it’s an experience that lives beyond the spotlight. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

In this episode of Africa Event Connect, host Projeni Pather chats with Melisa Tsotetsi, Customer Manager at Unique Speakers Bureau, on the evolving role of speaker agencies in Africa’s event landscape. Melisa highlights how agencies go beyond booking talent - they shape narratives, align keynote content with brand strategy, and amplify authentic African voices. The discussion covers trends in audience expectations, the growing demand for relatable and diverse speakers, and the importance of representation on stage. Melisa also reflects on her leadership journey, the role of technology in audience engagement, and why storytelling remains central to impactful, future-ready events. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts

What does it take to build sports and entertainment platforms in Africa that truly last? In this episode of Africa Event Connect, Projeni Pather sits down with Lyndon Barends, CEO of Arena Holdings, to unpack the business of sustainability in events, the power of brand alignment, and why purpose-driven experiences win loyalty. From real-world case studies to future-focused insights, Lyndon shares hard-won leadership lessons and the keys to creating scalable, meaningful properties that connect audiences across the continent. If you’re in events, sponsorship, or media, this is your playbook for building impact that endures. YouTube · Spotify · Apple Podcasts