Nonnie Kubeka, Executive Director of the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau, will speak at the SAACI National Annual Conference 2026, taking Gauteng’s business events perspective to one of Southern Africa’s key industry gatherings. The conference takes place from Sunday, 26 July to Tuesday, 28 July 2026 at The Capital Zimbali in KwaZulu-Natal.
Kubeka is expected to contribute to discussions on how destinations can compete more effectively for business events through stronger partnerships, strategic bidding and experiences that deliver lasting value. Her participation comes as Gauteng continues to position meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions as part of the province’s wider visitor economy and destination strategy.
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SAACI Conference Brings Business Events Leaders Together
The 2026 conference is organised by the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry, known as SAACI, and carries the theme “Here And Now: This Industry. This Moment. No Waiting.”
According to SAACI, the annual gathering brings together members and influential voices from the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector to discuss developments shaping business events across Southern Africa.
This year’s programme is centred on the realities currently facing the industry, including tighter budgets, changing client expectations and the need for businesses and destinations to adapt to an evolving events environment.
SAACI says discussions will focus on areas including professionalisation, sustainability, data and technology, alongside practical industry challenges such as client retention and sustainable event delivery.
SAACI National Annual Conference 2026 details
- Dates: Sunday, 26 July to Tuesday, 28 July 2026
- Venue: The Capital Zimbali, KwaZulu Natal
- Theme: Here And Now: This Industry. This Moment. No Waiting.
- Sector: Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions
- Enquiries: SAACI National Office
Kubeka to Focus on Destination Competitiveness
Kubeka’s contribution is expected to examine a central question for destination marketing: what does it take to turn a destination into a competitive global business events contender?
According to SAACI, her perspective centres on stronger partnerships, smarter bidding and creating experiences that continue to generate value after delegates leave a destination.
The discussion is particularly relevant to Gauteng, where business events form part of efforts to attract domestic and international visitors while supporting accommodation, transport, venues, restaurants, event suppliers and other parts of the visitor economy.
As Executive Director of the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau, Kubeka is involved in positioning the province for conferences, exhibitions, meetings and other major events. The bureau supports destination bidding and works with industry partners to strengthen Gauteng’s ability to compete for business events.
More Than 25 Years in Business Events and Tourism
Kubeka brings more than 25 years of experience spanning tourism, destination marketing, finance and major events.
Her professional background includes roles at Grant Thornton and Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, as well as serving as Commercial Director at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and Chief Marketing Officer at Gauteng Tourism.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours qualification and an MBA in Strategic Marketing. Her career has included work in strategic marketing, destination positioning, event bidding and the development of partnerships across the business events sector.
Her work at the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau includes supporting bids for national and international meetings and events, building relationships with industry stakeholders and helping position Gauteng within the competitive business tourism market.
Why Business Events Matter to Gauteng
Business events extend beyond the conference venue itself.
Delegates attending meetings, conventions and exhibitions may require flights, local transport, accommodation, restaurants, technical services, event production, entertainment and other visitor services during their stay.
This means attracting an event can create activity across several parts of Gauteng’s tourism and hospitality economy.
The Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau works with stakeholders including venues, hotels, airlines, associations, tour operators and professional conference organisers to support bids and event delivery in the province.
Its support can include destination information, venue and accommodation sourcing, bid assistance, site visits and connections with relevant industry stakeholders.
Stronger Partnerships and Smarter Bidding in Focus
Competition between destinations for major conferences and exhibitions means cities and provinces must demonstrate more than venue capacity.
Destinations increasingly need to show how they can deliver accessible infrastructure, accommodation, transport, professional event services and experiences that provide value to organisers and delegates.
Kubeka has identified relationships and strategic bidding as important elements in securing business events.
Her participation at the SAACI conference therefore places Gauteng within a wider industry conversation about how South African destinations can strengthen their competitiveness and turn event opportunities into longer term economic and destination value.
SAACI’s 2026 programme similarly places emphasis on collaboration and practical responses to changes affecting the industry. The organisation says the conference is intended to create space for industry participants to exchange ideas, discuss current challenges and develop approaches that can shape the sector’s next phase.
Conference Looks at the Future of Southern African Business Events
The SAACI National Annual Conference is an annual meeting point for professionals working across the business events value chain.
Attendees include professional conference organisers, venues, destination management companies, meeting planners, suppliers and other industry stakeholders.
The 2026 programme includes industry speakers, discussions, practical sessions and networking, with conversations focused on challenges and opportunities facing the sector now.
SAACI has also structured parts of the programme around participation and practical outcomes. Its conference material highlights formats designed to encourage industry dialogue and translate discussions into actions rather than focusing only on traditional presentations.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Although the SAACI National Annual Conference takes place in KwaZulu Natal, Kubeka’s participation has direct relevance to Gauteng’s tourism and business events sector.
The province competes for conferences, exhibitions and other events that can bring visitors into Johannesburg, Tshwane and surrounding areas. These events can generate demand across hotels, restaurants, transport services, venues, event suppliers and tourism experiences.
For Gauteng businesses working in the events and visitor economy, discussions around smarter bidding, partnerships, technology, sustainability and destination competitiveness can influence how the province approaches future opportunities.
Kubeka’s presence also gives Gauteng representation in national industry discussions about the direction of the business events sector and how destinations can create value that extends beyond the duration of individual conferences or exhibitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nonnie Kubeka?
Nonnie Kubeka is the Executive Director of the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau. She has more than 25 years of experience across tourism, destination marketing, finance and the business events industry.
When is the SAACI National Annual Conference 2026?
The conference takes place from Sunday, 26 July to Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
Where is the SAACI National Annual Conference taking place?
The 2026 conference will be held at The Capital Zimbali in KwaZulu Natal.
What will Nonnie Kubeka discuss at the conference?
According to SAACI, Kubeka will contribute to discussions about how destinations can become stronger global business events competitors, with attention on partnerships, strategic bidding and creating value beyond the event itself.
Why is the conference relevant to Gauteng?
Gauteng competes for domestic and international meetings, conferences and exhibitions. Discussions at the conference around destination competitiveness, professionalisation, sustainability, technology and industry collaboration are relevant to organisations working to attract and host business events in the province.
Gauteng Takes Its Business Events Perspective to SAACI 2026
Nonnie Kubeka’s participation in the SAACI National Annual Conference 2026 places Gauteng’s business events strategy within a broader Southern African conversation about where the industry stands and where it needs to go next.
With the conference bringing together professionals from across the meetings and events value chain, the discussions from 26 to 28 July will examine how destinations and industry stakeholders can respond to changing expectations, strengthen partnerships and compete for future business.
For Gauteng, the conversation is closely connected to the province’s efforts to attract conferences, exhibitions and meetings that bring visitors into the province and create opportunities across the wider tourism and business events economy.
Event information and registration: SAACI National Annual Conference 2026
