Thebe Exhibitions - formerly known as South Africa RAI
Leading exhibition organiser, South Africa RAI, has changed its name to Thebe Exhibitions, following the acquisition by Thebe Tourism Group of a 70 percent stake in the company in November 2004.
"The tremendous synergies between South Africa RAI and the companies within Thebe Tourism Group active in the business tourism arena made the transaction a natural choice for us," comments Carol Weaving, managing director of Thebe Exhibitions and owner of the remaining 30 percent shareholding in the company.
Weaving brings more than 20 years of experience in the exhibitions industry to the Thebe Tourism stable. She is past immediate chairperson of the Exhibition Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) and one of the drivers behind the South African Meetings Industry Federation (SAMIF), formed late last year to address common opportunities in the business tourism sector.
Together with Thebe Events, the latest offering from the Thebe Tourism Group stable under Weaving's direction, this business tourism grouping will offer these distinct, though complementary services, all under a single roof.
"Collectively, we are able to offer unsurpassed expertise and service in these specialist areas - and more importantly, on a national level" notes Weaving. Thebe Tourism Group enjoys a strong presence in the Cape, whilst Thebe Exhibitions has a solid foothold in Gauteng.
Weaving plans an aggressive drive to expand each company's portfolio of customers nationally, and to exploit common links to mutual growth.
She points to two further major benefits arising from the Thebe Exhibitions' new identity as part of the Thebe Tourism Group.
"Firstly, our Black Economic Empowerment vision has been consummated, with partners that we trust and respect. This has provided Thebe Exhibitions with a solid foundation for continued growth and success in this sector."
The company has adopted Thebe's BEE policy and is actively implementing it into its operations. "I believe Thebe's empowerment credentials and recognition as the premier black empowered, socially responsible leader in the tourism sector will give Thebe Exhibitions an edge into a host of marketing initiatives.
"It will also strengthen our business opportunities within the government and associated sectors," she adds.
"A second major benefit lies in our common interests in the tourism sector," says Weaving.
"Thebe Exhibitions has identified business tourism as a key element in its marketing efforts. We will be leveraging Thebe Tourism Group's strong expertise in the tourism arena, in order to maximise opportunities presented by the anticipated explosive growth in business tourism to South Africa.
"This growth will in turn have a highly positive impact on the exhibitions sector as a whole."
Thebe Tourism Group is the only integrated tourism group with a black-owned majority shareholding offering both leisure and business tourism, which Weaving sees as having potentially beneficial marketing spin-offs for Thebe Exhibitions. |
