Founded in 1987, the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) is a Section 21 Company and is the umbrella body of the conference and meetings industry of South Africa and is dedicated to maintaining and improving its levels of efficiency and professionalism. Its members consist of Professional Conference Organisers (PCO’s), Destination Management Companies, Event Management companies, hotels, conference venues, etc.  SAACI is recognised as the official body and mouth-piece of the conference industry by SA Tourism and government.

SAACI branches

SAACI has four regional branches:

• Eastern Cape Branch

• KwaZulu Natal Branch

• Northern Territories Branch – includes Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the Free State, Botswana and Namibia, North West

• Western Cape Branch – includes the Northern Cape

Each branch has a secretariat and branch committee to look after members’ interests and needs.  Representatives of the regional branch are elected by the members. Elections for the Branch committee are usually conducted at the branch AGM.

SAACI forums

A Forum is a group of SAACI members, within a branch, who all operate in a specific sector of business tourism.

SAACI has seven Forums representing special interest groups:

• Conference and Events (C&E) Forum

• Venue Forum

• Services Forum

• Exhibition Forum

• Destination Marketing Forum

• Transport Forum

• Technical Forum

Each Forum has its own Chair with representatives from each branch.

The national Forum will be entitled to nominate a representative to the SAACI Board.