The Event Greening Forum (EGF) has elected a new Management Committee for 2025, bringing together experienced leaders as well as fresh perspectives to drive sustainability in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry.
John Arvanitakis was reelected as the forum’s Chairperson for a second year. Arvanitakis will now be supported by two Vice Chairpersons, Neo Mohlatlole and Angelique Smith. “I am honoured to have been elected as the 2nd Vice Chairperson of the EGF. This opportunity is both humbling and incredibly meaningful to me,” Smith says.
“Delighted to be part of the management committee” for the EGF, Mohlatlole explains that the organisation has driven conversations and conversions on greening in the event sector in the last year. “With the new management committee, we are definitely going to drive more change and adaption in the industry.”
This structural addition will help distribute responsibilities and enhance the organisation’s efficiency as it expands its reach. “Each Vice Chairperson will have specific areas that they’ll be helping with, which will help spread the workload as we implement new initiatives and improve our advocacy efforts,” Arvanitakis explains.
John Arvanitakis returns as Chairperson
With over 30 years’ experience delivering end-to-end experiential marketing services, Arvanitakis is well-versed in reaching and engaging event attendees in meaningful ways. This will go a long way in raising awareness around event greening.
As a Green Festival Assessor from Falmouth University (UK) and a Certified Event Professional (CEPA), Arvanitakis ensures that events and event professionals meet the highest industry standards, including aligning with responsible and environmentally-conscious practices.
“I look forward to working with my new committee as we lead the organisation in 2025,” he says. “The two key areas I would like to focus on are closer collaboration between the associations in South Africa and spreading our wings into Africa.”
Meet the Two Seconds-in-Command
Neo Mohlatlole also returns for another year as Vice-Chairperson. He is the Director of Business Development at Seven Colours Communications following an impressive career as an events coordinator with companies like Thebe Reed Exhibitions and Moshate Media. He also served as the Showroom Manager for the Green Design Center in Waterfall Estate for two years. He also founded Stokvelex, an exhibition that empowers rural and peri-urban women participating in stokvels and cooperatives.
Mohlatlole was awarded the Next Generation Leader Award by UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry)
“As the Vice Chairman, I will help implement our strategy for the current year whilst also ensuring that our members get value from their participation with the EGF,” he says, reiterating that “A lot of work has been done thus far, and we are taking the baton forward”.
Angelique Smith was the winner of The Planner Guru’s 2020 Women in MICE Award, as well as Certification and Qualification Provider of the Year at the 2021 Women in MICE Awards. She also took first place in the Tourism Category in the 2022 Woman in Stature Global Awards (Dubai). This drive for excellence has been instrumental over the last year in her position on the EGF’s Management Committee (she was first elected in 2024).
For example, Smith will help develop the forum’s Youth Portfolio and Education & Training Committee, bringing everyone from school to senior leaders on the event greening journey. “I am deeply passionate about our industry, but even more so about the future we are shaping together,” she says.
“My approach to any association or committee I serve on has always been rooted in learning from within – ensuring that when I speak on sustainability, I do so with knowledge, understanding, and the ability to educate and drive real change,” Smith adds.
Welcome back to these familiar faces
Gary van der Watt (Xanita), Gavin Burgess (Technology Partners), Grace Stead, Joey Swart (Take Note Events), Justin Hawes, Lynn McLeod, Morwesi Ramonyai (Borena Energy), and Sonja van Rooyen (Specialised Exhibitions) were all reelected to the Management Committee and retained their previous positions on the forum’s subcommittees.
Grace Stead was also reelected as the Chair for the Education and Training Subcommittee. After working in the public sector for 12 years, Grace Stead decided to start a company that focuses on practical sustainable living, called Steadfast Greening. She is passionate about project implementation around issues such as event greening, green building, smart living and low-emission development in different industries. She is also the Managing Director of Abalimi Bezekhaya, a non-profit urban-farming organisation, and co-founded the sustainable consultancy for film, WrapZERO
Stead later co-founded the EGF with Treasurer and Finance Subcommittee Chair, Justin Hawes. Now in her second year as the Education and Training Subcommittee chair, she looks forward to building on the various workshops the forum hosted last year. “Our focus has been on creating stepping stones for the industry to achieving NetZero events so that practical steps can be explored for PCOs, venues and service providers to work towards more sustainable solutions,” she explains. “We aim to align training events with the needs of our members, so please let us know if you have any specific suggestions.”
Joining her on the Education & Training Subcommittee: Gary van der Walt, Joey Swart, Lee-Ann Alder, Aabida Davis, and Morwesi Ramonyai
Hawes also returns as Treasurer and Finance Subcommittee Chair. He was introduced to the events industry in 1995 as a Financial Manager at Megapro Marketing, where he got involved in the Rugby World Cup 1995 Hospitality Project and the African Cup of Nations 1996 Hospitality Project. Hooked, he started his own exhibition company (Scan Display) in 1996. This role earned him his spot as the Vice President of the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) in 2014, and President in 2021.
“I am very happy to be Treasurer of the EGF,” Hawes says. “We have many initiatives planned for the year, and I’m excited to be part of that.”
He will also head up the organisations’ certification working group, which are currently in the process of reviewing the EGF’s minimum sustainability standards. “I’m especially excited to be involved in updating our Green Database and creating our own Event Greening Forum certification,” he notes.
Joining him on the Finance Subcommittee: Angelique Smith and Neo Mohlatlole
Celebrating a legend’s 10th anniversary
Lynn McLeod returns as the EGF’s Secretariat for the 10th year in a row, which includes her on all the company’s subcommittees. She has been a cornerstone of our organisation, bringing a depth of knowledge, industry insights, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
McLeod has over 46 years’ experience in the exhibitions industry, from starting as an Assistant for Andry Montgomery, to later running her own company (Showplan Exhibitions) for 16 years. She has also worked for well-known event companies Kagiso Exhibitions and Duma Exhibitions, before joining the EGF.
“Over the last 10 years, the EGF has grown from strength to strength, and it has been a pleasure to be part of that journey,” she says. “Looking back, I am proud of what we have achieved together – as we now have a community that is more passionate about sustainability than ever.”
As before, McLeod remains committed to supporting the EGF in its mission to raise awareness around event greening. “There is still much work to be done, but with such an engaged and forward-thinking community, I have no doubt we will continue making a difference.”
Introducing the new Management Committee members
The Management Committee also features some new faces, including Aabida Davis from the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Herkie du Preez from STRONG PR, and Patrick Cronning from Expo Guys.
Du Preez takes over as the Chair for the Marketing Committee from Gavin Burgess, who has held the position for the last five years. “It has been a privilege to serve as the Marketing Chair for the past several years. Thank you to the fantastic committee, whom I know will support Herkie as I hand the baton to him,” Burgess expresses. He will remain on the Marketing Committee, however.
With years of experience in the events industry, Herkie has built an impressive portfolio, leading multiple successful brands, including, STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, STRONG Event Décor, STRONG Coffee, and STRONG Media Productions.
He is widely recognised for his strategic approach to brand storytelling, cutting-edge event experiences, and his passion for sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact. “This opportunity is both exciting and meaningful,” du Preez says, explaining that he has always believed creativity and responsible event management go hand-in-hand. “My focus will be on amplifying the EGF’s mission, ensuring that sustainability is not just a discussion point but a fundamental aspect of how we shape and execute events in the future.”
Joining them on the Marketing Subcommittee: Justin Hawes, Neo Mohlatlole, Anthea Buys, Gary van der Walt, Patrick Cronning, Joey Swart, and Caylynne Fourie (Marketing Manager).
Patrick Cronning takes over as the Members Subcommittee Chair from JP van Schalkwyk, who has stepped down from the Management Committee. Cronning has worked as a Business Development Manager for multiple event and exhibition organisations, including GL events Oasys, Oasys Innovations, Africa Brand House, as well as Expo Guys. He also serves on the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) Management Committee.
“As a Subcommitte Chair, I hope to add a little more value through the responsibilities I’ve been given,” Cronning says. “Idle participation has never been my motto, and through this development, some real efforts can be realised.”
He adds that he hopes to bring a few different ideas and perspectives to the EGF that will ultimately assist in membership growth.
Joining him on the Members Subcommittee: Neo Mohlatlole, John Arvanitakis, Gary van der Walt, and Gavin Burgess.
Including the youth in event greening
The EGF has established a new youth portfolio, called Event Greening Futures, which will be headed up by Gavin Burgess. He will be joined by Angelique Smith, Anthea Buys, Herkie du Preez, Joey Swart, Aabida Davis, and Caylynne Fourie. Together, they will work towards expanding opportunities for young professionals and students to gain insights and experience in sustainable event management.
“This is an exciting new initiative to reach those studying travel and tourism – even as young as high school level. As we gear up to reach our NetZero goal by 2050, it is important to engage with the youth who will be part of that reality,” Burgess notes.
He will be supported by Smith in her capacity as 2nd Vice Chairperson. She believes that if we do not take responsibility for the environmental impact of our industry, the legacy we will aspire to leave behind may never become a reality. “Over the past year, my involvement with the EGF has reaffirmed my belief that change requires action, not just conversation. More than that, it requires education and collaboration – bringing people along on the journey so that sustainability becomes second nature, not just an aspiration,” she says.
“While embedding greener practices into events may not always be easy, it is far simpler than ignoring the pressing need for change,” Smith adds. The new Management Committee for the EGF will be instrumental in driving this change.