2014 Conference
The 31st Annual PURCO SA Conference, hosted in Gauteng in October 2014, was premised on the theme of ‘mindshift - be the change’.
The theme was reflected in a new collaborative approach designed by Conference Chair Eschéll Boshoff, and organisers AssociationWorks and JoziTown Projects. They interrogated every aspect of the traditional PURCO SA conference format, with many ‘normal’ elements changed for the better.
The paperless approach included parallel speaker sessions for buyers and suppliers, a round table format to encourage engagement, a second auditorium integrated within the 2000m2 exhibition hall, a structured ‘speed dating’ networking session and an ambitious social media programme.
The event was oversubscribed: record attendance saw 43 member institutions, 519 delegates and 62 exhibitors and sponsors participate. Organisers had to turn away bookings before the event.
Delegate, exhibition and sponsorship income more than doubled (146% increase), while delegate attendance was up 97% and exhibitor support increased by 100%.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The dual track speaker programme was especially well received by exhibitors. In addition to providing supplier-specific programming it also attracted more senior supplier delegates, leading to higher level buyer-supplier interaction.
The conference included a dedicated social media programme. Delegates each received a free tablet computer generously sponsored by SMD Technology, and used an online Conference App to follow the Programme, review speakers details, explore information provided by exhibitors and download presentations. The app included a Twitter platform and delegates were encouraged to Tweet about the event.
Central Region Chairperson and Conference Chair Eschéll Boshoff noted that the social media initiative was more challenging than anticipated. Delegates were less technology savvy than expected so the decision to incorporate practical social media sessions in the programme was fortuitous.
Conference Manual
AssociationWorks and JoziTown Projects have developed a detailed conference manual for PURCO SA. The updated manual is designed to help regional committees to stage future events with a consistent look and feel if they want to benefit from previous experience and learning.
The Manual provides detailed conference management guidance and facilitates consistency while still allowing the event committees to retain their decision making powers in how to stage their conferences.
2015 Conference in KwaZulu-Natal
Early reports from the Conference hosted in Durban by the KwaZulu-Natal Regional Committee in October 2015 indicate that it was also a resounding success, with strong member and supplier participation.