2018 LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR
WHY BOOK with Flight Centre Business Travel SPECIALIST SERVICE For companies to maximise their travel programmes and keep within travel budgets, you need to plan as much in advance as you can. By simply booking in advance you can save 21% of your travel spend. That is why Flight Centre Business Travel have put this nifty 2018 events calendar together. To help you plan your travel, avoiding peak travel times and inflated airfares. You ll get your own experienced travel manager who will give you 3 options in 2 hours and take the hassle out of business travel planning. FREE AFTER-HOURS ASSISTANCE We re available 24/7 to take care of your travel emergencies and last minute changes. FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS We will help you manage your cash flow with a range of payment options including billbacks, travel lodge cards and an interest-free credit account. Contents Here s what you can expect to find in our handy guide to help you plan your 2018 business travel: Johannesburg and surrounds 4 Cape Town and surrounds 6 Durban and surrounds 8 10 Business Travel Hacks just for you 10 UNBEATABLE TRAVEL DEALS As an FCBT client you ll have access to the widest range of business and leisure travel deals at the best rates on the market.
JOBURG and surrounds 2018 CALENDAR JANUARY FEBRUARY APRIL TRAVEL TIP #1 Airfares and seat availability will be affected by school holidays throughout the year. FCBT recommend you plan your local business travel around the quieter months like January, June and November where you ll get cheaper flights and save on your accommodation. MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST JANUARY MAY 25 Annual International Conference on E-learning of Business Management and Cooperate Social Responsibility Johannesburg Park Station 25 AFRE Annual Global Summit on Robotics, Automation & Information System, InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers FEBRUARY 8 Africa Marketing Week & IT Web Cloud Summit, Vodaworld, Midrand 10 11 Travel Expo presented by Flight Centre, Coca Cola Dome, North Riding 20 21 Africa Energy Indaba, Sandton Convention Centre 21 22 NSBC Summit, Gallagher Convention Centre 22 25 Gauteng Homemakers Expo, Coca Cola Dome, North Riding 26 28 Meetings Africa, Sandton Convention Centre Retail World Africa, Sandton Convention Centre 1 4 Hobby-X Johannesburg, Ticketpro Dome, Northgate 8 11 SARCDA International 2018, Gallagher Convention Centre 10 11 The Wedding Expo, Ticketpro Dome, Northgate 12 14 Society of Mining Professors 6th Regional Conference 2018, Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre 13 16 BAUMA AFRICA - International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Construction Vehicles, Expo Centre Nasrec 14 15 IoT Forum Africa, Gallagher Convention Centre 17 Om Die Dam Ultra Marathon, Hartbeespoort Dam 23 Tomorrow s Leaders, Emperors Palace 27 28 Energy Efficiency World Africa/Power and Electricity World Africa/ Power Generation World Africa/The Solar Show Africa, Sandton Convention Centre 27 DevConf, Birchwood Hotel 30 Rand Show, Expo Centre Nasrec APRIL 16 17 African Construction Expo, Gallagher Convention Centre 19 Super Rugby Emirates Lions vs Brumbies, Emirates Airline Park 25 27 South Africa Bike Festival, Kyalami 26 Super Rugby Vodacom Bulls vs Brumbies, Loftus Versfeld, PTA 26 Sales Indaba Gallagher Convention Centre JUNE 5 6 Aviation Festival Africa, Sandton Convention Centre 12 13 Africa Rail Conference & Exhibition, Sandton Convention Centre 24 26 Africa s Big 7, Gallagher Convention Centre 29 1 Jul Franchise Business Festival South Africa, Kyalami JULY 9 12 Southern African Transport Conference, CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria 17 19 POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa Conference & Exhibition, Sandton Convention Centre AUGUST 1 2 TCC 2018 - The Concrete Conference 2018, Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre 15 17 ThinkSales Sales Leadership Convention, Sandton 15 18 Interbuild Africa, Expo Centre Nasrec 15 18 EcoAfriBuild, Expo Centre Nasrec 3 6 64th South African Orthopaedic Congress 2018, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria 4 6 Food and Drink Technology (FDT) Africa, Gallagher Convention Centre 6 8 Small Business Expo, Ticketpro Dome 10 14 Electra Mining Africa, Expo Centre NASREC 19 23 Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo, Air Force Base, Waterkloof, Pretoria 25 28 Evidence 2018 - Africa Evidence Network, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria Public Holidays 1 January New Year s Day 21 March Human Rights Day 30 March Good Friday 2 April Family Day 27 April Freedom Day 1 May Workers Day 16 June Youth Day 9 August National Women s Day 24 September Heritage Day 16 December Day of Reconciliation 17 December Holiday 25 December Christmas Day 26 December Day of Goodwill Public School Holidays 1 17 January 28 March 2 10 April 22 June 3 17 July 28 September 4 9 October 12 December TRAVEL TIP #2 DECEMBER Private School Holidays 1 17 January 11 April 2 2 May 3 August 3 5 September 5 December No matter where you are flying from or to, park and fly services offered makes arriving and departing at OR Tambo simpler and quicker - no worries about parking your own car, and often they offer a free car wash too. 1 Super Rugby Emirates Lions vs Crusaders, Emirates Airline Park 7 Super Rugby Emirates Lions vs DHL Stormers, Emirates Airline Park 21 Super Rugby Vodacom Bulls vs Rebels, Loftus Versfeld, PTA 28 Super Rugby Vodacom Bulls vs Highlanders, Loftus Versfeld, PTA MAY RMB Winex, Sandton Convention Centre Old Mutual Soweto Marathon 1 3 The Dubai Show, Sandton Convention Centre 6 8 Food & Hospitality Africa (Hostex), Gallagher Convention Centre Whiskey Live, Johannesburg 947 Cycle Challenge
CAPE TOWN and surrounds 2018 CALENDAR JANUARY FEBRUARY APRIL TRAVEL TIP #3 Avoid travelling to Cape Town in the months of February and March. Flights and accommodation in the CBD will be at a premium thanks to the Mining Indaba, Opening of Parliment and the popular Jazz Festival. If you have travels planned, try stay outside the CBD area and rather take advantage of affordable car hire offers or Uber to get you to and from your meetings. MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST JANUARY 1 2 AFRE Annual Research Symposium on Progress in Computer Science and Engineering, The Cape Milner 1 Cape 2 Rio Yacht Race, Table Bay 2 Cape Minstrel Carnival 2017, Cape Town City Centre 18 Growing Together Nedbank VinPro Information Day 2018, Cape Town ICC 27 The Sun Met Horse Race 2018, Kenilworth Racecourse 24 26 Cape Town Tattoo Expo, Cape Town City Hall 26 DHL Stormers vs Emirates Lions Super Rugby, Newlands Cape Town 25 28 Syngas Convention 3, Vineyard Hotel, Cape Town 28 31 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and Expo 2018, Cape Town ICC 29 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn 29 DevConf, The River Club DECEMBER FEBRUARY APRIL 2 3 AFRE 2018 International Conference on Theories in Engineering and Applied Sciences Research, The Cape Milner 2 2018 International Conference on Economics, Human Resource and Talent Management EHTM-2018, The Cape Milner 3 4 Ruck & Roll at the 10th #Zando10s, Hamilton Rugby Club in Green Point 5 8 Mining Indaba, Cape Town ICC 9 Ultra South Africa, Cape Town Stadium 10 2018 4th International Conference on Information Management and Industrial Engineering (ICII 2018), Cape Town Lodge Hotel 10 2018 9th International Conference on Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing Technologies (ICMIMT 2018), Cape Town Lodge Hotel 13 14 Microsoft Tech Summit Cape Town, Cape Town ICC 16 18 Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town ICC 21 23 Design Indaba, The Artscape Theatre Centre 23 Cape Town Pride Festival, De Waterkant 25 28 Infacon XV: International Ferro-Alloys Congress, Century City Conference Centre 28 Sunfoil Cape Town Big Walk Opening of Parliament and State of the Nation Address 4 Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town, Val de Vie Estate (Paarl/Franschhoek Valley) 5 DHL Stormers vs Vodacom Bulls Super Rugby, Newlands Cape Town 6 AFRE Annual International Conference on Current and Future Trends in Technology Innovation and Engineering Research, The Cape Milner 6 Annual International Congress on Advancement in Financial & Business Economics Research, The Cape Milner 11 Cape Town Cycle Tour 12 DHL Stormers vs Chiefs Super Rugby, Newlands Cape Town 14 15 ecommerce MoneyAfrica Confex 2018, Cape Town ICC 17 19 South African Navy Festival, Simon s Town 18 25 ABSA Cape Epic 23 24 Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2018, Cape Town ICC 6 8 Cape Getaway Show (Getaway Magazine), Lourensford Wine Estate 18 20 World Travel Market Africa, Cape Town ICC 18 20 Africa Travel Week, Cape Town ICC MAY 15 17 African Utility Week, Cape Town ICC 23 24 IT Leaders Africa Summit, Cape Town ICC JUNE 1 Good Food & Wine Show Cape Town ICC 9 10 Bridal Expo, Cape Town ICC 11 Inbound Rugby Tours SA vs Ireland, Newlands, Cape Town 29 Knysna Oyster Festival, Knysna JULY 2 6 ICL20, Cape Town ICC 3 5 2018 DISES International Conference Cape Town ICC 5 13th International Conference on e- Learning Cape Town ICC 8 11 ICAN 2018, Century City Conference Centre 10 Oil and Gas Africa, Cape Town ICC Cape Construction Trade Expo, Sun Parks Grand West 25 27 56th annual conference of AEASA, Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset-West Cape Town International Boat Show International Population Conference, Cape Town ICC Public Holidays 1 January New Year s Day 21 March Human Rights Day 30 March Good Friday 2 April Family Day 27 April Freedom Day 1 May Workers Day 16 June Youth Day 9 August National Women s Day 24 September Heritage Day 16 December Day of Reconciliation 17 December Holiday 25 December Christmas Day 26 December Day of Goodwill Public School Holidays 1 17 January 28 March 2 10 April 22 June 3 17 July 28 September 4 9 October 12 December Private School Holidays 1 17 January 11 April 2 2 May 3 August 3 5 September 5 December TRAVEL TIP #4 Book your flights at least 14 days prior to departure as Cape Town tends to get very expensive closer to the time. Don t always assume that low cost carriers will be the cheapest option as SAA and British Airways can often be more economical. Your FCBT Account Manager will always provide you with at least three options so you can make informed choices.
DURBAN and surrounds 2018 CALENDAR JANUARY FEBRUARY APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST DECEMBER TRAVEL TIP #5 JANUARY 11 12 WASET Durban 2018 Conference, 20th International Conference on Plant Tissue Culture and Plant Biotechnology, Hilton Hotel FEBRUARY 7 8 KZN Construction Trade Expo, Durban ICC 10 11 Midmar Mile, Howick 17 18 Dusi Canoe Marathon, Pietermaritzburg 2 4 NWJ Bridal Show, Durban Exhibition Centre 8 9 2018 Conference on Information Communications Technology and Society (ICTAS), Blue Waters Hotel 21 25 Decorex, Durban Exhibition Centre APRIL 14 Super Rugby Sharks vs Bulls, Growthpoint Kings Park 21 Super Rugby Sharks vs Stormers, Growthpoint Kings Park 29 Tour Durban (cycling), Moses Mabhida Stadium JUNE The Durban July takes place on 7 July in Durban with over 55,000 people expected to attend. Flights from 5 July to King Shaka International are already at a premium, with return flights on the 8th and 9th of July also higher than usual. Avoid delays waiting for baggage to be delivered by packing only hand-luggage. 10 Comrades Marathon 13 15 SA AIDS Conference, Durban ICC 20 22 China Trade Week, Durban ICC 30 House and Garden Show, Durban Exhibition Centre JULY 7 Durban July 19 30 Sardine Run AUGUST Public Holidays 1 January New Year s Day 21 March Human Rights Day 30 March Good Friday 2 April Family Day 27 April Freedom Day 1 May Workers Day 16 June Youth Day 9 August National Women s Day 24 September Heritage Day 16 December Day of Reconciliation 17 December Holiday 25 December Christmas Day 26 December Day of Goodwill Public School Holidays 1 17 January 28 March 2 10 April 22 June 3 17 July 28 September 4 9 October 12 December Private School Holidays 23 26 2018 CCSSA Congress, Durban ICC TRAVEL TIP #6 1 17 January 11 April 2 2 May 3 August 3 5 September 5 December There are no petrol stations at Durban International so fill up before you get there to avoid those additional car rental admin costs. And always remember, weekends (from Thursdays) are the busiest and most expensive time to travel to Durban as families tend to go then. Plan your meetings for midweek if possible.
TRAVEL HACKS for business travel success Whoever said business travel was glamorous hasn t dragged their weary legs through airport security before dawn or filed a report sitting in their car between meetings. While business travel can be tiring, lonely and downright stressful, there are some tips and tricks you can pursue to make it a little less cumbersome and, dare we say it, even enjoyable. FCBT brings you our Top 10 Business Travel Hacks for 2018 to make your next journey as seamless as possible. Try them, you won t be sorry! PACK LIGHT You probably already have your favourite suitcase you use every time you embark on a business trip, but make sure it s one that fits into the overhead luggage compartment, which will force you to pack more efficiently and save you time. By checking your bags you run the risk of lost luggage, not to mention delays as you wait and watch the baggage carousel go round and round with hundreds of bags until yours arrives. If you are going to check your bags, ensure you have a spare set of clothes in your hand luggage in case your bags do go AWOL. GET CHARGED UP There are few things worse than arriving at a foreign airport with a flat cell-phone whose GPS you were relying on to get you to your first meeting. Similarly, you can avoid the rabid airport search for a spare plug point to charge your laptop (if you want to work on-board) by ensuring you ve charged your laptop before arriving at the airport. If you re flying to the US or the UK, you will need to power-up your devices. Airlines can refuse to board you if you re unable to do so. LOUNGE ACCESS Airport lounges provide an excellent third-place work environment with all the creature comforts you need to be productive, including charging stations. If you re a frequent traveller, lounge access is a non-negotiable. If your level of loyalty programme or class of travel does not give you access to an airport lounge, it is worth paying a few hundred rand to enjoy the business lounge perks. In addition to providing a pleasant environment within which to work, you can also enjoy a bit of R&R before boarding. BE PREPARED When you re running between meetings and juggling suitcases, things tend to go missing. Thankfully we have a virtual world where we can store copies of our documents in case these disappear in the mayhem. Keep a scanned copy of your ID, drivers licence, passport and other travel documents on the cloud or email them to a Google Mail or similar web-based mail client so that you can access these easily if you lose them. On arrival, purchase a local SIM so that you have Internet access without having to rely on WiFi. STAY HEALTHY Travelling on business is no excuse to let good habits slide. Things you touch during transit may not be cleaned regularly so wash or sterilise your hands at every opportunity, and safeguard yourself from airborne germs and illness by taking immune boosters and having some basic medication packed, including painkillers, Rennies and Imodium. Remember, sitting for long periods is not healthy, and that includes on an aircraft, so get up every 90 minutes and walk around. Walking around your travel destination is also a great way to discover it. Lastly, don t over-indulge, drink plenty of water and keep an energy bar with you at all times you never know when you need a sugar boost. KEEP A CHECKLIST If you travel frequently enough, the end-to-end journey becomes so routine that you may from time to time miss out on a few steps. Develop a travel checklist that you can tick off every time you travel, from what to pack (travel adaptors, metro passes, foreign currency) to what to prepare at home before you depart. You can keep this checklist on your mobile phone. REMEMBERING NUMBERS How often have you parked your car at the airport and forgotten where you parked it when you return? What about forgetting your hotel room number? If you park at the airport often enough or switch hotel rooms multiple times in a week, it can be difficult to remember the parking bay or hotel room number. Take a photo of the parking bay or hotel door, or write it down in your notes on your mobile phone. It sounds silly, but if you re a frequent traveller, odds are you ve forgotten a number or two when you re travelling. STAY SAFE Nowhere in the world can claim to be safe anymore so forearmed is forewarned. In addition to informing yourself about your destination, it is essential that you take business travel insurance with TIC. Although some medical aids and credit cards offer travel insurance, there can sometimes be a shortfall. Medical expenses in pounds, euros and dollars could leave you with a nasty surprise if you are hospitalised. Understand what your travel insurance covers, e.g. If there are any countries excluded? What is their policy on pre-existing medical conditions? Is there an excess? And how much will it pay out in the event of a medical emergency? PENNY-WISE, POUND-FOOLISH Efforts to keep travel costs down should not be to the detriment of your safety or comfort. If you need to be fresh for a meeting first thing in the morning, the cost of taking a red-eye flight could be more than had you flown the day before and stayed overnight, especially if your productivity suffers as a result. If you ve selected the cheapest hotel room in the city, you may be lumped with extra costs like breakfast and WiFi. You may also be miles from your meeting so your taxi expenses will be high and you ll have wasted precious time. Your travel agent is an expert in balancing travel costs with travel options that best suit your needs. Flight Centre Business Travel works with the business traveller to provide value-for-money travel options that are convenient, save time and are safe. You don t need to be the expert. Just rely on someone who is. TRAVEL TRICKS One of our favourite tips is to make a beeline for departures when you arrive at an airport so you can nab a taxi that has just dropped someone off instead of waiting in the taxi queue at arrivals. If you want to avoid queues and crowds, the best time to travel is on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. Lastly, don t leave things like vaccinations and passport renewals to the last minute. The day you book your trip, check that you have more than two pages open in your passport, that its validity is more than six months from return date of travel and that you have the necessary visas in place.
0877 40 5160 fcbt.co.za