INNOVATION DRIVEN BY THE EVENTS COMMUNITY
EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF EVENTING

Bongani Semenya is a seasoned Strategic Events professional with over seven years of experience in experiential & corporate events, stakeholder engagement, executive event management, and corporate reputation strategy within South Africa’s FMCG and beverage industry.

Currently serving within the Corporate Affairs function at HEINEKEN Beverages South Africa, Bongani is recognised for delivering high-impact stakeholder experiences that strategically connect brand storytelling, business priorities, and reputation management. His expertise spans government and media relations, executive leadership events, sponsorship leverage, protocol management, corporate communications alignment, and premium experiential execution.

Over the years, Bongani has led and contributed to several high-profile engagements involving senior government leaders, international delegations, media stakeholders, business executives, and strategic partners. His portfolio includes major platforms such as the Gauteng Investment Conference, KZN Investment Conference, G20 engagements, Dutch King’s Day celebrations, State of the Nation Address (SONA) sponsorship engagements, British High Commission engagement, executive Townhalls, public-private partnership events, and strategic stakeholder networking experiences.

Bongani holds an International Diploma in Marketing Management from IMM Graduate School of Marketing as well as an Advanced Diploma in General Management from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), where he strengthened his expertise in business strategy, leadership, and organisational capability. He is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style, relationship-building ability, creative problem-solving mindset, and relentless commitment to excellence execution.

Trained at Arts Ed in London, Brooke Greenhill began her professional theatre career at just 14 years old. Her early years saw her performing in over eleven pantomimes across the UK, as well as in acclaimed productions including Buddy, Oh What a Night, Hair, Honk, A Chorus Line, and Pippin, both on land and at sea working alongside some of the industry's finest directors and creatives.

With more than 15 years' experience in theatre education, Brooke has nurtured young talent across the UK, developing original plays, coaching performance skills, and fostering a love for the stage in children and young adults.

After relocating to South Africa, Brooke founded Elegant Experience in 2011, a dynamic creative agency specialising in live entertainment, immersive experiences, and bespoke event productions. Under her leadership, the company has delivered high-impact performances and conceptual designs for clients including Momentum, Liberty, FNB, Nedbank, SACAA, the SA Reserve Bank, and SAGF. From large-scale opening ceremonies and themed corporate galas to digital productions and experiential brand activations, Brooke continues to push creative boundaries, blending theatrical storytelling with modern audience engagement.

Brooke has expanded her creative portfolio to include immersive performance direction, themed event design, and creative consulting for major brands, ensuring each project balances artistry, innovation, and audience connection.

Herkie Du Preez is the founder and CEO of STRONG Corp, a group of companies spanning PR and marketing, events, media production, conferences and hospitality, built on a single belief: that extraordinary experiences create extraordinary results.

As a Certified Event Professional (CEPA) and Conference & Experience Architect, Herkie designs high-impact events that move organisations forward through strategy, storytelling and human connection. From leadership summits and large-scale launches to immersive brand moments, he brings creativity, production and human connection together in every room he works in.

A speaker on event strategy, experience design and leadership, and on the messier, more human stuff too: reinvention, resilience, growth and figuring it out in real time. Herkie's talks are high-energy, honest and deeply practical, drawing from years of building businesses, leading teams and living the lessons he shares on stage.

Herkie brings both practitioner depth and industry perspective to the Festival of Events advisory board, helping shape the conversations that move the events industry forward.

Experienced Events Manager Noni Mothetho, with 13 years in the events and hospitality industry, combining hands-on event coordination with project management expertise.

Noni is skilled in planning and executing a diverse range of events, from large-scale experiential activations and corporate conferences to intimate high-touch gatherings.

Known for her creativity, meticulous attention to detail and exceptional client relations; Noni is adept at managing suppliers, designing cohesive event experiences and ensuring seamless logistics, even under pressure. She is solution-driven and highly organized, with a strong ability to navigate challenges and consistently deliver events that exceed client expectations.

With almost two decades at The Aleit Group, Jaco van Loggerenberg’s career is closely woven into the growth and evolution of the company. A graduate of the Granger Bay Hotel School at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), where he studied Hospitality Management, Jaco began his journey with The Aleit Group as a Wedding Coordinator.

Over the years, his role has evolved significantly, taking him from coordinating celebrations to overseeing some of the Group’s key hospitality, venue and lifestyle portfolios. Today, as Hospitality Director, Jaco oversees Laurent, Laurent Lounge, Zeitz MOCAA Ocular Lounge and Events Space, DIENS Hospitality, DRINK Mobile Bars and Lourensford Market.

His nearly 20 years within the business have given him an in-depth understanding of events and hospitality from both an operational and guest-experience perspective. With a hands-on leadership style and an instinct for service, Jaco plays an integral role in ensuring that each of his portfolios operates to the high standards synonymous with The Aleit Group.

For Jaco, hospitality is ultimately about people – building strong teams, creating memorable experiences and ensuring that, no matter the setting, every guest feels genuinely welcomed and exceptionally well looked after.

Nicky Verd is a digital futurist, international keynote speaker, bestselling author and a leading voice on human-centric AI, workforce transformation, adaptability and the future of humanity. She helps organisations, leaders and governments navigate disruption by putting people at the centre of technological change. Through her keynotes, masterclasses, executive sessions and consulting work, Nicky challenges conventional thinking about competence, value creation and relevance in an AI-driven economy. Recognised by Thinkers360 as a Top 50 Global Thought Leader on Digital Disruption and the Future of Work, she is passionate about unlocking human potential and helping people thrive in an age of exponential change.

Paul Butler trained at The Arts Educational Schools London, Guildford School of Acting, and Surrey University, before embarking on a successful career in professional theatre. His stage credits include the UK tour and West End production of Calamity Jane, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (West End), CMC aboard P&O's Aurora, the title role in Robin Hood (Newbury), Prince Charming in Cinderella (Carlisle), and ensemble in Dick Whittington (Llandudno). With over 15 years of experience in theatre education across the UK, Paul has produced, directed, and choreographed numerous large-scale productions and events, working with both young performers and professionals. Now based in Cape Town, South Africa, Paul leads Elegant Experience's operations there, bringing his creativity, expertise and passion for performance to every project.

Tebatso Kgakge is an event specialist, project manager, and public relations professional based in Gaborone, Botswana.

Her work sits at the intersection of international brand expectations and local execution. She partners with organisations entering Botswana for business events, offering the insight, coordination, and relationship management required to deliver with confidence.

With a background in communications, media production, and event management, Tebatso brings both strategic perspective and hands-on operational experience. Her approach is collaborative, detail-driven, and built around making every client feel supported on the ground.

She has worked with recognised brands and platforms including Forbes Media USA, DeBeers, Red Bull South Africa, and Clover, alongside other international clients. Her experience spans corporate summits, campaigns, brand activations, media projects, public events, and stakeholder-led experiences.

John Arvanitakis is a highly respected Professional Events and Meetings Specialist with over 30 years of experience across the global MICE and exhibitions industry. As Founder & CEO of Chat’r Xperience, he has built a reputation for delivering world-class, strategically driven events, conferences, and bespoke exhibition environments, earning multiple industry accolades including Loerie Awards.
A recognised leader in sustainability, John serves as Chairperson of the Event Greening Forum of South Africa and is a signatory to the UN Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative. He is a certified Event Greening Forum Sustainability Assessor, actively advancing measurable, responsible event practices and guiding organisations toward credible net-zero pathways. His work positions him at the forefront of integrating environmental, socio-economic, and legacy impact into business events.
Beyond delivery, John is a sought-after industry speaker, mentor, and advisor, known for translating complex sustainability and event strategy into practical, implementable solutions. He regularly contributes thought leadership to industry platforms and plays an active role in shaping standards, professionalisation, and future-focused practices within the sector.
A committed community leader, John serves on multiple industry bodies and is a Board Director of Fundraising for the Rotary Club of George, reflecting his dedication to service and social impact. His passion for wildlife conservation, particularly rhino protection, further underscores his broader commitment to sustainability beyond the events industry.

Justina Erastus is a Namibian lawyer in training, youth development advocate, and founder of the Youth in Oil & Gas Summit, one of Africa’s emerging platforms driving youth participation, local content, and enterprise development within the energy sector.

She is the Founder and Convener of the Summit, which has grown into a respected industry platform convening government leaders, global energy companies, financiers, young professionals, and entrepreneurs to shape practical pathways into Africa’s energy future.

Recognised for her work at the intersection of law, energy, youth empowerment, and strategic convening, Justina is passionate about building institutions that create access, opportunity, and inclusive economic participation for the next generation. Her work spans stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, sponsorship strategy, and ecosystem building across Namibia’s fast-growing oil and gas landscape.

Justina Erastus is a recognised 40 Under 40 honouree, through the African Energy Chamber, acknowledged for her leadership, innovation, and growing impact within Namibia’s energy and youth development landscape. This recognition reflects her work as the founder of the Youth in Oil & Gas Summit. Her inclusion among notable young leaders underscores her commitment to driving meaningful conversations, creating access for the next generation, and shaping inclusive economic participation through strategic leadership and bold institution-building.

In 2026, she was selected to participate in the prestigious U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on Workforce and Business Development: Pathways for Youth.”

Larna Jackson is the Founder and Managing Director of Event Options, a leading event registration and badging company.

With a passion for using technology to create meaningful connections and a commitment to investing in their team, she helps Event Planners and corporates achieve their event objectives by providing rsvp convenience with great customer services

Known for their dedication to innovation, speed, and superior guest administration, Event Options aim to give clients complete peace of mind when they hand over their registration, ticketing and badging needs to them.

Keitumetsu Madishe is an Industry Leader - Head of Brand Marketing and Events at Primedia Broadcasting, with extensive experience as a Senior Project Manager, Senior Events Manager, Brand Manager, Brand Marketing Specialists and Media Strategic Partnership Liaison.

Her experience spans 20 years in the brand, marketing, events management space, project management, internal and external stakeholder relationship management and media partnership liaison. She works across 4 commercial brands namely 947, 702, Kfm 94.5, CapeTalk and the news channel EWN/Eyewitness News. She leads a team that is very passionate, and hardworking with the drive to succeed.