By: Lonwabo Mtyeku. Photo Credit: Sourced.
: Industry leaders and practitioners gather at the Gallagher Convention Centre for a national consultation aimed at strengthening coordination and shaping the future of South Africa’s events and technical services sector. Photo Credit: Sourced.
Midrand – 20 March 2026 — South Africa’s events and technical services industry is set to take a significant step towards greater coordination and formalisation as key stakeholders gather at the Gallagher Convention Centre for a National Events and Technical Sector Consultation.
Convened by the Events and Technical Association of South Africa (ETASA), the consultation comes in response to a call by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for the country’s cultural and creative industries to organise into structured sector bodies. The initiative forms part of a broader government framework recognising 17 distinct sectors within the creative economy.
A Sector Central to the Creative Economy
The events and technical services sector plays a pivotal role in enabling South Africa’s vibrant cultural landscape—supporting everything from festivals and exhibitions to conferences, concerts and national celebrations.
As one of the critical enablers of the creative industries, the sector’s growth and sustainability have become increasingly important in driving economic activity, job creation and cultural expression.
National Platform for Industry Dialogue
The Midrand consultation will bring together a wide cross-section of the industry, including:
- Event organisers and producers
- Technical production specialists
- Venue operators
- Industry associations
- Institutional representatives
The gathering aims to create a unified national platform where stakeholders can engage on the future direction of the sector and contribute to shaping its development.
Key Issues on the Agenda
Participants will engage in structured discussions focused on several pressing industry priorities:
- Strengthening sector coordination and representation
- Advancing skills development and professional capacity
- Aligning industry practices with national creative economy policies
- Enhancing technical infrastructure and production ecosystems
- Driving sustainability and long-term growth
- Promoting collaboration across cultural and creative sectors
The outcomes will inform a national consultation report, capturing industry insights and recommendations to guide future policy and sector development.
Industry Voice and Leadership
Speaking ahead of the event, ETASA Board Member Mafokate подчеркed the importance of collective engagement at a time of structural change within the creative industries.
“Following the Minister’s call for the cultural and creative sectors to organise themselves, this consultation provides an important opportunity for practitioners and stakeholders within the events and technical industry to come together, share experiences, and contribute towards strengthening the sector’s future,” Mafokate said.
“The events industry plays a critical role in supporting South Africa’s cultural economy, and this consultation allows the sector to collectively reflect on its challenges, opportunities, and future direction.”
Showcasing Innovation and Capability
Beyond policy discussions, the consultation will also provide a platform for companies and organisations within the events ecosystem to showcase their services, technologies and solutions. This interactive component is expected to foster collaboration and highlight innovation across the sector.
Participation and Registration
The event will run from 08:30 to 16:00 on Friday, 20 March 2026, with participation limited to registered stakeholders. Industry practitioners and organisations are encouraged to nominate representatives in advance, while media houses can apply for accreditation through dedicated registration channels.
Shaping the Future of Events in South Africa
As the creative economy continues to evolve, the consultation marks a critical moment for the events and technical services sector to define its structure, strengthen its voice, and align with national development priorities.
With stakeholders from across the country set to contribute, the Midrand gathering is expected to play a key role in shaping a more coordinated, resilient and future-ready industry.
