Times Media events division plans to almost double events in 2017

The dedicated events division of Times Media had a successful 2016, delivering conferences, showcases and industry acknowledgement events. These included the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies, Financial Mail AdFocus Awards, AMARA Awards, Financial Mail AdForum, Sunday Times Generation Next, Sunday Times Top Brands, Sunday Times Leaders on the Move , Financial Mail Top Analysts, Sunday Times The Directors Event, Sunday Times Literary Awards, FMCG Insights in association with Sowetan and the Future of Media.

Taryn Westoby, head of Times Media Events, says, “Our remit is to draw on the editorial expertise and media-powerhouse advantage of the Times Media Group (TMG) to deliver stimulating and engaging encounters that encourage excellence across South Africa’s various industries.”

Events are aligned to Times Media’s prominent platforms such as the Sunday Times, Financial Mail, Business Day, Sowetan, Business Day TV, Business Live and a host of other print, online and broadcast platforms. In 2016:

• 4,383 guests were engaged and infotained (informed, and entertained)

“Apart from the number of events we conceived and delivered last year, the calibre of speakers and presenters we secured has allowed Times Media to deliver outstanding content to delegates. This also means that our corporate partners see value for their brands via their partnerships.”

Some of those key speakers included:

• Former President Thabo Mbeki impressing with his keynote address to South Africa’s captains of industry at the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies;
• Adv Thuli Madonsela holding the audience rapt at the Sunday Times Literary Awards with her keynote address;

Other highlights of the year included the launch of the Business Day Investor Relations Conference and the Business Day and Financial Mail Investment Summit, as well as a series of bespoke events for clients, such as the Business Day Dialogues, Financial Mail Private Lounges and the Sunday Times Leaders on the Move tours.

“2017 promises to hold much more in store. Forty-two events are lined up for the year, including the inaugural Business Day TV SME Summit (8 March), the Liberty Radio Awards and Conference (7-8 April), a series of Sunday Times Food Tasting events, and a host of bespoke events covering a broad range of topics,” concludes Westoby.