South Africa’s business and industry events sector is preparing for a busy 2026 calendar, shaped by rising demand for high-quality venues, reliable infrastructure and seamless delivery across conferences, exhibitions and trade shows, says turnkey event-services provider GL events South Africa.

The country remains well positioned to host large-scale global gatherings across sectors – such as energy, mining, water, infrastructure, manufacturing and food – says GL events South Africa CEO Ishmael Atanasi.

“Event organisers are placing greater emphasis on operational efficiency, sustainability and creative design. Integrated solutions are becoming essential for organisers who want consistency, speed and strong brand experience.”

He notes that turnkey and end-to-end services now underpin many flagship events in the country: “Our approach simplifies the organiser’s journey from concept to execution. This guarantees quality and ensures that every touchpoint remains consistent”.

This model has become a key differentiator as South Africa is attracting increasing numbers of international visitors and industry stakeholders. It also reflects a shift in the local events market, where organisers want single-point accountability for technical infrastructure, design, temporary structures, audiovisual systems and on-site operations.

In 2025, the company delivered several high-profile projects that illustrate this shift. These included the G20 Ministers’ Summit in February, the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November, Africa Energy Week, the Qatar Africa Business Forum and the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Every project demanded scale, precision and advanced infrastructure, Atanasi adds.

“We paired cutting-edge systems with creative environments while ensuring sustainability remained central. Custom structures, modular builds and integrated audiovisual systems formed the backbone of these events.”

These experiences provide a foundation for the country’s 2026 hosting ambitions.

Upcoming events are expected to confront issues related to supply chain resilience, climate-linked compliance, circular design and the energy transition, and Atanasi notes that organisers are increasingly seeking practical solutions that reduce risk and support long-term sustainability commitments.

In response, GL events South Africa has introduced several measures that align with these trends. Local sourcing and reusable materials are now part of the company’s standard operating model. Energy efficient lighting, low-impact logistics and waste-reduction programmes have also been embedded as part of its sustainability roadmap.

“Our roadmap is not only a vision – it’s a framework in action. We use recyclable materials, partner with certified green suppliers and measure carbon outputs at major events. Offset strategies then help us close the loop,” Atanasi explains.

As green expectations rise, responsible sourcing has become a core requirement.

Modular structures and optimised logistics are used to lower emissions, supported by regular audits that ensure compliance with recognised environmental standards.

“These measures are especially important for international conferences where delegates expect global benchmarks to be observed,” he adds.

Global trends – such as digital transformation, shifting geopolitics and brand storytelling – are also shaping client expectations, and “organisers want environments that feel immersive, experiential and visually coherent” since clients are looking for “impactful design” that resonates across physical spaces.

Operational Reliability

South Africa’s ambition to strengthen its role as an international conference hub depends on operational reliability and world-class delivery standards.

Atanasi believes that his company’s international footprint helps, as access to global best practice enables local teams to integrate, and adapt, new technologies and design methods for local audiences.

“By delivering infrastructure that meets international benchmarks, we reinforce confidence in the local market. This is key to attracting major global organisers.”

Local partnerships are equally important and GL events South Africa works with leading venues, service providers and suppliers to improve efficiency and enhance delegate experience.

Atanasi says close collaboration ensures cohesive planning, faster decision-making and better integration of services on the ground.

He expects sustainability and experiential design to remain defining trends in South Africa’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, or MICE, landscape.

“Organisers want events that minimise environmental impact while offering deeper engagement and value for delegates. The company is preparing for this by refining its materials, infrastructure solutions and creative concepts to balance practicality with innovation. We are aligning with global standards while staying adaptable to South Africa’s unique needs,” he concludes.