Africa Academy

Mark Your Calendar Now for the second edition edition of the Africa Academy | 18-22 August 2025

The future of Africa looks bright. Ratified by a majority of African countries, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement will merge 55 economies into a single, competitive mega market of more than a billion people, making it one of the biggest free trade areas in the world.

This also means that there will be an increased need for conferences and exhibitions on the continent, allowing to create the bridges required for making AfCFTA as success.

AIPC wants to play an active role in supporting the African community of convention centers by providing tailor made professional education. That is why, in partnership with regional stakeholders, AIPC organizes the AIPC African Academy.

DATE AND TIME: 18-22 August 2025

LOCATION: Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch (Johannesburg, South Africa)

WHAT:
This 2nd edition of the Africa Academy is a 5-day bootcamp covering different aspects of venue management – from finance to operations – in different formats (lectures by global thought leaders, workshops, and team challenges). It also provides a great opportunity to share lessons learned and best practices with colleagues from across the continent.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

The Africa Academy is designed for African middle and senior management professionals who are passionate about elevating their expertise in venue management and contributing to the growth of the industry on the continent.

The Africa Academy is expected to attract between 25 – 30 attendees with a maximum of 40.

As with the other regional academies, global and Africa regional industry thought leaders will share their insights and knowledge with the participants in a campus-like environment and will be available throughout the duration of the programme to provide coaching and guidance when it comes to the team challenges, which aim to shape the future of convention centre management.

Next to learning and shaping, connecting is, of course, very important: at the end of the programme, the participants will have created a new network of peers, allowing for the exchange of ideas and plans long after the programme has finished.

ACCOMMODATION

• Marriott Hotel
• Protea Fire & Ice
• African Pride

REGISTRATION
The Africa Academy is offered at an accessible price of 37, 000.00 ZAR  (excluding travel or accommodation).

The fee includes:

• Course-work and session materials
• Breaks and lunches on all conference days
• Cocktail reception on Monday, August 18^th at the Melrose Gallery
• Dinner on Tuesday
• Certificate of achievement