EVENT and bespoke gatherings company Vula Afrika has launched a virtual events service, In Any Event, that taps into the fast-growing market for online-only conferences, presentations, trade shows, entertainment events and family celebrations.
Virtual day-conference packages including a scrumptious smorgasbord of tasty brain food, event technical support and conference collateral – including branded packaging, headphones and eco-stationery – form part of the extensive menu. Also available is a personalised offering of virtual birthday parties, corporate gifting and other ways to mark special occasions and give brands a boost.
Vula Afrika was founded by hospitality entrepreneurs Julie Killias, Aubrey Ngcungama and Ian Manley in 2015 and the company has been quick to pivot to the new events landscape brought about by Covid-19.
“In the Covid-19 and lockdown world we all find ourselves in, companies must think fast to remain in close contact with their clients, service providers and employees. This is easy enough to do thanks to technology but how does one remain a cut above the rest? A simple video call is often not enough. This is where we step in to curate memorable visual experiences that connect your brand, creating virtual ambience,” says Manley.
“Virtual event technology is moving at light speed due to the global requirement for physical distancing. We won’t be meeting within large groups any time soon and hence, the virtual meet-up is a long term reality. Embracing this new method of meeting is no longer an option, it’s a business necessity,” comments Julie Killias.
In Any Event enables hosts to reach a wider audience than with in-person events. While there may have been individuals who couldn’t attend a physical conference due to location, cost or scheduling conflicts, with a virtual event many of these fall by the wayside. Virtual eventing also presents organisations with the opportunity to make significant savings on many “normal” events-related expenses. Big budget burners including travel, accommodation and banqueting become obsolete.
Vula Afrika founded the not-for-profit organisation the Black Cellar Club (BLACC) in 2016, with a mandate to improve wine and spirits education within the hospitality industry. The club now has a membership of approximately 3000 wine enthusiasts and hospitality professionals throughout South Africa, as well as into Africa and beyond.
“We intend to tap into this organisation to assist with the ‘feet on the ground’ element to ensure that In Any Event is a success story from day one. And more importantly, it will assist in allowing at least some of our members gainful employment in a time when the tourism and hospitality sectors have been decimated by the global pandemic and the country’s necessary lockdown regulations,” states Ngcungama.
Apart from employing Black Cellar Club members, 7% of each In Any Event booking will be donated to BLACC’s education fund. In Any Event is currently available in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Prices per day conference delegate start from R590 per person (ex VAT). Quotations for private occasions on request.
For booking enquiries contact Ian Manley via: virtualmeet@vulaafrika.com or click here.