One Global Community Partner Event 2024

Paul Casement, Executive Director – Groups, Meetings and Events, Claire Conboy, Head of Groups, Meetings and Events and Kate Wolstenholme, Head of Marketing and Proposition headed to Boschendal after nine months of planning for perhaps Brighter’s most impressive event yet.

And it’s fair to say, it wasn’t the usual conference affair which Brighter are now well used to.

Ensuring delegates from all over the world congregated in one place, at the same time, was a challenge, with some last-minute visa snags having to be ironed out.

Transfers from the airport were all sorted as the 60-odd delegates arrived at different times in the run-up to the event.

The perfect venue – Boschendal Farm - was finalised with some assistance from Richard Holt, Group CEO of South-Africa-based Concepts Collection.

The location needed accommodation for all delegates, as well as conference facilities.

Throw in being set in stunning surroundings between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, there can’t be many more impressive conference venues around the world.

Paul Casement said:

“So much work goes on behind the scenes for these sorts of events, they don’t just come together over the course of a month or two. The feedback we have had during, and after, the event make all the hard work worthwhile. It was great to be able to showcase what Brighter can do to the One Global community. My team were wonderful. I’m so proud of their dedication and their striving to put on the perfect event. I really think we can put this down as one of our most memorable events so far.”

One Global merchandise had been organised for all delegates, while all the audio visual (AV) requirements were met so the conference could function efficiently.

A professional photographer was also sourced for the duration of the week, Yolandè Vermeulen, who captured all the memories that were made.

Plans had also been drawn up for delegates to enjoy dining at some of South Africa’s finest restaurants.

Cape Town’s The Pot Luck Club (named in the top 10 of fine dining restaurants in South Africa) was the first venue on the Tuesday night, followed by Haute Cabrière in Franschoek the night after.

The farewell dinner was hosted at the Werf restaurant, at Boschendal itself, where delegates had enjoyed some early morning activities earlier in the week too.

Claire Conboy said:

“Starting with a blank piece of paper can be nerve-racking but seeing everything finally come to fruition, with everyone seemingly enjoying their conference experience, was so rewarding. The only problem we have now is how we can top this event next year? But we like a challenge so watch this space!”

We organised a community event at Nondzame where arranged for the One Global team to volunteer at a Primary School. While there the team cleaned walls, painted a mural, got busy in the kitchen, removed rocks from the football field and dug up and planted gardens.  

Kate Wolstenholme said:

“What an amazing week we had. I knew South Africa would be a place that would live long in the memory for everyone at the event. There are so many aspects to organizing an event like this which take time to come together. Travel, accommodation, where to eat, as well as other entertainment all have to complement each other.

Everything we did for this event had to relate to the ethos of One Global. There was thought behind every part of the week. We really wanted something special for the delegates to remember and we think the community day at the school would do just that. I think that was the icing on the cake and the feedback we have had on the whole event has been great.

The Brighter team can't wait to get started on their Community Partner Event for 2025!

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