Karen Ashwin, MD of The Event Production Company Group, has moved the offices of the Destination Management Company SA (DMC SA) to Cannes in France, where experienced consultant Sylvain Lonchay will head up the division which was previously based in Cape Town.

"This move comes in an attempt to move closer to the source of European business and the large corporates who are considering MICE travel options to South Africa," explains Ashwin. "Cannes is the ideal hub for the development of our activities outside Africa, as we're ideally placed to do business with Italy, Spain, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean basin.

Furthermore, Sylvain is the perfect candidate for this position as he boasts an impressive track record in European incentive travel, a love of South African, along with the bonus of speaking five languages - English, French, Italian, German and Spanish."

Destination Management Company SA (DMC SA) specialises in the organisation and logistics of meetings, conferences and events in Africa, Europe and the UK, creating unforgettable experiences for its clients. With a wealth of experience and creativity, DMC SA offers solutions which are tailor-made and out-of-the-ordinary.

Operating as a "full services contractor" or "turnkey service", the company offers a comprehensive range of services and products that are essential for the creation of successful congresses, corporate meetings, exhibitions, incentives and special events of any size at any destination.

"DMC SA is a world-class, leading-edge, full services contractor offering clients customized experiences, value for money and peace of mind. If you can dream it, The Destination Management Company can organise it," promises manager Sylvain Lonchay.

"Furthermore, because of its affiliation to The Event Production Company and its sister companies, including TEC Multi-Media & Video, as well as the five-star conference facilities at Vodaworld in Johannesburg, DMC SA has resources at its disposal which place it in a league of its own," he says.

Sylvain looks forward to bringing European companies to South Africa: "The prospects are limitless for South Africa, what with the boom in business tourism, its new-found status as a fashionable destination and an increasingly well-structured travel industry. There are always challenges to work through, but I am very optimistic about the opportunities here. The landscapes are phenomenal for projects like car launches, not to mention the wealth of other great qualities, products and services on offer."