The recent hosting of the international AV Alliance’s annual 3-day AGM in the vibrant city of Cape Town set the stage for a convergence of global talent, innovation, and collaboration. Against the picturesque backdrop of South Africa’s Mother City, 107 industry leaders, sponsors and technical experts from around the world gathered at the Westin Hotel to exchange ideas, showcase expertise, and chart the course for the future of the event solutions industry.
Pioneering Educational Initiatives
Hosting this pivotal event for the second time was Gearhouse Group, Africa’s premier technical supplier and AVA’s local member. Gearhouse is renowned for its own commitment to excellence, education, and fostering industry-wide growth and this year’s AGM focussed on a vision for empowerment that Gearhouse holds close to its own heart. The AVA network promotes global cooperation for the betterment of all its members and cultivating learning through collaboration. At the heart of this year’s AGM was the unveiling of AVA’s pioneering educational initiatives and the establishment of its Education and Outreach Committee (EAOC). Charged with collating educational materials and crafting a user-friendly Learning Management System, the EAOC aims to equip AVA members with the tools needed to address current industry challenges, cultivate talent, and raise awareness about the range of career opportunities within the events industry. “The EAOC has come alive as part of the long-term strategy that was presented at the AGM in Bangkok 2023 and follows the vision of the AV Alliance aiming to connect important stakeholders of the AV industry who aim to better their companies on a global scale”, explains Artur Kovacs, AVA General Manager.
While still in its early stages, the EAOC has garnered support from every corner of the globe, with twenty second or third-tier management representatives putting themselves forward for the committee to drive the process. Some of these member companies already have well-established training programs to draw on, while others have nothing yet in place other than a strong drive to elevate the industry. Gearhouse General Manager Charl Smit is an active member of the EAOC and, as part of the educational kick-off for the AGM, invited the AVA delegates to visit Gearhouse’s own Kentse Mphalwa Training Academy.
Gearhouse Group has been synonymous with technical innovation for over three decades, comprising nine dynamic event solutions companies thriving under the Gearhouse banner. Since its induction into the AV Alliance Group in 2012, the Group has proudly represented South Africa on the global stage, cementing its position as a leader in event technical production and audiovisual solutions. This important affiliation has not only expanded Gearhouse’s international reach but has also facilitated invaluable opportunities for cross-cultural learning and collaboration between like-minded individuals.
International Knowledge-Exchange
“The AV Alliance has been a transformative force for our organisation, bridging geographical boundaries and building a sense of global community,” shares Smit. “Through this alliance, we’ve successfully serviced many international events on our continent on behalf of our AVA partners and have learnt from working with members in their own countries as well. It has been affirming to realise that we share universal challenges and that our technical expertise down here on the tip of Africa is right up there with the world’s best. In terms of the EAOC initiative, we are proud to be able to provide valuable input, drawing on our experiences with our own well-established training centre and health and safety standards.”
Joint Managing Directors Ofer Lapid and Nasser Abbas epitomise Gearhouse’s commitment to empowering its people and driving industry growth. For Lapid and Abbas, the AV Alliance AGM represents not only a forum for business opportunities but also an unparalleled opportunity for personal and professional development, so they ensure that representatives from across the Gearhouse Group attend the AVA events wherever they take place annually.
“Our belief in the untapped potential of our people drives everything we do at Gearhouse,” explains Lapid. “We’ve seen the impact of mentorship and education firsthand, which is why initiatives like the Kentse Mpahlwa Academy are such a big part of our company culture. Part of this process is creating opportunities for our staff to exchange knowledge with their counterparts around the globe.”
Kentse Mpahlwa Training Academy
Established in 2004, the Kentse Mpahlwa Academy (GMKA) stands as a testament to Gearhouse’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and, specifically, towards securing the longevity of the local industry. Each year, the Academy welcomes aspiring individuals, primarily from previously disadvantaged specialist groups, into a free-of-charge, full-time annual training program led by industry experts. To date, some 800 GKMA graduates have emerged as fully equipped professionals from the GKMA training Centres in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, ready to make their mark in the dynamic world of event solutions. Some move on to work elsewhere in the industry, while others remain within the Group, producing some noteworthy personal success stories across the organisation.
This project was the brainchild of Lapid and Abbas and is named for the late Kentse Mphalwa whose career began as one of the first black technicians in South Africa and culminated as a director on the Gearhouse Board. His journey outlines precisely the type of personal development that the Academy proposes. Gearhouse’s culture encourages initiative by affording its staff opportunities for growth. Many of the inexperienced industry entrants now hold high-level positions achieved through self-motivation, mentorship opportunities, upskilling, and, above all, the freedom to explore the varied opportunities available within the Group. Many of these young leaders have assumed the role of the mentors they once admired and are now proudly involved in uplifting the incoming generation of learners as they rotate through the various disciplines.
From Learning to Leading
Sulaiman Wickstrom, Branch Manager at Gearhouse’s Cape Town branch, exemplifies the success of the company’s immersive training approach. Having begun his career in 1996 while still a schoolboy working as a casual stagehand on weekends, Wickstrom has accrued a wealth of knowledge and expertise to bring to his leadership role. “I have been where they are. I learned at the grassroots level, and it’s been quite a journey. At Gearhouse, if you have a dream, our ethos around continuous learning makes realising your potential absolutely achievable.”
Among the ranks of Academy alumni is Pierre Huskisson, Branch Operations Manager at Gearhouse Johannesburg. Reflecting on his journey, Huskisson emphasises the invaluable opportunities for personal and professional development afforded by Gearhouse and the AV Alliance Group affiliation. “The Gearhouse Kentse Mpahlwa Academy has given me, and many others, the opportunity to get a foot in the door and grow from being a technician, to an operator, to running a department and delivering spectacular events that bring joy to our audiences,” he says. “Attending the AV Alliance AGM for the first time in 2024 is more than just a networking opportunity for me; it’s a catalyst for growth and innovation. The exchange of ideas and experiences at events like these fuels our passion for continuous improvement and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry.”
JHB Branch Manager Monique Ross concurs, “GH has always been open to teaching those who want to be taught. The hours and dedication need to come from the individual, but the old adage of what you put in is what you get out rings true here. I am immensely proud to have recently taken on the role of one of the first female Branch Managers in a historically male-dominated industry.”
The AV Alliance AGM’s focus on educational programs provided a platform to showcase the tangible outcomes of Gearhouse’s robust internal training initiatives. Deploying a technical team comprised exclusively of its Academy graduates, Gearhouse ably demonstrated its commitment to talent development and industry excellence.
Through an unwavering dedication to nurturing talent and fostering international partnerships, Gearhouse continues to lead innovation and excellence, both locally and globally. As the industry evolves, Gearhouse remains steadfast in its mission to empower individuals, elevate standards, and drive change across the event solutions landscape.
