Chatr xperience

18/03/2025

Proud. Honoured. Inspired.

At Chat’r Xperience, we are beyond proud of our CEO, John Arvanitakis, for being selected as an adjudicator for the Women in MICE 2025 Awards. This prestigious role is not just a recognition of his leadership in the industry but, more importantly, a celebration of the incredible women who are shaping the future of the MICE sector in South Africa.

The women in our industry are the backbone of the MICE sector, driving innovation, excellence, and resilience. To have John serve as the only male judge among such an esteemed panel of industry leaders is a privilege he deeply values.

Our industry is powered by Sheroes—visionary women who are not just part of the conversation but leading it. They are at the forefront of the MICE sector, driving its growth, shaping its future, and redefining excellence with creativity and innovation. In South Africa, they make up the majority of industry leaders, setting the standard for what world-class meetings and events look like. Their contribution is immense, and this platform is a well-deserved celebration of their impact.

A heartfelt thank you to John’s fellow judges for their unwavering commitment to our industry:

👏 Londi Khumalo – Founder of Niche Partners, championing growth & development in Africa’s MICE market.
👏 Angelique Smith – Owner of Event Synthesis, a powerhouse in event management & 2022 Women of Stature Global Tourism Award winner.
👏 Ellen Oosthuizen – Deputy Chair of the PCO Alliance Network & Owner of Bebes Events, a dedicated advocate for PCOs and event excellence.
👏 Thembi Kunene-Msimang – COO of Tourvest MICE, a visionary leader with decades of expertise in tourism & MICE innovation.

Let’s take this opportunity to uplift and celebrate the incredible women shaping our industry. If you know a woman making waves in the MICE sector, nominate her today and ensure her contributions get the recognition they deserve.

We are honored to celebrate our esteemed panel of judges for this year’s Women in MICE Awards! These industry trailblazers bring invaluable expertise, passion, and leadership to the table, helping us recognise the remarkable women shaping the MICE sector.

A heartfelt thank you to each of them for their dedication to excellence and their invaluable contributions to our industry:

👏 Londi Khumalo – Founder of Niche Partners, championing growth & development in Africa’s MICE market.

👏 Angelique Smith – Owner of Event Synthesis, a powerhouse in event management & 2022 Women of Stature Global Tourism Award winner.

👏 Ellen Oosthuizen – Deputy Chair of the PCO Alliance Network & Owner of Bebes Events, a dedicated advocate for PCOs and event excellence.

👏 John Arvanitakis – Owner of Chat’r Xperience & Chairman of the Event Greening Forum, leading the way in sustainable events.

👏 Thembi Kunene-Msimang – COO of Tourvest MICE, a visionary leader with decades of expertise in tourism & MICE innovation.

Nominate Your Industry Stars Today!
Do you know a woman making waves in the MICE industry?

Celebrate their achievements by submitting your nominations now!

🔗 https://theplannerguru.co.za/women-in-mice/

18/03/2025

♻️ It’s Global Recycling Day! Did you know the average event attendee generates nearly 1.89kg of waste per day? Yet, only 20% of festival waste actually gets recycled!

The events industry must do better, and it starts with smart choices—sustainable suppliers, plastic-free giveaways, and proper waste separation.

🌱 Join the :
✅ Follow for recycling tips
✅ Use www.greendatabase.co.za to find sustainable suppliers
✅ Tag your recycling champions and celebrate those making a difference!

Let’s make waste reduction the norm, not the exception.

18/03/2025

Chat’r Xperience is proud to be a Patron Sponsor of the Event Greening Forum (EGF), supporting sustainable event practices across South Africa.

Sustainability is at the heart of the future of events, and we believe in driving positive change through responsible, eco-friendly solutions. Our commitment to greener events aligns with EGF’s vision of creating a more sustainable industry.

Together, we’re shaping a future where events leave a lasting impact—without leaving a footprint.

Did you know that the average event attendee produces approximately 1.89 kilograms of waste per day, with 85% potentially ending up in landfills? And, despite the availability of recycling bins, only about 20% of festival waste is actually recycled. These numbers highlight the urgent need for more responsible waste management in our industry.

The solution? Choose partners who prioritise responsible waste management, offer recyclable or compostable materials, and have clear recycling initiatives in place. Small choices – like digital invitations, plastic-free giveaways, and proper waste separation – add up to a big impact.

♻️ This Global Recycling Day, we call on the event industry to take up the :

1. Follow our social media channels and newsletter for regular recycling tips and best practices.
2. Use www.greendatabase.co.za to procure sustainable products and partners for your next event.
3. Tag your recycling champions: Whether it’s a venue with a zero-waste policy, a supplier using recycled materials, or a partner with a robust recycling program, let’s celebrate those making a difference. Comment below with your go-to green partners and share how they’re helping make events more sustainable!

✅Tick the boxes in this image if you’ve done all three and repost it to your social media with the caption “ Completed”.

Recycling isn’t just about what happens after an event – it starts long before the first guest arrives. By partnering with sustainable suppliers at every stage, from venues and catering to décor and gifts, we can reduce waste and ensure more materials are reused or recycled.

13/03/2025

The EGF has confirmed its management committee for 2025, with John Arvanitakis (Chatr xperience) returning as Chairperson for a second term.

His leadership will continue to drive meaningful change in the events industry, with a focus on strengthening collaboration between South Africa’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry associations and expanding the EGF’s impact across Africa.

“I look forward to working with my new committee as we lead the organisation in 2025,” he says.

With over 30 years’ experience delivering end-to-end experiential marketing services, Arvanitakis is well-versed in reaching and engaging event attendees in meaningful ways. This will go a long way in raising awareness around event greening.

Read more: https://zurl.co/dDlav
Check out the full management committee: https://zurl.co/sAOEw

27/01/2025

🎉🎂 IT’S THE BIG MAN’S BIG DAY! 🎂🎉

Today, we celebrate the legend, the leader, the visionary, the mover, shaker, and rhino-protector-in-chief, the one and only John Arvanitakis, our fearless founder and CEO of Chat’r Xperience!

Turning the fabulous 53, John continues to inspire us with his boundless energy, passion for sustainability, and ability to make any project (or party) feel larger than life. Whether he’s orchestrating award-winning events, advocating for a greener future, or cracking a dad joke that leaves us groaning and laughing, John leads with heart, vision, and just the right dose of sass.

John, we don’t know how you do it. Your creativity? Endless. Your dedication? Unmatched. Your dance moves? Unforgettable (though maybe we’re trying to). From the smallest details to the grandest ideas, you’ve shown us what it means to go above and beyond every single day.

So here’s to you, Big Guy – the man who proves that 53 looks damn good when you’re fueled by coffee, dreams, and the occasional cheeky glass of wine. We’re so lucky to call you our leader, our mentor, and, let’s face it, our office comedian.

Happy Birthday, John! 🎉 Your Chat’r family loves you more than a perfectly executed event theme. Here’s to many more years of laughs, brilliance, and success ahead!

Now… who’s bringing the cake? 🍰

21/01/2025

Our CEO had a jam packed day of meetings today. Stop 2 of the day was a catch up with one of our favourite suppliers . Thanks for the catch up . Was exciting to hear the plans for Inspire Rentals for 2025.

21/01/2025

Today our CEO spent the afternoon catching up and networking with fellow industry colleagues at the 2025 industry networking function. Thank you Urban Tonic for the invite and putting together such a spectacular event.

21/01/2025

🌟 Kicking off 2025 with a winning start!

We’re thrilled to share our latest project for the Water Research Commission’s participation at the SA Combined Congress, held from 20–24 January 2025 at the Protea Ranch Resort and Conference Centre in Limpopo.

Our team delivered a simple yet impactful exhibition stand in record time—proof that sustainability and creativity go hand-in-hand. Every component of the stand, apart from the graphics, has been reused from previous projects, reflecting our commitment to environmentally conscious design. Even the graphics, used for the first time at this event, are designed for future reuse. 🌿

At Chat’r Xperience, we believe sustainability is achievable when you prioritise the 4 R’s:
♻️ REUSE
♻️ RECYCLE
♻️ REPURPOSE
♻️ REDUCE

A huge thank you to our talented team and the support behind the scenes for making this a reality. Together, we’ve proven that effective, sustainable solutions are not only possible but also impactful.

✨ Let’s continue making great things happen in 2024—watch this space for more!

01/01/2025

What an Epic way to end an Epic Festival and to bring in the New Year.

Happy twenty twenty thrive!

01/01/2025

What an absolutely incredible way to end and incredibly festival.

So proud to have been part of the team that brought this epic festival experience to Mossel Bay.

Thank you for the support and opportunity.

29/12/2024

An Epic Day today at the Diaz Summer Splash - It's charity day today and the bikers are all here today to support Eden Protocol
Come down and take a look at the amazing bikes on show while you enjoy the amazing music line up we have for you and the ice cold beverages too....

05/12/2024

🌟 𝗪𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀!🌟

I’m thrilled to share that 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝗿 𝗫𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 and our newly launched division, 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝗿, are making waves in the industry! Today, we’re headlining 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗿𝘂’𝘀 newsletter online! 📰

This recognition is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the events and exhibitions industry. With 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯, we’re introducing two transformative solutions:
✨ 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗫𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 – Sustainable, bespoke, and proudly South African.
✨ 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 – Versatile, efficient, and eco-friendly.

A 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 to The Planner and the incredible team at 4Mal Media Management for their kind support and for featuring our journey in such a prominent space. Your belief in what we’re doing means the world to us!

Check out the full article here: https://bit.ly/3VrMOq7

🌍 Let’s keep pushing boundaries, creating impactful experiences, and building a greener future together!

👉𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘁!

📲 Reach out to John +27 83 415 2774
📩 [email protected]

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Chat’r Xperience has unveiled EcoExhib by Chat’r – a new division that aims to address the growing demand for sustainable eventing solutions.

05/12/2024

🌍 Exciting News from Chat’r Xperience! 🌍

We are proud to announce the launch of 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝗿, our groundbreaking solution to meet the growing demand for sustainable exhibition stands, branding, and promotional event elements.

At Chat’r, we’ve always championed sustainability in the events industry, and with EcoExhib, we’re taking it to the next level!

🌱 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱:
✨ 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗫𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 – Crafted from eco-friendly, locally manufactured materials, this innovative solution offers custom-designed exhibition stands that are sustainable, modular, and proudly South African.
✨ 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 – For faster, cost-effective, and equally sustainable setups, we’re proud to be an official Triga reseller, offering a sleek, efficient, and versatile alternative.

This new division reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility while delivering the world-class quality and impactful design you’ve come to expect from Chat’r Xperience.

💡 Want to know more about how EcoExhib can elevate your next event while contributing to a greener planet?
👉 Visit : www.chatr.co.za
📧 Contact us at [email protected]

📰 📣 Read full Press Release here: https://zurl.co/1P5A

Let’s create remarkable events and a better future together.

27/11/2024

🌟 Why Choose Chat’r Xperience for Your Next Trade Show? 🌟

This week, we’ve been highlighting our individual capabilities, and now we’re wrapping it all up! At Chat’r Xperience, we bring together creativity, quality, eco-consciousness, and a seamless process to deliver exceptional exhibition stands.

Here’s what makes us the perfect partner:
💡 Tailored Creativity: Designs that capture your brand’s identity and speak to your audience.
⚙️ Custom Solutions: Flexible offerings tailored to your goals and budget.
🛠️ Exceptional Craftsmanship: Impeccable quality and attention to detail in every project.
🌿 Sustainable Innovation: Eco-friendly stand designs that align with your values.
📋 Seamless Process: We handle everything, so you can focus on showcasing your brand.

👉 We’re ready to receive your brief and bring your vision to life! Contact us today, and don’t forget to follow Chat’r Xperience for more inspiration and updates.

💬 Go on... Get in touch with us and get our amazing team on the job of designing and building your next exhibition stand 📅✨

📲 Reach out to John +27 83 415 2774
📩 [email protected]

27/11/2024

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

We are thrilled to welcome our 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁, @𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 , to the Chat’r Xperience family! 🎉

🌟 STRONG COFFEE, renowned for their premium mobile coffee bar solutions at corporate events, conferences, exhibitions, and brand activations, pairs𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 with 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 .

At Chat’r Xperience, our commitment to delivering 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗼𝗳-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 and 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 makes us the perfect partner for such an iconic brand. With over 60 years of combined experience in crafting exceptional event solutions, we’re honored to have been appointed as their 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 for their mobile event coffee bars. ☕✨

This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to collaborate and deliver 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 that elevate every event 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 touches.

Here’s to brewing brilliance together! 🖤☕

26/11/2024

✨ Stress-free, start to finish! 🛠️
At Chat’r Xperience, we handle every step of the stand-building process, so you can focus on making the most of your exhibition. From planning to delivery, we’ve got you covered.

📩 Ready to elevate your brand? Contact us today!

💬 Go on... Get in touch with us and get our amazing team on the job! 📅✨

📲 John +27 83 415 2774
📩 [email protected]

25/11/2024

🌍 Go green and stand out! 🌱
At Chat’r Xperience, we’re proud to offer sustainable, eco-friendly exhibition stand designs. Make a lasting impression on your audience—and the planet.

📩 Message us to find out how our green solutions can elevate your next event!

💬 Go on... Get in touch with us and get our amazing team on the job! 📅✨

📲 John +27 83 415 2774
📩 [email protected]

22/11/2024

Our Chairman, John Arvanitakis, will be moderating the Event Greening Forum’s panel discussion during our upcoming workshop on 26 November 2024, taking place via Zoom.

Following the welcome and a presentation from the keynote speaker, he will guide the panellists – Exhibitions & Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA)’s Jacqui Nel, AAXO - Association of African Exhibition Organisers’s Joshua Low, as well as IELA International Exhibition Logistics Association’s Elizabeth Niehaus and Orphee Beinoglou – through a series of questions investigating the challenges and opportunities around sustainable exhibition logistics.

With over 27 years in the events industry, Arvanitakis has been at the forefront of driving eco-friendly solutions within the MICE sector, including as the CEO and founder of Chatr xperience. His commitment to sustainability is exemplified by his commitment to the Net-Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) journey and his receiving the EXSA Green Event Award in 2023 for innovative sustainability practices, creativity, and creating memorable experiences while greening.

Join John and the rest of the panel from 10:00 AM SAST (9:00 AM CET) via Zoom: https://zurl.co/472n