Proudly Presented by:
Adventurous Reflections
2026 Conference
Drakensberg: 26 - 30 June 2026
Bringing the Adventure Community Together
Reflection is where adventure professionals turn experience into excellence.
It is the process of analysing actions, understanding group behaviour, exploring better approaches, and applying learning to improve safety, impact, and professionalism across the industry.
Venue: ATKV - Drakensville
TITLE SPONSORSHIP:
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Conference Service Partners
Hosting, Logistics and Support
Official Conference Photography Sponsor
Catering and Hot Chocolate Sponsor
Event Partners
PROGRAMME
Friday 26 June 2026
12:00: Registrations open.
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17:00: Welcome
18:00: Dinner
19:00: Meet and Greet Sherry and Networking
20:00: Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
Sunday 28 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
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08:00: Welcome
08:30: Panel discussion: Looking for Lemons: A Real-world Discussion on Incident Management
09:30: Tea Break
10:00 - 11:00 Break-away Presentations:
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​Inclusivity, Diversity, and Professionalism in the Adventure & Outdoor Industry by Sam Pennells-Ingle
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Stanford Lake College presentation - TBC
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Central University of Technology presentation - TBC
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Visual Metaphors and Learning Resources - Dr Pieter Snyman
11:00: Problem-Solving Hack Tables
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12:00: Lunch​
13:00: Free Time
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14:00 - 16:00 Break-away Practical CPD Workshops/Demonstrations:
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"Overlanding and Camping Demonstration" by Off-Road and Overlanding Chapter
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"Alpine and Ice Climbing Fundamentals" by Neil Margetts
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"Rescue Equipment and Techniques for Ropes Courses" by Darren Erasmus
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"High Lining Demonstration and Slack Lining Workshop" by Luca Brice
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16:00: Tea Break
16:30: Regional/Provincial Break-away Meet-ups
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18:00: Dinner
19:00: Evening Keynote: Stories from the Field (speaker to be confirmed)
20:00: Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
Tuesday 30 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
Saturday 27 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
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08:00: Welcome
08:30: Adventure Speed Networking
09:30: SA AIA and Industry Updates
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11:00 - 12:00 Break-away Presentations:
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“Footsteps, Paint and Spirit: Encountering San Rock Art in the Drakensberg” by James Seymore
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Tshwane University of Technology presentation (TBC)
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"Research Results on Quantifying the Outdoor Industry and Adventure Industry in 2025" by Francois Nel
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Off-Road Tyre presentation by Apollo
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12:00: Lunch​
13:00: Free Time
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14:00 - 18:00 CPD Break-away Practical Workshops:
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"Nature Interpretation Skills for Adventure Guides" by John Roff
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"Intentional Programming: Considering Diverse Factors in Facilitation" by Dr Pieter Snyman
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"Professional Snake Handling" by Ladysmith Snake Removal
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Water Safety Workshop by SA AIA Water Safety Chapter
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18:00: Dinner
19:00: Evening Keynote: Stories from the Field (speaker to be confirmed)
20:00: Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
Monday 29 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
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08:00 - 12:00 Break-away CPD Workshops:
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"Wilderness First Aid Workshop" by Wild Medix
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"Safe Guarding Children Workshop" by Sam Pennells-Ingle
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"Safety on Steep Ground" by Nic Shaw
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"Overlanding Recovery Equipment Presentation and Demonstration" by SecureTech and Martin Jooste
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12:00: Lunch​
13:00: Info and Q&A Session for Students & Aspiring Professionals ONLY
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14:00 - 16:00 Break-away Practical Workshops:
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"Starting a Small Business from scratch - LIVE workshop and Q&A" with Darren Erasmus
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"Overlanding and Adventure Guiding Career Paths and How to Promote and Position Your Business" with Will Jansen
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Mobile Photography Workshop - TBC
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16:00: "Decoding Body Language" by Dave Allen
17:00: The Big Industry Questions Café Round Table
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18:00: BYOB (braai your own braai) and Stokbrook Braai, sides are served at 18:45.
20:00: Prize Giving and Closing with Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
SPEAKERS / PRESENTERS
Darren Erasmus
Technical Specialist at Vertical Safety Systems and Certified Adventure Tourist Guide.
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David J. Allen
Keynote speaker and community builder; impacting the world one leader at a time! Author of the books,’Leadership in the tree’s’ and ‘decoding body language’
Tony Yeo
Tony has over 40 years experience off-roading throughout Africa – from Cape Town in South Africa, to the Serengeti in Tanzania, from the east coast of Mozambique to the Skeleton Coast of Namibia.
Henk Vallentgoed
Having been associated with the 4x4 and camping industry for 15 years Henk has complimented his field of expertise and always looks at what is new and what the new trends are in the field of vehicle recovery equipment and other industry related products.
Johan du Plooy
Certified Adventure Tourist Guide and Tour Operator, SA AIA Off-Road and Overlanding Chapter Chairperson.
John Roff
John is a professional and passionate Nature and Geology Guide and Trainer. He runs the John Roff School of Nature Guiding, and is happiest inspiring and helping fellow guides of every kind develop their guiding potential.
Samantha Pennells-Ingle
Life Coach / ARA Facilitator Trainer / Leadership Development / Resilience Coaching / Team Enhancement
Neil Margetts
Neil enjoys all forms of climbing, from vast icy mountains to sport climbing and bouldering. He has logged numerous canyons and climbs globally and repeatedly ascended the technical free-standing peaks in the Drakensberg.
Walther Meyer
Business owner of Ventureforth International and Wild Medix. Wilderness, survival and tactical medicine and rescue trainer.
Francois Nel
Entrepreneur in the outdoor recreation industry. As a passionate advocate for the Outdoor Recreation Industry in Southern Africa, Francois' goal is to unlock its full socio-economic potential.
Jessi Sunkel
As the Executive Director of the South African Adventure Industry Association, I am passionate about supporting, educating, training, standardizing and professionalising the adventure industry in South Africa.
Dr. Pieter L. Snyman
A passion for creating unique experiential learning experiences with multiple technologies and learning styles.
Nic Shaw
Chrysalis Project. A social entrepreneur active in the outdoor education and sustainable tourism space.
James Seymour
Experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the events services and tourism sectors.
Fanie Cilliers
Ladysmith Snake Removal
Martin Jooste
Passionate about all things 4x4 and overlanding.
Will Jansen
Completely focussed and passionate about the development of professional and service driven adventure traveling in Southern Africa.
Johan Outram
Professional Adventure and Culture Tourist Guide. Passionate about Learning in the Outdoors and meaningful skills transfer.
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TICKETS
Conference:
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Includes full conference & all evening events (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, presentations, workshops, CPD training, networking and evening events).
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SA AIA members are those whose SA AIA membership is in good standing.
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Student options are those who are still studying and are not professional.
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Speakers/presenters are offered special student rates.
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You have full unlimited access to the resort (within the bounds of their rules).
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A full-time tea and coffee station will also be available.​
Accommodation:
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Options are either single or double beds in a two sleeper, four sleeper or six sleeper unit. The options below are either to share a room with someone or to have the room for yourself. If you have any special requests or requirements, please let us know after submitting your form.
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Full conference fee includes accommodation for 4 evenings (check-in: 26 June, check-out: 30 June).
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Campsites are also available - no minimum amount of people, however a maximum of 4 people per campsite.
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You have full unlimited access to the resort (within the bounds of their rules).
CPD Workshops:
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You must choose at least one workshop per person for each day you are booking for (it is included in the conference fee).
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These workshops are limited to certain numbers, and works on a first come, first served basis. If the workshop you choose is no longer available, we will contact you with an alternative option.
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CPD training workshops are run at the same time and are run over all three days - please refer to the programme for more information.
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The workshop may be run outdoors or indoors - depending on context and space available. Please ensure you have durable clothing for these workshops.
​Workshop CPD list:
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Wilderness First Aid Skills Workshop
-
Nature Interpretation Skills for Adventure Guides
-
Intentional Programming: Considering Diverse Factors in Facilitation
-
Decoding Body Language
-
Ice Climbing Skills and Techniques Training Workshop
-
Professional Snake Handling
-
Facilitation Training on a Low Ropes Obstacle
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4X4 Recovery Equipment Demonstration
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Overlanding and Camping Exhibition
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Highlining Demonstration and Workshop (to be confirmed)
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Safety on Steep Ground Refresher Workshop (to be confirmed)
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Water Safety Workshop (to be confirmed)
Early Bird Pricing - available until 15 April 2026
ALL - Inclusive Full Conference Rates:
Full conference (breakfast, lunch, dinner, conference, CPD and accommodation).​
Room or Campsite share:
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R3,200 per person
R3,500 per person
R3,500 per person
R3,900 per person
Own Room or Campsite:
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R4,000 per person
R4,300 per person
R4,300 per person
R4,700 per person
Full Conference Only Rates:
Full conference (lunch, dinner, conference, CPD only).
Excludes breakfast and accommodation.
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R1,600 per person
R1,800 per person
R1,800 per person
R2,000 per person
Day Pass:
Day only rate (lunch, conference, CPD only).
Excludes breakfast, dinner, evening activities and accommodation.
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R500 per person
R550 per person
R550 per person
R600 per person
Normal Pricing - available from 16 April 2026
ALL - Inclusive Full Conference Rates:
Full conference (breakfast, lunch, dinner, conference, CPD and accommodation).​
Room or Campsite share:
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R3,500 per person
R3,900 per person
R3,900 per person
R4,300 per person
Own Room or Campsite:
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R4,400 per person
R4,800 per person
R4,800 per person
R5,200 per person
Full Conference Only Rates:
Full conference (lunch, dinner, conference, CPD only).
Excludes breakfast and accommodation.
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R1,800 per person
R2,000 per person
R2,000 per person
R2,200 per person
Day Only Rates:
Day only rate (lunch, conference, CPD only).
Excludes breakfast, dinner, evening activities and accommodation.
-
SA AIA Student Member Rate:
-
Student Non-Member Rate:
-
SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
-
Professional Non-Member Rate:
R550 per person
R600 per person
R600 per person
R650 per person