Proudly Presented by:
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.
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ATKV - Drakensville
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PROGRAMME
Friday 26 June 2026
14:00: Registrations open.
17:00: Welcome, introductions, house keeping, etc. hosted by ATKV Drakensville & Environmental Centre and Hobbiton on Hogsback
18:00: Dinner
19:00: Meet & Greet Sherry & Networking hosted by SA AIA
20:00: Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
Sunday 28 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
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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"Interactive AI Workshop" by AppCity
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"Stanford Lake College Programme presentation" by Neil Haarhoff
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"What School Doesn’t Teach: The Warriors Academy Experience" by Ruan Viljoen
11:00: Break-away Presentations:
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"Visual Metaphors and Learning Resources" by Dr Pieter Snyman
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"Hiking Built-in Bonding through Shared Effort" by Mthuthu Funani
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Tshwane University of Technology presentation by Mike Allkins
12:00: Lunch
13:00: Free Time
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
16:00: Tea Break
16:30: The Big Industry Questions Café Round Table
18:00: Dinner
19:00: Evening Keynote: Firewalk & Talk by Warriors Academy
20:00: Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
Tuesday 30 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
10:00: Check out from accommodation.
Saturday 27 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
08:00: Welcome
08:30: Adventure Speed Networking
09:30: SA AIA and Industry Chapter Updates, Research & Information.
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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"Inclusive Hiking: Same Path. Different Ways" by Mandla Sibanda
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Off-Road Tyre presentation by Apollo
12:00: Lunch
13:00: Free Time
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
18:00: Dinner
19:00: Evening Keynote: Stories from the Field "Rock Climbing on the Sentinel, Northern Drakensberg" by Neil Margetts
20:00: Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
Monday 29 June 2026
07:00: Breakfast
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; and Diversity, Empathy and Professionalism Workshops" 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
12:00: Lunch
13:00: Info and Q&A Session for Students & Aspiring Professionals ONLY
13:00: Free Time
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 with Adventure Institute
16:00: PRESENTATION:
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"Decoding Body Language" by Dave Allen
17:00: Networking Session
18:00: BYOB (braai your own braai) and Stokbrood Braai, Fire ready at 18:00 and sides are served.
19:00: Prize Giving and Closing with Fireside Hot Chocolate Social
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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’
Jaqueline Havenga
Adventure-driven creative with a warm heart, a curious mind, and a passion for capturing meaningful moments and inspiring people along the journey.
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.
Mandla Sibanda
Certified National Adventure & Tourist Guide and Gauteng NEC Chairperson – Adventure Guide Chapter (SA AIA)
Mthuthu Funani
Certified National Adventure & Tourist Guide and Eastern Cape NEC Chairperson – Adventure Guide Chapter (SA AIA)
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.
Anthea Forder
Entrepreneur, information systems architect, and tourism tech geek with a knack for making complex things feel simple, useful, and surprisingly human.
Neil Haarhoff
Director of Outdoor Education at Stanford Lake College in Limpopo.
Ruan Viljoen
Warriors Academy Adventure Specialist
Michael Allkins
Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology, Mbombela Campus.
Martin Jooste
Passionate about all things 4x4 and overlanding.
Nardus Eksteen
National Sales Manager (Southern Africa) @ Apollo Tyres Ltd
Fanie Cilliers
Ladysmith Snake Removal
Malcolm Williams
Malcolm Williams is an experienced principal, educator and administrator with more than 35 years of senior leadership experience across public, private and international schools. He has extensive knowledge of the South African, IEB and Cambridge examination systems and has taught in monastic, co educational and boarding schools, including managing large boarding facilities.
Michael Blakey MBE
Michael Blakey MBE, MEd, FRGS, CF, FIoL has over 40 years' experience leading and supporting youth expeditions, offshore sail training and adventure training activities in the UK and overseas.
He has organised and led more than 20 annual offshore sail training expeditions around the UK, Norway and Iceland, together with numerous overseas youth expeditions in Africa and Central America.
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
-
Ice Climbing Skills and Techniques Training Workshop
-
Professional Snake Handling
-
Safe Guarding Children
-
Diversity, Empathy and Professionalism Workshops
-
4X4 Recovery Equipment Demonstration
-
Overlanding and Camping Demonstration
-
Safety on Steep Ground Refresher Workshop
-
Water Safety Workshop
-
Overlanding Recovery Equipment Presentation and Demonstration
-
Starting a Small Business from scratch - LIVE workshop and Q&A
-
Overlanding and Adventure Guiding Career Paths and How to Promote and Position Your Business
-
Mobile Photography Workshop
-
Rescue Equipment and Techniques for Ropes Courses
Early Bird Pricing - no longer available
ALL - Inclusive Full Conference Rates:
Full conference (breakfast, lunch, dinner, conference, CPD and accommodation).
Room or Campsite share:
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SA AIA Student Member Rate:
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Student Non-Member Rate:
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SA AIA Professional Member Rate:
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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 1 May 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
