Latest News
ALOEWOODS RELOCATES TO JOHANNESBURG
After a wonderful sojourn in the Cape, Aloewoods has returned to Johannesburg at the end of April 2009. This was a strategic decision taken in the light of the current business conditions and the economic climate. Many of our clients are based in Gauteng and ithe move means that we will be closer to our client base and able to offer even better service levels. We will also be doing site visits and building up a photographic venue library, which will also enable our clients to select the right venue for their event or team build. Our team building is going from strength to strength with offerings focussing on addressing workplace needs - clients have fun but everyone learns and builds better teams and relationships after the team build is over.
Aloewoods is looking forward to being of service to existing and new clients in the greater Johannesburg/Pretoria regions and to sharing the knowledge and expertise we have gained in the conference, events and team building fields over the last four years. We have built our business on offering high levels of service and complete professionalism - our clients are kings!
ALOEWOODS - YOUR COST EFFECTIVE CONFERENCE & EVENT SOLUTION
Can you afford a conference and event organizer in today's economic times? The answer is - YES! Remember that Aloewoods provides cost-effective conference and event solutions to suit your requirements and budget. During the last quarter, we have assisted clients with corporate getaways, conferences and events at very affordable rates. We charge NO management fees and work on a commission basis (subject to your choosing venues and suppliers who pay agent's commission).
We take the hassle out of arranging your conference, event or team build and our focus is on providing you with a professional, hands-on and efficient service. Click on the "References" tab to see testimonials from satisfied clients. Even in these trying times, we are confident that we will be able to provide you with the service you need at cost-effective rates.
ALOEWOODS MOVES TO PORT ELIZABETH
In a groundbreaking move, Aloewoods has relocated its offices to Port Elizabeth, where our outcomes-based team building options and customised event management solutions are already finding favour with local businesses and corporate companies. Bronwyn Howard, owner/manager of Aloewoods comments: "We are very excited at the business prospects offered in the city and are looking forward to providing a unique service to employers and employees." The move will improve Aloewoods' access to other major centres, by air in particular, as PE Airport serves all domestic airlines and links the city with the rest of South Africa.
The move resulted from a strategy decison, as it was felt that, in order for Aloewoods and its subsidiary ("The Link Team Building Experiences") to grow further, the company should relocate to one of South Africa's major cities. Port Elizabeth was chosen as it is one of the fastest-growing metros in South Africa, making an ideal place to do business. Aloewoods has been very well received and many larger companies are already booking team builds and events.
Jock Tame has joined the business full time as strategic advisor for "The Link" and will also facilitate team building. He also assists with function/event photography and event management. Jock will also take over the role of overall strategic planner for Aloewoods, while Bronwyn will continue to work on the events management side as well as co-ordinating all the company's marketing and client liaison functions. She will also facilitate and arrange team builds for "The Link".
"P.E" is known as "the friendly city" and its citizens have welcomed Bronwyn and Jock in true Eastern Cape style. "It's wonderful being here - we really feel at home," said Bronwyn recently. Aloewoods will soon be joining the local business chamber and has started the process to register a close corporation. Look out for them on the First Tee at the PE Rugby Union Golf Day in Uitenhage on Friday, 25 June 2008. There are plenty more exciting changes and promotional opportunities coming their way. "We feel really energised," says Jock. "This is a fantastic opportunity for us and we're grabbing it with both hands."
ALOEWOODS OFFERS A ONE-STOP SHOP
In an effort to meet client demand for services and cost-effective conference, function and eventing solutions, Aloewoods is broadening its business strategy to increase its effectiveness and reputation in the market as a “one-stop shop”. This means that the company is significantly broadening its scope to include more offerings in its current portfolio of services, which include venue finding, conference, function and event organizing and related services. As owner/manager Bronwyn Howard observes: “Companies like to deal with one person and one company as they can then ensure a cohesive and comprehensive service, dealing with all their requirements. This enhances the business relationship between us and our clients – they know that they will get good, reliable service if they entrust all aspects of an event to us.”
In 2007, the company began offering unique, outcomes-based team building activities (marketed under the umbrella of The Link Team Building Experiences) designed to enable employees to learn or be exposed to new skills, while providing opportunities for managers to find out more about the staff they are responsible for – often unobtrusively, during observation of the dynamics of a given team build. Creativity, strategic planning and implementation, marketing and sales, negotiation and observation skills are some of the outcomes targeted. The Link also offers a few fun activities such as “Survivor Games” due to popular demand and is also developing indoor games options to use as alternatives should the weather prove unsuitable for any of its outdoor activities. To ensure that clients are fully satisfied and receive the team build they want, Aloewoods also works with other service providers, who specialize in adventure activities such as archery, lazer clay shooting, 4x4 driving, river rafting, paintball, quad biking, abseiling – and much more.
Clients recently began requesting Aloewoods to offer basic décor at reasonable prices when Aloewoods is attending to their function or product launch, particularly as regards gala dinners, sit-down lunches or banquets. The company now offers an in-house décor service at reasonable prices, specifically trailored for those clients where Aloewoods is arranging a function of this nature. Aloewoods sources suitable materials and offers basic décor at competitive prices. Aloewoods also sets up and breaks down the venue and oversees the function at no additional charge. “It is vital that clients receive value for money in this day and age,” says Bronwyn, “And this is one of the ways we can give added value to our clients.”
As Aloewoods’ business grows, the company is also rapidly moving into a position where it can offer services such as sourcing and supplying a wide range of corporate gifts. Not only are these gifts the standard corporate gifts offered by many corporate gifting companies, Aloewoods is also able to source items produced locally on the Garden Route, where it is based. These special items include homemade aromatherapy soaps, wooden gifts including hand-carved bowls, butcher’s blocks, and wooden chess sets, hand-painted wooden birds, items made from seashells and even locally-produced indigenous plants.
Road transport services is another arena where Aloewoods can offer a value-add to clients, whether they require bus hire to take them to an event or on an excursion or whether they wish to arrange a series of airport transfers in a given area.
Aloewoods continues to operate countrywide, sourcing venues and arranging and overseeing conferences, functions and events throughout South Africa and into neighbouring states. Bronwyn Howard confirms: “Whatever your company’s conference, function, event and team building requirements, you can be sure that Aloewoods can get you there.”
