Carol Weaving, Managing Director of Reed Exhibitions, has been announced as a finalist in the 16th annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards.
The awards recognise organisations and individuals whose efforts are uplifting women in business and society. Weaving’s impact on the tourism industry and continued success has seen her, once again, nominated in the ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ category.
Weaving is focused on providing opportunities for women in the workplace and has shown consistent commitment to driving gender parity throughout her career. She boasts more than 30 years’ experience within the tourism industry, having worked her way to position as Managing Director of Reed Exhibitions, one of the globe’s most successful exhibition companies.
Weaving started as a Marketing Manager at Radio Station in her home country of the United Kingdom, pursuing her dream of living in South Africa where – at 29 years of age – she was quickly made the youngest director of the Automobile Association at the Kyalami Racetrack. She went on to start her own company – International Exhibition Consultants – and through partnerships, acquisitions, mergers and launches, she has found herself in her current position at Reed Exhibitions.
Reed Exhibitions currently owns a number of major titles, including: World Travel Market Africa, ILTM Africa, Sports & Events Tourism Exchange, IBTM Africa, Africa Automation Fair, Connected Industries, Decorex Joburg, Decorex Cape Town, Decorex Durban, 100% Design, International Sourcing Fair, Fire & Feast Meat and Food Festival, Mediatech Africa, Comic Con Africa, Comic Con Cape Town, KidsCon, Business of Gaming Forum, FIBO Global Fitness Africa and Intra-African Trade Fair. Reed Exhibitions also offers strategic venue management solutions and are contracted to manage the award-winning Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, on behalf of its owners – the Sasol Pension Fund – until 2024.
Weaving received the 2018 ‘CEO Today Magazine Africa’ award, the 2017 ‘Woman in MICE Newsmaker of the Year’ award, and the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at the 2012 Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards, among others. At previous Standard Bank Top Women Awards, she took home the 2014 ‘Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year’ award and was also a finalist in the ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ category last year.
‘I feel so privileged to, once again, be a finalist in such a groundbreaking event that both acknowledges the impact South African women are having across industries, as well as providing inspiration to the upcoming female influencers,’ said Weaving. ‘Considering the calibre of past winners in this particular category, as well as incredible women involved this year, I am completely overwhelmed by my inclusion and grateful for the honour.’
