CASE STUDY
GOVERNMENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN NEW WAY FORWARD CONFERENCE
South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. The country gained its independence from the Republic of the Sudan in 2011, making it the newest country with widespread recognition. Its capital and largest city is Juba.
Project Details
The New Sudan Way Forward Conference was the work of the Government of South Sudan's (GoSS) Mission to the United States. The focus of the Conference was on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) as the way to peace for all of Sudan. During the two-day conference, attendees explored possible CPA strategies throughout all aspects of Sudanese society.
This was the GoSS’s inaugural conference and it included a keynote speaker, various breakout sessions, an exhibit tradeshow, a luncheon, and a gala dinner. Attendees included dignitaries from the Government of Southern Sudan - including the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities - the Advisor to the President of Government of Southern Sudan on Agriculture and Food Security, and the Director of the US Treasury Department.
How We Supported The Vision
Occasions, Inc. had only two weeks to plan this two-day conference. One major challenge that OI quickly encountered was the client’s budget. As this was a non-profit endeavor, they had limited funding to execute an important conference, without much time for bargaining or cost comparison. Nonetheless, OI was able to effectively negotiate with its vendors to secure reduced costs and discounts for required services in order to stay within the client’s budget.
However, the GoSS had also already entered into a contract with a venue that included a number of sleeping room nights, without completely understanding the arrangement. They did not meet their contractual obligation for room nights and, as such, were faced with a $20,000 attrition charge at the conclusion of the conference. Though OI wasn’t contracted to secure the venue or negotiate room rates, OI still provided above and beyond service by effectively re-negotiating the agreement, which secured discounts, reduced the attrition charge, and decreased the client’s overall financial obligation to the hotel.
In addition to successfully overcoming these major obstacles, OI provided program and budget oversight, onsite registration, food and beverage management, audiovisual services, meetings and exhibit management, graphics and branding design, collateral printing, and onsite staffing.
Thanks to OI’s exceptional services and their commitment to excellence, the GoSS was able to turn what could have been a devastating situation into a successful and unforgettable event.
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