Association Management & Convention-industry specialist Désirée Smits van Waesberghe started CAPEMOTION in March 2003, taking advantage of the Western Cape's attractiveness as an ideal destination for Chapter representation of International Organisations. CAPEMOTION offers strategic consultancy to international and national associations, NGO’s, corporate companies and umbrella organizations that have the need to meet on a regular basis.

Désirée Smits van Waesberghe achieved much acclaim during previous years as an International Marketing and Sales Manager of the Amsterdam RAI Group and in her term as Expatriate Marketing Director for the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). She studied and worked in the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and South Africa, travelled extensively in 45 countries and is fluent in 6 languages.

Current clients

- United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

- World Food Logistics Association (WFLO)

- CONGREX Group

- Supply-Chain Council (SCC)
- Association Global Services (AGS)


Previous assignments

- Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) Consultant, Advisory role to Commercial Department

- CTICC International Marketing & Sales Director (RAI Group expatriate)
- RAI Group Strategic Consultant, Advisory role to Management Team
- Amsterdam RAI International Marketing & Sales Manager
- Thebe Investment Group - General Manager Thebe Conventions
- Banque Paribas Account Manager Corporate Banking
- Aerssens & Associates Communication Consultant, Manager International Media & Events
- Chambre Francaise de Commerce & d’Industrie (CFCI) Commercial & Marketing Department

Education

- University of Amsterdam Master's Degree European Studies (Doctorandus)
- University of Paris IV - Sorbonne Licentiate L.E.A. & Erasmus Scholarship
- University of Utrecht Public Relations & Mass Communication
- University of Amsterdam Propadeutics French Linguistics & Literature
- Centro de Lengua Espagnola Curso Universitario de aprovechamiento
- Cours Commerciaux de Geneve Alliance Francaise (avec mention bien)
- Thomas a Kempis College Arnhem High School (VWO-Gymnasium)

Trainings

SCOR- Supply-Chain Operations Reference Model 9.0 Framework & Implementation, Events Pro Software, HSMAI - Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International University, NIMA - Netherlands Institute of Marketing, CHANGE – Teamwork, ISP - International Security Partners, IMA - International Meetings Academy Forum for Young Professionals, ICCA - New Executive Programme, Geneva, British Language Training Centre - Business Fluency, NIBE - Generic Banking Education, Commercial Skills & Personal Assessments, Automation skills: Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Write Now, Quick Basic, Plan Perfect

Memberships

VONK- Vrouwelijke Ondermemende Nederlandse Klub (Co-Founder), SANEC - South African Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, NMCF - Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (Volunteer and Cape Town Representative), NCK - Dutch Club Cape Town (Board Member), MICE Club South Africa, ICCA - International Meetings Association (Host Committee Member), ASAE - American Society for Association Executives, ESAE - European Society for Association Executives, MPI - Meeting Professionals International, SIB - Students’ Union of International Relations, SES - Students’ Union of European Studies, Cercle d’Amis - French Students’ Union