CEO of Fairground Holdings Gorata Gabaraane discusses Botswana’s growing MICE Sector

My conversation today is with the CEO of Botswana’s Fair Ground Holdings Ms Gorata Gabaraane. She unpacks the entity’s role in the development of Botswana’s MICE sector and reveals plans to upgrade its facilities to meet the needs of the industry.

Gorata Gabaraane is the Chief Executive Officer of Fairground Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a distinctive Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions venue in Botswana. Operating in a country listed amongst the top 5 to invest in (according to the 2021 RMB where to Invest in Africa research) - means her institutional service delivery is devoid of anything less than excellent. She has worked for listed Hospitality groups such as Cresta Hotels and Sheraton Hotels. She is known for consistently curating presidential customer experience for clients. Her distinct leadership is characterized as a strong strategic visionary with an innate ability to build and motivate high-performing teams. 

A turnaround industry maverick, Gorata has played critical leadership roles orchestrating both strategy and organizational design within entrepreneurship development entities, state-owned entities mandated to drive foreign direct investment as well as country positioning for global competitive advantage. She has been a Board Member of the Botswana Meat Commission and Board Chairperson of Table Bay Cold Storage, based in Cape Town. 

Gorata has three daughters and is intentional about contributing to the next generation of curious, innovative, and cutting-edge African pioneers. She coaches young leaders and entrepreneurs from across the country. As a devout life-long learner, she continues to read extensively and engage markets through diverse platforms on sustainable hospitality and innovative food security. 

Gorata's educational arsenal includes completion of a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management with the University of Derby in the UK, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Johnson & Wales University (Providence, Rhode Island) as well as a Diploma in Hotel Management from Les Roches in Switzerland.