ABOUT

Local Knowledge, Global Expertise

Paragon Africa is an established Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Our experienced team have co-ordinated and executed multiple successful events across a diverse range of business sectors, including the Medical, Legal, Arts, Technology, and Educational fields in various cities around the world.

In addition to our local team, we are supported by a formidable team of experts from the International offices of the Paragon Group.

We have the knowledge, skills and inspiration to create a truly awe-inspiring event for you - no matter how big or small or where it is located.

Conference and event planning, branding, production and management is equivalent to creating art. Our creative attitude, combined with our human touch and passion for knowledge, leads to memorable masterpieces, filled with imagination, creativity and fun.

Successful conferences evoke opportunities for personal and professional growth. After defining our clients' precise needs, our team embarks on an extraordinary process of empowerment. The end result is an event like no other, accomplishing diverse goals - client branding, enhanced professional reputation, specific and continuous audience participation, increased revenue - and much more.

What makes a work of art truly awe-inspiring? How does one spark inspiration? We use imagination and vision to create conferences that reflect quality and professionalism, providing participants with a lasting impression.

Meet our

TEAM

Lara Le Roux

DIRECTOR AND PARTNER

Lara is the Managing Director and Senior Partner of Paragon Africa. She has over 20 years' experience in the conference and events industry in South Africa and the UK, with a core focus on association business. Before joining Paragon Africa, Lara ran her own successful PCO company. Prior to that, she worked with other well-known PCO's in Cape Town, as well as for a large association in the UK managing their events. Lara has been successfully managing projects, operations and a growing team at Paragon Africa since 2018.

Lara holds a Bachelors Degree in Tourism Management majoring in Events Management; and has recently completed her Masters in Tourism and Hospitality Management. She has recently enrolled for and been accepted for her PhD in Business Management Sciences with specialisation in Events. She has lectured on Event Management at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) on a part-time basis, and currently serves as a committee member for the SAACI Western Cape Branch as well as on the CPUT Events Management Advisory Board.

Lerisha Naicker

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Lerisha Naicker has over a decade of experience in destination marketing, event, and project management. She combines creativity with strategic insight to deliver exceptional results. With hands-on experience at the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau, she has supported association congresses from inception to completion. Lerisha's award-winning project management skills reflect her commitment to excellence, as demonstrated during her tenure at Wesgro. She values dignity and respect in client relationships, ensuring tailored solutions for every challenge. Lerisha’s character is built on honesty, accountability, and integrity. She follows the Japanese concept of Kodawari—the relentless pursuit of perfection in everything she does.

Adanda Bornman

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Adanda is the Executive Assistant to Lara, and the glue that holds everything together in the office - with a liberal sprinkle of glitter. Her sparkling personality and can-do attitude bring a sense of order to not only Lara, but also the team. Adanda proactively manages the daily running of the office and calms any chaos before it even gets a chance to take hold.

Jane Gilliland

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Jane has extensive experience in the travel and events industry and brings a calm energy to the team. She is especially adept at negotiating and managing accommodation blocks, ensuring our delegates have a comfortable and convenient 'home-away-from-home'. A studious person with an eye for detail, projects managed by Jane are in simply the best hands.

Monique Kasselman

PROJECT MANAGER

Monique has literally grown up in the conference industry, starting out by assisting a family-owned company part-time as a young teen, and later joining full time as a registration co-ordinator. Since then she has evolved into an accomplished registration manager, and is now tackling project management. Her confidence with numbers and a firm grasp of specialized conference software gives her a strong foundation for success.

Renee Lukin

PROJECT MANAGER

Isabella Mostert

ASSISTANT ASSOCIATION MANAGER

Isabella Mostert has over a decade of experience in higher education administration. She is a seasoned producer of numerous Theatre Productions. She also enjoys teaching, with experience teaching French at the Alliance Française de Bloemfontein and Drama classes for children and young adults.

Catherine Rowe

SPONSORSHIP MANAGER

With 36 years in the Hospitality Industry, I have developed a strong passion for collaborative work with diverse teams. My career began in large hotel kitchens and restaurants, where I honed my skills in culinary operations. Transitioning into conferencing, I spent 8 years at a prominent PCO specializing in exhibitions, sales, and sponsorship.

Ebeth Wilson

FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR

Ebeth Wilson has a long history in medical practice administration. She is also a qualified Stage Manager, using every and any opportunity to live out this passion.

Cheryl van Zyl

ACCOUNTS

Hayley van der Merwe

JUNIOR ADMINISTRATOR

Meet Hayley, our new Junior Administrator! After recently completing her Matric, Hayley is taking a gap year to gain hands-on experience in business operations and the events industry. With plans to pursue a BCom in Business Management next year, she’s eager to learn and grow. Hayley’s vibrant energy and positive attitude make her a wonderful addition to our team!