People moving up!

Craig Drysdale has been promoted to the new CEO of Coach Charter at Springbok Atlas.

Craig Drysdale joined Springbok Atlas in 1996 as operations manager and later was appointed branch manager of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2000. In 2006 was promoted to national general manager – Coach Charter Division. Caig has just been promoted to CEO of Springbok Atlas Coach Charter Division in March 2011. During his time with the company he has been involved in many events, namely: International Touring groups, Cruise Ship Visits, Local and Overseas Incentive Groups (both Corporate and Sporting) as well as associated and corporate Conferences (local and international) With Springbok Atlas, he has been the Official Transport Co-ordinator for over a hundred major events and Conferences. He also pioneered within Springbok Atlas to put together the official bid committee for winning his company the World Cup Cricket Tournament, held recently in South Africa. For this tournament, Springbok Atlas was appointed the official transport carrier nationally for all the international supporters, as well as the official carrier for the fourteen international competitor teams. More recently he was once again instrumental in bidding and winning the contract to look after all the transport and logistics arrangement for the thirty two official competing FIFA Soccer teams in 2010. In January 2010 he qualified as a CMP (Certified Meetings Professional), the highest global designation bestowed on an individual in the business tourism industry by the CIC (Conference Industry Council) – Washington DC.  Craig is married with one son.

He is a member of the following associations:

• COASA (Coach Operator Association of Southern Africa) – 2006-2007 Chairman

• SATSA (South African Tourism Association) – 2010-2012 National Vice President

• SAACI (South African Association of the Conference Industry)

• KZN Local Committee 2003 -2012 Service Chapter Committee – Chairman 2004 -2006 National Vice chairman 2005-2006 Was honoured with the SAACI personality of the year in 2005 (“An individual who has contributed greatly to the conference industry in Southern Africa)

• International Convention Centre, DURBAN USER FORUM – Committee Member

• SKAL – Voted Outstanding Transport Operator – Individual Category - (KZN) 2007

• Hospitality Investment Conference Africa 2009 – Runner up for the „Mover & Shaker‟ Award