2 August 2012
A number of high-profile local and international speakers are lined up for the 2012 Sports and Events Tourism Exchange Conference, which takes place the International Convention Centre in Durban from 12 to 14 September.
The conference will provide a platform for the exchanging of ideas aimed at enhancing the sport, tourism and event industries in South Africa.
The conference will run alongside the second edition of the SETE exhibition (12-14 September), which itself will feature an estimated 100 exhibitors as well as over 60 international hosted buyers.
The Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) conference and exhibition will look to boost relationships between South Africa’s tourism, sport and event industries and promote the country as a popular sports and events destination. To this end, the conference programme will include presentations and panel discussions anchored by keynote speakers who are all specialists within their respective fields.
National sports tourism strategy
The National Sports Tourism Steering committee that was appointed at last year’s SETE conference will present the national sports tourism strategy at the conference, outlining the key sports events which the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) and its partners will be bidding for until 2030.
Focused on identifying the key events which will require government’s support between 2013 and 2030, the plan will be discussed and finalised at the conference.
South African speakers will include James Nxumalo (Mayor of Durban), Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha (KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts Culture, Sport and Recreation), and Fikile Mbalula (Minister of Sport), who will all contribute to positioning the province and country as a major role-player in the lucrative global sports, tourism and events industries.
Sam Ramsamy (International Olympic Committee Executive Committee) will be offering a global perspective on the opportunities that Olympic sport presents for the South African sports tourism industry.
Key South African sports administrators
Key South African sports administrators like Oregan Hoskins (vice-president of the International Rugby Board and president of the South African Rugby Union), Danny Jordaan (vice-president of the South African Football Association), and Cassim Docrat (CEO of Gauteng Cricket) will all examine ways to maximize commercial opportunities in South Africa’s major events, sports and tourism markets by way of an interactive panel discussion.
Kamilla Swart (Head of Centre for Tourism Research in Africa) will offer a unique glimpse into the legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, presenting findings of research undertaken that assessed the impact on carbon footprint and how events can be used to contribute to the green economy.
International presentations will come from the likes of Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani (secretary-general, Qatar Olympic Committee), who will examine Qatar’s vision for becoming a global leader in sports tourism and how its hosting of major sporting events has developed the country’s brand, profile and reputation.
Mike Lee (CEO of Vero Communications) will analyse global communication platforms and how they are utilized to promote major events.
Sponsor’s perspective
Winand Krawinkel (managing director, Adidas) will offer a sponsor’s perspective by identifying the essential value drivers sponsors will look for in their contractual relationships with sporting rights holders, as well as how these can be successfully developed to fit the brand profiles and objectives of both parties.
Paul Bush (CEO of Event Scotland) will look at the processes host nations need to go through to make sure they get the right event for their country, taking in to account the role of both public and private sector stakeholders play in delivering the event and contributing to a viable and successful legacy for both sport and tourism.
Thomas Abrahams (editorial director, Sportz Power India) will examine the efficacy of online media marketing and communications strategies for sports events.
SETE Conference Director Sugen Pillay said in a statement: “The aim of the SETE conference is to understand the global market place for events and their political and macro-economic importance to host nations and cities, and to achieve this we have assembled an impressive selection of some major role-players in the various sectors surrounding the sports, events and tourism industries.
Commercial links between sport, events and tourism
“Speakers at the conference will contribute to our understanding of the commercial links between sport, events and tourism, as well as focusing on how local and national events in South Africa can be marketed, supported and developed to make an even bigger contribution to our economic growth.
“The number of international speakers will ensure that knowledge transfer and innovation of the global sports, events and tourism industries are not lost on South Africa, ensuring our continued success in the global events market.”
For more information, visit www.sportsandevents.co.za, like www.Facebook.com/SETE.ZA on Facebook, or follow @SETE_ZA on Twitter.
SAinfo reporter
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