The Joburg Convention Bureau team has returned from Togo with the exciting news that Joburg has secured the rights to host the Africa & Middle East Conference of the Junior Chamber International in 2016, a prominent global platform for young business leaders.
“We’re thrilled, and our thanks go to our bid partners, the Junior Chamber International (South Africa), SA National Convention Bureau, Gauteng Convention Bureau, SAA and Brand SA for their support and facilitation,” says Pumla Ntsele, Deputy Director for the Joburg Convention Bureau. “Hosting regional conferences plays a role in strategically creating and strengthening international relations and every bid won and business event secured for Joburg is a chance to promote the city both as the commercial hub of the continent, as well as a world class events destination with excellent hosting infrastructure and leisure options on offer.”
The Africa & Middle East Conference of the Junior Chamber International 2016 will bring approximately 1000 delegates to Joburg, all Junior Chamber members in good standing within the JCI age limit of 18 and 40.
“South Africa is celebrating 20 years of democracy and it has been the aim of JCI South Africa to mark this significant milestone in our country’s history, with the announcement that JCI South Africa is once again ready, willing and able to host this prestigious event,” says LOM Linda Ben, 2014 National President JCI South Africa.
“On behalf of Junior Chamber International (JCI) South Africa, we would like to thank the Johannesburg Convention Bureau for partnering with us in bidding for the 2016 Africa and the Middle East Conference. This is a sign that the City of Joburg is committed to investing and supporting growth in the development of young people. We at JCI South Africa are very excited to have been awarded the rights to host the 2016 Africa and the Middle East Conference at a similar recently held conference in Lome, Togo. We look forward to exposing the youth of South Africa to this wonderful organisation and to working together with different stakeholders in order to create sustainable impact in our communities.
The membership of JCI South Africa is currently enjoying a steady growth phase; the hosting of this conference not only presents us with an ideal platform to further boost the growth of members in South Africa, but to also develop membership growth throughout the SADC Region. The Conference Organising Committee members are all dedicated and passionate professionals who are all very active in their local organizations, seeking to achieve the following goals:
- To create a financial sustainability plan that invests in the future growth of the organization.
- To implement projects that empower communities to achieve sustainable impact through education.
- To motivate members towards being true grass roots active citizens that create solutions in their communities.
- To collaborate with like-minded partners in achieving meaningful impact and enhancing mutual interests.
“Given the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by our partners during the bidding process, there’s no doubt that these partnerships and collaborations with other youth organisations will ensure an extraordinary conference in 2016,” says Ben.
