A number of high profile international and local speakers will be taking to the stage at the upcoming Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) conference (12-13 September), exchanging ideas and providing a platform that will enhance the sport, tourism, and event industries in South Africa. CATHSSETA (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sports Sector Education and Training Authority) have also recently come aboard as naming sponsors of the conference, and their partnership with SETE is sure to add much impetus to the many aims of this influential event.
Held at the ICC Durban later this year, both the SETE conference and exhibition (12-14 September) will look to facilitate relationships between South Africas 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. The National Sports Tourism Steering committee that was appointed at last years SETE conference will also be presenting the national sports tourism strategy at the conference, outlining the key sports events which SASCOC and its partners will be bidding for until 2030. Focused on identifying the key events which will require governments support between 2013 and 2030, the plan will be discussed and finalized at the conference.
South African representatives who will be speaking include James Nxumalo (Mayor of Durban), Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha (KZN 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 (IOC Executive Committee) will be offering a global perspective on the opportunities that Olympic sport present for the South African sports tourism industry, whilst key South African sports administrators like Oregan Hoskins (Vice President of the IRB), Danny Jordaan (Vice President of SAFA), and Cassim Docrat (CEO of Gauteng Cricket) will all examine ways to maximize commercial opportunities in South Africas 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: His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani (Secretary-General Qatar Olympic Committee), who will examine Qatars vision for becoming a global leader in sports tourism and how its hosting of major sporting events has developed the countrys brand, profile and reputation; Mike Lee (CEO of Vero Communications), who will analyse global communication platforms and how they are utilized to promote major events; Winand Krawinkel (Managing Director Adidas), who will offer a sponsors perspective by identifying the essential value drivers sponsors will look for in its 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), who 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; and Thomas Abrahams (Editorial Director Sportz Power India), who will examine the efficacy of online media marketing and communications strategies for sports events.
According to Director for Business Development at TEPG and SETE Conference Director Sugen Pillay 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. 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.
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 (IHBs).
