“On behalf of Thebe Reed Exhibitions we would like to congratulate SASCOC and the Durban Bid Committee for securing the rights to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Through the annual Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) conference, industry leaders came together to support Durban in its bid for the CGF Games, in 2014 and we are proud to be associated with this historic announcement” states Sugen Pillay, director at Thebe Reed Exhibitions.
EThekwini Mayor, councillor James Nxumalo and the Durban 2022 bid committee delegation from South Africa signed the contract in Auckland, New Zealand that will bring the games to Africa for the first time.
“We will be hosting these Games on behalf of the African continent which is about one billion people. It is history in the making, as these Games will be coming to the African continent for the first time. South Africa is under reconstruction and development, as we are building this new country which is non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic. “The Games will be used to promote social cohesion and build our nation. Hosting the games will give our young people an opportunity to showcase their talent on the world stage in 2022, because we want them to be the champions of tomorrow,” says Nxumalo.
This year’s SETE conference which takes place on 28and 29October 2015 in Tshwane and will again focus on the need for the Industry to support Durban in its preparations over the next seven years to stage a successful Commonwealth Games, a first for Africa.
Lessons from previous Commonwealth Games Host Destinations in the Management of the Games will be a highlight at this year’s conference. Issues that will be highlighted and debated in this session are:
- Challenges of the operational management of the event
- Partnerships and the role of key partners
- The role of the tourism industry
- Marketing campaigns and strategies to promote the destination through the event
- Legacy issues resulting from the Games
The annual Sports and Events Tourism Exchange is the only event of its kind in Africa and provides a platform that brings together businesses from the sports, events and tourism industries, and encourages collaboration between these sectors, consisting of a two-day conference, table top exhibition and networking events.
