With the course of South Africa’s sports and tourism industry’s set to be permanently altered at next week’s Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) conference (12-13 September), excitement is mounting ahead of this ground-breaking event.

A number of high profile international and local speakers will be taking full advantage of the international spotlight, whilst the National Sports Tourism Steering committee’s presentation of its 17 year strategy will also garner much interest as it promises to make an indelible impression upon the genesis of South Africa’s growth as popular mega-events destination. A limited number of spots are still available, details can be found online at www.sportsandevents.co.za.

Sponsored by CATHSSETA (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sports Sector Education and Training Authority), the SETE conference will be looking to providing a platform that will enhance the sport, tourism, and event industries in South Africa and shape and advance the country’s development as a sports tourism destination. Running alongside the conference is the SETE exhibition. As the only trade show of its kind in South and Southern Africa, the exhibition will feature in excess of 100 exhibitors, as well as a well-supported International Hosted Buyer’s (IHB) programme, exposing major local and international role-players to the excellent sporting facilities that exist in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

As one of 21 SETA’s (sector education and training authority) in South Africa, conference sponsors CATHSSETA are key partners in that they have a responsibility to facilitate skills development within South Africa by creating strategic partnerships to ensure a meaningful contribution to economic growth across sports tourism and other sectors. Mike Tsotetsi, CATHSSETA CEO, said that “the SETE conference platform attracts important decision makers and key industry stakeholders, and our involvement therefore ensures that we have the opportunity to promote our objectives by engaging with the relevant audience at a proven successful annual event”.

CATHSSETA’s primary aim is to create an environment that allows the youth better employment opportunities through skills development and training within the sports tourism industry, whilst also addressing the shortage of skills in critical areas. The ‘Tourism and Travel’ and ‘Sport, Recreation and Fitness’ sectors are respectively the 2nd and 4th largest within CATHSSETA’s scope, both benefitting from the facilitation of skills development of people (particularly those who were previously disadvantaged and living in rural areas) through the creation of strategic partnerships that will ensure a meaningful contribution to economic growth within these and other economic sectors.

Some of South Africa’s biggest travel and tourism companies directly benefit from CATHSSETA’s influences on the industry. Sharon Mason-Gordan of BCD Travel commented that “”as a country we are always looking for ways to find opportunities for the youth, and our partnership with CATHSSETA allows for implantation of projects that speak to this mandate”. According to Lynne Phipson of Thompsons, “we find that the combination of working with a training organisation at the same time as practically applying their training actually gives the student a better learning experience and is therefore employable”. Thembisile Dladla (Rennies) said that “learnerships and apprentices are the way to go because it is what we need. As employers we need workers who have the skills, the knowledge and experience to do the work, so it is beneficial to the both the learner and the employer”.

A feature of the conference will be the National Sports Tourism Steering committee’s presentation of its 17 year strategy, identifying the key international events that South Africa should bid for, as well as the domestic events that need governmental support, in order to grow the country’s sports tourism industry. According to Director for Business Development at TEPG and SETE Conference Director Sugen Pillay, “the conference is expected to have positive implications for the growth of the sports tourism industry in South Africa. The work undertaken by SASCOC and its partners over the past year in formulating a proactive plan that will identify the key international and domestic events that should be supported by government over the next 17 years will be a first for South Africa, and this bodes very well for the growth of the sector”.

In what may turn out to be one of the events of the year, the SETE Gala Dinner that will kick off the SETE conference and exhibition has been chosen by SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) to celebrate the South African Olympic Teams successful London 2012 campaign. With a limited number of tickets still available (www.ucit.co.za), there is still an opportunity for Durban and KwaZulu Natal sports fanatics to share in a night of glitz and glamour with Durban-born Olympic gold and silver medalist Chad le Clos, multiple-SAMA winner Lira, Miss SA Melinda Bam, as well as a host of other sports celebrities. Autograph and photo opportunities for guests with athletes and personalities will also take place, allowing local, national and international businesses, sports fanatics, sponsors and supporters a chance to rub shoulders and share in the athletes’ experiences in London.

on Facebook, follow @SETE_ZA on Twitter. SETE support the inaugural South African Travel and Tourism Industry Conference (SATTIC, 2 – 4 September), a combined initiative of member associations of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).

The Sports and Events Tourism Exchange is hosted by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism KZN, and partnered by CATHSSETA, SASCOC and Tourism KZN.

Exhibition Details:

For those companies wishing to book a stand for this exciting event, please contact Trish on trish@tepg.co.za. Stands are limited!

Sports and Events Tourism Exchange 2012

12 – 14 September

ICC Durban

Entrance: FREE

Times: Wed 12 September & Thurs 13 September 09h00 – 17h00, Fri 14 September 09h00 – 14h00

Conference Details:

The two day SETE conference (12-13 September) which runs alongside the exhibition has attracted a line-up of high profile international and local speakers.

12 – 13 September 2012

Registration: Open on www.sportsandevents.co.za

Fee: R3500.00 excl VAT full package

R2000.00 excl VAT Day 1 Only

R1500.00 excl VAT Day 2 Only

Contact: Rene Staack on rene@tepg.co.za or Jenna Harper on jenna@tepg.co.za

PPTV have secured the broadcast rights to air the Scottish Premiership in China for the first time in a deal announced with MP & Silva and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

PPTV gets exclusive broadcast rights for more than 55 SPFL matches across all media platforms and devices, including television, mobile and Internet media platforms. Football fans in China can look forward to catching the Scottish Premiership.

Currently PPTV’s sports programs include Barclays Premier League, Liga BBVA and Chinese Super League football as well as basketball, tennis, golf and motor sports. 

Dr, Vincent Tao, CEO of PPTV said: “We’re pleased to be the first to showcase the Scottish Professional Football League in China, and is a great addition to our growing line-up of premium sports content. Football is one of the most watched sports on television, considering the rise of youth interest in the sport. We are excited about this new partnership and we look forward to working closely with SPFL and MP & Silva to contribute to the growing football fan base inChina.”

SPFL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster added: “We are delighted to partner with PPTV to broadcast the new Scottish Premiership into China for the first time. They are the ideal partner to generate local interest in our League. China is a huge market for sports content. We are very pleased to now have a significant presence and to be doing business there. The move by MP & Silva to showcase SPFL football to a broadcaster reaching more than 60 million people is significant. We hope that this will open the door to further opportunities for the League and our Clubs.”

Golf Australia has announced the election of two new directors to the Board of Golf Australia.

The new directors are Robert Crosby and Dr Jill Spargo.

Robert spent more than 30 years at National Australia Bank in a variety of senior management positions.

He is a former Board member of Golf South Australia and has been actively involved in handicapping, prostate course rating, medic rules and amateur status committees at state and national level.

Jill is a medical practitioner based in Melbourne and has been a board member of Women’s Golf Victoria and Golf Victoria and served on a range of governance committees.

She is also a course design consultant for women’s golf for Ogilvy Clayton Golf Design.

Golf Australia Chairman John Hopkins said he was pleased to welcome the new directors.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome Robert and Jill to the Board,” Hopkins said.

“Robert and Jill have extensive grassroots experience in Australian golf, having worked at both club and state level in addition to their professional experience. Their knowledge will be a valuable asset to Golf Australia as we continue our work to increase participation and further grow the game.”

Golf Australia would like to thank outgoing Board members Anne Lenagan and Bruce Langford-Jones for their dedication and passion in their roles over several years.

With just a few days left to register, viagra sale the final agenda has been set for the ninth edition of the KPMG Golf Business Forum in Italy, ed 17-19 September, order 2012.

More than 200 investors, developers, golf course operators and tourism professionals from 30 countries will gather at the Renaissance Il Ciocco Tuscany Resort & Spa, Barga, for three days of networking, seminars and social gatherings.

Joining Sir Nick Faldo, hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and Jack Nicklaus II, plus Rio 2016 Olympic golf course designer Gil Hanse, are four prominent business and sport visionaries.

HSBC’s Group Head of Sponsorship, Giles Morgan, will present the findings of the ‘Golf’s 2020 Vision’ report, analyzing global trends shaping the future of golf, including the rise of Asia and the influence of women.

Also looking into the future will be KPMG’s Global Head of Innovation, Adam Bates, focusing on the opportunities businesses need to plan and prepare for, while mitigating emerging risks.

Sports marketing consultant Stuart Robertson, creator of Twenty20 Cricket, a format that transformed a staid, traditional sport into fast-paced, captivating entertainment watched by huge global TV audiences, will talk about how to engage people with sport.

Meanwhile Dana Garmany, founder and CEO of Troon Golf, will speak to CNN’s Don Riddell about the five-star hospitality and customer service ethics underpinning his golf course operations business’ global expansion.

Following on, Muriel Muirden from master planner WATG will lead a debate on ‘Back to the Blueprint’ and how golf courses and developments need to rethink their design and operations for the 21st century customer.

The three-day Golf Business Forum, with a special focus on opportunities in Italy and the Mediterranean, will also hear from leading European golf developers, including Zenon Eliades, creator of the acclaimed Elea Estate, Cyprus, featuring a Sir Nick Faldo designed golf course, and Ignacio Perez of La Zagaleta, near Marbella, one of the most exclusive gated residential communities in Europe. They will be joined by Ivan Jakov?i?, President of the Istria Region, looking at the potential for golf tourism in Croatia as part of the wider review on the Mediterranean region.

Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice in EMA, said: “At a time when the wider economic situation remains challenging and golf participation is under pressure, it will be the businesses that innovate and take advantage of evolving demand-side factors, driven by global social trends, that will prove successful.

“That’s why I’m pleased to welcome such influential thought leaders and speakers to this year’s Golf Business Forum, which I believe will be the most informed, insightful and forward looking to date, offering essential market intelligence for investors, developers and all golf businesses.”

For more information about the Golf Business Forum, and for final registration opportunities, visit: www.golfbusinessforum.com

Shiny Fang (CHN) has been appointed International Union of Modern Pentathlon’s (UIPM) new Secretary General at the Executive Board meeting in Frankfurt, Germany. 

Mrs Fang, who has been UIPM’s Assistant for International Affairs since 2008, working closely with the UIPM President Dr h.c. Klaus Schormann developing UIPM’s relations worldwide replaced Joël Bouzou who served as Secretary General from 1997-2012. 

UIPM President Dr h.c. Klaus Schormann said after the appointment: “I am very pleased with Mrs Fang becoming UIPM’s Secretary General. I have a very close working relationship with her, and she has impressed me with her extraordinary abilities over the past 5 years. 

“This appointment shows our commitment to women’s equality, putting a women in this important position.” 

Mrs Fang, who is also the Vice President of the International Cheer Union stated: “7 years ago I stepped into the Modern Pentathlon world, 5 years ago I joined in UIPM family before the Beijing Olympic Games, I was more and more attracted by this sport and the people of this sport. 

“In the last 10 years, UIPM had been very focused on modernization to become more exciting and challenging sport for the world’s most complete athletes, I fully believe for next 4 years, we will continually develop, popularize, and promote Modern Pentathlon not only with Pentathlon, also with Biathle (run-swim-run), Triathle (run-shoot-swim) which are under Modern Pentathlon brand. More united and better cooporation, will be my goal for future management of UIPM.” 

Mrs Fang’s starts in the role immediately and will be relocating from China to the UIPM office in Monaco. 

Ivar Sisniega (MEX) was appointed by the Executive Board as UIPM’s 1st Vice President and Vyacheslav Aminov (RUS) became the Vice President for Business Affairs.

Soccerex has announced that, viagra ed | Ricardo Trade, store Executive Director of Operations and Competitions of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and LOC Board of Administration member, Bebeto will be giving an official update on the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Soccerex Global Convention in Rio de Janeiro, 24-28 November.

With only two years to go until the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this session will look at how preparations for the tournament are progressing, giving a comprehensive update on Brazil’s position at this stage and what is left to do.

As Executive director of operations, Mr. Trade will play a significant role in shaping the development of the 2014 World Cup. Before taking up his role with the LOC, Mr. Trade was the Services General Manager and acted as the Director of the Main Operations Centre during the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro. He was also the Director of Services for the bidding committee of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics games. A hero of Brazil’s fourth world title triumph at USA 1994, Bebeto partnered fellow LOC Board Member Ronaldo at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Since retiring from football he has become a state deputy in Rio de Janeiro and a sitting member of the legislative assembly’s Special Committee Promoting the Legacy of the Sporting Events of 2014 and 2016.

Commenting on his involvement, Ricardo Trade said: “We want to show the world how we are fulfilling our commitment to host the biggest football event on the planet.  The Soccerex Global Convention allows us to demonstrate how we are getting ready to welcome the world of football in 2013 and 2014. It is also a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and international experiences with our colleagues from around the world.”

Commenting on the session, Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: “We are delighted to have the LOC on board, to have two such influential figures give an official World Cup update at Soccerex is a real honour. Attending delegates will be privilege to a true insight on what is happening from those who are involved at the top level.”

The Soccerex Global Convention is a five day business event consisting of a comprehensive seminar line-up, a number of networking opportunities, a two-day football festival and a packed exhibition which is already close to selling out.

Held in a purpose-built venue within the Forte de Copacabana, with panoramic views of both the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the exhibition is a hub for business activity; as one of the main components of the convention it provides a platform for leading suppliers from around the world to showcase the latest industry products and services to delegates.

For further information about this event please call  +44 (0)208742 7100 or visitwww.soccerex.com/global.

The Jockey Club, remedy the largest commercial group in British racing, cheap today announced the appointment of Mike Street OBE as Chairman of its Sandown Park Racecourse and Nick Mustoe as Chairman of Kempton Park Racecourse, effective 1st January 2013. 

Mike Street will succeed John Jarvis CVO CBE, who at the end of the year will complete his third term as Chairman of the Esher course. Mike Street moves across from his role as a popular and successful Chairman of Kempton Park Racecourse, which he has been since 2007. Nick Mustoe, who has been an active non-executive director of Kempton Park since 2005, succeeds him. 

Nicholas Wrigley, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club, said: “I would like to thank John Jarvis for his exceptional chairmanship at Sandown Park and look forward to him continuing to support The Jockey Club in his capacity as a Member once he completes his maximum third term. John has supported the racecourse executive over 10 years since 2003 to achieve many notable successes and today Sandown Park is renowned for the quality experience it provides customers and horsemen alike. “I also look forward to working with Mike Street and Nick Mustoe in their new roles and thank them for agreeing to make such a commitment for the good of Jockey Club Racecourses and British racing. I’m sure their professional experience, track record and passion for racing will be much appreciated by the teams and racecourse committees at Sandown Park and Kempton Park.” 

Mike Street OBE said: “I think of my time at Kempton Park with very great affection and I have been extremely privileged to have worked for such a talented, creative, hardworking and enthusiastic team. I am so proud of their many achievements, including recently achieving national Customer Service Excellence Standard accreditation; the first I believe to any racecourse. “I am also extremely honoured to follow John Jarvis at Sandown Park, whose achievements are legendary. I greatly look forward to working with and for the team there.” 

Nick Mustoe said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Chairman of Kempton Park Racecourse. It has been my great pleasure to work with Mike Street these past five years and I hope to build on the tremendous work he has done with the team here to make Kempton Park the success it is today.” 

John Jarvis CVO CBE said: “It has been a privilege to be Chairman of one of The Jockey Club’s premier racecourses. Many racegoers to Sandown Park say it is their favourite track and I would like to pay tribute to the whole team over the course of the last decade for their many achievements and outstanding service. I look forward to running my own horses as Sandown Park for years to come.”

Soccerex has announced another set of speakers for the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, prostate 27-28 September. General Manager of SuperSport Nigeria Felix Awogu and Partnership and Development Director at Arsenal FC Felicity Croft will be joining Head of Sponsorship, price Group Corporate Affairs at Standard Chartered Bank Simon Mould to speak on ‘The Business of Football’ session.

With the need for football in West Africa to become more self-sustainable and to stop relying on state-funded activities, this session will be essential to get a sense of the various revenue streams surrounding Nigerian football including broadcasting and sponsorship. SuperSport, Arsenal FC and Standard Chartered Bank are three of the biggest brands in Nigeria and will be at the forefront of the development of football in West Africa.

Felix Awogu started his broadcasting career with Minaj Broadcast International (MBI) as a reporter in 1995 and was appointed Head of Sports and Outside Broadcast in 2000. In 2001, he became a FIFA-licensed players’ agent. He joined SuperSport in 2006 as a presenter and was appointed Operations Manager in 2007, before becoming General Manager for Nigeria in 2009 with a clear aim of developing the commercial success of the Nigerian Football League.

Commenting on the announcement, Felix Awogu said: “I am extremely excited to be attending the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, the first international football business event in Nigeria. SuperSport is committed to the development of football across Nigeria and this event provides us with the perfect opportunity to network with the whole of the football industry.”

Arsenal FC travelled to Lagos during pre-season where a number of first team regulars, including new signing Lucas Podolski, took part in a number of commercial and charitable activities to engage with football fans across the country.

Speaking about Arsenal’s involvement in the Seminar, Felicity Croft said: “Arsenal Football Club enjoys a large following of passionate fans in Nigeria. Our objective over the coming years is to continue to build relationships within the region and engage with brands and supporters alike through exciting and unique marketing initiatives. The Soccerex Seminar Lagos provides us with the ideal platform to interact with all the relevant stakeholders from the region and thus supporting our long-term vision.”

For more information on the Soccerex Seminar Lagos please go to www.soccerex.com/lagos