Excitement Growing Ahead of History-making SETE 2012 Conference

September 7, 2012

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