Johannesburg – In the coming months, Gauteng visitors and major events delegates from all over the world can look forward to a packed events calendar as the province plays host to several exciting, signature lifestyle events, conferences and exhibitions such as the BRICS Council Forum, African Health Expo, World Rowing Masters, International Internet Summit, Decorex Africa, National Tourism Career Expo, IWFCI Global Women’s Trade Summit, Organic & Natural Products Expo , Delicious International Food Festival and Joy of Jazz are all expected to inject millions into the province’s
coffers.
As the province celebrates Youth Month, events like Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival happening on the 21st – 24th June and the highly anticipated Soweto Investment Conference taking place over two days from 22nd – 23rd June 2023, place a sharp focus on the province’s plans to grow an inclusive and vibrant economy and event’s sector that benefits young people, not only as recipients in these events but active participants and co-creators.
Known as the gateway to Africa’s travel and business experiences, Gauteng has an impressive track record of delivering exceptionally unique experiences for business and leisure visitors alike. It therefore has become a perfect backdrop for international meetings organisers looking to take advantage of the impressive world-class venues and infrastructure for hosting meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and events.
As Gauteng accelerates its effort towards achieving inclusive economic recovery, the business of conferences and events sector presents a real opportunity to boost visitor and delegates numbers and ultimately benefit local and regional economies. This will be achieved through a strategy that ensures that the province can leverage on opportunities presented by high-profile conferences, meetings and events that are hosted in Gauteng.
The role of the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau (GCEB), which is a division within the Gauteng Tourism Authority, is crucial as it serves as the business events epicenter for bidding and hosting of major catalytic events in the quest to build a competitive Convention’s City Region, explained Nonnie Kubeka, Gauteng Head of the Convention and Events Bureau.
On the role of GCEB she says: “Our primary function is to attract and facilitate meetings, conventions, conferences, exhibitions, and other events in the province. By the time South Africans and global visitors’ experience a big event in Gauteng, chances are that the GCEB has been quietly working behind the scenes to provide support to local and international organisers responsible for staging such successful signature events. From promoting Destination Gauteng to helping with bids to attract visitors to providing support for the event planning process, we are active in every step of the value chain to ensure that Gauteng remains a dynamic and popular destination for meetings, events, and conferences.”
The GCEB is a critical player in showcasing Gauteng’s unique attractions, facilities, infrastructure, and services available to event organizers, attendees, and delegates. Recently the GCEB showcased Gauteng’s competitive advantage at the highly successful Meetings Africa, as part of Gauteng Tourism’s holistic effort to promote the province’s business and leisure offering.
With the province attracting more signature events, the GCEB can unlock opportunities for local SMMEs through its involvement in supporting the needs of event organisers. These range from logistics, accommodation, site inspections, delegates boosting and other local support services and have the potential to generate business for local industries, and in turn stimulate Gauteng’s economy.
Remarking on the impact that GCEB has made in Gauteng, Kubeka further indicated that, “Our current focus is on promoting events at various levels within the province, including mega signature events that will be hosted in Gauteng in 2023. In 2022, GCEB supported the creation of 1620 temporary employment opportunities and 58 SMMEs and township service providers. This translates to an overall economic contribution estimated at R832 million, through our various support mechanisms. It is important to continue to measure and report on this progress so that the economic benefits to the province and the tourism sector is clear, and we can gain support to sustain and develop the industry even further for the benefit of South Africa.”
For more information, visit www.gauteng.net @visitgauteng on Instagram, twitter and TikTok and I love Gauteng on Facebook and Gauteng Tourism Authority on LinkedIn.
Enquiries: Barba Gaoganediwe, Spokesperson Gauteng Tourism
0834467844
barba@gauteng.net
@Barba_G74 on twitter
124 Main Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg
