​03-02-2014: City of Johannesburg convenes tourism roundtable focusing on increasing Joburg's conferencing capacity

With a focus on increasing Joburg’s conferencing and convention capacity to compete as world class conferencing destination, high level players in the private and public sectors will be gathering for round table discussions at the Gauteng Investment Centre on
Thursday 6 February. 
 Facilitated by PwC, this is the third in a series of panel discussions initiated by the City’s Department of Economic Development under the Buy, Sell, Invest & Visit (BSIV) banner. The 80 invited guests include influential leaders in both public and private sector from the tourism, travel, leisure and hospitality sectors.
 
Objective
 The discussions will feature panellists representing different sectors within the tourism industry with the objective of sharing industry experiences, case studies and lessons learnt.  The session is intended to facilitate networking between government and industry representatives and structured business to business matchmaking – all in an effort to add value in shaping the future of business conferencing in Joburg.
Key issues to be addressed:
·        Is there a need to increase the conferencing/ convention business capacity within Joburg?
·        Tourism business retention and expansion in Joburg.
·        Inner-City, Sandton, Midrand and Lanseria - convention capacity and growth proposals.
·        Joburg’s competitiveness relative to Durban and Cape Town for international convention and conferencing business.
·        Entertainment attractions, new convention and tourism incentives within Joburg and its surrounds - Modderfontein development.
·        Business, Sport, Medical, Religious conferencing market potential for Joburg.
·        Hotel capacity within Joburg and in the vicinity of the conference and convention centres in Joburg.
 
 Background
The primary role of the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) Department of Economic Development (DED) is to facilitate economic growth and transformation in the City by collaborating with other City Departments and Municipal Entities (MEs), other spheres of government, and the private sector. The desired outcome of these endeavours is accelerated, shared and sustainable growth. In pursuing its mandate, the DED works with individual and corporate citizens and groups within the community to find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic, and material needs in order to improve the quality of lives of Citizens and to make the City a more attractive trade and investment destination.
 In addition to the BSIV initiative, the City’s Department of Economic Development created a structure called the Joburg Business Forum (JBF) to serve as a link between the City’s Departments and organized business associations operating in Johannesburg. Sustainable business relationships have been built with this structure; allowing the business community to meet Council representatives (both senior officials and politicians) to discuss issues of mutual interest. It is also a platform for businesses to raise matters that impact on the City’s economic growth and also assist in finding solutions and addressing such matters.  Various business chambers that exist in the city are represented. Individuals representing different business formations/interest groups also participate in the Johannesburg Business Forum. Plenary meetings are held on a monthly basis.
 The JBF comprises different focus areas to address to key economic issues affecting the City and the membership.  These include Transportation and Freight, Revenue and Tax as well as the Tourism subcommittees .  The Tourism sub-committee was recommended because tourism is one of the key economic contributors to the Joburg economy.
 ends
 
 Released by:               
Laura Vercueil :  PR & Communication Manager Johannesburg Tourism                                                                 
 Tel: +27 11 214 0700
Email: laurav@joburgtourism.com