Conferences and expos

SITE 2010 conference for Cape Town

9 January 2008

The Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) has selected Cape Town to host its International Conference in December 2010. The event will bring the leaders of the design and delivery of motivational experiences and travel rewards, a multi-billion dollar global industry, to the Mother City.

"The choice to go to South Africa fully aligns with SITE's strategic vision," SITE chief executive Brenda Anderson said in a statement last month.

"As a global leader in our space, what better way to live our mission than to select a destination that exemplifies diversity, growth and an eye for the future."

Dave Frandsen of marketing organisation Cape Town Routes Unlimited was thrilled said it was "very exciting that the SITE International Conference will take place in Africa for the first time. "We consider our destination to be one of the world's best incentive destinations, and we are looking forward to showcasing Cape Town and the Western Cape to the global incentives industry."

Increasingly popular

South Africa has become an increasingly popular destination for major conferences, with the country's three biggest cities – Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg – all boasting world-class venues. Other venues of equivalent quality are scattered around various other locations in the country.

The South African convention industry's excellence was demonstrated when four South African organizations won SITE Crystal Awards in 2007.

Fifa's decision to award South Africa the 2010 World Cup, to be held in nine cities across the country, further backed up a perception that South Africa is a developing nation capable of hosting the biggest events seamlessly.

World Cup benefits

SITE says holding its International Conference after the Fifa World Cup, which is expected to draw a cumulative worldwide television audience of between 25- and 28-billion people, will present delegates with the many positive spin-offs of the work that is going into preparing for football's biggest event.

"Cape Town and the Western Cape will serve as the perfect destination for an industry that continues to evolve and emphasize the potential of human abilities and dreams," SITE said.

"The southern-most tip of Africa is a place like no other. It's where oceans and cultures meet and possibilities turn into realities."

Promoting incentive travel

Founded in 1973, SITE is the only international, not-for-profit, professional association devoted to the pursuit of excellence in incentives.

It provides educational seminars and information services to those who design, develop, promote, sell, administer and operate motivational programmes as an incentive to increase productivity in business.

SITE has over 2 100 members in 87 countries, with 36 local and regional chapters. Members represent corporate executives, incentive companies, destination management companies, travel and event planners, official tourist organizations, transportation companies, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, trade publications, and supporting organisations such as restaurants and visitor attractions.

SAinfo reporter