Tourism and trade agency Wesgro’s Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau has secured 27 bids in the last year that take place in the destination between 2023 and 2024.

Following the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the destination will welcome an estimated 20 000 delegates from the bids secured over the next few years, with an estimated R393.4 million (€21.1m) to be injected into the local economy as a result of the secured business events.

"The economic boost and job creation facilitated by large events is crucial to the growth of our local business tourism sector. We applaud Wesgro, and the strides that have been made to keep Cape Town and the Western Cape on the map as a premium business events destination. Every visitor is a potential investor. We look forward to hosting delegates from around the globe – providing us with the opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our local industries spanning a wide range of sectors," said Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities in the Western Cape, Mireille Wenger.

Conferences secured span aviation, engineering, entrepreneurship, green economy, investment, medical, manufacturing, veterinary science, as well as the tech sector.

Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander, added: “I am proud to announce that large conferences are back. Business events from both the domestic and international markets have tremendous economic impact for the province. Moving beyond the economic boost, the events secured bring immeasurable value to our status as a knowledge hub on the continent – reaffirming our place as the destination where great minds meet.”

Conferences secured with a focus on the African continent include the Africa Fintech Summit, which took place end of last year in November; the All Africa Exhibition, Africa Partnership for Growth; Africa Investment Indaba; and the Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) Congress and African Chiropractic Federation AGM. 

Assisting in the securing of bids, Wesgro continues to work alongside the South African National Convention Bureau as well as local organisations to build its bid pipeline. The Bureau’s partnership with the Western Province Blood Services was instrumental in securing the International Society of Blood Transfusion Regional Congress, scheduled to take place in November this year.

Spotlighting gains to be made by the tourism value chain, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town, Alderman James Vos, highlighted: “Business events are intrinsically linked to leisure tourism – creating a positive knock-on effect for local hotels, restaurants, and attractions. As such, I'm happy to say that the City of Cape Town, through my department, will fund the Conventions Bureau. We extend a warm welcome to the delegates expected to visit the Mother City over the course of the next few years, and encourage a return with family and friends to fully experience the rich experiences on offer in our city.”