In a major bounce back for the industry, Wesgro’s Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau has secured bids for business events that will contribute an estimated R100 million (€5,9m) to the sector’s value chain over the next five years. 

The majority of the 11 bids won are within the medical sector, with four medical conferences scheduled to be hosted in the destination between 2022 and 2024. The rest of the secured bids span agribusiness, aviation, entrepreneurship, environmental, politics and the tourism sector.

Amongst the bid wins are prominent large conferences predicted to attract over 1 000 delegates from across the globe. These include the African Agri-Investment Indaba 2022, the Regional Conference for the International Symposium of Blood Transfusion 2023, and the International Epidemiology Congress, scheduled to take place in 2024. 

Welcoming the positive signs of recovery for business events, Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander, said: “Business events are a vital component of our regional economy. Not only do they result in a positive halo effect for the local hospitality industry, but are catalysts for investment into the province. The Western Cape is a place that leads in innovation, technology, sustainability and excellence, driven by sound research and thought leadership that is testament to the intellectual capital available within the Western Cape.”

Wesgro is still accepting applications for funding assistance through its Business Events Support project, which can be accessed here.

Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said the provincial government would continue working closely with Wesgro to continue the “great rebound” of business events in Cape Town. 

“These business events bring benefits across the entire tourism and hospitality sector, contributing millions to the economy and creating much-needed jobs. We are seeing very promising signs not only of recovery but also of a great rebound and we will continue to work closely with and to support Wesgro’s efforts to secure many more events that bring in more visitors.”