A line-up of top sport tourism heavyweights has been unveiled for a ground-breaking conference that will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa during the FIFA World Cup.

The landmark International Sport Tourism Conference will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 5 July 2010 and be part of the five-day World Sport Destination Expo, the first global business exhibition of sport tourism opportunities.

Speakers and panellists will include Marthinus Van Schalkwyk (Minister of Tourism, South Africa, and Thandiwe January-McLean (CEO, South African Tourism), and Jeanine Pires (President, Embratur, Brazil).

Core themes of the conference are:
* How to understand the value of this new breed of tourist: who they are and what are they looking for.
* How to attract sports events and sports tourists: navigating the international sports bidding cycle.
* How to use sport to deliver a powerful economic to a city, region or country.
* Why the leading sports hosts are attracted by sport and what sets them apart.

International Sports Tourism Programme

5 July 2010

8.30 - 9.00 Registration, networking and coffee

9.15 - 9.45 Welcomes from South Africa + SportBusiness Group
Kevin Roberts, Editorial Director, SportBusiness Group
Thandiwe January-McLean, South African Tourism CEO
Marthinus Van Schalkwyk (Minister of Tourism, South Africa)
Lindiwie Mahlangu (CEO Johannesburg Tourism Company)

9.45 – 10.15 Opening Presentation – The impact of the World Cup on South Africa
Qondisa Ngwenya, Managing Director of Octagon South Africa

10.15 – 11.15 Panel 1 – The strategic rationale for hosting sports events
Discussion focus: The potential of sport tourism is undoubted but what is the strategic rational for hosting a big draw for sport tourism - major events. This opening panel discussion will bring together a host of international experts to discuss key issues including landscape mapping, the range of events, managing property owners and the cycle of decision making. It will also take a key look at what the pitfalls and problems are of hosting sports events. Strategies for future development.

Moderator: Kevin Roberts, Editorial Director, SportBusiness Group
Rayaan Adriaanse, Communications Manager, South African Rugby Union
Qondisa Ngwenya, Managing Director of Octagon South Africa

11.15 – 11.45 Networking coffee break

11.45 – 12.05 Country Showcase One – Abu Dhabi

12.05 – 1.00 Panel 2 - The economic impact of sports tourism.
Second panel begins with a presentation from Professor Kamilla Swart, Centre for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) who will be revealing and discussing research on the economic impact around sport tourism. This presentation leads into a panel discussion focussing on: What sports events can do for you…and what they can’t. Creating and implementing accurate measuring and budgets. Managing your cost / benefit analysis.

Moderator: Professor Kamilla Swart, Centre for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA)
Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism, South Africa
Thandiwe January-McLean, CEO South Africa Tourism

13.00 – 14.15 Networking lunch

14.15 – 14.35 Country Showcase Two - Sub-Sahara Africa

14.35 – 15.15 Building an event strategy: Masterclass presentations
Presentation One – Creating a successful hospitality programme
Lee Thomas MD, SAIL – Official Hospitality providers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

Presentation Two – Impact and use of technology on tourism strategy surrounding a major event
Justin Cooke, MD, Fortune Cookie

15.15 –15.45 Networking coffee break

15.45 – 16.05 Country Showcase Three – Spain

16.05 – 17.00 Panel 3 - Successful bidding for events
The right to host an international event is now one of the most valuable prizes in sport with the market valued US$50 billion worldwide. Sporting events, if well executed are able to deliver lasting economic, social and health benefits. Consequently, competition to host events is hotter than ever before. This presentation and panel discussion will assess some of the key topics in this sector including; valuing an event, assessing the competition, building relationships and how to win the bid (or lose with style).

Moderator: Philip Savage, Publishing Director, SportBusiness Group
Marcia Lins, Secretary of Sport for Rio de Janeiro
Jeanine Pires President - Embratur, Brazil & Panel of Host cities of 2014 World Cup Brazil

17.00 – 17.15 Closing remarks

17.15 – 19.00 Networking Gala drinks

Venue: WORLD FOOTBALL HOUSE at SCC Sandton Johannesburg

To book your place register at www.worldsportdestinationexpo.com