A NUMBER of renowned local and international speakers are lined up to inspire and educate local business owners at a two-day business conference as part of the international Essence Festival Durban 2016.
The Essence Festival runs from 8 to 13 November at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. The two-day business conference will be held from 8 to 9 November, and aims to empower businesses from various sectors to be equipped for global business opportunities. Business owners will have the opportunity to be introduced to several key industry experts, also allowing smaller businesses to network with established businesses working in similar fields.
The impressive line-up of speakers will share their skills and life experiences with local entrepreneurs and include Aubrey Stone President of California Black Chamber, MEC of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Sihle Zikalala, Dr Judy Dlamini, founder and executive chairman of the Mbekani Group, President of the Progressive Professionals Forum and former CEO of Government Communications and Information System, Jimmy Manyi, Allen Wayne Warren, Vice Mayor of the City of Sacramento, Ipileng Mkhari, acting Managing Director of Motseng Investment Holdings, and Rajen Reddy, CEO of KZN Oils, to name a few.
The speakers will help business owners keep up-to-date with the latest changes occurring within the various business sectors. Participants will also have access to a vast amount of usable content, tools and current technologies that will prove beneficial to their business. EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede said business conferences were one of the most essential platforms to ensure business growth.
“Hosting the Essence Festival will bring together extraordinary groups of highly-skilled business expertise. This will ensure local businesses foster meaningful connections with the right people which will have a positive impact on their businesses,” she said.
The conference precedes a number of events including the exhibition, empowerment workshops and festival. Gumede said the business conference was an important platform for local businesses to learn about growing markets and identify sectors that will enable them to gain access to and do business with international markets. “We are excited that this business conference will feature key businesses both local and international, who will impart business skills to local business owners,” she said.
Gumede encouraged local business owners to take up this opportunity and be a part of the conference. “The conference will strengthen relationships between various stakeholders and build international networks that will have many benefits for participating businesses,” she added.
Registration to attend the business conference is R175 per person for both days. Forms are available from Ikhono Communications on 031 266 9937/8.
Visit the business fair website: www.dbnbusinessfair.com or Facebook page: Durban Business Fair.
For more information on the Essence Festival visit: www.essencefestivaldurban.com, Twitter: #EssenceFestDBN or Facebook: @EssenceFest
