Taking place from 3 to 7 March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the conference will welcome over 3 000 CEOs from over 135 countries to Cape Town.
YPO, which stands for Young Presidents Organisation, is the premier global leadership organization for more than 27 000 chief executives, from a variety of industries and types of businesses, YPO member-run companies generate USD9 trillion in annual revenues.
The GLC and YPO EDGE conference provides a global platform for members to share information, and exchange innovative and ground-breaking business acumen and knowledge. The event possess huge potential for attracting investment, trade and business from some of the globe's top echelon of business owners.
"We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to present South Africa to this group of business leaders and to demonstrate, after a period of adverse international publicity, how we are overcoming our challenges. We have a chance to show, as our President set out in his State of the Nation Address in 2018, that we are a nation at one, committed to work, to build, to change and to progress," said Paul Berman, YPO member and Host City Chair.
Themed the Life of RE, the conference aims to inspire leaders to live a life of perpetual upgrade and improvement. Over-arching topics shaping the conversation include looking at how individuals and businesses can RE_design, RE_invent, RE_think and RE_commit.
The line-up boasts famous South African comedian, Trevor Noah, CEO from The Happiness Research Institute, Meik Wiking; American theoretical neuroscientist and Artificial Intelligence expert, Vivienne Ming and Manoush Zomorodi, Co-Founder of Stable Genius Productions, to name but a few.
Being specially built and erected at the conference, is an infrastructure which has been named the Temple of RE_. For the duration of the YPO GLC and EDGE, the Temple of RE_ will be the buzzing social and recreation hub for all delegates.
After the conference, the entire infrastructure will be donated to Langa where it will support the development of the first learning space for Bridges for Music in the suburb. Further to this, equipment and infrastructure used at the GLC and EDGE will be donated to the project in order to make the building of their learning space and creative hub a reality.
“The knowledge sharing, investment potential and legacy opportunities created through an event of this calibre is unsurmountable,” says Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris.
Wesgro, the official Tourism, Trade and Investment promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, has assisted YPO with the hosting of its deal networking breakfast, whereby the investment proposition of the Cape, South Africa and the continent will be presented to an estimated 150 of the CEOs in attendance.
“Wesgro welcomes YPO members to Cape Town and the Western Cape, a city of opportunity and a gateway to a rising Africa. Although we are a beautiful place to visit we are also a top business destination, and an economic powerhouse on the African continent,” added Harris.
Julie-May Ellingson, Chief Executive Officer at the CTICC, stated: “Hosting YPO supports the CTICC’s objective of attracting international events that have the potential to harness future investment and in turn, make a meaningful contribution to job creation and economic growth in the Western Cape and South Africa. The YPO GLC/Edge conference will bring together the world’s thought leaders and we look forward to showcasing our beautiful venue and City.”
Minister of Economics, Beverly Schäfer, commented: “YPO members represent the future of business globally, and to have so many industry and thought leaders in our province gives us a remarkable opportunity to showcase who we are as a region and the work we’ve put in to regenerate growth. The theme of this year’s conference, the Life of Re_ perfectly aligns with the work we are doing in our economy. Our region is gaining global recognition as leaders in the tech, finance and green industries and we are working towards re-skilling, redefining, and recycling as ways to create growth and opportunities for our people.”
"Over the past few years, we have worked hard to proactively position Cape Town as a forward-looking, globally competitive business destination and letting the world know that we are the ideal place to live, work, play and invest in. These efforts have also resulted in the City of Cape Town recently being named the Events and Festival Capital of the World," said Executive Mayor, Dan Plato.
Plato added, "The GLC provides delegates with the opportunity to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and challenge each other to think bigger. I am sure that we will also expand our own knowledge of and exposure to the various sectors involved. I look forward to meeting some of you and trust that you will have a fruitful and enriching experience at the 2019 YPO EDGE and Global Leadership Conference. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the more than 3000 delegates to Cape Town! "
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos, concluded: “It is a great honour for Cape Town to be selected as the host city for this premium event for a second time, and a real vote of confidence in our conferencing and business tourism services. The City is creating an enabling environment for sectors like events to grow, assisting in the creation of jobs for our residents. We welcome the business leaders in attendance from across the globe, and wish them a fruitful stay in the Mother City.”
Wesgro is Cape Town and the Western Cape's official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, and receives its mandate and funding from the Western Cape Government's Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the City of Cape Town.
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