Committee meeting sets the tone for the year that lies ahead
The Regional Investment Conference Committee (RICC) met on 18 January at the Turbine Hotel on Thesen Islands to discuss the upcoming Investment Conference. The meeting yielded several important resolutions and plans to make this year's event the largest in the Knysna/Garden Route region. The committee members agreed on key dates, venues and strategies to engage partners, sponsors, stakeholders, and the broader community.
The RICC unanimously resolved that this year's Investment Conference would be the highlight of the year for Knysna and the Garden Route.
The committee aims to create an impactful event that showcases the region's investment potential and attracts both foreign and domestic investors.
To try and ensure the success of the conference, it was decided to move the event to a later date.
This extension will provide partners, sponsors and stakeholders with enough time to secure the necessary funding. Calls for funding and applications will be made from February to the end of March. If successful, the funds will be made available from July to August.
The RICC outlined two significant events leading up to the main Investment Conference:
Regional Investment Conference Seminar
In March, the committee plans to host a
Regional Investment Conference Seminar at the Premier Hotel.
The seminar will be graced by esteemed guests, including the Premier, the MEC of Economic Development, a delegation from the National Government, and representatives from local businesses, NPOs, and NGOs in the Knysna District/Western Cape.
Regional Investment Conference Indaba
In June/July, the committee will also organise the Regional Investment Conference Indaba. This event aims to
attract embassies, government officials and investors interested in the investment opportunities within Knysna, the Garden Route and the Western Cape. The Indaba will serve as a platform to showcase the region's potential and generate interest among potential investors.
The committee assigned representatives to seven industries: tourism, agri-processing, agriculture, film, tech, property and construction, and manufacturing.
The assigned representatives will engage with businesses in their respective industries, identify their needs, and report back to the committee in the next conference.
The committee welcomes volunteers to fill the vacant industry positions, ensuring comprehensive representation across sectors.
The committee will convene again to draft a formal schedule outlining specific dates, times and events for the Investment Conference. Other relevant events such as the Skills Mecca, Garden Route District Indaba, and the Knysna Municipality Indaba will be taken into account. The meeting laid the foundation for an ambitious and successful investment conference in Knysna and the Garden Route.