The energy sector is a clear winner emerging from the South African cabinet shuffle earlier this week says the editor of the energy trade publication ESI Africa, Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl. She explains: “President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attempt to sweep his inherited cabinet clean on Monday night resulted in a watered down compromise to satisfy both party and state interests. However, a clear winner emerging is the energy sector, which can look forward to two ‘new’ faces: Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan, known for his deft ability at service delivery and turnaround of state departments, and long-standing cabinet member Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe, renowned for his firm leadership. These placements have shown Ramaphosa’s commitment to ensuring reform at state-owned enterprises and specifically Eskom.”

She continues: “assuredly, with these two gentlemen, along with Minister Nhlanhla Nene’s return to Cabinet as the minister of finance, we will see a finalisation of the nuclear build programme (either putting it to bed or giving it a nod) and a formal consultation on the long-overdue integrated resource plan. Another priority area that needs immediate attention is the independent power producers’ outstanding power purchase agreements.”

“The damage done to South Africa’s energy market is extensive; however, there is tangible hope in the air. With the likes of Gordhan, Radebe and Nene in the fold, this is a brilliant move by Ramaphosa – who had already shown his mettle at the WEF when commenting on South Africa’s nuclear position – and I’m optimistic that we will see progress at last.”

Radebe “to address the mess”
Independent energy expert Ted Blom agrees: “it is probably not by accident that President Ramaphosa has appointed one of the most senior ANC members to the portfolio of energy. This sector has been troubled by one scandal after the other, which included the missing billions at Eskom, Mosgas, and the Strategic Oil Fund. Add to this the near miss on the Russian nuclear order disaster.”

He adds: “depending on the chosen benchmark and whose numbers you trust, the missing billions amount to anything between R50bn and nearly R1.5 trillion, and the ANC can offer nobody with more gravitas than Jeff Radebe to address this mess, and hopefully claw back a fair proportion of the misappropriated funds. Not only has Radebe accumulated the most experience of all ANC stalwarts, he has also spent the most time in the presidency and probably overheard a lot of the wayward planning, making it easier for him to unravel the bird's nest of twisted facts.”

The energy industry will discuss these and other crucial, developing challenges in the sector in more depth at the upcoming African Utility Week conference and exhibition.

Award-winning energy platform
Ted Blom is a featured speaker at the 18th annual African Utility Week in Cape Town in May while ESI Africa is the premium media partner for the event, which will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes in the power, energy and water sectors on the continent. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers. The conference programme will address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water.

The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical workshop programme that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations.

African Utility Week is the flagship energy event organised by the multi-award winning Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other well-known energy events by Spintelligent are Future Energy Nigeria and Future Energy East Africa. More events include African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit, Agritech Expo Zambia, Property Buyer Show, DRC Mining Week, Eduweek, Farm-Tech Expo Kenya, Nigeria Mining Week and the Mining Baraza in Kenya.

Dates for African Utility Week:
Conference and expo: 15-17 May 2018
Awards gala dinner:  16 May 2018
Site visits: 18 May 2018
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com & www.african-real-estate-summit.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities    #AUW2018  
Linkedin: African Utility Week

Contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Emerging markets are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy, and yet research on marketing in emerging markets remains in its infancy.  The Emerging Markets Conference Board (EMCB) is a global initiative brought about to address this. 

Every year, the EMCB brings together some of the most respected minds in marketing, globally  – academics and practitioners, as well as doctoral students - to share their insights on marketing in emerging economies.This year, Wits Business School (WBS) in South Africa is proud to host this prestigious four-day event.

“The goal of the annual EMCB conference is to advance the understanding of marketing in emerging markets and facilitate collaboration on emerging markets research.  It offers stimulating discussion amongst thought leaders from around the globe who are engaged in emerging markets research,” says Professor Steve Burgess, Marketing Professor at Wits Business School.   “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to host the EMBC 2018 and equally pleased that so many leading South African and international scholars are donating their time to track and session chairs during the conference.”

Burgess’s co-chair of the conference is renowned marketing scholar Professor Naresh Malhotra from the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and founder of the EMCB.  In addition, a number of highly respected international faculty will be speaking at the conference, including Professor Jan-Benedict E.M. Steenkamp, University of North Carolina (USA), Professor Charles R. Taylor, Villanova University of Business in Pennsylvania (USA), Professor Ruth Bolton, Arizona State University (USA) and Professor Rajiv Vaidyanathan, University of Minnesota Duluth.

The conference, on 6 and 7 April, will be preceded by the doctoral colloquium on 4 and 5 April.

“The conference is intended to be transformative.  Doctoral students conducting research in emerging markets, especially Africa, and their supervisors will have the opportunity to attend doctoral seminars presented by the people that they read about in textbooks and in leading journals,” says Burgess.

The Conference has also attracted a number of high-profile marketing faculty from South Africa, Ghana and Dubai to chair tracks, or breakaway sessions.  Tracks include a diverse range of topics, including brand management, communicating across the digital divide, services marketing and retailing, marketing strategy and analytics, consumer psychology, and relationship marketing, social connectedness and consumer networks, among others.

“It’s an exciting area of research. The majority of humanity resides in emerging markets and, in this next generation, it is reasonable to conclude that more half of the world’s economic development will take place there. New research is taking us into new directions that embrace a more diverse set of assumptions and worldviews,” notes Burgess.

For South African marketing practitioners, the EMCB 2018 will be a golden opportunity to engage with top marketing authorities from around the world and be a part of the development of new ideas, knowledge and research.

For more information about the conference, visit www.embc2018.co.za.

African Utility Week returns to Cape Town in May

Energy expert Ted Blom believes distributed generation will slice electricity costs by up to 90% for the average household.

Blom is a speaker and advisory board member of the 18th African Utility Week that is taking place from 15-17 May in Cape Town, South Africa.

In the run-up to the event, he says in an interview that “South Africa and the world is at the precipice of revolutionary developments in energy generation and distribution, and the next 5 -10 years will render such dramatic changes that today's energy supply chain will not be recognisable, especially with the advent of distributed generation, which in many instances will kill off centralised ‘bulk’ generation and distribution. I believe this move will slice electricity costs by up to 90% for the average household, and be a boom industry for participants in the energy revolution, with concomitant radical improvements in standards of living.”

Parliamentary investigation into Eskom
Last year, the independent energy expert also testified before the South African Parliament’s inquiry into Eskom’s governance: “the Parliamentary Energy subcommittee investigation is a refreshing attempt to decipher what has gone wrong at Eskom since it was ‘commercialised’ in 2001. However, any results will only highlight that prosecution and clean-ups are long overdue, as the committee is powerless to take punitive action against wrongdoers.”

Blom also conducted forensic reviews on the Medupi, Ingula and Kusile power station contracts, “but that work is far from complete and dramatically short of resources. Another milestone is the completion of the legal preparatory work to have the first Tegeta coal supply agreement terminated, but again the action has been suspended for unknown reasons. The other two Tegeta coal supply agreements should also be terminated, but it seems South Africans do not have the political staying power to exercise their rights, with the result that Tegeta has managed to get Eskom to further increase coal supply prices, beyond the already outrageous prices- which eventually feed into new higher electricity prices. So while we appear to be winning on the ‘small stage’, we are falling further behind on the ‘Big Stage’".

“Nuclear deal will be pushed through”
With regards to the pending decision on the nuclear deal, Ted Blom says: “I am convinced that the nuclear deal will be pushed through the moment South African citizens take their ‘eye off the ball’. Zuma's government has already confirmed that it is beholden to the Russian deal, and their delivery of those contracts to Russia is allegedly behind. So expect renewed vigour from Eskom and the Department of Energy to bulldoze these through.”

The full interview with Ted Blom can be read here: http://www.african-utility-week.com/TedBlom-interview African Utility Week endeavours to provide a platform for dialogue in the industry and the views and opinions of event speakers and advisory board members do not necessarily reflect the views or position of the organisers.

Award-winning energy platform
The 18th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes in the power, energy and water sectors on the continent. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers. The conference programme will address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water.

The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical workshop programme that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations.

Industry support
Already the event has secured support from leading industry players including Landis+Gyr, Hexing South Africa as platinum sponsors while water expert company Sensus is a gold sponsor.

African Utility Week is the flagship energy event organised by the multi-award winning Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other well-known energy events by Spintelligent are Future Energy Nigeria and Future Energy East Africa. 

In 2017, African Utility Week was named the joint winner for the AAXO Award for Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category (with the World Travel Market). Co-located to African Utility Week is another AAXO award winner for best confex, the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit, an international platform that brings together the full spectrum of the African real estate and infrastructure sectors.

Dates for African Utility Week:
Conference and expo: 15-17 May 2018
Awards gala dinner:  16 May 2018
Site visits: 18 May 2018
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com & www.african-real-estate-summit.com    
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities   #AUW2018  
Linkedin: African Utility Week

Contact: Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More than 95% of delegate who  attended last year’s  Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crime Conference – organised by Trade Conferences International  (TCI) - said yes they will attended the 2017 follow up event.Now back by popular demand is the third installment of one of TCI’s signature events.

Attended by nearly 200 delegates last year, this year’s event - taking place on 08 & 09 November at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg - come with a revamped programme, including crucial topics on sanctions, updated regulation and its impact, and enforcement.

This is the most comprehensive AML event to be held this year!

This two-day event will bring delegates closer to the real issues and real challenges facing banking professional dealing with AML, financial crime, compliance and governance.We have the best speakers covered.

This year’s exclusive speaker panel that will consist of more than 20 top AML experts including Standard Bank, Sasfin, Barclays, Clientele, the Financial Intelligence Centre and many more. Plus voted as best speaker last year as well as Era Gunning, Director from ENS Africa who was voted as the best, is back on the speaker panel!Recent headlines such as the amendments to the FIC Act, fines that certain banks received due to non-compliance  and the fact that the National Treasury is in the process of setting up a committee to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism in line with the FICA , underlines the importance of attending this conference.

Join TCI at this inaugural conference which will provide delegates/attendees with the knowledge to overcome the obstacles to negotiate complete AML compliance.To find out more about the conference and registration procedures contact the Project Managers, Xavier Dipedi on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit http://www.tci-sa.co.za/. You can also contact us on 011 803-1553.

Johannesburg - High level representatives of companies such as ADRA, PASA, Debt Rescue, Callforce, MFSA, Consumer Profile Bureau, Cornerstone Performance Solutions, Flemix & Associates, OVAG SA, Burnard Raaff & Associates and Tenacity Financial Services and more to be attendance at the third annual Debt Collection Conference 2017.

The event, to be held on 6 & 7 September 2017 at Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg, and hosted by Trade Conferences International (TCI), aims to attract professional dealing with debt collection, debt management, credit risk, debt & credit control, legal debt counselling & advisory, credit management as well as collection management and implementation.

Themes to be addresses includes current SA debt collection landscape,developing and managing strategies,focusing on customer engagement, credit risk management, governance, compliance and legal framework, new technology for efficient debt collection as well as the state, evolution and future of credit & debt collection industry.

Michandre Malan – Senior Project Manager at Trade Conferences International - said TCI has organised more than 400 events in the last fourteen years. Since we hosted the first Debt Collection in 2013, the event attracted over a 600 registered delegates and over 100 exhibiting companies includes: ABSA, African Bank, CrediCor, DirectAxis, Discovery, HTN Attorneys, PayM8, NRB Risk Solutions, Nedbank, FNB, Standard Bank, Uni-Collect, Woolworths Financial Services and more.This years’ conference is expected to attract over a 150 delegates. 

“TCI is your technology event organiser of choice and we believe that the event will be a success. We understand technology and have the ability to identify the right audience to showcase the latest technology developments in different industries. The event will allow both exhibitors and delegates an opportunity to network and explore new developments in the debt collection and credit risk industry.”

 Normal Registration fee: R8 600,00  + VAT = R9 804.00 p.p.

12% Discount: Group registration fee for 3 or more delegates: R7 568.00 + VAT = R8 627.52 p.p.

20% Discount Group registration fee for 5 or more delegates: R 6 880.00 + VAT = R7 843.20 p.p.

How to get invovled with this TCi signuture event:

To register as a delegate email Michandre Malan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Exhibition enquiries are handled by Jason Joseph This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call both on 011 803 1553.

More than 35 of South Africa and the world’s top experts on issues relating to plastic piping, water infrastructure and engineering will be presenting at this year’s PIPES XI Conference – an annual event hosted by the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA).

This year’s event will be unlike any other event the association has ever hosted and promises to be an unforgettable experience.

“We are extremely privileged to be hosting our conference this year in conjunction with the Plastic Pipe Conference Association (PPCA). It will be a two-day event taking place on the 4th and 5th of September 2017 at Emperor’s Palace Convention Centre, conveniently located close to the OR Tambo Airport in Gauteng. In addition to the line-up of top national and international speakers we would normally have at our conference, this year’s PIPES XI also see at least 10 of the best papers which were presented at PIPES XVIII in Berlin last year, delivered to our local audience,” says Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA.

Every two years, the PPCA plays host to the world’s biggest international pipe conference which takes place either in Europe or the USA. Venter explains that it is the first time in history that their spin-off conference, which is organised every alternate year, will be coming to South Africa.

"The excitement over the event is tremendous. We have already sold an impressive amount of tickets and are hoping to have more than 300 delegates attending both days,” Venter says.

As an added incentive, SAPPMA is offering an early bird booking discount of 10 % for all bookings and payments made online (www.pipesxiconference.co.za) before the 31st of May 2017.Topics that will be covered at this year’s event are varied, ranging from raw materials and additives to the life cycle and material design of plastic pipes. Installations, applications and rehabilitations as well as standards, testing and certification, and various case studies will also be addressed.

The opening keynote address will be delivered by Dr Roelof Botha, a local economist of the GOPA Group, after which various delegate can select to listen to presentations in two break-away sessions. International speakers who will be presenting on Day 1 (Monday, 4 September) include Zoran Davidovski of Pipelife International (presenting on behalf of TEPPFA in Austria) on “Main barriers to plastic pipes”, Tony Radoszewski of PPI in the USA, on “Manufacturing and Infrastructure in the Age of Trump”, Bruce Hollands of the PVC Pipe Association in the USA on “Life Cycle assessment of PVC Water and Sewer pipe and comparative sustainability analysis of pipe materials and Jean-Pierre De Grève of PVC4Pipes in Belgium on “Evolution and benefits of PVC pipes”, to name but a few. 

The day’s activities will end with cocktail function and entertainment, before the Day 2 (Tuesday, 5 September 2017), will see more local and international speakers, including Dane Tallen of Baerlocher in Germany, Dr Predrag Micic of Qenos, Australia, Rob Spekreÿse of Rollepaal in the Netherlands and Robin Bresser representing Borealis in Austria take to the stage. Final closing remarks will be made by Zoran Davidovski.

“We cannot emphasise enough the importance of this event, and encourage local engineers, students, specifiers and decision makers on all levels to make the most of this opportunity to be exposed to this kind of professionalism and expertise. We would never be able to host such a big event without the support of our industry and would like to particularly thank the sponsors (Macneil Plastics, Sun Ace, Rollepaal, Van Ryn Rubber, Hultec, AENOR-CEIS, Baerlocher, Marley Pipe Systems, Zerma Africa, Molecor/Sizabanthu Piping Systems, DPI Plastics, PipeFlo, Plastiweld and Plastics|SA) who are making it possible for us to host this event and keep the delegate fees as low as possible.

* SAPPMA and IFPA members: R2 600 pp (excluding VAT)

* Non-members: R3 500 pp (excluding VAT)

* Group bookings (5 delegates or more): R1 900 pp 

For more information about the speakers, programme of events or to register, visit www.pipesxiconference.co.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

By participating in B2B meetings at the renowned South African international trade fair, SMEs in the water & power utility sector can benefit from EU support. This opportunity will help them expand their businesses abroad.

The next Business Beyond Borders business connections event will take place in Cape Town (South Africa) at African Utility Week (AUW), a leading water and power utility trade fair, in May 2017. Business Beyond Borders (BBB) is a European Commission initiative to help EU businesses, in particular Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Clusters, operate internationally with the ultimate goal of increasing economic growth within and outside Europe.

A series of business connections events are being organised to bring together SMEs and representatives from relevant clusters, with potential trading partners from Europe and abroad with the aim of assisting businesses to access new international markets.

After a first successful business connections session at the Genera fair, which took place in the beginning of March in Madrid, BBB turns its attention to the biggest trade fair on the African continent. Hosting thousands of visitors each other, AUW is known for a strong representation of EU companies at the event, hosting national pavilions for Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium and Czech Republic.

Welcoming the upcoming BBB event, Commissioner Karmenu Vella said “By helping EU green SMEs operate internationally and by promoting green partnerships in target sectors, this Business Beyond Borders (BBB) business connections event at African Utility Week will help preserve our natural resources, promote clean energy and drive growth through a circular economy.”

Thanks to the large network of partners and support entities, a unique package is being made available to businesses across the world in the water and power utility sector wishing to take part in AUW as members of the Business Beyond Borders delegation:

- Business meetings perfectly matching each BBB delegate needs and preferences
- Access to five technical sessions in the strategic conference, one of which organised by EREF specifically on hydropower
- A convenient business connections area at the heart of the trade fair, with free access to the side conferences during the fair
- Access to an international and well placed worldwide network, including several EU-funded support schemes
- Possibility to present your company and technology in the "Demo zone" stage 
- Possibility to participate in the Project and Country Spotlight sessions to access the newest project opportunities on the African continent
- Professional assistance on the spot to make the participation tailored to the needs of each BBB delegate
- Post event assistance and survey, to support the BBB delegates even after the participation in the event  

The registration is now open at http://www.african-utility-week.com/bbbmatchmakingMore than 200 companies are expected to attend the B2B Meetings in the dedicated BBB area. Business Beyond Borders, maximising your business connections experience at African Utility Week 2017!  

- ENDS -  

Contact: Ana Oliveira, LOW Europe: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NOTES TO EDITORS: African Utility Week:
The only global meeting place, conference and trade exhibition for African power and water utility professionals. Organised annually by Spintelligent, African Utility Week offers a unique networking opportunity for engineers, stakeholders and solution providers alike.

The 17th edition of African Utility Week will take place from 16 to 18 May, 2017, and will host thousands of business from all over the world looking to trade and grow. The main sectors covered within African Utility Week are products and services for the power, water and waste management utilities industry: power generation, T&D, metering, clean technology, finance, reliability, water supply or energy efficiency.

The Business Beyond Borders Consortium:
EUROCHAMBRES: The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry represents over 20 million businesses in Europe – 98% of which are SMEs – through members in 43 countries and a network of 1700 regional and local Chambers.
EMECA: The European Major Exhibition Centres Association unites 22 leading exhibition venues in Europe. They provide businesses with an excellent infrastructure and outstanding information networks. The 22 EMECA Members organise and host 1,769 exhibitions a year, both in Europe and all over the globe, with more than 350,000 exhibitors and over 41,5 million visitors.
UFI: The leading global association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations. UFI represents 700 member organisations in 83 countries around the world. Over 900 international trade fairs bear the UFI quality label.
LOW: A strategic communications consultancy based in Brussels, with a network of associates across Europe. We specialise in creating policy-rich events; managing complex programmes; PR and all types of marketing communications; and EU related public affairs.

Visit us: www.businessbeyondborders.info @EU_BBB #EUBBB Business Beyond Borders is an initiative funded by the European Commission and coordinated by Eurochambres.

“Enriching lives in the era of energy intelligence”

Huawei, the well-known global information and telecommunication giant, has signed a platinum sponsorship with African Utility Week, the leading conference and trade exhibition for African power, energy and water professionals, taking place from 16-18 May 2017 in Cape Town. The company will also be the lead sponsor of the African Utility Week Industry Awards.

Additionally, Huawei will host its 5th Huawei Power Summit, where Huawei will demonstrate its industry-leading solutions. This summit will be co-located at African Utility Week on 17 May from 14h00 – 18h00. The main theme for Huawei’s showcase this year is “Leading New ICT, The Road To Smart Grid” and will host its exhibition area in Auditorium 2.

Mr. Jerry Ji (Xiang)  is President of Energy Industry at Huawei’s Enterprise Business Group: “Huawei hopes that through Africa's most influential energy expo, we will better understand the needs of our customers and integrate Huawei's latest solutions and practices into smart grids to help the African power companies achieve safe, efficient operations and green sustainable development, and thus enriching lives in the era of energy intelligence.”

“We have been honoured to have Huawei as a long-term partner with not only African Utility Week, but also our regional power shows on the continent,” says event director Evan Schiff, adding: “we are thrilled that they have chosen to expand their investment in the show, and we believe this is testament to the value we offer to our esteemed partners. We take our task of gathering the best in the industry to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes very seriously and as market leader, Huawei should be part of that conversation. We look forward to their contribution in May.”

Real world doers share their expertise
The 17th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to source the latest solutions and meet over 300 suppliers. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a five track conference with over 300 expert speakers. The conference programme will once again address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water. These include two exclusive plenary keynote sessions featuring the most sought-after international speakers.

The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical programme sessions that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations.

The fourth edition of the African Utility Week Power Industry Awards brings together 800 of Africa’s most renowned power and water industry professionals. The Power Industry Awards is the leading gathering to recognise, reward and celebrate the successes of Africa’s power and water sectors during 2016/17.

Energy Revolution Africa will provide a unique forum for solution providers to meet with the new energy purchasers such as metros and municipalities, IPPs, rural electrification project developers and large power users, including mines, commercial property developers and industrial manufacturers. The latest innovations and projects in the sectors of renewables, future technology, energy efficiency, micro/off-grid and energy storage will be showcased.

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Huawei has also been a longstanding supporter of another flagship event of Spintelligent, formerly known as WAPIC (West African Power Industry Convention) in Lagos, and rebranding as Future Energy Nigeria and returning in November this year.

Other leading events in Spintelligent’s power portfolio are Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC), Future Energy Uganda and Future Energy Central Africa.

Dates for African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa:
Conference and expo: 16-18 May 2017
Awards gala dinner:  17 May 2016
Site visits: 19 May 2016
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Websites: http://www.african-utility-week.com   
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities  
Linkedin: African Power Forum

Contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) is proud to announce that it has confirmed three of the world’s leading experts on PVC as speakers ahead of its Vinyls SA 2017 Conference that will be taking place on Wednesday, 7 June 2017 at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.  

According to SAVA CEO, Delanie Bezuidenhout, this year’s event will build on the success of the Association’s first Vinyls SA 2014 Conference that took place on the back of the Global Vinyls Council’s (GVC) first bi-annual meeting hosted on the African continent.  

“Our first conference attracted more than 100 delegates from around the country and as far afield as Argentina! Like the first event, delegates who will be attending this year’s event can again look forward to a full and varied programme of original papers and presentations by visiting international and local experts who will be sharing the stage and their expertise on various matters relating to manufacturing, use and recycling of PVC,” Delanie says.  

Local and international PVC experts share the stage  

“This year, we are pleased to confirm that several of the world’s leading experts will be returning to South Africa to present their latest findings and research as it relates to PVC,” Delanie says. Confirmed speakers for the Vinyls SA 2017 conference include:  

• Peter Willis – Senior Associate, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) who will be delivering the key-note address on the day.
• Ian Lilja – of the Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA), who will be delivering an update on the VCA Product Stewardship Programme
• Dr Brigitte Dero – General Manager of the European Council for Vinyl Manufacturers and VinylsPlus, who will be providing an expert overview of the European Regulatory and Policy Context
• Gerhard Kuhn – Senior Economist at the IDC, who will be looking at the South African Economy and the various opportunities and challenges it presents for the local PVC industry.
• Renier Snyman – DPI Plastics: SABS? SANS? SATAS? Navigating the world of standards!  

Industry Awards  

A highlight of the conference will be an awards session where SAVA will recognize the achievements and contributions made by individuals and SAVA member companies within the PVC industry. 

“We will be issuing the call for nominations shortly and are extremely excited about the awards session, a first for our industry, and also see it as an opportunity to publicly thank and recognize those industry champions who are passionate about guiding the PVC industry to achieve the goals we have set in terms of sustainability,” Delanie explains.  

Opportunity to get involved 

SAVA has issued a call for papers to the PVC industry and conference organisers are currently working through the submissions. The final programme will be released in April. “However, we will still consider late submissions if the content is topical, relevant and presents and interesting point of view,” Delanie says. 

Other ways in which to get involved in the Vinyls SA 2017 event, is through making the most of the various sponsorship opportunities available. 

“We have various packages available for companies who want to partner with us in the hosting of this prestigious event,” Delanie says.  Packages range from R50 000 for a Headline Sponsor, to R5 000 for a Bronze sponsorship. Limited exhibition opportunities are also available, as are advertising opportunities in the conference programme.   

“We know that the vinyls industry both locally and internationally is on the cusp of having to make important changes as it faces various challenges in an ever-evolving arena. The timing of this year’s event is therefore critical.  We encourage everybody who is in some way involved in, or associated with, the PVC industry to attend Vinyl SA 2017 as we learn from international best practice models, but also chart a way forward for our own course,” Delanie concludes.   

For more information or to register, visit www.savinyls.co.za or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

The Plastic Pipes Conference Association (PPCA) has announced dates and venue for its two spin-off conferences and exhibitions in South Africa and China for this year. The first event in South Africa will be held on 4 -5 September 2017 at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. The second will be hosted in Hangzhou, China on 26-27 October 2017.

The PPCA is organizing these events in close collaboration with the respective plastic pipe associations, namely the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) and the China Plastics Piping Association (CPPA). In South Africa, the conference will be held in conjunction with PIPES XI, the annual plastic pipes event organized by SAPPMA. At least ten papers will be included from the international Plastic Pipes Conference held in Berlin during 2016. For this reason, the duration of PIPES XI has been extended to two days.

Zoran Davidovski, spokesman for the events forecasts large attendances. “Our industry is in a constant process of innovative change as it finds new solutions for replacing aging steel and concrete pipe systems. In the midst of these improvements, industry and government are faced with the need for new technical standards.”

“Our conferences will showcase new developments and enable stakeholders to consider the international work that has been carried out in the field of standards, sustainability and experience. This will be particularly interesting for the South Africa and China markets.”

The Baerlocher Group is one of the major sponsors of both regional conferences. Molecor and Rollepaal have also confirmed their sponsorship participation at the Johannesburg event.

For South Africa, full details of program, registration, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities will be posted shortly on their website: www.sappma.co.za  

The CPPA will similarly publish the relevant information on: http://www.ppia-china.com/en/aboutme.asp?types=SQ  

Further Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Note to editors: Member associations of the PPCA are the PE 100+ Association, Plastics Pipe Institute, PVC4Pipes and The European Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (TEPPFA). PPCA conferences and exhibitions are self-financing and any profits re-invested in future conferences, educational tools or “spin-off” events