Sapoa CEO Brian Kirchmann says the convention, which will take place from May 18-20, is expected to draw a record 1000 delegates. There were about 850 delegates at last year’s convention held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

With SA being rated the top country out of 14 developed markets in terms of its commercial property total returns, Kirchmann says Sapoa is encouraging foreign investors to come into SA.

Sapoa showcases opportunities in the property market at property conferences such as the Mipim Expo, held in Cannes in March each year. At this year’s expo the trade and industry department sponsored a South African stand, which attracted a lot more interest than usual, says Kirchmann.

"In addition to that there is the Expo Real, which will take place in Munich in October this year, at which we will again showcase South African opportunities," he says.

Kirchmann says Sapoa has invited delegates from the US and Europe to attend Sapoa’s convention this year.

"The commercial property industry is in a vibrant and interesting phase and this year’s convention has attracted an array of excellent speakers from various disciplines who will focus on the theme ‘The Property Age’," he says.

Public Works Deputy Minister Ntopile Kganyogo will officially open the convention. The keynote speaker is Prof Gill Marcus, former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank. Marcus is head of policy leadership and gender studies at the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

Other speakers include Hischam El-Agamy, director of corporate development at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, who be will be discussing SA in the world of competitiveness.

Rudolf Gouws, chief economist of Rand Merchant Bank, will address the question of whether the property market can sustain its growth surge and give a presentation on property’s economic and financial market outlook.

The conference will also offer six parallel sessions on issues relevant to the industry. One of the panels, which will focus on the listed property sector and securitisation, will comprise Andisa Securities property analyst Len van Niekerk, listed property specialist Liliane Barnard and Nick Job of Absa Corporate & Merchant Bank.

There will also be a panel focusing on transformation.

This panel will be chaired by Derek Muller, chairman of the Banking Council, and will include Danisa Baloyi of DB Consulting, and Musa Ngcobo, chairman of Sapoa’s property charter committee.

Publisher: Business Day
Source: Business Day