Durban is set to benefit from an economic windfall of “hundreds of millions of rand” in direct and indirect investment from Africa's biggest technology conference, Microsoft's Tech-Ed and Partner Summit 2011 event in mid-October, says the Durban KwaZulu-Natal convention bureau.
The conference, which is expected to draw more than 4 000 people to Durban, runs from 17-20 October at the ICC. The eThekwini Municipality will be hosting the opening reception for the event.
James Seymour, the interim CEO of the Durban KwaZulu-Natal convention bureau, said the event was critical in terms of boosting the city and the province as a significant business tourism destination, in particular for technology-related conferences.
“It's well-known that business tourists often return as leisure tourists, and a good conference experience can turn delegates into 'word of mouth' ambassadors for a city,” said Seymour.
Microsoft SA managing director Mteto Nyati said the decision to stage the event in Durban again was further recognition of eThekwini's growing importance as an economic destination, and based on 'great feedback' from delegates.
“This event is just another step in Microsoft's growing association with the city. Tech-Ed Africa and Partner Summit are the premier events on the local IT industry calendar, and the ICC and the city are proving to be a fitting platform,” said Nyati.
Tech-Ed Africa and Partner Summit have traditionally been run as separate events, but will this year be staged concurrently for the first time. Another smaller event, Microsoft's CIO Summit, will be hosted at the Oyster Box Hotel at the same time, and is expected to draw 100 of the country's top chief information officers.
Tech-Ed Africa is aimed at IT professionals and developers, and provides an in-depth, highly-technical roadmap of new and upcoming technologies that Microsoft believes will help IT professionals and developers to help their organisations save money and improve efficiencies.
While it's seen as an event where serious work gets done, with learning and sharing being key, it is also an opportunity for the IT guys to let down their hair and enjoy the many wonders of the City of Durban, said Nyati.
Partner Summit brings together Microsoft's leading resellers, service providers and technology partners, and culminates in the prestigious Partner Awards gala dinner.
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