Marketing & Media News South Africa

Johannesburg to host IPRA in 2015

The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) World Congress will be held in Johannesburg at the Sandton Convention Centre on 27-29 September 2015, following a successful bid by the combined efforts of Joburg Convention Bureau, the Gauteng Convention Bureau and the South African National Convention Bureau.
Johannesburg to host IPRA in 2015

A major accomplishment

Executive Mayor, Mpho Parks Tau describes the success as an accomplishment and pride to the city's residents. "Hosting the public relations practitioners, who are gurus of reputational standards of corporations, organisations and destinations is a great honour," says Councillor Tau.

"Following a successful run of hosting some high profile events in 2013 - including the Metropolis Congress in May, the One Young World Summit in October and the World Anti-doping Agency Conference in November - we're thrilled to have secured the bid for IPRA 2015," says Pumla Ntsele, Joburg Convention Bureau manager.

Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, South African National Convention's executive manager adds, "International association conferences hosted in South Africa not only bring economic injection to our country but also build our knowledge economy. IPRA creates an opportunity for South Africa to be profiled internationally as a world class convention destination."

South African organisations, PRISA conference

The South African organisations that are involved with this project are The Council for Communication Management (CCM), The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA), The Department of Communication (DoC), South African Airways (SAA), South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB), Gauteng Convention Bureau and the Johannesburg Convention Bureau.

PRISA will be running its annual national conference as part of the IPRA World Congress. PRISA has enjoyed a long relationship with IPRA and its local South African members.

Johanna McDowell, IPRA President 2012 and now congress chairman for the 2015 World Congress says, "It has been wonderful to have the support of South Africa and the local organisations in order to host this congress. Without the support of PRISA and CCM, IPRA would not have been able to move forward with this bid."

IPRA 2013 President, Christophe Ginisty concludes, "We were pleased to award our 2015 Congress to Johannesburg, as we saw its enthusiasm and ability to host this important event as a critical selection criterion for IPRA."

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