Get ready for International Media Forum 2008

The forum, held for the first time in SA in 2006 at the Sandton Convention Centre and attended by close to 1000 delegates, was embraced by representatives from BBC, CNN, CBNC Europe, Al-Jazeera International, The Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine, to name but a few.

Who will speak?

According to organisers this year's list of international speakers include The Economist deputy editor Emma Duncan, Financial Times Africa editor William Wallis, The Hindustan Times of India foreign editor Amit Baruah and New York Times Africa correspondent Celia Dugger.

CNN Johannesburg bureau chief Kim Norgaard, Reuters Africa editor John Chiahman, Virgin Atlantic director of communications Paul Charles and Mike de Vries are also due to speak at the high-profile event.

De Vries is the man who was behind the promotion of Germany before the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Apart from keynote speeches from eminent media, business and political personalities, discussion panels and workshops are also conducted to shed some light on a number of burning topics (such as unfair and biased coverage of Africa by western media), to foster dialogue between participants and inculcate media and communication's specialist knowledge to the minds of delegates.

“In just two days delegates will gain the kind of media understanding, training and contacts, which would otherwise take weeks if not months and a significant financial investment in PR to achieve,” IMFSA says in its website.

“In the run-up to the 2010 World Cup, we will discuss how both Government and business media relations can be improved to support the future economic development of SA.

“Effective communication, PR and contact with the media should be an essential part of any organisations' marketing and reputation management strategy.”

Who should attend?

According to IMFSA, the forum will suit strategists, senior executives and communications and marketing professionals in business, government and parastatals.

Besides, anyone with a concern or opinion on how SA is covered in international media, and is interested in meeting important editors from the foreign press is also welcome to attend, Parkison says.

Book your place now to avoid disappointment and last-minute rush. The discount for early birds' registration ends on Thursday 31 January and will not be extended.

For more information, email Fergal Parkinson at , Lerato at or go to www.internationalmediaforumsa.com. Bizcommunity.com is a media partner.