The first ISBC to be held in Africa, the 37th ISBC, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 15-18 September 2012.
Fostering small business in new and high-potential industries worldwide.
Staged on a continent that is generally recognised as the next economic frontier, offering significant economic opportunities to entrepreneurs both on the continent and beyond, the 37th ISBC will seek to analyse those industries, around the world, that offer entirely new opportunities and those existing industries that offer high-growth opportunities for small businesses.
The congress will deliberate on the types of policies, strategies, programmes and institutional frameworks needed to ensure that small businesses are effectively enabled to participate meaningfully in emerging and future economic opportunities worldwide.
In awarding the 37th ISBC to South Africa, the ISBC Steering Committee stated: "As various African countries, including South Africa, begin to enhance their presence in the world economy, it will be of great significance to hold ISBC in South Africa."
The International Small Business Congress (ISBC) gathers individuals from governments (policymakers), small business support agencies, entrepreneurs, business membership organisations, academia, financial institutions, international development agencies and various others with an interest in entrepreneurship and small business development around the world to discuss issues pertinent to the promotion of entrepreneurship and small business worldwide.
Delegates exchange ideas on approaches, experiences and lessons learnt in implementing policy measures and support programmes for entrepreneurship and small business growth. Participants also forge global networks and contacts through which they continue to exchange information and ideas long after the Congress.
Since the first Congress held in Hawaii in 1974, the ISBC has hosted thirty-six annual congresses in different parts of the world, enabling entrepreneurship and small business promoters to gain exposure to different contexts, thereby enriching their own practice in their home countries. Each congress brings a strong host country flavour while at the same time showcasing leading practices from around the world. Participants leave each congress with a great deal of information on the state of entrepreneurship and small business promotion worldwide.
ISBC 2012 offers a rich programme with the following core elements:
· Plenaries and break-away sessions
· A dedicated ISBC exhibition
· A youth enterprise Congress
· Social and networking events
· Pre- and post-Congress sightseeing opportunities
For more details on the Congress programme, please see the Draft Programme at http://www.isbc2012.org/
Date: 15 September 2012
to 18 September 2012
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
