THE South African Sports Conference 2004 will take place in East London on 22 and 23 March 2004 at the Regent Hotel on the beachfront. The event coincides with the SA Games to be held in the city.

Delegates from more than 100 sporting bodies and most major companies involved in the business of sport are expected to attend the conference, the main focus of which will be the business of sport within the South Africa sporting industry, both on and off the field. Sponsorship will form a large part of the discussion.

Topics include: Television and Radio Packaging, a Partnership for Sponsors; a talk on Transformation in Sport, by Brian van Rooyen (SA Rugby); Property and Intellectual Rights vs the Acquisition Rights of the Federation; a talk on Marketing and Advertising: a Challenge in Sports Development, by Thebe Ikalafeng of the Brand Leadership Group; a discussion on Building Emerging Sports into National Brands, by Monde Tabata of Megapro Marketing; a Sponsorship Workshop conducted by Jimmy Motsei of Maru Sponsorship and a case study on Total's Involvement in Football, by Grant Nichols of Papadi.

More than 300 delegates attended the inaugural South African Sports Conference in 2002 at Helderfontein in Midrand, Gauteng which was voted an unprecedented success.

This year's interactive event, officially endorsed by the South African Sports Commission, is expected to attract delegates involved in all aspects of South African sport, including marketing, sponsorship, branding and law as well as sports management and administration.

The conference also offers advertising, marketing, exhibition and promotional opportunities, says co-ordinator Michael Franck. Attendance costs R1 750 plus VAT.

For more information and bookings, contact Michael Franck at (021) 462-1023 or (082) 399-5700.