Cape Town and CTIC will Host the 19th International Congress of Aesthetic Medicine in 2013

A recent announcement to host the 19th International Congress of Aesthetic Medicine in 2013 in Cape Town, raises the total number of bids won over the past few months to four. The international association market is giving Cape Town the thumbs up!

Stiff competition saw Cape Town selected as the preferred host destination over South Korea. Leading the bid preparations, the team at the Cape Town Convention Bureau (a strategic business unit of Cape Town Routes Unlimited) offered its remarks: "For the destination it is a proud moment. We remain committed to lending our complete support to making this congress a truly memorable experience. The international association market is ripe for the picking. In the face of persistent challenges, such successes speak of the destination's determination to actively counteract a crippling economic slowdown," noted CEO Calvyn Gilfellan. "With growing interdependency and strengthened partnerships in the meetings industry, the bureau's achievement is truly shared," he added.

Following the announcement, by Dr. Rieke Smit, founding member of the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa (AAMSSA) and Chairperson of the bidding committee, the congress will see over 2000 medical practitioners converge in Cape Town. The event is set to focus delegates on the latest advances and research in aesthetic and cosmetic Procedures. "I am positive that hosting this event in 2013, will give us enough time to recover from the economic crises and to market this event adequately" commented Smit.

The latest win follows hot on the heels of three other successful bids for leading international conferences, and is further testament to CTICC's popularity as a competitive long haul international convention centre. Cape Town and the CTICC will play host to the Children's Hospice 20th World Congress in 2009, World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuropathology in 2011 and the World Dairy Summit in 2012. The economic spin off of these events is expected to be in the region of R 42 million.

According to CTICC Managing Director, Dirk Elzinga, "As a destination, Cape Town is fortunate in this present international conference market climate to have secured these events." Since inception, CTICC has focused on targeting the associations market. "The market is fairly recession proof and is less likely to be affected by the economic cycle," Elzinga said. This popularity can only further increase if CTICC's capacity is extended in the years to come.

Issued by the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau

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