Live Event Technical and Production Conference 2017

All systems go for the third annual Live Event Technical & Production Conference (LETPC 2017) - 12 speakers, three days.

Africa's first and only Live Event Technical & Production Conference will take place this week from Thursday, 18 May until Saturday, 20 May 2017 at the Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.

This year's conference hosts 12 speakers and a panel of (local and international) experts. This first of its kind and ground-breaking conference gathers relevant stakeholders, professionals and practitioners in the events, technical and production sector which are estimated to contribute approximately 5% to South Africa's GDP.

LEPTC 2017 will see stakeholders including Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Department of Arts and Culture, representatives from the education sectors, along with local industry leaders and international market leaders address the delegates and panels discussing amongst other pertinent sector issues, the need for the yet to be achieved critical upgrade of skills qualifications and training (increase entry level from matric to NQF five), skills development to match international standards, skills interventions, industry transformation and establishment of a training academy.

Industry topics that will be addressed by international and local market leaders range from:
•Investing in skills - securing the future workforce
•Learning, change and risk: 'Citizenship for the 21st Century'
•Transformation in the Arts
•Apprenticeships - New Approaches to the development of the industry in the UK
•Perspective into the Nigerian, Kenyan and Ghanaian live event technical production industry
•Safety and risk management for the entertainment industry
•BBB-EE for transformation in the sector

“Coincidentally this conference returns at the time when there are loud and poignant calls for radical transformation in our economy and the continent generally. There remains in South Africa great resistance to transformation notwithstanding the clear outcomes, industry support and evidence that transformation must happen especially to create the requisite skills, jobs and entrepreneurship outcomes sought. SARA greatly appreciates the support from Department of Arts and Culture, industry leaders and others stakeholders. SARA's call to achieve these goals remains steady and robust.” said Freddie Nyathela, South African Roadies Association President.

LETPC officials hope that this year's significant gathering will have the following impact on the clearly set outcomes over the past two years:
-Sign-off the increase of skills qualifications to NQF 5 (entry level management)
-Mobilise robust public-private partnerships to establish the training academy
-Foreign equipment manufacturer training and investments in SA
-Sector development and transformation.

“This conference has played a vital role towards social cohesion and racial integration in the industry. So far; our voices are finally being heard and change is gradually happening; global positioning of the industry has been achieved. This is evident from the support LETPC is receiving from our international counterparts and industry experts.” - Sharif Baker; LETPC Spokesperson.

Confirmed speakers for LETPC 2017:
•Sara Whybrew - Creative and Cultural Skills (UK)
•Mamela Nyanza - Dancer, Choreographer and Arts Activists (South Africa)
•Andy Lenthall - Production Services Association (UK)
•Myke Rabar - Homeboyz Group (Kenya)
•Falco Zanini - VPLT (Germany)
•Brenda Ntombela - HRDC Secretariat (SA)
•Sharif Baker - LETPC Official (South Africa)
•Roderick Van Gelder - Stage Safety (Australia)
•Advocate Chijioke Okorie - Penguide Associates/2Nite Entertainment (Nigeria)
•Sami Helwani - Mastermix Production Limited (Ghana)
•Barry Masoga - The Education Industry Exchange (South Africa)
•Liso Steto - Department of Trade and Industries (South Africa)
•Glen Rowe - Backstage Academy (UK)
•Dumisani Nkomo - Chairman of Tshwane North TVET College (South Africa)

LETPC is open to practitioners, professionals and stakeholders serving in the events, technical, production and education sectors.

To register and get conference updates, visit www.letpc.co.za.

Sponsors:
•Department of Arts and Culture SA
•Gearhouse South Africa

Date: 18 May 2017 to 20 May 2017
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Venue: Sunnyside Hotel, Parktown, Johannesburg
Cost: R1,000-R2,924