The South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) Annual Convention & Property Networking will be held at Sun City from 19-21 September 2023, where industry experts, business leaders and SAPOA members meet to discuss industry challenges and growth prospects

Like previous conventions, SAPOA has created a packed programme to generate engaging conversations and thought leadership engagements over various industry and macroeconomic issues and topics.

The “Build for the Future” convention takes place against the backdrop of a challenging economic climate characterised by slow growth, the impact of load shedding and high-interest rates. Furthermore, property owners are being challenged to innovate in an industry slowly recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has seen a slow but steady return of workers to the office.

“We are excited to bring together visionary speakers and innovators, financial heavy-weights, and influential drivers who will address the challenges that impact your business and share their expert opinions and solutions.

Nedbank Group Chief Economist Nicky Weimar and JP Landman will kick-start the conversation and share their insights on the solutions to South Africa’s challenges, choices, and opportunities.

CESA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Campbell will take discuss on why and how an infrastructure crisis provides the ideal landscape to introduce world-first solutions to bring SA to the forefront of African growth and development in the Revolutionary approaches to Infrastructure panel discussion.

Also expected to generate debate and discussion are new trends in real estate where panellists will discuss, among other topics, how property owners are responding to the growing push for working from home, the response to reduce office demand by institutional investors such as pension funds who had invested in office space, as well as how the property industry is adjusting to the gradual return to office in South Africa.

In addition, investment in mixed-use commercial property development is another trend up for discussion during the convention.

Other agenda items on the convention’s second day are a panel discussion on the future of the South African listed property sector and how to mitigate risks in the current economic environment.

The Power of Diversity and its Impact on Enhancing Stakeholder Value #ROI of Diversity session will focus on the power of diversity and its impact on enhancing stakeholder value.

As with previous conventions, SAPOA will present awards to the recipients of the SAPOA Property Awards in Innovative Excellence, the 2023 SAPOA Journalism Awards for Excellence and the SAPOA Lifetime Industry Achievements Award.

We look forward to an exciting convention. We do not doubt that our rich and diverse programme will meet the expectations of our members and invited delegates and guests. Knowledge sharing at such a high level has contributed significantly to recognising SAPOA as the official voice of the commercial property industry in South Africa, and the convention is no better place to demonstrate this.