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Programme
Global Shifts, African Momentum.
REGISTRATION & ARRIVAL
Programme Director – Justin Boone – Senior Manager: Strategic Events and Partnerships, New Orleans & Company
OPENING WELCOME FROM FORUM ORGANISERS AND PARTNERS
- Ernest Kelly – Chairman, International Arts Foundation, USA
- Miller Matola – CEO, Millvest Advisory, South Africa
WELCOME ADDRESS
- Renee Lapeyrolerie - Deputy Mayor of External Affairs, City of New Orleans, USA
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT: CULTURE, CAPITAL & CONNECTION
“Strengthening the Louisiana–Africa Corridor: Partnership, Investment, and Global Leadership”
- Lady Fontenette Brown – Councilwoman, Iberia Parish, Louisiana & Chief Cultural Ambassador, Global Leadership Exchange
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
“Caribbean–Africa Tourism Futures: Unlocking Shared Prosperity Through Bold Visitor‑ Economy and Creative‑ Industry Investment”
- Hon. G. P. Ian Gooding-Edghill, J.P., M.P. - Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados
FIRESIDE CHAT:
“Americans Risk and the New Geography of Returns: What Drives American Capital Allocation to Emerging Markets – Spotlight on Africa”
- Michael Summers – Portfolio Specialist: T- Rowe Price Investment Services, USA
- INTERVIEWER: Poppy Ntshongwana – Broadcaster & Podcaster, Channel Africa
BREAK
SESSION 1: TRADE & INVESTING IN NEW GROWTH SECTORS
Growth Corridors: Tourism, Creative Industries, Trade & High-Impact Investment
- Naledi Khabo – CEO, Africa Tourism Association, USA
- Ms Kathy Schulz - Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Relations, New Orleans & Co.
- Troy Henry – Managing Director, Henry Consulting LLC
- Martin Paulsen – CEO, GEM Water Management Solutions, South Africa
- Guy Stehlik – CEO, Bon Hotels, South Africa
Moderator: Lihle Mtshali – Okay Africa, USA
North America – Henry Coaxum – Managing Partner, Southshore Development, USA
West Africa – Giberry Sanoho, CEO, The Gambia Wildlife Safari & Glamping, The Gambia
East Africa – Samantha Muna – Managing Director, Trianum Hospitality, Kenya
East Africa – Ronald Mutabazi, First Counsellor, (Economic Affairs), Embassy of Rwanda
Southern Africa – Nkululeko Mkhize – Deputy Director, Economic Infrastructure Renewal & Revitalisation, Durban Tourism, South Africa
Southern Africa: Miller Matola – CEO, Millvest Advisory, South Africa
LUNCH
SESSION TWO: THE INFRASTRUCTURE DIVIDEND
Infrastructure Dividend: Investing in Digital, Social & Economic Systems for Inclusive Growth
- Dr Houda Chihi – Chief Digital Innovation Officer, Africa Tech for Development Initiative, Tunisia (v)
- Oliver M Thomas - Vice President of Development, CMG Pipelines, USA
- Ben Agyenim Boateng – Director, Metro Physical Planning, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana
- Nobuhle Ramotebele – MD, Ramo Adpro, South Africa
- Robert Hopkins – Vice President, Whitney Bank, USA
Moderator: Melvin Hachuma – CEO, Bremsons Investments & Advisory, Australia
SESSION THREE: HERITAGE INVESTMENT CORRIDORS
Heritage Landscapes as Anchors of Long-Term Value
- Dr Clyde C. Robertson - Associate Professor & Director, Southern University at New Orleans, USA
- Winile Mntungwa - Durban Tourism Economic Development Directorate, South Africa
- Dr Hilton Fisher – CEO, Freedom Park Heritage Site, South Africa (v)
- Dr. Richmond Yeboah - Lecturer of Tourism, Environment and Development, Cape Coast Technical University, Ghana
- Ernest Kelly – Managing Partner, Ernest D Kelly, LLC, USA
Moderator: Frederick “Wood” Delahoussaye – Director in the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, New Orleans, USA
SECTORAL DEAL ROOMS & B2B MEETINGS
- Tourism & Hospitality Investment
- Screen & Creative Production Economy
- Real Estate Investment
- Heritage & Cultural Economy
- Infrastructure & Green Transitions
- Technology & Digital Innovation
CLOSING PLENARY
Summary of Key Outcomes & Announcements (MoUs, Partnerships, Next Steps)
NETWORKING COCKTAIL & WINE TASTING : COURTESY OF WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA
REGISTRATION / COFFEE / TEA
WELCOME REMARKS AND INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER
- Nolan Baynes – Business Development Executive, Studio 300, USA
REMARKS BY GUEST SPEAKER:
- Councillor Andrew Swaby JP – Mayor of Kingston, Jamaica
SESSION FOUR: SCREEN, SCENE AND SUMMIT
How Film, Festivals and Meetings Convert Visitor Economies into Engines of Inclusive Growth
- Alana Harris - Deputy Director of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, City of New Orleans, USA
- Oscar Rainey - President, Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, USA
- Patrick Kwame Frimpong – Presiding Member, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana
- Samantha Muna – Managing Director, Trianum Hospitality, Kenya
- Adonis Rose – Founder & MD, New Orleans Jazz Institute, USA
- Carolyn Carew – Executive Producer, Free Women Films, South Africa
Moderator: Poppy Ntshongwana – Broadcaster & Podcaster, Channel Africa
SESSION FIVE: PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
Choosing Film Locations
- Elon Johnson – VP Current Programming, Tyler Perry Production, USA
- Ronald Kunene – Co-Founder, Artists for a New South Africa
- Dr Mary Moore - Head of Department, Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, Ghana
- Shira J. Gans - Senior Executive Director, Policy & Programs, Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, New York City, USA (v)
- Carroll Morton – Director, Film Office – Office of Economic Development, New Orleans
- Hashim Williams – Snr Creative Executive, Amazon, USA
Moderator: Lebron Joseph – Anchor, WGNO-TV’s Good Morning New Orleans, & Weekend Announcer, iHeart Media’s WYLD-FM
BREAK
SESSION 6: FINANCING THE NEW STORY TELLING ECONOMY
New Media, New Vision, Global Investment
- Brendan McCaffrey – CEO, IPX Exchange, USA
- Ernest Shozi - Deputy Head of Libraries and Heritage, eThekwini Municipality.
- Eusi Skeete – Director, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, Barbados
- Shani Kulture – Host & Managing Partner, Hot97 / Kulture Movement, USA
Moderator: Lihle Mtshali – Okay Africa, USA
SESSION SEVEN: HOMAGE – INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM
- Miles Mussenden – CEO, Actor & Director, USA
- Interviewer: Carolyn Carew – Executive Producer, Free Women Films, South Africa
An independent feature presentation spotlighting emerging voices in contemporary cinema and global storytelling.
LUNCH
PRESENTATION: THE HERITAGE , TRADE & INVESTMENT NEXUS
- Jim Clarke – Country Manager, Wines of South Africa – USA
- South African Wine: From Heritage Craft to High-Value Trade & Investment Frontier
MUSIC, VISUALS & CLOSING COCKTAIL
VOTE OF THANKS
- Dr Clyde C. Robertson - Associate Professor & Director, Southern University at New Orleans, USA
DINNER
INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
- Peter White (UK)
- Vincent Ingala (USA)
- Donald Harrison (NEW ORLEANS)
SITE VISITS – CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
LUNCH
Collaborating for Africa’s Visitor & Heritage Economy Growth
- Southern University Representative
Location: Southern University
FINANCING AFRICA’S FILM & TELEVISION FUTURE
- Lavaille Lavette – CEO, Pan African Film Fund – Afrexim Bank, USA
Location: Southern University
INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
- Seun Kuti – (Nigeria)
- Sax to Soul Package:
- Regina Belle – (USA)
- Michael Lington - (USA)
- Paul Taylor (USA) - (USA)
- Irvin Mayfield (NEW ORLEANS)
INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
- Collie Buddz - ( NEW ORLEANS BORN BERMUDA RESIDENT)
- Bushman - (JAMAICA)
- Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet - (NEW ORLEANS)
- Alexi Marti - (CUBA)