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Programme
Global Shifts, African Momentum.
17:30 – 19:00
NETWORKING RECEPTION / COCKTAIL
- WINE TASTING : COURTESY OF WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA
17:00 – 17:15
CLOSING PLENARY:
- Summary of Key Outcomes
- Announcements (MoUs, Partnerships, Next Steps)
- Closing remarks
16:15 – 17:00
5. Infrastructure & Green Transitions
- 6. Technology
16:15 – 17:00
3. Real Estate
- 4. Heritage & Cultural Economy
16:15 – 17:00
1. Tourism & Hospitality Investment
- 2. Screen & Creative Production Economy
16:15 – 17:00
INVESTMENT & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY EXCHANGES / B2B /B2G Sessions
15:15 – 16:05
SESSION THREE: HERITAGE INVESTMENT CORRIDORS
Heritage Landscapes as Anchors of Long-Term Value
- Doudou Dia – Executive Director, Centre for Democratic Development & Culture, Gorée Island, Senegal
- Malapane Radichaba – ACEO, Freedom Park, South Africa
- Kwabena Ababio Owusu – Head of Culture & Heritage, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana
- Dr Clyde C. Robertson - Associate Professor & Director, Southern University at New Orleans, USA
- Dr. Richmond Yeboah - Lecturer of Tourism, Environment and Development, Cape Coast Technical University, Ghana.
- New Orleans, USA
Moderator: Frederick “Wood” Delahoussaye – Director in the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy,
14:55 – 15:10
IBOP 5: Heritage Investment Corridors: Console Tleane – Head of Department, Freedom Park Heritage Site, South Africa
14:00 – 14:50
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
- Professor Eric Awere – Associate Professor, Engineering, Cape Coast Technical University, Ghana
- 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
13:15 – 14:00
LUNCH
13:00 – 13:15
IBOP 2: Real Estate & Hospitality Ventures: Mozambique
12:45 – 13:00
IBOP 4: IBOP 4: Travel Tech: Penny Ndlela – CEO, Soul Traveller, South Africa
12:30 – 12:45
IBOP 3: Infrastructure & Utilities: South Africa
12:15 – 12:30
IBO 5: Visitor & Creative Economy Infrastructure: Henry Coaxum – Managing Partner, Southshore Development LLC, USA
12:00 – 12:15
IBOP 1: Bio-Diversity Economy: Gilberry Sanoho, CEO, The Gambia Wildlife Safari & Glamping
11:15 – 12:00
SESSION ONE: INVESTING IN NEW GROWTH SECTORS
Growth Corridors: Tourism, Creative Industries & High-Impact Investment
- Naledi Khabo – CEO, Africa Tourism Association, USA
- Cesar Trabanco – VP of International Business Development, Global Chamber, USA
- Troy Henry – Managing Director, Henry Consulting LLC,
- Martin Paulsen – CEO, GEM Water Management Solutions, South Africa
- Dr Komi Klu – Chairman of the Board, WAFI Capital, USA
Moderator: New Orleans and Company Representative
11:00 – 11:15
FIRESIDE CHAT:
- Michael Summers – Portfolio Specialist: T- Rowe Price Investment Services, USA
- Americans Risk and the New Geography of Returns: What Drives American Capital Allocation to Emerging Markets – Spotlight on Africa
10:45 – 11:00
BREAK
10:15 – 10:45
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
- Hon. G. P. Ian Gooding-Edghill, J.P., M.P. - Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados
- “Caribbean–Africa Tourism Futures: Unlocking Shared Prosperity Through Bold Visitor‑Economy and Creative‑Industry Investment”
09:45 – 10:15
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS: SOUTH AFRICA
- Hon. Magdeline Sotyu: Deputy Minister of Tourism, Republic of South (Invited)
- “Tourism as a catalyst for Africa’s investment growth, regional competitiveness, and sustainable development.”
09:30 – 09:45
DIPLOMATIC WELCOME
- HE. Ambassador Thabo Thage: Deputy Head of Mission, South African Embassy in Washington DC, USA
09:10 – 09:25
WELCOME ADDRESS AND OPENING CEREMONY
- Deputy Mayor Renee Lapeyrolerie, Deputy Mayor of External Affairs, City of New Orleans, USA
09:00 – 09:10
OPENING WELCOME FROM FORUM ORGANISERS AND PARTNERS
- Ernest Kelly – Chairman, International Arts Foundation, USA
- Miller Matola – CEO, Millvest Advisory, South Africa
08:00 – 09:00
REGISTRATION & ARRIVAL
21:00 – 24:00
INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
- Peter White (UK)
- Vincent Ingala (USA)
- Donald Harrison (NEW ORLEANS
18:00 – 20:30
DINNER
16:30 – 16:45
VOTE OF THANKS
- Dr Clyde C. Robertson - Associate Professor & Director, Southern University at New Orleans, USA
15:30 – 16:30
MUSIC, VISUALS & CLOSING COCKTAIL
- collaboration featuring performances and conversations with acclaimed artists and cultural innovators.
A live multimedia experience celebrating music, visual storytelling, and creative
14:15 – 15:15
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
13:30 – 14:10
LUNCH
12:25 – 13:25
SESSION SEVEN: HOMAGE – INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM
Miles Mussenden – CEO, Actor & Director, USA
An independent feature presentation spotlighting emerging voices in contemporary cinema and global storytelling.
11:30 – 12:20
SESSION 6: FINANCING THE NEW STORY TELLING ECONOMY
New Media, New Vision, Global Investment
- Lavaille Lavette – Managing Partner, One Street / JVL Productions, USA (invited)
- Brendan McCaffrey – CEO, IPX Exchange, USA
- Lenny Alsfeld – Managing Director & Senior Vice President – Investments, AGESS Wealth Advisors of Raymond James
- Eusi Skeete – Director, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, Barbados
- Mic Fox - CEO, 8Tives Labs / Rap Fabulous, USA (invited)
- Shani Kulture – Host & Managing Partner, Hot97 / Kulture Movement, USA
Moderator: Lihle Mtshali – Okay Africa, USA
11:15 – 11:30
BREAK
10:20 – 11:10
SESSION FIVE: PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
Choosing Film Locations
- Elon Johnson – VP Current Programming, Tyler Perry Production, USA
- Shira Gans – Senior Executive Director, Policy & Programs, New York City Mayor’s Office Media & Entertainment, USA (v)
- Dr Mary Moore – HoD, Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, Ghana
- Prescillia Avenel-Delpha – Group Chief Marketing Officer, Trace, South Africa (v)
- Loren Hammond – Development Head, Times Studio (Times Magazine), USA
- 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
09:35 – 10:20
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
- Oscar Rainey - President, Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club
- Patrick Kwame Frimpong – Presiding Member, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana
- Dr Eddy Khosa – Chairperson, Tourism Transformation Council of South Africa
- Idriis Ben Geloune – President St Louis Jazz Festival, Senegal
- Adonis Rose – Founder & MD, New Orleans Jazz Institute, USA
Moderator: Samantha Muna – Managing Director, Trianium Hospitality, Kenya
09:10 – 09:30
REMARKS BY GUEST SPEAKER:
- Councillor Andrew Swaby JP – Mayor of Kingston, Jamaica
09:00 – 09:10
WELCOME REMARKS AND INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER
- Nolan Baynes – Business Development Executive, Studio 300, USA
08:00 – 09:00
REGISTRATION / COFFEE / TEA
15:00 – 24:00
Seun Kuti – (Nigeria)
- Sax to Soul Package:
- Regina Belle – (USA)
- Michael Lington - (USA)
- Paul Taylor (USA) - (USA)
- Irvin Mayfield (NEW ORLEANS)
15:00 – 24:00
INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
13:30 – 14:30
Afrexim Bank Documentary Screening (at Southern University)
13:30 – 13:45
WELCOME ADDRESS – SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE
12:30 – 13:30
LUNCH
09:00 – 12:00
SITE VISITS – CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
19:00 – 22:00
WORLD TOURISM DAY NETWORKING COCKTAIL
13:00 – 20:00
INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
- Collie Buddz - ( NEW ORLEANS BORN BERMUDA RESIDENT)
- Bushman - (JAMAICA)
- Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet - (NEW ORLEANS)
- Alexi Marti - (CUBA)