TCI GLOBAL CONFERENCE

TCI 2022 Global Conference: Sustainable Clusters for all

Our 25^thTCI Global Conference: Sustainable Clusters for all (November 9-11) gathered more than 194 attendees from 24 countries during the 3-day meeting in Durban, South Africa.

We have enriched our network with many new contacts to strengthen our global cluster work and we come back full of inspiration on:

How clusters can contribute to solve the problems of tomorrow
How clusters initiatives can build strong bridges across the economy
How strong cluster policy speeds success and
How real impact can be accelerated

This year’s conference has been even more special since we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary in TCI Network. Relive the best moments in our photo gallery and check the presentations available for download.

Next year, the 26^th TCI Global conference will take place in stunning Iceland (8-10 November – TBC), themed: ‘New landscapes for cluster development’. The organization of the event will be led by the Iceland Tourism Cluster in close collaboration with TCI Network.

If you want to make a difference in the new landscapes for clusters, save the dates and stay tuned for next year’s TCI Global Conference!

25th TCI Global Conference 2022

This year’s TCI Global Conference is hosted in the warm and beautiful coastal city of Durban, the economic hub of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, popularly known as the Zulu Kingdom.

Fly to the Future Agenda for clusters
Engage in the global cluster conversation
Demonstrate the impact of your cluster work
Connect with cluster peers from around the world
Invent new cluster actions through unexpected connections
Immerse yourself in the innovation ecosystem of Durban and eThekwini Municipality

We expect to welcome in Durban around 200-300 participants from around the world, mainly international experts and practitioners from government and development agencies, cluster initiatives, corporations and SMEs from strategic sectors and multilateral organizations along with top researchers and academics.

About Durban and Durban clusters:

Durban boasts a high concentration of industry clusters. Conference delegates will be able to participate in clusters tours, a unique opportunity to be exposed to and interact with both some of the country’s oldest and most established clusters (automotive, chemical, maritime, clothing and textile) and its newest ones (fashion, film, furniture, music) showcasing some of the cutting-edge SME-focused work done by these clusters.

Our hosts and partners Seeza Tourism Growth Network, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and Durban Automotive Cluster are delighted to welcome the TCI global community for the first time in Durban.

Get inspired, connect and share your experience!

Ecosistema de clusters

Welcome to Durban, practical information

Durban is located on the east coast of South Africa, in the province of KwaZulu Natal, looking out upon the Indian Ocean. The city lies at the mouth of the Umgeni River, which demarcates parts of Durban’s north city limit, while other sections of the river flow through the city itself. Durban has a natural harbour, Durban Harbour, which is the busiest port in South Africa and is the 4th-busiest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Durban has a humid subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and pleasantly warm and dry winters, which are snow and frost-free. Durban has an annual rainfall of 1,009 millimetres (39.7 in). The average temperature in summer ranges around 24 °C (75 °F), while in winter the average temperature is 17 °C (63 °F).

Durban has a warm and temperate climate and an average temperature of 21°C. It receives significant amounts of rainfall during the year.

Local time

Durban is on the SAST (South African Standard Time) zone, which is GMT +2 hours.

South Africa has lifted its coronavirus travel restrictions. You no longer need to present proof of vaccination status, or a PCR test. For more up to date information on Covid19 please visit https://sacoronavirus.co.za

A first aid centre will be available at iNkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre at all times during the 26th TCI Conference. For more serious medical needs the registered conference attendees will be referred to a medical facility at own cost.

Durban has a selection of private and public healthcare facilities. Travellers are advised to take own medical insurance before travelling into the country.

The South African rand (ZAR) is the national currency of the country of South Africa, with the symbol ZAR being the currency abbreviation for the rand in foreign exchange (forex) markets.

Visa and MasterCard as well as American Express cards are accepted throughout South Africa, so travellers can have access to own local account while travelling. The cards are accepted wherever one sees their signs including local businesses, restaurants, and ATMs. Before leaving their countries, travellers need to inform their bank that they will be using their card in a foreign country

There is usually no need to pre-arrange travel money. It is possible to change foreign notes for a fee at banks and other officially recognised forex exchange establishments. One must be prepared for possible hiccups along the way when using foreign currency with a foreign card.

There are several ways of flying into our city of Durban from wherever you are in the world, mostly with one connection. Emirates airline connecting Dubai directly to Durban is one of the most popular routes. Our national carrier, South African Airway (SAA) is also one trusted way of flying into Durban connecting through Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. There are many flights connecting into Durban such as Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways, and many others. Visit your trusted travel booking site or search engine and you are guaranteed to get a flight into Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.

Domestically, almost all domestic budget airlines fly into the city. These are all worth it, considering that Durban is only approximately 45 minutes flying from Johannesburg and only 2 hours from Cape Town.

In Durban we drive on the left-hand side of road, the highest speed limit on our national freeways (highways) is 120 Kilometres per hour and local areas it is about 60 kilometres per hour. Whilst an international driving is mainly preferred, some foreign drivers’ licenses are permissible, and they must have a driver’s photo and must in be issued in English.

Permissible driving age is 18 years old, but car hires may require one to a bit older at mostly 23 years old.

Distance from Johannesburg to Durban is roughly 570 kilometres about 354 miles on the N3 Freeway and Cape Town is 1600 kilometres that’s about 997 miles driving from the N3 freeway to Bloemfontein and connecting to the N1 to Cape Town.

Departs - 06h30 & Returns +-19h00
INCLUDES - Entrance to the Giants Castle heritage site

Visit the World Heritage Site of Giant's Castle, in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains and view the enigmatic Bushman paintings, dating back 2000 years. Enjoy a 3km round trip hike to the site of the caves adorned with the Bushman's legacy (average level of fitness required), followed by a hearty lunch, which is included. Return to Durban via the Midlands Meander route and make a stop at the historical “Nelson Mandela Capture Site”

Rate: ZAR2500.00 per person

Departs - 05h30 & Returns +-19h30
INCLUDES: 4x4 excursion up Sani Pass, visit to a Basotho Village in Lesotho
******A passport is required & visa conditions may apply****

A RAPID COVID TEST WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE BORDER. ADDITIONAL COST OF R500PP (OWN ACCOUNT)

For those with a sense of adventure, a 4x4 drive up the highest road pass in Africa will certainly pump the adrenalin and reward you with its breath-taking scenery. Drive through the rolling hills of the Midlands to the town of Underberg. Enter the Kingdom of Lesotho and visit a nearby Basotho Village, for a taste of local culture.

Rate: ZAR2800.00 per person

Departs - 05h30 & Returns +-19h00
INCLUDES - Park Entrance fee, Open vehicle Safari, 2-hour boat cruise at Lake St Lucia

For those with a love for nature, join us on a visit to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve where we will embark on a 3-hour safari (on board an open vehicle). We will then proceed to the World Heritage site of St Lucia where we will enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise along the estuarine system, The estuary is home to an abundance of Hippos, Nile crocodile and various antelope. Birds such as the Kingfisher, African Eagle, Goliath Heron and various other species can be spotted along the shoreline

Rate: ZAR3100.00 per person

Departs - 08h00 & Returns +-12h00

Durban has a considerable Indian community and a rich history of how they came to live in South Africa and the city of Durban. Visit the Indian culture and documental: center to learn about Indian History. Learn about the Indian Temples around Durban, the Hare Krishna temples and Mosque. Drive to Phoenix (the Indian Township) and experience the True Indian culture and beliefs. Visit Gandhi Settlement, where he established his original philosophy of passive resistance.

Rate: ZAR550.00 per person

All visitors need a passport to enter South Africa. Unless one comes from a visa-exempt country it is also necessary to present a visa.

Travellers coming from countries where yellow fever is prevalent need to present a certificate showing they have been vaccinated.

Some nationalities can enter South Africa visa-free for up to 90 or 30 days respectively.

Please check all the information here:

TCI 2022 Global Conference: Sustainable Clusters for all

November 9

November 10

November 11

Speakers

Merete Daniel Nielsen

Cluster Excellence Denmark & President TCI Network

Septi Bukula

Seeza Network and Conference Director

Russell Curtis

Invest Durban

Justin Barnes

BMA and TWINS

Michael Akurang Opoku

Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana

Annie Renders

Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Benoit Esmanne

Clusters and Industrial Forum at European Commission (DG GROW)

Christian Ketels

Harvard Business School & TCI Advisory Board

Mirjana Prica

Food Innovation Australia Limited

Joan Martí

ACCIÓ-Catalonia Government

Johnson Opoku-Boateng

AGI - Association of Ghana Industries

Nigel Gwynne-Evans

Ecosystem Development for Small Enterprise South Africa

Ásta Sigurjónsdóttir

Iceland Tourism Cluster

Werner Pamminger

Business Upper Austria - Business Agency of the State of Upper Austria

Uttum Corea

Choppies and TCI Board of Advisors

Emily Wise

Lund University

Xavier Amores

Catalan Water Partnership

David Fernández

SPRI - Basque Business Development Agency

Charles Sackey

Unido-Wacomp Ghana

Gerhard Trosien

Accadis University of Applied Sciences Bad Homburg, Germany

Meghan King

Durban Automotive Cluster

Oliver Torres

Economic Development Council of Chihuahua

Marieke Huis in 't Veld

Brabant Development Agency

Vedat Kunt

Vego Consulting

Peter Keller

Hungarian Ministry of Finance

Jamie Meehan

IDEAM Cluster

Erica Elk

The Craft and Design Institute

Vincent Dugré

Bivizio Inc.

Rocio Prado

Sintonia- UPAEP

Jake Morris

BMA

Anna Lopez

KID's Cluster

Alberto Pezzi

ACCIÓ - Catalonia Government

Courtney Barnes

Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster

John Hobbs

Munster Technological University

Katalin Barna

Hungarian Ministry of Finance

Eduardo Jiménez

Cluster HABIC

Kyle Ballard

Durban Chemicals Cluster

Katrin Weittenhiller