PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett Tourism is working with BIZ-Help to formalise a master-class programme for local event organisers.

Plett Tourism CEO Patty Butterworth said in a statement that a workshop is being organised to take place in early 2023.

"The programme is designed to provide relevant information to delegates to help them compile commercially viable event plans," the statement reads. 

Plett Tourism Association appointed BIZ-Hub, a startup consultancy service, in June to support Kwanokuthula event company IBS Entertainment with their Business in a Box programme.

BIZ-Help assisted IBS, the first candidate to be part of the programme, to compile a business plan for the Plett Mega Music Festival (PMMF). BIZ-Help provided an evaluation of the observations and implications for future support of local tourism businesses in the Bitou area. 

Butterworth said the sponsorship for IBS with the Business in a Box toolkit, online training and advanced consultation is a pilot project initiated by Plett Tourism.

"We have an established working relationship with the owners of IBS, Henge Thembinkosi and Mjilo Jonas, as we have worked with them in the past to assist with event planning and marketing. When presented with the opportunity, IBS and Plett Tourism went into this project with a mutual understanding that we would use the experience to explore similar opportunities with other township entrepreneurs," she said.

According to Sugen Pillay, CEO of BIZ-Help, Plett Tourism's decision to appoint BIZ-Help to assist IBS with the business plan was necessary. "Most SMMEs do not have adequate capacity to compile commercially viable sponsorship proposals," he said.

"The support offered by Plett Tourism demonstrates the Association's commitment to supporting SMMEs and should therefore be encouraged."

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