Plumbing Africa July 2017 | Page 11

NEWS 9 World’s biggest pipe conference comes to SA For the first time, the international Pipes Conference is set to take place in South Africa. The two-day Pipes XI Conference will be held on 4 and 5 September 2017 at Emperors Palace Convention Centre in Kempton Park. More than 35 of South Africa and the world’s top experts on issues relating to plastic piping, water infrastructure, and engineering will be presenting at this year’s Pipes XI Conference, which is an annual event hosted by the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA). “We are extremely privileged to be hosting our conference this year in conjunction with the Plastic Pipe Conference Association (PPCA). It will be a two-day event taking place on the 4th and 5th of September 2017 at Emperors Palace Convention Centre, conveniently located close to the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng. In addition to the line-up of top national and international speakers that we would normally have at our conferences, this year’s Pipes XI also sees at least 10 of the best papers that were presented at Pipes XVIII in Berlin last year being delivered to our local audience,” says Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA. Every two years, the PPCA plays host to the world’s biggest international pipe conference, which takes place either in Europe or the US. Venter explains that it is the first time that their spin-off conference, which is organised every alternate year, will be coming to South Africa. “The excitement over the event is tremendous. We have already sold an impressive amount of tickets and are hoping to have more than 300 delegates attending both days,” Venter said. Topics that will be covered at this year’s event are varied, ranging from raw materials and additives to the life cycle and material design of plastic pipes. Installations, applications, and rehabilitations, as well as standards, testing, certification, and various case studies will also be covered. The opening keynote address will be delivered by Dr Roelof Botha, a local economist of the GOPA Group, after which delegates can choose between presentations in two breakaway sessions. The 35 speakers hail from different countries, including the US, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Austria, India, Belgium, Austria, and South Africa. The speakers will give presentations on different topics, including raw materials, additives, life cycle, pipe material design, case studies, application, rehabilitation, standards, testing, certification, installation, associations, and general interest. “We cannot emphasise enough the importance of this event, and encourage local engineers, students, specifiers, and decision-makers on all levels to make the most of this opportunity to be exposed to this kind of professionalism and expertise,” added Venter. For more information about the speakers and the programme of events or to register, visit www.pipesxiconference.co.za or email [email protected] / [email protected]. PA Vaal advert retraction Following the publicising of the Vaal Sanitaryware advertisement in Plumbing Africa June 2017, Grohe Dawn Water Technology (GDWT) issued a full retraction, which has appeared on www.plumbingafrica.co.za since 8 June 2017. Incorrect prices appeared on the Vaal Sanitaryware advertisement that, according to GDWT, was placed “in error in that the incorrect artwork was sent to the publisher.” www.plumbingafrica.co.za GDWT stated further, “The price displayed was an inadvertent and obvious error; GDWT would not be bound by that price in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008, provided that we correct the error and take reasonable steps to inform consumers of the error and the correct price.” GDWT concluded, “For this we apologise and undertake to minimise any harm that may have been caused.” PA July 2017 Volume 23 I Number 5