On 21 February 2025, Durban’s entrepreneurs gathered for one powerful reason: to grow. The ACCESS 2 MARKET SMME Conference, hosted at Westville Country Club by The Success Company and supported by Forward Durban, provided a platform for business owners and managers to unlock growth strategies, funding avenues, and new market opportunities—including access to the international trade space.

This high-impact event featured a lineup of renowned speakers, including Cindy Norcott (CEO, Pro Talent), Simon Grainger (Marketing Advisor), Francois Bietrix (Export Development Manager at TIKZN), Mike Chauke (FinFind Marketing Expert), Dumile Khubone (Manager of International Business at the Durban Chamber), and Trevor Naidoo (Procuresense Supply Chain Strategist).

The focus? To equip SMMEs with the tools and insights they need to expand beyond current boundaries. Topics ranged from export readiness and procurement strategies to marketing positioning and accessing capital. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re real levers for growth in a competitive global economy.

By building bridges between business owners, city partners, and trade experts, the ACCESS 2 MARKET Conference is more than an event—it’s part of a movement. A movement where Durban’s entrepreneurs aren’t just reacting to the economy, they’re shaping it. #Access2Market #ForwardDurban #AllShallProsper #DurbanSMMEs #BusinessGrowth #TradeOpportunities