As part of the event, there will be a SETE conference that will provide a platform to exchange ideas that contribute to building and enhancing the sport tourism and event industries in South Africa. The conference programme will include panel discussions anchored by keynote speakers - all specialists within their relevant fields.

The conference will witness speeches on topics like ‘Positioning KZN as an Events Destination', ‘South Africa as a Sports Tourism Destination', ‘Qatar's Global Vision for Sports Tourism', and ‘Global Communication Strategies for Major Events', among others. Speakers at the conference will include His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani; Mike Lee, Chairman of VERO; Paul Bush, COO of EventScotland; Chris Foy, Head of 2012 Games Unit at VisitBritain; among other prominent personalities.

At the last SETE, 88 exhibitors participated, 1,462 visitors attended, 32 took part in the conference which was attended by 191 delegates and 25 international hosted buyers. The international hosted buyers represented Australia, Canada, China, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Russia, Switzerland, UK and USA. Outside of the international hosted buyers and speakers, there was country participation from Botswana, DRC, Germany, Namibia, Netherlands and Zimbabwe.

The key outcomes of the 2011 event saw the establishment of a steering committee, driven by Sports and Recreation SA, South African Tourism, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. The committee will explore the establishment of an events fund, establish criteria for the management of the fund and pave the way forward for an effective communication plan to all stakeholders.

Some of the exhibitors at the SETE include 360 Ball, Ample Sports Travel, Birchwood Hotel, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cycling South Africa, Hilton Durban, iSportConnect, among many others.

The Sports and Events Tourism Exchange is hosted by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism for KwaZulu-Natal, and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority. The event's federation sponsor is the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and is endorsed by the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa. The international print partner is Sports Pro Media, the national sports partner is Business Day Sport Monthly, the transfer sponsor is Springbok Atlas, social media partner is iSportConnect, stadium cocktail evening sponsor is Moses Mabhida Stadium, and preferred hotel supplier is Hilton Hotels & Resorts.