Global intermediary conference kicks off in Cape Town

The global conference of the World Federation of Insurance Intermediaries (WFII) has officially started in Cape Town, bringing together insurance leaders and intermediaries from across the world. For CN&CO, the event carries special significance on several fronts.

First, the conference itself is being managed by Llewellyn du Plessis and the CN&CO Events team. The scale and stature of the gathering reflect both the growing influence of the intermediary sector and the capability of South African organisers to deliver world-class industry platforms.

Reflecting on the months of preparation that led to this moment, Llewellyn notes, “Hosting an event of this magnitude is both a privilege and a responsibility. Our aim has been to create an environment where meaningful conversations can happen, where partnerships can be strengthened, and where delegates leave with a renewed sense of purpose about the role intermediaries play in financial wellbeing.”

The second reason the WFII conference matters to us is its close connection to our long-standing partners at the Financial Intermediaries’ Association of Southern Africa. The FIA is hosting the event locally and continues to play a vital role in shaping the professional landscape for advice in the region. As the official institutional partner on InsureTalk, the FIA has been central to many of the conversations we have facilitated around the future of advice, regulation, technology and client engagement.

FIA CEO Lizelle van der Merwe emphasises the importance of the role played by intermediaries.

“Intermediary businesses are not merely trying to survive,” she says. “They are a critical market mechanism. In fact, independent distribution strengthens the entire financial services ecosystem.

“In uncertain economic times, clients do not need more direct product sales. They need interpreters, they need strategists, and they need advocates.”

It is precisely this combination of professional conviction and personal partnership that gives gatherings like the WFII conference their energy and relevance, showcasing not only the technical strength of the intermediary sector but also the relationships that continue to shape its future.

FIA Insight

CN&CO was recently appointed as the new publisher of the FIA’s quarterly magazine, FIA Insight. This is an exciting development for our team and one that signals both trust and opportunity. CN&CO’s

Michele Katz, who is project managing the publication, shared her enthusiasm: “We are genuinely excited to begin this journey with the FIA. The magazine has an important role to play in connecting intermediaries, sharing insight, and highlighting the value of professional advice. We’ve started the production process on the next issue and are looking forward to contributing to something that the industry can be proud of.”

Beyond the organisational and partnership milestones, the WFII conference is also a powerful endorsement of Cape Town – and South Africa as a whole – as a preferred destination for international MICE tourism.

“Hosting global industry gatherings not only raises the profile of local professional bodies and service providers but also delivers meaningful economic impact through delegate spend, tourism exposure and business networking opportunities,” says Llewellyn.

South Africa’s MICE sector has shown strong recovery and growth in recent years. Our country has consistently ranked among the top destinations in Africa for international association meetings. In addition, Cape Town has been ranked the sixth best city in the world for 2026 by Time Out Worldwide.

“Events like the WFII conference reinforce this trajectory,” says CN&CO founder Carel Nolte. “They demonstrate that South Africa offers not only world-class venues and infrastructure, but also the professional expertise, industry depth and cultural richness that global delegates value.

“For those of us working at the intersection of insurance, communication and events, it is both rewarding and energising to play a part in showcasing what the country can offer.”

Carel points out several other links to the CN&CO network – specifically our ties to Crawford Dougall, an FIA member and broker of Ardmore, who supplied the conference gifts. Carel is also on the Crawford Dougall board and Josie Dougall, wife of Crawford Dougall CEO Simon Dougall, is a former CN&CO director.

“Links are everywhere,” says Carel. “Relationships like these underpin so many of the initiatives we are proud to support and get involved in.”