About 650 delegates are expected at the 76th annual IMESA (Institute of Municipal Engineers of South Africa) conference from 24 to 26 October in George.

The event is proudly hosted by the South Cape Karoo IMESA branch, which includes the municipal areas of George, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Hessequa, Oudtshoorn, Beaufort West and Prince Albert.

The conference is aimed at affordability, providing delegates with professional papers on relevant engineering topics, introducing and sharing technology with more than 80 exhibitors, allowing attendees to meet, communicate and exchange experience, and presenting technical tours showcasing top engineering and award winning projects.

The theme for the conference is 'Engineering for change' and is centred around the challenges faced today in South Africa with the quality and quantity of resources dwindling while needs and demands of a growing population are increasing.

The conference will look at the lack of infrastructure investment in rural areas together with poverty that has led to ever increasing migration and urban influx, increasing the burden on already overtaxed metros and municipalities.