Absa Cape Epic founder Kevin Vermaak.
Absa and activation agency EXP received top honours at the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards.
Absa and Exp won for best sponsorship of a sporting event for their Absa Cape Epic sponsorship and Kevin Vermaak, founder and director of the Cape Epic, was awarded the Virgin Active Business Achievement of the Year Award.
This special award recognises strong leadership, innovation and a contribution to the overall development of the industry. The awards took place at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.
South Africa’s outstanding performers spanning marketing, PR, sponsorship, advertising, community investment and mass participation sport received their rewards in front of some of the country’s most inspirational and legendary sports stars.
Winners were selected from a record-breaking number of entries, following a thorough two-stage judging process managed by the Official Independent Adjudicators, Deloitte.
“I’m completely surprised and humbled by this award. I feel enormously privileged to be able to do something that I’m passionate about and this nod from the industry is wonderful,” said Vermaak.
“When I started out 10 years ago, it was unthinkable that, in a country where the nation is as passionate about team sports like rugby and cricket, a niche sport like mountain biking could grow as it did.
“This epic journey would of course not be possible without the support of sponsors, and I am therefore delighted that Absa and EXP were also recognised for the innovative and creative ways in which they approached their sponsorship.”
