IDU Conference 2025: Inspired and Energised

From the 21st to the 23rd of May, over 100 delegates representing more than 38 organisations – both from within South Africa and abroad – gathered at the stunning President Hotel in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, for the IDU User Conference 2025. This year’s theme, Simplifying Complexity, set the tone for three days of insight, collaboration, and connection.

We kicked off the conference on Wednesday evening with our welcome cocktail event. While the Cape Town weather had other plans – delivering a downpour that moved the event indoors – not even the rain could dampen the energy in the room. Guests mingled, laughed, and made meaningful new connections, setting the stage for the dynamic days ahead.

Our agenda featured a standout lineup of guest speakers who brought diverse expertise and perspectives:

• Pieter Geldenhuys challenged us to look forward, unpacking future trends in AI and innovation.

  
  

• Imtiaz Sooliman spoke powerfully about our shared humanity and responsibility and the incredible work of Gift of the Givers.

  
  

• Steven Powell addressed the reality of corporate fraud and corruption, and how to recognise and combat it.

  
  

• Gary Graham unpacked the importance of reinvention in a time of disruption and change.

  
  

• Raymond Collins explored the practical applications of AI and Microsoft Co-Pilot, offering valuable takeaways for finance teams.

The feedback from these sessions was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees leaving inspired and armed with new ideas to take back to their organisations.

Our IDU Masterclasses offered deep dives into key areas such as Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), Financial Modelling, Data Visualisation, and a look at IDU’s latest developments and future roadmap. The excitement around the new features and functionality was palpable, and we loved hearing the questions and feedback from our engaged user community.

A special addition to this year’s conference was our first Higher Education Roundtable, which brought together delegates from ten universities. This focused session created a collaborative space to share challenges, solutions, and best practices unique to the higher education sector – with many new ideas and partnerships set in motion.

On Thursday evening, delegates swapped business attire for party shoes at our gala dinner – an evening of elegant décor, delicious food, and dancing. It was a fantastic celebration and a perfect way to unwind after a full day of learning.

Friday morning began with a breath of fresh air – literally – as attendees participated in a Secret Sunrise wellness session. With music, movement, meditation, and a lot of fun, it was a refreshing and energising way to start the final day.

Throughout the conference, delegates also had the opportunity for one-on-one consulting sessions with the IDU team – offering personalised support and guidance to get the most out of IDU-Concept.

All in all, the IDU User Conference 2025 was an awesome experience, filled with learning, laughter, and meaningful connections. We’re incredibly grateful to our customers for bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the event and for everything we created together. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year.

A heartfelt thank you to our event partners, Braintree and Driven Events and AV, for their continued support and commitment to making this conference a success.

See you in 2026!