Jacques Grobbelaar, CEO of SMSA is responsible for the management, commercialization and promotion of the FNB Stadium, Rand Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium and Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg South Africa. SMSA is privately owned and funded and specializes in the full financial risk management of stadiums and its precincts and receives no government funding.

Grobbelaar’s career in the event industry began over 25 years ago heading up large event master planning for major clients and hosting major events at large stadiums and facilities. SMSA has since the 2010 FIFA World Cup SA™, delivered more than 800 large events attended by more than   9 million spectators.

During the period leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup he was a specialist consultant on the 2010 FIFA World Cup Master Plan. Grobbelaar assisted with oversight during the construction and pre-world cup periods in the delivery of, amongst other the FNB Stadium on behalf of the City of Johannesburg. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup SA™, he consulted to FIFA’s constituent bodies, service providers, and the Local Organizing Committee to ensure World Cup compliance at the stadiums.

Grobbelaar’s experience prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup SA™ includes;

• 1992, Contracted to Ellis Park Stadium;
• 1993, Headed up a safety, security and disaster management;
• 1995, Contracted to the IRB Rugby World Cup as preferred supplier;
• 1996, Contracted to SAFA and the Local Organizing Committee for the African Cup of Nations;
• 2007, Appointed as the Chief Safety Consultant for Ellis Park Stadium;
• 2008, Formed SMSA;
• 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup SA™ Host City Safety & Security Strategy;
• 2010, Appointed CEO, SMSA

Grobbelaar has developed extensive experience independently consulting in the sports and venue management industry, his expertise and knowledge includes facilities and logistics management, project management, cost control, operational management, event management, sport commercialization, sport promoting, operations, marketing, sales, hospitality management, media management, public relations, financial management, corporate governance and internal auditing.

The SMSA business is extensive as the stadium management services include the commercial and operational management services in respect of a stadium. This provides for, amongst other, the Commercial Program, involving marketing and promoting of the different facilities, events, precinct, and the Stadium itself as well as an event program, involving promotion of the stadium. More significantly it means the business conducted by SMSA in the field of operational and commercial management and administration of the sport stadiums, the rendering of stadium management services and all activities related thereto.

The SMSA business further includes advertising, sponsorships, naming rights and commercial rights management, the following:-

• selling advertising space at the stadium;
• arrangements and management of sponsorships in respect of the stadium;
• management of events and promotions at the stadium;
• sub-lease space available at the stadium for concession stores run by third parties;
• management of lease agreements in respect of the suites and facilities at the Stadium;
• provision and management of the security in and about the stadium;
• manages community programs.

SMSA is self-funded and manages its funds and all activities related and incidental thereto.