Johannesburg Calling for Meetings
South Africa is one of the most attractive options for an incentive getaway. With its scenic landscape and scope for abundant activities, this vibrant country has always caught the imagination of those favouring the outdoors. The country has an equally impressive portfolio for meetings and conventions. MICEtalk explored the Sandton Convention Centre, which is the venue for Meetings Africa, one of South Africa’s most prestigious events to encourage Business Tourism.
Situated at the heart of Sandton’s business, hospitality and entertainment district, in Northern Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre attracts business travellers for its spacious, state-of-the-art facilities. The location of the venue, with shopping and entertainment options close at hand and around 5000 hotel rooms within easy distance, adds on to its suitability for MICE.
The Sandton Convention Centre is managed by Tsogo Sun and is connected to two 5-star properties namely the Sandton Sun and the InterContinental Sandton Towers. Also, it is located next to the Garden Court Sandton City, a 3-star property.
The Sandton Convention Centre can work with the Johannesburg Tourism Board or a local destination management company to ensure provisions like making announcements just for delegates coming to the venue or even ensuring faster clearance at immigration.
The venue boasts of several event spaces of various sizes that can be customised to the expectations of groups. Each is supported by an array of technology. The Sandton Convention Centre works with several local companies for all audio-visual requirements and telecommunication equipment. If a client requires any specific technology, it can be procured by the venue.
The venue’s glass façade is the first thing that captures your attention and welcomes a visitor to its warm interiors, which is replete with authentic representations of South African art. The glass façade creates an impression of open space and the visitors can look out to probably Johannesburg’s most upmarket street. The venue is supported with 26 escalators that allow visitors to move around freely. Several of the meeting rooms are so designed that they allow a generous amount of natural light. The building is designed to give easy access to physically-challenged visitors.
The facilities at the venue can be customised to specific group requirements. Professional decor and
flower specialists ensure that the venues are done up to meet the highest standards of the clients. Currently, professional cleaning services, like Isikhonyane Cleaning Services, ensure that the facilities are maintained to optimum.
Post-Convention Options
For visitors, who do not want to wander far for their shopping in the post-convention hours, the Sandton Convention Centre is linked by a skywalk to Sandton City Mall and is adjacent to Nelson Mandela Square, two of the most prestigious and sophisticated shopping complexes in Africa. These malls are ideal even if visitors just want to do window shopping or sit in a café. They house a plethora of international brands and stores selling South African art and crafts. Across the road from the convention centre is the ultra modern Michelangelo Towers Mall, which is known for its contemporary designer showrooms and superb restaurants.
Meetings and conventions at the Sandton Convention Centre, therefore, means much more than ample space in this twelve-storey structure. It provides an experience of efficiency, elegance and entertainment that will stay with you for a long long time.