Press Room

Sandton Convention Centre is the national five-star winner in the Conference and Exhibition Venue category.

Sandton Convention Centre is the national five-star winner in the Conference and Exhibition Venue category of the prestigious 2019 Lilizela Tourism Awards, announced at the highly anticipated awards ceremony in Pretoria on Saturday 9 November 2019.

Shaun Bird, GM of Sandton Convention Centre, was delighted at his team’s achievement. “I have no doubt that this significant award won by Sandton Convention Centre can be attributed to team dedication, to the fact that everyone works together to ensure that every event runs smoothly, and that clients receive the best service possible.
“Our core strategy this year is customer focus – being flexible and listening to what our clients want. This has definitely paid off.”

SCC’s ability to listen to clients’ wants and needs ensures that events are tailor-made to requests. “Another of our key differentiators is our world-class food and beverage offering, and earlier this year, Executive Chef James Khoza and his team introduced new menus in line with client requests, while also taking into account changing trends in the food industry as well as sustainability. Our chefs are available to host food tasting sessions for our clients to ensure that their menu preferences are accommodated.”

The acclaimed Lilizela Tourism Awards presented by SA Tourism, now in their seventh year, recognise and reward tourism businesses that deliver a world-class product and service, and contribute to the growth of South Africa’s global competitiveness. They also give hospitality and tourism businesses the opportunity to compete and assess how they measure up against similar businesses in the industry, providing a further boost to South Africa’s already high quality and wide-ranging tourism offerings.

The fact that this industry accolade is awarded by SA Tourism allows Sandton Convention Centre to showcase the hard work and dedication that was delivered in the past year. “As an international convention centre, represented on the global stage at various trade shows, we believe that this award will benefit SCC in growing our international conference business,” says Bird.

Sandton Convention Centre was up against worthy contenders in the competition, which Bird notes continuously raise the industry bar alongside SCC. He says, “I am extremely proud of my team and what we have accomplished this year. This is an excellent achievement for us and on behalf of the entire SCC team, I would like to heartily thank all our clients who voted for us. We appreciate you all.” Taking a leaf out of the Springbok Rugby World Cup book, Bird says, “We can only grow stronger together.”

New SAACI board member aims to make ‘a lasting contribution’

Michelle Bingham, Sales Manager at Sandton Convention Centre, who has been appointed to the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) national board as the venue representative, says her biggest learning in the MICE industry in the past seven years is that “anything is possible”. 

She says, “It’s a remarkable, rabbit-out-of-the-hat industry that demands attention to detail, hard work, often in the background, and phenomenal teamwork to ensure that events come together as planned.”

Bingham is determined to make a “lasting contribution” to SAACI, which is a professional association for the business events industry with more than 1 500 members, facilitating an enabling environment for learning, growth and collaboration. Bingham has been a member for seven years and Vice-chair of the Johannesburg sub-committee for three years. 

She says, “Being nominated and voted onto the board by the members is a great honour. It is an association that has an important role to play in the wider tourism and travel industry, promoting professionalism in a sector of the industry that is often not addressed in related tertiary studies. Transferring knowledge and skills is a high priority for me in this new position on the board.”

Bingham, who has been with SCC since 2013, says her passion for all things hospitality was ignited by her mother, a strong woman with a great sense of family and inclusion, and a love of entertaining, which inspired her to study Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Management at Tshwane University of Technology. Then her first job, as a hostess at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, ingrained in her the value of consistent and committed customer-centricity. “Hospitality is about always going the extra mile,” she says. Bingham became a recruit trainer at the Animal Kingdom, sharing her learnings and love for delivering beyond customer expectations.

She spent seven years in the hotel industry as a sales manager, before moving to SCC and the MICE industry. “I love this industry. There is so much involved, it is so diverse – with people from all backgrounds, and the most important requirements for success in this sector are creativity and passion.”

Having travelled fairly widely around the world and been part of international conferences and confexes, Bingham says the South African MICE industry is respected in other countries. “South Africa has something very special to offer the world and we integrate so much of what the country is about into our MICE offerings. At global events, we have often had associates from other countries express surprise at South Africa’s unique approach to problem-solving and events, incorporating the rich tourism opportunities into our offerings.”

Bingham’s enthusiasm for learning extends to her out-of-work hours too, where she balances her working life with reading, listening to self-awareness podcasts, working out, pilates, and relaxing with friends. 

Sandton Convention Centre’s innovative new breakfast offering

Breakfast is taking its place as a key opportunity for innovative corporate events, from casual get-togethers to elegant, celebratory functions at Sandton Convention Centre with the launch of a fresh new approach and a varied breakfast menu selection.

James Khoza, Executive Chef of Sandton Convention Centre and President of the SA Chefs Association, says the move is in response to a developing trend in business for breakfast events in the interests of time and cost saving, as well as sustainability. He says, “The focus is increasingly on sustainability, keeping the food fresh and on point with health considerations, which includes mindful eating – avoiding sugar, salt and preservatives.”

He adds that the range of events now taking place over breakfast is constantly increasing. “Our new breakfast menus are customer-driven, delivering fresh products to accommodate the personality of the different events and to meet the needs of our clients,” he says. “With the new breakfast menus, we have given clients the freedom to put together their own menus without being constrained by the traditional approach to breakfast.”

The breakfast menus cover a wide range of options that include a Standing Continental Grab ‘n Go; a Continental Breakfast Buffet; a Full English Breakfast Buffet; and Plated Breakfast, ensuring every event and client preference is catered for. Says Khoza, “For instance, for the Continental type breakfast, which offers about 15 add-on options, we have allowed some hot enhancers to the cold spread in response to client requests.” The Grab ‘n Go breakfast, which has about 17 add-on options, is also already proving popular for events where networking and interaction are important. The breakfasts all come with an in-house baked basket of pastries and muffins, toast, butter and jams, tea, coffee and juice, as well as seasonal fruit. The menu options range in price from R245 to R345 for the basic menus, with the option to add items according to the requirements for a specific event, and are served between 6am and 11am.

Breakfast buffets can be enhanced with live cooking food stations, which reflect a growing trend and are available at SCC for events with a minimum of 50 guests. These can also be customised to suit client needs.

The premier option is the Plated Breakfast, which includes delicious meals such as the signature dish of Confit trout with coddled egg, green bean cassoulet, mushrooms and caviar hollandaise, many other exceptional dishes, as well as several delicious vegetarian and sweet options.

Khoza says, “Our new approach and breakfast menus embrace climate change challenges that we are all facing. We are constantly seeking solutions to ensure we deliver breakfast favourites, while finding new ways to prepare and cook our food. We are adopting change and providing the most celebrated meal of the day in ways that are already proving popular with Sandton Convention Centre clients and visitors.”

He adds that the SCC kitchen team is collaborating well and is keen to keep learning as cooking evolves with new trends and ingredients. “We are focused on our customers and their breakfast needs – and whatever we cook, we do it with excellence.”

Sandton Convention Centre is a gender balanced workplace, with 26 women in the staff of 44.

Sandton Convention Centre is a gender balanced workplace, with 26 women in the staff of 44 – and the business is committed to women empowerment, according to nine of the women in leadership positions.

Janine Baltensberger, SCC’s Events Manager, who joined the company in August 2001 as Events Coordinator and was nominated for the 2017 Women in MICE Awards, says SCC boosts women’s confidence and self-esteem. “SCC allows women employees the responsibility to create and maintain an environment that is open, where support for each other is encouraged, and it empowers them to grow and develop in their careers.”

Dhirasha Mahabeer, Operations Duty Manager, who has been with Tsogo Sun for seven years and at SCC since 2016, adds that the women empowerment at SCC “is strongly influenced by the leadership skills of the heads of department and the General Manager – good skills which ensure that we all interact respectfully with one another and we’re open to positive criticism and change.”

Their colleagues in leadership positions include Maggie Kruger, Deputy GM; Kelli Mthembu, Operations Manager; Deirdre Caine Van Staden, Marketing Manager; Tracy Montano, Sales Manager; Daksha Vallabh, Sales – Exhibitions; Michelle Bingham, Sales – Corporate & Associations; and Tamryn Moni, G&C Nodal Manager, Reservations.

At the heart of what women empowerment means to the SCC team is the statement by past Secretary-General of the UN, the late Kofi Annan, that, “There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole than the one which involves women as central players.”

The SCC women variously state that women empowerment means that the fair and equal progress that was previously denied is now accessible and attainable; that women are now respected within the organisation and the industry and are recognised for their talent, achievements and hard work; that women can use their ‘superpower’ of womanhood to be a driving force in the industry without having to keep proving that they are capable of great things.
Tamryn says, “We are strong, powerful and independent women who are not afraid to step up to the plate and take action, regardless of the situation. My entire events team consists of women – because we work well under pressure, we support each other, we care, and we get the job done.”

No short cuts or special favours were part of being empowered women for any member of the team, with hard work emphasised. Maggie, who has been in the hospitality industry for 17 years and with SCC since 2017, says, “I have worked very hard to get where I am – and I’ve been empowered by people who have recognised my hard work throughout my career, who challenged me and gave me opportunities to grow.”
Crucial to real women empowerment for all the nine women is empowering others along the way. Tracy, who joined Southern Sun in 1988 in a secretarial position and within six months was promoted to sales, believes that part of empowering others is “allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them”. 

Kelli, who has been in the hospitality industry since she started training at Cape Town Hotel School in 2007 and joined SCC in 2018, says upliftment and development is key in any industry or role – and it is integral to empowerment. “I empower people by ensuring that they are equipped to perform their best and by holding them accountable for their performance. Where failure occurs, I offer support and encouragement to enable improvement.” Tamryn echoes that and says, “To me the best empowerment is to ensure you empower others and appreciate them and all they do.”

The MICE industry was overall declared to be on the right track in terms of improving women empowerment. Deirdre cites as an example, the annual Women in MICE celebration which recognises the contributions and achievements of the top 40 women in the industry and Michelle adds, “The industry could do more for women empowerment with, for example, mentorship programmes for high school girls and possibly bursaries for tertiary education.” 

The nine women cite women of different strengths and backgrounds as their role models – their moms, a sister, Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, Maya Angelou, Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, and women leaders in the industry – and they all had inspiring advice for younger women entering the industry. Daksha: “Believe in yourself and your abilities. We don’t all have the same strengths, so find out what yours is and pursue a career that will complement it. And have fun doing it.” Deirdre: “Stay true to yourself and ensure that whatever you do, you do with pride.” Maggie: “Work hard, always go the extra mile, focus on your strengths and learn from the people around you.” Tracy: “Always ask questions – you’re never too old to learn.” Kelli: “Know that the work we do in this industry is not easy, but it’s worth it if you have passion and are fully dedicated to your trade.” Janine: ” It's not a sit-at-your-desk-during-business-hours kind of role. Event professionals crave the adrenaline rush that comes from co-ordinating and managing an extraordinary experience for attendees.” Tamryn: “Whatever you do, do it with integrity and with respect for yourself and others you work with.” Michelle: There is no such word as can’t – you can be successful in this industry and be all you want to be.”
Dhirasha sums it all up for all women in MICE, “Never give up – it’s a challenging industry.” 

“If it doesn’t taste good, it doesn’t go on the menu.” Heston Blumenthal

James Khoza (Sandton Convention Centre’s Executive Chef and President of the SA Chefs Association) aided by his talented team, has developed a wide range of menus to suit any and every occasion, event and dietary requirement.

Khoza, who has overseen the renowned world-class food and beverage offering at Sandton Convention Centre for eight years, has devised this selection of menus to ensure that all palates are catered for, and that modern and healthier food options are also available.

Khoza says: “We have made every effort to ensure that our catering is a winning differentiator for Sandton Convention Centre. We have developed this wide range of creative menu options to guide customers in their choices, while also offering flexibility. This is an international convention centre that attracts guests and clients from around the world who are highly discerning food consumers – that means our culinary offering must always impress them, it must reflect their ideas and preferences, and we must always deliver quality, fresh and flavourful dishes.”

The new range of menus comprise various options, which can also be customised if preferred, catering for every possible F&B need in a 24-hour period as a delegate or visitor from breakfast and day snack menus, to VIP in-suite catering, pop-up cafés and on stand catering menus for exhibitions. This broad offering extends to crew meal menus and craft food bars with live cooking stations which are themed. Sandton Convention Centre’s global food offering styles have included Mexican Fiesta, Pacific Rim street food and sushi bars, Italian delis, New York steak bars, Indian curry stations, salmon and oyster bars, carnival sweet treats, artisanal cheese displays, and an ice-cream and waffle bar.

Sandton Convention Centre’s General Manager, Shaun Bird is extremely proud of the F&B offering at this Tsogo Sun property: “Our property is unique in that we are not a stand-alone property, we are fortunate enough to have the President of SACA, James Khoza as our Executive Chef on property but if we want additional input, we can pull in resources from our neighbouring hotels - Sandton Sun, InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers and Garden Court Sandton City. This unique pooling of resources means we are able to offer our clients superior quality when it comes to banqueting offering in terms of menu design and production. We also take an holistic approach to conferencing in terms of booking hotel rooms and conferences and are very competitive when you look at our package offering for conferences.”

Sandton Convention Centre hosts 14th Meetings Africa

Sandton Convention Centre (https://www.tsogosun.com/sandton-convention-centre-scc) is proud to host the 14th Meetings Africa expo (https://www.tsogosun.com/sandton-convention-centre-scc/event-calendar/events/meetings-africa-2019), the continent’s annual iconic business tourism showcase, from 25 to 27 February 2019. Meetings Africa is a pivotal platform in Africa’s MICE industry, where top players from the sector showcase the continent as a burgeoning and increasingly popular business tourism destination.

Shaun Bird, Director of Operations and Complex General Manager of Sandton Convention Centre, looks forward to welcoming all participants and visitors to Sandton Convention Centre for “what we anticipate will be a very successful Meetings Africa 2019, opening as always with the ever-popular Business Opportunities Networking Day.”

Meetings Africa provides a wide range of activities for the African business tourism industry, their stakeholders, and markets, with numerous small to large-scale meetings, seminars, AGMs, negotiations, exchanging of ideas, sharing of knowledge and expertise, innovative thinking, sound trading, as well as an exhibition, taking place throughout the three-day event which boasts around 250 exhibitors.

The Future Leaders Forum (FLF) has been hosted at Meetings Africa since 2013, with six students at the inaugural meeting and 50 participating in 2018. The event will take place on 25 February when the delegates will demonstrate their creativity and passion in the events planning business. The winners will meet in Frankfurt in May this year for the grand prize of a scholarship.

Bird adds that Sandton Convention Centre is an award-winning, elegant, and extremely comfortable corporate venue, offering all-inclusive facilities and services for events ranging from 10 to 5,000 people, located in the heart of Gauteng’s business hub, Sandton, with easy access to world-class shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and entertainment, and the Gautrain Sandton station, providing connection to the airport and other parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria. “But most important is our strong team of professional and customer-centric staff and experts with extensive experience who together ensure that the planning and implementation of every event and expo runs smoothly.”

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Celebrate Year End in Style at Sandton Convention Centre

Another year is fast drawing to a close and it’s time to thank staff (and management) for their contribution to your business’s success. What better way to close off the year than with fine food in a beautiful, versatile venue? Sandton Convention Centre has created year-end function packages which will eliminate the stress of arranging a company event, so that you can concentrate on celebrating the successes of the year.

Year-end packages will be available for bookings from 25 November to 15 December 2018 at Sandton Convention Centre and range from cocktail menus for 35 guests, to three-course sit down dinners for up to 600 guests…with variations suited to many other requirements in between.

Menus by a President for World Leaders

Executive Chef, James Khoza – who is also the current President of the SA Chefs Association - recently devised menus with distinctly South African flavours served to heads of state at the recent BRICS Summit held at Sandton Convention Centre.

Chef James and his team do not disappoint and based the year-end function menus on some of the dishes which were served to these illustrious guests including baked African fishcake in coconut brioche crust with Cape Malay pickle and cucumber raita on spicy corn salad to start; followed by grilled rack of lamb drizzled with a dried cherry jus served with caramelised onion and polenta tart and a side of char-grilled vegetables. Of course dessert is a key element in any celebration and who can resist ending a succulent meal with lemongrass crème brûlée or traditional malva pudding with cardamom infused custard and macadamia nut ice cream?

The menus Centre make use of produce and ingredients which can be sourced locally where possible but meet the exacting standards of a world class venue like Sandton Convention Centre.

Turnkey Service

Sandton Convention Centre’s team of extremely willing and able staff are on hand to assist with every aspect of your event to ensure a stress-free and successful celebration.

The year-end packages include:

PA system and microphones

Standard crockery, cutlery, and glassware, waiters and bartenders

Sandton Convention Centre standard linen – cream table cloth (we work closely with décor suppliers and can happily arrange a quote for additional décor requirements)

Complimentary welcome drink – house white/red wine and juice

All that is left to do is get in touch with our team to book an event that will be the talk of the company for months to come

Sandton Convention Centre celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day

12 April 2018: The team at Sandton Convention Centre (https://www.tsogosun.com/sandton-convention-centre-scc) took part in Global Meetings Industry Day 2018 - a global event celebrated annually by the MICE industry- by arriving at work dressed in blue on Thursday, 12 April 2018. The day aims to highlight the immeasurable contribution of the meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibition activities to both the local and international economy.

As a leading convention centre in Africa, a continent ripe with potential and opportunity, Sandton Convention Centre hosts multiple events each year which give credence to the concept of confex business. Surrounded by a plethora of accommodation, dining and entertainment options, delegates travel from every corner of the globe to attend events at Sandton Convention Centre. These delegates play a large role in sustaining and contributing to the micro economy which is the Sandton CBD. 

“We think it’s important to celebrate a day like Global Meetings Industry Day. The sometimes unacknowledged influence of the MICE industry is what keeps our country and continent at the forefront of innovative business practices and knowledge-share. As the burgeoning African continent continues to live up to its potential, growing and developing in unprecedented ways, we look forward to a prosperous future as one of Africa’s leading venues” says Shaun Bird, General Manager at Sandton Convention Centre.

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Tsogo Sun’s James Khoza elected President of SA Chefs Association

James Khoza, Executive Chef of Tsogo Sun’s Sandton Convention Centre, has been elected the first South African born and trained President of the SA Chefs Association since its inception 44 years ago, in an election of anonymous votes cast by the Association’s nearly 10,000 members across South Africa. Khoza has been serving as Vice President of the association in a joint Competitions portfolio.

The SA Chefs Association is a non-profit industry body that represents the interests of chefs, cooks and caterers at all levels, with a focus on skills development, the celebration of culinary professionals, and transforming the industry. The President is tasked with heading the Association’s governing body and Board of Directors, providing direction for its various initiatives, including the South African Culinary Olympics team.

Khoza says he is deeply humbled and honoured to take on this new role, which he describes as educational and overwhelming. “I now carry the hopes and aspirations of many chefs and I look forward to continuing the association’s ongoing work of uniting all chefs. SA Chefs is home to all chefs and no one must feel excluded. I aim to further the association’s work in building a space for development, in ensuring equal opportunity, in improving standards in the industry through training and mentorship, and to working with industry stakeholders to set and maintain the highest level of culinary excellence, growth and development of young chefs and professionalism.” In accepting his new position, Khoza asked the audience of fellow chefs, “to be ambassadors of this noble society – it’s not about any one individual, it’s about people. It’s about mentoring the young chefs in our association and advancing the unity of chefs.”

Khoza has a passion for education and has been gratified by Tsogo Sun’s focus on training and development. During his tenure with Tsogo Sun, both at Sandton Sun and Sandton Convention Centre, he has worked closely with many young learnership students and trainee chefs, personally mentoring them. “I believe that we have a vitally important role to play with the chefs who are starting out – they are our legacy and have the potential to make a difference in our industry in a country that has so much to offer by way of unique ideas and skills.”

Khoza achieved his Diploma in Food & Beverage Management from Technikon Witwatersrand in Braamfontein in the 1990s and then started his culinary career working under Walter Ulz at Linger Longer restaurant as demi chef de cuisine. Through his career, he has travelled and worked in places such as France, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Berlin, where he worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant. He then returned to his South African roots 11 years ago and joined Tsogo Sun, working in various Southern Sun kitchens, followed by the Sandton Convention Centre, where he has been for seven years.

Outgoing SA Chefs President, Stephen Billingham, says, “James Khoza has played an active role in SA Chefs for many years and has a true passion for improving our industry and developing new talent. He is ably equipped to continue the great work done by the Association and all its members.” Billingham adds that he is proud to leave the association in the safe hands of the new leadership supported by a strong board and thriving committees, clubs, and other initiatives.

Ravi Nadasen, COO of Tsogo Sun hotels, congratulates Khoza on his auspicious appointment as head of a strong association that has garnered global respect over the years. “James is a true asset to Tsogo Sun and I have no doubt that he will apply the exceptional work ethic, integrity, quiet confidence and wisdom for which he is so respected to the industry role he now deservedly occupies. As his employer we are delighted to offer our full support to James as he leads the South African Chefs Association to achieve his vision of mentorship and unification.”

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Sandton Convention Centre hosts 13th annual Meetings Africa

On Tuesday, 27 February 2018, the 13th edition of Meetings Africa 2018 trade show opened at Sandton Convention Centre.

As a world class venue with the ability to host events, exhibitions or conferences of any size, ranging from 10 to 10 000 delegates, Sandton Convention Centre provides high quality service, state-of-the-art technology and dynamic facilities. “Meetings Africa has chosen Sandton Convention Centre as the host venue for all 13 years which the trade show has taken place, and we are honoured to play a role in the necessary and exciting transformation of the burgeoning African continent,” says Shaun Bird, SCC’s General Manager.

Showcasing Africa’s diverse offering of services and products, the trade show provides a platform through which African associations and meetings industry professionals can network and collaborate to further position the continent as a dynamic and prolific landscape for the MICE sector. The trade show was opened by Tourism Minister, Tokozile Xasa and Sisa Ntshona, CEO of South African Tourism.

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Confex industry impacts wider business sector

The conference and exhibition industry has an ongoing and significant impact on the greater business and tourism value chain, contributing to growth in a wide variety of sectors, says Shaun Bird, Sandton Convention Centre’s GM. “For every person who participates in an exhibition or conference, as an exhibitor, visitor, or delegate, there are positive repercussions for the local economy.”

As examples, he cites travel costs – flights, car rentals, taxis, Gautrain – accommodation, food and entertainment during the event, as well as pre- or post-event leisure travel within the country, and notes: “Recent research by the National Convention Bureau shows that up to 60% of international delegates who have come to South Africa, will come back within the next five years with their family – creating a ripple effect in the economy.” He adds that the research also found that about half the visiting business delegates are accompanied by one other person on their trips to South Africa, and a significant number are joined by three or more fellow travellers – colleagues or family members.

The National Economic Contribution Study 2014-2016 by the SA National Convention Bureau states that in job creation and economic impact, the international business events industry annually supports on average about 252 000 direct and indirect job equivalents in SA and contributes in total, over R115-billion to SA’s annual GDP. The study states: “South Africa is host to approximately one million international business events delegates annually whose primary purpose of visit is to attend meetings, convention, conference or exhibition.”

Bird notes that leisure visitors to the country tend to spend their own money when travelling here, whereas business delegates tend to travel on company money and have a larger amount of disposable income as their accommodation, flights, and conference expenses are taken care of. This allows them extra budget for shopping, excursions, and leisure travel within the country.

He believes there is more that can be done by the southern African conference and exhibition industry in terms of developing a rotational strategy for major global business events, both within South Africa, between the major cities, as well as within the SADC countries. “When major events are rotating within a region, it stimulates growth of the size of the pie, rather than growth in the number of slices in the same size pie,” says Bird.

The theme of this year’s Meetings Africa 2018, ‘Shared Economies’, echoes this perspective. Meetings Africa, which is Africa’s premier business events trade show, takes place at Sandton Convention Centre from 26 to 28 February. Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer at SA Tourism, reinforces the importance of the business events industry to the continent’s economy. “The Shared Economies theme is a critical component of the work that our industry does, which is way beyond tourism. The goal this year is to expand the overall conversation and focus on how collaboration can help us find innovative solutions to bettering the lives of our people.”

Meetings Africa is an iconic industry event that showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products, and offers a platform for African associations and meetings industry professionals to partner to help transform the continent.

Bird comments: “Meetings Africa is the continent’s largest business tourism event and has been a signature event on the SCC calendar for 12 years. Last year we were proud to win the bid to host Meetings Africa for the next five years, which we believe reflects the growing success of these events.” At Meetings Africa 2017, 18 African countries were represented by 298 exhibitors, 177 international hosted buyers, 57 African association hosted buyers, and 126 local corporate hosted buyers attended.

“We look forward to welcoming every participant to the Tsogo Sun Sandton Mile for Meetings Africa 2018, and wish them all great success in their business endeavours,” he says.

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Gateway to Space: The Exhibition is coming to South Africa! 

After a successful exhibition in Europe, Gateway to Space: The Exhibition will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre from 1 June to 31 July 2016. Gateway to Space was assembled by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, an official NASA Visitor Center.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like in space? Gateway to Space introduces audiences to the people, technologies and circumstances that paid passage for human dreams to enter the realities of suborbital flight, Moon missions and sustained life in space. The exhibition offers an impressive collection of hardware to enlighten and engage visitors while instilling a sense of awe. Among highlights are a real moon rock, a life-size Mir space station core module, a Sputnik-1 model and an Apollo capsule model.

Gateway to Space: The Exhibition, organized by Huisgenoot, YOU and Drum magazines, brings the great adventure of space exploration to South Africa for the first time. Exhibition displays, including International Space Station elements and future, extended duration missions for deep space, engage and excite space dreamers and enthusiasts.

“This exhibition is shipped from Budapest (where it’s currently on show) in 20 shipping containers, making this the biggest exhibition yet to travel to South Africa,” says Minette Ferreira, a spokesperson for Media24. “To date, almost a million people have flocked to see this exhibition.”

“One of the many highlights of the exhibition is a replica of the Mir space station core module, built at an angle to give some effect of vertigo,” she adds. “You can walk inside and also view a model of such a craft’s pilot station.”

Other exciting parts of the exhibition include four original space suits, the original Multi-Axis Trainer (MAT) based on a Mercury-era astronaut training scenario, a glimpse of a scale-model space toilet, the food astronauts eat in space and a model of the Orion capsule, which is designed for future missions to Mars.

From youngsters seeing these items for the first time to the older generation who followed the space race, Gateway to Space invites visitors to set imaginations free, cross thresholds and glimpse entirely new portals to mankind’s adventure in space.

Specific timeslots will be allocated for visitors to walk around this exhibition and experience a journey to space, as well as enjoy additional interactive sessions. Tickets are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Ticket prices

Single ticket (adult): R 180

Single ticket (children between 18 months and 18 years): R 120

Family package: R 520 for a family of four.

School packages, which include a free ticket for one adult for every booking of 20 pupils, are also available. Send an email to space@megatrav.co.za for more information or to book.

All tickets (excluding school packages) are available at Computicket.

For more information about this exciting exhibition go to www.gatewaytospace.co.za.

Sandton Convention Centre Closes the Year with Major African Development Summits

Following a year of hosting significant global events, Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) will close the year 2015 as the platform for the promotion of the African Agenda at two major development summits.

The SCC has been announced as the host venue for the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on 4 and 5 December, which will see Chinese President Xi Jinping paying a state visit to South Africa, hosted by President Jacob Zuma. The theme for the FOCAC Summit is ‘Africa-China Progressing Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development.’

On a recent visit to China, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane discussed the Summit and said areas of cooperation have been identified between China and South Africa. “…these are economic cooperation, integration, industrialisation, beneficiation, health, poverty eradication, and peace and security in Africa. These are the exciting things we want to do with China.”

The massive Africities Summit 2015 – the mouthpiece for Africa’s 15 000 local governments from all regions of Africa – will take place at Sandton Convention Centre from 29 November to 2 December. This seventh Africities Summit is designed to link a clear understanding of likely future trends with strategic debate about what needs to be done at local level to address the emergency of service delivery, economic opportunities, safe and affordable mobility, and more.

 “This is an exciting time for Africa as the region’s macro-economic prospects remain positive for the near and longer-term future and the continent looks ahead to opportunities for progress,” says Sandton Convention Centre Executive Director, Mati Nyazema. “We believe the high level Africa-focused Summits are crucially important to the development of the African continent and we are proud to be the host venue. We look forward to welcoming every delegate to these Summits and we wish them a productive time of innovative thinking and creative solutions for growth.”

It has been proven that the ease of access to Johannesburg and Sandton’s central location in the commercial heart of SA make it a magnet for such Pan-African events, and this contributes immensely to higher delegate numbers for Pan-African conferences.

Earlier this year, Sandton Convention Centre successfully hosted the 25th Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government for the organisation’s 54 member states as well as the My World of Tomorrow conference, amongst other globally significant events.

“We look forward to providing the venue for global events such as CITES 17th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP17), Arnold Sports Festival, and the International Commission on Large Dams, in 2016,” concludes Nyazema.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Sandton Convention Centre Honours Women in Wheelchairs

In celebration of women’s month and in honour of women who are wheelchair bound, 500 wheelchairs were handed over to disadvantaged women with disabilities at Sandton Convention Centre on 28 August. Organiser PPLight had sourced funds and support from corporates to buy wheelchairs for disadvantaged and disabled women and Sandton Convention Centre was the venue sponsor.

The auspicious event was attended by hundreds of people celebrating women with disabilities, specifically those who were wheelchair bound. “We are proud to have been able to be a part of this excellent initiative; it is always rewarding to give a helping hand to those in need and see the smiles on their faces. These wheelchairs will provide mobility, independence and integration opportunities for people who have impaired mobility,” says Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre. For the celebration, the women were also treated to entertainment, refreshments, and massages.

Kabelo Mosito, Communications Director of PPLight says, “We believe in empowering women, building relationships and improving lives. We approached a few centres for women with disabilities who needed wheelchairs, as well as corporates to partner with us in making a difference and providing funds for wheelchairs. We were able to buy 500 wheelchairs to give away.”

Women from Itireleng Centre in the West Rand, Tokologo Disability Centre in Soweto, and Sithandiwe Disabled Chair Centre in Alexandra were among eight centres that sent selected individuals who were in need of wheelchairs to the event. The public at large also assisted PPLight by drawing their attention to individuals who needed urgent assistance. 74-year-old Jacobeth Morake from Alexandra said that she was happy and honoured to be a part of the women’s day celebration – and more particularly that she was the recipient of a brand new wheel chair that would make a big difference to her life.

Adds Nyazema, “American actor William Forsythe once said, ‘You can do really amazing things in a wheelchair.’ We trust that the 500 women who received wheelchairs at this celebration of women with disabilities will be able to accomplish big things in their lives – because of who they are and because of the gift of a wheelchair.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT GAOLE BOGATSU ON (011) 672-2037 OR gaole@stratpr.co.za.

Sandton Convention Centre Women Lead The Way at MICE Awards

One of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a woman in the MICE industry – the Fiona Hack Inspiration Award – was last week presented to Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre, Dr Mati Nyazema.

A second award was presented to Exhibition Sales Manager Lorraine Strydom, who was recognised as being among the Top 40 Women in Mice, presented at the annual awards ceremony which recognises and honours women who make a difference in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.

Joint recipient of the Fiona Hack Inspiration Award, along with Hack herself, Dr Mati Nyazema was overwhelmed at being chosen for this inaugural award within the Top 40 Women in MICE. Presented to a woman who makes a difference in the industry and her greater community and is a role model for other women, the award is named after Fiona Hack from Unlimited Events. Despite being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2014, Fiona still continued to run her business, even while undergoing chemotherapy, inspiring her staff and her clients.

 “It is a great honour to be recognised as a leader in the industry, and even more so as a role model to women, which is something that is very close to my heart,” says Nyazema, who regards mentorship – particularly of women and young people – by industry leaders and influencers as vitally important to the economic progress of the country. Nyazema contributes to the education of four high school girls, who she visits regularly to coach them and encourage them in their studies, and is also a mentor to a young General Manager within the Tsogo Sun group, Ms Zukiswa Quagraine.

Dr Nyazema was appointed Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre in July 2006, having been promoted by Tsogo Sun from the position of Director of Operations, a position she had occupied since May 2005. Her vast experience in many aspects of the tourism and hospitality industries including airlines, hotel groups and tourism boards, spans more than 20 years. 

The second recipient of an award, Lorraine Strydom was honoured to receive her first ever Top 40 Women in MICE award. Strydom currently holds the position of Sales Manager for Exhibitions at the Sandton Convention Centre, where she has held various positions over the last 15 years. In her current position Lorraine has facilitated a number of shows such as Days of the Dinosaur, My World of Tomorrow and Totally Concrete with Coatings for Africa. She also served on the Board of EXSA as Venue Forum Chair during 2013 and won the EXSA Best Venue Employee Award for two consecutive years in 2013 and 2014.

“There are so many phenomenal women who make up the industry, and these awards are a way of giving back and saying thank you. It was time we let these extraordinary women know that they can pat themselves on the back and realise that they are doing fantastic work in the industry,” Martin Hiller, editor or Meetings SA magazine and founder of the Top 40 Women in Mice awards.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR gaole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Sandton Convention Centre Pulls Off A Successful AU Summit

Hosting a successful eight-day African Union Summit for the organisation’s 54 member states – with high level and multi-faceted requirements around the range of meetings, open and closed sessions, meals, functions, décor, logistics, and expectations – is a triumph for the Sandton Convention Centre, says Executive Director Mati Nyazema.

“We were wholly committed as a team to providing a valuable platform for the continent’s leaders and decision-makers to debate and discuss issues of interest and concern in a comfortable and conducive environment,” adds Nyazema. The bottom line was that while preparation for events of these dimensions and stature usually take about 10 to 12 months to prepare for, Sandton Convention Centre had about three months to work with.

The first step for SCC to ensuring a successful Summit was to appoint a dedicated senior manager to the event – Janine Baltensperger – who worked fulltime on the AU Summit and was the single point of contact for the AU, the South African government, as well as service providers and suppliers to the event.

“We were prepared for any eventuality – and as the Summit took place, there were several instances where we had to think on our feet and be instantly ready to accommodate changes to plans and find ways to make things happen,” says Nyazema.

Preparations included certificated training on protocol for several hundred permanent and temporary Sandton Convention Centre staff by an accredited national trainer. “It was very interesting and highly informative and gave appropriate weight to the value of national symbols and the importance of respective nations’ heads of state. The result was that staff were more confident in their positions and it added to our levels of professionalism. Of course this is also a skill that can be reused in the future, even to non-governmental clients,” says Nyazema.

Detailed plans were drawn up by the AU, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and SCC teams and many on-site visits and walkabouts were held to ensure that every requirement would be met. According to Janine Baltensperger, Events Manager, the collaboration between the SCC, the AU and DIRCO was always smooth and professional. “We all worked well together to achieve one goal – a successful AU Summit.”

Preparing the venue included the SCC providing several fully fledged offices for AU and DIRCO officials, incorporating full IT connectivity, electricity supply, phone lines, desks, chairs, cabinets, computers, and other relevant fittings. Several hundred support staff from the AU, DIRCO and related government departments were accommodated at the Summit.

Part of the SCC’s Exhibition 2 hall downstairs was transformed into a media centre for the more than 1 000 accredited international and local media people covering the event. A separate media room was created on the fourth floor for special briefings by heads of state.

The handover of the SCC building to the AU was done on 8 June and the first events – the NEPAD steering committee meeting and the ministerial retreat – started on 9 June. The 27th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, attended by Ministers, took place on 11 and 12 June, as did several other AU committee meetings.

From 10-12 June, a Pre-Summit high level Panel on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment was held, which featured celebrities and eminent personalities such as US actress and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) special envoy Angelina Jolie, Former British first Secretary of State William Hague, chair of the AU Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Sierra Leonean politician and social activist Zeinab Bagura, and Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the AU Commission Benita Diop. Lunch on the 11th was hosted by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and a gala dinner on 12 June was hosted by Minister of Women in the Presidency in SA, Susan Shabangu. Other high level events included the meeting of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the meeting of the Peace and Security Council.

A fundraising dinner for 800 was hosted by the AU Foundation and attended by some heads of state and business people from across the African continent on 13 June. The 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union (Heads of State and Government meeting) was held on 14 and 15 June, with a banquet on 14 June hosted by President Jacob Zuma.

The lighting, sound, and audio visual requirements for every meeting, function, and event were ably provided by SCC’s supplier, Gearhouse.

The SCC team was proficient in thinking on their feet, as they responded to the changing dynamic of the Summit, for example reformatting of seating plans and room configurations, and schedule adjustments to meal and break times.

“Altogether, between 9 and 15 June, a total of 12 500 meals were prepared and served, including over 2 400 dinners served to delegates at the different evening functions,” says Janine Baltensperger, Events Manager, Sandton Convention Centre.

With the change in schedules, it was imperative that the SCC still managed to deliver quality meals that met health and safety standards. “We had to do some quick thinking to make sure everyone was comfortable, happy and well-fed,” says Baltensperger.

Because many of the meals and functions took place in the same function room, the look had to be different for each event and with décor and seating adjustments each time. This took amazing ingenuity and fast, creative work on the part of the décor team – who were still providing fresh, bright and stunning flower and décor displays up to the last event of the final Summit day. The SCC team was also responsible for ensuring that there was different entertainment for the various functions.

“The logistics had to be carefully planned at every turn as access to surrounding streets was restricted, and security management was optimum throughout,” explains Baltensperger. Although the SCC has a capable security service that it provides for events at the venue, a major heads of state or international event such as the AU Summit required the venue to work in conjunction with relevant government departments, to handle the specific security requirements of a conference of that stature.

This 25th AU Summit qualified as the second Heads of State gathering to be hosted by Sandton Convention Centre in its 15-year history – the largest being the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002. However, the AU Summit had additional complexity as meals were provided for delegates, unlike the WSSD where no meals were served in the venue.

“The SCC team pulled out all the stops for this event – as they do for every event,” says Nyazema. “But the nature of the detail of the AU Summit ensured that most of the team was working 16 to 18 hours a day for the duration, and walking over 100km each throughout that period. Doing it well was a matter of great pride for all of us – we believe we showed our city and our country off in the best light because of our performance during this Summit,” says Nyazema.

She notes that providing a service to government is regarded as a privilege by Sandton Convention Centre. “The fact is that such government and international organisations play an extremely important role in the daily lives of South African and African peoples. It’s about providing an efficient service to a client that impacts our futures, that represents our nation, and that enables us to put our products on the global map, and much more. We were proud to be a part of it.”

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Tsogo Sun Volunteers Embrace Mandela Day

Tsogo Sun’s Citizenship programme – the many causes the group supports throughout the year as well as the time and effort that employees contribute towards volunteering to assist the underprivileged in their local areas countrywide – is in for a major boost on 17 July when thousands of Tsogo people will give their 67 minutes and more in honour of Mandela Day.

Tsogo Sun Citizenship programme consists of three divisions – Community Development, Entrepreneur Development, and Environmental Education – each of which is aligned to positively impact society by leveraging Tsogo Sun’s resources, experience and location to support initiatives that will improve the social, economic and environmental conditions where the group has presence.

Tsogo Sun Group CSI Manager Shanda Paine says, “The impact of our collective compassion is seldom more evident than during Mandela Day, when we open our hearts and join hands with the rest of South Africa in service aimed at creating a better world. Last year we supported more than 80 different causes around the country through the volunteering efforts of our employees.”

Mandela Day will see Tsogo volunteers throughout South Africa engaging in a wide range of activities including feeding and entertaining crèche children, painting and maintaining an orphanage, cleaning up rivers, feeding the homeless, hosting caregivers from old-age homes, throwing a children’s party, distributing sleeping bags to the homeless, painting and cleaning animal shelters, donating to and painting at an SAPS Victim Support Centre, and many more.

One of the biggest Mandela Day initiatives for Tsogo Sun is the Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa (SHN SA) Million Meal Challenge, through Sandton Convention Centre’s venue sponsorship, at which 200 Tsogo Sun staff from Tsogo Sun head office, the SCC, Palazzo, Montecasino, Silverstar Casino, Garden Court Morningside, Garden Court Sandton City and Sandton Sun will help to pack one million meals for children.

The SHN SA Million Meal Challenge is a massive three-city (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban) volunteer meal packaging drive, which entails celebrities as well as thousands of corporate volunteers attempting to pack one million meals in four 67-minute shifts. This will be the largest number of meals packaged on a single day by SHN SA. These meals will enable the non-profit organisation to feed 5 000 children healthy nutritious meals for one year. In 67 minutes, each volunteer will pack enough to feed 20 children three meals a week for a year. SHN SA mobilises volunteers to help eradicate hunger on an ongoing basis by providing prepared meal packs to 12 048 young children at 226 unregistered early childhood development centres, where there is no formal funding mechanism providing nutritional support to these children.

Sandton Convention Centre is joining with SHN SA on Mandela Day for the third consecutive year by providing a venue for the packing marathon in Johannesburg. Says Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of SCC, “We are all inspired by the focus Madiba had on South Africa’s vulnerable people – especially children – and we are committed to Tsogo Sun’s far-reaching and sustainability-centred social investment strategic framework, which aims to improve the wellbeing of South Africa’s disadvantaged people. With this in mind, we regard it as a great privilege to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile undertaking of providing meals that will go a long way to bettering the nutritional intake and the lives of thousands of children.”

Graça Machel, patron of SHN SA, says her patronage of the organisation is in support of initiatives in southern Africa that ensure that children especially do not suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition. She adds, “Further, their model of partnering with other NGOs and donors to find a holistic solution to hunger and education is sustainable and to be applauded. Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa plays a pivotal role in ensuring that children obtain an education while being hunger free. The Mandela Day meal packaging event also gives recognition to the efforts of my late husband and the first democratically-elected President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. There can be no greater joy than acknowledging that each year, our efforts with Stop Hunger Now continue to nurture and feed hungry children while ensuring their education.”

Stop Hunger Now SA’s vision is a southern Africa without hunger. “To achieve this vision, we need a vast amount of support,” says CEO of Stop Hunger Now, Saira Khan. “We have been overwhelmed by the commitment to our cause by organisations, companies, and South Africans from all walks of life. This year will be our biggest meal packing challenge yet and we know that with the excellent venues, together with the goodwill, the hard work, and the desire to leave a living legacy in recognition of Nelson Mandela by the volunteers, we will achieve our goal and positively impact the lives – and even the futures – of thousands of needy children.”

Follow the event on Twitter at #Millionmeaiday #MandelaDay @TsogoSun @SandtonEvents @stophungernowsa.. For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/groups/39739504327/ or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents

ISSUED BY TSOGO SUN HOLDINGS. FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:

Priya Naidoo  | General Manager- Group Communications | Tel: 011 510 7583 | Fax: 011 510 7231 | Cell: 084 440 0022

About Tsogo Sun

Tsogo Sun is the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and the Seychelles.

The company’s hospitality interests offer a wide distribution of hotels in Africa, providing world-class accommodation across all markets, including elegant, individually branded luxury hotels and well-known trusted market leaders in the premier through budget segments, including Southern Sun Hotels, Garden Court, SunSquare, StayEasy and SUN1 hotels.

The exciting urban and resort casino portfolio includes the most popular entertainment destinations, strategically located throughout South Africa. In the Gauteng province, Tsogo Sun owns the group’s flagship property, Montecasino in Fourways, which features, amongst other attractions, the award-winning Teatro; Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park in Southern Johannesburg; and Silverstar Casino to the West in Krugersdorp. Additional properties are owned and operated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including the jewel on Durban’s Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment.

Tsogo Sun’s philosophy of sustainability has seen the group structuring its support of the communities in which it operates into three main pillars of investment. This includes Corporate Social Investment, whereby the group promotes the development of learners through three academies which offer holistic, full-year programmes centred around sport, art and education; Enterprise Development which focuses on skills-based entrepreneurial development through its Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse and Supplier Development programme; and Environmental Management, committed to initiatives that reduce the impact the business has on the environment.

Tsogo Sun (“TSH”) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.  The key shareholders of Tsogo Sun are Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (“HCI”), a JSE listed investment holding company.

Tsogo Sun Gaming supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Winners know when to stop.  Only persons over the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling counselling toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008.

DISCOP Africa Rates Sandton Convention Centre as a ‘dream’ Venue

DISCOP Africa 2014, the pan-African film, television programmes, adaptation rights and packaged channel market, held at Sandton Convention Centre in November 2014, was “excellent on all fronts” and the venue rates as “one of the top three in the world, according to my experience,” says Patrick Zuchowicki, CEO of Basic Lead, organisers of DISCOP Africa, which takes place twice a year, in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire and Johannesburg, South Africa.

The expo attracted about 250 individual exhibitors and national pavilions and over 2 000 delegates from 70 countries, representing more than 1 000 companies “that drive television business and digital changes in Africa”, notes Zuchowicki.

DISCOP Africa was held in Exhibition Hall 1, while the Ballroom and Bill Gallagher Room were also used for different events and activities during the three-day show.

Says Zuchowicki, “We chose the Sandton Convention Centre after having organised events in Senegal, Kenya and Ghana. We believe that the SCC is the best combination of conference and exhibition facilities, which are easy to use, with lots of nearby hotel accommodation, easy access to the airport, and the close proximity of a world-class shopping mall. This is a combination that is the perfect dream for a trade-show organiser.” He adds that Basic Lead intends to continue using the SCC for years to come as the company is expanding its business in Africa. “We hope to bring more shows to the SCC and develop an even stronger relationship in the future.”

He says Basic Lead has an excellent working relationship with the SCC team and has experienced great responsiveness by them, which contributes to the value of the event.

Exhibitors also responded positively to the show at Sandton Convention Centre. “They love Johannesburg, they love South Africa, and they enjoy the fact that it is easy to plan a trade-show there thanks to a large pool of excellent service providers.”

DISCOP Africa 2015 will be held at Sandton Convention Centre from 4 to 6 November – and is, says Zuchowicki, expected to be better than ever.

“Africa is the world’s fastest growing TV and online business marketplace. We estimate the Continent to be worth half a billion dollars in revenue for the international content business, twice as much as just three years ago,” comments Zuchowicki.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

Sandton Convention Centre to Host SA’s First Arnold Sports Festival

The inaugural Arnold Classic South Africa sports festival will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 27 to 29 May 2016 featuring more than 42 sporting codes. It is expected to attract at least 10 000 South African and international athletes and many more visitors and support staff, and will be attended by legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, after whom the event is named.

The Arnold Classic was launched 27 years ago in Ohio, USA, by Schwarzenegger and his partner Jim Lorimer, called ‘the architect’ of the Arnold Classic. It features a wide range of sporting codes ranging from strongman and bodybuilding events, to martial arts, dancing, chess, table tennis, softball, baseball, cycling, aerobics, and many others. Arnold sports festivals now take place annually in the USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil and next year will launch in South Africa and Malaysia.

The event in South Africa is organised by Wayne and Michelle Price, both active in South African bodybuilding and in the International Federation of Bodybuilding South Africa, of which Wayne is National Executive President. Explains Michelle, “We were competing in an Arnold Classic in the USA some years ago when we heard Arnold say he was on a ‘fitness crusade’ and wanted to take the Arnold Classic to every continent. We started negotiations with Arnold and Jim three years ago and are delighted to now be bringing the first Arnold Classic to South Africa.”

Michelle says that the long history of the event as well as the strong backing from the Arnold Classic partners in the USA augurs well for a highly successful festival in South Africa. “The event is renowned in the international sports arena and the Arnold festival in the USA in March this year attracted 240 000 visitors, of which about 24 000 were athletes. An added attraction for the South African event includes the offer to local sporting codes to use the event as a platform for their regional or national championships – “already we have had excellent response to this offer,” adds Michelle. The event will also feature a health and fitness trade expo with about 300 stands.

The Sandton Convention Centre is the ideal venue for this event, says Michelle. “The SCC’s location is perfect as it is close to the Gautrain station; there is ample accommodation and parking in the area; as well as a wide selection of restaurants and other entertainment options.

“A South African team attended the Arnold Classic in Ohio in early March to gain a clearer understanding of the requirements of this exciting event and how best to adapt it for our South African environment. We will be using all the Convention Centre’s in-house services and facilities, including catering and the sound stage, and we believe the team is more than qualified to deliver on all our expectations,” states Michelle.

For more information visit www.arnoldclassicafrica.com. For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Sandton Convention Centre is the Host Venue for the African Union Summit in June

The Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg has been selected as the host venue for the 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), comprising membership from over 50 African countries. This will be the second largest Heads of State meeting held at Sandton Convention Centre in its 15 year history, the largest being the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.

“We are proud to be the host venue for this auspicious bi-annual event at which decisions that impact our continent will be made,” says Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre (SCC). “The requirements for international  summit comprise a very wide range of the highest quality services and facilities, and high levels of security for the top ranking leaders and delegations who attend. As one of Africa’s largest purpose-built convention and exhibition centre, we are certainly the best venue for the job.”

The 24th AU Summit, which took place in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in January 2015, covered a range of diverse topics such as the Ebola crisis, Boko Haram, safety and security in the African region, as well as development and administrative-related issues. The 24th AU Summit ended with a strong call for women empowerment in Africa as a step towards achieving the goals of Agenda 2063, which is a global strategy to optimise use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans.

“The Sandton Convention Centre is privileged to provide the ideal platform for such high level discussions and decision-making that shape our African continent,” says Nyazema

The SCC’s track record of successful major international events, which include Power Africa from 2009 to 2015; Africa Energy Indaba from 2010 to 2015; Totally Concrete from 2013 to 2015; Africities in 2015; the Global African Diaspora Summit 2012, the Commonwealth Parliamentarian Union 2013, the C40 Climate Reality Summit 2014, the phenomenally successful Days of the Dinosaurs in 2014; the  Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, and many others, bear testament to the venue’s capacity to deliver a world-class international event.

Sandton Convention Centre is located in Sandton business hub, adjacent to a wide range of accommodation, shopping malls, dining and entertainment option. This, together with its easy access to the Gautrain network and OR Tambo International Airport, are likely to have been factors in the organisers’ selection of the SCC as host venue.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT GAOLE BOGATSU ON (011) 672-2037 OR gaole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Sandton Convention Centre Celebrates Growth and Diversification

Looking ahead, the rest of the year looks set to be a bumper one at southern Africa’s leading and most prestigious, multi-purpose exhibition and convention centre, celebrating growth and diversification in the industry.

Sandton Convention Centre’s calendar has revealed a myriad of possibilities with the high level African Union Summit in June attended by heads of state and government, ministers, and representatives from the 54 member countries, Breakbulk Africa, Totally Concrete, Coatings for Africa, FNB Joburg Art Fair, Power, Water Africa Solutions Conference, International Women’s Forum World, Cornerstone Conference, SA Fine Brandy Fusion, Water Africa Solutions, ISS World, Enactus World Cup, International Radar Conference, the Ice Age exhibition and Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.                          

A significant event from a business tourism perspective was the iconic industry event, Meetings Africa, which this year celebrated its 10th anniversary and attracted close to 200 international hosted buyers, 50 African associations and 500 corporate travel buyers. The event showcases Africa’s steady climb in the world rankings as a preferred business destination, with South Africa now ranked 34th most popular destination globally on the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) global rankings, having hosted 118 international recognised association conferences during 2013, up from its 2012 ranking of 37th and in sharp contrast to the 12 global events held in 1994.

Says Dr Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of the SCC, “This milestone marks a decade of growth, innovation and the positive economic impact that Meetings Africa has driven for the African continent.”

As a ‘confex’ event – a combined conference and exhibition – Meetings Africa is perfectly accommodated within the SCC’s 22 000m² space, which is capable of providing venues to suit the event’s requirements for exhibition space, small meetings rooms, a gala venue and smaller cocktail venues, along with internal catering. Ideally located in Sandton, the purpose-built 12-storey structure is designed to hold an array of events concurrently, accommodating up to 10 000 guests at any one time while still being capable of hosting the intimate meetings and events that are a core component of Meetings Africa and other confex events.

“The SCC is always looking for innovative trends and sustainable practices to support and grow the industry, and the kitchen is no different. Over the years the SCC kitchen has committed to locally sourced ingredients, fair trade and sustainable produce. This practice ensures synergy between show, venue and culinary experience as many shows, including Meetings Africa, are opting for a ‘greener show’ in all aspects,” says James Khoza, Executive Chef at the SCC.

The rise of the ‘confex’

The confex trend is gaining traction in the events industry as a viable value-add for organisers, exhibitors, and delegates.

“While the confex concept has been around for some time – in fact the first conference at SCC was the National Conference on Racism in September 2000, which included an exhibition component – it certainly is becoming more commonly adopted by organisers in the global events arena,” says Nyazema, who adds that the SCC has always strived to accommodate this trend.

Nigel Walker, MD of Compex, specialists in the confex arena and organisers of the first exhibition at the National Conference on Racism at SCC, agrees that the confex trend is definitely growing across the eventing board. “The trend is to transform conferences or exhibitions into events and experiences – to the benefit of all participants.”

He says that for organisers, an exhibition component in a conference can contribute significantly to the conference income while adding an additional draw-card for the delegates. It also allows organisers a golden opportunity to give their sponsors the exposure that they deserve with their often significant investment in the event.

For exhibitors, the biggest benefit is a targeted and captive audience. Says Walker, “Exhibitors can be very specific as to what they show on their stands, knowing that specialists in a very specific field will be attending. We’ve seen significant uptake by exhibitors at a great variety of conferences. For instance, in the medical field, conferences for the pharmaceutical industry, critical care, specialists, nurses, medical aids, and others, are all attracting a strong base of exhibitors at their conferences – and the exhibitors report significant levels of success at the conferences.”

Delegates too, are content to spend time at the exhibition as they know that it will be relevant to their spheres of interest – and this is often a time for positive networking among the exhibitors and the delegates. Walker says that organisers need to make sure that conference delegates get enough time to visit the exhibition with tea and lunch breaks of a reasonable duration and that it is not difficult to access from the conference area.

Lorraine Strydom and Michelle Bingham, Sales Managers in Exhibitions and Corporate respectively for SCC, are noticing the confex trend at many of their events, even at internal corporate events. “An exhibition as part of a seminar or conference – even for staff and even just a small number of exhibitors – adds excitement to the event, contributes to the learning or training process, and brings in extra income, helping to cover the costs of the event for the company,” points out Bingham.

Strydom notes that several big conferences that take place at SCC every year are increasing their exhibition space year on year, based on the success of the events as the exhibition space is allocated according to demand for it. She believes that the trend will continue growing because of the tremendous value it adds for all stakeholders. In both Bingham and Strydom’s experience they have also picked up that conference delegates are “getting smarter” about attending events because of tightening budgets and that attending a conference and exhibition in one is a favoured choice, rather than one or the other.

Strydom adds that the confex concept has also been moving steadily into the exhibition and trade fair arena for some years, and that seldom does one take place without a ‘free-to-attend’ seminar or workshop taking place as well. “But this has to be managed carefully,” she says, “as too much in the way of seminars could take visitors off the exhibition floor – which won’t work for the exhibitors who have invested heavily in their exhibition space.” This means that, more often than not, the seminars take place at certain times only, and on the exhibition floor.

Nyazema says, “Driving footfall, increasing profitability, and adding value is the aim of every event held at SCC – and the confex is proving to be an ideal platform for achieving this for organisers, exhibitors, delegates and visitors. SCC will continue to strive to be at the forefront of new developments in this exciting concept.”

Size counts

The confex relies on the ability of a venue to provide both small and large multi-purpose spaces for conferences, meetings, breakaways and the exhibition component, as in the case of Meetings Africa.

The size and the stature of events hosted regularly within the SCC’s walls conjure up an image of large-scale events, but this is just the tip of iceberg of the convention centre’s capabilities. Nestled within the four main levels of the SCC are a number of venues that cater for smaller, more intimate business events.

Approximately 13 smaller, multi-purpose venues offer endless possibilities, providing the a prestigious space that can accommodate anything from two to 350 guests for private cocktail functions, intimate dinners, meetings of various sizes, executive brainstorms, AGM’s, breakaway rooms and interview rooms.

The variety of options available at SCC extends from its venues to its suppliers, accommodation and food and beverage. Customised packages are tailor-made for each client to accommodate the specific requirements of the event and the SCC prides itself on its ability to provide both the venue and expertise to ensure that everything from the décor, to the menu and entertainment are seamlessly co-ordinated.

Many companies whose events have started out in the smaller rooms at the SCC have grown to become far larger events within this prestigious address, with the SCC remaining the venue of choice as it proudly supports the growth of these businesses.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

The building’s size and the stature of events hosted regularly within its walls conjure up an image of large-scale events, but this is just the tip of iceberg of the SCC’s capabilities. Nestled within the four main levels of this conveniently located convention centre, which has easy access to major highways and the Gautrain, are a number of venues that cater for smaller, more intimate business events.

Approximately 13 smaller, multi-purpose venues offer endless possibilities, providing the a prestigious space that can accommodate anything from two to 350 guests for private cocktail functions, intimate dinners, meetings of various sizes, executive brainstorms, AGM’s, breakaway rooms and interview rooms.

The variety of options available at SCC extends from its venues to its suppliers, accommodation and food and beverage. Customised packages are tailor-made for each client to accommodate the specific requirements of the event and the SCC prides itself on its ability to provide both the venue and expertise to ensure that everything from the décor, to the menu and entertainment are seamlessly co-ordinated.

Many companies whose events have started out in the smaller rooms at the SCC have grown to become far larger events within this prestigious address, with the SCC remaining the venue of choice as it proudly supports the growth of these businesses.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow us on Twitter @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

SAAPI Conference Moves to Sandton Convention Centre

In a move aimed at providing greater convenience to delegates, the South African Association of Pharmacists in Industry (SAAPI) held its successful annual conference for the first time at Sandton Convention Centre last year, with excellent results. SAAPI represents pharmacists and allied professionals who practice in the industry and it provides value to PSSA (Pharmaceutical Society of SA) members who practice in the industry.

The theme of the conference was ‘Pharmaceutical Industry Today – Managing Risk’ and highlighted proactive risk detection, broad risk awareness, and much more. “The SAAPI conference is aimed at keeping industry pharmacists informed of changes, while also allowing a platform for the Medicines Control Council to engage with industry and improve regulatory standards,” explains Tammy Chetty, President of SAAPI.

The two-day conference was attended by approximately 150 people, with 17 speakers and one international speaker.  “The conference included a small exhibition, the use of several different venues including the ballroom, all meals and break refreshments, as well as wi-fi – and all the services were of a high standard. The meals were well prepared, the technical assistance was well organised, and the support offered to our conference organiser was absolutely great,” says Chetty, who adds that feedback by delegates and speakers following the conference was “excellent”.

The conference has previously been held in Pretoria – and the move ensured easier accessibility by a larger proportion of the delegates, quick and easy access via the Gautrain, as well as the wealth of facilities and parking offered by the convention centre’s close proximity to Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square.

“This venue change to Sandton Convention Centre was the right decision; it was well received by our audience and members, and we will certainly be using the convention centre again.” Chetty expressed her thanks to the Sandton Convention Centre team for “a superb venue and facilities” for the conference.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

The Right Event Venue Can Add Prestige To A Brand

“You have to stay true to your heritage; that's what your brand is about.” Alice Temperley, British designer

Selecting the right venue for a conference, an event, or an exhibition is important for building, maintaining and protecting the image and brand of the host organisation, says Dr Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of the Sandton Convention Centre.

“The venue says something about how organisations view themselves – and how they want to be viewed by their audiences, whether the event is for their own staff or for other stakeholders. If for instance, a company is launching a new product or service that is aimed at the high profile market, the launch venue must compliment the message the organisation intends to convey.”

She suggests that while the venue in itself and the facilities, services, and level of customer service it offers are vitally important to the decision-making process, what must also be taken into account is the location of the venue. For instance, what does the area surrounding the venue offer? Located in the heart of the business hub of South Africa, with a vast array of shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment, parking, and accommodation within easy walking distance, the Sandton Convention Centre tends to be an ideal venue for many major events.

A recent new development for the SCC was the phenomenally successful Days of the Dinosaur lifestyle exhibition which attracted over 185 000 visitors over four weeks and offered them an experience “more exciting and moving than visiting a museum”. Contributing significantly to its success, says Nyazema, was the fact that the SCC is in such a family-friendly location, where families could make a day of the outing, taking the Gautrain to Sandton and then exploring the malls and local entertainment offerings after visiting the exhibition. “We were also aware that for the parents of the many thousands of school children who came by bus to visit the exhibition, the SCC was considered a safe and secure environment for the children.”

Nyazema adds that the most telling factor for her regarding the success of this exhibition was the fact that the organisers had booked the venue for the next five years before the Days of the Dinosaur was over at SCC.

An event that in September this year moved to Sandton Convention Centre because of its changing profile over the years is the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, which has outgrown its venue in Newtown. “Moving the venue has saved the festival about three weeks of set up and preparation time, which has seen a significant cost saving for the organisers. This is a case of an event that has matured beyond its present venue and a move has enabled a wider array of musical shows to be offered – while also providing easier access to guests from the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.”

At the other extreme was the recent hosting at Sandton Convention Centre of the new business-to-business Southern African Funeral Expo in August. The SCC – with its location in South Africa’s business centre and its wide range of facilities and services both at the venue and beyond it – proved to be an ideal venue and the expo was a big success.

Nyazema adds that with the growing number of international events held in South Africa, it has become important to ‘sell’ the destination with all its facilities and services together with the venue. “Johannesburg as a burgeoning and easily accessible world-class city and Sandton as its vibrant business hub are proving to be appealing for international event hosts. We are finding a wider range of events, conferences, and expos are trusting the Sandton Convention Centre with their brands – and we are always prepared to prove to them that they made the right choice,” she says.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

The Sandton Convention Centre, in collaboration with Junior Chamber International South Africa and the City of Joburg, has won a bid to host the Africa & Middle East Conference of Junior Chamber International in 2016, a prominent global platform for young business leaders. This is the second time since the inception of the conference in 2005 that Johannesburg is the host city – the only city to have been appointed to host the event more than once to date.

“It’s a real feather in the cap of the city and the SCC,” comments Dr Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre. “It’s an indication of the position that we hold as a world-class city with world-class facilities. The city is also easily accessible from anywhere in the world and the Convention Centre is conveniently located in Sandton, South Africa’s business hub, with easy access to the Gautrain.”

A unique aspect of the bidding process was the speed with which the decision was made. Yoshni Singh, international sales manager for Sandton Convention Centre, says the request for bids was received in mid-April – and within a month the bid had been awarded.

The Africa & Middle East Conference of Junior Chamber International will take place from 4 to 6 May 2016, with 1 000 delegates. The conference will include breakaway rooms, cocktail events, and other special events.

Linda Ben, National President of JCI South Africa, says presenting Johannesburg as the host city made logistical sense for the local chapter as the city is the most active region of JCI in the country. “Added to that, all our bidding partners wholeheartedly came on board and fully supported the bid throughout the entire process, making it that much easier to present the winning bid.”

Comments Singh, “Sandton Convention Centre’s ideal location in the Sandton business hub, adjacent to a wide range of accommodation, shopping malls, restaurants and entertainment, is likely to have been a factor in the decision-making. As of course is the venue’s extensive facilities and excellent track record in hosting top global events.”

Sandton Convention Centre has an impressive lineup of international events that it has and is hosting, which include Power Africa from 2009 to 2015; Africa Energy Indaba from 2010 to 2015; Totally Concrete from 2013 to 2015; Africities in 2015; CIDESCO – World of Beauty and Spa Therapy in 2015; the phenomenally successful Days of the Dinosaurs in 2014; the World Orchid Conference and Show in 2014; and many others. “More than 60% of the Convention Centre’s bookings are repeat business, indicating a strong degree of satisfaction with our overall offering,” says Nyazema.

“As Africa’s largest purpose-built convention and exhibition centre, the Sandton Convention Centre is looking forward to pulling out all the stops to ensure the Africa and Middle East JCI conference in 2016 will be the best one ever,” adds Singh.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/groups/39739504327/ or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Confex Trend is Set to Continue Strong Growth

The confex – a combined conference and exhibition – is gaining traction in the events industry as a viable value-add for organisers, exhibitors, and delegates.

“While the confex concept has been around for some time, in fact the first conference at Sandton Convention Centre was the National Conference on Racism in September 2000, which included an exhibition component, it certainly is becoming more commonly adopted by organisers in the global events arena,” says Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre, who adds that Sandton Convention Centre has always strived to accommodate this trend.

Nigel Walker, MD of Compex, specialists in the confex arena and organisers of the first exhibition at the National Conference on Racism at SCC, agrees that the confex trend is definitely growing across the eventing board. “The trend is to transform conferences or exhibitions into events and experiences – to the benefit of all participants.”

He says that for organisers, an exhibition component in a conference can contribute significantly to the conference income while adding an additional drawcard for the delegates. It also allows organisers a golden opportunity to give their sponsors the exposure that they deserve with their often significant investment in the event.

For exhibitors, the biggest benefit is a targeted and captive audience. Says Walker, “Exhibitors can be very specific as to what they show on their stands, knowing that specialists in a very specific field will be attending. We’ve seen significant uptake by exhibitors at a great variety of conferences. For instance, in the medical field, conferences for the pharmaceutical industry, critical care, specialists, nurses, medical aids, and others, are all attracting a strong base of exhibitors at their conferences – and the exhibitors report significant levels of success at the conferences.”

Delegates too, are content to spend time at the exhibition as they know that it will be relevant to their spheres of interest – and this is often a time for positive networking among the exhibitors and the delegates. Walker says that organisers need to make sure that conference delegates get enough time to visit the exhibition with tea and lunch breaks of a reasonable duration and that it is not difficult to access from the conference area.

Lorraine Strydom and Michelle Bingham, Sales Managers in Exhibitions and Corporate respectively for Sandton Convention Centre, are noticing the confex trend at a large proportion of their events, even at internal corporate events. “An exhibition as part of a seminar or conference – even for staff and even just a small number of exhibitors – adds excitement to the event, contributes to the learning or training process, and brings in extra income, helping to cover the costs of the event for the company,” points out Bingham.

Strydom notes that several big conferences that take place at Sandton Convention Centre every year are increasing their exhibition space year on year, based on the success of the events as the exhibition space is allocated according to demand for it. She believes that the trend will continue growing because of the tremendous value it adds for all stakeholders. In both Bingham and Strydom’s experience they have also picked up that conference delegates are “getting smarter” about attending events because of tightening budgets and that attending a conference and exhibition in one is a favoured choice, rather than one or the other.

Strydom adds that the confex concept has also been moving steadily into the exhibition and trade fair arena for some years, and that seldom does one take place without a ‘free-to-attend’ seminar or workshop taking place as well. “But this has to be managed carefully,” she says, “as too much in the way of seminars could take visitors off the exhibition floor – which won’t work for the exhibitors who have invested heavily in their exhibition space.” This means that, more often than not, the seminars take place at certain times only, and on the exhibition floor.

Nyazema says, “Driving footfall, increasing profitability, and adding value is the aim of every event held at Sandton Convention Centre – and the confex is proving to be an ideal platform for achieving this for organisers, exhibitors, delegates and visitors. Sandton Convention Centre will continue to strive to be at the forefront of new developments in this exciting concept.”

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/groups/39739504327/ or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvent.

   

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT VANESSA NAUDÉ ON (011) 672-2037 OR vanessa@stratpr.co.za.

ABOUT SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district.  The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), and provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space.  Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world.  Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time.  A team of highly-trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Meetings Africa Thrives at Sandton Convention Centre as Africa’s Leading Confex Event in The Business Tourism Industry

Meetings Africa, Africa's business tourism lekgotla, synonymous with the development of the industry, follows hot on the heels of a year of firsts for Sandton Convention Centre (SCC), having hosted the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and the longest-running exhibition ever in South Africa – Days of the Dinosaur, as well as significant events such as C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Mayors Summit and 20 Years of Economic Transformation Summit.

The year ahead looks set to be a bumper year at southern Africa’s leading and most prestigious, multi-purpose exhibition and convention centre, celebrating growth and diversification in the industry.

SCC’s calendar reveals a myriad of possibilities with Breakbulk Africa, Totally Concrete, Coatings for Africa, FNB Joburg Art Fair, Power, Water Africa Solutions Conference, International Women’s Forum World, Cornerstone Conference, SA Fine Brandy Fusion, Water Africa Solutions, ISS World, Enactus World Cup and International Radar Conference.                             

One of the first events on SCC’s calendar and undoubtedly the most significant from a business tourism perspective is the iconic industry event, Meetings Africa, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary and is expected to attract 186 international hosted buyers, 50 African associations and 500 corporate travel buyers. The event showcases Africa’s steady climb in the world rankings as a preferred business destination, with South Africa now ranked 34th most popular destination globally on the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) global rankings, having hosted 118 international recognised association conferences during 2013, up from its 2012 ranking of 37th and in sharp contrast to the 12 global events held in 1994.

Says Dr Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of the SCC, “This milestone marks a decade of growth, innovation and the positive economic impact that Meetings Africa has driven for the African continent.”

As a ‘confex’ event – a combined conference and exhibition – Meetings Africa is perfectly accommodated within the SCC’s 22 000m² space, which is capable of providing venues to suit the event’s requirements for exhibition space, small meetings rooms, a gala venue and smaller cocktail venues, along with internal catering. Ideally located in Sandton, the purpose-built 12-storey structure is designed to hold an array of events concurrently, accommodating up to 10 000 guests at any one time while still being capable of hosting the intimate meetings and events that are a core component of Meetings Africa and other confex events.

All shows at the SCC are supported by a strong team of individuals and renowned chefs at the SCC, with years of experience in their respective fields. “This year, our culinary team will be providing the catering for the three day show and the chefs have taken an inspired look at current food movements and created trendy food truck style and gourmet street food menus which will be available during the day, while speciality menus have been created for the gala dinner and an array of cocktail specialities for the smaller events,” says Nyazema.

“The SCC is always looking for innovative trends and sustainable practices to support and grow the industry, and the kitchen is no different. Over the years the SCC kitchen has committed to locally sourced ingredients, fair trade and sustainable produce. This practice ensures synergy between show, venue and culinary experience as many shows, including Meetings Africa, are opting for a ‘greener show’ in all aspects,” says James Khoza, Executive Chef at the SCC.

The rise of the ‘confex’

The confex trend is gaining traction in the events industry as a viable value-add for organisers, exhibitors, and delegates.

“While the confex concept has been around for some time – in fact the first conference at SCC was the National Conference on Racism in September 2000, which included an exhibition component – it certainly is becoming more commonly adopted by organisers in the global events arena,” says Nyazema, who adds that the SCC has always strived to accommodate this trend.

Nigel Walker, MD of Compex, specialists in the confex arena and organisers of the first exhibition at the National Conference on Racism at SCC, agrees that the confex trend is definitely growing across the eventing board. “The trend is to transform conferences or exhibitions into events and experiences – to the benefit of all participants.”

He says that for organisers, an exhibition component in a conference can contribute significantly to the conference income while adding an additional draw-card for the delegates. It also allows organisers a golden opportunity to give their sponsors the exposure that they deserve with their often significant investment in the event.

For exhibitors, the biggest benefit is a targeted and captive audience. Says Walker, “Exhibitors can be very specific as to what they show on their stands, knowing that specialists in a very specific field will be attending. We’ve seen significant uptake by exhibitors at a great variety of conferences. For instance, in the medical field, conferences for the pharmaceutical industry, critical care, specialists, nurses, medical aids, and others, are all attracting a strong base of exhibitors at their conferences – and the exhibitors report significant levels of success at the conferences.”

Delegates too, are content to spend time at the exhibition as they know that it will be relevant to their spheres of interest – and this is often a time for positive networking among the exhibitors and the delegates. Walker says that organisers need to make sure that conference delegates get enough time to visit the exhibition with tea and lunch breaks of a reasonable duration and that it is not difficult to access from the conference area.

Lorraine Strydom and Michelle Bingham, Sales Managers in Exhibitions and Corporate respectively for SCC, are noticing the confex trend at many of their events, even at internal corporate events. “An exhibition as part of a seminar or conference – even for staff and even just a small number of exhibitors – adds excitement to the event, contributes to the learning or training process, and brings in extra income, helping to cover the costs of the event for the company,” points out Bingham.

Strydom notes that several big conferences that take place at SCC every year are increasing their exhibition space year on year, based on the success of the events as the exhibition space is allocated according to demand for it. She believes that the trend will continue growing because of the tremendous value it adds for all stakeholders. In both Bingham and Strydom’s experience they have also picked up that conference delegates are “getting smarter” about attending events because of tightening budgets and that attending a conference and exhibition in one is a favoured choice, rather than one or the other.

Strydom adds that the confex concept has also been moving steadily into the exhibition and trade fair arena for some years, and that seldom does one take place without a ‘free-to-attend’ seminar or workshop taking place as well. “But this has to be managed carefully,” she says, “as too much in the way of seminars could take visitors off the exhibition floor – which won’t work for the exhibitors who have invested heavily in their exhibition space.” This means that, more often than not, the seminars take place at certain times only, and on the exhibition floor.

Nyazema says, “Driving footfall, increasing profitability, and adding value is the aim of every event held at SCC – and the confex is proving to be an ideal platform for achieving this for organisers, exhibitors, delegates and visitors. SCC will continue to strive to be at the forefront of new developments in this exciting concept.”

Size counts

The confex relies on the ability of a venue to provide both small and large multi-purpose spaces for conferences, meetings, breakaways and the exhibition component, as in the case of Meetings Africa.

The size and the stature of events hosted regularly within the SCC’s walls conjure up an image of large-scale events, but this is just the tip of iceberg of the convention centre’s capabilities. Nestled within the four main levels of the SCC are a number of venues that cater for smaller, more intimate business events.

Approximately 13 smaller, multi-purpose venues offer endless possibilities, providing the a prestigious space that can accommodate anything from two to 350 guests for private cocktail functions, intimate dinners, meetings of various sizes, executive brainstorms, AGM’s, breakaway rooms and interview rooms.

The variety of options available at SCC extends from its venues to its suppliers, accommodation and food and beverage. Customised packages are tailor-made for each client to accommodate the specific requirements of the event and the SCC prides itself on its ability to provide both the venue and expertise to ensure that everything from the décor, to the menu and entertainment are seamlessly co-ordinated.

Many companies whose events have started out in the smaller rooms at the SCC have grown to become far larger events within this prestigious address, with the SCC remaining the venue of choice as it proudly supports the growth of these businesses.

For more information on Sandton Convention Centre, log on to www.saconvention.co.za, join the Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/SandtonConventionCentre or follow on Twitter at @SandtonEvents.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NICOLE TURNER ON (011) 672-2037 OR nicole@stratpr.co.za

About Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is located in the heart of Sandton’s hotel, business and entertainment district. The centre offers easy access to more than 5 000 hotel rooms (ranging from economy to deluxe), is adjacent to some of the country’s premium shopping and entertainment complexes (Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square), which provides 10 600 secure parking bays.

Sandton Convention Centre offers unlimited potential with over 22 000m² of state-of-the-art meeting, exhibition and special event space. Purpose-built to international standards, the convention centre is able to host meetings, conferences, exhibitions and special events of virtually any size and nature.  It offers some of the most advanced technology available for convention and exhibition centres anywhere in the world. Multiple events can be staged simultaneously on four main levels, and 10 000 visitors can be accommodated at any one time. A team of highly trained staff is on hand to provide support services.

Its central position in Sandton provides easy access to Johannesburg International Airport, Gautrain rapid rail, the Sandton CBD, major hotels and shopping centres.

Sandton Convention Centre was developed and is managed by Tsogo Sun, the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a vast variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and Seychelles.

Tsogo Sun’s Sandton Convention Centre Partners with Stop Hunger Now to Commemorate Madiba

This year marks the first Nelson Mandela International Day since the passing of one of the greatest leaders in modern history, Madiba. On Friday, 18th July, Tsogo Sun’s Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) paid tribute to his legacy by partnering with Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa, to eradicate child hunger in unregistered Early Childhood Development Centres.

The event was themed ‘Meals in Memory’ and packed 745 000 meals throughout the day in five shifts of 67 minute each at the SCC and multiple shifts in Cape Town. It was the largest number of meals packaged on a single day by Stop Hunger Now SA to date.

The meals will be distributed to 180 unregistered Early Childhood Development Centres around Johannesburg and Cape Town, bringing relief to almost 9 000 children, who receive three nutritious meals a week thanks to the efforts of all the volunteers and sponsors.

Barry Mey, Chief Executive Officer of Stop Hunger Now SA, notes, “The outpouring of support from individuals and corporate South Africa to perform 67 minutes of community service in honour of our beloved Madiba is testimony to the fact that this year's Mandela Day was very special. Following our great statesman's passing late last year, so many South Africans have responded to his birthday wish – for us all to serve the poor.”

Commenting onSandton Convention Centre’s support of the event, Executive Director Mati Nyazema says, “Mandela Day is a celebration of kindness and giving. As a country and as individuals we can only hope to mirror this sentiment, not only on Mandela Day but every day. It is this effort that will keep Madiba’s memory alive, and we are honoured to partner with Stop Hunger Now SA’s and all the corporates and members of the public who came together to make this vision of feeding hungry learners a reality.”

Mey adds, “We are amazed at the hospitality, generosity and support that theSandton Convention Centre has shown us. Stop Hunger Now’s partnership with the venue has made today’s objective of 745 000 meals possible.”

Mrs Graça Machel, former president Nelson Mandela’s widow opened the day’s proceedings with a heartfelt address, noting the great things being achieved through his legacy, “Well done! Wherever Madiba is today, you can be sure he's smiling.”

This is the second year that the SCC has partnered with Stop Hunger Now SA, which is an on-going international initiative that serves 65 countries. As part of the Tsogo Sun group, the SCC participates in initiatives such as this one that are enduring, and which align with the group’s sustainability in tourism strategy and model.