Max Marx rounds up the major new developments on the events scene in Gauteng.

Gauteng, Africa’s economic powerhouse, is gearing up to position itself as a mega-events destination.

Already the province’s world-class infrastructure – from roads and telecommunications to its high-tech conference and convention centres, stadiums, exhibition halls and first-rate accommodation options – makes it an attractive destination for medium-sized meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions (MICE) as well as for large stadium events such as sports matches and music concerts.

Now several new developments on the cards will enable Gauteng to attract mega business events to the province and further enhance its status as South Africa’s premier events destination.

The building of two new international convention centres has been confirmed – the Tshwane International Convention Centre in Centurion, which will form part of a larger development called the African Gateway Convention and Exhibition Precinct; and the Ekurhuleni International Conference Centre at Rhodesfield, which will be adjacent to a conference, hotel and dining precinct. Also under discussion is an international convention centre along the Vaal River in Sedibeng.

Dr Ngwako Sefoko, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development’s Project Manager: Tourism Planning and Development, says these event infrastructure developments are in line with Gauteng Tourism’s flagship project to bid for and support the hosting of mega events in the province.

He says at present Gauteng predominantly has the infrastructure to host medium-sized MICE events of around 5 000-6 000 delegates while the intention is to host mega events of 12 000 delegates and more within the next three to five years.

“Through the development of these new ICCs and supporting infrastructure, and the fostering of strategic partnerships with relevant tourism stakeholders in the value chain, such as hotels, we will have the capacity to host these major events.”

Sefoko adds that the multifunctional nature of the new meetings and events infrastructure will enable Gauteng to host more than one mega event at a time – a key differentiator from SA’s other provinces – and will also enable it to accommodate events from other provinces and African destinations like Kenya, when they are over-capacitated.

Watch this space

The Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) recently announced the launch of Studio Joburg, a fully fledged film studio, media and entertainment hub that will be based at its premises. While it is still in the planning stages, the idea is to create a one-stop top-class film production facility.

According to Eddie Mbalo, MD of Studio Joburg, the long-term plan is to create a multi-purpose venue complete with film studios and backlot with a ‘World in One’ set-up; where outdoor scenes from popular film destinations such as New York, London and Paris can be shot. It is envisaged that the facility will also have a film school, five-star hotel, restaurants and other entertainment offerings that locals and visitors to Gauteng can enjoy, with guided tours of the film studios and film sets on offer.

The plan is to see how best to maximise the space at JEC, which will continue on as a conference, exhibition and events venue as well as become a film production hub.

JEC offers 50 000sqm of indoor space with various halls, 100 000sqm of outdoor space and a multi-purpose arena accommodating 20 000 people. The largest hall can host 9 400 delegates cinema-style.

A new conference venue is also opening at The Lakes Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni, just 10km from OR Tambo International Airport. The new venue will cater for 4 000 delegates cinema-style and 3 000 delegates schoolroom-style, and brings to 16 the number of conference venues offered at The Lakes. 

In Tshwane, the four-star CSIR International Convention Centre recently refurbished its restrooms and will soon upgrade its foyer areas. It offers 11 meeting rooms, three auditoriums, the largest catering for 450 delegates, and an exhibition hall that can host 1 000 delegates.

Other large event venues in Gauteng:

*Five-star Sandton Convention Centre with 22 000sqm of convention, exhibition and special events space. Largest venue: 4 500 delegates cinema-style.

*Four-star Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre offers 665 bedrooms and 60 meeting rooms. Largest venue: 3 000 delegates cinema-style.

*Four-star Emperors Palace Convention Centre has 21 meeting rooms. Largest venue: 3 000 delegates cinema-style.

*Three-star Tshwane Events Centre has 85 000sqm indoor and outdoor exhibition space, 11 exhibition halls, an arena for 25 000 people and 10 meeting venues.  Largest venue: 500 delegates cinema-style.

*Four-star Emerald Resort & Casino has meeting rooms and an Events and Exhibition Centre: Largest venue: 4 500 delegates cinema-style.

*TicketPro Dome – an 11 000sqm arena for 19 000 concert goers, banqueting for 5 000 and cinema-style seating for 13 000 delegates.

*Five-star Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand has 27 000sqm of exhibition space, with 19 multi-purpose venues. Largest venue: 7 000 delegates cinema-style.

*The 94 000-seater FNB Stadium for concerts and sports events also has 10 meeting rooms, the largest catering for 500 delegates, with banqueting for 2 000 and exhibitions with 300 stands.