NEWS

CTICC secures fifteen international conferences.

Over the past 17 months The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) has secured 15 international conferences and will welcome approximately 22,000 delegates to the Mother City, bringing an estimated R594 million into the local economy over the next six years.

The business events industry (meetings, incentive trips, conferences, and exhibitions) has been one of the hardest-hit sectors over the past 17 months. Even with many businesses and associations worldwide reevaluating their position on business travel, the CTICC has managed to secure 15 international conferences through collaborative efforts with their partners, such as the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau.

Additionally, one of the most notable conferences secured is Africa Oil Week, part of a three-year deal the Hyve Group has signed with the CTICC. Nine of the 15 conferences will host a trade exhibition as part of the conference.

Taubie Motlhabane, chief executive officer of the CTICC, said: “With strict lockdown measures impacting our normal sales process, the team has had to do everything remotely. As part of the sales process, we take all potential customers on a virtual tour through the centre. The tour allows them to experience the different spaces and get a feel of the venue. We also offer all our clients the options of running hybrid or virtual events using our digital platform CTICC Engage. And our strict C19-Care© protocols provide the assurance needed from a health and safety perspective, allowing customers to book with us with confidence.”

CTICC Engage allows professional conference organisers to host seamless and successful live digital events with customisable branding and offers features such as AI matchmaking, a lead generation dashboard, and exhibitor booths. The team at the CTICC developed the C19-Care© protocols in collaboration with health, tourism, and events industry leaders, both locally and abroad, and the protocols apply to the National Department of Health’s regulations.

The stringent protocols ensure that the safety of the CTICC’s clients, staff, and delegates is always put first. Since opening its doors almost two decades ago, the CTICC has focused on building a resilient brand on the global business events stage. The continued interest over the past year in the CTICC as a venue to host conferences and trade exhibitions, most notably those in the medical and scientific fraternities, signifies the strength and resilience of the venue and destination.

Deon Cloete, chairperson of the Cape Town International Convention Centre Company (Convenco), said: “In a highly challenging year, the team at the CTICC and their partners were able to make this achievement possible by working together and showing the world why we are Africa’s leading business events venue and destination.”