The best in business events

As well as being a business hub and centre of learning with its four world-class universities and research institutions, Cape Town also offers modern infrastructure and a huge range of facilities and services for hosting your next event.

Testament to the city’s popularity is its collection of awards, including ICCA’s number one city of Africa for business events (2010-2019), World’s Leading Festival & Events Destination at the World Travel Awards (2018), and Best Destination in Africa at the World Tourism Awards (2019).

Event planners are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the right venue in Cape Town. From small, boutique hotels with intimate meeting spaces, to multifunctional venues that can accommodate large exhibitions and conferences, there is something to suit every event.

A plethora of accommodation options are also available for delegates, as the city has roughly 20 000 three-, four- and five-star hotel bedrooms, as

Top attractions

• Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature • Cape Point Nature Reserve • Cape winelands • Robben Island, a World Heritage

Site and museum • V&A Waterfront • Beautiful Blue Flag beaches Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau T: +27 (0)21 487 8600 W: wesgro.co.za/convention-bureau

well as a broad selection of boutique hotels, rated guesthouses and B&Bs, serviced apartments and over 18 000 Airbnb rooms. Most of these are located in the City Bowl.

A variety of venues For those seeking something a little different, Avenue at the Two Oceans Aquarium (www.aquarium.co.za) can seat a maximum of 400 delegates looking directly into a stunning 1.6 million litre ocean exhibit of sea life at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Alternatively, the Old Mutual Conference and Exhibition Centre at Kirstenbosch (www.sanbi.org/gardens/ kirstenbosch) can also cater for up to 400 guests and its gorgeous botanical backdrop is ideal for conferences, banquets, product launches, workshops, meetings and presentations.

For large conferences and exhibitions, the Century City Conference Centre (CCCC, ccconferencecentre.co.za) and the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC, www.cticc.co.za) both have much to offer. The CCCC is centrally located in the greater Cape Town metropole, and offers a comprehensive, full-tech solution including plentiful secure underground parking, free Wi-Fi, and restaurants, bars and coffee shops alongside the manmade waterfront, as well as 600 hotel bedrooms within walking distance. Its 20 venues offer versatile event options. Some 1 900 guests can be comfortably accommodated in a single venue while Century City Square has 1 200 m² of floorspace for outdoor events.

The behemoth CTICC is the city’s biggest exhibition venue. Its largest exhibition hall has a 11 399 m² footprint and can fit 9 500 delegates seated in theatre style or 7 300 guests for a cocktail function – and it has over 60 venues to choose from! Additional perks to hosting your event at the CTICC include its on-site business centre, medical assistance, free Wi-Fi, expansive parking facilities, prayer rooms, and even a nursery for busy parents attending events. Several premium accommodation options surround the CTICC, including Hotel Sky Cape Town, Southern Sun The Cullinan and The Westin Cape Town.