COVER STORY: BULLSEYE

BULLSEYE

Meetings magazine sees why Fancourt hits the nail on the head as a conference venue.

From intimate, luxury conference rooms to fully removable doors that convert the exhibition hall into a space big enough for a product launch, the Fancourt Conference Centre should be on your radar for your next corporate function.

So, how do you differentiate one conference venue from another?

At Fancourt, the answer is clear. Your choice of business venue should offer exclusivity, style and space that can be configured to your requirements, be it a launch for over a hundred people or a meeting for a few.

Fancourt takes it one step further with a team of conference specialists who will ensure a seamless technological interface and behind-the-scenes backup. Above all, they offer downtime on some of the country’s most renowned golf courses and at the award-winning spa, all with enviable mountain views thrown in for good measure. When you hit on that brilliant idea or lead up to that quintessential launch, your colleagues and VIP guests will, no doubt, be applauding your choice of venue.

At Fancourt Business Centre, not only will you receive free parking, Wi-Fi and secure, private access to executive suites, but you will also savour the best in local produce – most of which is made on the property. But more than that, and top of mind for most guests, there is a focus on health and safety.

CONFERENCE CUISINE

The hotel believes that every conference or meeting should start with a delicious buffet breakfast. In fact, it takes this buffet so seriously that it has a team of specialist chefs trained in the art of making the perfect egg, while all bread and confectionaries, as well as cured hams, are made in-house. Even the honey is sourced from the estate apiary.

The executive chef will design a custom menu for your guests, while the hotel’s dedicated team of on-site coordinators will arrange the room and your itinerary to make sure everything runs like clockwork – all under strict hygiene practices, audited by an external company that does regular laboratory tests on food products, hands and work surfaces. Executive Chef Desmond Morgan says temperature checks are recorded daily and measures include colour-coded chopping boards and live cooking stations for breakfast with screens and cooked-to-order meals.

At Fancourt, the answer is clear. Your choice of business venue should offer exclusivity, style and space that can be configured to your requirements, be it a launch for over a hundred people or a meeting for a few

“All the halfway houses also have their own kitchens and meals are prepared to order,” Desmond explains.

The wide range of options on offer caters to specific diary requirements like halaal, vegan or vegetarian.

THE ART OF CONFERENCING

If space is a luxury, this hotel celebrates every inch of it, with over 600 hectares on offer. Add that to strict protocols with the ongoing training of staff to adhere to the highest sanitation standards and you have nothing to worry about beyond that next big business breakthrough.

From the smallest executive boardrooms to the large hall, the mood lighting, contemporary design and attention to detail make every space look and feel unique – no matter the conference size, occasion or budget.

INNOVATIVE THINKING ON SHOW

The hotel is known for its high standards and spirit of service, which is why it provides business offerings within its Gary Playerdesigned golf courses. ‘Work hard and play hard’ is an adage that perfectly explains the philosophy behind the state-of-theart amenities. Even before guests arrive, the hotel has apps and online tools that take the hassle out of booking and planning. And if you are stuck for theme and decor ideas, you can always ask the Fancourt team for a database of service providers to elevate your experience.

SECURE AND CENTRAL FOR VIPS

It’s hard to find a centrally located hotel that offers the big three in VIP security – safety, privacy and access. The hotel delivers, with a single, one-way road that loops around the hotel to ensure secure access and executive suites that offer apartment-style privacy, including private, dining and lounge areas. It’s no wonder these suites are a firm favourite with celebrities, film crews and government officials alike. BUSINESS PLAYGROUND IN ONE LOCATION

The key to any successful conference is how delegates can spend their precious downtime without having to fuss over planning. Here, again, guests are spoilt for choice. They can book a treatment with the expert Spa at Fancourt therapists, languish in the oxygenated Roman baths, or enjoy some relaxation in the terrarium, jacuzzi or sauna. Or guests can enjoy the Leisure Centre and Poolside Café, where a heated indoor or outdoor pool is available. Guests are invited to rent a bike and explore the estate or take a designated 3 km, 5 km or 10 km walk through the established gardens and manicured courses. Enjoy a coffee and croissant at Monet’s, after-conference cocktails on the deck of The Club Lounge, or dinner at La Cantina – never once having to exit the resort.

There can be no doubt: Fancourt is a business playground. You can even invite your mates around to watch the game (complete with drinks and snacks) on an ultra-large television in the lap of luxury. And to top this all off, the hotel is a mere 10 minutes from George Airport, which hosts several airlines now flying directly to George from Johannesburg and Cape Town.