Kievits Kroon Country Estate launches revamped conference facility

Kievits Kroon, the luxury country estate outside Pretoria, has succeeded in developing a conference product that has unique elements for the South African market. Research and thought has been put into this new conference experience, which has been developed in line with the estate’s overall wellness theme. The first phase was rolled out on 1 November 2009.

“Our delegates’ comfort and well-being are the drive behind the upgrading of the conference experience. We want to offer the client something simple and uncluttered yet effective, ensuring they reach their goal at the end of their conference,” says Alan O’Leary, Managing Director of Kievits Kroon. He elaborated, “we incorporated the five senses into the new product – sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch are introduced in a subtle way, providing the guest with a sense stimulating experience.

Attention is given to ‘sight’ by brightening up the conference rooms. New, lighter wood top tables are introduced and the existing conference chairs have been re-upholstered. The two largest meeting rooms, Constantia and Buitenverwachting, have ergonomically designed sleigh-based chairs, offering suitable back support, thus reducing fatigue and discomfort.

Flipchart covers with inspirational keywords such as ‘motivate, ‘excellence’ and ‘passion’ will set the scene for your meeting.

The sounds you hear during a conference can be stimulating or obtrusive. As the ‘hearing’ sense can be very sensitive, Kievits Kroon made sure that their tranquil surrounds are inducive to focused conference sessions. The estate has luscious gardens, rose bushes and greenery, as well as an abundance of bird life nesting in the many trees.

In the interest of the delegates’ wellbeing, Kievits Kroon would like to present guests with something to look forward to while conferencing on the estate; a makeover is also planned for the tea- and coffee breaks. Great attention has been given to the adequate stimulation of the ‘taste’ sense: a variety of preferences are catered for as each break contains a choice of healthy, sweet and savoury refreshments. High-energy foods are served during the morning breaks to speed up the metabolism, combating fatigue and keep hunger pains at bay, whereas the afternoon’s break focuses on sustaining energy levels, ensuring maximum productivity throughout the notorious afternoon slumber. Think of smoothies, granola glasses, mini hamburgers and homemade meat pies. The snack menu changes daily, presenting delegates with a fresh and interesting selection every time.

Kievits Kroon also introduced a ‘Wellness Table’, in the foyer of the conference centre as part of the estate’s strive to wellness. An attractive display of succulent fruits and ice-cold flavoured and still water are available to delegates throughout the day.

The estate is also making history by being the first hotel in the country to sign up with the ‘O-Original Water Concept’, from Europe. Tap water is ultra-purified to produce fine mineral water, with a high quality aroma, flavour and composition. This sophisticated operation involves the purification and bottling of table water on site. High-quality re-usable glass bottles are used, ensuring the environment is considered while servicing the guest.

A signature smell is also launched in the conference centre: a secret combination of aromatherapy oils is burned in specially created burners. These are strategically placed, ensuring the smell is not overpowering but strong enough to enhance the delegate’s mood and create an uplifting feeling, inducive to creative thinking.

Different textures stimulate the ‘touch’ sense – from the quality fabric on the chairs, the wooden table tops, blotters for notepads, coasters and shiny stainless steel pens to a tray with bowls of lemon and mint to flavour your water, all form part of the set-up, creating a contemporary presentation in a clean and neat way.

The new company logo is also reflected in the conference experience with a range of branded items like mugs and pens. Kievits Kroon embarked on the wellness journey with a new corporate identity that includes the Jacaranda tree as a symbol of positive energy and a representation of life and stability.

Kievits Kroon has a dedicated conference centre, purpose build to ensure maximum comfort while your conference is on the estate. Choose from 12 superbly designed meeting rooms, accommodating groups from 10 – 120 delegates in various seating configurations. Our conference centre is designed with functionality being a priority, whilst giving our delegates the opportunity to take full advantage of our spacious meeting rooms, practical furniture, conference equipment and business centre. The estate has a solid reputation, built over the past 12 years of outstanding service, enforcing our motto of being ‘committed to excellence’.

The Cape Dutch country estate offers a complete business and leisure experience in a secure and tranquil setting, just 15 minutes from central Pretoria and 45 minutes from Sandton. A peaceful and relaxing atmosphere awaits you from the moment you enter through the Jacaranda-lined lane. A range of the finest facilities can be enjoyed including an award winning spa, restaurants, a library bar and a stylish banquet hall.