Industry Face-Off: Durban International Convention Centre vs Cape Town International Convention Centre

With little more than a week left before two of South Africa’s largest convention centres on opposite sides of the country will each host an important trade fair, we take a look at how the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC Durban) – also known as the ICC Durban iNkosi Albert Luthuli Complex - and the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) square up against each other as two of the important attractions in South Africa’s major tourism cities.

From May 9th to 12th, the East Coast’s ICC Durban will play host to Indaba 2009, one of the largest tourism marketing events on the global calendar. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the West Coast’s CTICC is gearing up for an equally important event – the MediFest Trade Fair 2009, the leading trade fair dedicated to medical and healthcare sector, which runs from May 6th to 8th. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the Centre who, in your mind, edges slightly ahead of the other.

Durban International Convention Centre: CEO: Miller Matola

Concise history
The ICC was developed during the mid-1990′s by the eThekwini Municipality at a cost of R280 million to act as a catalyst for the economic development of Durban, at a time when confidence in the city was at an all time low.

What does the Durban ICC offer?

• Three convention halls with a total floor area of 7000m2.
• The ICC can seat 5 000 delegates in total.
• The conference venue is flexible and walls and be placed or moved away as needed. For exhibitions and functions, the ICC is joined with its sister venue, the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) to cater for 10 000+ delegates.
• There are 4 halls in the ICC, with air-conditioning and access to state-of-the-art equipment.
• The foyer is an aesthetic feature with natural light steaming through the glass entrance and the entire decor emits a natural feel.
• Facilities include state-of-the-art equipment, high-tech sound and lighting equipment, media booths, a VIP-booth, dressing rooms, food and bar options and more.
• Parking is provided.
• Facilities for disabled patrons.

What are some of the biggest events the ICC Durban has hosted so far?
The International AIDS Conference in 2000, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1999, and the Non-Aligned Movement in 2004.

How much income does the Durban ICC generate?
Since its opening in August 1997 it has contributed as much R6 billion to the local economy. In the 2007/08 financial year the contribution amounted to R700 million. An ICC conference delegate survey done in October 2008 by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, shows that on average delegates spend R6 400 per conference and that 47% of those polled said that they were ”extremely likely” to return to the city on holiday with in five year period.

What makes the ICC special?
It has often been voted Africa’s Leading Conference Centre and is considered to be amongst the top 10 worldwide, with an Arena which has been especially designed for concerts, sports such as wrestling, ice skating shows and exhibitions.

Cape Town International Convention Centre: CEO: Rashid Toefy

Concise history
Officially launched on 28th June 2003, and built at a cost of about R582-million, the centre is owned by the Cape Town International Convention Centre Company (Convenco), which was established by the Western Cape provincial government in 1999.

What does the CTICC offer?

• A purpose-built, flexible facility with 10 000m² of dedicated exhibition space, two raked fixed-seating auditoria for 1 500 and 600 delegates, a 2 000m² grand ballroom with magnificent city views, and over 33 break-out rooms.
• The centre has been designed to bring all its facilities, including a hotel, under one giant roof.
• The technology is state-of-the-art, and the venues are flexible – the ground floor exhibition space can easily be broken up into smaller venues for banquets and conferencing, and 20 of the breakout rooms can be configured to different sizes
• The kitchen facilities are the largest and most advanced in the Western Cape and all venues accessible without disturbing the flow of traffic.
• The list of services covers audio-visual conferencing, registrations, security, messengers, first aid, and business, hotel and cleaning services.
• Facilities for disabled persons.

What are some of the biggest events the CTICC has hosted so far?
Investing in Africa Mining Indaba 2009, the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) 2004 Annual Conference, and the World Economic Forum 2005.

How much income does the CTICC generate?
The CTICC’s contribution to South Africa’s GDP is expected to rise to R3.38bn in the next financial year. The next five years are expected to increase its cumulative total to more than R30bn since the CTICC’s inception in 2003. On average R2,400 is spent per delegate, per day, on registration, accommodation, local travel and transportation, gastronomy and souvenirs when in Cape Town. The total spend of 5 000 delegates attending an average 5-day congress is R60 million. Four new international congresses which have been won will bring nearly 5 000 delegates and as much as R.6bn in spending power to benefit Cape Town’s coffers over the next few years.

What makes the CTICC special?

• A concerted effort by the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) to reduce its carbon footprint through streamlining its operations has paid off. During December 2008, a saving of R130 000 was made on electricity through switching off unnecessary plant and equipment – a result of the CTICC’s commitment to creating an environmentally sustainable convention centre.
• Last year, the design of the CTICC was recognised as the Best Architectural Design in the Mother City, in the Best of Cape Town Awards.
• The CTICC was recognised for its exceptional use of steel in structural and architectural design when it was capped as the overall winner of Steel Awards 2004.
  About Author
  Leoni Benghiat has a keen interest in travel-related topics and dabbles in all kinds of journalism newspapers, magazines, websites, whatever publishing opportunity presents itself. Being a patriotic South African she feels the need to tell the whole world that South Africa has much to offer, even though some days might seem dark. And the wonder of the internet has made this possible with the help of all the other South Africans in the travel industry, of course. Email her on: benghiat@sagateway.com

Please feel free to suggest any industry players or leaders in their field to be included in our Industry Face-Off.

Blogger Leoni Benghiat

Leoni Benghiat has a keen interest in travel-related topics and dabbles in all kinds of journalism – newspapers, magazines, websites, whatever publishing opportunity presents itself. Being a patriotic South African she feels the need to tell the whole world that South Africa has much to offer, even though some days might seem dark. And the wonder of the internet has made this possible – with the help of all the other South Africans in the travel industry, of course.

• Web
|
• More Posts