The Conference Venues Team

Rudi is the webmaster and blog author for Conference Venues South Africa, a free and impartial venue-finding agency helping you find the right venue according to your specific requirements for stress free conferencing, business meetings, team building events, workshops, functions or product launches.

How to Evaluate a Conference

Organizing Conferences No Responses »

Oct 172012

In this series on organizing conferences we looked at the various phases of organizing a conference, how to set up a conference organizing structure, the planning phase of the conference, publicizing the conference and running the conference. The conference is now over, and it is time to evaluate the conference in the following areas.

Evaluating The Conference

Presenters and Presentations at the Conference

Were the presentations clear, coherent and relevant to the topic of the conference? Did the method add or subtract from the effectiveness of the presentation? One exception is at academic conferences where the quality of the presenters work and ideas usually carry more weight than the method of presentation.

Evaluating the presentations also assists in deciding whether the presenter or presenters can be used for future conferences. Successfully evaluating the presenters and presentations at the conference depend on the information gathered from interviews with participants and completed evaluation forms.

The Overall Experience of the Conference

To evaluate the overall experience of the conference, the coordinator relies on the information gained from participants through spoken feedback and evaluation forms. It is, therefore, vital to obtain feedback from as many participants as possible at the conference. The feedback provided will help to evaluate whether the participants feel that they got what they expected. Other questions that may be answered when evaluating the overall experience of the conference include:

Were there enough opportunities for networking?
Were the sessions at the conference interesting, helpful and relevant?
Was the conference well organized, how smooth did it run?
What aspects of the conference did participants like the most?
What could have been done differently?

The Conference Venue and Services

The coordinator and others who dealt directly with the conference venue will be responsible for evaluating the venue and the services provided by the venue. They will evaluate whether the conference venue was easy to deal with and if the venue liaison was available and helpful. Some questions that may be asked when evaluating the venue include:

Did the conference venue deliver on their promises?
How was errors and oversights handled?
What was the quality of the food and was the food available on time?
Was there any extras made freely available to guests?
Was the conference venue easy to find?
Were there enough conference rooms and were they large enough?
Was the cost of the conference venue reasonable compared to other options?

Conference Coordinator, Conference Staff and Volunteers

A big part of this evaluation will be done by those being evaluated. It is a time to stand back and evaluate what aspects of the conference were successful but also where things could have been done differently. Questions to ask in this part of the evaluation include:

Were tasks clear and well-defined?
Did everybody know what was expected of them?
How well did everyone work together?
Was there good communication among everyone involved in running the conference?
Did everyone know who to ask when questions were raised?
Did everyone know who was in charge of what?
Were tasks completed in a reasonable time?
Did the coordinator know who to turn to for assistance?

The Conference Organizing Process

Questions asked when evaluating the organizing process include:

Were there enough people available in both the initial planning phase and for the running of the conference?
Was there enough lead time to organize the conference?
Did the planning process have enough input and structure?
Was there a plan that was easy to follow?
Were the initial estimates of costs and participants reasonably accurate?
What aspects of the organizing process went particularly well?
What needs to be changed for future conferences?

All this information gained from evaluating the conference will assist conference coordinators immensely when organizing their next conference.

Resource: Community Tool Box: http://ctb.ku.edu/

African Ports Evolution 2012 Conference in Cape Town

Conferences in South Africa No Responses »

Oct 122012

The African Ports Evolution 2012 Conference for African port authorities, terminal operators, government, providers of products and services, will be taking place in Cape Town from the 20^th to 22^nd of November.

The African Ports Evolution Forum 2012 will provide attendees with take home, futureproofed solutions for boosting the integrity of port operations, modernizing facilities, and increasing bulk and container throughput. The conference will include a lively mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions, case study presentations and numerous networking sessions.

This conference is the only African event to provide broad insight into how a ports development project affects ports authorities, investors, and terminal operators and importers and exporters alike. The African Ports Evolution Forum 2012 will feature, engaging interactive presentations, knowledge and solution driven sessions, key suppliers under one roof, extensive case studies and numerous networking opportunities.

Reasons to Attend the Conference

Unique opportunity for open dialogue and collaboration between National Revenue Authorities and National Ports.
Step-by-step guidance throughout every stage in the African port expansion project.
Sequential contributions made from port operators, port authorities, investors, and importers/exporters.
Learn how to access emerging corridors from stakeholders with interests along new and growing trade routes.
Learn about cross-border cooperation amidst Africa’s ports as a means of boosting the continent’s overall profile as a premier partner for international trade.
Learn how to reduce transit times well below the current World Bank estimate of 38 days to import and 32 days to export in Africa.

Conference Venue

The venue for the African Ports Evolution 2012 Conference is the Radisson Blu, Waterfront. This conference venue is newly renovated and offers a five-star seaside experience overlooking both Table Mountain and Robben Island. The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront offers some of the most ideal meetings and events facilities in Cape Town. Fully compatible with today’s dynamic business needs, this hotel offers two air-conditioned conference rooms with the latest audio-visual and technical equipment, with world-class catering. Each room has a maximum capacity for up to 70 guests and rooms may be combined for larger groups.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront affords easy access to popular attractions, including Greenmarket Square, Mouille Point and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and is located 21 kilometres from Cape Town International Airport. The 177 rooms at this Cape Town luxury hotel are equipped with first-class amenities like coffee and tea provisions, free high-speed internet access and mini bar. For the ultimate luxury, the hotel’s Business Class rooms and suites overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Al fresco dining is available at the on-site Tobago’s Restaurant. The hotel also boasts an on-site spa with a variety of relaxing treatments, such as oxygenating vitality pool, and a fitness centre.

Conference Keynote Speakers

The African Ports Evolution 2012 Conference will feature over 40 industry speakers including:

Tau Morwe, CEO, Transnet National Ports Authority, will deliver the Keynote Address and provide the inside track on South Africa’s dynamic infrastructure development plan now underway.
Simon Allen, Managing Director, Stefanutti Stocks Marine.
Ton Bestenbreur, Independent Port Operations & Logistics Consultant and Part-Time Lecturer, University of Stellenbosch.
Brian Bitsch, Chief Commercial Officer, Sogester S.A. – A.P. Moller-Maersk Group.
Rae Cruikshank, Group Executive: Customs Operations, South African Revenue Services.
Dr. Leila Goedhals-Gerber, Senior Lecturer, University of Stellenbosch.

How to Run a Conference

Organizing Conferences 1 Response »

Oct 102012

So far in this series of blogs on organizing conferences we have looked at the various phases of organizing a conference, how to set up a conference organizing structure, the planning phase of the conference and publicizing the conference. Today we are going to discuss how to run the conference once it finally gets going after months of careful planning.

Attending to Conference Logistics

The conference logistics can be described as those tasks that make the conference run smoothly. The following are some of the conference logistic that will require attention at the conference.

Organising the volunteers and staff who will be manning the conference information desk, directing people to the sessions and handing out relevant information.
Making sure right presenters and speakers are at the right room at the right time.
Ensuring the conference venue has sufficient space for the meals, breaks and other events at the conference.
Printing or copying conference materials such as evaluation forms and participant packets.
Scheduling of conference sessions in such a way that it makes it easy for participants to follow a topical thread.
Appointing hosts for each session, who will introduce the presenter, make sure the equipment is in place, keep time schedules, hand out materials, distribute and collect evaluation forms.
Make sure that exhibitors, coffee, hand outs etc. are in their correct places.
Find the correct place for the registration and information desk.
Arranging and informing the conference participants of the location and availability of parking.

Registration of Conference Participants

Preregistered participants will have conference packets waiting for them. A table will have to be set up where participants can check in and receive the conference packets as quickly and easily as possible. It makes sense arranging the packets alphabetically, helping the person stationed at the table to find the appropriate packets efficiently. The conference coordinator or the coordinator’s assistant will need to be close by or at the table to answer questions.

Clear procedures need to be put in place to deal with walk-in registrations. The staff at the registration desk will need to know how to deal with money paid on the day and when to stop accepting walk-in registrations.

Taking Care of the Conference Speakers and Presenters

The conference coordinator will have to appoint someone to take care of the needs of the keynote speakers, honoured guests, celebrities and other important people in the field. This person will make sure these delegates get to the right places at the right times and tend to any other needs that they may have. They must ensure that these delegates should have a pleasant experience of the conference and have positive feelings toward the sponsoring organization.

Crisis Management at the Conference

It is highly likely that there will be various crises that will have to be managed during the running of the conference such as presenters who do not show up, weather emergencies and computer errors.

Although it will not be possible to anticipate all of the possible scenarios, try and anticipate some of the most common crises that may occur. Have alternative plans in place and appoint people to deal with any crises that may occur. It is also essential to plan for any medical emergencies that may occur; make sure there is an adequate first aid kit and know where all the fire exits are located. Ensure that all the staff is aware of what to do in case of an emergency. Staff should also be trained on how to deal with angry or irrational participants or speakers.

Conference Evaluation Forms

For smaller conferences, group evaluations sessions can be set up and the feedback can be obtained directly from the participants. It is more common though to hand out evaluation forms after each session and one form for the overall evaluation of the conference. It is usually the session host’s responsibility to make time for handing out forms, as well as collecting, and depositing the forms at a central point.

Cleaning Up After the Conference

If cleaning up is not included as a service provided by the conference venue, it is the responsibility of the conference organizers, staff and volunteers to clean up after the conference is finished. It is also the organizer’s responsibility to ensure that all forms and materials are returned back to the sponsoring organization. It is helpful to provide a lost and found box and inform the participants of found items.

Conference Follow Up

Make sure all loose ends are tied up and that agreements made in the sessions are initiated. Issue continuing education certificates where applicable and make sure that all involved in organizing and running of the conference are formally thanked in writing. Settle all outstanding payments with the conference venue and suppliers.

Now that the conference is finished the only thing that is left to do is to evaluate the conference. In the next and final blog, in this series, we will take a look at how to evaluate the success of the conference.

Resource: Community Tool Box: http://ctb.ku.edu/

8th Annual Pipes and Pipelines Conference

Conferences in South Africa No Responses »

Oct 032012

The 8^th Annual Pipes and Pipelines Conference will be taking place from the 19th to 21st November at Convention Dynamics in Isando, Johannesburg.

The primary reason for the conference is the implementing of strategies and solutions for the effective monitoring and management of fuel, oil and water pipes and pipelines in South Africa.

The current infrastructure growth has resulted in more pipeline systems being designed and constructed, which has had varying impacts on the environment, as well as communities. Pipeline engineers are therefore tasked with not only meeting the demands from industry but to also adhere to regulations and ensure minimal environmental damage. The Institute for International Research has fully revised and updated its 8th annual Pipes and Pipelines conference to include current issues in pipeline maintenance, legislation, rehabilitation and integrity. This conference will bring together experts from the petrochemical, oil and gas and water industries who will be sharing ideas on some of today’s most pressing issues over four days.

Some of the key areas covered at the conference will include an overview of the practical applications of pipeline design, leak detection management, increasing pipeline security, coating technology for pipeline corrosion control and legislation governing pipelines in South Africa.

The following people should attend the 8th Annual Pipes and Pipelines Conference: Safety Managers, Piping Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Inspection Managers, Operation Managers, Plant Managers, Technical Engineers and Maintenance Engineers. Prospective attendees can register here for the conference.

Some of the speakers at the conference include Dr Crompton, Mthokozisi Ncube, Stuart Baigent, Felix Chembe, Wlady Zarczynski, Mphokho Nzimande, Stephen Liebenberg and Clinton van Dyk. A preconference workshop, comparing the pros and cons of pipeline construction using trenching and trenchless technology, will be hosted by Dr Jeroen Bosboom.

Conference Venue for the 8th Annual Pipes and Pipelines Conference

The 8^th Annual Pipes and Pipelines Conference will be taking place at Convention Dynamics in Isando, Johannesburg. The conference venue is just 10 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport, in easy access of Johannesburg’s main highways. In-house caterers provide a variety of meals and snacks to meet every need. Convention Dynamics is also located close to various restaurants.

The meeting rooms at the venue is classically styled, elegant and fully-equipped accommodating up to 200 delegates. Convention Dynamics prides itself in organising conferences to meet international standards with immaculate facilities and excellent service.

Publicizing the Conference

Organizing Conferences No Responses »

Oct 012012

In this current series of blogs on organizing conferences, we had so far looked at the various phases of organizing a conference, how to set up a conference organizing structure and the planning phase of the conference. Today’s blog is about publicizing the conference, conference registration and recruiting presenters for the conference.

Publicizing the conference is fairly straightforward when all the attendees are members of the sponsoring organization. In such cases publicizing the conference may be limited to calls for a presenter and sending out preconference registration materials. In many instances, these steps are made even simpler by publicizing the information on a website.

In other cases more extensive publicity, over and above contacting prospective participants and posting information on the internet, may be necessary. Traditional print advertising is still a highly effective way to make information about the conference publically known. Journals and newsletter, read by the target audience or published by the sponsoring organization, should especially be targeted as means of publicizing the conference.

Another effective means of publicizing the conference is through posters placed in strategic places and announcements to organizations and institutions within the field of interest. Local and national media are excellent places to post stories, interviews and press releases regarding the conference. It is also possible to publish your press release online to specialist press release websites. Posting news about the conference to conference related blogs will also help getting the word out about the upcoming conference.

Word of mouth is an effective way to get news out of the conference on a local level. Social media sites have also made it possible for news to be spread by word of mouth on the internet. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and Linked In make it easier than ever to spread the news about a conference, both locally and internationally.

Pre-Conference Registration

It is vital to have some kind of preconference registration process in place. Requiring participants to register prior to the conference will provide the organizers with an estimate of how many people will be attending the conference. This figure will assist organizers to make sure that there will be the right amount of food and materials available. Registration also helps the organizers to plan the amount of sessions and space required for the conference. In the preregistration process, participants also receive a solid date for which to plan. Usually, for small one day conferences, an ‘I will attend card’, phone or email is all that is required.

The preconference materials should have as much information about the conference as is available. It should include a schedule of activities including workshops, keynote speakers, special events, field trips, entertainment and team building activities. Conference fees are usually paid on registration, and the preconference materials should be sent several months in advance of the conference. If possible, the forms can also be posted on the website of the sponsoring organization enabling participants to register online.

Recruitment of Presenters

If the conference presenters are from the same pool as participants, call for presenters will be similar to the preregistration process and can be largely accomplished online. Certain presenters, such as keynote speakers, should be contacted personally by the conference organizers. Presentations for academic conferences are usually in the form of scholarly papers. In these types of conferences, papers or outlines are submitted to a panel of experts for acceptance.

This concludes all the planning required before the conference takes place, in the next blog will look at the running of the conference.

Resource: Community Tool Box: http://ctb.ku.edu/

MRC Research Conference in Cape Town

Conferences in South Africa No Responses »

Sep 262012

The MRC Research Conference is taking place from the 24th to 25th October 2012 at the MRC Conference Centre in Cape Town. The Research Capacity Development of the SA Medical Research Council is hosting this MRC Early Career Scientist Conference for health–related research in South Africa.

After successful conferences from 2007 – 2011 and the interest received, the MRC Research Conference will allow for a much broader audience. These 2 days aim to recognize exceptional research undertaken at organization or institutions.

The target audience for this conference are early career researchers or scientist and MRC Interns who will be profiling and showcasing their research, and the theme for this year’s conference is “Carrying the torch for health research”. Topics covered by the MRC Research Conference include:

Public Health – epidemiology, environmental observational studies etc.
Clinical – diagnostics, disease intervention and treatment
Biomedical – basic and laboratory sciences
Translational Research – public understanding of science

Conference Venue for the MRC Research Conference

The MRC Research Day 2012 will be held at the MRC Conference Centre. Their facilities are situated less than 10 minutes away from the airport, 20 minutes from the Cape Town City Centre and the Western Cape Winelands. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the venue have ample parking as well as 24-hour security available on the grounds. All meals served in the conference centre are strictly halaal.

Conference Keynote Speakers

Prof Salim S Abdool Karim – MBChB, DipData (Computer Science), MS, MMed, FFPHM, PhD

Salim S. Abdool Karim is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Director of CAPRISA – Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa. He is also Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at Columbia University, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Cornell University and Associate Member of The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University.

Professor Thumbi Ndung’u – B.V.M., PhD
Thumbi Ndung’u, is an Associate Professor in HIV/AIDS Research and Director of the HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP) at the Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal. He holds the South African Research Chair in Systems Biology of HIV/AIDS. He was recently selected as one of 28 (out of 760 applications) for the inaugural Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Early Career Scientist award. From 2008 to 2011, he co-chaired the Young and Early Career Investigators Committee (YECIC) of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise and played a key role in the formulation of the Enterprise’s 2010 Scientific Strategic Plan. He is a member of the scientific advisory board of the Southern African Consortium for Research Excellence (SACORE), a research consortium of five southern African Universities and their counterparts from the United Kingdom, is a member of African AIDS Vaccine Programme (AAVP) Technical Working Group on Capacity Building and Research and serves on the external advisory committee of the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane-University of California, San Diego Medical Education Partnership.

Planning the Conference

Organizing Conferences 2 Responses »

Sep 192012

In our previous two blogs about organizing conferences, we gave an overview of the various phases of organizing a conference and looked at how to set up a conference organizing structure. In today’s blog, we will be looking at the planning phase of the conference.

Each step in the planning phase of the conference needs a clear and realistic timeline which allows time for mistakes to be corrected and for the unforeseen. It is also essential that everybody is in agreement on the purpose of the event before the planning of the conference can start. Is the purpose of the conference training, networking, providing information, advocacy, highlighting an issue, problem solving, decision making?

The Target Audience of the Conference

The target audience of a conference is mainly based on the nature of the conference and sponsoring organization. The target audience can be members of a particular profession or discipline, or share a specific political agenda. They could also be from a specific community, or the conference can be aimed at a specific population group. Other potential target audiences include public officials, members of the sponsoring organization or the general public.

The next step is planning how to get the target audience involved with the conference. Some of the ways in which this is effectively done is through surveys, telephone sampling, focus groups and informal conversation. These are also excellent ways of getting feedback on the wants and needs of the intended conference audience, which will help the organizers to adjust their planning according to the needs of the conference participants.

Conference Length and Date

Deciding on the length of the conference will depend on what needs to be done, what the participants can afford in terms of time and money, availability of target groups and the budget of the sponsoring organization. Most national and international conferences take place over several days, while, with smaller local conferences, the length of the conference is determined by the time the participants can set aside and how long the conference space will be available.

The date of the conference need to be planned, so that it does not coincide with other events that your target audience may be attending. The date should also not conflict with events of national interest or the family obligations of participants. Annual conferences usually have a set date each year, so that the participants can plan around the conference well in advance.

The Format of the Conference

The format includes the overall theme and structure of the conference. Generally, both small and large conferences will start with a keynote address. This can be in the form of a speech or presentation by a well-known or inspirational speaker. The purpose of the keynote address will be to introduce the theme and kindle enthusiasm for the conference.

A conference day may be divided into from two up to six sessions. Often lunch will be included as part of the conference fee, and some of the days may also include a dinner. Meals can include a speaker, giving of awards, organizational business, or it may just be social. It is advisable to wrap-up the conference with a final speaker that will send the participants home thinking about the topic. The wrap-up will also help delegates feel that they had a coherent experience.

Logistics of the Conference

The logistics can be seen as the nuts and bolts of the conference including where it will be held, how presenters will be found, costs involved, transport and other practicalities that need to be planned.

When planning the location of the conference, the organizer needs to consider in which city the conference will be held, and the distance participants will be willing to travel. The organizer needs to decide if the conference should be held at an exciting place to visit or rather a quiet place with little distractions.

Finding a venue for the conference will be based on how much space is needed and whether smaller rooms are required for breakout sessions. Choosing a venue will also depend on specific requirements such as outdoor space, space for meals, accommodation and privacy. Most specialist conference facilities offer catering services, and most hotels and conference centers serve lunch and breakfast every day. For other venues, a caterer may have to be hired, or organizers and volunteers may also be responsible for the catering. It is not uncommon at informal one day conferences, for participants to be required to bring their own lunch or receive a basic meal such as pizza or sandwiches.

If the conference venue is a hotel, accommodation for conference delegates are often made available at a reduced rate. For large conferences, it may be necessary that accommodation is arranged at various venues in the area. It is important to note that the conference organizer is often expected to pay for accommodation for the keynote speakers and special guests.

Other logistics that require consideration include the conference fee, signage, identification for officials and participants, and safety and security issues.

Conference Coordination and Troubleshooting

The conference coordinator is the person who is ultimately responsible for dealing with the caterers, the venue, suppliers, presenters, exhibitors and participants. The coordinator negotiates and discusses payment with exhibitors, and also handles any problems and complaints that may arise from participants during the conference. The coordinator is also in charge of any contract negotiations with the venue and other parties involved with the conference.

In the next blog in this series about organizing conferences, we will look at how to publicize the conference, as well as registering participants, and recruiting presenters for the conference.

Resource: Community Tool Box: http://ctb.ku.edu/

ThinkSales Sales Leadership Conference 2012

Conferences in South Africa No Responses »

Sep 132012

The ThinkSales Sales Leadership Conference 2012 will be taking place at the Sandton Sun Hotel from the 9^th to 10^th of October. The objective of the conference is to encourage, inspire and inform CEOs, Owners, Managers and Sales Leaders to develop effective, high growth sales organizations.

Sandton Sun Hotel Reception

The conference will be presenting powerful thought leadership principles and tools, featuring unique new keynote speakers and presentation formats. ThinkSales 2012 will have extended workshop sessions and structured networking opportunities, as well as an exhibition space with more than 10 sales targeted exhibitors. The conference will also feature high profile South African sales experts giving talks and hosting Q&A forums.

The ThinkSales Conference is a unique, one-of-its-kind sales leadership conference. Attendees will learn sales management lessons from local and international experts, as well as gaining exclusive exposure to best-practice, tested and proven sales strategies. The conference is an opportunity to connect with 300 peers from South Africa’s leading companies.

People, who should be attending the ThinkSales Sales Leadership Conference 2012, include leaders who are responsible for delivering top sales volumes in competitive markets. Other attendees will be executives who play a key role in defining the sales strategies of their respective companies or organisations, including CEOs, MDs, GMs, Sales Directors, Sales Managers and Owner-Managers

Conference Venue

The venue for the ThinkSales Sales Leadership Conference 2012 is the Sandton Sun Hotel situated on the corner of 5th & Alice Streets in Sandton. Elegant and distinguished, the Sandton Sun offers guests a distinguished and memorable stay. Linked to the Sandton Convention Centre and the Sandton City Shopping Centre, this hotel combines business services, modern dining and fashionable shopping, appealing to both leisure and business travellers. Located in the heart of Sandton CBD this hotel is 40 minutes by road from O.R Tambo International Airport and 900m from the Gautrain Station. The hotel offers convenience and easy access to the city’s finest amenities.

Conference Keynote Speakers

Frank V. Cespedes teaches at Harvard Business School. For 12 years, he was Managing Partner at The Center for Executive Development (CED), a company that delivered services to help companies develop capabilities, implement organisational change, and achieve results. CED won awards in the United States and Europe for its work with Fortune-1000 companies worldwide.

Steve Diamond advises senior executives and their management teams on how to improve their competitive advantage, increase their revenues, and improve their results. He is known for his ability to develop business strategies, for building support for these strategies within client organisations, and for helping his clients to achieve sustainable performance improvement.

As President and CEO of Prime Resource Group, Jeff Thull has designed and implemented business transformation and professional development programmes for companies such as Shell, 3M, Siemens, Boston Scientific, HP, Compuware and Georgia-Pacific, as well as many fast track, start-up companies. He is sought after as a thought leader in the field of sales and business strategies for companies involved in complex sales.

Justin Spratt, CEO of Quirk Agency, is responsible for the Johannesburg, Cape Town and London offices with a headcount of over 160 people. Together with the three Managing Directors of each office, James McKay, Nic Ray and Nicole Dickens, they drive over R50mn in annual revenue, in over 4 lines of business and 18 different digital services.

New Listing – Upper Eastside Hotel Conference Venue in Cape Town

New Conference Venues Added No Responses »

Sep 112012

The Upper Eastside Hotel is the newest addition to Conference-Venues.co.za’s list of conference venues in Cape Town.

Upper East Side Hotel Conference Venue

The Upper Eastside Hotel is a conference venue that combines 4-star amenities with 5-star service and a central location. Back dropped by the green slopes of Devil’s Peak, overlooking the Mother City’s perennially busy harbour, Upper Eastside Hotel offers convenient, hassle free access to Cape Town’s downtown and central business district, as well as the various business parks.

Upper Eastside Conference Venue offers a regular shuttle at set times to the world-renowned V&A Waterfront, approximately 10 minutes from your front door, while Cape Town International Airport lies 15 minutes north. The hotel has plenty of secure controlled-exit parking should you decide to rent a car, but the central location makes cab trips to most destinations truly affordable.

Cape Town’s Upper Eastside Hotel offers a range of affordable conference venues, with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology and an experienced and professional team to help you plan and realize a successful conference or strategy meeting.

Choose one of the eight modern, fully-equipped conference rooms – from the intimate Queens 1, able to host 14 (boardroom meeting configuration/furnishing) to 60 (cocktail party), to Central 2, able to host 30 to 120 delegates, depending on your needs. They are also able to reconfigure a number of rooms to create larger spaces, including a 281m² venue, comfortably hosting 60 (boardroom meeting configuration) to 350 (cocktail party). The hotel offers various catering options, carefully designed in conjunction with their executive chef Simon Kemp.

Upper Eastside Hotel offers exceptional and affordable conference accommodation. There is a choice of 183 hotel rooms and suites with fresh and uncluttered decor and contemporary urban style. Comfortable in-room amenities include central airconditioning with individual thermostat control, blackout curtains to reduce glare and free Wi-Fi internet access (30 minutes/day).

Executive hotel rooms include minibars and large, luxurious open-plan bathrooms. The double-storey loft rooms located on the top floor and featuring the best views of Devils Peak and/or Cape Town’s harbour, are ideal for long-stay conference delegates looking for a elegant self-catering apartment to call home. There are 15 smoking rooms and 2 equipped for the physically challenged.

New Listing – Old Halliwell Country Inn Conference Venue in Howick

New Conference Venues Added No Responses »

Sep 062012

Conference Venues SA welcomes Old Halliwell Country Inn, the newest conference venue listing in Howick, Kwazulu Natal. Set in the peace and quiet of the Midlands just outside the historic hamlet of Currys Post, this stone house dates back to the 1830’s and captures the traditions and charm of a more graceful age.

Old Halliwell Country Inn

Old Halliwell Country Inn Conference Venue is within 25 minutes from Pietermaritzburg airport and one hour from Durban. The conference venue caters for small to large conferences of up to 200 delegates for day conferences. Accommodation can be provided at Old Halliwell Country Inn for up to 15 single or 27 delegates in a mixture of single/shared rooms on site with additional accommodation within 3 kilometers of +/- 40 rooms available at neighboring guest houses.

The tastefully decorated en-suite garden rooms at Old Halliwell Country Inn are large and comfortable with open fireplaces and scenic views of the Karkloof valley. Incorporated in this 250 acres, of rolling lawns and woodlands, is the Old Halliwell rest home for horses. Enjoy cuisine at its best at the Lemon and Lavender Restaurant.

Garden Rooms
Large, comfortable en-suite rooms each leading off of the garden with scenic views of rolling lawns and the vast expanse of the Karkloof valley with private patios, open fireplaces, heated towel rails, tea/coffee making facilities and 14 DSTV channels.

Valley Suites
These are stand alone with adjacent parking and, in addition to the above, they have spa baths, showers and underfloor heating.

Family Suites
Similar to Garden rooms, but larger and suitable for a family of 4.

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