September 30, 2004

SINCE the city's successful hosting of the Rugby and Cricket World Cups, and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg's reputation as a world-class host of conferences is rapidly increasing.

Johannesburg's showpiece is the Pan African Parliament, in session in Midrand. Convening twice a year, the parliament will use the facilities at Gallagher Estate for the first five years, while a permanent venue is being built.

The Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC), a council-owned Section 21 company, confirms that a number of international conventions have been booked at venues around the city.

"We have been overwhelmed with bookings for some really big events," says Dion Viljoen, CEO of JTC.

2005 will see Johannesburg host the Holidaymakers Expo at Nasrec and the Moscow Circus, at Monte Casino in Fourways.

Within the next year or so, Johannesburg will see events like the World Petroleum Congress and the annual South African Association of the Conference Industry congress take place within its borders.

Some of the long-term events that JTC has helped secure are the World Disabled Peoples' Assembly in 2006 and the 2009 World Internal Audit Conference.

Adding to the influx of visitors to the city expected ahead of the Soccer World Cup in 2010 will be the International Congress of Paediatrics, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The Congress, which aims to attract around 10 000 paediatricians from around 130 member states, chose Johannesburg as the host city over venues in Argentina, Cuba, Italy, Japan and Turkey.

As each event is unique it requires unique preparation. The Johannesburg Convention Bureau - a division of JTC helping clients identify potential conferences, exhibitions and events that could be attracted to Johannesburg - supports prospective clients wanting to stage events.

Convention Bureau executive Pearl Mohapi says: "We help organisers who bid for events by giving our endorsement if we see it is worthwhile, as well as securing a venue according to our client's specifications for the event."

Interest in the city's venues has increased to the extent that the bureau has had to hire additional staff members to cope with the demand.

Another aim of the tourism company is to ensure that conference delegates spend time exploring the city in pre- and post-conference tours.

They ensure that event organisers distribute "Ultimate Guide" brochures, which highlight regions such as Soweto, Alexandra, Sandton and downtown Johannesburg, to every delegate.

Mohapi maintains that Johannesburg has the edge over other South African competitors such as Cape Town and Durban because it is the business and financial hub of the country, has several venues to choose from and has a good record of hosting major events.

To increase the city's exposure in international markets, JTC has contracted Pat Fish, a conventions sales agent for International Destinations Inc from Washington DC, to promote Johannesburg's conference facilities in the US.

The Convention Bureau is currently working on more than 20 leads for major international conferences that have shown an interest to host their future events in Johannesburg.

For more information, contact the Johannesburg Tourism Company on 011 214 0700.