VENUE OF THE MONTH

The CSIR ICC — transferring knowledge and facilitating collaboration

The CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC), the first international standard convention centre to open in South Africa, boasts over 40 years’ experience hosting local and international conferences, exhibitions, and special events. This prestigious business events venue is in the eastern parts of Pretoria, Tshwane, a city with a high concentration of research and academic institutions – a naturally spectacular and smart city.

The CSIR ICC offers world-class facilities and hosts more than 600 conferences, meetings, and related events each year. The Centre has thirteen venues including two auditoriums seating 500 and 200 persons respectively, each equipped with interactive technology including interpreting and voting facilities. The CSIR ICC has a further eleven multi-purpose venues as well as a large exhibition hall and a luxurious VIP suite that is strategically located to offer a private entrance, away from the rush of other events. Attractive outdoor facilities, such as the alfresco dining deck, set into the convention centre’s natural surrounds, are perfect for bird watching enthusiasts seeking a quick reprieve from business talk.

Bronwen Cadle de Ponte.

Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, general manager of CSIR ICC, said: “Our tagline, ‘Transfer Knowledge. Facilitate Collaboration’, is our maxim because we understand that the sharing of knowledge is precisely what conferencing is about. Our city is renowned as the home of experts in countless research and academic fields and is a knowledge hub for events of a professional nature, of which we host over 600 every year. In all of our marketing and collaboration efforts, this professional focus has supported a blossoming of events, which truly contribute to the knowledge economy in the past years.”

VIP suite.

The CSIR ICC has previously undergone extensive expansions and refurbishments. Part of the expansion was done to its existing 4,000m2 facility. This additional space ensures that this area can now cater to the new evolving convention formats. The ICC also boasts a modern multifunctional exhibition hall with dedicated organisers’ offices and storage facilities, floor services and floor loading that can accommodate large vehicles and heavy machinery.

To keep abreast of the rapidly changing landscape and norms of our industry, the CSIR ICC continuously reviews its business processes, products, and services to remain relevant to ensure that conference organisers, committees and association boards and members achieve their strategic objectives when making use of the CSIR ICC for their events. To this end, with the recent demands brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the CSIR ICC enhanced its digital and hybrid event solutions. They help to deliver your event content to multiple venues or persons across the world, from a studio environment or live event broadcast from any of their purpose-built venues. A variety of solutions exists to cater for digital events, from simple broadcasting to complex conventions with exhibitions, sponsorships, and parallel sessions — no one event is the same as another, we know it and we tailor every solution accordingly.

The CSIR ICC has consistently been recognised and rewarded for delivering world class products and services that assist in growing South Africa’s global destination competitiveness.

Alfresco dining deck.

Testimonials

“My overall experience at the CSIR ICC was pleasant, the planning and execution of the event was excellent. I would recommend the CSIR ICC to anyone.” – Mandela Mining Precinct

“I've not experienced this level of professionalism and excellence in a very long time — thank you!” – SAPS Innovation Round Table

“You are providing excellent and unmatched service. Your facilities are well kept and the staff have good work ethics. Customer service is your priority. They do not compromise the culture of your company. Keep it up!” — SANTS Orientation of Tutors.

Exhibition Hall.

Contact details

Tel: 012 841 3884

Email: icc@csir.co.za

Website: www.csiricc.co.za/