M E E T I N G
P L A C E S
Open for business all year round The second largest of South Africa s nine provinces, the diverse Eastern Cape is often underestimated as a meetings and incentive travel destination. Meetings SA brings to light the latest business tourism developments in the region.
N
elson Mandela Bay (NMB), comprising the city of Port Elizabeth and the towns of Uitenhage and Despatch, is fast growing as a major economic hub for the Eastern Cape. The easy-to-get-around region offers a diversity of conferencing facilities within reach of pristine warm-water beaches on the craggy shoreline of the Indian Ocean. Port Elizabeth in particular is seeing a steady increase in meetings and eventsrelated business, with Scan Display having recently extended its national footprint in Port Elizabeth to service the increasing demand in the marketplace better. Following close behind are a number of exhibition and events sector businesses with plans to open up shop in the windy city and surrounds. From state-of-the-art conference halls to boutique hotels and guesthouses, NMB offers excellent conference facilities for large association conventions, corporate events and private functions. Video conferencing, well-equipped venues and teambuilding getaways are all wrapped up in an effective, stable and scenic environment in NMB, while seating arrangements are flexible, breakaway rooms can be provided and a variety of catering services can be arranged. The average venue in NMB caters for between 70 and 300 delegates; however, larger and more intimate venues are also available. Most venues are situated within the bay area but for those looking for exclusivity and comfort, private game reserves, seaside
resorts and luxury hotels are available, offering world-class meeting and event venues. The new expansion of the Boardwalk entertainment centre is set to revitalise conferencing in the city. The upgrade, to be completed in December 2012, will see the building of a new conferencing venue, a fivestar hotel and a host of entertainment and shopping offerings, all close to the beach. With this, Magnetic Storm, which has grown into a formidable events organiser, celebrates 30 years of conferencing, special events and festival organising. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) is the official destination marketing organisation of NMB. The NMBT Conference Bureau has been established to assist and ensure that every conference and event is a memorable success by cutting the red tape, ensuring access to tourist sites, supplying accommodation and taking care of the client’s every need in general. The bureau provides destination expertise on NMB and supports associations, corporates, professional conference organisers (PCOs), destination management companies and event organisers that are interested in hosting events in the city or surrounding area.
Buffalo City
Buffalo City is truly Eastern Cape – the heart of the adventure province
Nestled between the laid-back Sunshine Coast on Route 72, Hogsback’s Amathole Mountains and the unspoilt Wild Coast, Buffalo City is open for business all year round. Incorporating East London, King William’s Town, Bisho and Mdantsane, Buffalo City is truly Eastern Cape – the heart of the adventure province. With its bountiful range of beach and back-to-nature attractions, Buffalo City is the new rising star in South Africa’s landscape of ‘off-the-beaten-track’ destinations for leisure, sport and business travellers. Its magnificent coastline offers limitless
MEETINGS SA | SEP/OCT 2011
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