AFRICA – South Africa’s East London International Convention Centre (ELICC) and the city’s largest hotel development, The Premier Hotel Group (PHG), are looking to the African Bureau of Conventions (ABC) as a vehicle to deliver new conference business, having joined as new members.
PHG Managing Director, Samuel Nassimov, believes East London and the Sunshine Coast are overlooked as a conference destination and says the recent World Cup is yet to provide any sign of events legacy for his city.
“Together with our team at the ABC we aim to change the situation and secure high yield conventions that will have a positive economic impact on the city and other tourism related industries,” he says.
ABC’s strategic partner, the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is affiliated to over 10,000 associations internationally.
The ELICC project cost R500m (US$71m) to construct. It has a 650-seat auditorium, a 2,200 cinema style hall and exhibition space for up to 90 stands. The complex includes the five-star hotel, Premier Hotel Cascades.
The ELICC has held a world boxing title fight in March and has two conventions booked for this month (South African Society of Psychiatrists and the Engineering Municipal Institute of South Africa).
