Introduction
This profile has been prepared to assist companies both inside and outside South Africa to conduct business efficiently in and with South Africa. While every endeavour has been made to ensure to ensure that the information contained in this profile is current and correct, we recommend that companies making decisions based on this information contact the appropriate government department or organisation to verify the current situation. You can click on the name of the relevant government department or organisation in the text below to find appropriate contact details and we ask your assistance in advising us where the information is incorrect or out of date.
Where PDF versions of legislation or government policy are available on government websites or where interactive facilities exist to submit information online, then you can download / access these directly by clicking on the document in the Reference Information and Interactive Facilities section.
Overview
South Africa’s conference and exhibition industry is fast becoming one of the country's most important industry sectors attracting foreign visitors and investment. South Africa is currently the world’s 22nd most popular location for the holding of events and has a 2.5% market share, with this situation being expected to improve with the commissioning of new conference centres in major cities. Although there is healthy competition within the industry, South African cities often cooperate with one another when tendering for an international event in order to boost the national industry and benefit the country as a whole.
In 2001 more than 1900 exhibitions were held in the country, creating 246 000 jobs and contributing R17.4 billion to the economy. The high-profile World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 alone, earned the country R8 billion.
The most popular months for exhibitions are September, October, March and July while most conventions are held between May and September. Johannesburg is the location of most of the events because of facilities such as the Sandton Convention Centre, the Dome, Nasrec and Gallagher Estate. Cape Town will soon rival it as a popular location, with the newly-built Cape Town International Convention Centre being booked until 2010.
Organisations, Events and Facilities
The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for government legislation, policy and administration of this area. The main industry associations are the Exhibition Association of Southern Africa and the South African Federation of Convention Cities. The company and organisation search facilities can be used to find details of companies and organisations active in this area, while the event search and the facilities search will enable you to find relevant information on both these topics.
If your organisation is a key player in this area and your details are not recorded in our organisation database, then please use the My Company function to enter your details. The My Event function can be used to enter events and the My Facility function to enter details of hotels and other accommodation / restaurants / tourist attractions / event venues / hospitals / police stations / harbours / factories / etc. These can either be ones associated with your organisation or ones you have used and would recommend.
Resources
Department of Trade and Industry
Exhibition Association of Southern Africa
