One of the key features when it comes to planning and hosting a successful conference is the venue. A venue that is not fit for purpose, is uncomfortable or is not on-brand can affect the experience of your attendees and whether your conference goes to plan.
You need to make sure that your choice of a conference venue is in a suitable location, has adequate conference facilities, and has the perfect space for what you are looking to achieve.
Below we will give you a list of our picks for the best conference venues in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the surrounding areas. But first, let’s take a look at exactly what you need to think about when looking for conference venues for your business.
What to Consider When Looking at Conference Venues
Do they Fall Within Your Budget?
No matter how impressive a conference venue is, you always need to keep your bottom line in mind. Conference venues will take a large chunk out of your overall budget and you need to make sure that you have enough left to cover your conference speakers, furniture hire and entertainment.
If you are planning a conference with the help of an event management team, you may be able to access discounts or negotiate deals which are a little more budget-friendly.
Is it in a Convenient Location?
The perfect conference venue for your attendees is one which is easy to get to and has good transport links. Do you need conference rooms which are located close to OR Tambo International airport?
Consider whether there are nearby hotels guests can stay at, restaurants they can visit, if the conference venue is easily reachable, and whether you might need to hire transport if the conference centre is a little out of the way.
What is the Capacity?
Are the conference venues you are considering capable of comfortably housing your attendees? You need to make sure that the conference centre has space for your guests to relax and refresh themselves in between events.
You also need to make sure that the conference venue has the right type of rooms for your type of conference. An involved lecture series will benefit from desks and space for laptops, and a sales conference aimed at hyping up delegates might benefit from a freestanding space.
What are the Conference Facilities?
Think about all the features and conference facilities you will need for your event and keep this list in time while you are considering a conference centre. Consider whether there is wheelchair access for attendees, whether you need large kitchen facilities for your caterers and if there are enough separate areas for all of your functions and talks.
Making sure that you have come up with a list of non-negotiables before you begin will ensure that you quickly and effectively discount conference venues which are unsuitable – either in terms of budget, location or conference facilities.
Below we will take a look at some of the best conference venues in South Africa for you to consider the next time you are planning a conference for your organisation. Whether you want a large-capacity conference room or more of a boutique hotel experience, we have included your best local options below.
Where is the Best Conference Venue Near Me?
The Westcliff Conference Venue
This Johannesburg conference facility comes with a 5-star recommendation and features 8 different sets of conference facilities. With a maximum capacity of 200, this conference facility can host anything from business meetings and team-building exercises, to product launches, large-scale seminars and conferences.
The conference facilities are surrounded by beautiful gardens and you can even tailor an outdoor event if that suits your audience.
Gold Reef City Conference Venue for Business
These conference facilities are made up of 5 different venues and have a maximum 500 people capacity. This impressive location comes with an impressive 4-d immersive theatre as well as fantastic entertainment options for your attendees once the conference day is over.
The venue is a great place to hold a large-scale sales conference, brand activation, or lecture series. Located in the heart of Johannesburg South, this is a fantastic and impressive destination which will wow your guests.
The Peech Hotel Conference Venue
This is a 4-star venue for smaller capacity events, with a maximum capacity of 22 attendees. This boutique hotel features a beautiful conference room which can be the ideal venue for your intimate executive meetings, private events and important business lunches.
Located in the heart of Melrose, Johannesburg the conference room venue also features hotel rooms in which out-of-town visitors can sleep in before and after the planned event.
The Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre
If you need a larger capacity hotel venue, then the Birthwood Hotel and Conference Centre could be the ideal solution. Perfect for conferences, team building and product launches – this hotel venue features high-tech and up-to-date facilities for executives and business occasions.
The hotel is also ideal for easy transport links as it is situated in beautiful location that is only ten minutes from Or Tambo International airport.
African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel
This 5-star Marriot Bonvoy venue features luxurious conference rooms and relaxing rooms which make it the ideal venue for smaller business conferences, meetings and even team-building exercises.
The venue can be a suitable location for events with up to 55 attendees and you can choose between 11 different spaces to locate your event. This venue in the picturesque Melrose Arch area of Johannesburg is a beautiful and chic venue which can impress clients and colleagues.
ANEW Hotel Parktonian
Choose between 8 different conference spaces in this 4-star venue in Johannesburg. The conference rooms have a maximum capacity of 450 attendees and the hotel is the ideal choice for team building and corporate conferencing events.
Once the conference is over, delegates can relax and network on the Skylevel Deck in the conference facility and spend some time enjoying cocktails before heading to some of the hotel rooms in the centre.
InterContinental Hotel in Johannesburg
If your delegates are arriving from out of town and need hotel rooms while they attend, then booking your conferences at a hotel is one of the most convenient choices.
This conference centre is a 4-star facility and you can choose to host your event in a pick of 9 different spaces. With a maximum capacity of 80 delegates, this can be a great choice for a smaller conference and meeting.
And seeing as this conference centre is located within a two-minute radius of the OR Tambo Internation Airport, this is a great choice for a conference which is inviting delegates from out of town.
Doreale Grande Hotel in Johannesburg
This luxurious 5-star hotel is situated in the heart of Emperoer’s Palace – the premier entertainment resort in South Africa. So if you are looking to impress your delegates with a state-of-the-art conference and luxurious rooms this could be ideal for you and your business.
The location boasts a choice of 29 venues and allows you to host up to 3,000 delegates depending on the types of conferences and events you want to host. This is undeniably one of the most impressive venues in South Africa.
Holiday Inn Hotel Johannesburg Airport
if your delegates are flying in from other parts of the country, or internationally then hotel venues in Johannesburg which are close to the airport will be ideal. And the Holiday Inn in Johannesburg allows you to host conferences close to the airport your delegates will be arriving in.
Conference and business meetings can take place in a dedicated business centre, and conference centre facilities and your delegates can enjoy a dip in the onsite swimming pool before heading to their hotel rooms.
Your delegates don’t have to worry about travelling to faraway venues in Pretoria or Johannesburg so this venue is ideal for quick business meetings and speedy functions.
The Riverside Sun Hotel
This conference location features all the required facilities for successful conferences but is located an hour away from Johannesburg in the picturesque countryside. This venue for conferences has a maximum capacity of 500 and you can choose between 9 different venues to hold your event.
This country venue can provide all the luxuries of a city-based 4-star hotel including themed events, specialist menus, and combined conference and accommodation packages for your guests.
These venues are located close to the stunning Vaal river and will provide plenty of opportunities for your visitors to relax and unwind in between meetings and conferences.
What Are the Best Conference Venues in Johannesburg, South Africa?
Looking for the best conference venues in south africa? Look no further than Johannesburg. This thriving city is home to a plethora of top-notch venues for all your conference needs. Whether you prefer luxurious hotels or modern event spaces, Johannesburg has it all. From spacious meeting rooms to state-of-the-art facilities, these conference venues will impress both you and your attendees. So, why wait? Book your next conference at one of the best conference venues in South Africa, right here in Johannesburg.
Summary – Where Are the Best Conference Venues Near Me in Johannesburg?
Whether you are looking for venues for business functions and conferences close to Tambo International Airport or further afield in the countryside, our conference venue list should include the ideal venue. Our guide above should help you to move from unsuitable venues to the best choices for you.
Finding the right venues with the best facilities for your conference is essential if your event is going to be a success. When you get started looking for venues, make sure to check our conference choice tips and our conference recommendations as the perfect starting point.