Big Interview: EW talks to Cape Town International Convention Centre
What is your professional background?
I am a town and regional planner and development economist by profession. I joined the Cape Town International Convention Centre in September 2014.
Prior to taking up this position, I was the CEO of the Durban International Convention Centre. I have over 20 years’ experience in the built environment sector, firstly as an independent consultant and from 2001 to 2011 as head of strategic projects unit within the eThekwini Municipality. As head of strategic projects unit, I was responsible for driving and implementing over R6bn in infrastructure projects across the eThekwini Municipality as part of Durban’s 2010 and beyond strategy.
The most notable of these include the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium and the upgrade of Durban’s central beachfront.
What drew you to the industry, and how did you get into it?
I was really drawn to the industry through my work as head of strategic projects unit where I was responsible for driving economic development through key strategic interventions. I realised that Durban had a comparative advantage when it came to large-scale events which we needed to be capitalised on.
Although my role was primarily focused on the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, I was also responsible for all international and large scale national events hosted in the city of Durban. This included preparation of bids, development of related infrastructure and hosting of, amongst others: the FIFA 2010 Football World Cup; A1 Grand Prix; Clipper Round the World Yacht Race; Top Gear Festival; the 123rd Session of the International Olympic Organising Committee (IOC) and COP17/CMP7 the United Nations Conference on Climate Change.
In April 2011 I was asked by the City to assist the Durban ICC and was appointed acting CEO while still holding my position as head of strategic projects. This gave me insight into the convention centre itself and following a successful 123rd Session of IOC, I was asked by the Durban ICC Board to take up the CEO position full time. Looking back I guess one could say I sort of fell into the industry through my work in economic development.
How has South Africa evolved as an exhibition destination in the past 10 years?
Probably the most interesting development in recent years is the increasing interest from international companies who have either partnered with South African companies, or bought them over, with a view to creating a platform to expand into Africa. Given that Africa is a key growth area this makes good business sense and is testament to the knowledge and expertise that exists in South Africa, which international firms believe they can build upon.
Are you working with more international organisers than before? Most definitely, albeit, mostly through acquisitions.
What can you tell us about the CTICC East expansion? Will it enable you to cater for new event types?
The CTICC, City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government, are investing just under R1bn into the foreshore as part our expansion project commonly known as CTICC East. The expansion is about 31,000sqm in extent and consists of 10,000sqm of exhibition space which is divided into six halls on two levels of 5,000sqm each and about 3,000sqm of formal and informal meeting space. In addition we will be constructing a sky bridge across the Heerengracht to connect CTICC West with CTICC East.
We are on track to achieve practical completion by the end of October 2016 with commissioning taking place between November 2016 and end of February 2017 and official opening at the end March 2017. The expansion will allow us to host much larger events, increase the number of events we can hold and host concurrent events which we have not been able to do to date due to space constraints. Furthermore, the expansion will provide the necessary capacity for our clients who wish to expand and grow their events.
Given your background in town planning and development, do you feel towns and cities could do more to make exhibition centres cultural hubs and entertainment centres, rather than venues ‘out of town for out-of-towners’?
Definitely, it is very important for venues to host a mix of events which are attractive to the local community. Consumer shows, career expos and music events all attract local delegates and play an important role in ensuring the venue is accessible to the local community.
At the same time it is important to recognise that the raison d’être for MICE is to drive the knowledge economy through hosting events. In certain instances, this means that local community events will be crowded out by large international events which have significantly higher multiplier benefit than, say, a local music concert. Our expansion will however assist in the CTICC being able to host concurrent events and hopefully meet both the local community and international association market demands.
How is the venue supporting local business?
Supporting local business and enterprise development is a priority for the CTICC. In the last financial year 90 per cent of our total procurement was with locally based companies. In addition, over R263m worth of goods and services were procured from BBBEE enterprises. This represents 82 per cent of our total spend. I am also proud of the fact that we have increased our procurement from woman-owned companies from 20 per cent to 28 per cent. Not quite where we want it, but we are working on it.
Finally, as the CTICC we recognise the importance of job creation and that future job creation will come from SMEs. Accordingly, the CTICC is committed to supporting SMEs and over the past financial year 67 per cent of our total procurement was from SMEs.
What are the big growth industry sectors in Cape Town at present?
There are several. Agro-processing; finance and professional services; mining, oil & gas; health and medical technology; ICT; metals, tooling and niche engineering; Tourism and events; Green economy including renewable energy.
If you could host a dream exhibition, what would that be?
I would love to host an equestrian exhibition which showcases everything to do with horses including the sale of warm blood and thoroughbred horses used for dressage and show jumping.
We currently host the Cape yearling sales, which is one of my favourite exhibitions, but my passion is for show jumping and I would love to turn the exhibition halls into stables and the other halls into exhibition space showcasing the latest equipment and technology used in equestrian sport.
What do you do to relax when not at work?
Unfortunately due to a serious back injury I am no longer able to do ride horses. I do however love walking and hiking.
If I am not walking along the Sea Point promenade to Camps Bay, I am hiking through Newlands forest and along the mountain.
I also love outdoor movies and music concerts in Kirstenbosch Gardens.
I have a mountain bike that got a lot more use when I was in Durban, but the wind in Cape Town is still getting the better of me and I spend more time pushing my bike up the hills while enjoying the spectacular views.
