The Empire expands with a R30 Million Convention Centre Investment

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

For those looking for a world-class convention and exhibition centre, the solution is conveniently located alongside Johannesburg’s O.R Tambo International Airport.

Not only does the mega entertainment resort boast four award-winning hotels ranging from luxurious 5 star suites to modern 3 star comforts, but Emperors Palace has recently unveiled a R30 million investment in 1800m² of brand new conference and meeting facilities to the existing Convention Centre.

A contemporary spin on the original interior, the Convention Centre has created an inspired canvas for the meeting and conference industry, solidifying the facility’s 5 star status and world-class standards which guests have come to know and expect. The enhanced Emperors Palace Convention Centre vaunts 29 well-appointed venues inspired by Roman mythology with names such as ‘Lucretia’, ‘Tiberius’ and ‘Claudius’, offering opulence as lavish as the names themselves suggest. Dimensions range vastly from 7.6m x 11.87m in the ‘Romanus’ meeting room for intimate schoolroom or u-shaped presentations to 38.28m x 70.50m in the ‘Centre Court’ for massive banquets and cinema style conferences.

The renovations comprise of a new South Wing expansion which includes an enhanced entrance experience, an extension to the original facility with an additional 440m² sub-divisible ‘Fabia’ room, 220m² ‘Julia’ room, five new 100m² breakaway rooms, a new boardroom and extended pre-assembly areas. All rooms can be accessed from the service areas to allow for seamless and efficient service whilst additional seating areas in the pre-assembly area will also ensure comfort for guests during their conferences, events or ceremonies. Plush new carpeting throughout, as well as state-of-the-art presentation technology supports HD content viewing via cable/wireless from any familiar laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Touch panel user interface technology allows presenters to control presentations, volume and lighting from their fingertips; at Emperors Palace Convention Centre each presentation is mood adjusted and tailored to the subject. Free Wi-Fi up to 500Mb is available to all guests and delegates per device, at any one of the 3, 4 or 5 star hotels and throughout the entire entertainment complex. These luxurious upgrades will ensure that local and international guests alike are guaranteed only the best in service and experience.

The Convention Centre is a comfortable balance between vast spaces, intimate places and multifunctional venues where concerts, banquets and award ceremonies have been held. The resort has hosted the likes of Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Laila Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, YOU Spectacular Awards, Bonnie Tyler, Jennifer Rush and OMD, to name a few. Intimate breakaway rooms for royalty and government dignitaries, who prefer to stay at Palace of Dreams such as HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, President Jacob Zuma, Tokyo Sexwale and Dr Mamphela Ramphele, have ensured the facilities offer silver-service standards.

The Convention Centre incorporates unique products and services for visitors that cannot be found at any other location in the country. Instead of a cinema-style or theatre-style set-up, the Nu Metro cinema and Barnyard Theatre on complex form part of the convention centre for clients who wish to present on a theatrical or digital stage.

Delegates can break-away to an offering like no other and connect with South African heritage in the CODESA walkway located within the Convention Centre. The Convention for a Democratic South Africa talks marks one of the most significant times in South African history that took place at the then World Trade Centre. In December 1991, political parties gathered at the World Trade Centre, now Emperors Palace, to commence negotiations for a political settlement in South Africa.

The CODESA walkway has now been erected in the heart of the Convention Centre in what was the original area of the World Trade Centre where the negotiations took place. “The CODESA walkway was developed in commemoration of the negotiations that took place. The walkway highlights the negotiations and depicts historical events occurring at the time with displays augmented by copies of newspapers, press articles and interviews from the late 1980’s and early 1990’s,” says Nigel Atherton, General Manager for Emperors Palace.

Delegates will be delighted to know that travelling to the resort is convenient and effortless with the Gautrain and complimentary shuttle service to and from the O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). From the nearby Gautrain Rhodesfield Station, the resort is a comfortable bus ride away and the service is available weekdays from 05h30 – 20h00. Delegates travelling to and from ORTIA from Emperors Palace are encouraged to make use of the free shuttle service that operates every 20 minutes between 06h00 and 23h00 daily. With all the exclusive offerings, hotels, myriad of entertainment options, inter-changeable conference venues and services; Emperors Palace offers the most versatile and trend conscious choice for conferences, expo’s and meetings. “Probably the most cutting edge conferencing technology and venue combination in South Africa,” Atherton concludes.

Emperors Palace is a Peermont resort. For more information, special packages or to book an event contact Emperors Palace Sales on 011 928 1103 or Peermont Group Sales on 011 928 1903. Visit www.emperorspalace.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @emperorspalace.