The Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) has once again emerged as a victor at the prestigious World MICE Awards 2024, securing the title of South Africa’s Best Convention Centre. This marks a significant achievement for the Durban ICC, which also claimed this title in 2020, reinforcing its position as a premier destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) in the region.
The Durban ICC stood out for its exceptional standards of service and innovation, beating out other top South African nominees for 2024, including the Cape Town International Convention Centre, CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, and Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Lindiwe Rakharebe, CEO of the Durban ICC, proudly accepted the award on behalf of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and South Africa during a glamorous World MICE Awards Gala Ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday, 4th September 2024.
Since its grand opening in 1997 by former president Nelson Mandela, as South Africa’s first International Convention Centre, the Durban ICC has been a trailblazer in attracting major international events to the country. Its pivotal role in positioning Durban as a global hub for large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and international gatherings has earned it widespread recognition, including this latest accolade at the World MICE Awards, which honors excellence in the global meetings, incentive, conference, and exhibition tourism industry.
Beyond its accolades, the Durban ICC continues to innovate, introducing state-of-the-art technology, sustainable event solutions, and customized services to meet the evolving needs of event organizers and delegates. Its commitment to delivering world-class experiences ensures that it remains a key player in South Africa’s economic growth through tourism and global collaboration.
Additionally, the Durban ICC’s consistent recognition by the World MICE Awards reflects its ongoing contributions to both the local and international MICE sectors, ensuring it remains a top choice for high-profile events and further boosting the region’s tourism industry.
Ms Rakharebe highlighted the commitment to delivering world-class customer service to both local and international clients, saying “While we have a track record for clinching MICE Awards, we decided we would not rest on our laurels and hence went all out to bring the shield again to Durban in 2024 for being South Africa’s Best Convention Centre.”
She further emphasized that “The latest award reinforces our claim as Africa’s leading space for hosting several types of events, ranging from corporate conferences to trade shows, academic symposiums, cultural events, and more.”
Ms. Rakharebe continued, stating that “A successful MICE destination is more than just business – it must create a memorable experience for delegates. Durban’s favorable weather; the infrastructure quality and technical expertise; and the blend of unique cultural attractions and activities for participants to enjoy during their stay, all combine to deliver exceptional event experiences to each and every client.”
The CEO acknowledged the dedicated team behind the Durban ICC’s success, stating that “Each award is a testament to the dedication and behind-the-scenes efforts of the entire Durban ICC team.” She highlighted that these recognitions showcase the ongoing commitment to delivering world-class customer service to both local and international clients, reflecting the hard work and passion that drive the centre’s success. She concluded by emphasizing the strong inherent culture of warmth and hospitality that the Durban ICC is known for, ensuring that “Each guest leaves the Durban ICC happy and satisfied with the service received.”
