Dirk Elzinga

Name: Dirk Elzinga
Organisation: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Position: Managing Director

1) Cape Town has overtaken New York as the most popular convention city for long-haul conferences worldwide. What impact has the CTICC had on Cape Town?

The economic impact of the CTICC is enormous. Studies of UCT indicate that CTICC’s contribution to the GDP since the building was built are R9 billion. The centre has created 9 000 direct and indirect jobs (jobs in the centre itself, but also in retail, transport, hospitality etc. country wide).

2) With such a diverse range of events being held, has the CTICC helped to introduce any new business investment to Cape Town specifically, or into South Africa?

We do not track this information. But with 202 international conventions being held in Cape Town since 2003, in total with 132 000 international delegates the chances are high that some foreign business people have discovered South Africa as a place to invest.

3) What other investment or infrastructure do you believe would help to promote Cape Town as a business (and tourist) destination?

The occupancy of the CTICC has reached a level which makes it very hard to continue our growth, while there is clearly demand for more business meeting space in Cape Town. It would certainly help to boost the economic spin off even further if CTICC’s expansion plans could be realized. This requires cooperation from City, Province and National Government

4) What are your expansion plans for the CTICC and when are they expected to be completed?

We plan to extend our exhibition space with another 10 000 m². This will make it possible to make some of the existing exhibition space – now very much occupied with about 40 annual repeat events – available for more international conventions, which more and more come with an exhibition component. This extension is planned for the site presently occupied by the so called Customs House, at the north side of the Freeway. We hope to go on site next year and expect our first events in the extension in 2011.

5) The CTICC has held many events in its first 5 years, which event do you consider your personal favourite?

My personal favourite is the annual Veritas awards dinner, where all the (double) gold and silver medals are being awarded. It brings the best of the best wines and the wine makers of South Africa under our roof. I am lucky to be invited by the organizers. A real treat!

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