Saturday, May 16, 2015

Ideal for the international MICE market with excellent and expansive convention facilities, exceptional accommodation offerings, superior food and beverage products, modern technological advancements and a variety of attractions on each complex as well as nearby, these three properties are ideally located close to international airports, and are the perfect first or last night stop-overs when visiting southern Africa. These magnificent properties are also poised to attract international buyers and clients, including NGO’s and embassies, global businesses and specialised agencies, looking to host conventions or incentive groups on the African continent.

Peermont was founded in 1995 and is a leading player with a proven track record in the hospitality and entertainment industry in the southern African region - through two of its award winning flagship properties, Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa and The Grand Palm in Gaborone, Botswana. The recent opening of Umodzi Park in Lilongwe, Malawi, (for which Peermont was awarded a management contract by the Malawian government late last year), adds another world-class facility to the Peermont resort portfolio and completes a perfect trio of superior venues where international incentive or event organisers are able to partner with, in complete confidence. 

Conveniently located alongside Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport is Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention and Entertainment Resort (formerly Caesars), a mega-entertainment mecca with four award-winning hotels ranging from three to five stars, a magnificent casino, a variety of entertainment venues, ten restaurants and a fast food court, children’s facilities, a state-of-the-art movie theatre complex and a world-class convention centre.

One of South Africa’s busiest conference resorts, the Emperors Palace Convention Centre caters for groups from as little as 8 to as large as 3000 and boasts 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 meeting room space for intimate schoolroom or u-shaped presentations, to 38.28m x 70.50m in the Centre Court for large banquets and cinema style conferences.

Recognised on the subcontinent as a world-class facility, Emperors Palace has, in the last year, hosted an impressive array of notable guests and events from Microsoft’s South African Conference to the CINOP Global Conference, Air Cargo Africa 2015, World Telecoms Conference, the World Freight Network and the International Institute for Peace through Tourism.

Conference delegates can break-away and connect with South African heritage in the CODESA walkway located within the Convention Centre. The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) talks marked one of the most significant times in South Africa. In December 1991, political parties gathered at the World Trade Centre, now Emperors Palace, to commence negotiations and chart the future for a democratic South Africa. 

Emperors Palace, with its superb location at the gateway to Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport, offers an easy and convenient first and last night stop-over for any international incentive group – whether or not they host a conference or event!

MICE travellers will appreciate a safe and secure resort is convenient and effortless, using the complimentary daily airport shuttle service and/or the Gautrain rapid rail network, which has a bus stop inside the resort complex.

The expansive Umodzi Park business precinct, located in the heart of Malawi’s capital city of Lilongwe, was officially unveiled on Friday, 1 May 2015. The precinct, under a Peermont management contract, incorporates Malawi’s first five-star hotel, The President Walmont, and the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre (BICC), as well as 14 Presidential Villas. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to attract international convention and exhibition business from global NGO’s, embassies and corporates.

Umodzi Park stands majestically in the central business district of Lilongwe, in close proximity to the government and presidential buildings, and is a mere 20 minute drive away from the Lilongwe (Kamuzu) International Airport. The sweeping entrance to the business precinct boasts over 2500 secure parking bays which lead up to the statuesque double volume and twin buildings of the BICC. The structure holds a total of 14 multi-purpose and sub-divisible venues of varying sizes including the Lilongwe Auditorium, which seats 1500 delegates and is accessed by a large volume foyer, which can accommodate the same number of guests. Both buildings of the BICC open out onto the massive Malawi Square, a large paved outdoor exhibition and event area. Flanking the Square is the Pabwalo Amphitheatre, another outdoor facility with superb acoustics, ideal for smaller concerts and theatrical events.

Guests are welcomed to the new 5-star President Walmont Hotel via an expansive reception area. The impressive hotel offers 130 rooms and suites, designed to reflect local Malawian influences with a distinctly continental African flair. The hotel also offers a beautifully adorned lobby lounge and bar, the signature Wild Orchid Restaurant, a gym and health spa, hair salon, meetings rooms and the “afropolitan” Afroma Terrace Bar which overlooks the precinct and is the perfect spot for sundowners and sunsets.

Just a short drive from Umodzi Park, are 14 Presidential Villas, housed in a secure estate, affording the ultimate in privacy and security. The Presidential Villas are an ideal option for discerning international government delegations, long stay guests, and royalty. The Villas offer a private clubhouse, as well as relaxation and sporting facilities.

Located a few minutes from the city centre of Gaborone, and 12km from the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, The Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort offers luxurious and affordable accommodation at two impressive hotels - the luxury Peermont Walmont hotel and the affordable 3-star Peermont Metcourt Inn hotel. Convention and business tourists are greeted by state-of-the-art conferencing facilities at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC), whilst gourmet dining in the award-winning Beef Baron Rib & Grill Room, the Asian inspired Bai Sheng Restaurant and Mokolwane Bistro, provide guests with a plethora of dining options away from conference activities. Other entertainment options include a dazzling casino, hair salon, curio shop, gym and a Camelot Health and Beauty Spa. 
 
The award winning (GICC) offers world-class conference and banqueting facilities for up to 1800 delegates, high speed Wi-Fi and a business centre for essential business services. The grand entrance opens up into the large and multi-divisible Tsodilo Suite, which caters for 1040 people in a banquet set-up, 1807 in cinema style and 1550 for a cocktail reception and further has a VIP Balcony area which perfect for multi-lingual translation needs or a private function. The elegant San-Ta-Wani suite of rooms with private access and a secure entrance is also available. Additionally, there are four Serondela Rooms, situated in close proximity to the Tsodilo Suite which can be used separately or in combination.

Botswana’s Grand Palm Hotel Casino and Convention Resort has played host to some of Africa’s most notable conferences and meetings, utilising the world-class convention facilities. These include Barclays, MCI Swift, Interpol, De Beers and Discovery.

From the Pre-Assembly area, guests can move through to the covered walkway leading onto the parking area. Provision has been made for the set-up of a large marquee in the parking area, ideal for functions under the blissful African sun.

From heads of state to international leaders of industry, Peermont is ready to welcome you to its three world-class hotel and convention resorts - Emperors Palace, Umodzi Park and The Grand Palm Resort – the ideal destinations to host international summits, gala events and political conventions.