Searching for a conference venue near me usually means you have a date, a rough headcount and a session that needs a room. The right venue depends on more than seats: the layout your facilitator wants, breakaway rooms for group work, backup power for load-shedding, parking and how far delegates travel. Tell us the date, the number of delegates, the layout and what the day must include, and we pass your request to independent venues in your area, from office park conference centres to country lodges, who quote you directly. The request is free.
Day and residential conference packages
Most venues quote a day conference package per delegate. It usually covers the room, basic AV (a projector, screen and flip chart), morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. A residential package adds accommodation, dinner and breakfast, which suits a two-day strategy session or bosberaad out of town. Ask what is included and what is extra: a second breakaway room, a PA system, Wi-Fi for every delegate, a late finish, or a dietary menu. Many venues set a minimum number of delegates, and some charge a room hire fee instead for small groups.
Layouts and how much space you need
Ask your facilitator which layout suits the session before you book. As a rough guide per person:
- Theatre: roughly 1 m², for talks and briefings
- Classroom: roughly 1.8 m², for training with writing
- Boardroom: roughly 2.3 m², for 8 to 20 decision makers
- U-shape: roughly 2.8 m², for discussion with a flip chart in front
- Cabaret: roughly 1.9 m², round tables with one side open, ideal for workshops and group work
Breakaway rooms matter for groups of 25 and more. Leave space for flip charts, sticky note walls and moving around.
Backup power, location and access
In South Africa, ask every venue how it handles load-shedding: a generator or inverter that runs the lights, projector, sound and kitchen, and how quickly it switches over. Then think about where delegates come from. A hotel near the airport suits people flying in; an office park venue in Sandton, Umhlanga or Century City suits a local team; a game lodge, wine farm or guest farm suits an off-site where people stay over. Check secure parking, the distance from the highway, wheelchair access and whether the venue can host an evening function or team building on the lawn.
What to ask before you sign
- What exactly is in the per delegate rate, and what is charged extra?
- What is the minimum number, and when must the final number be confirmed?
- What are the deposit and cancellation terms?
- Which AV is included, and is there a technician on site?
- Can we set up the evening before, and stick paper on the walls?
For extra sound or screens, see projector hire and PA system hire.
What to include in your brief
- The date, start and finish time
- Number of delegates and the layout
- Day or residential package
- Breakaway rooms, AV and dietary needs
- Area: near the airport, office park or out of town
Conference Venues for business, government and communities
- Companies and head offices: strategy days, leadership programmes and conferences in office park or country venues
- Government departments and municipalities: APP sessions, imbizos and departmental workshops close to the office or out of town
- Schools, colleges and universities: staff development days, district meetings and principals' conferences in a neutral venue
- NPOs, churches and community groups: AGMs, youth programmes and retreats in church halls, community halls or guest farms
- Small and family businesses: a first strategy session or sales day in a small room with teas and lunch included
- Mines, plants, factories and farms: supervisor training and safety days near the mine, plant or farm, with parking for buses
- Event organisers and associations: conferences and association meetings with plenary halls, breakaways and AV on site
- Training and skills development providers: classroom venues for multi-day courses, with a rate that covers learners for each day
Frequently asked questions
Do you own or run the conference venues?
How far ahead should I book a conference venue?
What does a day conference package usually include?
Can a venue help with the facilitator and AV too?
Conference Venues by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg