Cape Town Convention launches R850m expansion plans

The R850m East CTICC expansion will almost double the convention centre’s size, which will attract more international conferences and prestigious events to Cape Town

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is set to start a new phase of development with the announcements of construction work on CTICC East, which begins this month with doors due to open to the public early in 2017.

The announcement follows the appointment of Julie-May Ellingson as the new CEO, who will succeed outgoing CEO Rashid Toefy.

“Julie-May Ellingson is exactly the calibre of leader we were hoping to appoint to take the CTICC into the future, with knowledge in every area that she would be required to work in as CEO. She has extensive experience in construction, a thorough understanding of the complexities of municipal government legislation and a proven track record when it comes to the organising and hosting of major international events and conferences,” says CTICC chairperson Gary Fisher.

“Looking at her track record and impressive credentials, the board of the CTICC is in no doubt that it selected the best person to lead CTICC and to ensure that the expansion of the centre is a huge success for the benefit of everyone in the city and the province.”

Ellingson has fulfilled the role of CEO of the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) for the past three years, where she was instrumental in transforming the centre into a profitable business entity.

Ellingson joined the Durban ICC from the eThekwini Municipality’s Strategic Projects Unit. As head of the Strategic Projects Unit, Ellingson was responsible for driving Durban’s 2010 and Beyond programme and delivering on the city’s 2010 Soccer World Cup responsibilities. Under Ellingson’s leadership more than R6bn was invested in projects across the city.

Ellingson, who also serves as the chairperson of the Global Alliance of Congress Centres, is a respected conference and event professional who has played a key role in the successful bidding of local and international conferences such as the 123rd Session of the International Olympic Organising Committee, the FIFA Beach Soccer Africa Championships, Top Gear Festival and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

“I am honoured to be taking over the reins from Rashid and look forward to working with the CTICC’s dynamic team as we enter a new and exciting phase of its growth and development,” says Ellingson, who is expected to step into her role in the next few months.

The R850m East CTICC expansion will almost double the convention centre’s size, which will attract more international conferences and prestigious events to Cape Town, position the city as one of Africa’s leading conference and event venues and one of the best in the world, and increase the CTICC’s contribution to the economy and job creation.

The venue added R2.99bn to the national economy and more than R1bn to Western Cape coffers in the 2012-13 fiscal year. In addition, through the centre’s activities more than 7,500 direct and indirect jobs were created.

Over the past decade the CTICC has contributed more than R22bn to SA’s gross domestic product and more than R7bn to the Western Cape gross geographical product. CTICC’s goal is to add R22bn to SA’s coffers in the next five years.