In the heart of South Africa, Gauteng province is not just hosting events; it is orchestrating the future of global dialogue, commerce, investments and cultural fusion. Gauteng, long recognized as Africa’s economic powerhouse, has undergone a metamorphosis.
Gauteng’s evolution from a strong continental player into a globally competitive business events destination has been deliberate, data-driven and purpose-led. The successful hosting of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit and its accompanying G20 Social Summit marked a decisive moment in this journey. Far more than a diplomatic gathering, the G20 served as a proof of concept on the world’s most elevated stage, demonstrating Gauteng’s capacity to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder events with precision, credibility and impact.
“The period of cautious optimism has transitioned into one of validated capability and accelerated opportunity,”
Nonnie Kubeka, Head of the Gauteng Convention & Events Bureau
The challenge now is not reputation — it is conversion. Converting global admiration into confirmed business, secured bids and long-term economic value. This is precisely where Gauteng’s mature, meticulously engineered MICE ecosystem comes into its own.
A Global Stage, Earned — Not Assumed
Hosting the G20 placed Gauteng under intense international scrutiny. From security protocols and diplomatic logistics to infrastructure performance, sustainability reporting and community engagement, every element
was tested.
The outcome was unambiguous: Gauteng delivered.
The success of the G20 catalysed a shift in perception among international associations, rights holders and corporate decision-makers. The province is now viewed not only as capable, but as strategically sophisticated — able to align business events with economic development, social impact and legacy outcomes.
This repositioning is already evident in the strength and diversity of Gauteng’s forward events pipeline, particularly its landmark 2026 calendar.
The 2026 Stage: A Symphony of Global Significance
The proof of Gauteng’s ascendancy is etched into an exceptional 2026 events portfolio — one that showcases both scale and versatility, and confirms the province’s status as Africa’s leading nexus for global ideas.
Key highlights include:
Meetings Africa (23–25 February 2026, Sandton Convention Centre)
Africa’s premier business events trade show, positioning the continent as a globally competitive meetings and incentives destination.
LIV Golf South Africa (19–22 March 2026, Steyn City)
A landmark, multi-year commitment bringing an electrifying fusion of elite sport, music and luxury lifestyle to African soil for the first time.
Gauteng Investment Conference (9–10 April 2026, Melrose Arch)
A high-impact convergence of global investors, policymakers and innovators, combining formal economic dialogue with large-scale public engagement.
Beyond these flagship events, Gauteng continues to host an extraordinary range of sector-specific powerhouses, including:
Automechanika, World Energy Congress, Africa Airlines Association events, Cannabis Expo, Decorex, Joy of Jazz, Delicious International Food & Music Festival, and the World Congress on Information Technology.
From automotive and energy to technology, finance, retail, life sciences, arts and culture, Gauteng is where industries meet, collide and evolve.
Gauteng at a Glance
Home to Africa’s largest concentration of corporate headquarters
Gateway via OR Tambo International Airport, Africa’s most connected airport
Hosts thousands of business and lifestyle events annually
Contributes significantly to South Africa’s GDP and foreign direct spend
Recognised as a leading hybrid-ready and future-focused events destination
The GCEB Engine: Designing Legacy Beyond the Event Floor
Behind Gauteng’s impressive events calendar sits the strategic engine of the Gauteng Convention & Events Bureau (GCEB) — a specialist entity focused on securing, supporting and amplifying high-impact business events. Under the leadership of Nonnie Kubeka, a respected industry veteran with more than 25 years’ experience, the GCEB’s mandate extends far beyond logistics.
“We don’t just host business events — we engineer economic transformation,”
The bureau operates as a strategic partner to event organisers, associations and rights holders, offering:
Comprehensive bid support
Financial and technical assistance
Stakeholder coordination
Legacy planning and post-event impact measurement
The results are tangible. Strategic bids secured by the GCEB have contributed billions of rands in foreign direct spend to Gauteng’s economy, while simultaneously advancing skills development, enterprise growth and
knowledge transfer.
One notable example is the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, which not only generated millions of rands in economic activity but also left a lasting legacy through the establishment of a township-based business incubator — a practical demonstration of how events can deliver enduring value beyond the venue walls.
The Unbeatable Gauteng Proposition: Bleisure, Perfected
In a post-G20 environment, global delegates are seeking depth, authenticity and return on experience. Gauteng responds with a compelling value proposition that is both sophisticated and distinctly African.
Seamless Business Infrastructure
Gauteng boasts world-class venues, advanced digital connectivity and an ecosystem designed for efficiency. Facilities such as the Sandton Convention Centre are fully hybrid-ready, while proximity between airports, hotels, venues and business districts ensures seamless delegate movement.
Luxury Lifestyle Meets Countryside Escape
Delegates can transition effortlessly from high-energy boardrooms and executive meetings to refined leisure experiences. From luxury shopping and fine dining in Sandton to award-winning wineries, spa retreats and
country-style venues in the Magaliesberg, Gauteng offers versatility without compromise.
The Soul of Africa: Township Tourism
Perhaps Gauteng’s most powerful differentiator lies in its township experiences — the heartbeat of the province. Carefully curated township tourism initiatives allow delegates to engage meaningfully with local culture, history and entrepreneurship.
Experiences such as Vilakazi Street provide more than sightseeing; they enable participation in an ecosystem where approximately 35% of tourism revenue reaches grassroots entrepreneurs, ensuring that business tourism becomes a vehicle for empowerment.
The Future Is Purposeful: Transformation as Competitive Advantage
The benchmark set by the G20 Social Summit — centred on Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability — reflects a broader shift in global events demand. Clients are no longer satisfied with attendance figures alone; they require measurable legacy, environmental responsibility and social impact.
Gauteng is actively pioneering this next frontier.
The GCEB leverages AI-driven resource management, data analytics and Africa’s first carbon-neutral conference pathways to support organisers in meeting ESG objectives. Beyond business events, the bureau is expanding its mandate through lifestyle and consumer events, including community festivals, markets and sporting events that promote social cohesion and youth participation.
Critically, local SMMEs are being integrated into event supply chains, creating sustainable economic pathways and building resilience at a grassroots level.
The African Century, Hosted in Gauteng
Gauteng stands at a powerful inflection point. The G20 delivered the ultimate global endorsement; the 2026 calendar confirms the capability. Under the strategic guidance of Nonnie Kubeka and the Gauteng Convention & Events Bureau, the province is systematically converting international interest into inclusive, long-term growth.
This is more than a destination — it is a dynamic partner in progress.
In Gauteng, every meeting is charged with possibility.
Every deal is infused with purpose.
Every visit leaves a permanent, positive imprint.
The world is invited not just to meet, but to connect, transform and discover that the future of global business events has found its most compelling home in Africa.
Why Delegates Choose Gauteng
Excellent air access and regional connectivity
Diverse venue inventory across price points
Strong focus on transformation and inclusivity
Rich cultural, lifestyle and leisure extensions
Proven ability to deliver complex global events
