Century City Conference Centre and Hotels marked a decade of world-class hospitality with an elegant Valentine Under the Stars celebration, bringing together valued clients, partners, and dignitaries for an evening centred on gratitude and reflection. The milestone celebration honoured a journey that saw the venue transform from pandemic disruption into one of South Africa’s most awarded and sustainable hospitality destinations.
CEO Gary Koetser set the tone for the evening with heartfelt appreciation for the clients, team members, and partners who have been instrumental in the venue’s success. Special recognition was given to key partners Rabie Property Group and Delta Air Lines, as well as Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast for their dedication to making the celebration truly memorable.
“Tonight is about gratitude,” said Koetser. “Our success is built on the trust and support of our clients, the commitment of our exceptional team, and the strength of our partnerships. This milestone belongs to all of us.”
The celebration, masterfully hosted by Ryan O’Connor, a cherished friend of the brand since its inception, welcomed distinguished guests including representatives from the United States Embassy in South Africa, Alderman James Vos, Eddie Andrews (Deputy Mayor of Cape Town), and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
A Decade of Transformation
The venue’s most defining moment came during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than simply enduring the disruption, Century City Conference Centre continued with major projects including the construction of a second hotel, while simultaneously adapting to a fundamentally changed market.
What followed the crisis was remarkable acceleration. The business completed the second hotel, introduced short-term apartment accommodation through the Axis Luxury Apartments, expanded the Conference Centre by approximately 400 square metres, and evolved its food and beverage offering through the rebrand and repositioning of one of its restaurants. The result is an organisation that is more diversified, more capable, and better prepared for future uncertainty.
Global Recognition and Industry Leadership
Premier Winde praised the venue’s consistent achievement of global standards and numerous industry awards, highlighting Century City Conference Centre and Hotels as a cornerstone of Cape Town’s world-class hospitality offering.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Expanded portfolio: Conference Centre two hotels, luxury apartments and two restaurants.
- Forecasting to host a record 100 000 delegates this year.
- Multiple international awards
Built on Partnership
“What started as a dream has become a legacy. We are grateful to every individual and partner who helped turn that vision into reality,” reflected Leon Cohen, Chairperson of Rabie Property Group.
Delta Air Lines’ representative Shireen emphasized the value of strategic partnerships, noting the natural alignment between the airline and the venue’s commitment to excellence and customer experience.
Community and Cultural Impact
Over the past decade, Century City Conference Centre has hosted thousands of events that bring people, ideas, and investment into the region. The venue showcases the work of local artists throughout its spaces, providing exposure to an audience of approximately 10,000 delegates per month, helping artists reach markets they might not otherwise access.
The evening concluded with a breathtaking performance by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra with performances by artists Tarryn Lamb, Lynelle Kenned, Louis Loock, Craig Lucas, Donné de Kock, and Katlego Maboe. As Century City Conference Centre and Hotels enters its second decade, the organisation remains committed to building a business that can grow in size and complexity while maintaining the same standards of excellence, consistency, and care that have defined its first ten years.
Side Message from 4Mal Media
Among the invited guests was Adri Goosen from the 4Mal Media Management team, who joined the celebration to experience the milestone evening firsthand. 4Mal Media would like to extend sincere thanks to Gary Koetser, Sue Levy and the entire Century City Conference Centre and Hotels team for their warm hospitality and for hosting such an exceptional and memorable evening. It was a true reflection of the professionalism, partnership, and excellence that have defined the past decade.
