Symbolic of South Africa's ongoing bid to attract an international mix of meetings and conventions, the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, South Africa, opens in September. The city of Sandton was chosen primarily for its convenient location between the capital city of Pretoria and the business and financial center of Johannesburg. The state-of-the-art facility will offer technological functionality while emphasizing the province's African heritage.

The center will have two exhibition and two convention levels. Above the ballroom is the pavilion level, which can host everything from product launches to pop concerts. The center's lowest levels are given over to exhibition space. Construction work on the center began in July 1997. It will be managed by Southern Sun, Africa's premier hotel group.