Three Capitals, One Center
Business and Exhibitions magazine № 5 (71) 2014
The Republic of South Africa (SAR) is considered one of the most successful and economically developed countries of the so-called Dark Continent. The country has rich mineral resources, and takes a relatively strong global position.
As for international conventions and exhibitions, Johannesburg plays the attraction center and the Gallagher Convention Centre is located here.
Perhaps, South Africa is the only country in the world that has three capital cities. Pretoria is the official capital city, the administrative capital of the state, because the government is located here. The other two branches of the government are situated in other cities. Capetown is called the legislative capital because the Parliament meets there while Bloemfontein is also known as the judicial capital as it is home to the Supreme Court. All these cities are considered capitals. This unordinary situation happened on the grounds of the original Confederal structure of the state: at the formation of the South African Union the authorities were distributed to the nationalized capitals.
Johannesburg is truly the most populous and the most well-known of international capitals. The city was home to matches of the FIFA World Cup in 2010, the 4th International Youth Delphic Games and the Delphic World Cultural Forum in 2011. But the Gallagher Convention Centre (GCC ) is definitely the center of attraction.
The Gallagher Convention Centre opened in 1995 is one of Africa’s largest conference and exhibition venues for exhibitions and conventions . Located in Midrand, between Pretoria and Johannesburg, the complex is surrounded by beautiful gardens sprawling over a 30-hectare property. This place has become famous all over the world thanks to the unique nature and stunning beauty of the English rose gardens.
The indoor area of pavilions is more than 27,000 sq. m. Five exhibition halls occupy the main space of the complex that can accommodate up to 12,000 visitors simultaneously. Guests have access to the center’s 12 versatile conference-halls, a ballroom, and an auditorium for business events and family celebrations. A special pride of the GCC team is the catering service. The centre has the most modern kitchen and storage equipment. Besides these , a bunch of great chefs working at the Gallagher Convention Centre amaze exhibitors and visitors of any event with their talent. The complex is equipped with modern heating and cooling systems; there is also high-speed access to the Internet. For the organizers and tenants convenience a variety of office spaces are offered. Particular attention is paid to the parking area. Parking facilities are located in special two-level indoor and outdoor spaces. A total of 10,000 vehicles can be accommodated by the parking lots.
Dozens of large-scale exhibitions are annually held in the halls of the center. The Africa Health Exhibition and Congress, one of the main events dedicated to health care, is traditionally held in late May. Over 400 local and foreign exhibitors from 15 countries cover an area of 5,000 sq. m. Thousands of delegates and visitors get together in one place to discuss vital topics of health care, to share ideas and solutions for topical issues relevant to many African countries. South Africa takes one of the leading positions in Africa in terms of the development of medicine and health care through its sustainable economic status. However, in such countries as Chad, Togo, Burundi, Zambia and many others medical care works extremely badly ; the population does not receive the necessary health care services due to a very low level of GDP per head and the crime situation. The Africa Health Exhibition and Congress project is designed to help to improve the situation on the continent concerning public health.
HuntEx, Africa’s largest exhibition for hunters and sport shooters is a project to pay special attention to. The first event, which was held in 2011, attracted 200 exhibitors and about 16,000 visitors. The interest to this exhibition has been steadily increasing year by year. Now the project fully occupies four exhibition halls of the Gallagher Convention Centre and an extra 9,000 sq. m. Over the years attendance at the exhibition has increased by almost three times. This rapid development of the exposition was not a surprise, because the project attracts the attention of major manufacturers from around the world. Moreover, tens of thousands of tourists visit the event. The exhibition’s context is extremely diverse: from modern weapons, ammunition, brass and decorative guns, to fishing tackle and equipment, camping, safaris and paintball.
Miss World, the 59th beauty contest was the most significant event of recent years held in the Gallagher Convention Centre on December 12th, 2009. One hundred and twelve girls from around the world competed for one crown, making it the largest gathering of beautiful women in the contest’s history. Kajaani Aldorino from Gibraltar became the winner and received the crown from Kseniya Sukhinova, Miss World 2008. The event was broadcasted in all continents; the total television audience of the contest broke all possible records, so the Gallagher Convention Centre became famous throughout the world.
Major Exhibitions at the Gallagher Center
WOODEX FOR AFRICA is Africa's leading expo focusing exclusively on furniture, equipment for production and woodworking. It is held every year.
DECOREX JOBURG is the international exhibition of furniture and interior items. It is held every year. The exposition area exceeds 22,000 sq. m. and involves over 700 companies participating in it.
AGRI-FOOD EXPO is the international exhibition of food, agricultural equipment and processing. It is held every year.
Alexey Shaburov,
President of Sokolniki Museum and Educational Centre