SA Mag - Issue 1 - COCA COLA DOME FEATURE

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C O C A - C O L A D O M E

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The Coca-Cola dome, one of the most spectacular of international events venues is drawing

some of the biggest names and occasions to Johannesburg

Colin Chinery reports.

A DOMEF O R A L L S E A S O N S

T hey call it ‘The People’s Venue’, thirty five minutes from the O.R. Tambo International Airport, the third largest dome on the planet

and a world of versatile spectacles in the most flexible entertainment space in all Africa.

Here, under the roof of one of Johannesburg’s most recognized landmarks, you will find South Africa’s premier multi-purpose venue.

Elton John and Rod Stewart; Jeremy Clarkson with ‘Top Gear Live’, Celine Dion all the way to South Africa’s best Extreme Fighters have all booked in, together with shows and events celebrating the best in wine, boats, high fashion and gardening serenity

From its vast 11,000 square meter arena to its private hospitality suites, the Coca-Cola dome is unrivalled in its capability to host any event. “Unlimited possibilities; whatever the event, we’ll cover it!” says General Manager Grant Medcalf

The dome opened as a multi-purpose venue at a spectacular launch in April 1998, with a performance from international diva Diana Ross and attended by former President Nelson Mandela. Since then millions of visitors have been drawn to unforgettable events and the huge variety of shows.

Landlord Sasol Pension Fund’s original idea was to build a permanent motor exhibition facility to accommodate different car manufacturers under one roof, and with a brief for a 30,000 column-free landmark facility.

The result was the third largest dome in the world; diameter 161 meters, the centre 42.5 meters high, with over 11 000 square meters of uninterrupted space on the Main

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South Africa’s premier multi-purpose venue

the Coca-Cola Dome FEATURE

Arena floor and another 2 500 square meters on the Mezzanine Level.

Coca-Cola took up the naming rights back in June 2004, with Thebe Venue Management securing an initial five year management contract, now extended to 2019.

“The outstanding manner in which Thebe Venue Management manages the dome has raised the bar and certainly sets a benchmark in the industry,” says Sasol Pension Fund CEO Robert Robinson. “The expert approach of group managing director Carol Weaving and her team assists greatly in making this asset of the fund a very viable business proposition.”

The years since the start of the Coca-Cola/Thebe association have been the dome’s busiest and most successful. The venue has been rocked by over 45 international concerts, showcased some of South Africa’s top consumer exhibitions and hosted a variety of other events; corporate and church functions, product

launches, sporting events and awards evenings.

The reasons for Coca-Cola dome’s unique pull says Medcalf, include:

facilities –A 5-star graded venue, ideal location in the suburban area ample and secure parking areas, and its status as the largest indoor-entertainment venue in South Africa

Professional staff –The majority of whom have been at the dome for the past decade and the leadership of Managing Director Carol Weaving – Winner of Business Women of the Year 2009

The Coca-Cola dome has become synonymous with appearances in South Africa by major international stars. 2010 dates include Kelly Clarkson, Cliff Richard and the Shadows, as well as the Masters of Rock concert featuring Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash.



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Major exhibitions booked this year include: Hobby-X; Gardenex & Green Living Fair, World Holiday & Travel Fair; Wedding Expo; The Baby Expo Joburg; Grand Designs Live; The Good Food & Wine Show; National Boat Show; Rage and the Digital Life Expo.

And despite the economic downswing last year, the Coca-Cola dome still proved to be ever popular with major events and exhibitions drawing the crowds. Hilton Longley, Director of Brand Event South

Africa, says MPH featuring Top Gear Live was a huge success. “For us the dome is definitely the easiest venue to work with in South Africa, as it can accommodate our live indoor motoring theatre and static displays at the same time. In fact, we wish the venue was even bigger, as we would have filled it!”

Top Gear Live was outstanding for Grant Medcalf too. “This show attracted over 60 000 people over 4-days and was a professional slick event.”


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The Coca-Cola dome is rated as a 5-star venue for Exhibitions and Special Events by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa and for more than a decade voted Best Concert Venue by the Leisure Options Readers Choice Awards.

It has also been voted Best Live Music Venue by the Star Choice Awards for 3 consecutive years and was voted Best Exhibition Venue (tied winner) by the Exhibitions and Events Association of Southern Africa at the 2007 annual awards.

Another top accolade was nomination as one of South Africa’s Top 500 companies - acknowledgement of its growing contribution to the economy. But the recession has had an inevitable impact. “In 2009 we had more events that we did in 2008, so looking at it from that side you wouldn’t say that it affected us, “says Grant Medcalf.

“However, we did see a huge drop in the number of concerts we hosted. So from that point of view, yes the recession did affect us.”

Plans for a possible World Cup linked event programme were still being discussed in March. “At this late stage we have still not finalized our plans for the Coca-Cola dome,” says Medcalf. “We do have a FIFA concert booked for July 9th but we are still speaking to a few role players regarding the rest of the period.eND



Unlimited possibilities; whatever the event, we’ll

cover it!

SSG Event Management and Personal Protection (Pty) Ltd has been operational in the industry for over 6 years. During this period we have become the only South African company to be the preferred service provider to the Rolling Stones and U2. Specialising in all event and protection services, we have had the honour and pleasure of working with top national and international artists as well as sport teams and VIP delegates. SSG Events is responsible for securing some of the favourite teams in the FIFA World Cup as well as some of the major events that will be hosted at the World Cup held in South Africa in June 2010. A recent addition to the team is SSG Green Solutions Consultants (Pty) Ltd. This division are accredited ISO auditors and consultants for private and corporate organizations, specializing in turn-key environmental solutions and innovative green best practice. Our aim is to provide you with a total holistic service adding expert advice and human skill.

For further information, please visit our website on www.ssgsa.co.za or contact 086 7272 774 (24/7).

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SA Mag - Issue 1 - COCA COLA DOME FEATURE