ICC DURBAN GEARS UP TO HOST THEIR BIGGEST CONFERENCE EVER!
17 November 2011
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With less than two weeks to go until the November 28 start of one of the world’s largest conferences COP 17 /CMP7 to be staged at the ICC Durban, the team is hard at work to ensure that this event is a success.
Preparation Update
Build–up for the conference began on 8 November, 3 weeks prior with 160 dedicated contractors on site, creating 7400m² of temporary office space over and above what already exists. Including the existing 33 000m² conference and exhibition space we are also utilizing the lower level (basement parking) to create a further 14 000m² of usable space which will include an International Broadcasting Centre, Country Delegation Offices and the UNFCCC offices. 5 500m² of space in temporary marquees is also being erected in the north and south plazas of the ICC Exhibition Centre.
- 2 Plenary venues which will host 1900 and 1300 delegates respectively.
- Approximately 27 Meeting Rooms with the capacity to host between 20 and 500 delegates are being used.
- Approximately 1 100 international media will be accommodated and a media centre on the lower level is being constructed for use over the period of the conference.
- The ICC Exhibition Centre has been upgraded with the construction of new facilities and the painting of the exterior in preparation for the event.
- Eco friendly boards made from 100% recycled products are being used to build offices and meeting rooms within the ICC halls. Approximately 3 500-metres of walling is being installed. These panels are 100% South African produced, flame resistant and eco-friendly, made from recycled kraft cardboard boxes and sugarcane waste. This is a first for this type of application within the meetings industry.
- Cabling with a length totaling approximately 40-kilometres is being installed for video, data and communication networks across all levels of the ICC and other venues within the precinct.
The ICC Durban website www.icc.co.za features regular updates of the build up to the COP17/CMP7 conference featuring regular updated images of the build up in the ICC, ICC Arena, ICC Exhibition Centre and the Centrum precincts All press releases and relevant information will be published on the site in this section of the website.
Roads and Lane Closure in and around the ICC precinct:
The following road lanes will be closed:
Two lanes on Stalwart Simelane Street (Stanger St)
Two lanes on Bram Fischer Road (Ordnance Rd)
One lane on Dr AB Xuma Street (Commercial Rd)
Walnut Road will be the only road that is completely closed off to the public.
The road closures will be in force from 20 November 2011 until 13 December 2011.
Catering
62 Chefs will be on duty every day and over the 12 day period it is estimated that the following number of meals and refreshments will be served;
- 30 000 Hot Meals e.g. Lasagna, Curry & Rice
- 18 500 Fast Food items e.g. Burgers, Boerewors rolls
- 17 000 Snacks e.g. Chips, Biltong
- 23 000 Sandwiches & Rolls with assorted fillings
- 13 500 Pastries e.g. Muffins, Croissants
- 50 000 Teas & Coffees
- 150 000 Cold Beverages
- 40 000 Knife & Fork sets – the knife and fork sets are bio degradable
All suppliers delivering to the ICCD will have their vehicles searched offsite before being escorted to the ICCD by the SAPS and the Metro police. We have requested suppliers to deliver according to a strict delivery schedule ideally between midnight and 4am as it might take as long as 3 hours for delivery clearance.
Job creation
The ICC estimates that at least 5000 jobs direct and indirect jobs have been created during the build up for COP17/CMP7. The Durban ICC key project team have been working 12-16 hour days to get ready for this big event. During the event all employees will be involved in some way or the other e.g. finance and marketing staff will be active on the floor, this will be a team effort. Approximately 2500 flexi staff have been requested to work in all areas of the business over the course of the event. Julie-May Ellingson, CEO of the ICCD said “The ICC’s extensive experience in hosting some of the world’s largest conferences is being put to good use in preparation for COP17/CMP7. The team is working around the clock to ensure that we create a conducive environment for the World’s most powerful and influential climate change and environmental experts to conduct their negotiations which are of global importance”.
Island Status
The ICC Durban complex becomes a United Nations site, where entry and exit is controlled by security officials mandated by the United Nations. Entry is only permitted for persons who have been accredited – no accreditation equals no entry and there will be no exceptions to this rule. Anybody entering the building will be subjected to Mag and Bag Scanning processes.
There is no parking on site for the duration of the event, staff and contracted service providers will park at a designated offsite parking facility and a shuttle service will be made available to and from the ICC Durban. Parking at the ICC Durban will only be available again from 16 December after the breakdown of the conference infrastructure.
Only vehicles carrying “Heads of State” will have access into the ICCD precinct. Delegate busses will park at the transport hub located on the Centrum Parking site opposite the Durban Workshop. The entire site will be closed off in two secure areas. The outer perimeter will be the South African Zone, with the inner perimeter being fenced off for the United Nations Zone.
All persons and baggage entering the sterile zone (United Nations area) will be searched prior to entry. All bags will be scanned to ensure no dangerous items are contained and no weapons of any kind will be allowed.
“The Durban ICC team is proud to be hosting Africa’s biggest event and will be doing everything possible to make sure we are ready to welcome the world to Africa” said Ellingson.
Issued by:
The International Convention Centre Durban
For further information contact:
Sandy Le Brasse, Corporate Affairs Manager, International Convention Centre Durban
Tel: 031 3601359, Mobile : 0837998333, Fax: 031 3601005.
Email: sandyl@icc.co.za
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