The Conference Company was established in August 1997 as a Professional Conference Organising Company (PCO) to assist corporate, association and government conferences with their event co-ordination.
  
We offer a comprehensive service from start to finish in all aspects of conferencing.  It is imperative to our reputation that our clients are always given the most professional service, at a reasonable rate and that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Due to the fact that Professional Conferencing is very much a niche market, our clients are our only means of advertising and referencing.  It is therefore essential to our company's reputation that the client's needs are met and we deliver a satisfactory service.
The Conference Company employs 25 permanent staff in our Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg offices.  This ensures that we maintain continuity and expertise within the company that benefits our clients.
Our infrastructure comprises of self owned premises in Durban.  The registration and conference management software that is used to report and manage events is state of the art and secure.
 
From a Destination Management perspective, we are more than capable of managing your “on the ground” needs.  Whether the association or company has a Core PCO or not, we would love to assist with your arrangements, from tours to accommodation.
 
IT systems form an integral part of operations at The Conference Company, in the offices and on site at conferences and are maintained and supported by a local IT Company.  The Conference Company has dedicated servers on site that run the Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg office IT requirements and our computer needs are updated regularly according to international standards.
 
 The Conference Company is a member of the South African Association of the Conference Industry (SAACI) and accredited as an International Professional Conference Organiser by Grant Thornton, Kessel, Feinstein. CEO, Nina Freysen-Pretorius serves on the KwaZulu Natal Branch, is Chair of the National SAACI Board, and is a member of the KZN Tourism Board.
 
The Conference Company is a member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).  CEO, Nina Freysen-Pretorius, serves on the ICCA Board as the Africa/Middle East Chapter Representative, is 2nd vice-President, and serves on the ICCA Management Finance Committee.
 
The Conference Company is also a member of the World PCO Alliance. This group was formed by motivated PCO's to capitalize on the efficiency of consolidating regional conference and event services within one network.
 
WHY THE CONFERENCE COMPANY?
Each conference that we bid for, or appointed to work with, is taken personally. Each contract is treated as an individual new relationship that needs nurturing, is given personal attention and an individual approach dependent on the group profile and client objectives. Our preference is to work with each association from the bidding stage through to the final account reconciliation.
         
It is therefore, not unusual, for us to bid at risk with a client for a congress, as this allows us a window of opportunity to identify and understand the actual objectives and innuendos of that particular project. No detail is too small or demanding, as one critical aspect of an entire congress can determine the success or failure. 
 
COLLECTIVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Conference Company team is comprised of four sections: marketing, finance and registration, project management and exhibition management. The CEO, Nina Freysen-Pretorius heads each team on each project to work closely with our clients. The project team with their combined expertise is carefully matched to suit the client’s requirements. Our considerable experience of all conferences that we have been involved with, is brought to the fore to give our clients a professional and dedicated service in all aspects of conference co-ordination.

 It is imperative to our reputation that our clients are always given the most professional service, at a reasonable rate and that confidentiality is maintained at all times.

 
2012 Conferences
 

• Non Destructive Testing - Durban, South Africa - www.wcndt2012.org.za
• WISA -  Cape Town South Africa - www.wisa2012.org.za
• IAALD -  Johannesburg, May 2012 - www.iaald-africa.org
• NNASA - Bloemfontein October 2012 - www.nnasa.org.za
• IWMC -  Durban, July 2012 - www.iwmc.org
• SASTA - Durban, August 2012
• SAHISA -Durban, September 2012
• PSI Accommodation - Durban, November 2012
• K Rith - Durban, October 2012
• SOMSA - Johannesburg, November 2012

Past Conferences
 

• T-Track 
• International Confederation of Midwives
• K-Rith 
• Health Informatics for Southern Africa  
• South African Sugar Technologists' Association 
• Sport Physio - Exhibition 
• Neonatal Nurses Association of Southern Africa  
• Disabled Peoples International 8th world Assembly
• World Mental Health 
• 14th Annual IGPA Conference (Generic Medicines) 
• South African Society for Microbiologies  (SASM)
• Diabetes Educators Society of South Africa 
• PKF 
• Forest Day 
• COP 17 
• SA Heart Association
• World Lottery Association
• Envirolaw
• World Chambers Congress
• Sita Govtech

THE CONFERENCE COMPANY AND BROAD BASED BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
The Conference Company is supportive of the BEE initiative and promotes awareness by using BEE suppliers. We at The Conference Company have achieved a Level 3 rating status and will always try, as far as possible, to use indigenous suppliers to the region the event is held thereby assisting and promoting previously disadvantaged communities and emerging entrepreneurs.
  To view our BEE certificate please click here.
 
World PCO Alliance Spreads its wings to Africa, Europe and the Americas.
The World PCO Alliance, launched last year at IMEX 2009 with seven Asian members, announced that it recently expanded to comprise 15 Professional Conference Organisers (PCO's) of which The Conference Company is one.
Read more:  www.worldpco.org