CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria is one of South Africa’s most established and respected dedicated convention venues — a purpose-built, internationally standard conference and exhibition destination situated on the grounds of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Brummeria, Pretoria. Following a R35 million upgrade and expansion, the CSIR ICC now offers 12 venues accommodating groups of 10 to 1,000 delegates, a 1,000m² exhibition hall, a scenic outdoor alfresco dining deck, live web streaming infrastructure, and a one-stop business centre — making it the premier choice for large-scale international congresses, government events, scientific conferences, and corporate functions in the Tshwane capital region.

Why CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria Is South Africa’s Leading Scientific Convention Venue

The CSIR ICC occupies a uniquely powerful position in the South African events landscape — it is not merely a conference centre, but a venue embedded within what has been described as the “Square Mile in Africa”: Pretoria’s most concentrated cluster of research, innovation, and academic institutions. Located adjacent to the Technology Innovation Agency, the National Research Foundation, the Department of Science Technology and Innovation, the Innovation Hub, the University of Pretoria, Future Africa Campus, and the SA National Biodiversity Institute, the CSIR ICC is the natural home for scientific congresses, government summits, and professional association conferences that benefit from proximity to this extraordinary intellectual ecosystem.

The Centre hosts over 500 diverse workshops, meetings, conferences, congresses, conventions and exhibitions annually — an average of nearly 10 events per week — demonstrating the scale of its operational capability and the depth of trust it has earned from South African and international event organisers. Notable past events include the Africa Conference on Elections, Democracy and Governance; the TRC Hearings; the Simmentaler World Congress; WSSD: Science at the Summit; and the 2025 World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ 2025).

12 Venues — From Boardroom to 1,000-Person Gala

Following the R35 million expansion, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria now offers 12 dedicated venues across a full range of capacities and configurations:

Large-scale venues:

• Exhibition hall: 1,000m² — ideal for trade shows, exhibitions, product launches, and large plenary sessions
• Main auditoriums: Raked-floor seating with schoolroom-style layouts, podiums, and soundproof glass-fronted interpreting and press booths, and digital congress network units between every two seats — international conference standard
• Theatre/plenary capacity: 700 delegates in parallel sessions
• Banquet capacity: 550 guests
• Classroom capacity: 402 delegates
• Cocktail events: Up to 1,000 guests

Medium venues:

• Conference and function rooms seating 10 to 450 delegates in flexible configurations
• Breakaway rooms for smaller group sessions and workshops

Outdoor:

• Alfresco dining deck — outdoor dining under the African sky, surrounded by natural bush and manicured gardens; also available for outdoor plenary sessions, think-tanks, and social functions between indoor sessions

Reception, registration, and refreshment facilities are provided in foyers outside each venue entrance, with adjacent exhibition space for displays and sponsor branding.

Technical Infrastructure and Services

CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria offers state-of-the-art technical infrastructure that supports the full range of international event requirements:

• Live web streaming — events can be screened live to a secure or open website, viewable on any device worldwide
• Videoconferencing infrastructure
• Satellite links and specialised power requirements
• Glass-fronted soundproof translation and press booths in larger auditoriums
• Digital congress network units between every two seats in raked-floor auditoriums
• All equipment and facilities continuously upgraded to international standards

Full Event Services

The CSIR ICC provides comprehensive in-house event services, making it a true one-stop event solution:

• Venue preparation and setup
• Full catering services — pastries through to buffets, plated meals, cocktail fare, barbeque functions, and gala banquets
• Audio-visual equipment supply and technical support
• Hotel accommodation services (on-site or arranged nearby)
• Group transport services
• First aid and on-site medical centre
• 24-hour security
• Business centre with full support services
• Cleaning services
• Facilities for physically disabled guests throughout
• Banking, travel desk, and bureau de change — arranged on request
• Interpreting and documentation services available
• Conference organising services — the CSIR ICC team can conceptualise and arrange complete events including laser shows, theme evenings, and custom-made décor
• Community upliftment — food donations to local charities are made on behalf of event hosts after each function

Location and Accessibility

CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria is one of the most accessible venues in Gauteng:

• Address: Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria (on the CSIR campus)
• By Gautrain: H2 Lynnwood bus from Gautrain Hatfield Station connects directly to the CSIR ICC — offering OR Tambo International Airport delegates a seamless, traffic-free journey
• By road: Located at the junction of major Gauteng highways — accessible from all directions, always travelling against heavy traffic (away from the city centre)
• Parking: Free secure on-site parking for all delegates and guests
• Location advantage: Situated outside the Pretoria CBD, avoiding city centre congestion

Contact Information and Practical Details

The CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria is located at Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria, Gauteng. The venue can be reached by phone at +27 12 841 3884 or by email at ic*@*****co.za. For venue guides and event enquiries, visit the official CSIR ICC website.

The Centre’s 12 venues accommodate between 10 and 1,000 delegates, with a 1,000m² exhibition hall and theatre capacity for 700 delegates in parallel sessions. Banquet seating is available for up to 550 guests, classroom-style seating for 402 delegates, and cocktail capacity for up to 1,000 guests. The venue hosts over 500 events annually and is best suited for international congresses, government conferences, scientific summits, corporate events, exhibitions, product launches, AGMs, professional association meetings, and gala banquets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many delegates can the CSIR International Convention Centre accommodate?
A: The CSIR ICC accommodates between 10 and 1,000 delegates across its 12 venues. Theatre capacity reaches 700 delegates in parallel sessions, banquet seating accommodates 550 guests, and cocktail events can host up to 1,000 guests.

Q: How do I get to the CSIR ICC from OR Tambo International Airport?
A: The H2 Lynnwood bus from Gautrain Hatfield Station connects directly to the CSIR ICC, offering airport delegates a seamless, traffic-free journey. By road, the venue is located at the junction of major Gauteng highways and is accessible from all directions.

Q: Does the CSIR International Convention Centre offer catering services?
A: Yes, the venue provides full in-house catering services ranging from pastries through to buffets, plated meals, cocktail fare, barbeque functions, and gala banquets. All catering is provided as part of their comprehensive event services.

Q: What technical facilities are available for international conferences?
A: The CSIR ICC offers live web streaming, videoconferencing infrastructure, satellite links, glass-fronted soundproof translation and press booths in larger auditoriums, and digital congress network units between every two seats in raked-floor auditoriums. All equipment is continuously upgraded to international standards.

Q: Is parking available at the venue?
A: Yes, the CSIR ICC provides free secure on-site parking for all delegates and guests. The venue is located outside the Pretoria CBD, avoiding city centre congestion.

Q: What size is the exhibition hall at the CSIR ICC?
A: The exhibition hall is 1,000m² and is ideal for trade shows, exhibitions, product launches, and large plenary sessions. Reception, registration, and refreshment facilities are provided in foyers with adjacent exhibition space for displays and sponsor branding.

Q: How many events does the CSIR International Convention Centre host each year?
A: The Centre hosts over 500 diverse workshops, meetings, conferences, congresses, conventions and exhibitions annually — an average of nearly 10 events per week. Notable past events include the 2025 World Conference of Science Journalists and the Africa Conference on Elections, Democracy and Governance.

Q: What makes the CSIR ICC location unique for scientific conferences?
A: The venue is embedded within Pretoria’s “Square Mile in Africa” — the most concentrated cluster of research, innovation, and academic institutions. It is located adjacent to the Technology Innovation Agency, National Research Foundation, University of Pretoria, Innovation Hub, and other leading scientific institutions.

Also explore other Pretoria event venues directory and Gauteng event venue listings.