Sandton Convention Centre is South Africa’s foremost venue for hosting exhibitions, events, and conferences — a landmark 12-storey building at 161 Maude Street, Sandown, Sandton, with over 22,000m² of flexible event space, a maximum capacity of 10,000 delegates, and nearly 11,000 secure parking bays. Operated by Southern Sun and known universally as the SCC, the Sandton Convention Centre sits at the epicentre of Johannesburg’s most prestigious business, hotel, and entertainment district — adjacent to Sandton City Shopping Centre via a dedicated skywalk bridge, next to Nelson Mandela Square, steps from the Gautrain Sandton Station, and surrounded by over 5,000 hotel rooms within walking distance.

With contemporary Afro-chic décor, a remarkable collection of over 100 pieces of authentic Southern African art by masters including Noria Mabasa and Jackson Hlongwane, and the most technologically advanced audio-visual infrastructure in Africa, the SCC delivers an event experience that is simultaneously world-class and distinctly South African.

Why Sandton Convention Centre Is South Africa’s Premier Event Destination

The Sandton Convention Centre’s combination of scale, location, technology, and cultural identity is unmatched anywhere in South Africa. The ability to host multiple simultaneous events across four main levels — from an intimate 10-person boardroom meeting to a 4,500-guest gala in the Pavilion — makes the SCC the only venue in the country capable of handling virtually any event brief under one roof.

The skywalk connection to Sandton City places over 200 shops, 50+ restaurants, and Johannesburg’s finest retail and entertainment offering directly at event guests’ fingertips. The proximity to the Gautrain Sandton Station — South Africa’s most used commuter rail station — ensures frictionless delegate access from OR Tambo International Airport, Pretoria, and across the Gautrain network.

Venue Spaces & Capacities

Sandton Convention Centre offers 41 individual event spaces across four main levels, from intimate boardrooms to the grand Pavilion:

The Pavilion

The SCC’s grandest and most iconic space — a venue of extraordinary scale and sophistication.

• Cocktail: 4,500 guests
• Theatre: 4,100 delegates
• Banquet: 2,800 guests
• Classroom: 2,800 delegates
• Ideal for gala dinners, awards ceremonies, product launches, major conferences, and exhibitions

The Ballroom

An elegant and luxurious space with sophisticated Afro-chic ambiance — one of the finest wedding and special event venues in Johannesburg.

• Banquet: Up to 2,000 guests
• Ideal for weddings, gala dinners, and high-profile corporate banquets

Exhibition Hall 1

• Floor space: 5,430m²
• Ceiling height: 6.5 metres
• Overhead rigging fixtures, electrical outlets, and climate control
• Street-level access — ideal for exhibitor setup and visitor flow
• Ideal for trade shows, consumer exhibitions, and large-scale product launches

Exhibition Hall 2

• Floor space: 5,050m²
• Highly adaptable for exhibitions, trade shows, and large contemporary functions
• Total integrated exhibition floor space: 11,000m² across both halls

The Bill Gallagher Room

A sophisticated and elegant space ideal for parties, cocktail events, and weddings:

• Cocktail: 400 guests
• Formal dinner: 230 guests
• Schoolroom: 240 delegates

Committee Rooms (×5)

Five contemporary committee rooms for central Sandton conferences, strategy sessions, and committee meetings:

• Capacity: 10–200 guests per room
• Privacy and state-of-the-art presentation technology in each room

Boardrooms & Meeting Rooms (13 total)

• Capacity range: 10–200 guests
• Ideal for executive meetings, director sessions, and private briefings
• All equipped with advanced AV and presentation technology

Technology & AV Infrastructure

Sandton Convention Centre offers what is described as the most advanced audio-visual presentation technology in Africa:

• Infra-red simultaneous translation systems — for international multilingual conferences
• ISDN, ADSL, and satellite broadcasting capabilities
• Wi-Fi throughout all levels
• Hybrid conference infrastructure — blending virtual and in-person event capabilities
• Standard conference equipment: projectors, flipcharts, PA systems, podiums
• Professional technical backup and support throughout all events

Art Collection

The SCC’s interior is home to an extraordinary collection of over 100 pieces of authentic Southern African art displayed on public levels — works by renowned artists including Noria Mabasa and Jackson Hlongwane, providing a curated overview of contemporary Southern African art and traditional craftwork. Simple, uncluttered interior finishes serve as the ideal backdrop for this significant cultural collection, ensuring that the art — not the architecture — takes centre stage.

Location & Connectivity

The Sandton Convention Centre’s location in Sandton’s business district is one of its most powerful assets:

• Address: 161 Maude Street, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2196
• Phone: +27 11 779 0000
• Skywalk bridge to Sandton City — direct indoor pedestrian access to the mall
• Adjacent to Nelson Mandela Square — Johannesburg’s premier open-air entertainment precinct
• Gautrain Sandton Station — on-site; direct rail access from OR Tambo Airport (15 minutes) and Pretoria
• Over 5,000 hotel rooms within walking distance
• 50+ restaurants within the immediate vicinity
• Nearly 11,000 secure parking bays in adjacent parking arcades
• 26 escalators within the building for efficient guest movement
• Wheelchair accessible throughout

Practical Details

• Address: 161 Maude Street, Sandown, Sandton, Gauteng, 2196
• Phone: +27 11 779 0000
• Website: southernsun.com/sandton-convention-centre-scc
• Operator: Southern Sun
• Building: 12 storeys
• Total event space: 22,000m²
• Maximum capacity: 10,000 delegates
• Individual event spaces: 41
• Parking: ~11,000 secure bays
• Awards: Nominated Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre (2010)
• Best for: International conferences, trade exhibitions, consumer shows, product launches, gala dinners, weddings, government summits, corporate events, award ceremonies, hybrid events

For event enquiries and bookings, visit the official Sandton Convention Centre website.

Also explore other popular conference and exhibition venues in Sandton or browse Gauteng conference venues on Event Venues SA.