Pretoria’s ‘sleeping giant’

TNW sister publication,
Meet, enlisted the help
of a meetings expert
to inspect the facilities of
the new Monte De Dios in
Pretoria. After a detailed
walkthrough and interviews
with key staff, he provided
us with his independent
assessment of the venue.
The inspector
Dutch emigrant, Harry
Epskamp, is the owner
of Dumela Conference
Solutions. He has been
working in the conferencing
and event industry for over
10 years. He prides himself
on service excellence and
strives to deliver consistent
and hands-on assistance at
all times.
Harry says his expertise
is based on a combination
of experience in event
management, creative flair,
and the ability to provide
solutions.
His keys to success are
integrity, transparency,
courage and a passion for
what he does.
Dumela Conference
Solutions brings parties
together in an open and
transparent ‘Dumela way’
where clients always come
first, he says. The company
is equipped to handle all
aspects of conferencing
and events and to assist
with any of accommodation
and event or incentive
requirements nationwide.
What Harry found…
Monte De Dios is a
privately owned venue that
could almost be termed
the ‘Sleeping Giant of
Pretoria’. Nestled against
the picturesque mountain,
the property consists of an
exquisite Spanish Equestrian
Villa along with a newly built
500- to 600-seat venue.
On entering the property
you experience this
wonderful country feel as
though you are away from the
city, even though it is actually
quite centrally located – the
Menlyn Shopping Centre is
only 12 minutes away.
With fine facilities,
outstanding catering and
professionally trained staff,
Monte De Dios ticks all
the right boxes to be the
first potential choice when
deciding on a venue that is
different to all the rest. The
venue can cater for any type
of meeting, from a small
intimate conference for the
board of directors consisting
of as few as 20 people, to a
corporate conference of up
to 600 delegates.
Conference packages can
be tailored to a specific
requirements and include
options such as a full-day
package that includes a full
English breakfast, morning
tea, lunch, high tea and
dinner – buffet or plated.
Monte De Dios also
offers the latest and best
conference equipment,
which is available on site
along with experienced
technicians on hand to
assist with any difficulties. All
technical requirements can
be supplied by the venue’s
preferred supplier, EPH
Productions.
In a nutshell, Monte de
Dios could be ideal for the
following types of functions:
Day conferences
Special events (e.g. product
launches and road shows)
Gala dinners
Year-end functions.
The only potential drawback
is the fact that Monte
De Dios only has six
(stunning) double rooms.
However, with various
partnerships in place
with neighbouring hotels
(including a complimentary
shuttle service) this
shouldn’t be a ‘make or
break’ factor.
Flexibility is definitely a key
strength of this new venue,
which will grow and could
surely become a pleasant
surprise for the industry