The Central Events and Conferencing Office (CECO) at Stellenbosch University (SU) is no longer the town’s best-kept secret. Their recent feature in the second edition of Afri Explorer is a testament to their growing influence on the local tourism and business events industry.
The company, operating independently from SU although wholly owned by the University of Stellenbosch Enterprises (USE), is a strategic facilitator of bespoke events, conferences and experiences on any of SU’s five campuses across the Western Cape. Bringing to life and reimagining historical venues that were previously reserved for academic and procedural events only.
In their Afri Explorer feature, CECO is spotlighted as a centralised service hub for all event-related needs within the SU ecosystem. “CECO’s strength lies in its ability to adapt,” said Catherine Channing, Manager of CECO. “We are equipped to handle everything from boardroom meetings to multi-day conferences and live events.”
What truly sets CECO apart is its agility. Initially focused on academic events, the company has since expanded its services to include weddings, sporting events, and even concerts. One of their flagship contributions to the region’s tourism industry is Meet Stellenbosch. This initiative aims to reposition Stellenbosch as a premier business tourism destination in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
Now in its fourth year, Meet Stellenbosch has strengthened collaboration between academia, business, tourism and innovation stakeholders – contributing significantly to reshaping the town’s reputation.
Once seen primarily as a wedding and wine haven, Stellenbosch is quickly gaining traction as a popular destination for international conferences and business events, striking a compelling balance between leisure and commerce. This transformation has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, CECO received the Business Events Community Award from the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) for its work on Meet Stellenbosch, acknowledging its contribution to shaping inclusive and impactful experiences within the region.
CECO has successfully unlocked Stellenbosch’s unique charm and converted it into a sustainable business model. By activating underutilised heritage venues, they have found a way to preserve local history while also contributing to job creation, economic stimulation, and university revenue generation.
Their innovative approach includes virtual venue tours aimed at attracting national and international clients, as well as curating a supplier network that prioritises local entrepreneurs and businesses. Most recently, they launched Stay at Stellies – a new offering that provides affordable accommodation in some of Stellenbosch’s most iconic campus buildings.
“In a time when experiences matter more than ever, CECO…. is proving that small towns with big ideas can compete confidently on the global MICE stage,” Afri Explorer.
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