Julie-May Ellingson confirmed as CEO of Durban ICC

Julie-May Ellingson

Commenting on her appointment, Ellingson said her vision for the ICC is twofold, "First it is to be the best convention centre in Africa, offering a unique African experience with the highest quality service and second to be a centre for knowledge sharing through which new jobs can be created locally, provincially and nationally."

She holds a degree in Economics and a Masters Degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She joined the ICC from the eThekwini Municipality's strategic projects unit, which she headed since its establishment in 2005. As head of strategic projects unit, she was responsible for driving Durban's 2010 and beyond strategy and delivering on the city's 2010 FIFA World Cup responsibilities.

"We are looking at positioning Durban and ICC as one of the world's premier long-haul international conferencing destinations. We will also continue our strategy of attracting high profile international conferences and events to the Durban, together with our partners in the local business tourism sector."

Commenting on the immediate plans for the Durban ICC, she continued, "We are looking at improving the organisation's management systems and skills base and a programme of improvements to the infrastructure is ongoing. National and domestic marketing will be refocused in recognition of global economic conditions, to ensure that there is an even spread of business from the various sectors within the business tourism industry."

The COP17/CMP7 conference is imminent and the entire Durban ICC team is hard at work to ensure that the hosting of the event is a success. "I am very proud of the efforts of my team in ensuring that everything is ready for the biggest conference ever to be hosted at the Durban ICC," she concludes.