Meetings Africa 2026: Where Business Meets Sandton Central
If you work in the business events space, Meetings Africa needs no introduction. It is the continent’s most important trade show for connecting African destinations, venues and service providers with buyers, media and decision-makers from around the world. And from 23 to 25 February 2026, it returns to the Sandton Convention Centre for its 20th anniversary edition.
But anyone who has attended before knows that Meetings Africa is never confined to the Convention Centre. Sandton Central becomes part of the experience, from early coffees and quick lunches to client dinners and post-show catch-ups. This guide looks at what to expect from Meetings Africa 2026 and how to make the most of your time in Sandton Central while you’re here.
How the Week Unfolds
The programme is structured in a way that eases delegates into the week before the pace really picks up.
Monday is dedicated to BONDay, the Business Opportunity Networking Day. It is the most discussion-driven part of the programme, with educational sessions and industry conversations focused on trends, challenges and the future of the business events sector. BONDay tends to draw a slightly slower, more deliberate energy, giving exhibitors, buyers, media and non-exhibiting visitors the space to listen, contribute and connect before appointments begin in earnest.
Alongside BONDay, several industry-specific sessions take place, including association meetings and the Future Leaders Forum, which brings students from across Africa into the conversation and introduces them to career opportunities within the sector. The day builds towards the afternoon with speed marketing sessions and early networking events that set the tone for the days ahead.
Once the trade show opens on Tuesday morning, the focus shifts firmly to business. Pre-scheduled meetings dominate the exhibition floor, supported by walkabouts, ministerial engagement and a steady flow of delegates moving between halls, talks and media sessions. BOMA Talks and Media Talks run throughout the day, offering shorter, more focused discussions that break up the schedule and bring industry issues into sharper focus.
Wednesday follows a similar rhythm, starting early with optional wellness activities for those keen to begin the day on the move, before returning to exhibition appointments, final meetings and closing conversations. The week draws to a close with awards and a final celebration, marking the end of three full days of engagement.
Between the Sessions
While the formal programme provides structure, the real value of Meetings Africa often sits between sessions.
Sandton Central’s compact layout makes it easy for conversations to continue outside the Convention Centre. Coffee meetings turn into lunches. Lunches become client dinners. Official networking events blend into informal catch-ups across hotel lounges, restaurants and public spaces.
Where to Stay in Sandton Central
For delegates attending Meetings Africa 2026, staying close to the Sandton Convention Centre is key. These are a few of our top picks.
- The DaVinci Hotel and Suites
Located on Nelson Mandela Square, The DaVinci offers direct access to Sandton City and is within walking distance of the Convention Centre. Its central position makes it ideal for delegates balancing meetings, networking and client engagements. - Hotel Sky Sandton
Hotel Sky provides contemporary accommodation in the heart of Sandton Central. Its proximity to the Convention Centre and surrounding business and retail hubs makes it a convenient base for international and local visitors alike. - The Maslow Hotel Sandton
Designed with business travellers in mind, The Maslow offers a calm and functional environment during a busy trade show week. Its location and facilities support both formal meetings and downtime between sessions.
Experiencing Sandton Central During Meetings Africa
One of the reasons Meetings Africa works so well in Sandton Central is that you never feel stuck in one place. The Convention Centre anchors the programme, but everything around it picks up the slack. Meals, meetings, coffee breaks and catch-ups all happen within a few minutes of each other, which makes stepping away from the trade floor feel effortless rather than disruptive.
Between sessions, Sandton Central becomes part of the workflow.
If you need to reset between meetings, Sandton City is usually the first stop. Directly connected to the Sandton Convention Centre, it is easy to dip out for a quick lunch, a decent coffee or a quieter corner to regroup before the next appointment. It is practical, central and built for movement, which makes it ideal during a week where schedules shift constantly, and time is at a premium.
Nelson Mandela Square tends to come into its own once the day’s programme winds down. A short walk from the Convention Centre, it is a natural choice for client dinners, informal networking and conversations that continue well beyond the final session of the day. During Meetings Africa, the Square becomes an unofficial after-hours meeting point, where business carries on in a more relaxed, social setting.
For those looking to step slightly outside the main convention rhythm, LXX Sandhurst offers a slower, more considered option within Sandton Central. With its mix of dining, boutique retail and wellness spaces, it suits smaller meetings, casual meals or moments of downtime between sessions. It is often where delegates go when they need a breather without leaving the precinct entirely.
Meetings Africa 2026
Whether you are in town for BONDay, the trade show or the networking that happens after hours, Sandton Central offers space to work, connect and reset without overthinking logistics. Plan ahead, leave room for the conversations that happen in between, and make the most of your time while you’re here.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sandton Central for Meetings Africa 2026.
