Bytes Conference Centre, a member of Bytes Technology Group (BTG), has achieved a number of successes, including a four-star MESE (meetings, exhibitions, and special events venue) rating, its highest turnover in the month of September, and nominated as one of the top empowered companies in the Altron Group.
These successes come at a time when the industry demands, more than ever before due to the tough economic climate, value for money without compromised service delivery and catering.
“We pride ourselves in delivering personalised service and high levels of professionalism to ensure that functions, no matter the size, are executed to perfection,” says Marlene Haig, GM of Bytes Conference Centre.
Bytes Conference Centre was also nominated, in February 2008, as one of the most improved companies in the Altron Group.
The centre has meeting facilities, a large foyer, a sloped auditorium, full-day and half-day conference packages that include all equipment, part of which includes comprehensive communication facilities from WiFi to broadband ADSL, e-mail access, fax and copy services.
“Just two years after opening for business, we trebled our turnover,” says Haig. “That was primarily due to our strong customer service levels that have been a strategic focus for our business from the beginning, and which have resulted in a great return on investment. We continue to grow our customer base, while enjoying strong repeat business.”
Haig says exceptional housekeeping standards put the centre ahead of the competition, with high-quality catering, service levels, and state-of-the-art equipment and on-site technical support at no extra charge.
Bytes Conference Centre also separates itself from the bulk of the industry through its ability to offer services to anywhere between 10 and 300 people.
“Above all, customers want attention to detail, good catering, and, since 2009, competitive pricing,” says Haig. “We took a tough decision to not increase our prices and we were fortunate that we have professional suppliers who recognised the value of that approach and joined us in doing so. We have to be flexible in meeting customer needs, and our competitive pricing with our hands-on management style ensures that we always do.”
Bytes Conference Centre offers a prime location. It is situated alongside the N1 freeway at the New Road offramp, in Midrand, and has road signs, authorised by the Roads Agency Department of the Johannesburg City Council, which have driven additional business.
There are meeting facilities and a large foyer for event registrations, cocktail functions, and product displays. The centre also features a 300-seat auditorium, 228 of which are fitted with writing tablets. The auditorium also has state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment.
In 2004, Bytes concluded one if the first BEE deals by partnering with Kagiso Strategic Investments, which purchased 27% of Bytes' South African interests. As part of the Bytes Technology Group, this deal enabled the business in 2009 and 2010 to obtain a Level 3 Empowerdex score with 78.54% on the dti scorecard, with the highest scores obtained in skills development and preferential procurement. Bytes Conference Centre develops black human capital and the group has spent 2.1% of its payroll on skills development for black, black female, disabled employees, and learnerships. The group maintains a policy of preference for suppliers, value-adding suppliers, and qualifying small enterprises (QSEs) that are black- or black women-owned.
“We aim to make use of suppliers with high BBBEE scores as this not only helps us obtain our BEE Level 3 Score but in turn assists our clients with obtaining and maintaining their scores on the dti score card as well as driving towards a more inclusive and equitable community,” says Haig.
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