Why corporates still invest in conferencing

As business adapts to hybrid work, digital tools and new expectations around how people connect, one may assume the era of in-person conferences is behind us. Yet, across industries, the opposite is true. The return to face-to-face engagement has revealed something fundamental: real connection still drives performance.

In this thought leadership piece, Sean Lewis, chief operations officer at MINT Hotels, explores why physical gatherings remain essential to corporate success and how MINT Resorts The Blyde is redefining conferencing through a powerful combination of setting, design and experience.

The human advantage

The last few years have taught us that virtual tools can sustain operations, but they can’t replace the nuance and trust that form in person. Collaboration thrives when people share space, energy and perspective. The subtleties of conversation, the creativity sparked during a coffee break, the shared focus of being in the same room… these are the moments that move strategy forward.

In-person conferencing isn’t a luxury anymore; it’s a cultural and commercial necessity. It helps teams reconnect to a shared purpose and provides an environment where strategy and creativity can co-exist. What happens outside the agenda – the networking, the laughter, the exchange of ideas – often proves just as important as the agenda itself.

A destination designed for connection: The Blyde

For MINT Hotels, this understanding led to the creation of MINT Resorts The Blyde, our flagship conferencing and events destination located east of Pretoria/Tshwane. Nestled within The Blyde Riverwalk Estate, MINT Resorts The Blyde reimagines what a modern conference venue can be: sophisticated, flexible and deeply connected to its surroundings.

The MINT Resorts Events Centre sets a new standard for corporate gatherings in Gauteng. With a 332 square-metre main venue accommodating up to 180 delegates in a schoolroom configuration or 180 guests banquet-style, it’s designed for versatility complemented by breakaway rooms, a private boardroom and a cinema for more intimate discussions.

Every space has been crafted to encourage focus and collaboration, with floor-to-ceiling east-facing windows that open onto a 325 square-metre wraparound balcony overlooking the lagoon – creating a natural sense of openness and calm.

Beyond the venue itself, The Blyde’s lagoon-facing setting offers a truly unique atmosphere where delegates can step directly from meeting spaces to panoramic terraces and water views. It’s this blend of nature and design that makes the property ideal for conferences, corporate retreats and executive strategy sessions.

Guests also have access to an impressive suite of amenities: from the Vista Restaurant serving pan-African and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, to the Camelot Spa, gym, cinema and lounge spaces that allow teams to unwind and connect beyond the boardroom. Whether hosting a day conference or a multi-day leadership retreat, the resort is equipped to handle every detail by combining work and rejuvenation in equal measure.

Location matters: Where business meets convenience

While MINT Resorts The Blyde anchors our conferencing portfolio, our broader network of Johannesburg-based hotels plays a vital supporting role. From Mint Express Melrose View, MINT Hotel 84 on Katherine and MINT Express Sandton View to MINT Hotel Rosebank and MINT Hotel Sandhurst, all these properties have been deliberately positioned within reach of major business and event districts.

These hotels offer professionals convenient access to the Sandton Convention Centre, Rosebank corporate precinct and Johannesburg’s key head office hubs, while providing the calm and comfort needed for focused work or post-event relaxation. Whether delegates are attending a conference in the city, meeting clients or managing regional projects, MINT Hotels provides reliable accommodation, modern amenities and intuitive service that supports the rhythm of business travel.

Our mission has always been to make meaningful connection effortless, and that begins with location. When travel logistics fade into the background, teams can focus on what really matters: collaboration, creativity and progress.

The future of conferencing

As organisations redefine how they engage employees and partners, conferencing is evolving into a form of corporate well-being; an opportunity to reconnect people not just to ideas but to one another. At MINT Hotels, we believe the future of conferencing lies in creating environments that inspire, not just accommodate.

At MINT Resorts The Blyde, that vision comes alive every day. Our conferencing facilities are not only designed for productivity but for perspective with every detail – from natural light to the ripple of the lagoon – intentionally curated to shift how people feel, think and interact.

The future of conferencing isn’t about size or scale – it’s about substance. It’s about creating moments that reignite motivation and strengthen relationships long after the final presentation ends. For us at MINT, that’s what hospitality is all about: designing places that bring people together in ways that matter.

As I often remind our team, a great conference isn’t just measured by what’s achieved in the room, but by the ideas and energy people take back into their work afterward. At MINT Hotels, our role is to make those moments not only possible but unforgettable.