Great success at International Investment Conference
Vipingo Ridge is more than luxury real estate, more than the only PGA course in Africa, more than a Wildlife Sanctuary.
Vipingo Ridge is the ultimate conference destination
When His Excellency Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung’aro shared his vision for an International Investment Conference for Kilifi County, Vipingo Ridge was well positioned to bring this ambitious and game changing concept to life.
Vipingo Ridge has executive conference facilities of course, but also extensive grounds and the ability to visualise and manage delegates for all types of events, so when over 1000 delegates would be joining the event per day, the management team were able to offer solutions and operating procedures for a smooth experience.
1.Security setting the standard
One of the main reasons Vipingo Ridge is chosen by homeowners and events clients alike is the security.
We have a world-class security team, working with military structures and extensive training, so the walled 2000 acre development is able to manage both daily resident activities and scale up for large events.
For the Investment Conference we were proud to welcome important global guests, senior Government officials to attend the event at stay within the secure environment of Vipingo Ridge. We were also particularly honoured to welcome His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, the President of Kenya to the event.
2. Configurable Spaces
With 2000 acres of land in a clever master planned concept, Vipingo Ridge is well placed to scale up or down for the function.
For the Kilifi County International Investment Conference the plans were well considered and the intention was to have between 1000-1300 delegates attend each of the three days. In order to achieve this volume of guests, and create a great delegate experience flow through an exhibition and have multiple presentation sessions, the Vipingo Ridge team worked closely with the County team and the Event Planners, Zuri Events, on a concept that maximised the existing assets, but also offered flexible capacity to adapt to the requirements.
The results of this partnership were outstanding.
Shown from above, below the flow from the Main Gate to the parking, shuttle buses to the main entrance and delegate registration flowed into the exhibition tent, the main plenary tent (over 50 metres wide) and supported by four breakdown tents to seat 400 delegates and offer a variety of in depth more intimate sessions. These tents were adjacent to the main Vipingo Ridge conference facilities, and these complimented the temporary structures as the Governors Lounge, Presidents Luncheon venue, Bilat spaces and VIP facilities.
Finally, the Driving Range was utilised as a VIP lunch venue, with a fifth airconditioned tent for 200 guests. This encouraged delegates to stetch their legs and experience some of the scenes at Africa’s only PGA traning academy, just a short walk from the main conference venue.
The wider delegates had the opportunity to experience a food market, celebrating local small businesses and cuisine, this was a shading location with sea view amoungst mature trees, adjacent to the main tents.
3. Multiple venues
As well as significant land for creating such an epic international conference experience, Vipingo Ridge was also able to offer a number of different venues to support the overall programme.
From the Governor’s Lounge, including spaces for important meetings, to a VIP breakfast and Pressidential lunch for 120 the main Vipingo Ridge Conference Centre was well utilised.
In the evenings delegates were able to enjoy a number of planned activities. There was a welcome cocktail reception for 500 guests at the newest venue at the Ridge, the Pool Gardens, where the guests particularly enjoyed the sunset views over the Chodari Hills and the vast Makuti structure, the Sundowner. On the final evening on the third day of the event, the Beach Club, one of Vipingo Ridge’s best assets, was the venue for a fantastic Gala Dinner. We welcomed 300 selected guests to celebrate the success of the Kilifi County International Investment Conference on white sands at the Ocean’s edge. A surf and turf menu was served including whole goat and locally caught prawns.
4. Environmental credentials
The Events partners for the event, Zuri Events, describe themselves as a sustainable events company. The selection of such a partner and such a venue by Kilifi County speaks to their conscious choice to make important decisions on our shared future.
From limiting the use of plastics (including paper delegate passes), prominent recycling bins and waste management through Vipingo Ridge’s conscientious team, to use of the power through the Vipingo Ridge solar farm capacity and our rain water capture systems for the water utilities we were able to collaborate to make positive choices.
Vipingo Ridge has planted tens of thousands of native trees over the past two decades and the immersive experience of such a green environment was well noted by the many delegates who came to the conference to discuss sustainability, eco-tourism and conservation.
5. PGA Golf Course
An international investment conference where important business was conducted, would not be complete without a golf tournament to solidify bonds and to meet in a more relaxed setting.
Kilifi is home to the only PGA (Professional Golf Assocation) branded course in the whole of the African continent, proudly setting the standards for golf development and a Championship Course that is amongst the best in the Country.
In fact, Vipingo Ridge was recently recognised in the recent World Golf Awards in Madeira, Portugal as Africa’s Best Golf Real Estate Venue 2024. This award was received only last month and is a testament to the hard work and focus of the team to be the best golf experience and truly celebrate the best of Kenya.
Kilifi County sponsored 103 golfers to participate in the 18-hole competition bringing the programme to a close with a prize giving event and afterparty.
A word of Thanks
It was truly an honour to be the venue for such as prestigious conference. The event was a great success, with fantastic feedback. We particuarly that His Excellency Governor Gideon Mung’aro for his vision and commitment to creating such a powerful event, and to all the partners and teams that aligned to make it such a success.