For the past four years South Africa’s premier brand communications awards, the Loeries, have been held in the coastal KwaZulu-Natal town of Margate. Prior to that they were held in Sun City.

But for the 2009 event, Johannesburg and Cape Town have been asked to tender to host the event, as well as Margate and Sun City. This was after the Loerie Awards committee reviewed a long list of possible towns.

Says Loeries chairperson Festus Maskekwameng: “We have been involved in discussions around hosting the Awards at different locations around South Africa, and the decision was taken to invite proposals so that the benefits of the different options could be carefully assessed. Margate is certainly a strong contender in the process, but the committee has received a lot of feedback from the industry as well as interest from other cities. We wanted an opportunity to evaluate a short list of venue options.”

The tender deadline is the last week of September, after which the Loeries Committee will review the pitches. A final decision will be made in October this year.

“Margate and Sun City both offer a contained, small-town environment, which creates more of a getaway atmosphere,” says Masekwameng. “Johannesburg and Cape Town both offer big city infrastructures, and each option brings with it opportunities and challenges.”