New infrastructure developments planned across New Zealand are expected to put the country on the international business events map.
The developments, outlined at this week’s AIME, include two new convention centres in Christchurch and Auckland as well as other projects for Queenstown and Wellington.
“New Zealand is working to become a major player in the international convention business,” Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chief executive Sue Sullivan said.
According to Sullivan, knowledge of New Zealand as a business events destination is at an all-time high – ranking 51st in the International Conference and Convention Association’s (ICCA) annual country and city rankings.
Meanwhile as a destination for hosting business events is up four places year-on-year and sits just outside the world’s top 50.
However, Sullivan points out New Zealand missed out 83 conferences on the international circuit because it doesn’t have a venue large enough, but is set to change with new investments.
“A facility in Auckland catering for 3,000 delegates will allow New Zealand to host conferences of a size not seen here before. We immediately become an international player, challenging Australia and South East Asia for lucrative convention business.
“It will give us the ability to tap into markets we’ve been shut out of in the past because we simply haven’t had venues big enough to cater to their needs.”
SkyCity has said it is prepared to invest more than NZ$402.3 million on the NZICC project, subject to its board’s final determination, which is expected to come through by next month. The New Zealand Government will not fund the difference between the original NZ$420m and the upgraded NZ$500m plus projected to build the centre.
Meanwhile final plans for Christchurch’s Convention and Exhibition Centre has been submitted, and construction is expected to commence mid-2015.
The Centre will be positioned as a boutique-style premium international-standard facility, aimed at attracting international conferences and conventions to the region.
