New Zealand has acknowledged the efforts of dozens
of academics and industry leaders who played a key role in bringing international
conferences to the country.
The Tourism New Zealand Business Events
National Awards, held at national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, in Wellington, paid
tribute to 61 ‘conference champions’ who bid for - and
won - international conferences.
Working in sectors ranging from robotics to pest
management, cyber security to autism research, these experts in their field
worked alongside Tourism New Zealand and its convention bureau partners to
secure high-profile conference wins for the country.
Tourism New Zealand CEO René de Monchy said:
“The hard work of these influential and talented individuals plays an integral
part in attracting these events to our shores. While the pandemic stopped the
last two Awards ceremonies, the substantial number of ambassadors celebrated
this year is testament to the fact that our conference champions never
stopped working. Bidding activity continued, and Tourism New Zealand is proud
to support this.”
Tourism New Zealand said it would plant a
native tree in honour of each of the National Awards recipients through environmental
charity Project Crimson’s Trees That Count programme.
In the last financial year, New Zealand won 34
conferences, estimated to be worth NZD41.6m.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
