Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is on track for its busiest season since opening in 2022, with more than 32,000 visitors expected between August and November.
The venue will host more than 80 events during the four-month period, pumping an estimated NZ$43.8m into the regional economy in what is typically the off-season period.
Venue general manager Ross Steele said the figures showed how business events contributed to the wider visitor economy.
“One of the major advantages of having a centre like ours, is the ability to spread demand over quieter periods for the local visitor industry,” Steele said. “The colder months, which are typically the shoulder seasons for the leisure tourism industry, are extremely popular for conference organisers – providing a major opportunity to build visitation across the whole year.”
The event program includes 36 multi-day conferences, six of them international. They include the UroGynaecological Society of Australasia Annual Scientific Meeting, the International Society of Arboriculture Conference, the 10th IWA-ASPIRE Water New Zealand Conference and the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, co-hosted by the University of Canterbury.
Te Pae Christchurch estimates the upcoming conferences will generate about 50,000 hotel guest nights in Christchurch. Another 20,000 guest nights are expected across New Zealand, with many international delegates planning to travel before or after the events.
Steele said the influx of visitors will benefit hotels, retailers, restaurants and transport operators, particularly as conference organisers schedule additional activities around the city.
“The positive impact is not just confined to Christchurch, with the wider South Island in particular expecting a surge in activity generated from the conference programme,” he said.
Steele also noted the centre’s success reflects a long-term vision for the city.
“From the initial concept and design to the tireless work of a dedicated team welcoming guests from across the world and around New Zealand, to the support of the Government, Crown Infrastructure Delivery, Christchurch City Council, ChristchurchNZ and Tourism NZ, Christchurch is currently reaping the benefits of an extraordinary team effort to bring Te Pae Christchurch to life.”
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.
