In the 2021/22 financial year Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in New Zealand won 102 business events, which are expected to inject NZ$75.5m (US$42.88m) into the region’s economy in the coming years. Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) chief Ken Pereira, says the wins demonstrate the city’s global profile as a business events destination, and the work that goes into securing world-class events for the region. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to research new opportunities, bid for international conferences, and secure business events for Auckland,” Pereira says. “In the past financial year, we supported 305 potential opportunities for events to be held here between now and 2028. If successfully brought to Auckland, these events are expected to generate a total economic impact value of just over NZ$140m and more than 300,000 visitor nights.” The number of conference visitors would fill 8,000 of Auckland’s city centre accommodation rooms for 38 days. On average, an international delegate will spend just over NZ$2,000 ad a domestic delegate a little over NZ$1,000. In the past year, ACB recorded a total of 1,794 referrals to Auckland industry partners, up 18% on the previous year. “Auckland’s appeal for event organisers relies not only on its events infrastructure, but its manaakitanga (our unique welcome for visitors) and the range of attractions and activities it has to offer,” Pereira says. “Beyond the economic benefits for the region, these events also provide valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing, research collaboration, networking and investment discussions which deliver a positive long-term impact for Auckland and New Zealand,” he adds. Major wins in the last year for Auckland include the Federation of Asia Oceania Pest Management Associations Pest Summit Conference, which will bring approximately 2,500 delegates to the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in 2026. Other upcoming events include:
- The2022 Conference on Robot Learning
- The Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Conference in 2024
- The 8th International Teaching Games for Understanding Conference in 2024
Auckland was named the number one city to visit in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 and Pereira adds that with the NZICC coming online, a newly refurbished Aotea Centre and the Viaduct Events Centre available from 2023, the future is exciting for Auckland conferences and events. “Planning continues for the year ahead and we know the Auckland Business Events industry will be pleased to see the return of our domestic activity, alongside a strong pipeline of Australian and international trade shows and showcases, especially our Australian Mega Familiarisation tour, planned in conjunction with Tourism New Zealand,” Pereira says.
