With the colder months typically seeing reduced tourist visitation to the region, venue Te Pae Christchurch, New Zealand, is highlighting the value of its contribution to the local economy as it plans activity for what is normally a quieter shoulder season in the city.
Te Pae Christchurch says it is in the midst of its busiest season since the convention centre held its first conference in May 2022, with 32,000 visitors expected over the four months to November 2025 They will be attending over 80 events which will have an estimated economic impact of over NZ$43.8m (US$25.5m).
Te Pae Christchurch general manager Ross Steele says the level of demand underscores the key benefits of establishing the purpose-built facility in the centre of the city three years ago.
“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,” says Ross Steele. “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 programme over the next four months features 36 multi-day conferences, including six major international conferences, including the UroGynaecological Society of Australasia Annual Scientific Meeting, International Society of Arboriculture Conference, 10th IWA-ASPIRE Water New Zealand Conference and International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, co-hosted by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.
The benefits of the high level of demand are not just confined to the convention centre, with delegates generating approximately 50,000 hotel guest nights for Christchurch alone.
“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,” says Steele. “From the six major international conferences planned, we know delegates are planning to tie in pre- and post-event touring, often with friends and family, into their itinerary. Overall, visitation for conferences during the period is expected to contribute more than 20,000 guest nights to New Zealand’s accommodation sector outside of Christchurch.”
Photo courtesy of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
