Te Pae CCC reaches milestone, plus big issues on the agenda for NZ business events conference

New Zealand’s Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has reached a significant milestone, hosting 100 events in the four and a half months since its first conference in May. The 100th event was the Take Charge Christchurch Expo hosted by the Christchurch City Council, 17-18 September. The free public expo featured more than 50 electric battery vehicles and attracted close to 9,000 visitors. Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre general manager Ross Steele said: “We’re delighted that our milestone 100th event was one that supported our city and the community, particularly given that Te Pae Christchurch was built as a regeneration project for Ōtautahi Christchurch,” Mr Steele said. “It’s been fantastic to attract and host so many events that we can see are having a direct and positive impact on businesses across the city.” Of the 100 events so far, Te Pae Christchurch has hosted 36 multi-day conferences, including two international events; 30 banquets, 27 meetings and seminars, six exhibitions and one live entertainment event. More than 40,000 guests have attended events at Te Pae Christchurch, resulting in 42,000 room nights in the city’s hotels and almost NZ$30m (US$17.7m) in direct economic value for the wider city. Steel added that business to date at the Centre had exceeded expectations. “While some of this can be attributed to the impacts of Covid condensing this year’s event schedule, it also speaks to the interest and pent-up desire for Ōtautahi Christchurch as a destination for business events,” he noted. Experts on workforce training, sustainability, and future strategies are, meanwhile, set to share their insights with Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s (BEIA) members at next month’s Ignite the Future conference. BEIA’s 46^th AGM and Annual Conference will be held in Hawke’s Bay at Napier Conference Centre, 4-6 October, and opened by minister for tourism and economic development, Hon Stuart Nash who is also MP for Napier. Delegates will be welcomed by the two city mayors – Kirsten Wise mayor of Napier, and Sandra Hazlehurst mayor of Hastings, and local kaumātua (elders) will greet delegates with a mihi whakatau (speech of welcome) and waiata (song). BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins says the conference kicks off with an interactive workshop on the big issues facing the sector, and BEIA’s strategy for the way forward. “As we face limited staffing resources, added pressure on venues, and shorter lead times, Covid has made us think differently. Industry experts will give perspectives on the three most challenging subjects for our sector right now – people training and professional development, sustainability initiatives, and customer expectations. “Our industry members can take a deep dive into the subjects critical to our sector’s success going forward, and there will be plenty of chance for feedback,” she said. Delegates will be briefed on an international skills initiative from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) by Waikin Wong regional director for Asia Pacific based in Malaysia, who will be visiting New Zealand for the conference. The Ignite the Future deep dive is designed by Oscar Cerezales, chief strategy officer at MCI Group, and facilitated by Susan Sawbridge, a New Zealand major events strategist and expert. The new space at ToiToi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Event Centre is the venue for a Great Gatsby-themed dinner – Deco, Diamonds, and Decadence – on 6 October, with Outstanding Contributor Awards for 2021 and 2022 to be presented. Online registration for members and non-members is open on the Ignite The Future conference website.