Te Pae Christchurch marks an eventful first two years

The Te Pae Christchurch in New Zealand has marked two event-filled years since hosting its first conference on 2 May 2022. In this period, the convention centre has exceeded expectations, with over 200,000 attendees participating in 458 events. These events encompassed 146 multi-day conferences, including 29 international ones, 19 exhibitions, 131 banquets, 157 meetings, and five live performances, the team reports. Entering its third year, Te Pae Christchurch is set for a bustling May 2024 and will welcome numerous back-to-back conferences, such as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress 2024, the Institute of Directors 2024 NZ Conference, and the MotorSport NZ Conference 2024. With a mix of five international and ten national conferences, concerts, and various local events planned, more than 8,200 attendees are anticipated throughout the month, including 2,650 from overseas and 3,135 from across New Zealand. John O’Hagan, chief executive of Rau Paenga Limited (formerly known as Ōtākaro Limited) said, “The goal was to catalyse spending and social activity in the central city for decades to come with an international standard convention centre within walking distance of hotels, shops, and restaurants”. Ross Steele, general manager of Te Pae Christchurch, reflected on the success of the past two years. “We’ve far outstripped all expectations for our initial operating period,” he said. This success is attributed to the combined efforts of the local events infrastructure, including the Council and ChristchurchNZ, alongside local suppliers and the city’s hotel and hospitality sectors. Steele highlighted the significant economic boost and increased visitation during traditionally quieter periods, alongside opportunities for local participation in world-class events. “The direct economic impacts of business events have been well researched,” he noted, adding that the broader impacts on the community were substantial, benefiting local businesses and professionals alike.