New upscale MICE venue to boost NZ business arrivals?

MICE News
Friday, 14 May 2010
The New Zealand government is looking at the potential for an international-scale convention and exhibition centre that can cater for business visitors.

New Zealand prime minister and minister of tourism John Key announced plans for the new centre in a speech to the New Zealand hotel industry at a conference in Auckland.

"Attracting more business visitors to New Zealand has the potential to contribute significantly to our economy," said Key. "When we host business events, we also get the benefits of sharing information, learning new things, and fostering business ties with other countries.


"Many businesses around the world cut back on travel in response to the recession. Business arrivals to New Zealand fell by nine per cent last year, but as the global economy recovers, we can expect business travel to recover too.

"That's why the Government is considering how we can host more international business events in New Zealand in the future. Especially in the fastest growing segment of the market - the 1500-plus delegate range.

“Economic Development minister Gerry Brownlee recently held a series of meetings with venue owners and business event stakeholders in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington.

“They covered three main topics: The possibility of developing an international-scale convention and exhibition centre. Second, the development of a national Business Events strategy. And third, how the current network of convention venues in New Zealand can work together to attract a greater number of international business events to New Zealand," he said.

The government will soon call for expressions of interest and has urged the industry to suggest ideas on how the government can partner with industry to attract more business visitors.

New upscale MICE venue to boost NZ business arrivals?

MICE News
Friday, 14 May 2010
The New Zealand government is looking at the potential for an international-scale convention and exhibition centre that can cater for business visitors.

New Zealand prime minister and minister of tourism John Key announced plans for the new centre in a speech to the New Zealand hotel industry at a conference in Auckland.

"Attracting more business visitors to New Zealand has the potential to contribute significantly to our economy," said Key. "When we host business events, we also get the benefits of sharing information, learning new things, and fostering business ties with other countries.


"Many businesses around the world cut back on travel in response to the recession. Business arrivals to New Zealand fell by nine per cent last year, but as the global economy recovers, we can expect business travel to recover too.

"That's why the Government is considering how we can host more international business events in New Zealand in the future. Especially in the fastest growing segment of the market - the 1500-plus delegate range.

“Economic Development minister Gerry Brownlee recently held a series of meetings with venue owners and business event stakeholders in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington.

“They covered three main topics: The possibility of developing an international-scale convention and exhibition centre. Second, the development of a national Business Events strategy. And third, how the current network of convention venues in New Zealand can work together to attract a greater number of international business events to New Zealand," he said.

The government will soon call for expressions of interest and has urged the industry to suggest ideas on how the government can partner with industry to attract more business visitors.