Auckland’s rising star
Emerging rapidly in the centre of Auckland is a new state-of-the art convention centre set to take New Zealand’s business events sector to unprecedented new heights.
The construction of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has passed the halfway mark and is on track for opening in 2020.
At an impressive 32,500sqm, with 33 meeting spaces and a 2850 seat theatreversatile conference, exhibition and entertainment space in New Zealand.
The innovative design has harnessed smart technology and thinking to focus on how best to make the NZICC not just a convention centre, but an experience.
The NZICC is truly ground-breaking in both its architecture and business philosophy. As a business the NZICC is customer-led and digitally focused, enabling immersive, connected experiences which reflects Auckland’s thriving international innovation hub status.
One of the hallmarks of the NZICC is its flexibility and adaptability. Architects Warren & Mahoney brought in an ‘experience design’ company into the project early on. They asked professional conference organisers, delegates, audio-visual producers, caterers and members of the Auckland public, what they looked for in a building; in a conference experience; in a city experience; and what would make it good for them.
These insights are helping to determine things as varied as a lighting system that mimics daylight as closely as possible to digital tools the team developed to help share the vision of the centre to new clients.
The other key insights showed organisers and delegates want a centre which is woven seamlessly into the city around it. With the views out from the NZICC across the sparkling Waitemata Harbour and to the west, delegates are able to enjoy a stunning city scape blending into a native forest view, and can access the key hot spots of the city within a short walk.
Auckland is a place where city style and natural beauty go hand in hand. With a beautiful natural playground of harbours, beaches, volcanic cones, native forests and gulf islands, along with a vibrant and diverse range of venues, accommodation and activities on offer, event planners are spoilt for choice when it comes to creating a world class business event in Auckland.
By far the best connected city in the county, with seven airlines flying from Australian cities to Auckland, and 254 trans-Tasman flights per week.
Auckland’s continued focus on attracting business events has led to it being named the top meetings and conference destination in Australasia at the 2017 World Travel Awards.
Auckland is a hive of activity thanks to a thriving economy, including a record breaking visitor economy which has provided the confidence for the public and private sector to invest more than $29 billion on infrastructure over the next 10 years.
Major transformational projects including the Auckland City Rail Link, and accommodation developments are underway, which once complete will make the city even more accessible and appealing for business events.
Auckland has recently added the Pacific Region’s first Cordis, formerly The Langham, and renovation of the Copthorne Hotel has seen it rebranded as MSocial.
Additional new accommodation includes a 300-room, 5-star hotel which will be connected via an air bridge to the NZICC, and other new options coming on stream in 2018 and 2019 include the Park Hyatt, Sofitel So Boutique Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton all adding another 1000 plus rooms to the city.
Thanks to record immigration in recent decades, Auckland now finds itself one of the world’s most diverse cities. Being home to such a melting pot of cultures means there’s real depth to Auckland’s dining scene. Bottom line? It’s a terrific place to eat.
Auckland truly is the smart move for a business event. You’ll be so spoilt for choice we recommend talking to one of the Australian-based representatives from Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Convention Bureau or the New Zealand International Convention Centre to assist with your inquiries. Alternatively the teams will be at AIME 2018 on the 100% Pure New Zealand Stand.
Attending AIME will be:
| Brooke Campbell - Sales Manager Australia New Zealand International Convention Centre b.campbell@nzicc.co.nz  | Jeanette Stanton – Manager - Sales and Marketing Auckland Convention Bureau jeanette.stanton@aucklandnz.com | ||
 | Prue Daly - Director of Sales New Zealand International Convention Centre prue.daly@nzicc.co.nz |  | Samantha Kent - Business Events Bids Manager Tourism New Zealand samantha.kent@tnz.govt.nz |
| Callum Mallet - General Manager Operations New Zealand International Convention Centre callum.mallet@nzicc.co.nz |  | Helen Bambry - Business Events Manager Tourism New Zealand helen.bambry@tnz.govt.nz |
Published in Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 1, 2018 www.cimmagazine.com
