Strengthening the enduring relationship between IAPCO and New Zealand.

International events experts explored the latest developments in New Zealand's business events industry last week with the IAPCO (International Association for Professional Congress Organisers) Council in Auckland for their annual strategy meeting. Around a dozen global leaders, including the association's president and president-elect, gathered in Tāmaki Makaurau to map out their five-year vision.

Beyond their strategic planning sessions, the International Association for Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Council members donned hard hats to tour Aotearoa's newest convention centre, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). They also enjoyed a taste of Tāmaki Makaurau's unique cultural and local experiences. This immersion gave council members a greater appreciation of Auckland's potential as a premier global business event and conference destination.

In addition, NZICC hosted engaging interactive workshops with the IAPCO council and local stakeholders, including the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) and Tourism New Zealand Business Events (TNZ). These sessions helped Team Auckland gain expertise and knowledge from IAPCO, broadening their understanding of key global trends and strategies for engaging the next generation, with insights into customer experience, bidding, conference legacy, sustainability, and authentic Indigenous storytelling.

NZICC General Manager Prue Daly says, “It’s a real privilege to welcome the IAPCO Council, who shares our commitment to growth and excellence within the business events industry. We are excited to showcase the NZICC, to have these influential experts in the same room, and to build relationships while exchanging ideas.”

Earlier this year, NZICC and IAPCO launched the ‘Next Generation Leaders Programme’ to develop the expertise of IAPCO members across the APAC region. This initiative features online workshops, broadening access for aspiring leaders, and culminates each year with the prestigious Jan Tonkin Scholarship. Named after the former IAPCO President, the scholarship grants one participant the opportunity to attend IAPCO’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly alongside global business events leaders.

When the NZICC opens in the heart of Auckland City, it will become one of the most connected convention centres in the world. Its venue partnership with IAPCO reflects a strong synergy and a shared commitment to nurturing talent within the business events industry. NZICC is proud to be IAPCO’s exclusive Convention Centre partner in Australasia, establishing it as a leading venue for world-class business events and conferences in the region.

Martin Boyle, Chief Executive Officer at IAPCO, says, “Each year, global destinations are selected for IAPCO Council Meetings that we feel can contribute to further developing the professionalism of the meetings and events industry. Yes, it is important that the IAPCO Council experiences the destination in order to consider opportunities for their client events, but it is also essential that the destination can equally benefit from tapping into IAPCOs collective global experience during interactive sessions together.”

“We were delighted when we formed our initial partnership with NZICC in 2023, which facilitated ongoing leadership training for IAPCO Members in the APAC region. This, coupled with our strategic Council Meeting here in Auckland, has strengthened our bond and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Tourism New Zealand Global Manager of Business Events, Penelope Ryan, adds, “IAPCO represents some of the biggest PCOs in the world, and its council members are highly influential. This has been a wonderful opportunity to engage with them in person, learn from their international insights, and gain them as Ambassadors for the NZICC, Auckland and New Zealand for the future.”

For more information contact:

NZICC Communications, media@nzicc.co.nz

About NZICC:

NZICC is committed to supporting the development of future talent locally and within the Asia Pacific region to support the growing business events industry. The venue, in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, has been designed collaboratively alongside event industry experts and is a vertically stacked, flexible, modern building. It creates a hub of innovation and positive exchange integrated into the fabric of a vibrant city.

Uniquely positioned to make each event a memorable experience, the NZICC will offer:

- A venue that gives delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibitions, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces.
- A glazed facade provides delegates with an inviting and transparent connection to the city's vibrancy while allowing views of Auckland’s natural beauty, from the Waitākere Ranges to the Waitematā Harbour.
- Close proximity to Auckland’s innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand’s leading knowledge centres.
- An integrated atrium and public laneway encourage networking and enhance the delegate experience in a city full of excitement and sophistication. Over 8,000 hotel rooms, dining precincts, shopping, and entertainment are all - within 20 minutes' walking distance.
- Configurable spaces presenting opportunities for a wide range of events with intimate meeting spaces on all levels, pre-function capacity for 2,700 people, convention capacity for 3,150 and one-off events for 4,000.

For more information about the next generation leaders programme, visit Iapco.org