ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting

How NZICC hosted 1,800 delegates for one of Australasia's leading medical conferences

When the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) set out to deliver its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in New Zealand, the organisation needed a conference venue capable of hosting a large-scale, multi-stream event while creating a seamless experience for more than 1,800 delegates.

The result was a highly successful conference delivered at NZICC, bringing together clinicians, researchers and industry partners for several days of education, networking and innovation. By leveraging the scale, flexibility and integrated facilities of Aotearoa New Zealand's premier Auckland convention centre, ANZCA was able to create a cohesive delegate experience under one roof. 

Bringing together a complex conference programme

The ANZCA ASM is a flagship industry event designed to advance professional development through knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation. The programme featured:

• Scientific presentations
• Interactive workshops
• Industry exhibition opportunities
• Networking functions
• Continuing professional development sessions

Delivering such a broad programme required a venue that could accommodate multiple concurrent streams while maintaining smooth delegate flow throughout the meeting.

Finding the right convention centre

With approximately 1,800 delegates attending, ANZCA required:

• A large plenary venue
• Flexibility to meet programme needs outside traditional theatre-style set-ups
• Multiple breakout and workshop rooms
• Significant exhibition space
• Dedicated networking areas
• Strong operational and technical support
• Sustainable practices
• Easy access and storage requirements

Equally important was the ability to house all event components within a single venue footprint, reducing movement between locations and enhancing the overall attendee experience. 

As Nicole Phillips, ANZCA’s Director of Professional Affairs, ASM, explained, “We really needed a venue that was large enough to accommodate us. Now this beautiful convention centre has opened, we’re really lucky to be here.”

Flexible meeting spaces designed for large-scale events

The flexibility of NZICC's meeting spaces played a critical role in the success of the event.

By providing access to plenary facilities, breakout rooms, networking areas and exhibition facilities within the same building, NZICC enabled ANZCA to create a clearly zoned event environment while supporting smooth transitions between sessions. Delegates could easily move between educational content, exhibition areas and networking opportunities without disruption.

For large-scale conferences in Auckland, this ability to centralise all event elements is a significant advantage, helping organisers maintain engagement and streamline logistics. 

A collaborative planning partnership

ANZCA highlighted the collaborative approach of the NZICC planning team as a key factor in the event's success.

Throughout the planning process, the NZICC team worked closely with the ANZCA in-house professional conference organisers, providing proactive support, responding quickly to requirements and maintaining a strong focus on problem-solving. ANZCA noted that the relationship felt like a genuine partnership, with NZICC demonstrating a willingness to listen, adapt and refine processes to achieve the best possible outcome. 

Of the process, ANZCA Sponsorship and Partnerships Manager, Alexis Marsh, said, “It was amazing to see the NZICC staff working so seamlessly with our staff to really co-create this event and make sure the delegates were having the best experience.”

This collaborative approach enabled ANZCA to confidently manage the complexity of the programme while ensuring a high standard of delivery across every aspect of the event. 

Technical capability supporting a multi-stream conference

Running multiple concurrent sessions across many rooms demands reliable and consistent technical infrastructure.

ANZCA reported that NZICC's integrated technical capabilities supported the delivery of its complex programme across plenary, breakout and exhibition environments. The venue's technical team worked alongside organisers to adapt to changing programme requirements and ensure sessions ran smoothly throughout the event.  

The result was a professional and consistent experience for presenters, exhibitors and delegates alike. 

Accessibility and delegate convenience

As a centrally located convention centre in Auckland, NZICC provided delegates with convenient access to accommodation, transport links and city amenities.

ANZCA found that the venue's location made it easy for attendees to navigate their conference experience, while hosting all components of the event within a single venue further enhanced accessibility and convenience. 

As ANZCA’s President, Dr Tanya Selak, put it, “NZICC is in the heart of all the best things Tāmaki Makaurau has to offer. The wonderful dining, the beautiful precincts… and we’re right on the water so it’s very contemporary.”

Catering and networking at scale

Providing food and beverage services for 1,800 delegates requires careful planning and execution.

ANZCA praised the venue team's ability to deliver catering efficiently across multiple service periods while maintaining a strong delegate experience. The thoughtful layout of catering and networking areas helped minimise congestion and supported natural attendee interaction throughout the event.

The team also demonstrated flexibility by responding effectively to on-the-day adjustments, helping keep the programme running smoothly.

Delivering a positive delegate experience

Delegate feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees benefiting from a comprehensive programme that successfully combined education, networking and industry engagement within one cohesive environment.

ANZCA remarked that delegates frequently commented on the friendliness and responsiveness of NZICC staff, highlighting the important role venue teams play in shaping the overall conference experience. 

A successful outcome for ANZCA

Looking back on the event, ANZCA considers the successful delivery of a seamless, large-scale conference to be one of its greatest achievements.

Bringing together 1,800 delegates across multiple scientific streams, workshops, networking functions and a substantial exhibition space required meticulous coordination and strong venue support. ANZCA credits its partnership with NZICC as a crucial contributor to the event's success. 

Why ANZCA recommends NZICC

For organisations planning large and complex conferences in Auckland, ANZCA believes NZICC is exceptionally well suited to the task.

The organisation recommends engaging early with the venue team and taking advantage of NZICC's collaborative approach, flexibility and operational expertise. With adaptable meeting spaces, integrated event facilities and strong support teams, NZICC delivers the scale and capability required to host world-class conferences and events. 

Jan Sharrock, ANZCA’s Executive Director, Fellowship Affairs, said, “NZICC is spectacular. The systems, the people, the space… We couldn’t be happier. If you want professionalism, if you want goodwill, if you want good staff and if you want a sense of ‘let’s make it happen together’, you’d be in the right place.”

Watch how the ANZCA ASM was brought to life at NZICC