 
WHAT YOU DID: The Wellington Convention Centre hosted what is believed to have been the largest conference ever held in Wellington.
The 7th IDF Congress was a major feat for the city who beat Hong Kong for the opportunity. More than 2000 delegates attended the congress with an estimated 70 per cent of those delegates being from throughout the Pacific, Oceania and Asia regions.
This multi-day congress was opened with a welcome ceremony and cocktails for 900 delegates in the Wellington Town Hall, followed by plenary sessions and concurrent meetings over the following four days.
The Wellington Convention Centre took this conference as an opportunity to showcase its ability to host large conference events in Wellington and to do so in innovative ways. The event proved to be a great success, and has left the city itching for the next big conference.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: Because of the subject matter for this event, nutrition was extremely important to the delegates. To this end the venue’s chefs worked alongside nutritionists to design healthy, yet tasty meals that fit a balanced dietary criteria. We even launched our environmental lunch bags, where not only the food, but most of the packaging was fully compostable.
CHALLENGES: The main challenge for the venue to host this event where every piece of available space was needed was to provide enough flat floor exhibition space for sponsor displays. We had to come up with a creative solution.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES: Embracing the challenge to meet the client’s space requirements, the centre facilitated the installation of a 1495 square metre marquee on the carpark adjacent to the venue to house the sponsor displays. This structure gave the illusion of being a permanent venue and proved to be a hit with both client and delegates. Alongside the exhibition space, we also installed a temporary kitchen to help feed all 2000 delegates coming through the exhibition daily.
CLIENT’S COMMENT:
“The Wellington Convention Centre staff performed at an exemplary level providing typical “can do” solutions to every challenge presented, making all delegates feel welcome and transforming the many rooms of the complex to meet specific requirements on an hour by hour basis. No venue is perfect, but it is the willingness of staff to work with the client to find solutions that makes for a successful congress. In this area the Wellington Convention Centre and its staff were faultless.”
Russell Finnerty – Chair – Organising Committee for the 7th IDF Congress.
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