The South Island city has seen a nine per cent increase in conference numbers and a 28 per cent increase in delegate numbers for the calendar year 2006 compared with 2005.
Manager of the Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB), Annette Pendergast, says business tourism is booming in Christchurch.
“We have a raft of large conferences booked for Christchurch in the coming year, cementing Christchurch’s reputation as New Zealand’s convention capital. Most importantly, large international associations are choosing to hold their conventions in Christchurch,” she says.
Seven major events are scheduled for mid-2007 with delegate days totalling 39,250. These large events will host from 1000 to 2000 delegates each. They include UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention in June and several high-profile international medical professional conferences.
Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism (CCT) chief executive, Ian Bougen said convention business is drawn to Christchurch with the benefits of New Zealand’s largest purpose-built convention centre, excellent hotel infrastructure, off-site dining attractions and excellent access through an international airport.
“Business visitors are attracted to opportunities for exploring the South Island while they are here, and extended stays provide even more revenue for the wider tourism industry, often during the off-peak season,” he said.
A key focus is on developing growth for international visitor arrivals, especially trans-Tasman visitors.
“In 2005-2006 we saw a 32 per cent increase in Australian business tourism visitors and we aim to maintain this growth level over the coming 12 months.”
Last financial year (ended June 30, 2006) Christchurch recorded the largest number of conference events ever in the city, adding in excess of $42 million direct spend to the Christchurch and Canterbury economy annually.
Two Christchurch hotels appeared at the top of US magazine Conde Nast’s Gold List 2007 released in January. The George was named New Zealand’s best hotel and Millennium Hotel Christchurch in third place (Huka Lodge second in NZ). The city was voted fourth best in Australasia, just behind Sydney, Melbourne and Queenstown.
Five new hotels are on the cards for central Christchurch in 2007. One of Christchurch’s landmarks, the 1863 Warner’s Historic Hotel will be upgraded and extended as part of a new international Novotel hotel development on Cathedral Square. A new 14-storey building will be built behind the Warners Hotel structure to add 154 new rooms to the existing 23 heritage rooms and suites. The new wing will house the Novotel’s conference facilities, restaurant, gym, business centre and retail outlets.
Accor’s new Ibis hotel on Hereford Street behind Cathedral Square is under construction and set to open in June. A new Rendezvous hotel is planned for Gloucester Street at Cathedral Junction, while in Cashel Street the former Inland Revenue offices are being converted to Hotel SO by local developer David Henderson, and is set for a May 2007 opening.
Scenic Circle has also announced it is planning a boutique hotel in the harbourside town of Lyttleton, just 15 minutes from Christchurch city. The Hilton chain has also confirmed it is looking to establish a luxury hotel in Christchurch.
Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau has produced a comprehensive Meeting and Incentive Planner 2007/2008. The mega-guide to the region incorporates conference and incentive venues, services and products in Christchurch city and Canterbury region. It is available free from the bureau. Visit www.christchurchconventions.co.nz.
Ms Wootton brings a wealth of experience gained over the past 10 years at Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Durham Street, where as general manager she guided the hotel through a major upgrade.
All guest rooms have been completely redesigned in 2006. The hotel offers the largest air-conditioned premium rooms in Christchurch and new décor includes custom-made furniture, new bedspreads and soft furnishings.
Set in a prime position beside Christchurch Cathedral, Millennium Hotel Christchurch has six conference rooms accommodating up to 200 people.
The hotel specialises in the incentives market, as well as conferences, weddings, private dinners and cocktail functions. All conference rooms are equipped with high-speed internet and full business facilities.
 Like the GM, Millennium Hotel’s conference and incentives manager, Angela King, also has impressive credentials, with a National Diploma in Hospitality Management and six years industry experience managing conferences and incentives at both Millennium Christchurch and Queenstown hotels.
“We pride ourselves on special touches, with creativity and personal service including one-on-one consultations with all our clients. The elegance of the hotel and conference rooms with its services and theming options create a very special package,” she says.
A grand sweeping staircase leads from the hotel lobby to the mezzanine level and conference rooms. Ridleys Boardroom and Cathedral North have floor to ceiling windows overlooking Cathedral Square and by night the view is spectacular. Live jazz on Friday and Saturday evenings provides ambience for intimate groups at private dinners on the mezzanine level.
Copthorne style
Located in the heart of Christchurch, opposite Christchurch’s up-market casino and adjacent to New Zealand’s premier convention centre, the Copthorne Hotel Christchurch, Durham Street’s conference centre is a popular venue for delegates needing easy access to the city’s convention centre and town hall.
The spectacular views across Hagley Park to the Southern Alps from its 10th floor position are a wonderful bonus for business guests.
The hotel offers 161 guest rooms including a variety of standard and premium rooms and suites. Guest facilities include a spa pool, sauna, gym, guest parking, a guest computer suite, modem points in all accommodation rooms, a house bar and brasserie style restaurant. Full secretarial facilities are also available.
Copthorne Hotel Christchurch, Central is one of Christchurch’s leading business class hotels. It is conveniently located right in the heart of the CBD, overlooking the beautiful Victoria Square and the Avon River, and walking distance to the convention centre and the town hall.
Four large conference rooms occupy the entire first floor with balconies facing Victoria Square. The hotel caters for everything from small board meetings, conferences and seminars, right up to cocktail functions for 150 or banquet dinners for 120. Technical requirements are provided for with the latest audiovisual equipment available including video conferencing and facsimile, photocopying and full secretarial services can also be arranged.
With 142 refurbished contemporary and stylish guest rooms, extensive soundproofing and separate business floors the hotel prides itself on attending to the distinctive needs of meeting guests.
General Manager, Nigel Edwards moved to Christchurch to take up this role in 2006, having held other senior management positions with Millennium Hotels and Resorts throughout New Zealand.
For more information about conferencing at Millennium Hotels and Resorts New Zealand go to www.meetingsnz.co.nz
 Consider having 1230 guests spread over four venues for the evening, with more than 100 of those guests having very specific dietary requirements for cultural, lifestyle or allergy reasons. That was part of the challenge for the Continental Event Catering team when they took care of delegates from 33 different countries attending the International Inner Wheel (IIW) 13th Convention in Christchurch last May.
The allergy or food aversion list ran to some 20 items from oranges and mushrooms to gluten, curry and garlic, says Mathew Allan who takes cares of Continental’s business development for the corporate, conference and incentive markets.
On the night, staff ensured any delegate with a dietary requirement was matched up with their specially prepared meal, ensuring there was no food cross-over.
“It was logistically complex, but ultimately extremely successful – not the least because of the challenges overcome. Something like that really keeps everyone on their toes,” Matthew says.
Continental – with its two main divisions of event catering and event hire - is the South Island’s premier event catering and equipment specialists for the busy conference and meetings markets.
The Rangiora-based company, in business for 42 years this year, has taken care of thousands of high-profile events, gala and incentive dinners, weddings and special occasions over the years. The meetings market has been the most rapidly expanding during the last decade to become one of the busiest areas of activity for the company today.
Continental takes care of a lot of larger ‘glamour’ events, many with more than 600 people to serve. But Matthew says of equal importance are the smaller events: a themed incentive dinner to wow and reward 20 people, a boxed lunch for 45 delegates travelling on a coach, or morning and afternoon teas plus lunch every day for a five-day conference for 100.
The key to success in this industry is understanding the market requirements, and knowing how to make an event successful, regardless of the curve-balls, says Matthew.
“We have considerable expertise in three main areas: creating and serving superb cuisine; supplying quality marquees and equipment for hire (Continental manufactures its own marquees to meet the requirements); and managing or having preferred status in stunning venues and locations throughout the South Island.
“We are not event organisers ourselves. But we work alongside the best creative brains in the industry: event organisers, theming professionals, entertainers, floral artists and sound and lighting maestros.”
 
Located in the top northwest corner of the South Island, Nelson – New Zealand’s sunniest – is a creative hub or artists and craftspeople, making this destination a great place to visit.
There are said to be more than 350 working artisans in Nelson including traditional and contemporary Maori artists.
Nelson is also a great place for thrill-seekers and those who love the great outdoors. It is home to three national parks, and offers experiences including sea kayaking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, mountain bike riding, sailing, and horse riding.
For lovers of fine food Nelson is a great place to explore. It offers everything from alfresco cafes to fine dining restaurants, premium vineyards, boutique breweries and locally made gourmet foods.
The Nelson Convention Bureau, a division of Latitude Nelson, is the one-stop-shop for organising experiences in Nelson. The Nelson Convention Bureau provides a free service to help you make your conference in Nelson an outstanding success including:
• Information, advice and contacts for venues and other conference suppliers in Nelson.
• Ideas for conference activities, entertainment, partners’ programs and local conference gifts.
• Coordination of Nelson Tasman familiarisation visits and site inspections to help you research the destination.
• Free use of images, audio visual presentations and banners featuring Nelson, to promote your conference.
• Free Nelson “delegate packs” for each person attending your conference.
• Free listing of your conference on the conference calendar.
For further details contact the Nelson Convention Bureau at
www.nelsonnz.com/conferences.
<< Top |