The Conference Company opens Sydney office

The Conference Company opens Sydney office

New Zealand’s biggest convention and event organiser, The Conference Company, is landing on Aussie soil this month, swinging the doors open on its first dedicated off-shore office in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Managing director and president of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Jan Tonkin (pictured above) said the Castlereagh St office, headed by Asia Pacific manager Stephen Noble, was kind of a big deal for the company.

“Face-time with clients and our industry partners is critical to the success of our business, so investing in Sydney bricks and mortar was a logical next step as we continue to develop our international connections,” Tonkin said.

“We are presently experiencing a strong growth phase following the announcement of Auckland’s International Convention Centre, which has put New Zealand on the global conference map, and the investment in Australia represents a major push for new regional and international business.”

Asia Pacific manager Stephen Noble

Asia Pacific manager Stephen Noble

Tonkin said the Australasian market is reaping the benefits of increased investment in the sector, which relies on a multi-agency approach to secure valuable international conferences and events.

“We work closely with potential hosts and industry bodies in both Australia and New Zealand because tendering for international conferences requires significant cross-party cooperation to land a successful bid in a globally competitive market,” she added.

The Conference Company has been operating in Australia since 2008 and establishing a physical presence in Sydney, with its infrastructural advantages, would open up more Australian, Asia-Pacific and other international opportunities.

“Logistics planning is but one part of running successful conferences,” said Tonkin. “Where The Conference Company is adding value is through intelligent development of the strategic elements including the vision, the design and the creation of the environment to achieve the client’s aims.”

“It’s the soft stuff, the intangibles that require significant face-to-face dialogue, consideration and realisation. That’s why we need a physical permanent presence in Australia.”

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