Christchurch back on map for business events

Christchurch back on map for business events
By admin


There’s a bright future ahead for business events in Christchurch as the garden city makes the most of its opportunity to construct something unique.

With a rebuild that’s currently set to cost upwards of NZ$40 billion, making it the largest economic undertaking in New Zealand’s history, it will create what mayor Lianne Dalziel has dubbed “the newest city in the world”.

In 2013 the city held three international conferences and activity is ramping up for 2014 with five mid-sized international conferences booked so far.

While the new NZ$284m Convention Centre Precinct is a way off, with completion due in 2017, current facilities can easily accommodate conferences, according to Caroline Blanchfield, manager of Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau.

“Christchurch is still a good place to conference – people are interested in the living history component of a city in rebuild and there is a huge amount of support out there for Christchurch,” she said.  

The city’s iconic tourist attractions are back up and running, including the heritage tramway, the Christchurch gondola and the double-decker bus tours. “All of which provide excellent hosting options and are a great way for visitors to explore and learn about the city as it evolves,” Blanchfield added.

Accommodation choices are improving and the city now has 20 hotels, with 1870 brand new hotel rooms.

Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square re-opened its doors in September 2013, after 30 months of remediation and renewal, and has been rated 4 Star Plus under the New Zealand quality rating system for tourism product, Qualmark. The revamped hotel has 154 rooms, a floor dedicated to meetings and conferences and spaces to cater for up to 250 delegates.

"The extensive refit of Novotel, which was only a year old when the earthquake hit, saw only minor structural repair and extensive cosmetic repair, mostly to the exterior panels giving a look as good as the day it opened in 2010,” general manager Carl Braddock said.

Rydges Latimer Hotel, a brand new build, has 138 guest rooms and extensive banquet facilities with capacity up to 360 people, making it the largest hotel function space in Christchurch.

Other options include: Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch with 171 accommodation rooms and four soundproof meeting rooms; Chateau on the Park on Hagley Park with its seven dedicated conference and event spaces, plus several versatile outdoor spaces and 192 accommodation rooms; and closer to the airport, the family-run Copthorne Hotel. The Commodore Christchurch Airport has this year added 25 new guest rooms and suites, to give it a total of 157 rooms. The hotel’s conference venue seats up to 200 people, with parking for 150 cars.

Plus the new $14 million 6500sq m extension of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch has added 1500sqm of new conference space. Capable of catering for up to 1000 people, the conferencing venue which opened in February 2013 is a blank canvas for trade exhibitions, conferences, gala dinners and functions.

When it comes to incentives, there are a myriad of memorable locations to choose from in and around Christchurch and Canterbury, all guaranteed to make an impact.

“Boutique, private retreats feel like they are a world away from busy office environments, but many are within an easy hour of Christchurch city and airport, right in the heart of New Zealand’s beautiful South Island.

“Imagine the delight of spending a working day at a country winery with purpose-built meeting facilities a short drive from the city. Or heading outdoors for adventure with options for everything from golf, jetboating to archery in the high-country,” Blanchfield said.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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