Rotorua attracts large conference away from the big cities

Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Photo/Supplied

A three-day national symposium, expected to attract more than 600 delegates and bring up to $900,000 in spending, is the latest event secured for Rotorua.

Latest figures show multi-day conferences to Rotorua grew by 2 per cent to 79,324 delegate days over the last year, compared to a national downturn of 17 per cent.

Infrastructure New Zealand confirmed Rotorua's Energy Events Centre as the venue for the 2019 Building Regions Symposium in August 2019.

It is the first time the conference has been held in the regions, reflecting Infrastructure New Zealand's current focus on regional economic development.

Infrastructure New Zealand project director Sarah Lang said she was impressed by the co-ordinated approach of all Rotorua providers and that played an important role in deciding the conference destination.

"The programme for the 2019 Symposium highlights the importance of provincial towns and cities in the future growth of our country. We are looking forward to bringing delegates into Rotorua to experience all it has to offer."

Lang has been working alongside the Energy Events Centre business events team for the last three years to confirm the booking.

Energy Events Centre manager Joelene Elliott said the Infrastructure Symposium had grown over the years and there were very few venues that could comfortably host such a large conference.

"Conference organisers talked about the flexibility of the space, coupled with the great options for accommodation and activities around the city," Elliott said.

"Our team has worked extremely hard to secure this conference, and they are elated."
 
Destination Rotorua chief executive Michelle Templer said winning the bid to host the Symposium was a major coup for the region.

"Infrastructure is a critical component of economic development so it is great that Infrastructure New Zealand have brought the convention to a regional centre."