Rotorua wins bid to host largest ever business event

Rotorua Energy Events Centre. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua has won the bid to host the World Conference on Health Promotion and Education in 2019 which is likely to be the largest business event ever held in the region.

This is a significant win for the Rotorua region and will see 2000 plus international delegates enjoy the tourism hot-spot and bring an estimated $4 million to the economy.

The conference bid was won through the combined efforts of Destination Rotorua, Tourism New Zealand and the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand.

"Winning such a large scale event is testament to the quality convention infrastructure that Rotorua already has in place with the Rotorua Energy Events Centre one of the largest conferencing facilities in the country," said Destination Rotorua business events manager Craig Murray.

"This coupled with the collaborative approach with industry partners that we take when submitting conference bids makes Rotorua a very attractive proposition for large scale business events."

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said it was a great win for Rotorua and demonstrated the significant value international conferences bring to New Zealand.

"The conference will be held in April which strongly supports Tourism New Zealand's strategy to spread visitors across the off-peak season helping to support employment and grow the economic benefit to the country."

Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman Sir Toby Curtis was in support of bringing this event to Rotorua, submitting a letter of support outlining the benefits that this conference would have on health promotion among the local community.

"Hosting an international health promotion conference of such significance will provide the opportunity to look at the work being undertaken globally in relation to indigenous Maori health," said Sir Toby.

"Our ancestor Te Rotoruanui-a-Kahumatamomoe (Lake Rotorua), together with our esteemed mountain - Ngongotaha, will be honoured to welcome conference guests from all corners of the globe and we are sure that the visual splendour of the region will touch the minds, hearts and spiritual essence of all our manuhiri (guests)."

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said Rotorua was punching well above its weight with regards to the attraction of meetings, conferences and exhibitions, often securing high profile events ahead of the likes of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

"The reason people love to come to Rotorua specifically is our unique point of difference," Mrs Chadwick said.

"We have a strong and well understood market position in Maori culture, natural hot springs and wellness and outdoor activities, particularly mountain biking.

"I am looking forward to welcoming these delegates to our district."