New conference destination campaign launched for Wellington

The campaign comes just over a year after Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre opened, significantly boosting Wellington’s capacity to host international events. With 10,000 square metres of flexible space, Tākina complements the city’s already impressive array of venues and its appeal as a destination. 

Business Events Wellington (BEW) says there’s been a surge in interest and bookings for Wellington conferences since Tākina opened. “We are excited to continue the momentum of Australian conferences choosing Wellington. We’ve seen a significant step change in the number and size of events from Australia, and the city is delivering,” says BEW manager, Irette Ferreira. 

Last month, Tākina hosted the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC 58) and The Advantage Conference 2024 concurrently. In mid-October, the centre will welcome more than 800 delegates for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) Annual Scientific Meeting, the largest Australian conference held at Tākina to date. 

But the campaign emphasises that Wellington’s appeal goes beyond its shiny new convention centre. 

What often surprises planners is how easy it is to fly into Wellington. There are over 50 direct return flights between Australia and Wellington each week, with a short three-to-four-hour flight from cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. Upon arrival, the city’s venues and hotels are just a short trip from the airport. 

There is lots of choice for accommodation, with more than 4,000 rooms all within a short walk from conference venues. Major international brands such as InterContinental, Mövenpick, and QT are well-represented, alongside a range of options to suit any budget. 

As New Zealand’s capital, Wellington is home to the national government, central agencies, top-ranked universities, and research institutes, providing easy access to forward-thinking experts and ideas to enhance events. The city is compact and rich in culture, history, nature, and cuisine. All of it is walkable, allowing delegates to spend less time in transit and more time enjoying what the conference and city has to offer. 

As one delegate at The Advantage Conference said, “We have had so much fun in Wellington. The bars are great, the wine is fantastic, and the food is outstanding.” 

Irette added, “We are committed to supporting Australian clients in hosting successful conferences here. Wellington offers something unique and a fresh perspective for delegates, and just a short flight away from Australia.” 

Date published: 9 October 2024