Auckland gets event space boost with NZICC

SKYCITY Entertainment Group, listed in Australia and New Zealand, will open the NZ$402 million (US$350 million) New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in 2018.

New Zealand’s first international convention centre is adjacent and connected to Skycity Auckland Convention Centre (SACC), and will span 1.4ha in Auckland’s CBD.

Gillian Officer, director of sales – convention and catering, SACC, told TTGmice e-Weekly NZICC will have 8,500m2 of space and accommodate up to 3,300 people.

Skycity appointed a senior management team to oversee the development of NZICC.

Officer noted that SACC has 5,000m2 of space with 21 meeting rooms spread over two floors and can fit up to 1,750 people.

Separately, Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) Business Events launched an Asian strategy targeting MICE groups from China, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand (TTGmice e-Weekly, April 10, 2014).

Mischa Mannix-Opie, regional manager South & South-east Asia, TNZ, said the appointment of a Singapore-based business events manager in December last year will provide the support meeting planners and end-users need to host successful incentives and meetings in Auckland and beyond.

TNZ Business Events is building partnerships with DMCs and travel agencies with MICE divisions catering to corporate clients looking for longhaul destinations to organise new and unique events. “Our challenge is how to make delegates aware of what to do and to stay longer,” she said.

Sponsored Post