Enterprise Dunedin

Dunedin 

Interest in Dunedin as a conference destination is on the up, as the number of international conferences headed to the region shows there is an appetite for what the city has to offer.

Bree Jones, Enterprise Dunedin’s business event’s tourism advisor, says Dunedin's growing list of international conference wins has further cemented the city as a first-rate conference destination.

‘Business event delegates to Dunedin discover a remarkably educated, creative and innovative city still thriving on its founding values,’ she says. ‘As a destination the city holds many unique highlights that can only be found in the region.’

Jones says on-going collaborations between the University of Otago, Enterprise Dunedin and Tourism New Zealand using their Conference Assistance Programme saw Dunedin successfully bid to host in bidding to host five international conferences, set to take place between 2018 and 2020, with an estimated value of $4.7 million and 14,000 delegate nights

According to Jones, Dunedin is set to welcome more business events than ever before with increased air connectivity and infrastructure to support events. Additional direct flights have been added to the Auckland and Wellington routes, creating 88,000 further seats annually. As well as additional flights, scheduled timings have been amended creating connection benefits for domestic and trans-Tasman visitors travelling on to further destinations.

‘International conferences offer the opportunity to showcase some of the world leaders and influencers we have within our academic community,’ she says.

‘Hosting events such as these at ‘home’ offers broader city-wide benefits both economically as well as raising the city’s profile on a global stage.’

Dunedin will host the 41st CINZ Annual Conference AGM this October.