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New Zealand’s pre-eminent national body representing the hotel sector, Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA), has signed a deal to launch a local edition of Asia-Pacific’s leading accommodation industry conference.

The Asia-Pacific Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE) will stage its first New Zealand event on October 12-13, 2022, with three further conferences to follow under the deal with destinations including Christchurch and Wellington.

Named the Aotearoa Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), the event is expected to feature more than 50 key speakers from across New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Australia and globally.

More than 250 delegates are expected to attend the conference in Auckland, including New Zealand’s leading hotel owners, operators, consultants and suppliers with the event increasing in size and content from 2023 and beyond.

The inaugural event will be held at the Pullman Auckland Hotel and Apartments on October 13, with a series of site tours of new properties and a gala welcome reception held the day prior on October 12.

The launch of AHICE in New Zealand follows the success of the recent Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition held in Adelaide during May and attended by a record 1,200 delegates, making it the largest accommodation event in Asia-Pacific.

The master AHICE event was held for the 13th time in 2022 and the expansion into New Zealand comes at a time when the industry continues its robust recovery following the opening of international borders.

Hotel Council Aotearoa, Chair, Lani Hagaman, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with AHICE and announcing a dedicated hotel industry conference for New Zealand once again.  It has been a tough few years for hotel sector employees and businesses, so this is a fantastic milestone for HCA as we strive to assist members on their path to recovery.”

AHICE Chair, James Wilkinson, said it was an exciting opportunity to bring the event to New Zealand as the nation continued its significant re-boot of the tourism sector.

“We’ve wanted to bring AHICE to New Zealand for the last few years and are thrilled to be partnering with HCA to make this a reality,” he said.

“We are not just planning for an October conference in Auckland but are focussed on scalability through to 2025. Our

programme for 2022 and beyond will include evocative, educational and insightful keynote speakers, Q&As and panel sessions.

HCA Strategic Director, James Doolan added: “As the dedicated industry body for hotels and hoteliers in New Zealand, Hotel Council Aotearoa has always strived to be innovative and forward-thinking.

“This partnership with AHICE is proof that the hotel sector is once again establishing itself and playing an active role in the New Zealand tourism landscape.

“I’m confident Aotearoa Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), will quickly become the ‘must-do’ event for the New Zealand tourism industry.”

Tickets will be on sale soon for the 2022 Aotearoa Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition and topics covered at the event will include market outlooks, real estate, food and beverage, human resources and more.

AHICE 2022 – KEY DETAILS

Event: Aotearoa Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE)

Dates: October 12-13

Location: Pullman Auckland and venues around the city

Tickets: on sale soon

More info: ahice.co.nz