International events experts explored the latest developments in New Zealand’s business events industry last week with the IAPCO (International Association for Professional Congress Organisers)
Council in Auckland for their annual strategy meeting. Around a dozen global leaders, including the association’s president and president-elect, gathered in Tāmaki Makaurau to map out their five-year vision.
Beyond their strategic planning sessions, the International Association for Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Council members donned hard hats to tour Aotearoa’s newest convention centre, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). They also enjoyed a taste of Tāmaki Makaurau’s unique cultural and local experiences. This immersion gave council members a greater appreciation of Auckland’s potential as a premier global business event and conference destination.
In addition, NZICC hosted engaging interactive workshops with the IAPCO council and local
stakeholders, including the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) and Tourism New Zealand Business
Events (TNZ). These sessions helped Team Auckland gain expertise and knowledge from IAPCO,
broadening their understanding of key global trends and strategies for engaging the next generation,
with insights into customer experience, bidding, conference legacy, sustainability, and authentic
Indigenous storytelling.
NZICC General Manager Prue Daly says, “It’s a real privilege to welcome the IAPCO Council, who
shares our commitment to growth and excellence within the business events industry. We are excited
to showcase the NZICC, to have these influential experts in the same room, and to build relationships
while exchanging ideas.”
Earlier this year, NZICC and IAPCO launched the ‘Next Generation Leaders Programme’ to develop
the expertise of IAPCO members across the APAC region. This initiative features online workshops,
broadening access for aspiring leaders, and culminates each year with the prestigious Jan Tonkin
Scholarship. Named after the former IAPCO President, the scholarship grants one participant the
opportunity to attend IAPCO’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly alongside global business
events leaders.
When the NZICC opens in the heart of Auckland City, it will become one of the most connected
convention centres in the world. Its venue partnership with IAPCO reflects a strong synergy and a
shared commitment to nurturing talent within the business events industry. NZICC is proud to be
IAPCO’s exclusive Convention Centre partner in Australasia, establishing it as a leading venue for
world-class business events and conferences in the region.
Martin Boyle, Chief Executive Officer at IAPCO, says, “Each year, global destinations are selected for
IAPCO Council Meetings that we feel can contribute to further developing the professionalism of the
meetings and events industry. Yes, it is important that the IAPCO Council experiences the destination
in order to consider opportunities for their client events, but it is also essential that the destination can
equally benefit from tapping into IAPCOs collective global experience during interactive sessions
together.”
“We were delighted when we formed our initial partnership with NZICC in 2023, which facilitated
ongoing leadership training for IAPCO Members in the APAC region. This, coupled with our strategic
Council Meeting here in Auckland, has strengthened our bond and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Tourism New Zealand Global Manager of Business Events, Penelope Ryan, adds, “IAPCO represents
some of the biggest PCOs in the world, and its council members are highly influential. This has been a
wonderful opportunity to engage with them in person, learn from their international insights, and gain
them as Ambassadors for the NZICC, Auckland and New Zealand for the future.”
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