Stop Press – Auckland’s on a winning streak

Auckland has successfully bid to host the 4th World Journalism Education Congress, which will be held at Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT) central city campus in 2016.

The congress is expected to attract 300 delegates from thirty two academic organisations worldwide making an estimated contribution to Auckland’s regional GDP of more than $350,000.

Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) – part of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) – worked with AUT to secure hosting rights, with support from Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) bid fund.

ACB Manager Anna Hayward says this win has contributed to a strong start to the financial year for business events in Auckland. The ACB has won five conferences since July 1, 2014 with an estimated return of more than $2.5 million for Auckland’s economy.

"This win comes only days after the launch of Auckland’s first ever Business Events Plan which outlines a significant step-change in Auckland’s business events programme, growing the value of the sector from $236 million in 2013 to $430 million annually by 2023,” says Ms Hayward.

“Business events already play an important role in reducing tourism seasonality, and the aim is to build on this by growing the number of international business event delegates who arrive outside Auckland’s peak tourism period from 70 per cent in 2013 to 75 percent in 2023.”

Associate Professor Verica Rupar, Curriculum Leader in Journalism, AUT School of Communication Studies, says AUT was selected to host the congress because its bid clearly outlined what it saw as the key themes in journalism education today.

“Journalism education worldwide is at a crossroads. Meeting those challenges and adapting the curriculum to enrich the wider university environment are critical,” says Dr Rupar.

Tourism New Zealand International Business Events Manager Bjoern Spreitzer says it is exciting to see ATEED further commit to growing the value of the business events sector with the launch of the new Business Events Plan.

“This is another great win for the region and we look forward to continuing to work with ATEED to bring more international events to the country,” says Mr Spreitzer.

Auckland Convention Bureau markets Auckland as a destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and events. Find out more at aucklandnz.com/conventions or email conventions@aucklandnz.com.

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