Palmerston North secures three conferences valued at almost $1million

Several conferences with a combined value at almost $1million have been secured by the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) in the past few months.

Today, the New Zealand Chefs Association confirmed its biannual National Chefs Conference in 2019 will be held in Palmerston North.

The announcement is hard on the heels of confirmation that both FMG and the 2Walk and Cycle will hold their national conferences in Palmerston North next year.

NZ Chefs Association Central Branch President, Damian Peeti says the tastes of the nation will converge on Manawatu to discuss and embrace the culinary and food innovation concepts.

“The conference will embrace food science, development and technologies through to education, distribution and industry – change is underway to meet the increasing diversity of consumers’ preferences,” says Mr Peeti.

The National Chefs Conference was secured by the efforts of the Central Branch of the New Zealand Chefs Association who worked with CEDA to build up a case around our central location alongside our partners at FoodHQ, UCoL and Palmerston North City Council.

Phil Hildred, Conventions & Events Executive at CEDA says Palmerston North has a proven track record of providing ideal facilities and add-on events to ensure conference goers get to experience our city and district.

Around 200 plus participants including chefs, teachers, industry and hospitality, food producers, young chefs, and the like, will attend the conference in July 2019 – providing a $140,000 economic impact on Palmerston North City and Manawatu.

Mr Hildred says the 2Walk and Cycle national conference in July next year will bring an expected 250 people from throughout New Zealand to attend the three-day conference, providing an expected economic boost of $250,000 to the city and district.

Earlier this year, FMG confirmed it will host its 2018 national conference in the city – providing FMG with the opportunity to showcase its new headquarters in Palmerston North to its ever growing staff members around New Zealand. This conference will bring an estimated economic impact of over $500,000, a great win for the city and region.

ENDS

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