MEDIA RELEASE

30 May 2018

Auckland wins bid to host international medical symposium

Auckland has won the bid to host the 13th International Symposium of Pediatric Pain (ISPP) in 2021 along with the addition of some new peripheral events to allow for more in-depth exploration of specific topics in paediatric pain.

This interdisciplinary meeting will bring together more than 500 medical professionals from around the globe to exchange the latest information on pain in infants, children, and adolescents.

The three-day symposium is scheduled to be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in March 2021, and is expected to deliver more than $1 million to the regional economy, along with generating 2,950 visitor nights.

The New Zealand bid was led by Starship Child Health and Starship Foundation – with support from Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) and Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme.

Starship Child Health, Clinical Lead for the Paediatric Complex Pain and Palliative Care Services, Dr Ross Drake, says: “This is a unique opportunity for clinicians across a range of disciplines to learn more about all aspects of acute and chronic pain in children.

“The conference will also serve to emphasise the hidden world of suffering of children and young people in chronic pain, a condition that is consistently estimated to affect 15% of our children.”

Advances in scientific knowledge and the many aspects of interdisciplinary care of children in pain and their families will be discussed at the ISPP.

This is guaranteed to provide thought-provoking content to allow the opportunity for growth in knowledge and clinical practice, ultimately benefitting children and young people in pain being cared for by delegates.

Head of ACB, Anna Hayward says: “This is a fantastic result for Auckland, and New Zealand’s medical profession, and it further highlights how Auckland is making its mark on the world stage,” she says.

“Conferences of this calibre provide far reaching benefits for Auckland and New Zealand. Beyond the economic impact, the international insights, research and connections made will no doubt enhance New Zealand’s future paediatric care.”

Lisa Gardiner, Manager Business Events and Premium at Tourism New Zealand says this conference supports the organisation’s strategy to target international events in sectors where New Zealand excels.

“It’s fantastic to be able to help bring another medical conference to New Zealand. In 2012 we decided to prioritise conferences in the health science, marine industries, agribusiness and high-value food sectors, because the knowledge of these conference delegates can help to enrich New Zealand.”

“The timing of this conference in autumn also supports our strategy to grow the value of international tourism to New Zealand by spreading visitation across the year.”

ENDS

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