For immediate release
23 November 2012

Auckland transport infrastructure centre stage with two international conferences secured

National transport officials are well positioned to be amongst global industry experts with two international transport conferences to be held in Auckland over the next two years.

The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Asia Pacific Forum and Exhibition will be held in Auckland in April 2014, while the New Zealand Powerboat Federation has secured the 86th UIM (Union Internationale Motomautique) General Assembly for October 2013.

Worth an estimated two million in economic value, the conferences provide local delegates the opportunity to share in knowledge and expertise with international experts, with Auckland’s transport infrastructure at the forefront of discussions.

As New Zealand’s largest city, the conferences provide Auckland the opportunity to showcase its capabilities and innovations on an international scale.

Auckland Convention Bureau Manager Anna Hayward says these wins are superb for the Auckland region.

“Attracting international conferences to Auckland not only contributes financially to the tourism industry, but also helps to drive economic growth and strategic business opportunities in key sectors.”

Leon Wee, Chairman Events and Project Committee for ITS New Zealand presented the bid for the conference in Vienna. The ITS conference is expected to draw around 300 international delegates, with a further 100 from New Zealand.

He said; “Having the ITS conference in New Zealand, will not only further boost our local transportation industry’s knowledge and awareness of smarter and safer transportation solutions, but will also enable New Zealand’s ITS achievements to be showcased at an international level.

Denise Moughan, the New Zealand Powerboat Federation President said that the UIM have many leading figures in the powerboat/motorsport industry internationally and they hold the New Zealand marine industry in high regards.

“We are looking forward to the relationships, business and investment opportunities which will come about as a result of the conference,” says Denise.

The UIM General Assembly is expected to attract over 200 delegates from 55 countries.

The ability to bid for international conferences is made easier as a result of the Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) - a programme administered by Tourism New Zealand, on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which is available to any industry or organisation to assist in bidding to bring international conferences to New Zealand.

Mohamed Mansour, Director of Auckland Conventions Venues and Events, who were involved in the ITS bid says; “The CAP Programme is an excellent tool to support associations through the bid process, which can take several months.”

Says Denise; “I was delighted to discover the level of support available to an organisation like ours to put forward a Bid to host a conference of this level in New Zealand.”

The CAP Programme can help by providing a financial feasibility study of the conference, producing customised bid documents, assisting with strategic marketing and air travel and providing collateral to promote New Zealand as part of the bid.

ENDS

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