SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on show

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on show at meetings 2004

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre will be showcased for the first time at the 'Meetings 2004' exhibition in Christchurch, starting today.

As New Zealand's only annual exhibition for the conference, meetings and events industries, participation from both international and domestic markets is significant.

SKYCITY General Manager Sales Kerry Rice said, "The SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre will be of great interest to the industry and we look forward to unveiling it."

"There is a strong representation here at 'Meetings 2004' from Australian association and corporate markets and professional conference organisers. We make no secret of our desire to target the Australian convention market, an area that, up until now, has remained relatively untapped in Auckland."

Business across the Tasman is already turning SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre's way, says Mr Rice. "We're marketing ourselves in all the right places and making good headway with substantial bookings and enquiries through to 2010," he says.

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Trotter, said the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre is a terrific addition to the existing inventory of convention facilities. "It is custom-designed and built, which gives it a huge advantage in user-friendliness, great stud height, and of course the banqueting room is pillar-less providing for clear sight lines from wherever you are sitting. I am extremely impressed with it. It has had a huge amount of thought put into what convention centres need, right down to the smallest of details," says Mr Trotter.

The SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre has pitched to host the 'Meetings 2005' exhibition, with the successful contender to be announced at the 'Meetings 2004' farewell dinner on Thursday night.

The soon to be opened 5-star SKYCITY Grand Hotel (currently under construction) will also add to the attractiveness of the venue. 316 luxury hotel rooms will be located directly above the convention centre and together with those at the existing hotel will provide nearly 700 rooms.

Another highlight of 'Meetings 2004', will be the first industry showing of the SKYCITY Hamilton Function Centre. Since opening the facility in April this year, the centre has received steady bookings for a wide range of function events, with forward bookings out to 2006.

Located beneath the existing SKYCITY Hamilton complex, the centre features two function rooms overlooking a paved promenade along the riverbank. The function rooms can be combined to cater for up to 240 people banquet style, 320 theatre style and 400 standing guests.