CHRISTCHURCH HAS INCREASED its presence at AIME 2006 in Melbourne, and New Zealand will be at the event en-masse.

Statistics released recently by Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau, show a 35 per cent increase in the number of delegates from Australia, compared with the same quarter in 2004. Christchurch achieved a record 217 conferences and 16,941 delegates in the third quarter to September 2005. With Australians making up 20 per cent of Christchurch’s business tourist visitor numbers, the city is keen to increase these numbers and attract more business delegates from around the world.

Christchurch will be represented by eight exhibitors at AIME 2006 including: Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB); Hotel Grand Chancellor; Outrigger at Clearwater Resort; Christchurch Convention Centre; and Rydges, Millennium, Intercontinental, and Heritage hotel groups. CCCB will showcase its new delegate rebate scheme (DRS), the first of its type in New Zealand. The scheme allows a grant of NZD$20 per delegate for large conference events requiring 200 accommodation rooms or more in Christchurch.

CCCB has also launched a new website, New Zealand’s only dedicated Convention Bureau website. “Amongst the international network of convention bureaux, Christchurch is recognised as New Zealand’s leading-edge conference city,” says CCCB general manager, Annette Pendergast. Jo Robinson, AFMEA, a familiar face at AIME, will be attending AIME 2006 to represent Vbase Venue Management Group Ltd, formerly NCC (NZ) Ltd. She will be representing four venues: Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch Town Hall, Westpac Centre and Jade Stadium, an outdoor arena with covered seating for 35,000 people.

The Westpac Centre was ranked 10th in the world for venues under 10,000 seats for gross ticket sales in 2005, by industry magazine Venues Today. It marked the culmination of a sustained effort to encourage promoters to bring large acts to Christchurch and saw the venue become the highest ranked venue outside North America.

Back in February

AIME will return to its usual time slot on the international events calendar following an announcement by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) to hold the exhibition on February 13 and 14 in 2007. AIME event director, Rosemarie Sama, says the decision was made after surveying exhibitors, hosted buyers and trade visitors and discussing availability of dates with the venue, Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

“When we considered the results of our surveys, availability of dates at the venue and the timing of other major meetings, incentives and business travel events around the world, February provided the best long term option for all parties,” Ms Sama said. “We are making this announcement prior to AIME 2006 to give exhibitors as much time as possible to plan for AIME 2007.”

RTE has accelerated its planning procedures and will have exhibition rates, floorplan and priority booking forms available at AIME 2006, on June 6 and 7. The new AIME 2007 website and marketing campaign will commence from June 8, immediately following AIME 2006. The exhibition prospectus will be available online early in July.

AIME 2006 is being held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on June 6 and 7, 2006. Visit www.aime.com.au for further details.