NEW ZEALAND - Auckland City Council has stepped up its bid for a new national convention and exhibition centre.
The minister of economic development, Hon. Gerry Brownlee, called for expressions of interest to identify a New Zealand location to develop an internationally competitive venue that could cater for medium and large-scale conferences, exhibitions and business events that the country currently lacks the capacity to host.
A feasibility study conducted by Auckland City Council and the Ministry of Economic Development estimated a 3,500-delegate capacity national convention centre would bring an annual increase of NZ$85.4m in tourism-related expenditure, not including additional benefits such as job creation and international exposure for New Zealand businesses.
Mayor of Auckland City, Hon. John Banks, says: “This is about developing tangible opportunities that will create jobs, grow the economy and firmly position Auckland and New Zealand on the radar of the international business community.”
A formal expression on interest will be submitted by the city council to the government in early June.
