Download Business events sector generates high value for NZ

News release
7 April 2016
Business events sector generates high value for New Zealand
Business events are generating high value for New Zealand’s visitor industry, and it can only
get better, says Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ).
Figures released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for the
year to December 2015 show the average per night delegate spend is up 15 per cent from
2014.
CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan says business events are a major growth sector for New
Zealand with international convention delegates spending an estimated $350 per night, twice
as much as other visitors to New Zealand.
“This can only grow as our value proposition strengthens, and we gear up for major new
convention centre and hotel infrastructure which will give us the ability to cater for much
larger multi-day conventions,” Sue Sullivan says.
“What is not reflected here is the economic impact these international delegates have after
they leave the country. We do not account for the ongoing relationships, knowledge transfer
or commercial transactions that happen. The numbers don’t include the spending by their
partners or family either.
“The broader benefits of a growing business events economy are equally important. New
Zealand’s business events sector provides key support for infrastructure development,
business relationships, knowledge transfer and industry investment, with the benefits
spreading across both city and regional economies,” she says.
MBIE’s latest figures show conventions and conferences generated around 846,000 visitor
nights in 2015, of which 44 percent were from overseas delegates. Total spend by
international convention visitors was up 11 percent compared to 2014, driven by the
increase in per person spend and also an increase in delegates, up nine per cent. They
spent an average of 5.8 nights in New Zealand.
Arrivals from Australia were up 10 per cent for the 2015 year, while other international
arrivals were up eight per cent.
“The work we are doing in Australia and the international profile we are receiving through
Tourism New Zealand is really starting to pay off,” Sue Sullivan says.
“Our annual two-day exhibition CINZ MEETINGS is an international showcase for New
Zealand, set for June in Auckland. Last year the trade show hosted 600 domestic and
international buyers and generated $56 million in business bookings.
Domestic conference attendees are especially important to regional New Zealand. CINZ
says domestic delegates from outside the host region spend on average $509 per night, up
15 per cent on 2014.
“The domestic market continues to grow, with delegates travelling to smaller destinations
and staying on average four nights in the event region.”
ENDS
For further information and images, please contact:
Anabel Darby
Tel: +64 21 668 090
Email: [email protected]
Convention Delegate Survey (CDS) YE December 2015 (MBIE)
International delegates stayed an average of 5.8 nights in New Zealand - 4.0 nights in the
event region and 1.8 nights elsewhere in New Zealand),
 spending an estimated $350 per night, up 15% from 2014.
 this per night spend is almost double the average spend per night for all
international visitors.
 on average international delegates spent $2,019 in New Zealand, ($1,859
by Australians and $2,304 by other international delegates).
Domestic delegates (New Zealand delegates from outside the event region)
 stayed an average of 2.9 nights in the event region
 spending an estimated $509 per night, up 15% from 2014.
Multi-day convention delegates spent an estimated $472 million within New Zealand in 2015.
Of this:

Domestic delegates spent $246 million (52 per cent of total delegate spend)
on attending events outside their home region.

Local delegates spent $96 million (20 per cent) inside their region

Australian visitors spent $77 million in New Zealand.

Internationals (non Australian) visitors spent $53 million in New Zealand.
Multi-day conventions generated an estimated 846,000 visitor nights in New Zealand.
Of this:

86 per cent (730,000) of visitor nights were spent in the region that hosted the
event (international and domestic delegates),

Remaining 14 per cent (116,000) of visitor nights were spent in other regions
(international delegates only).
A total of 1,023,826 days at events were estimated to have occurred in the 2015 calendar
year (up 1 per cent on 2014).
Download the full report here
About the New Zealand Convention Research Programme (CRP)
 CRP is a partnership between the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) and regional Convention Bureaux to measure Business Event activity in New
Zealand. Business events cover meetings, incentives, conferences, conventions and
exhibitions. The CRP administers two Business Event surveys:
o the Convention Delegate Survey (CDS) and
o the Convention Activity Survey (CAS).
 The CRP regional Convention Bureaux members that are represented are: Auckland,
Rotorua, Hawke's Bay, Taupo, Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch &
Canterbury, Dunedin, Queenstown, Hamilton & Waikato, Bay of Plenty and
Marlborough.
About Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ)
 CINZ www.conventionsnz.co.nz is the official, membership based association of New
Zealand’s conference and business travel industry with more than 380 members
across a broad range of sectors.
 CINZ takes a leadership role in increasing meetings, incentives, conference and
events business for the benefit of its members, principal stakeholders and the New
Zealand economy.
 CINZ works to actively promote the sector, providing advocacy with central
government, and offering assistance, information, professional development and real
business opportunities to its members.