Download Key higher education technology conference win for Auckland

Media release
11 June 2015
Key higher education technology conference win for
Auckland
Auckland will host the next Higher Education Technology Agenda (THETA) conference
in 2017 after a successful joint bid spearheaded by one of the advocates involved with
the Auckland Business Events Advocate Programme.
University of Auckland’s ITS Director Liz Coulter championed on behalf of Auckland
University of Technology, University of Auckland, Auckland Convention Bureau – a
division of Auckland, Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) – and
Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) to secure hosting
rights.
ACB Manager Anna Hayward says THETA is the key technological conference in higher
education aiming to promote the use of information technology in the tertiary sector.
“Around 600 practitioners and senior decision makers from Australia and New Zealand
are expected to attend and this is estimated to be worth around $826,000 to Auckland’s
regional GDP,” she says.
“With the introduction of our Business Events Plan there’s even more focus on growing
the Auckland business events sector and we aim to double the contribution to the
Auckland economy to $430 million in 2023. Last month, ACB introduced the Auckland
Business Events Advocate Programme to further support this growth. Liz’s contribution
to winning this bid really demonstrates the benefits of working closely with some of
Auckland’s top thought leaders to promote our world class business events sector.”
Liz Coulter says THETA provides a great opportunity for higher education representatives
to share knowledge and show off some of New Zealand’s innovation in information
technology.
“Auckland is home to world-leading innovation in the Information Communications
Technology sector. It will be great to have a captive audience of delegates in town from
across the spectrum of information technology, research, teaching and learning, library
and knowledge management.”
Tourism New Zealand Acting International Business Events Manager Anna Fennessy
says, “Tourism New Zealand is committed to working collaboratively with the business
events industry to grow delegate numbers and the value of visitors to New Zealand”.
"It's great to see the New Zealand business events sector coming together to successfully
bid and win international association conventions.
“This win is a great example of the value of advocates putting their hands up to champion
their field of expertise to attract key conventions to our shores.”
Auckland Convention Bureau markets Auckland as a destination for meetings,
incentives, conventions and events. Find out more at aucklandnz.com/conventions or
email [email protected].
Ends
For further information please contact:
Anika Forsman
Senior Communications Advisor, ATEED
Phone 022 0261130
Georgina Maguire
Communications Advisor, Tourism New Zealand
Phone 021 478 659
Notes to editors:

Auckland Convention Bureau is part of ATEED – Auckland’s economic growth agency,
and an Auckland Council Controlled Organisation.

The Auckland Business Events Plan was launched in August 2014. The plan’s target is to
grow the value of the sector from $236 million in 2013 to $430 million annually by 2023.

Tourism New Zealand manages the Conference Assistance Programme which provides
support for anyone considering hosting an international conference in New Zealand.