基督城ICCA城市排名一年攀升41位，推出新三年会奖战略转向精选式发展

Christchurch has staged a remarkable turnaround in the international business events market, climbing 41 places in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) city rankings in a single year.

New Zealand’s second-largest city is also entering a new phase, becoming increasingly selective about the business events it pursues, as it shifts its focus from rebuilding its reputation to delivering long-term economic and knowledge benefits.

As proof of momentum, Christchurch has doubled its share of New Zealand’s business events delegate days over the past five years, setting the stage for ChristchurchNZ’s new three-year Business Events Strategy.

“Our previous strategy was focused on rebuilding our reputation as a business events destination,” said Bree Jones, business events manager at ChristchurchNZ. “Our new strategy positions us to target the right business for the city.”

Rather than chasing delegate numbers alone, Christchurch is targeting conferences in aerospace, engineering, bioeconomy, health technology and Antarctic science that connect international expertise with local research and industry to create lasting legacy outcomes.

The strategy is supported by a wave of new infrastructure. Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, which opened in 2022, has been joined by the recently-opened One New Zealand Stadium, while a five-star Sheraton hotel is due to open next year. New and expanded air services linking Christchurch with Singapore, Japan and Perth are also expected to improve international access.

Jones believes stronger connectivity will not only make Christchurch easier to reach, but also stimulate competition on key routes, helping to reduce travel costs while raising Christchurch’s profile in overseas markets.

Building on its expertise in engineering, aerospace, and food innovation, the city is also working with Tourism New Zealand to grow its presence in the Asian association market, focusing on Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.

At venue level, Te Pae Christchurch is already seeing the benefits.

Director of business development Gillian Officer said the convention centre had exceeded initial expectations since opening, with larger-than-anticipated events and a steadily growing international pipeline.

“The demand is strong,” she said. “People who have experienced Christchurch have gone back and told their friends, colleagues, and institutions, and we’ve seen the demand lift off the back of that, particularly out of Australia.”

International business has grown from about 10 per cent of Te Pae’s business mix in its early years to around 28 per cent today. Officer added that Asia-Pacific enquiries were also increasing, helped by stronger aviation links, and growing awareness of Christchurch as a convention destination.

“Two to five years ago, it was, ‘Why would I want to come to Christchurch?’ It’s now, ‘When can we actually find dates to come to Christchurch?’” said Officer.

Christchurch’s appeal extends beyond new venues. Both Jones and Officer point to the city’s compact footprint as a competitive advantage. More than 3,000 hotel rooms sit within a short walk of Te Pae, while restaurants, retail, green spaces and the Avon River are all easily accessible on foot, allowing networking to continue naturally beyond the convention centre.

“We are large enough to be globally significant in terms of our reputation, but still small enough to feel connected,” said Jones.

Beyond the convention precinct, delegates have easy access to experiences rarely available from major city convention centres. The beach is within 20 minutes reach, while ski fields, wineries and hot air ballooning over the Canterbury Plains can easily be incorporated into a day’s itinerary, giving organisers memorable partner programme options.

The destination is also strengthening its sustainability credentials. In 2024, Te Pae Christchurch became the first convention centre in the world to achieve Toitū net carbon-zero accreditation, while Christchurch International Airport is investing in electric vehicles, hydrogen aviation research and renewable energy.

Upcoming conferences reflect Christchurch’s growing reputation across a diverse range of sectors.

Having already hosted the International Association of Geomorphologists Conference in February 2026, the city will soon welcome the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Asia Pacific Meeting, and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Annual Scientific Meeting this coming October.