Latest news with #AlanaBicknell
1News
2 days ago
- Business
- 1News
Delay-plagued convention centre to host medical conferences in 2026
The New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland will host two major medical conferences next year — after finally opening following a near six-year delay. A spokesperson for the convention centre, which was initially scheduled to open in 2020 but was delayed following a devastating fire, said both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists would hold their conferences at the centre. The events would be held from April 30 to May 5 and November 5 and November 9, respectively. The convention centre would officially open in February next year. According to NZ Herald, nine other events had already been booked at the centre. It was expected both newly announced events would include a combined total of 3300 delegates, "generating millions of dollars in economic activity", according to a spokesperson for the centre. ADVERTISEMENT NZICC director of sales and planning, Alana Bicknell, said it was a "major boost" to secure two major conferences during the convention centre's first year of opening. 'We can't wait to extend our manaakitanga to the delegates of both conferences. We're confident the NZICC will absolutely wow them.' 'We appreciate the support from our industry partners to help bring these events to New Zealand, and also the government for their recent announcement regarding changes to the law around the advertising of medicines that have previously been a barrier to international medical conferences coming here,' Bicknell said. SkyCity, which owned the convention centre, filed legal proceedings against Fletcher Building and The Fletcher Construction Company, seeking compensation of $330 million for "ongoing delays" to the project. SkyCity said the project was nearly six and a half years behind the contractually agreed delivery date of January 2019. SkyCity claimed it was entitled to $330 million in liquidated damages from Fletchers under the contract. Fletcher Building said it would "vigorously" defend the legal action and had already paid "significant" liquidated damages to SkyCity over the delays.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
NZICC Lands Two Large Medical Conferences – 3300 Delegates To Attend
Two of Australasia's largest association conferences are confirmed for 2026 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), with a combined total of 3300 delegates expected to attend generating millions of dollars in economic activity. It's the first time in more than a decade that both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) will hold conferences in New Zealand. ANZCA is expected to attract 1500 delegates from around the world and inject more than $3 million into the local economy. "As a trans-Tasman organisation, we are excited to announce that the 2026 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) will take place in Auckland. We are one of the largest specialist medical colleges in Australasia, and we are thrilled to have secured the state-of-the-art venue of the NZICC," said Professor Dave Story, President of ANZCA. The conference, which will be held across six days, including pre-meeting workshops, in May 2026, will feature a distinguished lineup of international keynote speakers on anaesthesia and pain medicine and will deliver up to 150 workshops to attendees. Later in the year, RANZCO's Annual Scientific Congress will take place. It's expected to attract 1800 delegates in November and contribute more than $2 million in economic activity. 'RANZCO is delighted to be welcomed to Auckland for our 57th Congress. It has been over a decade since RANZCO's Congress was last hosted in New Zealand and we're excited to experience all the vibrancy Auckland has to offer," said CEO Mark Carmichael. NZICC Director of Sales and Planning, Alana Bicknell, says securing two such prestigious conferences in what will be NZICC's first year of opening is a major boost. 'We can't wait to extend our manaakitanga to the delegates of both conferences. We're confident the NZICC will absolutely wow them.' The bids securing these events were led by the NZICC with the support of the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand Business Events. 'We appreciate the support from our industry partners to help bring these events to New Zealand, and also the government for their recent announcement regarding changes to the law around the advertising of medicines that have previously been a barrier to international medical conferences coming here,' said Alana Bicknell. Notes: The NZICC is designed to host events with over 4,000 attendees, offering flexible spaces that can be tailored to meet diverse event needs. Conveniently located in the heart of Auckland's CBD, it provides seamless connectivity to the city's vibrant communities, efficient transport links, and effortless access to more than 8,000 hotel rooms within a 20-minute walk, which ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for guests. About ANZCA ASM 2026 ANZCA ASM is an annual meeting organised by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM). It serves as a key forum for anaesthetists, pain medicine specialists, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide to engage in knowledge exchange, discuss advancements, and address critical issues in anaesthesia and pain medicine. ANZCA ASM 2026's theme is '@Herenga waka, herenga tāngata: From home to home', which they worked with a designer, Chloē Reweti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou), and cultural advisor, Tui Blair (Ngāti Whātua). Event Dates: 30 April – 5 May 2026 About RANZCO Congress RANZCO Congress is an annual scientific meeting, bringing together ophthalmologists from Australia, New Zealand, and overseas. The event fosters collaboration and learning in the latest techniques, research, and advancements in eye care. Event Dates: 5 – 9 November 2026 About NZICC: The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland CBD, making it one of the most connected convention centres in the world. Designed collaboratively alongside event industry experts, the NZICC is a vertically stacked, flexible and modern building, creating a hub of innovation and positive exchange integrated into the fabric of a vibrant city. Uniquely positioned to make each event a memorable experience, the NZICC will offer: A venue that is designed around giving delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibition, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces. A glazed facade provides delegates with an inviting and transparent connection to the vibrancy of the city while allowing views of Auckland's natural beauty, from the Waitākere Ranges to the Waitematā Harbour. Close proximity to Auckland's innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand's leading knowledge centres. An integrated atrium and public laneway encourage networking and enhances the delegate experience within a city full of excitement and sophistication, with over 8000 hotel rooms, dining precincts, shopping and entertainment all within 10 minutes walking distance. Configurable spaces presenting opportunities for a wide range of events with intimate meeting spaces on all levels, pre-function capacity for 2,700 people, convention capacity for 3,150 and one-off events for 4,000.
