Te Pae Christchurch GM, Ross Steele has just been appointed to the board of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), which will bring new visibility to both his venue and New Zealand’s strengthening appeal for international conventions.
This is the first time a New Zealand based member has had a place on the AIPC board.
“Ōtautahi Christchurch and New Zealand have a tremendous amount to offer the international business events community and I’m looking forward to advocating for and raising the profile of New Zealand business events amongst our international colleagues,” said Steele.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the lessons learnt from AIPC activities with colleagues here in New Zealand to help further grow our knowledge and capability. We already have great city infrastructure and a supportive local sector, but I believe the continued exchange of knowledge of ideas benefits everyone.”
Steele is a long-time member of AIPC, having been at the helm of Cairns Convention Centre, before joining fellow ASM-managed venue Te Pae Christchurch in its pre-opening period.
Steele is also a member of the board for New Zealand’s business events association, Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA). The industry body has already offered its own congratulations to Steele for his appointment.
New Zealand’s business events proposition is growing fast, with Te Pae opening in April 2022 and Wellington’s first purpose-built convention centre, Takina opening at the end of May this year. The country’s largest convention centre, the New Zealand International Convention Centre is expected to open in 2025, after a major fire and the pandemic derailed its original 2020 opening timeline.
