Beating out rival bids from Perth and Singapore, up to 1,000 delegates are expected to gather at Wellington’s young convention centre, Tākina.
The recently opened convention centre and New Zealand’s neurosurgery history helped Wellington clinch the hosting rights for the event.
Improving access to neurosurgery – that of the brain, spine and nervous system – across New Zealand and the Pacific is a key goal of hosting the event in New Zealand.
“Attracting this congress to New Zealand’s capital city, where there is the potential to engage with policymakers and key decisionmakers to address some of the challenges facing this sector, was a huge motivator in making this bid,” said Business Events Wellington manager, Irette Ferreira.
Attracting more neurosurgery talent to New Zealand is a country specific aim of the conference, with New Zealand having less than half the number of neurosurgeons per head of population compared to Australia.
Research currently being undertaken, helmed by ChristchurchNZ Business Events, has already demonstrated the power of conferences in sparking an interest in delegates to relocate to New Zealand.
“It’s an honour and privilege to host such a prestigious meeting, the AACNS 2028, here in Wellington, New Zealand,” said the conference’s co-convenors, Kelvin Woon and Agadha Wickremesekera.
“This event presents a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration and address common challenges in the global neurosurgical community.”
The event is expected to inject more than NZ$3.39 million of direct delegate spending into New Zealand.
“This is a great win for Wellington and New Zealand, enabled by the recent funding boost for business events,” said Tourism New Zealand’s global manager for business events, Penelope Ryan.
“Hosting this congress will increase international visitors, while leaving a longer-term legacy for the benefit of New Zealanders and our Pacific neighbours.”
