Distinct from CSR activities, the Business Events Wellington program works closely with stakeholders from each conference community to drive positive change for issues important to that sector.
In its first year, the program helped the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre connect with the next generation of computer scientists, with 20 local students attending APNIC 58.
It also helped grow government awareness of the biotech sector for the Life Sciences Summit, including the need for new regulations around gene modification, by ensuring strong attendance from government and strategic interactions with industry at the event. New regulations are now in the works and biotech is one of the government’s top science priorities.
And for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists annual scientific meeting, Business Events Wellington helped conference organisers to begin new data collection to address a gap in understanding for labour and birth outcomes for women and babies.
Meanwhile the creation of Wellington Games Week helped boost game development in New Zealand for the New Zealand Game Developers Association who currently has the NZ Game Developers Conference anchored in New Zealand’s capital. The two events took place in the same week and saw international games scouts attend and tours of Wellington for international gaming studios.
Attracting more investment, growing diversity, improving government support and awareness of sector careers were amongst the objectives Wellington’s legacy program helped meet during its first year.
“By facilitating, measuring and documenting these actions, we can see the wider positive impacts these conferences have generated beyond the benefits to Wellington’s visitor economy,” said Business Events Wellington manager, Irette Ferreira.
“We are excited about 2025. The city is welcoming an excellent line-up of international conferences this year, many of whom are looking to make a positive impact on Wellington and Aotearoa.
“Most clients already have a specific need in mind, and we’re ready to make the connections to meet their objectives.”
micenet discusses Wellington’s legacy program in more depth with Ferreira in our forthcoming magazine. Pick up a copy at AIME in Melbourne next week or read the digital version next Monday.
