12/08/2008

TIMBER WORLD CONFERENCE WIN FOR SKYCITY AUCKLAND

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre beat Brazil, Canada and Barbados to bring the 1,000 delegate, multi-day World Conference on Timber to Auckland. The forecasted economic impact to the Auckland region from the conference is $1.8 million.

SKYCITY Auckland worked in conjunction with key stakeholders including Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) in order to win this conference. A not-for-profit organisation, CINZ is dedicated to improving the New Zealand economy.

Peter Zielke, Manager of SKYCITY AUCKLAND Conventions and Outcatering, reinforced the importance of CINZ as a partner "The World Conference on Timber is an important part of the industry's calendar, and by hosting this prestigious convention it reinforces our position as the best conference centre in New Zealand. It has been good to work with CINZ, such a symbiotic relationship is important not only when securing new business but also for the economy."

Rebecca Nelson, Head of the International Bid Division at CINZ said: "Putting together a winning bid for large international conferences involves a huge amount of time and effort. It is imperative that all stakeholders involved have strong working relationships. Winning a bid of this calibre for SKYCITY and the Auckland region is a testament to the strong relationship between SKYCITY, CINZ and the Auckland Convention Bureau."

"Hugh Morris, President of the Timber Society, and his team worked hard to ensure CINZ, SKYCITY and the Auckland Convention Bureau had the support and information required for an internationally competitive and professional bid."

The New Zealand Timber Design Society is a technical group of the Institution of Professional Engineers NZ (IPENZ) who promote information on timber design.

The World Timber Conference is set to take place from July 9-12, 2012 at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre.

For more information about SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, SKYCITY Grand Hotel and the SKYCITY Auckland complex visit www.skycityauckland.co.nz or phone 0800 759 2489.

Notes to editors:

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre features:

- Two levels of dedicated conferencing, exhibition and banqueting space totalling 5370m2

- 21 separate conference rooms

- A Main Plenary room of 1300m2 free of structural columns and with an additional 900m2 of foyer space

- Theatre-style capacity for 1500 or banquet capacity for 1150

- Exhibition space of 1080m2 with an additional 800m2 of foyer space for up to 70 trade booths or a theatre-style meeting for 1150 people

- Nine break-out rooms totalling 1020m2

- Two board rooms, business centre facilities and client administration offices

- Specialised convention kitchen catering facilities

- Easy pack in/out access through customised dock and vehicle/service lifts

- Five-Star 330-room SKYCITY Grand Hotel with on-site buffet restaurant 'The Terrace' and signature restaurant 'dine by Peter Gordon'.

- An overbridge connecting the Convention Centre with the SKYCITY Auckland leisure complex, including the 700-seat SKYCITY Theatre and the 344-room SKYCITY Hotel

- Adjoins SKYCITY car park - the CBD's largest carpark with 1960 spaces available.

For further information please contact:

Olivia Brewer
Communications Executive, NZ Operations
SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Phone: 09 363 6334
E-mail: olivia.brewer@skycity.co.nz