Health Sector Conferences Highlight Christchurch’s Strengths

The city was buzzing with over 1,300 delegates attending two conferences on the same days in late August. Australasian leaders on the subject of stroke, and addiction specialists from across New Zealand met under the same roof at the same time, with completely separate facilities across two levels of Te Pae Christchurch.

A few weeks later, 380 of New Zealand’s rural health professionals convened in Christchurch, followed by several hundred Australasian oncologists and pathologists, all sharing vital knowledge and new thinking.

“Delegates tell us they have been enriched by their time in the city outside of the conferences too, exploring and recharging. With Te Pae right in the heart of our vibrant city, local businesses are enjoying meeting delegates as they get out and explore. It is win-win for everyone.”

• NZ$2.588 million Combined Estimated Visitor Spend from the four conferences:
• 1,955 attendees
• 1,128 room nights booked in central city hotels

PCO: Composition

• 706 delegates – plus 270 pre-conference workshops attendees
• 410 guests - Conference dinner

Dapaanz is the professional association, registering and representing New Zealand’s addiction workforce. Delegates included a diverse range of alcohol, drug, and gambling practitioners working across the breadth of mental health and addiction contexts in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sam White, Executive Director of dapaanz says the group hadn’t connected as a sector since 2019.

“This year’s conference was extremely well supported as we gathered face-to-face for the first time in several years, and to celebrate our 20th year,” she says.

“Many delegates also enjoyed some of the other cultural events on and sightseeing. Increasingly we are realising our delegates need to recharge at these events, by experiencing what the city has to offer. The closeness of Christchurch’s hotels and the ability to walk to and from easily was also a huge bonus.”

“We felt very lucky to be able to share the gorgeous Te Pae space with Christchurch, and also to make our workforce feel valued by conferencing in such a wonderful space,” she says.

“Our PCO, Composition was amazing - that is a huge part of what makes these events so smooth and successful.”

PCO: Conference Innovators

SSA are clinicians and researchers endeavouring to tackle the enormous burden of stroke in our community.

Usually held in Australian main centres, this was the first time the SSA Meeting was held in Christchurch, and it reconnected the best inter-disciplinary clinicians, researchers, scientists, consumers and sponsors.

Conference co-convenor, Dr Teddy Wu, a neurologist with Canterbury District Health Board says Christchurch was a hugely popular destination for the conference.

“We had lots of good feedback. Te Pae exceeded all expectations, it was so spacious and easy. Our Australian delegates all loved the city, and said they would be back.

“For me as a local, it was fantastic to showcase Christchurch, and to tell them what we do here, and the networks we have in terms of the health sector facilities and our stroke research.

“I took 40 delegates for a run around Hagley Park, past the hospital, the Museum and the Botanic Gardens they were amazed by the work-life balance this city provides too,” he says

PCO: Conference Innovators

In early September over 380 delegates came together at Te Pae Christchurch for the first National Rural Health Conference hosted by Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network.

“Our conference presented a valuable opportunity for us to share ideas, innovate, and influence a better future for rural health,” Dr Grant Davidson, Hauora Taiwhenua Chief Executive.

The conference dinner was a time to celebrate the 30-year history of the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network, that led to the formation of Hauora Taiwhenua.