How to decide between a purpose-built convention centre and a conference hotel for your New Zealand event.
One of the first decisions for any conference is the type of venue: a purpose-built convention centre or a conference hotel. Both work well in New Zealand — the right choice depends on your delegate numbers, budget and how important on-site accommodation is.
Purpose-built centres are designed for large plenaries, exhibitions and multi-stream programmes, with big column-free halls, loading docks and built-in AV infrastructure. New Zealand's dedicated centres include SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre and the Aotea Centre in Auckland, The Dunedin Centre, TSB Showplace in New Plymouth, The Trafalgar Centre and Annesbrook Event Centre in Nelson, the Great Lake Centre in Taupō and the Ashburton Trust Event Centre. Choose a centre when you expect several hundred delegates or more, need exhibition space alongside sessions, or want a blank canvas you can brand.
Hotels bundle meeting rooms, catering and beds under one roof, which is a big advantage for residential conferences where delegates stay on-site. Large properties like Cordis Auckland (640 rooms), SkyCity Auckland (635) and Grand Millennium Auckland (452) run substantial conference floors as well as accommodation. Choose a hotel when delegates need to stay overnight, your programme is meeting-heavy rather than exhibition-heavy, or you want a single point of contact for rooms, sessions and food.
If you're weighing options, a PCO or DMC can run a venue RFP, compare quotes and negotiate on your behalf. Browse both venue types side by side in the venues directory, and once you've chosen, sort delegate transport between hotels and the venue.
A convention centre is a purpose-built venue for large plenaries and exhibitions but usually has no accommodation, while a conference hotel combines meeting space, catering and guest rooms in one building.
For several hundred delegates or more, or when you need exhibition space, a purpose-built convention centre generally offers larger column-free halls and better load-in than a hotel.
Choose a hotel for residential conferences where delegates stay overnight, meeting-heavy programmes, or when you want a single contact managing rooms, sessions and catering together.
Most purpose-built centres do not include guest rooms, so you arrange room blocks at nearby hotels. Some are located beside partner hotels to make this easier.
Yes. A Professional Conference Organiser or DMC can run a venue RFP, compare centres and hotels on cost and capacity, and negotiate terms on your behalf.
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