Skycity attracts biggest conference since 2004 to Auckland

November 29, 2007: Skycity Auckland Convention Centre has announced it will next year host the biggest conference to take place in Auckland since 2004.

More than 1,700 participants will converge on Skycity Auckland Convention Centre for the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia annual conference in November 2008.

Not since the International Bar Association brought more than 2,000 delegates into Auckland in 2004 has the city hosted such a large conference.

The conference will see every single room in the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre used for three full days, and more than 2,000 room nights purchased, a large portion of which will be provided by the five-star SKYCITY Grand Hotel and 4½-star SKYCITY Hotel.

SKYCITY Auckland general manager David Christian says the conference will create significant opportunities for SKYCITY and other Auckland businesses, and considerable flow-on effects for the local economy.

"Targeting the Australian conference market has paid off for SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre with this fantastic win. Our state of the art facilities and choice of two superb hotels onsite are a major drawcard for many Australian, as well as international, conference organisers. Our purpose-built exhibition, conference and banqueting facility is unparalleled in terms of both the scale and range of facilities on offer in New Zealand. We are thrilled."

Nicolette Hughes, ASFA National Conference and Events manager, says this is the first time in its 40-year history that the ASFA has held its conference outside of Australia.

"We are pleased to be bringing our members to Auckland in 2008. It will allow our delegates to gain a fresh perspective in a new environment. Auckland was chosen due to it being a main business destination and the Skycity Auckland Convention Centre and subsequent infrastructure more than satisfied our requirements."

Other recent international wins for Skycity Auckland Convention Centre include the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Conference (250 delegates) in August 2008, the Combined Australasian Trauma Society Conference (250 delegates) in March 2009 and the Nycomed Conference (120 delegates) in February 2008.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia is a national, not-for-profit organisation that represents the interests of Australia's superannuation funds, their trustees and their members.

The ASFA Conference will take place from 12 to 14 November 2008, with a pre-conference golf day held on 11 November.