ANZCA, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, last held its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Auckland in 2005, and local convenor Dr Michal Kluger hopes its 2016 return, 30 April-4 May, will herald one of its best events. The Scotland-born Anaesthesiologist & Pain Physician is expecting to attract 1,500 attendees in total, incorporating anaesthetists, pain specialists, trainees, researchers and healthcare industry professionals. “Registrations are going up - New Zealand meetings tend to be popular, the Australians like going to the offshore events,” he says.

“We’re very proud of New Zealand. You could say it is the little brother/big brother relationship with Australia - it’s not a competition, but we do want it to be the best ANZCA event.”

Auckland on show

“Aucklanders don’t understand what a great venue it is, coming from overseas. It is fantastic,” Kluger says. “The degustation menus, the accommodation that might cost $200 here, you’d pay three times that in Sydney or Melbourne.”

An action-packed social programme plays to the friendly trans-Tasman rivalry, too. A busy itinerary of Auckland highlights includes a food and wine tour of Waiheke Island, driving at Hampton Downs, golf at the Royal Auckland, an Auckland walking tour and even a scheduled harbourside run for those delegates wishing to keep their fitness up. The pick of the events, however, has been a New Zealand vs Australia race on the Waitemata Harbour on America’s Cup boats. “The race has almost sold out! We might have to do another race. But we have activities to cover all interests,” Kluger adds.

“Auckland is a very good conference destination, but we have been constrained by a lack of a world-class convention centre - that of course is coming with the construction of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Conventions are a big deal. This is an opportunity to promote Auckland in an international forum as well as the content that is delivered. We see an event like this as an opportunity to promote Brand New Zealand: New Zealand anaesthesia, New Zealand research, New Zealand food and wine, New Zealand’s landscape and hospitality.”

Backed by local support

Kluger notes that excellent local support that has been integral to the smooth organisation of the event. “The College, like many other enterprises, is doing more events than it used to, things an external PCO used to do, so we have that knowledge in-house. But we’re really doing it from Australia. The College and our PCO is based in Melbourne and I am the lead convenor based here. We have relied heavily on Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau, part of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), and we haven't come across any insurmountable barriers or logistical issues.

“Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau couldn’t have been more helpful. They were proactive too - they suggested things we hadn’t thought of,” he adds. “They were instrumental in coordinating our presentation at last year's ASM in Adelaide, providing financial support, graphics, LCD TVs with images of Auckland and a promotional video recorded up the SkyTower that was a major drawcard. They also funded a Maori welcome at the Adelaide ASM which was helpful in promoting the event. As well as financial support there’s been intellectual support - who to approach for advice and funding. We’re really grateful to them.

“The venues - the Aotea Centre, the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre - have been incredibly responsive, too. Major restaurants are opening that wouldn’t ordinarily. The French Cafe is pretty much booked out throughout the conference. The local support is great.”

Article sourced directly from Tourism New Zealand.