Showcasing Social Enterprise
The social enterprise movement has been growing globally, and those seeking good local examples need look no further than Christchurch. When the organisers of the Social Enterprise World Forum told Alex Hannant that a bid for its annual event from Oceania would be positively received, the post-earthquake city seemed an excellent contender. “The story of Christchurch was something that provided a frame of reference globally,” says Hannant, Chief Executive of the Ākina Foundation. “On the positive side, in spite of the trauma and huge disruption, there’s been an unleashing of creativity and innovation. It’s about communities taking control of their future.”
Bidding for a major international conference is not without its challenges, however. “We were aware of it being a large undertaking. We saw huge potential but also a certain amount of risk,” Hannant admits. “The support we got from Tourism New Zealand was just exceptional. While I was primarily concerned with ensuring it was financially viable, the Conference Assistance Programme took the weight off our shoulders, setting us up with a PCO and working with Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau to put together a strong bid document.” From budget considerations, to letters of support from Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch, and Jo Goodhew, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, and pre and post-conference touring options to attract international delegates, it placed New Zealand as a really credible and professional partner, Hannant says. Tourism New Zealand provided funding assistance for travel to and accommodation at SEWF 2015 in Milan to pitch the bid in person. “The organisers came back saying it was simply the best bid document they’d ever received. It really clinched the deal.”
Leaving a positive legacy
The Social Enterprise World Forum will take place 27-29 September, 2017. It will be the largest conference held in Christchurch since the 2011 earthquake, with up to 1,200 delegates expected from around New Zealand and the world. Attracting leading social enterprise practitioners, policymakers, business leaders, philanthropists and investors, Hannant hopes the event will be a catalyst for New Zealand’s burgeoning social enterprise sector. “There’s a lot of momentum around social enterprise and how it can be used as a tool to support results in a number of government portfolios, from regional economic development, to Māori development, to tackling persistent social and environmental challenges. We’re also seeing a groundswell of interest from philanthropic and business communities. The benefits of this event are a two-way street. It’s an opportunity for New Zealand to showcase its best work to the world, while the world’s leading social enterprise practitioners can share best practice and accelerate social enterprise development here. This event will be a platform for some of these central government organisations and private organisations to really make a statement of intent about how they will move forward. It is a natural place to announce bold actions for the future.”
Breaking with convention
Innovation will not just shape the content, but also the organisation of the event, Hannant adds: “We want to break a lot of conventions around what a conference looks like. SEWF 2017 will be more like a ‘theme park’ than a conference.” Alongside traditional plenary sessions in the Isaac Theatre Royal, events will range across multiple sites in Christchurch CBD, from the Arts Centre to the Transitional Cathedral, to give a different experience and feel. Hands-on workshops will potentially open to the public for the benefit of the wider Christchurch community, while local social enterprises will be showcased within the programme. “By having multiple streams and options on offer, we will create space and opportunities for community building, transfer of knowledge, doing business, and interacting with the city and the local social enterprise community.”
Hannant is working to ensure strong national, regional, and international representation and participation, and is optimistic about a positive turnout from further afield. “The biggest barrier to attendance is distance and potential cost. But, anecdotally, we've heard people are already saving their money. New Zealand is one of those places where everyone wants to go, and this is that one opportunity to make the trip of a lifetime.”
He now plans to work closely with Tourism New Zealand and partners in the next phase of marketing and promotion of the event, particularly at this year’s SEWF in Hong Kong. “At the handover ceremony, we have a 15-minute window to make a big impression and we’re creating a really compelling video. New Zealand sells itself in a lot of ways and we’ll be using that iconic imagery to have an impact on delegates. The support from Tourism New Zealand so far has been a great experience; hand on heart I have never felt so supported by a public sector partner. The amount of excitement and momentum this event is already generating is gigantic.”
For further information about Tourism New Zealand please visit www.businessevents.newzealand.com
