Christchurch becomes the convention capital

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 14

Christchurch becomes the convention capital

Christchurch’s facilities and enthusiasm would make it New Zealand’s convention capital. The following report on what this city has to offer is published by courtesy of ANNE BLOXHAM and the •‘Convention Forum.”

Christchurch, long renowned for its traditionalism, has decided to become “conventional” in a big way. The peacefur city has set its sights on becoming the “convention centre of the South Pacific?’ . .

Such is the dream of the Canterbury Promotion Council, an amalgam of the city’s convention bureau and public relations office w'hich begins operations this month.

Nor is the dream so very improbable. Thanks largely to the catalyst provided by the 1974 Commonwealth Games, the Garden City has recently blossomed as a strong contender in the convention stakes.

Christchurch is not only basking in an international reputation for hospitality and friendliness: it has also become very aware of its material advantages and is no longer reticent about promoting them.

This once-staid city has decided to take full advantage of its strong academic background and its international airport.

Christchurch now wants its share of large, international conventions and conferences, and for this reason won the 1981 conference of Australian Federation of Travel Agents.

What does Christchurch have to offer?.

With more than 5000 first class beds and 1800 motel beds, as well as the extensive accommodation and venue capacity of Ilam University . and Lincoln College, Christchurch provides a wide variety of facilities.

It has the tangible attractions of its world-class Town Hall, Queen Elizabeth II Park, and excellent recreational amenties. It has many first rate restaurants, which may or may not compensate for the lack of vibrant night life. Perhaps, most importantly, it is the gateway to the scenic South Island. Christchurch also boasts the only centre in New Zealand which has been designed specifically for conventions and entertainment — its impressive Town Hall. The Limes Room has a

seating capacity of 500 (cinema type) or 270 (conference setting). Kitchen and bar facilities are incorporated, making the area self-contained.

- The charge is $5O for the first hour and $25 each following hour. The fully . carpeted, soundproofed Conference Room seats 250 and may be subdivided to provide two smaller rooms. The rate for the first hour is $3O and $l5 an hour thereafter. The Cambridge Room, which may be used as an exhibition area and supper room, is hired at $4O for the first hour, and $2O an hour thereafter. The equipment in both the Conference and Limes Rooms includes chairman’s table, lecterns, a Leitz 200 mm single projector, screen, blackboard and easel and full sound facilities. Cocktail and buffet functions may also be arranged in conjunction with conferences and the entire Town Hall is even available for hire. Within five minutes’ walk of the Town Hall, two luxury hotels provide excellent accommodation for conventions using that venue. Noahs Hotel, on the cor-

ner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace, was planned in conjunction with the Town Hall’s convention centre.

Although the hotel is able to accommodate 412 guests (prices are negotiable for conventions), its three convention rooms have a total capacity of only 300. Each can be subdivided to cater for smaller functions and hire rates are open to negotiation. The Canterbury Room’s capacity is 200 theatre, 120 banquet, 250 cocktail; the Otago Room 80 theatre, 40 banquet, cocktail 100; the Marlborough Room 30 theatre, 15 banquet, cocktail 50. Telex, photocopying, and stenographer services are available.

The Vacation Inn, Colombo Street, has 90 rooms ($3B single, $4O double). It expects to accommodate 25 conventions during this year.' The hotel is able to provide facilities for small seminars of 15 to 20 people and provides telex, photocopying, pro* jectors, tape recorders, and sound equipment.

The Chateau Regency, Deans Avenue, located I.skm from the city centre has the largest capacity of any hotel convention venue in Christchurch 500. Its 93 suites can accommodate up to 200 guests (with a discount for group conference bookings, and venue room hire negotiable). The Great Hall has a capacity of 550 theatre style, 350 seated dinner, 300 at tables, 600 cocktails. The hire cost is $l5O. The room can be sub-divided into three sections of equal capacity (150 theatre style, 100 at tables, 200 cocktails). Its facilities include full cine projectors, photocopying machine, tape

recording. P-A. system, travel desk and full food and liquor -service. The Chateau has an extremely tastefuL decor and is situated , very . near Hagley Park, with its excellent golf course and tennis and squash courts. Canterbury’s two tertiary learning institutions provide the largest convention capacities of all — and the most economical. Lincoln College, 21km from the centre of Christchurch, has a total capac* ity of 3400 and can accommodate up to 1000. The main conference hail seats 1200, with an additional 32 lecture theatres. The majority are equipped with public address systems, slide projectors, overhead projectors, and screens. In addition, 16mm projectors, tape recorders, typewriters, gestetqers . and spirit duplicators are available on hire. Although week-end and evening functions can be arranged throughout the year, the College is available for hire mainly in the student holiday periods of May, August and NovemContinued on next page