Leading function, event and exhibition organisers have welcomed the announcement of a new marine events precinct in Auckland, despite details of the complex being sketchy at the moment.
Auckland City Council has released a booklet titled ‘Auckland’s marine events precinct - How a world-class events venue fits into Auckland’s CBD waterfront vision.’ The booklet says that the total marine events centre area will be 17,000 square metres and will consist of ‘a versatile building for hosting the events, a large public plaza in front of the built facility and temporary outdoor display areas.’
The current Alinghi Sheds and Team NZ quarters will be dismantled and a new, more attractive and useable building will be erected. It will be on the site of Halsey Wharf and Western Viaduct Wharf and is expected to be complete by 2011 at the latest. Importantly for the events industry, a new bridge will connect the CBD with Wynyard Quarter (next to the precinct), providing access to the new precinct for pedestrians and public transport.
‘The bridge will span the Viaduct Harbour entrance at Te Wero Island, allowing easier access to the marine precinct for visitors and locals, while still allowing boats to come and go from the Viaduct Harbour,’ the council says.
Council spokespeople would not be drawn on the exact size of the events building itself. However, Meeting Newz sources say the centre is likely to have flat floor space of 60 metres x 30 metres. That would make it the biggest one level flat floor space close to the city - anything around 1800 to 2000 square metres would be a third the size again on the largest room in the SKYCITY Convention Centre.
However, the facility is definitely not going to be suitable for large conferences needing breakout space, banquet facilities, kitchens, trade space etc all in the same location.
It will go a long way though to answering the needs of exhibition organisers who have medium sized events requiring around 120 to 150 exhibition stands with a nice, orderly flow of foot traffic.
The council booklet says the precinct’s water spaces, public space and buildings need to provide what is required for:
- a mix of covered and open events and exhibitions, working space, media centres, sponsors and hospitality areas;
- back room event operations and management ;
- on the water events and exhibitions.
Council says the precinct’s flexibility will be enhanced by the use of temporary and permanent structures for:
- displays, trade shows and exhibition space,
- performance space,
- media centre and other back room event activities;
- sponsor hospitality.
The venue will be designed to ‘attract a wide variety of events, exhibitions and functions throughout the year.’
Paul Walker, of Convention Management, has welcomed the development.
‘We’ve got six dinners that could go in there right now. If they build something of a high standard that will definitely add something useful to the inventory and will be fantastic. At the moment the only thing close to that size in the city is SKYCITY. If that’s busy you’re looking at travelling to Ellerslie or further.’
Dona White, president of the New Zealand chapter of the Exhibition and Events Association of Australia (EEAA), says any new exhibition space in Auckland is welcome.
‘I am thrilled to see something happening on the waterfront. Many of us organisers would like to see something bigger (in terms of flat floor, covered space), but there is certainly a niche market crying out for facilities of this type and size.’
White is also managing director of North Port Events.
Sally Bary of Forum Meeting Planners has run exhibitions in the existing buildings and says that while they have their strengths, they do need a lot spent on them to be tailored for an event. She absolutely welcomes the construction of the new facility.
‘Dedicated exhibition and events space there will be fantastic. It’s location in terms of wow factor and its proximity to the CBD and to Auckland hotels is also excellent - particularly with the plans for the new bridge. For public shows the visitors will come from the Viaduct, so a walk bridge that is raised to allow boats through is essential for that area to work properly.’
Bary says that while it is early days the drawings she has seen are impressive.
‘It is being turned into a really viable tourism and event related area.’
However Bary emphasises that Auckland is still missing something crucial.
‘That’s a convention centre, and the convention needs to have large exhibition space attached.’
