The Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Association will hold its 2011 conference and trade show in Christchurch. The event is likely to attract close to 200 PCOs, primarily from Australia, as well as sponsors, media and exhibitors. The 2009 conference in Canberra, from December 13 to 15 attracted 180 PCO delegates and 121 others. Peter Sugg, a director of the PCO Association, says the group wanted to show its support for New Zealand. Kiwis turned up in force for the Canberra event and the association has a growing membership base on this side of the Tasman. Sugg was thankful to Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chief executive Alan Trotter for organising the bids - which came from Auckland and Wellington as well as Christchruch. 'Our only pre-requiste was that the destination has to have good general access from the east coast of Australia.' The 2010 conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania. More on Christchurch's winning bid in the January issue of Meeting Newz. Meeting Newz is the official New Zealand magazine for the PCO Association.

It's coming to Christchurch and we're happy... Hayley McKay, Vbase and Jan Whiteside, Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau after hearing that news that Christchurch was named host city for the PCO Conference in 2011