Auckland snares two big meetings for 2023

Two major meetings secured in the past month are set to pump almost NZ$1m into the local economy.

Scheduled to take place in 2023 are The Massage & Myotherapy Australia 2023 National Conference, and the International Society for MR Radiographers and Technologists (ISMRT) Australia and New Zealand Chapters’ 17th annual meeting.
Scheduled to take place in 2023 are The Massage & Myotherapy Australia 2023 National Conference, and the International Society for MR Radiographers and Technologists (ISMRT) Australia and New Zealand Chapters’ 17th annual meeting.

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has been bidding for and winning international meetings over the past month, with news it has secured the Massage & Myotherapy Australia 2023 National Conference, and the International Society for MR Radiographers and Technologists (ISMRT) Australia and New Zealand Chapters’ 17th annual meeting, both scheduled for 2023.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia is the leading representative body for massage therapists, remedial massage therapists and myotherapists in Australia, with up to 300 delegates expected to attend the Auckland meeting.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia CEO, Ann Davey, said the decision to hold the meeting offshore coincides with the organisation’s 20th year and they “wanted to do something with a bit of a bang”.

“We are working with Massage New Zealand to enable us to bring the best experience not only for our members that may travel but also to Massage New Zealand members in terms of learning and collaboration,” she said.

The event bid was supported by Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team, with Massage & Myotherapy Australia praising Auckland’s hands-on approach to research and familiarisation visits for venues and pre- and post-conference options.

The 2023 International Society for MR Radiographers and Technologists (ISMRT) Australia and New Zealand Chapters’ 17th annual meeting will be held from November 18 to 19 at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel.

It too is expected to attract around 300 delegates.

ISMRT New Zealand Chapter president, Sarah Green, said the meeting will mark the first time the trans-Tasman chapters have met in person in New Zealand since 2015.

“Meeting in Auckland allows for a diversity of speakers and it gives New Zealand professionals the chance to attend the event closer to home. People love going to Auckland, it is a great host city,” she said.

This meeting is also being supported by Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team and Auckland Convention Bureau’s (ACB) Auckland Business Events Fund, which offers investment to help secure national and international business events for the region.

ACB Manager, Ken Pereira, believes that facilitating a platform for MRI specialists to upskill and network benefits everyone.

“In addition, we get the opportunity to host Australasian visitors and showcase the great hospitality and amazing activities that Tāmaki Makarau Auckland and New Zealand have to offer,” he said.