Xanthe Smythe (left), sales manager – international, and Irette Ferreira, international sales consultant.
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has expanded its international sales team as it looks to grow its pipeline of international conferences and major business events.
Xanthe Smythe has been appointed sales manager – international, following her time at Sudima Hotels, where she led conference and business group sales. She brings more than two decades of experience across hospitality, sales and events, along with established relationships across New Zealand's business events sector.
Newly appointed international sales consultant Irette Ferreira joins from Business Events Wellington, where she helped develop the international conference pipeline for Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Originally from South Africa, she brings more than 20 years of experience across the business events sector, having previously held roles spanning Cape Town, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and New Zealand.
The appointments form part of an expanded international sales strategy led by director of sales Alana Bicknell, whose team is focused on securing conferences and events from key overseas markets.
The wider team also includes business development executive Eloise Barnes, who is strengthening relationships with the university and research sectors, and Australia-based sales manager Jessica Carlson, who leads NZICC's engagement with the Australian market.
Bicknell said the additions would support the venue's efforts to compete for high-impact international events.
“Our first six months have shown the role NZICC can play in bringing business events, international visitors and global conversations into the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland,” she said.
Among the international events secured for NZICC's opening year are the ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting, the International Coral Reef Symposium, the International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, the International Confederation for Principals Convention 2026, the RANCZO Annual Scientific Congress, the IDF World Dairy Summit and the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance's International Conference on Career Development and Public Policy.