Founders just the spot for conference

MARION VAN DIJK/Nelson Mail

PRIME SPOT: New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists conference organiser Burke Hunter with cartoonist Michael Leunig, of Boho South near Melbourne, who is a keynote speaker at the conference, In The Unknown, being held at Founders Heritage Park.

Founders Heritage Park is attracting national conferences.

The park is currently hosting 180 people for the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists conference and is set to draw in hundreds more during various gatherings over the next month.

In April, 300 people will attend a four-day Photographic Society of New Zealand National Convention, followed by a national microbiology conference with 130 people.

Nelson psychotherapist Burke Hunter, who helped organise the NZAP conference, said the association had been looking for a good conference venue in Nelson for a long time and the park was spot on.

The conference-goers were staying at local motels and backpackers and 20 at Whakatu Marae, he said.

The conference, which is themed In the Unknown, features Australian cartoonist and poet Michael Leunig, who will speak at a sold-out public talk tonight.

Founders Heritage Park facility manager Maria Anderson said the conferences were good for the local economy. "We have been actively seeking business in that market. It is an exciting area and lucrative area of growth for us and the region."

The park had been promoting itself as a conference venue for 12 months and hosted three conferences last year, she said.

Nelson Tasman Tourism chief executive Paul Davis said since Christmas there had been a surge of interest from groups wanting to hold conferences in Nelson. "Part of it is after a tough 2009 business year, people are emerging from the downturn and looking to conference again and have meetings," he said.

Conferencing was the "highest value segment" in the visitor industry because it attracted people during quiet times of the year, Mr Davis said. "This is why we need a new conference centre."

Business travellers spend $199 per day on average, while holidaying visitors spend around $105 each day, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News