Marlborough prepares to stamp name on conf. map

Media release:
1 November 2007

Marlborough prepares to stamp its name on conference map

Marlborough is gearing up to stamp its name firmly on the map of New Zealand’s conference destinations. The region’s first and only purpose-built convention centre is counting down to its official opening later this month. The addition of the Marlborough Convention Centre to the region’s infrastructure is expected to bring significant economic benefits.

Even before it’s officially opened, early signs are that the Marlborough Convention Centre is attracting a lot of interest, with visitors from near and far keen to see what the facility has to offer. “There has been massive interest in the centre and a lot of people have been travelling to Blenheim specifically to check it out,” reports Mark McLean from Scenic Circle Hotels, which manages the Council-owned convention centre.

The $3.95 million convention centre can host 750 guests theatre style or 400 for banquets. It is part of the new Combined Clubs and Conference Centre next to the Taylor River in central Blenheim. The full project is valued at $16 million and amalgamates the Blenheim Returned Services Association, the Blenheim Working Men’s Club and the Marlborough Club.

Mr McLean says a strong number of bookings have already been taken, including several from various associations from all over New Zealand. “As at late October we had close to 40 bookings in the system, many of them in the shoulder season of May to October, which is fantastic to see. We have also had a lot of enquiries from Australia, and hope to secure our first booking from there soon. It’s a very encouraging start, and it’s been really great to see just how much interest the new centre has generated. Destination Marlborough has been supporting the centre and its promotion very well, and that input is having direct results.

“From the interest that’s been shown it’s clear that this new convention centre is something that Marlborough really needed, and that’s going to benefit the whole region. It’s exciting that Blenheim and Marlborough now have the infrastructure to help it step up and compete with other popular regional conference centres such as Hawke’s Bay or Bay of Islands.”

Access to Blenheim will be further improved in November as Air New Zealand increases its direct flights from Auckland, with the addition of the 50-seater Bombardier craft to the flight schedule on weekdays.

The Marlborough Convention Centre will be officially opened with a gala cocktail event on Saturday 24 November, with up to 300 guests expected to attend. Before the official opening however, Blenheim’s local police have the honour of holding the inaugural event at the centre, with a drug education evening for local parents on 14 November. The first social event, three days later, is Marlborough Lines’ pre-Christmas function.

Scenic Circle Hotels owns and operates the Scenic Circle Blenheim Country Hotel, just a short walk from the convention centre. It is planning a significant expansion, taking the hotel from 54 rooms to over 100, to help provide the additional accommodation beds that Blenheim will need to cater for larger events.

ENDS

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