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ChristchurchNZ has released the second phase of its Conference Legacy Project, with new research suggesting business events in Ōtautahi Christchurch are delivering lasting social, commercial and reputational benefits beyond traditional tourism spend.
The three-year research programme, developed in partnership with Tourism New Zealand, examines the broader impacts of conferences hosted in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. The study moves beyond delegate expenditure to assess outcomes such as talent attraction, investment opportunities, global relationships and cultural identity.
Findings from the second phase indicate one in five delegates proactively look for work or study opportunities as a result of time spent conferencing in the city.
Scientific and sector advancement also ranked strongly. Nearly 88 percent of delegates reported that conferences directly contributed to progress in their field, while 93.3 percent agreed events positively shaped their perception of Christchurch as a destination.
The research was led by internationally recognised business events researcher Carmel Foley, drawing on delegate surveys across multiple conferences.
ChristchurchNZ business events manager Bree Jones says the findings provide evidence of the long-term value of conferences to host cities. Among the highest-rated impacts in Christchurch were Māori cultural heritage, values and leadership, with delegates describing Māori-led programming as transformative.
The latest findings were presented at AIME 2026 in Melbourne.
