Novotel appeals as conference venue
Today’s businesses are operating in a digital world and rely on being able to connect with their staff and customers from a distance. Shipleys Audiovisual is supporting New Zealand businesses to thrive in this environment through leading-edge audiovisual technology.
‘‘Shipleys Audiovisual has supported businesses across the Pacific to connect with the people that matter to them for more than 90 years. Our experienced and creative team specialise in providing innovative audiovisual solutions for corporate events and also install networked audiovisual and IT systems,’’ Craig Whitnall, Shipleys Audiovisual’s corporate development officer, says. The company has a history as innovators in its field; in 1952, Shipleys was the first in New Zealand to demonstrate a television broadcast and, 20 years later, it led the way again – this time exhibiting the country’s first television transmission in colour. ‘‘We are now the leading audiovisual supplier in the South Island, with branches in Christchurch and Queenstown,’’ Whitnall says.
A wide range of businesses look to Shipleys to ensure their corporate events run smoothly and make an impact. The company was part of the launch for the first automated vehicle in New Zealand and are the go-to technicians for setting up interactive teaching and presentation spaces for multi-day conferences.
‘‘No event is too big, small or complicated. Whether it’s an awards evening, conference, seminar, board meeting or product launch, we can use our knowledge and technological expertise to make the experience stand out. There really is no limit to what we can do,’’ he says
Shipleys’ experienced technicians work closely with clients on all technical aspects of their events, including choice of venue, room design, lighting, audio and multimedia.
‘‘With Shipleys taking care of the set-up and technology, businesses can concentrate on delivering their message and profiling their brand.’’
The team regularly live-streams events around the world to make sure no-one misses out on the opportunity to learn or be part of the occasion. This service gives Shipleys’ clients the opportunity to profile their brand more widely and connect with people on a global scale.
‘‘We live-stream all sorts of activities, from complex surgeries to graduation ceremonies. We recently live-streamed a surgery in New Zealand to a large international orthopaedic conference in New Delhi, which included a live laparoscopic camera inserted inside the patient.’’
Shipleys’ technicians also update workplace audiovisual systems, enabling businesses to utilise the latest technology to improve efficiency and collaboration.
‘‘We can plan and implement a high-tech solution to meet the unique needs of any business, or service and repair existing products or systems. Having a modern audiovisual system is essential for doing business in today’s environment,’’ Whitnall says.
Shipleys’ comprehensive audiovisual services also include equipment servicing, consulting and advice, automation and integration, production and duplications, secure video conferencing, projection mapping and much more. In spite of virtual classrooms and webinars becoming increasingly part of our everyday lives, the necessity for businesses to connect face to face still holds significant importance.
The ease and convenience of meeting, dining and sleeping in the same place draws many into Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square. With a dedicated conference floor, assorted connectivity options and a robust loyalty programme the team at Novotel will ensure your event is a success.
On the conference floor at Novotel there are six multifunctional meeting rooms, offering modern de´cor, full of charm and sophistication. Ranging from a boardroom for smaller meetings, to the Waimakariri Room, with chandeliers and high-stud ceilings to decorate a gala dinner. All rooms open onto The Crossing, a highly valued breakout space which is easily accessible from all six conference rooms, tailored for delegates to refresh; offering restrooms, a business desk and various options for catering including a pre–function space with a dedicated bar. It is the newest cathedral in New Zealand and the only cathedral in the world to be made substantially of cardboard.
It was one of the first buildings built in Christchurch’s central city after the devastating earthquakes and the only building in the country designed by a Pritzker Prize winning architect, Shigeru Ban, of Japan.
The design is quite simple, with waves of cardboard tubes drawing the eye and the attention towards the cross and the altar.
The cathedral is a warm, light building, ideal for all occasions whether intimate or large, corporate or community, business or pleasure. It is an asset for the entire city.
Novotel Christchurch has complimentary wi-fi for events to enable facilitators and delegates to easily present, access their emails and social media accounts. In addition, for an extra cost, the hotel can provide a dedicated line for a higher speed connection during an event to ensure the smooth running of any larger audio or visual presentations.
The cathedral is available for a wide range of events, in addition to a daily schedule of church services.
Loyalty to a venue not only simplifies the facilitator’s life, there is a monetary value as well. Novotel Christchurch rewards companies with AccorHotels Le Club Meeting Planner points for every dollar spent. Companies that hold more than six events within a 12-month period at Novotel or Ibis Christchurch receive bonus Le Club Meeting Planner points, a 30 per It hosts concerts and recitals of all genres, conferences, cocktail events, formal dinners, lectures, public and community meetings.
As part of a larger conference, it is an ideal venue for a welcoming cocktail function, a conference dinner or an opening session.
Catering is not an issue. In-house caterers Moveable Feasts are adept at providing the perfect menu for any function.
The cathedral has staging on site and work with an external contractor who can erect that for you, in whatever size is required. Large screens and sound systems can also be installed if required. Advice on special lighting is also cent discount on in-house audio visual equipment and one complimentary room night for every group of twenty booked.
These benefits, paired with Novotel’s location, right in the vibrant heart of the revitalised city, makes it the ideal venue for your event.
The hotel is within easy walking distance to many popular attractions including The Terrace – the new hospitality precinct overlooking the Avon River and The BNZ Centre – the new shopping precinct filled with designer shops and modern cafes. Having the Ibis Christchurch hotel located across the Square means delegates can choose from both internationally recognised economy and upscale hotels.
❚ To find out more or request an information pack, contact the hotel’s conference team. If you book your May, June or July conference before May 31, 2018, you will go into the draw to win flights to Fiji and five nights at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa (terms and conditions apply). For inquiries, contact Novotel Christchurch conference team, Ph
03 372 2102. available. The cathedral’s standard sound system is included in the hire. A Kawai grand piano is also available if required.
At full capacity, the cathedral can seat up to 600 people theatre style, and 300 people seated around tables, yet it has a remarkable sense of both space and intimacy.
The cathedral remains a fully functioning church, but was always intended to be a multi-use facility, open to as much of the wider community as possible.
❚ For more information, contact the cathedral administrator, Chris Oldham, ph 03 366 0046. Crown development company O¯ ta¯karo Limited is seeking a developer and operator for a hotel site on the perimeter of the Christchurch Convention Centre that is currently under construction.
Interest in the connected hotel on the corner of Colombo St and Cathedral Square is described as strong and O¯ ta¯karo Limited hopes to have an agreement in place by the end of the year.
Hotel operators see this as a flagship hotel because of the location.
Construction of the new Convention Centre remains on track for completion in the first quarter of 2020 with events to be hosted from mid-late
2020 following a commissioning period.
A 280-tonne crawler crane has taken its place on the convention centre site and, during the next couple of months, will begin lifting the giant 50-metre roof trusses for the 1400-delegate auditorium into place.
With the roof structure complete, the scale of the facility, which covers two city blocks, will be evident. About a quarter of the 2500 cubic metres of concrete has now been poured, with the foundation of the
3600 square metre, 200-stall, multiuse exhibition hall currently being placed.
Between 50 and 60 people are working on the site at the moment. This will increase to about 350 at the peak of construction.
The foundations for the auditorium and administration block have been poured with concrete currently being poured for the exhibition space.
The first 20 tonnes of the 45,000 tonnes of structural and secondary steel required for the build is now on site.