Top Conference Venues Christchurch Has to Offer

Looking for the perfect destination to host your next conference? Christchurch is the place to be!

As New Zealand's second-largest city, Christchurch is fast becoming one of New Zealand's top destinations for business events. Thanks to its compact, walkable CBD and modern infrastructure, it's easy for delegates to move between venues, accommodation, dining, and entertainment.

Types of Conferences You Can Host in Christchurch

Christchurch has venues for conferences of all sizes, and the most common types include:

• Corporate Conferences – Christchurch is an ideal location for executive meetings, training sessions, product launches, or large-scale events. It has excellent access to local and international transportation, making it easy to attract delegates from all over the world.
• Academic Conferences - The presence of major institutions, such as the University of Canterbury and Ara Institute of Canterbury, makes the city a hub for professional development and education-focused forums.
• Trade Shows and Exhibitions - Christchurch boasts large expo spaces and modern facilities, making it an ideal choice for exhibitions, expos, and business networking.

What to Look for in a Conference Venue:

When evaluating venues, focus on these must-haves:

• Location: Where is the venue located? Look for easy access from the airport or public transport.
• Tech readiness: Ensure high-speed Wi-Fi, AV equipment, and hybrid capability.
• Capacity & flexibility: Choose venues with breakout rooms or flexible layouts to suit your agenda.
• Catering options: What about the food and drinks? Some venues offer in-house catering, others allow preferred suppliers.
• Support staff: Does the venue have support staff? Venues with experienced coordinators and AV technicians make event day easier.
• Accommodation nearby: How close are hotels to the venue? Especially important for multi-day conferences with out-of-town delegates.

Top Suburbs to Book a Conference in Christchurch

Choosing the right suburb in Christchurch can significantly enhance your conference experience, offering convenient locations and unique local options. Consider these top suburbs:

Central Business District (CBD)

The central business district (CBD) of Christchurch is the main area of the city and offers great options for conference venues. Its compact layout allows attendees to move easily between meetings, social events, and local attractions. In the CBD, you can find a variety of hotels and restaurants, from boutique hotels to international chains, as well as casual cafes and fine dining.

Addington

Addington is located just outside the city centre. It offers larger venues with more parking and is conveniently located near Hagley Park, making it a great choice for medium to large conferences. This suburb has a more relaxed atmosphere, yet remains close to the city's bustling centre.

Riccarton

Riccarton is a great place to consider. It is close to important schools, such as the University of Canterbury, making it an appealing venue for events related to education, research, and networking.

Host a Seamless Conference in Christchurch

Christchurch is a modern, compact, and inspiring choice for your next conference.

Ready to find the perfect space? Let VenueNow help you discover and book the best conference venues in Christchurch. With smart search tools and expert support, you'll have everything you need to plan with confidence.

How much do conferences in Christchurch cost?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Christchurch conference venues cost between 100 to 150 NZD per person. For example, an event for 100 people could cost between 10000-15000 NZD. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.

What should I consider when comparing Christchurch conference venues?

There are a number of different factors you should consider when comparing Christchurch conference venues. Firstly, you should review the standing and seated capacity of the venue to see if they can fit your attendees. Next you should review the costs associated with hiring the venue such as venue hire fees, food & drink packages, additional costs such as audio-visual equipment, and whether there is a minimum spend to hire the venue. Other important factors include the location, aesthetic, amenities and facilities of the venue to understand if the venue fits all of your requirements. A great way to do this is review the venue's listings on VenueNow and review their function packs attached to the page.

How do I find and book Christchurch conference venues?

Finding and booking Christchurch conference venues is easy with VenueNow. Simply follow these steps: (1) Enter your location, event type and number of people into VenueNow's search engine. (2) Narrow down your search results by adding filters such as your event date and time, preferred room layout and budget. (3) Once you've found some venues you're interested in, visit the venue listings and send your enquiry via VenueNow. The venue will receive your enquiry immediately and respond to you within 24 hours via email. We recommend contacting 3-5 different venues to ensure you get the best price. (4) Venues will respond with a quote via email based on your requirements, and may suggest alternate dates when they can host your event. (5) Once you're happy with the quote, you can confirm your booking with the venue, pay your deposit and start planning your event.

How far in advance should I book Christchurch conference venues?

On average, VenueNow customers book a venue 90 days in advance of the event. In some cases you are able to find venues that are available at short notice, however, availability for your preferred date and time may be limited. For large corporate events or weddings, we recommend booking your venue at least 3-6 months in advance, to ensure plenty of venues are available and you can lock in the best price for your requirements. Larger events also typically require additional planning with your attendees as well as any suppliers that may be required for the event.

Can VenueNow help me find Christchurch conference venues?

We sure can! Not only can you find and book venues via on VenueNow yourself or using our Match AI feature, our team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.