Ellerslie's good slice of the 'corporate pie'

Ellerslie Convention Centre is at the home of Auckland racing and is one of New Zealand's foremost convention and exhibition venues, says its general manager Chris Seddon.

Set in the picturesque gardens of the Auckland Racing Club, not too far from the Auckland CBD, it is a modern well-appointed venue with nine main rooms and seven breakout suites, he says.

This includes a mixture of indoor and outdoor facilities for summer.

In the last two years the centre has hosted 739 conferences, seminars, annual general meetings and product launches, and 26 public expos and shows.

The Ellerslie Convention Centre won the prestigious Auckland Tourism award in the conventions and incentives category in 1996.

"Since then our slice of the 'corporate pie' has increased every year," says Mr Seddon.

"This is largely due to my excellent team whose commitment to service is second to none. Our attention to detail and a real interest in our customers' needs is the key to our success."

He says that by having such a wide variety of rooms of varying sizes and decor, the centre is able to better cater for clients, whether for a 20-person meeting or a 1000-strong seminar or conference.

"Due to our large overall size and ideal location we host a number of expos each year, such as the Ski Show, Bride & Groom Show and Antique Fair."

Functions are largely judged by the standard of the catering, Mr Seddon says, and "Steve Barton, our executive chef, is the president of the Auckland Chefs Association. For the last five he has been a judge for the New Zealand Culinary Fare."

Mr Barton worked in eight countries before settling in Auckland and his "vast international experience" is reflected in the menus he creates.

Each event at Ellerslie is treated as special, Mr Seddon says. The room and decor is matched to client needs and a menu is personalised to suit the event.

"This is part of our standard service that has helped make us one of the foremost convention centres in New Zealand."