Rotorua set to host largest international conference ever with world health promotion forum

Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Photo / File

The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) conference will start in Rotorua this Sunday.

The event, which runs from April 7-11, is the largest international conference that the city has ever secured.

More than 1200 delegates from around the world will come together over the five days to discuss best practice in health promotion, research, and theory.

Destination Rotorua business events manager, Craig Murray, said it was a great opportunity to showcase Rotorua's ability to host large conferences and provide a high-quality experience.

"An event of this scale involves many of our hospitality and visitor industry operators, as delegates will have opportunities to explore Rotorua and enjoy some of the restaurants and attractions on offer.

"Part of our role at Destination Rotorua is ensuring that the city is able to showcase our manaakitanga in the best way. For example, we are making sure that restaurants, bars, and taxis are aware of the conference schedule so that they can be prepared for large numbers of customers at key times."

He said Destination Rotorua had also prepared to show delegates around town "with special wayfinding routes marked in temporary chalk on footpaths to direct delegates between the Energy Events Centre and the breakout sessions hosted at the Millennium, Novotel and Sudima hotels."

IUHPE is a worldwide, independent and professional association of individuals and organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people through education, community action and the development of public health policy.

Conference dates and times
April 5-6, delegates arrive
April 7, 4-8:30pm, pohiri, opening plenary, welcome function
April 7, from 8.30pm, 1200+ delegates will be in town for dinner at leisure
April 8, conference finishes at 6:30pm and there's an optional social function at Skyline and Offroad NZ
April 9, conference finishes at 6:30pm and there's an optional social function at Te Puia
April 10, conference finishes at 7pm and there's an optional social function at Hobbiton
April 11, conference closing ceremony finishes at 12:50pm
April 11, delegates will start to leave, although some will remain in town overnight