Conference boost for Christchurch

ChristchurchNZ Business Events is launching a second round of grants to support emerging leaders to build international connections and attract future conferences to the city.

Emerging leaders investment returns to bring more international conferences to Christchurch

ChristchurchNZ Business Events is launching a second round of grants to support emerging leaders to build international connections and attract future conferences to the city.

ChristchurchNZ Business Events, supported by Tourism New Zealand Business Events, is inviting applications for the second round of its Emerging Global Leaders Grant, an initiative designed to support early to mid-career researchers and professionals to grow their international profiles and help attract international conferences to Christchurch.

The programme provides financial support to help individuals become more actively involved in international associations, build global networks, and develop leadership experience. Funding can support international conference attendance, additional engagement opportunities such as facilitating workshops or serving on committees, and relevant professional development in governance.

Global connections delivering international conference opportunties

The initiative has already supported four emerging leaders from the University of Canterbury and the University of Otago, with positive results from the first round of funding. To date, one international conference has been secured for Christchurch in 2028, with two further conference bids actively being progressed across sectors including data science, aerospace, product design and health. These early successes demonstrate the potential to turn individual professional connections and international engagement into valuable conference opportunities for Christchurch.

ChristchurchNZ Business Events Manager Bree Jones says the programme is an opportunity to invest in people who could become influential advocates for Christchurch within their international professional networks.

"International conferences do not happen in a destination by chance. They are the result of strong relationships, respected voices, and years of engagement within international associations. By supporting emerging leaders to build their profiles and take on more active roles within these networks, we are helping create the connections and opportunities ultimately bringing valuable international conferences to Christchurch.” 

ChristchurchNZ, Business Events Manager - Bree Jones

"It's encouraging to already see the impact of our first four recipients, with conversations and potential bids underway that could deliver significant benefits for our city and their respective sectors,” says Jones.

Applications open for emerging global leaders grant in Christchurch

The second round is now open to applications from early to mid-career researchers and professionals who are current staff members of an institute or organisation, actively involved in an international association, and connected to a sector that is strategically important to their organisation or Christchurch.

Eligible applicants should be involved in an association whose international conference typically attracts between 500 and 2,000 delegates, and which they aspire to help bring to Christchurch in the future.

Applications close 31 December 2026, with successful applicants notified by 29 January 2027.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to speak with the ChristchurchNZ Business Events team before submitting an application to discuss their eligibility and the opportunities available through the programme.

Key takeways

Applications are open for the second round of the Emerging Global Leaders Grant, supporting researchers and professionals to build international networks and leadership experience.
The programme is already delivering results, helping secure one international conference for Christchurch in 2028 and advancing two further conference bids.
Funding supports future conference attraction, enabling emerging leaders to strengthen global connections and champion Christchurch within international associations.

Contact the Business Events team for more information