New Zealand Institute of Healthcare Engineering (NZIHE)
2023 - Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland
2022 - Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch
2021 - Postponed
Christchurch was the location for the 2022 annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Healthcare Engineering, with 220 delegates from around the country convening at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, 16-18 November 2022.
The first day encompassed a sold out Clinical Engineering Training Day, before guests enjoyed welcome drinks at new Christchurch hotspot Mr Wolf.
Delegates were given the chance to network and mingle at the venue before it officially opened to the public, testing it to maximum capacity. The incredibly popular event was extremely successful, with superb food and service, and a great showcase of the way conferences can support local hospitality and retail businesses.
The second day of the conference opened with a Mihi whakatau (traditional Māori welcome) and welcome from MC, Sarah O’Connell from SoulWorks. With a predominantly male audience, she proved a fresh and inspired choice with a focus on workplace wellbeing.
She was followed by a keynote from noted New Zealand nanotechnologist, Dr Michelle Dickinson of Nanogirl fame, called Are you ready for the technology-filled future?
The programme then incorporated a number of top speakers in the healthcare engineering field from both industry and academia, with a concurrent Dental Stream taking place at the nearby Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square.
Following the day programme, a three-hour Trade Exhibition Evening took place at Te Pae Christchurch’s exhibition hall. The unique format, which saw more than 40 trade stalls open to the public, provided a targeted, short, sharp hit of business opportunities for the sector. The Champagne Lady was on hand to provide refreshments.
The final day of concurrent education sessions was broken up with entertainment from local performer and busker Mullet Man, who delivered a 20-minute set that brought some magic and light to proceedings in the plenary space.
The conference closed with a spectacular gala dinner in The Tannery Atrium, complete with an aerialist twirling from its vaulted glass ceiling for wow factor. The delicious family-style dinner was followed by entertainment and even an impromptu rave to wrap up a successful and inspiring event.