Wellington Wins High Profile International Cartographic Conference

Wellington, New Zealand, has been confirmed as the host of the world’s largest map collectors’ conference, a major coup for the city.

Te Taki o Autahi – Under the Southern Cross – 2008 Joint International Cartographic Conference will take place in Wellington in February 2008. The event is expected to bring around 500 delegates, to the capital for four days.

Taking place at Te Papa Tongarewa, the conference will include delegates from three organisations; The International Map Collectors Society (IMCoS), The Australian Map Circle, and the New Zealand Map Society, plus many European and North American scholars and collectors.

“It is a real privilege for Wellington to be selected to host this conference,” Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast says. “Our city has some outstanding conference facilities and that’s obviously what the conference organisers were looking for. Add to that our vibrancy, our arts and our culture, not to mention, accessibility and you have a winning combination.”

Conference Chairman Michael Ross said the conference is a significant win for Wellington. “It has a high international profile, and will attract the crème of the world’s cartographic scholars and collectors, many of whom have map collections worth $1 million plus. They have a higher than normal discretionary income, and are likely to spend at least another week touring New Zealand after the conference.”

The Wellington Convention Bureau, part of Positively Wellington Tourism, played a lead role in the bid for the conference, assisted by Conventions and Incentives New Zealand. According to conference organisers, several factors synched the deal.

Hans Kok, the President of the International Map Collectors Society, commented that the bid document was “the best we have ever seen”. Wellington’s reputation as a cultural capital was also a factor, making it the ideal host for a conference that brings together members of three distinctly different organisations.

Michael Ross, who is also the Wellington-based president of the Australian Map Circle, began the bid process at the History of Cartography conference in Budapest last July. It will be the first time that all three organisations will meet at a joint conference.

“We are thrilled to be named conference host for Under the Southern Cross,” said Positively Wellington Tourism CEO Tim Cossar. “This shows that Wellington is very much a leading contender for hosting major international conferences. It’s also great to see that our reputation as a cultural capital is a major drawcard.”

Under the Southern Cross will take place at Te Papa from 10 – 13 February 2008.

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