Innovation, Things to do  |  20 Sep 2021

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The Smart Christchurch Innovation Expo will now be held at Te Pae Convention Centre from 20–21 February next year.

Christchurch City Council decided to postpone the expo, originally scheduled to be held from 31 October to 1 November, after confirmation that Te Pae’s opening will be delayed until later this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Expo organiser and Smart Christchurch manager Michael Healy says his team has been working closely with venue management since the news that Te Pae’s opening will be delayed.

“We’re pleased to be able to lock in these new dates so quickly with Te Pae as we’re committed to holding the event at this new venue when it opens. We believe it will be the most suitable venue for an event of this size and scale,” Mr Healy says.

The Smart Christchurch Innovation Expo will include more than 100 interactive exhibitors, including emerging start-ups, social enterprises and academia. An Innovation Summit will include panel discussions and keynote sessions by technology vendors, thought leaders and product developers on topics such as future transport and cyber security.

It’s expected 10,000 attendees over the two days of the expo, including families and representatives from central and local Government, the education, public and private sectors.

The Smart Christchurch Innovation Expo will coincide with the first New Zealand Aerospace Summit at Te Pae on 21 February. “Both events will help to draw people into the central city and provide a boost to the central city,” Mr Healy says.

Mr Healy says his team will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation. “We’re grateful to our exhibitors and sponsors who have supported us during this challenging time and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with them as we prepare for this exciting event.”