There will be ample opportunities to network with your peers and partners/sponsors throughout the course of the event:
sbm welcome function / pre-registration
Tuesday 14 July
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Ooh la la - it's Bastille Day! Why not take the opportunity to not only celebrate France's national holiday, but to skip the lines on Wednesday morning and register for conference early? Come pick up your lanyard, share some drinks and nibbles, say hi (or bonjour!) to the SBM team and our wonderful sponsors and exhibitors. We'll also hold a 'first timers' catchup then too. It's the perfect time to start making those valuable connections, and we'd love to see you there!
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Ooh la la - it's Bastille Day! Why not take the opportunity to not only celebrate France's national holiday, but to skip the lines on Wednesday morning and register for conference early? Come pick up your lanyard, share some drinks and nibbles, say hi (or bonjour!) to the SBM team and our wonderful sponsors and exhibitors. We'll also hold a 'first timers' catchup then too. It's the perfect time to start making those valuable connections, and we'd love to see you there!
cafe crawl
Wednesday 15 July
6:00pm – 10:00pm (approx.)
Meeting point: TBC
Gather from 5:30pm, departure for restaurants is at 6:00pm sharp
The Café Crawl - our annual progressive dinner - is an opportunity to get to know and network with conference delegates and for our Association business partners to show their manaakitanga while dining out in Wellington. After meeting at the designated place from 5.30pm, you will be gather in one of 6 groups (more information on your group will be available via the Conference App) and each group will rotate to a different venue for entrée, main and dessert.
Please note: as you will be required to walk between venues, comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.
6:00pm – 10:00pm (approx.)
Meeting point: TBC
Gather from 5:30pm, departure for restaurants is at 6:00pm sharp
The Café Crawl - our annual progressive dinner - is an opportunity to get to know and network with conference delegates and for our Association business partners to show their manaakitanga while dining out in Wellington. After meeting at the designated place from 5.30pm, you will be gather in one of 6 groups (more information on your group will be available via the Conference App) and each group will rotate to a different venue for entrée, main and dessert.
Please note: as you will be required to walk between venues, comfortable shoes and a coat are recommended.
sbm cocktail hour
Thursday 16 July
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Tākina Events Centre
Join us back at the expo area for some pre-dinner drinks, standing entrée and entertainment at the SBM hosted cocktail hour - a chance to mix and mingle with delegates and sponsors alike before taking your seats upstairs for a plated dinner (mains and dessert).
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Tākina Events Centre
Join us back at the expo area for some pre-dinner drinks, standing entrée and entertainment at the SBM hosted cocktail hour - a chance to mix and mingle with delegates and sponsors alike before taking your seats upstairs for a plated dinner (mains and dessert).
Conference dinner
Thursday 16 July
7:00pm - 11:30pm
Level 1, Tākina Events Centre
Step into Wellywood!
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we roll out the red carpet and celebrate the magic of movie-making, Kiwi-style. Enjoy great food, good company, and a touch of cinematic sparkle as we bring a bit of Hollywood glamour to our own backyard. Get ready for lights, camera, action - and a night of fun worthy of the big screen!
Entry by ticket only, dressing up is encouraged.
7:00pm - 11:30pm
Level 1, Tākina Events Centre
Step into Wellywood!
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we roll out the red carpet and celebrate the magic of movie-making, Kiwi-style. Enjoy great food, good company, and a touch of cinematic sparkle as we bring a bit of Hollywood glamour to our own backyard. Get ready for lights, camera, action - and a night of fun worthy of the big screen!
Entry by ticket only, dressing up is encouraged.
area WALKs / hikoi
Wellington may be known for its hills (and wind!) but you'll find lots of places to get some gentle exercise on the flat, in and around the city centre either before or after heading to the conference venue.
If you're extending your stay or want to travel further afield on different terrain - there's no shortage of trails for you to try out - check some popular ones here...
Find out what the city has to offer on this Wellington visitor guide
If you're extending your stay or want to travel further afield on different terrain - there's no shortage of trails for you to try out - check some popular ones here...
Find out what the city has to offer on this Wellington visitor guide
out and about
Keep an eye here for any special offers you can avail of during the course of the event in the Capital!
Conference transport
Bus transfers between hotels and the events centre will NOT be available this year due to the accessibility of locations in Wellington. Any change to this will be announced here and on the conference App in due course.
Should they be required for day 3, timings for airport shuttles may be available on the conference App - this will depend on numbers and availability of transport.
Should they be required for day 3, timings for airport shuttles may be available on the conference App - this will depend on numbers and availability of transport.
