Combined NZOA/AOA Scientific Meeting, Rotorua, New Zealand - 9th – 14th October 2011

The following are some updated notes that hopefully provide some background information on the Combined Meeting in October. This may assist you in answering queries seem to inevitably arise, especially this year as the Meeting falls towards the end of the International Rugby World Cup.
1. Best sources of advice re Meeting:
Meeting website: http://www.aoanzoa2011.co.nz/
This will provide up to date information on abstract submissions, registration, accommodation and general information.
In the next two weeks or so, further details of the Partners Programme will be added.
You can register on line, book accommodation and get details on many other things (eg travel) on the website.
Early registration is strongly recommended as travel and accommodation bookings are tight because of the Rugby.
Rest assured, we have some hundreds of rooms reserved in Rotorua, just waiting for delegates’ registrations!

2. Meeting Programme
The meeting will run from Sunday evening, 9th October but officially open on  Monday 10th (possibly starting at 10am to allow those who may have attended rugby matches on Sunday 9th to travel to Rotorua early Monday morning)
There will be a number of guest speakers (guests of the AOA and NZOA Presidents) and other key speakers sponsored by the specialty societies.
The programme will be a mix of plenary and concurrent sessions, based around the sub specialties. Instructional course lectures will take place in the early morning sessions. The afternoon of Tuesday 11th will be free for sporting activities including golf at the international course, Wairakei, (www.wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz/PhotoGallery.asp  and is one hours drive from Rotorua), mountain biking, (terrific trails around Rotorua), trout fishing (using local fishermen not commercial operators), tennis etc. Tuesday evening is free so there are no time constraints to get back to Rotorua for social functions after participating in the sports activities.
On the social side there will be an informal cocktail function on Sunday evening, the Presidents’ Reception  and a ‘Woolshed’ function on Wednesday evening with the Black Tie Gala dinner on Thursday evening.
A Partners Programme is being finalised  and details will be available shortly.
Rotorua is a tourist centre featuring thermal attractions. It is also an important Maori centre offering numerous cultural attractions.
The weather is expected to be typically spring like with maximum temperatures around the 18-20® c mark during the day and minimum temperatures at night of about 7-10®c. It can be quite changeable in spring and showers can occur. Generally though you can expect clear sunny days!!

3. Rugby
the Rugby World Cup is being held prior to  and after the Meeting and as an event it is tightly controlled by Rugby World Cup Ltd.
The Conference Organisers have arrangements with agents to sell tickets/ accommodation packages but individuals who want individual tickets to games will have to purchase these directly from the RWC website: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/ OR http://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com/
For information:
Saturday 8th October: Quarter finals – Wellington & Christchurch
Sunday 9th October: Quarter finals – Wellington & Christchurch
Saturday 15th October: Semi finals (1) – Auckland
Sunday 16th October: Semi finals (2) – Auckland
Friday 21st October: Runner up – Auckland
Sunday 23rd October: Final – Auckland

4. Travel
Details on travel to Rotorua are included on the meeting website:  http://www.aoanzoa2011.co.nz/
Rotorua has a small international airport and accommodates direct flights from Sydney twice a week (Saturday and Tuesday- Air New Zealand.) Alternatively there are regular domestic flights to Rotorua from the other New Zealand international airports, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Another alternative is to fly Pacific Blue from Brisbane to Hamilton and then drive (1.5 hours) to Rotorua. Pacific Blue flies to and from Brisbane to Hamilton four times a week. (Unfortunately the arrival time from Brisbane at 12.30am is not very user friendly, but it’s an option!)
NOTE:  Because there are up to 80,000 visitors expected in New Zealand for the Rugby all flights will be heavily booked. We again suggest early booking.

Summary
This Combined Meeting is being held in a fantastic venue at a time to coincide with the quarter and semi finals of the Rugby World Cup. New Zealand will be ‘buzzing’!
The scientific and social programmes will be world class and kiwi hospitality will make the visit an experience not to be missed.
Please plan to attend and book early.
Late bookings may mean flights are full and our pre reserved accommodation should be confirmed by the end of June at the latest.
For more information contact Kim Miles, CEO, NZOA at kim@nzoa.org.nz or phone (64) 214 27091 OR
the Conference Organiser Paul Walker at paul@cmsc.co.nz or phone (64)  9 835 1531

Kim Miles-CEO-NZOA
January 2011