Auckland has been picked as the host city for the Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Conference in 2024.

The conference is expected to attract 350 delegates and deliver approximately $378,000 into Auckland’s  economy. This is the first time the conference will be held in New Zealand and it will take place at the University of Auckland.

The CAA conference is an annual event where international scholars, professionals and researchers showcase current and innovative computer technologies in the field of archaeology, history and cultural heritage. A proposed focus of the 2024 conference is indigenous archaeology from around the world.

Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) – a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – with support from Tourism New Zealand, worked with Joshua Emmitt from the University of Auckland to secure the conference in Auckland.

Joshua Emmitt says the bid highlighted New Zealand’s and Australia’s unique archaeology.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand archaeologists to improve and expand their own methods, with exposure and discussion about techniques seldom seen in the country, and to build relationships with a global network.

“We are delighted our bid was successful and are very excited to be bringing the conference to New Zealand,” he says.

ACB Manager Ken Pereira says securing another bid win highlights the momentum of the Auckland business events sector, which has attracted major academic conferences starting from next year. 

“As borders begin to re-open, attracting international conferences to our shores is an important part of growing our visitor economy. Delegates have the potential to help spread visitors across the off-peak season, support employment and bring economic benefit to the region.”

Tourism New Zealand General Manager Domestic & Business Events Bjoern Spreitzer says: “This conference win is testament to the innovative work being done in New Zealand in this field. It provides a platform to share this expertise with the world, while helping secure a future pipeline of high-value visitors that will enrich New Zealand’s specialist knowledge and economy.”

 

NOTES TO EDITOR

About Auckland Convention Bureau

  • ACB promotes and positions Auckland in domestic and international markets as a premium destination for business events, ranging from large-scale conferences and conventions to meetings, seminars, tradeshows and incentive travel. 
  • It is a specialist unit within Tātaki Auckland Unlimited with the objective of driving the growth of Auckland’s world-class business events sector.
  • Business events provide a platform to exchange knowledge and ideas, build relationships and attract investment and talent to Auckland.

About Joshua Emmitt

  • Joshua Emmitt is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Anthropology at the University of Auckland. He received his PhD, which examined pottery from middle-Holocene Egypt, in Anthropology from The University of Auckland.
  • He is currently working on archaeological data from New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, and Italy and implementing a range of methods such as 3D methods, pXRF, and GIS.
  • His interests lie in the application of new technologies to legacy data, including the enhancement of legacy data with geospatial and 3D applications.
  • Joshua is a member of CAA and CAA-Australasia, and is on the board for the latter. He aims to grow the CAA‑Australasia chapter both in regard to members and collaborative opportunities.