The Conference and Function Centre in Palmerston North hosts conferences, trade shows, gala dinners, product launches, meetings and weddings, with up to 550 people in theatre style or 350 at a banquet dinner in its largest room. The centre stands at 354 Main Street in central Palmerston North, on New Zealand's North Island, and is run by Venues and Events Palmerston North, a division of the city council.
Seminars and company events
Six rooms cover everything from a board meeting for 15 to a multi-day conference with breakouts. The Conference Room has a permanent stage with clear sight lines and takes up to 400 in theatre style, which suits keynote sessions, awards dinners and product launches. Breakout sessions use the Seminar Room, the Meeting Room or the Gallery. Audiovisual, communications and IT systems are part of the venue services, and the team can add event coordination, security and crowd management, ticketing, volunteer management, marketing support and cleaning.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are among the event types listed for the Elwood Room, which can be curtained down for a small wedding of around 30 guests or opened in full for a large reception and dance. The Gallery, with its permanent bar, works for pre-dinner drinks.
Rooms and capacities
The Elwood Room covers 584 m², is fully air-conditioned and holds up to 550 in theatre style or 350 for a banquet. Portable staging, theatre lighting and flat-floor vehicle access from the loading dock make it suitable for exhibitions. It divides into Elwood Room 1, about 150 m² for up to 120 people, and Elwood Room 2 for up to 250, both set as theatre, workshop, classroom or U-shape with rear projection. The Conference Room covers 307 m² and splits with a soundproof folding wall to create the Meeting Room, 85 m² for 10 to 80 people. The Seminar Room, 132 m², sits a few steps above the foyer with a high ceiling and natural light. The Gallery, 87 m², has blackout curtains and a view down George Street. The Boardroom, 23 m², seats 15 around a custom table with a 50-inch wall screen.
Catering
Catering is provided by Absolute Caterers, the venue's catering partner, which works with the event staff from planning to service on custom menus for meetings, conferences, gala dinners and weddings. A menu booklet is available, and the same partner runs licensed bars.
History and setting
The centre belongs to Palmy Venues, the council-owned group that also runs the Palmy Arena, so large events can combine both sites. It sits in the city center, where Main Street meets George Street, with an inventory of furniture and equipment kept on site.
Getting there
The address is 354 Main Street, Palmerston North. Car parking is listed among the venue services. Palmerston North Airport has domestic flights, and Wellington is about two hours to the south by road.
