About Us
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has been designed as Ōtautahi Christchurch’s ‘gathering place’. A key part of the regeneration of the city, the Government’s investment in Te Pae Christchurch is set to act as a catalyst – not only for the growth and development of the city, but as a way of building lasting social, cultural and economic connections between the region and the world.
Meet the team
Ross Steele
General Manager
General Manager
Ross was appointed general manager in early 2019, and is responsible for successfully marketing the centre to the national and international convention market.
He brings more than 20 years’ convention centre business experience to the role. Prior to joining Te Pae Christchurch, Ross managed the Cairns Convention Centre in Queensland for 12 years. Cairns Convention Centre was regularly voted amongst the top convention centre’s in the world (AIPC World’s Best Congress Centre’s Awards, including World’s Best Congress Centre in 2014).
Ben Buchanan
Director of Business Services
Director of Business Services
Ben is a qualified chartered accountant whose career spans across a number of convention centres and entertainment venues.
Following his first venue role with the finance team at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Ben moved to Newcastle Entertainment Centre before becoming one of the first employees in the ICC Sydney pre-opening team. Ben counts his team’s opening of ICC Sydney as a career highlight, helping deliver Australia’s largest convention centre and providing him with the experience essential to opening a venue like Te Pae Christchurch.
Nicolette Elia
Director of Event Services
Director of Event Services
Nicolette has more than two decades of experience across venues on three continents, including her most recent event role as Director of Operations for Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
Specialising in venue management and operational and event services management, Nicolette oversees the event planning, audio-visual and floor coordination teams.
Gillian Officer
Director of Business Development
Director of Business Development | International Markets
A business events professional of more than 20 years, Gillian specialises in venue management and has worked for a number of well-known New Zealand venues, including the SKYCITY Convention Centre, The Edge Auckland Convention Centre, and The Wellington Convention Centre.
From kitchen management to event planning, right through to business development, Gillian has a wealth of knowledge in events and venue management.
Darren Tait
Director of Culinary Services
Director of Culinary Services
Darren has more than 25 years’ senior management experience in both New Zealand and the UK, where he worked in the finest country house hotels in Scotland and large function venues in England, as well as the largest entertainment venue in Christchurch.
Prior to joining Te Pae, Darren was the food and beverage manager at Christchurch Casino where he managed six restaurants and bars and a large function space.
Vanessa McBean
Director of Human Resources
Director of Human Resources
Vanessa began her career in hospitality at the Regent Auckland Hotel more than 30 years ago. Vanessa has held various hotel operations and food and beverage management roles in locations across New Zealand – including Turoa Ski Field. Vanessa moved into human resources in 2011.
Before joining Te Pae Christchurch, she was the regional HR manager at Farmers for six years.
Ken Davidson
Director of Building Services
Director of Building Services
Ken has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. His career has spanned across leading local hotels, including the Novotel Queenstown and the Grand Mercure St Moritz where he worked as a chief engineer.
Ken also has experience working on hotels in Sydney, Auckland and the Mackenzie Country.