The Botanic Gardens Conservation International conference is due to be held for a fifth time in 2013, and - if staged in Dunedin - could attract up to 500 of the world's top botanists, horticulturists and conservationists to the city.
It could also bring an estimated $2.9 million economic boost to the city, as well as highlighting gardens and other conservation attractions across the city, Otago and New Zealand, Dunedin City Council botanic garden and cemeteries team leader Alan Matchett said.
Mr Matchett has just returned home after travelling to Dublin, Ireland, last month to attend the fourth conference, where he presented Dunedin's bid to become the fifth conference host, in 2013.
He said the conservation-focused event would be used to mark the Dunedin Botanic Garden's 150th anniversary also in 2013.
That formed part of the city's bid, and it appeared Dunedin had the frontrunning in competition with one other city - which he was not allowed to name - to host the event, Mr Matchett said.
The rival bid came from a "major destination" near the equator, but it appeared Dunedin's bid had the backing of delegates at the Dublin conference, he said.
"Talking to some of the other garden curators and managers afterwards, they were very supportive and seemed to think there's a good chance.
"It's definitely 50-50 and I would hope to think it's 70-30 in our favour."
Mr Matchett had hoped for a decision while at last month's conference, but the organising committee was not expected to make an announcement until its next meeting in September, he said.
"I'm positive about it. It's going to be an awful lot of work, but I think the benefits will be here at the end of the day.
"The focus will be around the garden ... [but] we will be trying to maximise any opportunity we can to promote the garden and obviously Dunedin."
Previous conferences had been held in North Carolina, in the United States; Barcelona, in Spain; and in Wuhan, China, with the latter attracting nearly 1000 delegates from 67 countries.
Mr Matchett said numbers would be lower if the event was held in Dunedin, because of the increased travel distances, but it would still lure experts from across Africa, Asia, parts of Europe and the South Pacific.
A large contingent would also be expected to come from across the Tasman, he said.
"One thing New Zealand does have in its advantage ... it's definitely a place of interest because of our botanic garden."
Much of the conference activities would be centred on the Dunedin Botanic Garden, but the Forsyth Barr Stadium could also be used, as well as other facilities such as the Lion Foundation Arena and the Otago Museum, he said.
Those attending would also visit the city's attractions, and pre- and post-conference tours would be arranged, travelling around Otago and elsewhere in New Zealand, he said.
"A lot of people just don't know what's here. I think they will be in for a bit of a surprise."
The council would be expected to cover the estimated $800,000 cost of hosting the event, but would aim to make a small projected profit of $15,000 thanks to sponsorship agreements and subscription payments from participants, Mr Matchett said.
The city's bid was a collaborative one, involving council staff and Tourism Dunedin, and was assisted by funding from Conventions and Incentives New Zealand.
