Revellers from around the world are set to descend on Dunedin and ''celebrate sobriety'' on Saturday.
Organising committee member Mike, of Dunedin - a reformed alcoholic who did not want his surname published - said he expected up to 300 alcoholics to attend the 2014 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) national convention, which starts at the St David Theatre Complex at the University of Otago at 8pm on Saturday.
Invitations had been sent out to AA service centres in North America, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Russia.
''We are hoping for alcoholics from all over the world.''
The ''celebration of sobriety'' was a public meeting, unlike a traditional ''closed'' AA meeting.
Guest speakers at the convention would share messages of ''strength and hope''. He hoped people struggling with alcohol addiction would attend on Saturday.
''The only requirement for a membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking.''
