New Zealand wows event organisers

A Hobbit Hole and a helicopter, celebrity speakers and legendary musician Tiki Taane were some of the sights and sounds wowing guests at New Zealand’s MEETINGS 2015.

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) staged its largest industry exhibition this week. The event wraps up in Auckland tonight with a gala dinner at Shed 10.

“Our Australian and international buyers have been looking for new destinations, something different and outside the square and they certainly found plenty to excite them this year at MEETINGS,” says CINZ Chief Executive, Sue Sullivan.

“We have shown them New Zealand is a brilliant learning and networking environment. We can offer the whole package, with exciting activities, culture, service, food and wine.”

The promise of new convention facilities in Auckland and Christchurch has also been welcomed by professional conference organisers looking for large-format New Zealand venues.

Conference and incentive organisers have been impressed by the myriad of experiences on offer in regional New Zealand. Australian organisers were given the opportunity to explore seven regions in the lead up to MEETINGS, while over 50 international buyers are being hosted through the regions this weekend.

Gaille Smith from Creative Incentives in Sydney says the relaxed atmosphere of MEETINGS makes the prescheduled appointments and networking extremely productive. “It’s enjoyable and useful to talk in this relaxed, organised and spacious environment.”

Before MEETINGS she visited Queenstown. “Our gracious hosts put on some unimaginable experiences,” she says.

Carolyn Jamieson from the Dieticians Association of Australia based in Canberra, and Shan Fleming from Conference Link in Brisbane both visited Rotorua. “We discovered a well-kept secret. Our group of Australian buyers loved it. We were treated like family and the Rotorua team gave us an adventure of a lifetime,” says Carolyn.

Lee Shephard from AgCarm Inc in Wellington says MEETINGS’ layout and plenty of room makes for an excellent experience.

“Both buyers and exhibitors love the online diary scheduling with a five minute breather between each,” she says.

Exhibitors have been thrilled with the quality of buyers and the numbers of appointment slots filled at MEETINGS. First time exhibitors Hassle Free Tours from Canterbury say 60 per cent of their appointments have been with Australians keen to get back to Christchurch.
 

Hassle Free owner and director Mark Gilbert says buyers have been bringing business with them, and they have written several contracts on the show floor. 

“We will definitely be back on an annual basis now,” he says.

Speaking at MEETINGS today, Roger Wigglesworth, Director, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Tourism, Sectors, Regions and Cities says the New Zealand government is committed to attracting more business event visitors.

“These are high spending visitors who fill the shoulder seasons and deliver regional expenditure, raise New Zealand’s profile and generate additional taxation revenue,” he says.

“Conventions bring people with new or world-leading ideas, potential investors and export business partners.

“This is why governments are interested in attracting more business events, why there is a need for government involvement in attracting business events, and why the government is doing to more to make New Zealand a more attractive destination for business events.”

These initiatives include new infrastructure with international standard facilities in Auckland and Christchurch, and adopting a consistent and coordinated national approach to promoting New Zealand as a business events destination.

The 20th CINZ MEETINGS will be held on 15 and 16 June 2016 at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.