Length and breadth of New Zealand’s event experiences on show at MEETINGS 2019

The business events industry will be out in force for MEETINGS 2019 in Auckland this month, the year’s largest New Zealand-wide showcase of regions, venues and suppliers.

Organised by Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) on 29 and 30 May at ASB Showgrounds, MEETINGS will host over 190 exhibitors across 17 regions from the top of the North to the deep South.

Chief Executive, Sue Sullivan says CINZ is welcoming 22 new exhibitors to MEETINGS this year. “We are covering the length and breadth of New Zealand, highlighting our regional diversity and the amazing experiences on offer,” she says.

“From contemporary Taranaki, with its capital New Plymouth, a cultural, cool and distinctive destination for a growing number of events, to Invercargill and Southland, a true experience with amazing hospitality for small retreats to groups of 700,” she says.

This year the exclusive Luxury Collection has expanded to 14 exhibitors, showcasing New Zealand’s best luxury accommodation, experiences and transportation. They include Robertson Lodge’s new developments in three spectacular locations across New Zealand, The Landing with its six beaches and luxury residences in Northland, and Queenstown’s Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa.

With the new Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre set for opening in 2022, visitors to the Wellington stand can immerse themselves in WellTown at MEETINGS 2019, where New Zealand’s creative capital is transformed into the world’s first virtual city to explore and play as a VR game. This year Wellington also boasts a new venue in the Tiakiwai Conference Centre, complete with newly refurbished, voice optimised auditorium, set in the National Library of New Zealand.

Massey University Hospitality Services is debuting its unique venues spanning three cities across the North Island. With campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North and Wellington they have more than 500 bookable spaces, including Wellington's grand and historic Dominion Museum building.

GCH Aviation, which specialises in premium incentive offerings across regional New Zealand, will be showcasing its extensive network of helicopter, fixed wing and private jet bases in Christchurch, Nelson, Greymouth and Wellington.

Auckland continues to grow its range of event experiences with six new exhibitors, including the soon-to-debut Park Hyatt Hotel on waterfront at Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, the fascinating spaces at Auckland Zoo, and Bracu Olive Grove outside Auckland

For those heading to Rotorua, Checkin Rotorua is a new online platform for booking and coordinating delegate activities, using a live inventory system, managed remotely.

In Queenstown, Nomad Safaris introduces two new Tesla Model X vehicles to their fleet, to make a significant impact on the carbon footprint produced by premium touring.

Day Buyers can join the online diary of the MEETINGS 2019 pre-scheduled appointment programme, to arrange key appointments, or tour the exhibition in their own time and meet exhibitors of interest.

Online registration is free for Day Buyers attending MEETINGS 2019 and includes the Meet, Eat and Speak lunch with a line-up of talent from Celebrity Speakers. Plenty of free parking is available at the event venue, ASB Showgrounds.