Bright future for New Zealand business events

Staged last week, Conventions and Incentives New Zealand’s (CINZ) two-day trade exhibition championing the country's business events industry attracted many international buyers keen to book New Zealand for future events.

Commenting on the success of the event, held at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds last Wednesday and Thursday, CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan stated “we have hosted a big contingent of international buyers and media at MEETINGS 2017. They were interested in New Zealand’s growing potential for large events, as well as for bespoke incentive travel.

"Event organisers are always looking for something truly different, and we have shown them New Zealand is a stunning learning and networking environment. We can offer the whole package with great venues, exciting activities, unique culture, service, food and wine.

"Our exhibitors have had plenty of positive feedback and have collectively held over 6000 meetings with potential clients and will be leaving MEETINGS with strong business leads to follow up.”

New Zealand’s acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Paula Bennett attended MEETINGS on its second day and spoke to industry leaders about the value of business events to New Zealand.  She used her visit to state “from a perspective of what we are trying to achieve economically for New Zealand, our conventions just make a huge difference. International delegates stay longer and spend more - at an average of six nights at $335 per night, when your overall tourist spend is around $183. So we value it, we recognise (this sector) for what it brings.”

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 eight regions in the lead up to MEETINGS, while over 35 international buyers and media are being hosted throughout the regions.

Australian professional conference Vanessa Baranovsky from Event Mafia in Sydney sees that MEETINGS is a seamlessly organised event, from the initial reach-out to the final goodbye.

She explained “New Zealand’s top suppliers are all under one roof and everyone is super-friendly. I would come every year, get what I need and take it back, with everything managed for me. I appreciate the fresh creative ideas too - the welcome function was cool and gave me lots of inspiration.”

Exhibitor Lee Watkins, who is Conference and Events Sales Manager for Tongariro Lodge, says MEETINGS is always the annual highlight for the industry, adding “we always have our calendars blocked to be here. The audience is always high quality and quality business is brought to the table. Our day buyers are high quality too, with procurement managers from corporate companies as well event managers, which is great to see.”

CINZ MEETINGS 2018 will again be held in Auckland on 30th and 31st May next year.

Click here for more information on CINZ MEETINGS 2018 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: CINZ 2017 exhibitors, from top: Pure NZ, Auckland and Dunedin.

3rd May 2017 - SKYCITY WELCOMES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE WITH TRADITIONAL MAORI CULTURAL CEREMONY 

8th March 2017 - CONVENTIONS GENERATE HIGH VALUE FOR NEW ZEALAND

22nd February 2017 - CHRISTCHURCH’S REGENERATION SHOWCASED AT AIME 2017

24th September 2016 - STUDY AFFIRMS MĀORI TOURISM POTENTIAL ON WEST COAST

10th March 2015 - CINZ FLAGS NEW ZEALAND’S GROWING CONVENTION CENTRE INFRASTRUCTURE