NZ Top Choice for International Conventions

PRESS RELEASE

New Zealand Top Choice for International Convention

New Zealand’s popularity as a convention and incentive destination is soaring highlighted by Auckland beating out tough Asian competition to host a major international conference.

“There’s never been a better time for New Zealand as a convention and incentive destination. Arrivals are at an all time high and steadily increasing and the Government has recognised the value to the economy by allocating funding to attract more convention business into the country,” says Alan Trotter, Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) CEO.

“Conventions are a lucrative business for the whole country – and not just where the convention is held, many delegates tour New Zealand either before or after the event boosting the economy even further.”

Mr Trotter says the recent successful bid by THE EDGE to host the 2009 Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOCOG) is just one success story from the Conference Assistance Programme (CAP), which is funded by the Government.

“CAP helps local Associations bid for their international conferences to be held in New Zealand. It’s a free service and helps them with what can be quite a daunting task,” Mr Trotter says. “There is a potential $42 million that we are aiming to secure in conference business through CAP.”

Tipped to pump $20 million into the economy AOCOG will bring 2,000 women’s health experts into the country from around the world and will be on the same scale as the recent International Bar Association (IBA) conference.

New Zealand is also being further propelled onto the international stage with an invitation to exhibit at EIBTM – Global Meetings and Incentive Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain at the end of November.

“This invitation follows hot on the heels of New Zealand exhibiting at another leading international meetings and incentive trade show – IMEX – in Germany for the first time. New Zealand is hot on everyone’s lips at the moment and it’s fantastic to see us on the international stage promoting the New Zealand product,” Mr Trotter says.

The New Zealand contingent going to Spain consists of Mr Trotter; Grace Tsang, THE EDGE; Mohamed Mansour, The Heritage Auckland; and Louise Erceg, Langham Hotel Auckland. Two industry journalists have also been invited over to cover the event.

“London based Event Organiser Paul Kennedy from Reed Travel Exhibitions invited us to exhibit at the show, impressed by the country and what it has to offer after he visited earlier this year. It’s the perfect opportunity to let the European market know all about New Zealand and its C&I product,” Mr Trotter says.

While in Spain Trotter will also attend the inaugural Chief Executives Summit being held at EIBTM, which will bring the most senior business leaders in and across the global meetings and incentives industry together for the first time. Hopefully it will become an annual event and will provide a forum for tackling industry issues.

ENDS

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