New Zealand a Hot Destination for International Market
With the help of Peter Jackson’s new blockbuster movie King Kong and securing the bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup,
New Zealand is firmly on the map as a hot destination.
This was evident at a recent convention and incentive tradeshow in Barcelona, Spain where New Zealand’s All Black themed
stand, give-away miniature rugby balls and a splash of local New Zealand red wine went down extremely well.
The three-day EIBTM - Global Meetings and Incentive Exhibition - tradeshow is held annually in Barcelona attracting
convention and incentive industry exhibitors from around the world. New Zealand exhibited at the show for the first time
and was represented by Alan Trotter, Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CIN) CEO; Grace Tsang, The EDGE Auckland Convention Centre; Mohamed Mansour, The Heritage
Auckland and Louise Erceg, Langham Hotel Auckland.
“Interest in New Zealand is high, particularly as an incentive and small meeting destination. We’ve come out of the show
with at least four good leads to follow up, including one for 40 orthopaedic surgeons who will of course fly business
class and stay in the best hotels,” Mr Trotter says.
“It was well worth the trip and we will secure business as result of being at the show, we will be back again next year.
“EIBTM 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
be on the international stage promoting the New Zealand product.”
New Zealand was invited to exhibit at EIBTM by London based Event Organiser Paul Kennedy from Reed Travel Exhibitions –
which organise the show - who was 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 product,” Mr Trotter says.
While in Spain Mr Trotter also attended the inaugural Chief Executives Summit that was held on the first day of the
EIBTM show and brought together senior business leaders in the global meetings and incentives industry for the first
time. It is intended to become a regular event with the next meeting scheduled in six months.
“The purpose of the meeting was to provide a forum for tackling industry issues and it was a worthwhile exercise. It’s
reassuring to hear that everyone around the globe is experiencing similar industry problems,” Mr Trotter says.