Media Release
Date: 6th October 2009
Auckland Business Returns To Corporate Entertaining As Confidence Grows
Corporate catering, regarded as a bellwether of business confidence, is returning to pre-recessionary levels, according
to Auckland event specialists Urban Gourmet. The upswing comes as the latest Auckland Chamber of Commerce Business
confidence survey reveals a surge in confidence for the September quarter along with strong employment intentions from
employers.
Urban Gourmet Director Anne Doughty, says that the company saw the beginnings of a resurgence in activity during July
and August but now corporate business has truly picked up.
She explains: `We’re seeing a return to corporate entertaining in Auckland but the way in which companies are doing it
is changing. Cocktail and fork food are more popular now but I think this is about a change in the way companies
entertain rather than a budgetary thing. There is a greater focus on productive networking which you can’t get if you
are sitting at a table for six all night.
‘That trend aside, there has been an upsurge in bookings for seated dinners, which is a real sign that confidence is
coming back to business. The difference is that organisers are trying to avoid any overt signs of extravagance, while
recognising that they need to entertain at a level which will enable them to build relationships and help grow their
businesses.’
According to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Business confidence survey almost 60% of those firms surveyed believe
business conditions will improve over the next six months, double that of the June quarter survey. Consequently, those
who expect conditions to deteriorate dropped from 27% to 6%.
64% of business owners believe business conditions in the next six months will improve versus 46% in the June survey.
Those who believed conditions could deteriorate in the last quater moved from 14% to just 7%.
Urban Gourmet has adapted a number of its menus to suit customers that might not have a huge amount of money to spend
but still desire good quality food and a superior level of service. A recent addition is the rustic Bistro Menu which
includes a selection of high quality, innovative dishes but is $10 a head less expensive than Urban Gourmet’s other
menus.
For more information on Urban Gourmet, visit www.urbangourmet.co.nz
About Urban Gourmet:
Urban Gourmet is one of New Zealand’s leading independent event and catering companies. The team at Urban Gourmet have
over 30 years experience of organising events in Auckland and are renowned for providing contemporary restaurant quality
food, and an elegant, personalised event management service.
ENDS