New venue, new possibilities for business events industry

New venue, new possibilities for NZ's business events industry

A new venue is opening up a world of possibilities for exhibitors at New Zealand’s premier business events exhibition, MEETINGS.

This year MEETINGS, which is organised annually by Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ), will be held in June at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds which means there will be more space and flexibility for exhibitors and new opportunities for networking.

For the first time the exhibition will be staged across two large pavilions.

“At the ASB Showgrounds we have the luxury of space so we’ve been able to introduce some new options for exhibitors that give them a bit more flexibility," says MEETINGS Event Manager Jeanette Stanton.

“One of the things that we’ve picked up on from last year’s event is that there is a real interest from buyers in our luxury or boutique offerings so we’re creating an exhibition space that is dedicated to what we call our Luxury Collection.

“We’re also going to set up regional pavilions where the regional convention bureaux can band together with smaller suppliers to give a real flavour of what their region has to offer," Ms Stanton says.

Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) has increased its commitment to MEETINGS this year and plans to bring 30 to 40 influential buyers and media from North America, China, India and South East Asia to the exhibition through the Hosted Buyer Programme.

“We are committed to working with CINZ to grow convention and incentive business for New Zealand. MEETINGS is a key trade show for New Zealand and a very effective tool for the New Zealand industry to reach international business events decision-makers,” says TNZ chief executive Kevin Bowler.

TNZ’s International Business Events Manager, Bjoern Spreitzer says MEETINGS is a great way for buyers to see the diversity of product on offer in New Zealand.

“It’s an impressive one-stop shop and we’re very pleased to be involved with it," Mr Spreitzer says.

CINZ chief executive Alan Trotter says with three new convention centres in the planning in New Zealand, great opportunities exist to attract new business.

“We see MEETINGS as a fantastic marketing tool. It consistently delivers new business leads and we’re excited about the potential of this year’s event,’’ Mr Trotter says.

Air New Zealand is once again Principal Sponsor for MEETINGS 2014, renewing its ongoing commitment to the hosted buyer programme. The event’s other major sponsors are ASB Showgrounds, Peek Display and Centium Software.

Applications for the MEETINGS 2014 Hosted Buyer Programme are currently open.

Ms Stanton says anyone involved with organising conferences and events in New Zealand should apply for the hosted buyer programme, as it offers those who qualify accommodation and travel costs as well as the opportunity to meet face-to-face with exhibitors of choice in both formal and informal settings.

“If part of your job involves organising conferences and events then MEETINGS is a great way to make industry connections so the Hosted Buyer Programme is definitely worth exploring," Ms Stanton says.

MEETINGS 2014 is on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 June 2014. Applications can be made online at www.meetings.co.nz or by calling Jeanette Stanton directly on (+64) 9 485 3148.

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