16 February 2016
Middle-earth™ is heading to Melbourne
Hobbiton™ Movie Set’s (back row from left) Maya Storey and Shayne Forrest, and Claudelands Conference and Exhibition
Centre’s (front row from left) Wendy Harrison and Dawn Stewart will be sharing a meeting stream on the 100% Pure New
Zealand stand at AIME 2016.
A slice of Middle-earth™ is heading its way to AIME 2016, with New Zealand’s Hobbiton™ Movie Set and Claudelands
Conference and Exhibition Centre teams set to exhibit together at the Melbourne tradeshow.
With both facilities based in the Hamilton and Waikato region, Hobbiton Movie Set’s Shayne Forrest (Marketing Manager)
and Maya Storey (Events Sales Coordinator), and Claudelands’ Wendy Harrison (Business Development and Sales Manager) and
Dawn Stewart (Business Development and Sales Executive) are all looking forward to chatting to event organisers about
the treasures of the area during their shared meeting stream at AIME.
This will be the first time Hobbiton Movie Set has attended the tradeshow and the fifth time Claudelands Conference and
Exhibition Centre has exhibited.
“For us it is a great opportunity to meet more people and not only tell them about our award- winning venue but also
talk about everything our region has to offer,” says Wendy.
“It’s so easy to get to the Hamilton and Waikato region as we are only a short drive from Auckland International
Airport, yet it is a destination that hasn’t yet been fully discovered by the international business events market –
while many conference delegates have already been to other New Zealand centres like Auckland or Queenstown, our region
can offer an entirely new experience for them which is exciting.”
Shayne says he is also looking forward to be an ambassador for the region at AIME.
“One of the key strengths of the Hamilton and Waikato region is our collaboration. From venues to the accommodation or
dining establishments, to the visitor attractions and activities, we all know and back each other, and work together to
offer the best possible itineraries and experiences for business event organisers and delegates,” he says.
A major draw card of the region, Hobbiton Movie Set (from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies) allows
visitors to discover the real Middle-earth on the most picturesque private farmland. The attraction boasts several
function spaces including the unforgettable surrounds of The Green Dragon™ Inn which is ideal for offsite conference
dinners.
Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre, named New Zealand’s Supreme Venue of the Year by EVANZ in 2014 and
recipient of EVANZ’s Excellence In Innovation Award in 2015, is a purpose-built facility cleverly designed with an
emphasis on proximity, style and with reference to the heritage of the area. With a conference centre, exhibition spaces
and a 6000-capacity indoor arena all on one site, Claudelands is a purpose-built facility designed to host 1,200 or more
delegates with ease.
Other features of the Hamilton and Waikato region include the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the international
award-winning Hamilton Gardens, Raglan surf beach and Zealong tea plantation – producers of the world’s purest tea. The
region’s location at the heart of the North Island means it is within easy driving distance of other major centres such
as Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga and Auckland, providing plenty of options for delegates wanting to explore more of New
Zealand post-conference.
ENDS