Delegates from Australia and farther afield sampled some of Auckland’s top fare and venues yesterday as exhibitors from 17 New Zealand regions prepare to meet with buyers from eight countries today at CINZ MEETINGS 2019, New Zealand’s biggest business events industry showcase.
CINZ MEETINGS 2019 was launched last night, with Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chief executive, Sue Sullivan, confirming that New Zealand’s premier business events exhibition would bring together over 190 suppliers and 500 conference, event and incentive organisers to meet under one roof over the next two days at ASB Showgrounds.
“Exhibitors and buyers will hold more than 6000 meetings during our two days of pre-scheduled appointments and social networking events,” she said.
“With the support of key regional convention bureaux and Air New Zealand, we have hosted 32 Australian buyers and media on four different regional weekend tours, another 20 will visit Christchurch after MEETINGS.
“Visiting Northland, Rotorua, Wellington and Queenstown this weekend, our Australian buyers and media have experienced the incredible depth of experiences across our regions,” Sullivan said.
Entree of bluefin tuna, white tarama, puffed tapioca and avocado served ice cold by The Grounds, Modern family Eatery at Whoa! Studios, Auckland
New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) director of sales, Prue Daly, confirmed that Auckland’s new NZICC venue is already taking bookings and it looks stunning, occupying a prime space in downtown Auckland. It’s due to open fully in October 2020.
CINZ MEETINGS attracts international conference and incentive organisers, with the support of Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) and Air New Zealand. This year, delegates include 90 buyers and media from Australia, plus 30 hosted buyers and media from China, South-East Asia, Japan and North America.
Last year, MEETINGS generated more than NZD 60 million of signed business across the two days at ASB Showgrounds.
Australian hosted buyers with WellingtonNZ Convention Bureau’s Siobhan Tanoa (far right) at Boomrock Wellington
Sue Sullivan says New Zealand is a sought-after conference, incentive and event destination.
“We are friendly, hospitable, innovative and great to do business with. This makes our industry a significant generator of income, employment, investment and knowledge-sharing for New Zealand,” she said.
“With the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland and Te Pae Christchurch to open in 2020, and Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre now in the planning, New Zealand is ready to take on a bigger share of the international multi-day convention market. Regional New Zealand will also benefit from these new venues, as large conferences book to take their sub-conferences to venues outside of the main centres.”
Air New Zealand is Principal Sponsor for CINZ MEETINGS, renewing its ongoing commitment to the sector and to the hosted buyer and media programs. Other major sponsors include ASB Showgrounds, Peek Exhibition, EventsAIR, and Auckland Convention Bureau.
Delegates gather at Whoa! Studios, Auckland
The 2019 event showcases over 190 exhibitors from 17 regions across New Zealand to more than 700 New Zealand, Australian and international buyers. Exhibitors include venues, theming companies, hotels, AV companies, regional bureaus, attractions and activities.
More than 220 qualified hosted buyers are expected to attend, including over 85 hosted buyers and media from Australia, over 35 from international markets, 100 hosted buyers and media from around New Zealand, as well as 500 day-buyers.
Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand are flying influential buyers and media from China, Asian markets and North America.
Written by Peter Needham
.jpg){kind=tracking}