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Conventions and Incentives New Zealand’s (CINZ) two-day annual showcase, MEETINGS is underway at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds with an emphasis on sustainability, much evidence of New Zealand’s rich Maori culture and plenty of new product.

Over 650 business event specialists were welcomed to Auckland’s Aotea Centre on Tuesday night, with CINZ chief executive, Sue Sullivan, saying that MEETINGS is New Zealand’s top event for connecting influential domestic, Australian and international buyers with all New Zealand’s regions and top event facilities, accommodation, off-site venues and activities.

“MEETINGS is an important showcase for New Zealand’s unique culture of manaakitanga (warm hospitality). Sensational events like last night’s welcome are a chance for us to throw the spotlight on our exceptional venues, food, styling, and entertainment,” Sullivan said.

Over 190 exhibitors and 500 buyers are gathering for 6000 meetings during the two days of pre-scheduled appointments and social networking events.

Among interesting product at the show yesterday:

Transport World Invercargill combines Australasia’s premier motorcycle museum, a large private automobile museum and a “heavy equipment playground” where visitors can drive a 25-tonne digger.

Transport World Invercargill events manager Adam Reinsfield with Sharon Auld of CINZ MEETINGS

Events manager Adam Reinsfield says the digger is “great for incentive experiences”.

Transport World Invercargill has been open for just under four years and is a favourite with events organisers. It’s on track to pass the 300 events mark by the end of July. The motorcycle collection was originally based in Nelson and has been moved south.

Another big attraction is one of the rarest trucks in the world, Bill Richardson Transport World’s 1940 Dodge Airflow, also known as the ‘Texaco Tanker’.

“We were the first commissionable tourism product in Invercargill,” Reinsfield adds.

Meanwhile, for visitors seeking Invercargill accommodation with a point of difference, Transport World has recently opened six new boutique apartments called The Lodges At Transport World.

GCH Aviation is getting involved in the incentive market. The company is in expansionary mode and sees plenty of scope.

“We want to open up the whole of New Zealand to incentives,” says GCH Aviation’s group marketing manager, Caroline Blanchfield.

GCH Aviation is the only privately-owned New Zealand aviation company to be accepted as a Virtuoso supplier and Blanchfield sees plenty of scope for leveraging that distinction.

GCH Aviation group marketing manager, Caroline Blanchfield

“The reputation Virtuoso member advisors have for outstanding dedication to their clients is a perfect fit with our own bespoke approach to service. Now that we’re part of this renowned network, we look forward to offering Virtuoso advisors and their clients special amenities, values and experiences that surpass their expectations.”

Headquartered in Christchurch at a new NZD 23 million base that opened last year, GCH Aviation operates other bases in Nelson, Greymouth, Kaikoura, Wellington, plus Vanuatu and Fiji in the South Pacific. The company owns more than 30 aircraft and employs over 120 staff across its helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft services.

GCH Aviation was established in 1983 and is the only company to hold the prestigious Helicopter Association of New Zealand Diamond Safety Award, marking over 30 years of continuous service without injury or accident to fleet, passengers or crew.

Check In Rotorua has a professional team offering fully managed conference activities to streamline planning.

Check In Rotorua sales manager Tony Moore

Sales manager Tony Moore says that from the initial consultation, Check In’s team will generate an exciting portfolio of conference activities.  Once finalised, the activities are loaded into the firm’s automated booking platform. From there, delegates are able to access a dedicated web page and choose their activity.

“It’s a live system and there are no minimum numbers,” Moore says. The operation engages smaller operations such as zip-lining and tree walking as well as “the big guns”, he adds. Operators pay, so the service is free to NTOs and conference organisers.

Delegates use a simple three-step booking process to lock in their activity of choice, making it easy. Booking are confirmed onscreen via email and everyone is kept abreast of developments by email and SMS.

 

Transport World Invercargill’s rare ‘Texaco Tanker’

On Tuesday night, MEETINGS’ welcome function showcased Auckland Conventions, Venues and Events’ flagship venue, the newly refurbished Aotea Centre, with event management by The Events Group.

“Having this venue back after its multi-million-dollar redesign and rebuild is a big boost for Auckland’s event offerings,” Sue Sullivan said.

“The Aotea Centre is Auckland’s home to the creative performing arts, and we will be showcasing this by demonstrating snippets of what can be achieved in this stunning new contemporary space.”

New Zealand’s top supplier of aerial and cirque entertainment, The Dust Palace demonstrated some of their bespoke show pieces alongside talented musicians, with visuals by Big Picture and sound and lighting from Auckland Live. Catering from the Kitchen at SkyCity included cocktail food and wine to match the contemporary styling.

“Today our buyers are out on the show floor soaking up all the incredible ideas, latest trends and magical experiences they can take back to their clients for conference and incentive events,” Sullivan said.

New this year, the Hononga Lounge, sponsored by CINZ member Hireplants, will offer a breakout and relaxation area for hosted buyers featuring a live green wall. Hononga in Māori means joining place, connection and relationship.

Shotz Ltd is showcasing one of its new activations, a Virtual Greeter called Sue, at MEETINGS this year. She will be meeting and greeting in the entrance of the ASB Showgrounds in the mornings and roving around the show floor throughout the day.

Written by Peter Needham in Auckland