NETWORKING
TR A DE SHOWS
New Zealand on display as a world-
class business event destination
Chief of Staff editor Bennet Nichol visited Auckland during the nation’s largest
business events tradeshow to discover what’s on offer across the ditch.
This year New Zealand showcased
its best over two days at Conventions
& Incentives New Zealand’s (CINZ)
MEETINGS show. 650 international and
domestic buyers made their way to the
ASB Showgrounds in Auckland between
29 and 30 May, to explore the show
floor, network and attend seminars
from the nation’s key industry leaders.
192 exhibitors from 17 regions across
New Zealand put their products on
display, and walking through the
show floor painted a detailed picture of
just how diverse and interesting New
Zealand can be for a business event.
With Christchurch in the midst
of an infrastructure boom after the
devastating 2011 earthquake, and the
remainder of the country experiencing
an influx of both tourists and business
events, it’s no surprise that there was
plenty to see at the show.
With new convention facilities set
to open next year in Auckland and
Christchurch, New Zealand is ready
and raring to attract Australian and
international events, according to CINZ
Chief Executive Sue Sullivan.
“It is all about building strong
relationships, and meeting face to
face to cement ties. The welcome our
visitors have received this week has
given them an unforgettable taste
of New Zealand’s unique culture,
our people, our distinct regional
characteristics, and a deep insight into
how warmly their delegates will be
received here,” Ms Sullivan said.
Key leaders in New Zealand’s events
industry guided discussions and held
seminars on the latest trends such as
technology, data and sustainability
initiatives. “We need to show that we
are taking sustainability seriously,” Ms
Sullivan said.
Steve Armitage, General Manager-
Destination at Auckland Tourism,
Events & Economic Development,
thinks there is room for even more
growth, and pushing Auckland forward
requires a focus on data, sustainability
and talented people. “We’ve laid
some good foundations, and we must
continue to build on the aspirations
that we have for Auckland and New
Zealand,” Mr Armitage said.
www.meetings.co.nz
Issue 3 2019 | Chief of Staff 47