Pre-Convene familisarisation tours of greater Auckland got underway today (April 15) with well over 60 participants heading to the central city as well as south and west. The famil marks the traditional start to Convene, with the exhibition itself being held on April 16.

Diana Lloyd and Jo Clarke, both Gen-i ready for their famil	Kelly Marsden, The Events Group; Ali den Harder, Resene; Jade Taylor, Dinamics head off on the City Soiree tour	Greetings from the Auckland Convention Bureau - Anna Hayward, ACB; Meredith Billie, The Events Group; Eloise Barnes and Kathrine Reid, both ACB

Convene 2013 is on now at the Viaduct Events Centre, and buyers are being treated to more than 160 event suppliers who have gone all out to stand out on the exhibition floor.

Taupo rafting: Karen Rainbow and Rachel Liddicoat, Destination Great Lake Taupo (DGLT); Tammy McGregor, Fidelity Life and Vanessa Freeman, DGLT	Jessica Finley, State Insurance and Fiona Rorterson, IAG New Zealand with the Conartists and First Scene team: Peter Muller, Penny Ashton, Lori Dungey and Maria Good	Ashleigh Coldicutt, Image Centre Group chats to Keshlar Inglis, Mental Health Foundation
The Tito-ettes (presented by The Human Agency) add a glitzy touch of Motown to lunch	Robyn Henry and David Alexander, The Conference Centre	Brent Spillane and Nicky Batty, XPO Exhibitions enjoy catering by SKYCITY Catering & Events
The SKYCITY team: Anne Bickers, Jo Meredith and Maxine Wallis	Big turn out at a presentation by Josh Dry, ShowGizmo	The Millennium Hotels & Resorts ladies band in orange to let visitors know about the new chairs soon to grace Millennium Hotel Queenstown. Pictured are Helen Bambry, Pip Lloydd, Diane Kenins and Lisa Tully
Karl Lewis, Laser Combat; Carolyn Guthrie and Gerard Smith, Green Cabs and Katherine Lewis, Laser Combat	Rowan King offers smoked lamb at the joint LittleWolf (catering) and Raj Tent Club stand	Ahoy, from Dinna Sansalvador and Jessica Rice at the Corporate Explore green screen
Kerry Swan, Zest Food Tours; Sue Western, IAG New Zealand and Antoinette Page, Ponsonby Central	Afternoon tea is served... Kyle Nathaniel and Nicholas Voon, SKYCITY Catering & Events hand out ice creams on the exhibition floor	Karen Rainbow and Vanessa Freeman from Destination Great Lake Taupo with Shaun the Prawn (of Huka Prawn Park origins)
Sam Allen, The Music Agency shares his acoustic talent during afternoon tea

High value tourists and international business events delegates are targets of a $158m tourism marketing boost, Prime Minister John Key announced yesterday.

The tourism funding initiative includes $34m towards marketing New Zealand as an international business events destination, and $20m to attract high-value tourists.

Key says while visitor numbers to New Zealand have been on the rise, spend per visitor has fallen, and further focus will be on conference and convention delegates, who spend $308 per day on average, compared to $208 per the average tourist.

Around $20m over four years will go in to reaching high spending tourists who utilise luxury accommodation, private transport and high end tours and activities.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler expects the institution’s resources to increase.

‘We currently have three people within Tourism New Zealand purely dedicated to business events, I envisage that this will double or perhaps triple.’

He says New Zealand’s advantage is that it’s a country without a ‘large footprint’ in the cyclical nature of convention and incentive destinations, but the lack of new facilities is a ‘hand break’ in the situation.

Tourism New Zealand business development manager Bjoern Spreitzer says Tourism New Zealand is ‘comfortable with its current strategy’ and will continue to target incentive and association business in Pacific Rim destinations, including USA, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

A team from Conference Innovators travelled from Auckland and Christchurch to get a fix on what Dunedin has to offer groups in 2013 and beyond, joining other professional conference organisers for the civic opening of the new look Dunedin Town Hall on April 24.

They walked this way and the lived on the edge. If you’re a rock chick you need attitude – especially if you’ve somehow made it to the Scenic Hotels'  corporate box at the Forsyth Barr Stadium for the Aerosmith concert. Playing the part are Anna-Maree Burns, Conference Innovators; Bree Jones, Tourism Dunedin; Mandy Train, Conference Innovators; and Kate Rollo, Dunedin Venues.	Would I pull the wool over your eyes? Perry Reid, Natures Wonders; shares a joke with Wendy Boyce and Kelly Taylor, both Conference Innovators	At the official openng of the redeveloped Dunedin Centre – Kerry Buchan, Tourism Dunedin; Sally Boult, Events4You; Ali Copeman, akB; Bree Jones, Tourism Dunedin

Ready for lunch in the Fullwood Terrace, one of the spaces at The Dunedin Centre – Nicole Wood, Dunedin Venues; Trish Willocks, Visual Effects; Kate Rollo, Dunedin Venues; Michelle Simpson, Larnach Castle; Rachel Cook, Conference Innovators	Breakfast with the butterflies at the Otago Mueseum’s tropical forest – Jess Rlfe (centre), Otago Museum; with Anna-Maree Burns and Anna Whirter	Nicole Wood, Dunedin Venues; Tracey Thomas, Conference Innocators; Pat Johnston, Destination Conference Management Service; Sally Boult, Events4You
Sue More (centre) of Broad Bay China with Anna McWhirter (left) and Kelly Taylor, both Conference Innovators. The visitors were given $30 and 30 minutes to purchase plates, drinking utensils and a ‘personality piece’ in preparaton for dinner later in the night.	Katie Ellwood, owner - manager Ombrillos Kitchen and Bar and Tracey Thomas, Conference Innovators	Anna-Maree Burns, Rachel Cook, both Conference Innovators; Sarah McDonald, Scenic Hotels; at Camp Estate
Richard Trainor, Good Company Tours; was driver and guide for the group. With him are Mandy Train and Anna McWhirter, both Conference Innovators	Tracey Thomas, Conference Innovators; Kerry Buchan, Tourism Dunedin; Robert Couch, Michelle Simpson, both Larnach Castle after lunch and a tour of the stately home and venue	Anna-Maree Burns and Anna McWhirter, both Conference Innovators get some fresh air on an argo tour with Natures Wonders

The final day of TRENZ 2013 saw Prime Minister and Minster of Tourism, John Key present to international and domestic media on the government's direction for tourism in New Zealand.

Following his earlier announcement of a $158m addition to the government's tourism budget, Key broke down the budget focus into increased marketing efforts and building more air links to emerging inbound markets including India, Indonesia and Latin America ($44.5m); $4.5m to increase penetration to New Zealand's traditional markets of Australia, UK, USA and Japan; and $34m into marketing New Zealand to high spend travellers and business event delegates.

Key says building more infrastructure is a supporting initiative, and as well as being 'much closer to an international offering of convention centres' with proposed venues for Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, more attention is being paid to New Zealand's reputation for having some of the best cycle trails in the world, and 12 of 18 new cycle trails are now open, as part of national project, Nga Haerenga. Golf is another special interest activity the tourism industry is pushing.

New Zealand's reputation for being an adventure tourism hub was addressed, with Key emphasising improved regulations around how safety is audited in this sector.

'Adventure tourism is a big part of the offering, with tourists keen to have some sort of daredevil experience and go home with a DVD as a souvenir. One or two people have let the side down, but we are working closely with industry to ensure they understand their staff obligations with alcohol and drug policy,' he added.
In regards to tourist safety whilst on tour, he also pushed the fact that New Zealand's crime is on a 30 year low, so the risk of a tourist being harmed is low.

Auckland will again play host city to TRENZ 2014, when the tourism industry's largest trade event returns to The Cloud and Shed 10 on Queens Wharf.

Sharee Fawlk and Amber Sharplin, Heritage Hotel Management	Petrel van Bronkhorst, Kuoni Travel (Netherlands) and Judy Lourens, Amora Hotels and Resorts	Annette Morrissey, Bridge and Wickers with Jim Little, Tourism West Coast
Bettina Bottcher, Art of Travel (Germany); Judith Appleton and Deborah Price, Larnach Castle	Lea Simpanen, Helin Matkat (the only TRENZ delegate from Finland) meets with Catherine Hobbs-Turner, Mangapapa Petit Hotel and Ann Gregor, Hawke's Bay Tourism	Fleur Ashford and Kathryn Crowe, Oreti Village; Miao Peng, ANZ Holiday
Patrick Dault, Rotorua Convention Bureau and Jerry Guo, Holiday Travel Management	Richard Bungeroth, Te Waonui Forest Retreat and Michela Aldegheri, Fiji Time Viaggi	Sally Jackson and Nicola Pentelow, Art Deco Trust
	Left: Keshleen Barnett and Gordon Hewston, Waitomo Glowworm Cave meets with Maree Carrore, Stella Travel Services USA Right: James Fitzgerald and Brooke Healey, Rotorua Canopy Tours

Jacqui Timmins is the new director for the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne and the China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM). She takes the reins from former Director of AIME, Sally de Swart, who has managed the event since 2011.

Timmins brings with her over 25 years travel industry experience and has previously held the position of General Manager for Travelscene American Express, as well as senior management positions at Stella Travel Services and Qantas Airways.

She has managed events including Travelscene American Express onshore and offshore conferences, Qantas Platinum Club and Qantas Holidays Achievers events and has sat on the boards of the Australia Federation of Travel Agents and Travelscene American Express.

The Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA) has expressed its disappointment that the Victorian Government has not committed to expanding the Melbourne’s exhibition facilities in the 2013 State budget handed down yesterday. The association has been campaigning for the government to allocate the funds for the expansion that was part of the vision for the site.

EEAA general manager, Joyce DiMascio said that when the new Melbourne Convention Centre opened in 2009, the industry believed the next stage of the expansion would be built within a few years. However, competition for funding of other capital works and social infrastructure continues to put this crucial project back. 'While the Victorian Government has a history of support for the events sector, it risks compromising the growth of the Victorian industry and its flow-on economic benefits to the state,' she says.

'Many events organised by EEAA members are venue-bound. The size and availability of space has reached capacity and Melbourne risks turning away new business and larger exhibitions.' The latest EEAA Market Monitor released last month shows that Melbourne has attracted over 50% of the new shows planned for 2013. 'This healthy market will be compromised if events cannot continue to grow and if infrastructure is not updated with state of the art services.'

EEAA President, Matt Pearce who heads Diversified Exhibitions, one of the biggest exhibition organisers in Australia, says it is becoming increasingly difficult to squeeze into an under-sized venue.

'Melbourne leap-frogged the rest of the country in 2009 with the opening of the six-star green rated Melbourne Convention Centre. It’s now disappointing that this momentum is not being maintained as events have a clear and direct impact on trade and the economic life of Melbourne and Victoria,' he says. 'The site has been procured, the slab is down now we need the ten to fifteen thousand square metres of exhibition structure to be built so that the project is completed as per the vision for the Melbourne. We know the Victorian Government has a strong appetite for this infrastructure – our message is that it should continue to provide the necessary space for business to flourish. Victoria has positioned itself as a city that does business through events. In order for the MCEC to remain competitive it must expand to meet the growing demands of the exhibition industry so we urge the Government to keep the exhibition expansion on its immediate agenda.'

SKYCITY Entertainment Group has signed a Heads of Agreement with the New Zealand Government to design, build and operate the New Zealand International Convention Centre. SKYCITY commits $315 million to build and fit-out the NZICC, in addition to contributing the 14,000 square metres Auckland CBD site, bounded by Nelson, Hobson and Wellesley streets, valued at $87 million.
The development includes public convention and exhibition space capable of accommodating 3500 convention delegates at one time, at least 780 carpark spaces and a link-way bridge over Hobson Street. The centre is expected to open mid to late 2017.

Sustainability, the ability to hold two or more conferences concurrently, and supporting infrastructure are the three essential considerations when building a convention centre, according to Jeff Miller, CEO of United States marketing bureau Travel Portland. Miller was in Christchurch last week where he looked at the city's quake damage and the site of the convention centre rebuild. Pictured with Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau manager Caroline Blanchfield, Miller also mingled with CCCB members at a networking function at Continental Catering's new venue, Newbery Lodge.

'Sustainability is still driving a ton of business for us,' said Miller when asked by Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism board member, Scott Wallace, for his opinion on the 'must haves' for a convention centre. Miller led the agency that planned, developed and built the Oregon State convention centre and oversaw the marketing of Portland as a ‘new’ meeting venue against much larger and more established destinations including San Francisco, LA and Vancouver.

As well as the ability to host two or more conference concurrently, Miller says the infrastructure around a convention centre is a must. 'We host 50 city wide conventions per year but we lose business because we don’t have hotels close by,' he says.

Miller helped develop Oregon Convention Centre’s recognised international leadership on sustainability and green meetings. Recent successes for Portland include the re-booking of the Ecological Society Conference for 2017 (7000 attendees expected) and the American Foresters Association with 5000 room nights in 2021. Being home to Nike, Icebreaker’s US headquarters and adidas US, Portland also attracts sports and sports medicine conferences.

Portland, Oregon is a city of similar size to Auckland, with strong similarities to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in city structure, visitor markets and visitor offerings. Miller has been instrumental in Portland’s innovative use of new media including being amongst the first destinations in the world to use Twitter as a visitor centre service platform (the ‘Twisitor Centre’). 'The sharing of ideas in the digital space is exciting,' he says. 'We have a ton of video – eat/show/adventure - on our Youtube channel.'

Miller was a guest of the New Zealand Government where he spoke at the Regional Tourism Organisation NZ Conference in Wanaka, and met with tourism officials in Wellington. For the Christchurch Press article on Miller's visit to Christchurch, September's upcoming Convene South expo and the city's plans to generate conference business, click here.

At the CCCB networking function at Newbery House are from left, Scott Wallace, Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism; Caroline Blanchfield, Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau and Brad Watts, Rendezvous Christchurch	Blair McIntrye, Christchurch Casino; Allyssa Eastaugh, ProMag Pubiishing & Convene South and Charlotte Bendall, Christchurch Casino	Julia Neilson, Continental; Daniel Dunne, The George
Robin and Sue Clements, Clearview Lodge and Nikki Rogers, Service IQ	Joy Melhopt, Conference Innovators; Jude Hart and Jenny Anderson, Mud House Winery & Cafe	Nigel Birt, Experience Mid Canterbury Tourism; Dave Clearwater, Air Force Museum and Dani Berry, Beck and Caul

The first signs of winter snow have appeared in Queenstown as a group of 20 professional conference organisers (PCOs) begin a four day familiarisation of the four season alpine resort. The group, made up of event planners from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, arrived to a lunch at Moonlight Country (with catering by Flying Trestles) before team rivalry kicked in during a session of clay target shooting with Break One Clay Target Sports. A scenic helicopter flight with Southern Lakes Helicopters showed off Queenstown in its winter wonderland glory.

The first evening's function, hosted by Real Journeys, began with a viewing of Queenstown's iconic TSS Earnslaw, which is out of service for five weeks for surveying. The group instead journeyed aboard the Fiordlander to a progressive dinner at high country farm, Walter Peak. The evening began with country style line dancing in the holding pens, then an informative presentation by Real Journeys' Rachel Brian about the historic company's rise to become one of New Zealand largest sightseeing operations. Main course was served in Colonel's Homestead, complete with bag pipes by Keith Cameron, and his ode to serving traditional haggis, plus local (and self-proclaimed retired) highland dancer, Carolyn Crum. Bingo and a Great Gatbsy inspired casino evening completed the desert sitting of the evening.

Snow begins to settle in Queenstown	Mel Gimblett of Soiree is first up and shoots three out of four clay targets	Isaac Banks, Extra Mile Company follows suit
in the chopper: Sally Boult, Events4U; Daz Martin, Verve; Janet Matheson, Conferences and Events; Isaac Banks, Extra Mile Company	Janet Matheson, Conferences and Events; Isaac Banks, Extra Mile Company	The Kawarau Bungy Centre from the air
Lunch at Moonlight Country...	...followed by a hula hoop contest to work off the merino lamb and pomegranate parfait	Millie and Janet Matheson, Conferences and Events, get into the swing of things
'Howdy' - Jamie Abel of Walter Peak welcomes Mel Gilblett, Soiree and Louise Jennis, Destination Queenstown as they arrive for a progressive dinner	Tracey McLaren, Destination Queenstown; Rachel Brian, Real Journeys; Janet Matheson, Conferences and Events; Dave Treeby, Eventuate try some 'Walter Peak Moonshine' (apple juice and honey vodka)	Audrey Honiball, ID New Zealand (front); Varna Naidoo, Boehringer Ingelheim and Ruby Emerson, ID New Zealand
Stage one of the progessive dinner and activity evening involved line dancing...	...during which Daz Martin of Verve won a spot prize. He is pictured with Milynne Garcia, Orbit Corporate Travel	Scottish themed dinner in Colonels Homestead - theming by Red Events, local Queenstown event theming company
The piper arrives...	Local piper Keith Cameron says grace, with Dress to the Haggis, by Robbie Burns	Carolyn Crum performs a 'highland fling'
Isaac Banks; Extra Mile Company; Carolyn Crum; Keith Cameron with Mel Gimblett, Soiree	Stage three: dessert and bingo. Jim Watt, New Zealand Conference Connexions and Jamie Abel, Walter Peak	A surprise cake for birthday girl Milynne Garcia, Orbit Corporate Travel

The annual two-day showcase of New Zealand’s business events industry has drawn a record number of 180 exhibitors promoting their products and services during MEETINGS 2013, at Auckland SKYCITY Convention Centre on June 26 and 27.

Now in its 17th year, 350 local day buyers are expected and 190 hosted buyers will be attending MEETINGS. The professional business event organisers and decision makers representing influential companies and associations from Australia, China, Malaysia, Singapore, India and New Zealand, are being brought to the country with the support of Air New Zealand.

A group of Australian and US media representatives are also attending MEETINGS, as well as key New Zealand media.

The Chinese and South-East Asian buyers and United States media are attending MEETINGS with the assistance of Tourism New Zealand. During MEETINGS they will get to sample New Zealand’s world-class hospitality first-hand and will be introduced to the diversity of New Zealand’s offerings through a series of briefings by the country’s regional convention bureaux.

'If we want to compete on the international stage we have to show these buyers that not only do we have stand-out destinations but that we also offer great value for money. MEETINGS give us an opportunity to do just that,' says CINZ chief executive Alan Trotter.

'We’re looking forward to a very successful two days and are confident of securing some valuable new business for New Zealand. With the prospect of three new convention centres - in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown – over the next few years we’re moving to the next level to promote New Zealand as the dream destination for conferences, conventions and incentive travel,' Trotter says.

'And with new government funding for Tourism New Zealand recently announced, the coming year will see greater focus on the international business events sector as a means of attracting higher-value visitors to this country.'

Last year MEETINGS generated in excess of $32 million worth of business. An independent survey conducted by the Reserve Group after the event showed three-quarters of exhibitors left MEETINGS with new business leads and more than two-thirds of hosted buyers walked away with the intention of booking with exhibitors they had met. Some 97% of hosted buyers said that MEETINGS had met or exceeded their expectations.

MEETINGS event manager Jeanette Stanton says about 600 people are expected at both the welcome function at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)) Aviation Hall and the farewell dinner at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront.

'These functions are an important part of MEETINGS because they not only give people a chance to network informally, but they also allow us to showcase some of our unique venues, catering and suppliers of entertainment, audio-visual and event design and theming,' says Stanton. “They are a very popular part of our programme.'

SKYCITY Convention Centre will be operating at full capacity during MEETINGS

A $1million partnership between ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) and Flight Centre Australia is expected to help drive more Australians to Auckland.

Seventeen million dollars is expected to be pumped into the Auckland economy this year as a result of the agreement signed today by ATEED chief executive Brett O’Riley. It will build on the success of a year-long pilot programme between ATEED and Flight Centre Australia.

O’Riley says the existing programme has been successful in paving the way for this partnership with Flight Centre Australia.

'Our aim is to significantly increase the number of Australian visitors to Auckland, as it’s our largest tourism market. This year’s project is nearly complete and we’re confident we’ll surpass our target of generating 20,000 extra arrivals into Auckland through Flight Centre’s channels and stimulating more than $17 million of foreign exchange for the Auckland visitor economy,' he says.

The programme involves promoting Auckland to Australians in a new way that highlights the diversity of what’s on offer and presents the city as a destination in its own right.

'We worked with Flight Centre to create a range of holiday packages involving experiences from across the Auckland region that appeal to different groups of visitors – and people have responded well to that,' says O’Riley.

ATEED – on behalf of Auckland Council – aims to double the contribution from the visitor economy over the next 10 years, growing it from $3.33 billion in 2010 to $6 billion in 2021.

Flight Centre Australia is Australasia’s largest travel company with over 700 stores and more than 3000 travel agents.

Flight Centre Executive Global Marketing Manager Colin Bowman, with Mayor of Auckland Len Brown and Chief Executive, ATEED, Brett O Riley

Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) valued at more than NZ$20 million, in a one year international marketing partnership.

The investment represents an increase in planned joint marketing spend of around 80 per cent compared with the previous financial year.

Under the MoU, Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand will each invest more than $10 million over the next 12 months in co-operative marketing activity in the key markets of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, North America, the United Kingdom and Europe as well as increased activity in emerging markets such as India and Indonesia.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon says the MoU signals a significant 'step-change' in the level of joint marketing activity with with Tourism New Zealand, its largest marketing partner.

'As the national airline of New Zealand, growth in inbound tourism to New Zealand is a critical factor in our success. We fly more international visitors to New Zealand than any other airline and it is vital that we work together with tourism partners such as Tourism New Zealand in order to convert the opportunities out there,' says Luxon.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler says partnership activity remains a key priority for the organisation in its new three-year marketing strategy.

'This MoU follows the Government’s announcement of a $158 million boost in tourism funding over the next four years enabling us to enhance and expand our marketing efforts,' says Bowler.

'This additional marketing investment will build on the strong visitor arrival growth achieved over the first four months of 2013.'

Recent collaboration between ANZ and TNZ includes high profile leverage activity to market New Zealand in association with The Hobbit trilogy; joint advertising campaigns in Australia, Japan, China, North America and Europe, hosting over 180 international media to New Zealand and activity to educate the trade on New Zealand including a recent familiarisation for 140 travel agents from North America, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Air New Zealand's new livery

In the coming year, Air New Zealand will also introduce its new aircraft livery which features the iconic New Zealand Fern Mark. The livery design process involved extensive consumer testing and a clear preference was established for the New Zealand Way Fern Mark to be incorporated into the design. The new livery will be progressively rolled out across the Air New Zealand fleet from later this year. The majority of the airline’s fleet will eventually feature the white version of the new livery and a limited number will feature the distinctive black version of the new design.

The second edition of the IBTM Global Meetings Industry Research for the Americas was launched at this year's AIBTM
which took place in Chicago's McCormick Place on June 11.

Key findings from the research highlighted that the average number of events organised by buyer/planner respondents increased to 25, compared to 20 last year. In addition to this, 44% of American buyers confirmed that they expect their volume of events to increase in the next 12 months and over 50% predict an increase in their attendance.

The research report, which was conducted by Reed Travel Exhibitions IBTM Event Portfolio and PCMA, in association with The Right Solution, also identified that meeting budgets for the next twelve months were expected to increase on average by 5.2% compared to a 3.7% increase over the past twelve months which is a positive indicator for the industry going forward.

A further positive indicator identified in the research was identified in the broad range of events types organised by buyers in the Americas. The results also identified a 2% increase in Incentive Travel events (rising to 40%, compared to 44% in 2012) and a 6% increase in Exhibition events (rising to 50%, compared to 44% last year).

The research also confirmed that although the Americas would remain the key destination for U.S. meeting planners over the next 12 months, 50% of Buyer respondents who attended AIBTM, confirmed a direct interest in placing business in Europe and 40% confirmed an interest in Asia. UK, France and Germany were also identified as attracting significant numbers of events last year.

63% of respondents also predicted the use of new destinations for their events in the next 12 months with Anguilla, British Virgin Islands and Antigua & Barbuda receiving the highest satisfaction ratings in terms of value delivered for money. Florida, California and New York were also identified as top states for volume of events.

The expected rise in the use of technology also features significantly in the research with 76% of planners predicting an increase in the use of new technology to shape event content and 73% confirming that they use social media to communicate with attendees before and during events. 47% of respondents also confirmed that they use smart phone Apps to provide event delegates with information.

Click here to view the full report.

Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) has plans to increase the number of dedicated business events personnel from three staff members to up to 15 staff over the coming year, the organisation revealed at a press conference at MEETINGS 2013 today.

The boost in people resources follows TNZ's announcement in April of an extra $34 million over the next four years for international marketing of New Zealand as a compelling business events destination.

'We're in full swing in recruiting and expect between 10-15 people in total, with more dedicated in-market, on-the-ground representation,' says Justin Watson, acting chief executive, Tourism New Zealand.

'We've already had two significant appointments, with Bjoern Spreitzer leading the overall business events team having recently been promoted to international business events manager, and Anna Fennessy, who this week came on board as product development manager.'

Watson says TNZ expects to recruit one representative in North America and Singapore, two in China, two further reps in Australia and potentially a new role assisting Leonie Ashford with bid assistance and research. Other focus markets include Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, potential opportunities in Japan, and global association and society markets.

Although TNZ is currently bidding for between 15 and 20 international business events, lost bids are still a significant issue. The organisation hopes the increased in-market representation, collectively work with industry partners such as Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ), and an additional 'layer' to the current 100% Pure Campaign that will highlight New Zealand's knowledge economy, will result in more successful bids.

Tourism New Zealand has been invited to rebid for eight lost bids, which New Zealand lost out on largely due to the rotational nature of the events, according to Bjoern Spreitzer.

Justin Watson, acting chief executive Tourism New Zealand and Alan Trotter, chief executive Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ)	Anna Fennessy this week began her role as product development manager with Tourism New Zealand, having previously been marketing manager business events

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the New Zealand Association of Events Professionals (NZAEP) are offering professional development bursaries for ten attendees of the annual Eventing the Future 2013 conference (ETF13), to be held in Auckland from August 14-15.

The inaugural bursaries (covering registration and valued at up to $1000 each) are aimed at event career-focused individuals who want to make a difference within the industry, and who can demonstrate how the conference will assist their professional development.

To apply for the Professional Development Bursary, email your professional profile or CV and answers to the following questions to info@nzaep.co.nz before July 17.

1.    How will attending the ETF13 be beneficial for your professional development needs and career goals? You may wish to reference specific components of the programme in your answer.

2.    Where do you think the New Zealand events industry is heading in the next 5-10 years? What do you think the industry needs to support its growth?

3.       Tell us about yourself and why you should be awarded this opportunity.

More information about ETF is available here.

SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited (SKYCITY) has signed the full Project and Licensing Agreement with the New Zealand Government to design, build, own and operate the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).

Based on current anticipated timelines and subject to the passing of enabling legislation and an approximate three‐year construction period, the target date for completion of the NZICC is September 30, 2017.

The facility will include at least 8,600m2 of exhibition space, a dedicated plenary facility to host up to 3,500 delegates and 3,500m2 of dedicated meeting/breakout spaces.

Click here for the full media release.

By Kathy Ombler

Shaken not stirred is the mantra about Wellington after the 6.5 magnitude earthquake on Sunday evening, and following a day of engineering checks throughout the city on Monday.

Positively Wellington Venues chief executive, Glenys Coughlan is pleased to report that Shed 6, the new waterfront facility due to open on August 21, suffered no damage. ‘Indeed, the project manager advised us that the old wharf moved just 15mm, meaning that the new piling and seismic strengthening worked as it should.’

Business as usual in Wellington's city centre

Coughlan reports that both the Wellington Town Hall and Michael Fowler Centre were closed for a day while engineers checked the buildings. (The Town Hall is due to close in August for major earthquake strengthening.) Engineers will also do a ‘sweep’ of the TSB Bank Arena before it is opened to the public; the New Zealand Art Show is due to open there on July 26. The St James Theatre and Opera House appear to have held up well, says Coughlan.
‘We are in quite a busy period at the moment so we are fortunate that the quakes have occurred when we are turning the venues around and not mid-event. PWV will be updating hirers of any changes to the status of its venues or upcoming events.’

For hotels it’s very much business as usual, says Rachael Shadbolt, TIA sector manager hotels, following a roundup of all hotels in the CBD. ‘There is some cosmetic damage, as in chipped plaster, and one property was closed temporarily, like many other buildings in the CBD, for a precautionary structural engineer’s check.’ Both cancellations and late bookings on Monday were attributed more to Auckland Airport’s closure because of fog, rather than earthquake issues, she adds.

Wellington Airport closed briefly on Sunday evening for an engineering check.

Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT) chief executive David Perks says Mercure Wellington Willis Street guests were evacuated on Sunday night but the hotel was operational by Monday morning.

Wellington City Council had requested people to limit travel to the CBD on Monday, this was purely to enable building inspectors and property owners to carry out the appropriate safety checks on infrastructure, he adds.

‘What locals and visitors can and should take heart in is that the city's officials and businesses have carried out an exemplary response, taking prompt action to evacuate people and halt services where necessary as a precaution, keeping us regularly informed on progress and developments, and quickly restoring access and services as appropriate.’