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Business on the GC

July 3, 2014, 7:26 pm
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The inaugural This is Gold Coast Business Exchange kicked off last night with a welcome function at the QT Hotel, Gold Coast.

With the aim of showcasing the Gold Coast as a world-class meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition destination, 48 buyers from across Australia, New Zealand, China and Singapore will meet with 36 GC exhibitors, including accommodation, theming companies, off-site venues and entertainment providers. The B2B includes a one-day pre-scheduled appointment stream, followed by a gala dinner at SkyPoint Observation Deck, and site inspections and activities planned for the weekend.

See what else took place over the weekend

Lisa Moyle, Ernst & Young; Elizabeth Mulquiney, Gold Coast Business Events and Janette Lewis, Fletcher Aluminum and during a site inspection at Q1 Resort & Spa Peter Dunn, Gold Coast Business Events and Janette Lewis, Fletcher Aluminum Norma Swain, Gold Coast Business Events; Keith Wood, NZ Engine Reconditioners Assoc and Chris Lynch, Alton Cucina & Bar
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Free seminar for association executives

July 6, 2014, 1:14 pm
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Association executives will have even more reason to attend Convene South in Christchurch this year. Being held at the Wigram Air Force Museum on September 2, Convene South 2014 will include a seminar by Brett Jeffery, general manager New Zealand with the Australasian Society of Association Executives.

Jeffery will address the topic: ‘Associations – staying relevant and growing your membership base.’ The seminar will be from 11.30am to 12 noon and will be free to attend for all Convene South delegates. Local association executives / meeting planners can register here.

Convene South still has a limited number of hosted buyer positions available for association executives and meeting planners from Wellington or Auckland. Apply here.

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Bagels, banter and bright ideas

July 16, 2014, 3:45 pm
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Show Me Wellington has added a new dimension with its first Talk About Cool seminar series.

Morning Muse will host a panel of top industry leaders including Natasha Lampard, the curator of one of Wellington’s most successful international web design and development conferences, Webstock, sharing their ‘secrets on how to add that ten per cent of magic to deliver unforgettable business events’.

The noon Capital Jam session plays on the team building side of things, and will see the team from the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra take 30 minutes to teach buyers to play a song.

Arti Govind, PR & marketing coordinator, Positively Wellington Venues, says the series promises to stimulate new thinking and inspire fresh ideas, insight and advice.

Morning Muse and Capital Jam are filling up fast, and conference and event organisers are encouraged to get in quick as spaces are limited. Click here to register.
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Mantra launches new booking engine

July 21, 2014, 8:47 pm
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Mantra Group has officially launched its first real-time booking engine for the business events industry.

In partnership with iVvy, one of Australia’s leading events software companies, the product will offer integrated customer experiences, real-time efficiencies, better accessibility and more dynamic solutions to its conferencing and meetings customers.

Two years in the making, the new platform will be rolled out across 94 Peppers and Mantra conferencing properties in New Zealand and Australia.

The launch in July 2014 will initially provide online request for proposal capabilities, and then move to live real time bookings towards the end of the year.

Once live, customers will have the ability to manage every aspect of their conferencing requirements in real time including securing accommodation block bookings, submission of banquet event orders, making menu choices, managing function diaries and registrations, marketing support and supplier procurement.

Lauren Hall, CEO, iVvy and Kent Davidson, executive director sales, marketing & distribution, Mantra Group
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Hobbit fans to Middle-earth

July 27, 2014, 1:39 pm
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An army of Hobbit fans will converge on Middle-earth for a private screening of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies with Sir Peter Jackson himself before the film’s release on December 17, 2014.

The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest will see Air New Zealand, the official airline of Middle-earth, fly 150 fans (75 winners plus one guest each) to New Zealand for a week to attend the screening and tour some of The Hobbit Trilogy’s filming locations including Hobbiton.

Air New Zealand chief executive officer Christopher Luxon says partnering with New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures along with Tourism New Zealand on the global competition is a huge opportunity to promote Middle-earth as a destination to an unprecedented audience.

'This global competition is an exciting prize for any Hobbit fan as well as a significant platform to be able to show travellers that visiting Middle-earth can be an easy reality.'

Entries for The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest open on August 25.  For further details visit TheHobbitFanContest.com.

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Welcome to Convene Q

July 28, 2014, 3:28 pm
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Convene Queensland officially opened last night with a welcome function at Moda Events Portside.

Over 100 exhibitors and local buyers showed up to the Brisbane riverside venue, and were greeted with raspberry champagne and a marshmallow roasting station.

The inaugural trade show kicks off today at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, and will see over 180 buyers find out what business event and incentive products the region has to offer.

Nick Maynard, Maui Jim Sunglasses; Karen Maher, Daydream Island Resort & Spa; Dean Walsh, One&Only Hayman Island Sophie Howlie, Oaks Hotels & Resorts; Krystyna Monks, Iceberg Events; Mandie Quince, Medical Research Institute Alans Emblen, Hurricane Event Group; Crystal Presotto, Optometrists Association Australia QLD/NT
Christine Potter, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa; Susan Brandie, Simply Great Ideas; Ryan Whitwell-Dwyer, The Brisbane Marriot Lauran Hofman, Business Events Sunshine Coast; Jo Robinson and Michelle Cullen, CIM News Magazine Wendy Hanson and Trina Thompson, Hotel Urban Brisbane
Marie Ortquist, Great Expectation Speakers & Trainers with Emma Gardiner and Katherine Ross, A LIST guide and Spice Anna Stewart, Queensland Conventions & Incentives; Steve Shave, Watermark Hotel Group Sophie Howlie, Oaks Hotels & Resorts; Ally Eastaugh, ProMag Publishing; Tiffany Beal, Business Events Sunshine Coast
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Millennium PCOs head north

July 30, 2014, 2:07 pm
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The annual Millennium Hotels and resorts PCO retreat is currently underway in Northland. Staying at the Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands, the group are in for a weekend of 'royal' treats, with the event aptly named 'What the King dreams, the hand builds', from the tv series Game of Thrones.

The PCOs will be wined and dined like kings and queens, with waiting staff on hand to look after their every whim.

These guys got the memo about leopard prints, right down to the shoes. Geraldine Hutchison, Air NZ; Alison Smith, MCK; Glenda and Julian Harding, Harding Consultants have just landed at Keri Keri airport for the annual Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate PCO retreat.

The only one not camera shy was Julian Harding, Harding Consultants. He braved it to be photographed with the warriors

Then the rest joined in. Steve and Ange Rawlinson, Attend Limited; Tracey Thomas, Conference Innovators; and Glenda Harding, Harding Consultants

A traditional Maori welcome was a treat for the PCOs as the landed at Keri Keri. The performers are part of the cultural group from the Treaty Grounds at Waitangii
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Auckland Museum WOWs event organisers

July 31, 2014, 3:45 pm
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Auckland War Memorial Museum hosted a PCO networking event last night in its newest event space within the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Lounge.

Organisers took the opportunity to announce the next exhibition coming to the space, the World of WearableArt (WOW), which will have its international debut at the Museum on November 22.

The three stage exhibition will involve the garments, a focus on the show itself, as well as an interactive experience for guests.

Jessica Finlay of State Insurance won the business card draw for a nights' accommodation at the SKYCITY Grand Hotel.

Lee Watkins, Auckland Convention Bureau; Adam Taylor, Auckland War Memorial Museum; Anna Hayward, Auckland Convention Bureau Anna Hayward, Auckland Convention Bureau; Bev Rolfe, SKY Television; Sophia Cohen, Coco Lily Events Adam Taylor, Auckland War Memorial Museum; EJ Westein and Britta Van Uden, Event Dynamics
Niki Thompson, Orcon; Vanessa White, Orcon; Mary-Therese Kinsella, Canteen; Sarah Lee, Canteen Willard Martin and Gabrielle Gimblett, Soiree Events; Fiona Willison, Drake NZ Julia Sandiforth, Exhibition Hire Services; Adam Taylor, Auckland War Memorial Museum; Shelley Cunningham, CD Event Management
Kim Martin and Sophie Nieuwenhuijsen, cievents Jessica Finlay, State Insurance; Shelley Tomkins, Auckland War Memorial Museum Adam Taylor, Auckland War Memorial Museum; Sue Sullivan, CINZ
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Seminar on winning business

August 4, 2014, 3:17 pm
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An educational seminar on how to win conference and incentive business will headline the discussion sessions at Convene South on September 2.

The exhibition, being held at the Air Force Museum at Wigram, is free to attend any time between 9am and 5pm. Christchurch and Canterbury based meeting and function planners can pre-register here.

The latest seminar to be added to the programme will be jointly conducted by Leonie Ashford of Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) and Caroline Blanchfield of Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB). It will address how association executives and others can approach either organisation for assistance, and what TNZ and CCCB can do for event planners and organisers.

The seminar, scheduled for 2.45pm, will focus on both domestic and international conferences.

Convene South manager Ally Eastaugh says the successful formula applied to Convene South is that it presents some 90 exhibitors, three educational seminars, a number of networking sessions, and opportunities to win prizes and giveaways under one roof and in one day.

‘Busy event organisers who are time poor can avoid having to resort to search engines, phone calls and individual visits to organise their next meeting or function. At Convene South it is all there and the communication is face to face – still the most effective way to do business.’

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Benefitting Wellington business

August 17, 2014, 3:57 pm
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A proposed convention centre for Wellington will boost business for hotels and many other businesses says Chris Roberts, chief executive, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA).

‘Wellington hotel convention and incentive business has remained static over the last six years,’ Roberts says.

‘A convention centre of the size proposed for Wellington will appeal to the extensive Australia/New Zealand market for conferences of 600-800 delegates.’

Roberts also says there are a large number of association conferences where the compact nature of Wellington and the ease of getting about the city and its attractions will appeal.

‘Without investment in the convention centre, Wellington runs a significant risk of falling off the convention and events radar.’

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All eyes on Auckland

August 17, 2014, 8:07 pm
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Auckland has won the rights to host the Retina International World Congress in February 2018.

Auckland Convention Bureau manager Anna Hayward says the 500-strong conference will make an estimated contribution to Auckland’s regional GDP of more than $900,000.

Hayward says Auckland is well positioned to secure a larger piece of the competitive global conference market following the recent launch of the Auckland Business Events Plan.

The plan’s target is to grow the value of the sector from $236 million in 2013 to $430 million annually by 2023.

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Changes at CINZ

August 27, 2014, 7:26 pm
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Jeanette Stanton, event manager and Gail Hendricks, exhibition manager have independently made the decision to depart from their respective roles with Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ). Hendricks' contract has concluded post MEETINGS 2014 and Stanton will depart in mid-November 2014.
Sue Sullivan, CINZ chief executive officer, says she has met separately with both.

'They have each decided it is time for them to consider their career goals going forward. Jeanette and Gail have expressed that after many years of working on the MEETINGS Exhibition and delivering events for CINZ, they have reached a point where they feel they have achieved their goal in delivering a fantastic show to their very best ability,' Sullivan said in a newsletter to members.

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Convene South hits it off

September 3, 2014, 3:09 pm
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Convene South 2014 kicked off on Monday night with a welcome gig at Christchurch’s newest function venue, ilex, located in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

The cocktail function featured roving flower girls from Epic Entertainment, and was the first of many networking opportunities over the course of the next couple of days.

Around 40 hosted buyers from Auckland and Wellington spent the weekend on a tour of three different South Island event and incentive destinations including Kaikoura/Hurunui, Aoraki Mount Cook Mackenzie, and mid-Canterbury.

Convene South is the South Island’s only event connecting key industry suppliers with event organisers under one roof in one day.

Check out our Facebook page for more snaps from Rapley Photography.

Melinee Kong, Southern Discoveries; Regan Pearce, AJ Hackett Bungy NZ; Ginny Goding, KJet Jo Brown, Skyline Queenstown; Kylie Walker, Crowne Plaza Queenstown; Amy Vogel, Crowne Plaza Auckland Brett Jeffery, AuSAE; Jean Hendry, Tourism New Zealand; Matt Reilly, Exhibition Hire & Displayworks
Kerry Galbraith, In2Food Catering; Tammy Paterson, Queenstown Convention Bureau; Kylie Elliott, The Winehouse; Josie Debenham, Real Journeys Brett Jeffery, AuSAE; Shane Adcock, Hurunui Tourism; Glenn Ormsby, Destination Kaikoura Leighton Cameron, SKAL International; Alison Smith, Millennium Hotels and Resorts; Peter Morrison, The Classic Villa
Trish Ingram, Scenic Hotel Group; Andrew Dufty, WAT Events Ltd; Jono Park, Type 40 Events; Jessica Carlson, Novotel & ibis Christchurch; Adam Leslie, Graffiti Events John Ellis, Pavlovich Coachlines enjoying Epic Entertainment's fantastic wine theming Nicole Carvell, Dunedin Venues; Mia McGregor, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside; Michelle Dent, Mercure Queenstown Resort; Stewart Milne, Novotel & Ibis Christchurch
Nastassia Dykman, ProMag Publishing, working the registration desk at the show Donna Stewart, Heritage Queenstown; Duncan Mackenzie, Heritage Hanmer Springs Tom Coleman, Lumi
Scenic Hotel Group Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand; Allyssa Eastaugh, ProMag Publishing Caroline Blanchfield, Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau; Brett Jeffery, Australasian Society of Association Executives; Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand
Montheith's Brewing Company took away Best Stand for 2014 George Williams, Hinton's - Vineyard & Function Venue; Nastassia Dykman, ProMag Publishing; Tom Coleman, Lumi; Claire Webber, Event Solutions; Heather Lowrie, Meeting Newz Magazine Exhibitor thank you drinks at the Air Force Museum, Wigram
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Trust opens event venue

September 4, 2014, 9:00 pm
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The Auckland Deaf Society Foundation Trust (ADSFT) officially opened its Mt Eden doors to the conference and events market last night.

Potters Park Events Centre, located on the first floor of ADSFT’s premises on Balmoral Road, has been fully renovated into a professional business event venue space.

It includes a large celebration hall holding 100 to 150 people and two meeting rooms, which can cater for 30 and 50 people respectively.

Catherine Murray, managing director of Potters Park Event Centre, says all profits from the centre will go back into the Auckland deaf community.

‘The Auckland Deaf Society Foundation Trust realised that it could help raise more funds for the members it serves by better utilising its premises.’

Owen Gibson, 85-year-old life member who cut the ribbon to open the facility in 1958, was back to cut the ribbon again opening the facility up to the public with Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

John Schischka, President ADS Board with Len Brown, Auckland Mayor

Owen Gibson, Auckland Deaf Society life member cutting the ribbon with mayor Len Brown

 Lee Elgar, dedicated event manager at Potters Park Event Centre with Catherine Murray, director Potters Park Event Centre
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‘Cautionary note’ from Greens

September 8, 2014, 2:45 pm
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By Kathy Ombler

The proposed new Christchurch Convention Centre will be good for the city and its design is outstanding, however proponents need to do more work to get the backing of residents still facing basic issues, such as housing.

That was the advice from Green Party Tourism spokesperson, David Clendon, speaking during a political forum at the Tourism Export Council conference, in Hamilton recently.Clendon was acknowledging the need for improved infrastructure, one of the issues raised in TIA’s Tourism 2014 Election Manifesto, when he voiced his ‘cautionary note’ about the proposed convention centre. ‘The architect’s drawing is quite outstanding, it’s really quite a statement, but having been in Christchurch a couple of times recently I think the industry and the promoters of that project still have a bit a bit of work to do to convince people that it is actually a priority. There is a definite push back against some of these cornerstone developments when people’s houses are still broken.
Green Party Tourism spokesperson, David Clendon, speaking during a political forum at the Tourism Export Council

‘We are supportive of the idea of creating new conference centres around the country. We know there are a number in the pipeline and that’s a good thing because that is a good market for us, but I do think in this particular instance there is maybe a little more work to be done to bring more people on board.’

Following a question from the floor, Clendon said it was a matter of timing. ‘I think the Christchurch Convention Centre idea is a good one, there just needs to be more work done to assure people (who currently have) critical needs for housing.’

Speaking after the forum, Clendon said the Greens’ attitude towards convention centres was often misrepresented because of the party’s opposition to the New Zealand International Convention Centre development at SKYCITY.  ‘This was about the government’s deal with SKYCITY. We support the development of conference centres; they are good for the tourism industry and for the New Zealand economy.’

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AuSAE networks up Wellington

September 9, 2014, 2:51 pm
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The Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) hosted a networking lunch for New Zealand members at Shed 6 in Wellington yesterday.

Julie Hood, CEO, New Zealand Veterinary Association spoke about membership and 'coming up with an ambitious strategy for the coolest little association in the world'.

'Associations also need to associate, just as our members need to associate,' says Hood.

The networking lunch recorded the highest level of attendance for an event in New Zealand, with 80 registered participants.

 

Matt Reilly, Exhibition Hire & Displayworks; Warren Harvey, Events and Venues Rotorua; Julie Hood, New Zealand Veterinary Association; Jessica Vandy, SKYCITY Jean Hendry, Tourism New Zealand; Joanna Matthew, Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa

Marilyn Moffett, New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors; Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand
Peter Scott, New Zealand Red Cross; Lewis Rowland, Institute of Public Administration New Zealand

Christine Clapcott, Human Resources Institute of New Zealand; Raewyn Tse, Positively Wellington Venues

Daphne Atkinson, New Zealand Veterinary Association; Callista Knock, Building Office Institute of New Zealand
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Peppers Hotel Canberra launch

September 22, 2014, 2:12 pm
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Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra launched last week with a cocktail event complete with entertainment from a Canberra Symphony Orchestra quartet.

The first capital city hotel for the Peppers brand, and the 30th hotel in the brand’s 30 year anniversary of operation, Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra is an 80 room boutique property with the renowned onsite Bicicletta Italian restaurant which catered the evening event.

The Smith Murdoch Room, named after the hotel's architect; and the Ngunnawal Room, acknowledging the Indigenous people of the area, each offer a boardroom style capacity of 14 people or cocktail style for 36 people and include wifi internet access. Larger scale functions for up to 100 people can be held in Bicicletta Restaurant or for up to 50 people in both the Library Bar or the outdoor Courtyard in the summer months.

Jenifer Dwyer, Slee National Convention Centre; Paul Wilson, Peppers Director of MICE; Paul Scambler, American Express
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Radiologists for Auckland

September 24, 2014, 4:48 pm
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A major medical conference has been confirmed for Auckland in March 2018. The Asia Pacific Congress of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (APCCVIR) is expected to attract 800 delegates.

Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) worked with the Interventional Radiology Department at Auckland City Hospital to secure the hosting rights, with support from Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) bid fund.

ACB manager Anna Hayward says the four-day congress is the radiology industry’s premier conference in the Asia Pacific region and will create substantial economic benefits for Auckland.

‘The estimated contribution to regional GDP is $1.36 million. With these high value delegates and their families enjoying pre and post-conference activities, there is an additional projected tourism spend of $1.34 million.’

‘The ACB team will continue to work with the local host committee to ensure a successful conference and help overseas delegates enjoy the world of possibilities that Auckland has on offer,’ says Hayward.

Department of Interventional Radiology Director, Associate Professor Andrew Holden, says the APCCVIR is an opportunity for knowledge exchange and a legacy of research and investment.

‘We are  looking forward to hosting doctors, nurses, radiographers and paramedical staff involved with interventional radiology here in Auckland. Interventional Radiology is a rapidly growing and developing specialty offering minimally invasive treatment to patients with many problems including vascular disease and cancer.

‘There is already excitement and expectation amongst interventional radiologists around the world for experiencing all that Auckland and New Zealand can offer in 2018,’ says Holden.

Tourism New Zealand international business events manager Bjoern Spreitzer says TNZ has significantly increased its work in the business events sector, including the management of the CAP bid fund, with the goal of attracting more high-value international delegates to New Zealand.

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Golf and glamour

October 9, 2014, 2:12 pm
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Some people teed off and others got a fix on fashion, but everyone had fun at the Millennium Golf and Glamour Day at Akarana Golf Course in Auckland.

The day attracted about 190 corporate clients, conference and event organisers, inbound operators and other industry partners.

Twenty one teams of four headed out for a round of Ambrose golf, while the rest caught up with make-up and fashion and listened to colour stylist Angela Stone.

The golfers enjoyed whitebait patties, Asian style food and fried chicken and chips in a carnival atmosphere before heading onto the course. There were even a couple of clowns mixing with the players.

‘Our message is, don’t let your next event turn into a circus – stage it a Millennium,’ says Alison Smith, director of conventions and incentives with Millennium Hotels & Resorts.

Clowning around… Lisa Tully of Millennium channels her inner joker with Jessica Tomlinson and Ronnie McCort, both Forman Group

Ready for action… Tolan Henderson and Justin Sweeney, both Avenues Event Management

 Matt Shaw, Millennium; Butch Iwabuchi, Kintetsu
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Auckland to host genetic event

October 9, 2014, 2:20 pm
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Auckland will host an expected 1,300 international delegates after a successful joint bid to host a major global livestock genetics congress in February 2018.

The World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP) is the premier conference for researchers and professionals involved in genetic improvement of livestock.

Delegates from around the world gather every four years to attend the congress, which is expected to contribute more than $3.12 million to Auckland’s regional GDP.

Dr Hugh Blair, Professor at Massey University’s Institute of Vet, Animal & Biomedical Sciences, worked with the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) – part of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) – and Tourism New Zealand’s (TNZ) Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) to secure hosting rights.

Dr Blair presented the successful bid on behalf of a New Zealand consortia of animal breeders operating under Massey University’s A.L. Rae Centre at the WCGALP event held in Vancouver, Canada in August this year, beating a Polish bid.

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