Fifteen business events industry experts and thought leaders are set to share inside knowledge with Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) members meeting in Rotorua next month.

Insights on how New Zealand can punch above its weight on the global stage will be a key focus of workshops at ‘Educate to Innovate’, the CINZ annual conference on November 12 and 13 at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre.

CINZ chief executive Sue Sullivan says, 'This year’s conference theme is education, looking at practical solutions for the conference and incentive industry for everyone from newbies to old hands.'

A series of nine different educational workshops are on offer both days of the conference. The workshops cover everything from destination marketing and international best practice for conference bidding, to aligning strategy and sales techniques, and understanding the latest meetings technology.

'Our industry is on a huge growth trajectory, with new conference infrastructure coming on line across the country in the next few years. We need to be prepared with new thinking and new tools to stay competitive and capture expanding business opportunities,' says Sullivan.

'At this time of year we have a chance to re-evaluate and learn, ready to focus on developing our businesses for 2015 and beyond.'

With its key partners, Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand CINZ will be updating members on the latest global developments and best practice.

The CINZ team from Australia and key Tourism New Zealand regional managers and business events team members from around the world will give their insights on being globally competitive.

Other thought leaders sharing their knowledge on business growth opportunities  include Andy Hamilton CEO of business growth centre, The Icehouse, and Geoff Wake 
principle consultant for Amalgam Consulting Ltd.

For more information about the CINZ Conference programme and to register online visit http://www.cinzannualconference.co.nz

Auckland Museum hosted the Wedding Associates’ evening showcase last night, showing off some of New Zealand’s leading wedding and event suppliers to wedding and corporate event organisers.

The evening began at the iconic venue’s main entranceway with cocktails and canapés by Urban Gourmet, before spilling up to the Events Centre where guests could mill about the exhibition stands and learn about current product.

‘If you can look after a bride on her wedding day, you can survive any other function,’ says Chris Dillon, Dillon Photography who was the MC for the night.

Jennifer Haliday, Auckland Museum; David Doughty, Urban Gourmet	Jennifer Alesich, Spark Digital; Leticia Beynon, Colliers; Carol-Ann Hiku, Spark Digital	The Auckland Museum events team: Kim Poole, Adam Taylor-Eruera, Jennifer Haliday and Shelley Tomkins
Jessica Fitzgerald, Katie Browne and Shannon Gallagher, Urban Gourmet	Rochelle Fleming, NZ Wedding Celebrant; Adam Taylor-Eruera, Auckland Museum; Gail Dickson, Let's Travel	Gabrielle Turner and Veronica Verdonk, Westpac
	<< Rosanna Marks and Benton Day, Aroha Healing   Adam Taylor-Eruera and Kim Poole, Auckland Museum with Mark Kerr, ID Tours NZ

Tourism New Zealand in conjunction with Air New Zealand and ATEED held the inaugural New Zealand Business Events Awards dinner last night at the Auckland Art Gallery.

The awards celebrated the success achieved in the business events sector and acknowledged key individuals for their contribution in planning, executing and gaining the business event. Click here to view the award recipients.

Bjoern Spreitzer, Tourism New Zealand said the business events confirmed by the individuals in the room will bring around 14,000 delegates to NZ and a dollar value of $41million.

'It’s great to see New Zealand successfully bidding for and winning international association conventions.'

Spreitzer also launched a new Business Events advocates programme at the dinner.

'The advocate programme is about creating lasting relationships with these individuals so that they can continue to bid for international conferences and encourage their colleagues to do so as well.'

TNZ, in partnership with Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), has developed an advocate programme that will identify and engage thought leaders in their field, as champions for business events. The programme will see regional programmes being developed throughout the country, with the ACB the first out of the gate, while Tourism New Zealand will manage the overarching national strategy.

ACB manager Anna Hayward says the Auckland Advocate Programme - which will be launched in March 2015 - is critical for Auckland and forms part of ACB’s overall strategy to encourage more business events to the region.

'The ACB team has worked with some incredibly passionate individuals over the years and is excited to harness their enthusiasm and work with them to lift Auckland’s profile on the world stage of international conferencing.

'The Auckland Advocate Programme will use the expertise and support of the ACB and TNZ team to assist sector leaders to attract and deliver world class conferences,' says Anna.

Being able to present New Zealand as a destination for a major global conference was a daunting task for most of the award recipients. 'We are not used to this way of thinking - we are scientists, lawyers, academics, who just do what we do,' says Dr Stephen On, ESR.

Dr On, a leading researcher in the field of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, and one of the award recipients, is organising a November conference in Rotorua for 700 delegates from around the world to CHRO Conference 2015 - the 18th International workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter and related organisms.

'It was very humbling for my pitch to be chosen' he says. We were competing against a couple of other countries, one that was bidding for a second time and was expected to get it. So when we bid for the first time - and won - well that was a shock.'

Dr On was assisted by Tourism NZ and says they were amazing. 'We went in with a polished presentation - we had everything organised and most importantly - we had the airline support. No other pitch had anything like ours  - all our ducks were lined and Leonie Ashford, TNZ did everything she could for us. I wore my All Blacks jersey and had a fantastic power point presentation that would appeal to my peers - they relate to the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, purely for the writings of JRR Tolkien and they love the outdoors and wide open spaces. So that's what we focused on - plus the wine aspect.'

Caroline Blanchfield of Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB); Bree Jones, Tourism Dunedin; Marilyn Moffatt, NZIQS Wellington and Phillippa Goodman-Jones, NZIQS Christchurch arrive for the awards presentation

Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand (TNZ); Kevin Bowler, TNZ and Verica Rupar, AUT	Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand; Kay Hannam, NZ Naturist Association and Richard Jeffery, Vodafone Events Centre and ATEED board member	Elle Armon-Jones, The Big Foody and Georgina Maguire, TNZ take a seat in the Mackelvie Gallery
Denis McNamara Lowndes Law and Honorary Consul of Mexico; Michael Stokoe, TNZ; Neil Russ, Buddle Findlay and Geraldine Hutchison, Air New Zealand	Tourism New Zealand team - Bjoern Spreitzer, Georgina Maguire, Michelle Broadhurst and Kevin Bowler, TNZ	Dr Stephen On, ESR and Sue Sullivan, CINZ
Kevin Bowler, TNZ and Minister of Economic Development Hon Steven Joyce	Proud recipients Marilyn Moffatt, NZIQS Wellington and Sue Martin, Power Talk International	Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand and Tracey Thomas, Conference Innovators Ltd

AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand has acquired SkyJump and SkyWalk, at the Sky Tower in Auckland, with a change over date of November 6, 2014.

The company will now have 10 adventure and personal challenge activities across New Zealand, four based in Auckland.

Henry van Asch, Bungy New Zealand Ltd director and founder says they are looking forward to working together with Tourism New Zealand and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Developement (ATEED) to raise awareness around what this region has to offer for the soft and hard adventure-seeking tourist.

Auckland has won the rights to host the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) Annual Meeting and Conference in 2017.

Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) – part of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) – and Tourism New Zealand worked with IPBA to secure the conference, which will bring more than 600 lawyers to the city.

ACB manager Anna Hayward says the five day conference is the leading legal event in the Asia Pacific region for business lawyers and will create substantial economic benefits for Auckland.

‘The event is expected to generate $1.047 million to Auckland’s regional GDP and 2,705 visitor nights.’

New Zealand is bringing its 100% Pure brand of festive fun to the PCO Association Conference this year, celebrating the season Kiwi-style.

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) will be joined by a record 12 New Zealand partners at the 7^th PCO Association Conference in Canberra later this month.

They will be updating event organisers about the country’s diverse places and products, and spreading plenty of good cheer at the CINZ 100% Pure New Zealand Lounge.

'The PCO Association Conference comes at a perfect time of year for event organisers to connect, reflect and relax,' says CINZ Business Development Manager Australia, Heidi Heming.

'Knowing how hard our clients have been working, we aim to make our lounge a bit of fun. This year we want to capture the essence of the Kiwi summer Christmas. So expect something a bit different, to fit the season.'

The Starlight Children’s Foundation is set to benefit too, with the New Zealand team donating to the charity on behalf of visitors who compete a quick survey at the CINZ 100% Pure New Zealand Lounge.

'The Starlight Foundation has been making the dreams of many terminally ill children come true for 32 years, and we want to help them continue this great work.'

Good cheer is also on hand with top New Zealand wine. Conference and event organisers completing the survey will go in the draw to win 12 bottles of award-winning Cloudy Bay wine (to the value of $400) to help towards their Christmas celebrations.

The New Zealand suppliers contributing to the CINZ 100% Pure New Zealand Lounge are Air New Zealand, Auckland Convention Bureau, Business Events Wellington, Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau, Conventions and Incentives New Zealand, Dunedin Convention Bureau, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Nelson Convention Bureau, Queenstown Convention Bureau, Rotorua Convention Bureau, SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, and Tourism New Zealand.

'The team are really looking forward to the conference sessions, social functions, and chatting during the exhibition. It’s a great time to build new relationships and catch up with friends before a busy year ahead,' Heming says.

The 38^th annual Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) conference and AGM was held in Rotorua this year, and was the first time for many to hear from the organisation’s new CEO Sue Sullivan.

Sullivan addressed delegates at the start of the conference with an in-depth look into the plans CINZ has for 2015.

Education is a major focus for the new CEO, resonating in the conference’s theme for this year: Educate to Innovate.

‘Much of what we do is around people, and members want the opportunity to learn and develop. It’s exciting that so many of our members are willing to give back and be part of that resource.’

Sullivan says there is potential for CINZ to lead the charge in 2015 and offer an awards programme for the industry.

‘People want to be recognised for their achievements, and have something to aspire to. It gives this sector recognition within New Zealand and another opportunity for us to tell a fantastic story.’

Sullivan also touched on the CINZ strategy, which she confessed would not be ready until mid 2015.

‘It’s fair to say that I came in like a bull in a China shop and thought by this time I’d be talking to you about [the strategy]. Hindsight’s a great thing, and as you know we’ve had quite a number of changes and things to deal with, and I needed to get my feet under the table, listen, talk, and take on board all the commentary.’

The conference, held at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre, featured a welcome function at Te Puia, mid-conference dinner and activities at Skyline, and final American’t-themed dinner function at Blue Baths.

Murray Jeffrey, Claudelands Conference & Exhibition Centre; Michelle Weston, Millennium Hotel Rotorua; Geraldine Hutchison, Air New Zealand	Shayne Forrest, Hobbiton Movie Set; Georgina Torrington, Continental Event Catering	JR, The Production Agency; Joleen Redden, Johnstons Coachlines
Mariana Gualberto, Hilton Worldwide; Judy Chen, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor	Adam Taylor-Eruera, Auckland Museum; Joleen Redden, Johnstons Coachlines	JR, The Production Agency – the first ever CINZ paper scissors rock champion
Rachael Shadbolt, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Franck Hesse, InterContinental Hotels Group	Mariana Gualberto, Hilton Worldwide; Franck Hesse, InterContinental Hotels Group; Steph Linnell, Team Up Events	Claire Hector-Taylor, Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism; Metka Conlan, Oamaru Convention Bureau
Carole Beggs, Explore Group; Shelley Tomkins, Auckland Museum	Bree Jones, Enterprise Dunedin; Kylie Brittain, Queenstown Convention Bureau	Shelley Cunningham, CD Event Management; Meredith Drucker, The Events Group
Nastassia Dykman, ProMag Publishing; Murray Jeffrey, Claudelands Conference & Exhibition Centre	Leigh Higgins and Meegan Ruff, Sudima Hotels New Zealand	Tony Dickson, Claudelands Conference & Exhibition Centre; Jessica Vandy, SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre
Jo Taute, Roland Leemans and Katie Hertnon, ReserveGroup Consulting	Claire Webber, Event Solutions NZ Limited; Marie-Claire Andrews, ShowGizmo	Captain America aka Shayne Forrest, Hobbiton Movie Set; Tony Dickson, Claudelands Conference & Exhibition Centre

Hamilton venue Claudelands claimed two major awards at the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) awards in Dunedin last night. Claudelands won both the Supreme Venue of the Year Award and Large Venue of the Year category. Auckland's Q Theare took away the Eventfinda Small Venue of the Year Award, Regent Theatre Dunedin won the Prestige Loos Medium Venue of the Year Award, and Glenys Coughlan of Positively Wellington Venues won the Ticketek Executive Venue Person of the Year Award. Murray Jeffrey, H3’s director of business development and marketing, says the awards are great recognition for Claudelands and the wider region. 'These awards confirm Hamilton’s position as one of New Zealand’s major business and events destinations. 'This level of recognition is something we have been striving for since we first opened the doors to the Claudelands three years ago.'

Award winners:

EVANZ Contribution to Industry Award Winner - Keith Parker Eden Park Auckland

Tompkins Wake Lawyers Excellence in Customer Service Award Winner – Auckland Live

iTICKET Execellence in Innovation Award Winner – Vector Arena Auckland

Eventfinda Small Venue of the Year Award Winner – Q Theatre Auckland

Prestige Loos Medium Venue of the Year Award Wnner – Regent Theatre Dunedin

Ticketmaster Large Venue of the Year Award Winner – Claudelands Hamilton

Ticketek Executive Venue Person of the Year Award Winner – Glenys Coughlan Wellington

Carlton Party Hire and Events Operations Manager of the Year Award Winner – Keith Parker

Priava Rising Star of the Year Award Winner – Roger Farr Ashburton

Ticket Direct Supreme Venue of the Year Award Winner – Claudelands Hamilton

EVANZ Supreme Person of the Year Award Winner – Keith Parker Auckland

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement to develop a 200-room Crowne Plaza in Christchurch.

Located in the central business district (CBD) and across from the planned new Christchurch Convention Centre due to open in 2017, the upscale hotel will be a conversion of a current commercial building owned by a consortium of local Christchurch investors.

The hotel will be one of the tallest buildings in the city, presenting guests with unrivalled views of Mt Hutt and the New Zealand Ski fields.

The hotel will feature up to five suites and 195 guest rooms and food and beverage options including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and lobby lounge and bar.

Catering to both business and leisure travellers, Crowne Plaza Christchurch will also have a business centre and function space for meetings and events, as well as a fitness centre.

Air New Zealand has opened the doors to its new regional lounge at Auckland Domestic Airport. The new space is located at the regional end of the terminal building near the airline’s Valet Parking drop-off point and will offer customers travelling on regional services from Auckland who are entitled to lounge access a more streamlined journey through the airport. Air New Zealand recently embarked on a significant lounge redevelopment programme and the Auckland regional lounge is the first of the new-look spaces to open. Air New Zealand General Manager Customer Experience Carrie Hurihanganui says the lounge is specifically for customers travelling to regional ports and is a new concept for Auckland Airport.

The lounge has Air New Zealand’s distinctive look and feel and the design incorporates locally sourced products where possible.

Air New Zealand lounge redevelopment programme continues with the airline’s Sydney International Lounge due to be completed in the second quarter of 2015 and Auckland’s International Lounge currently scheduled to open mid-2015.

The Auckland regional lounge complements the airline’s existing domestic lounge at Auckland Airport. Customers travelling on regional routes are still able to use the domestic lounge if they prefer.

From 1 February 2015, Rotorua Airport's $5 domestic and $15 international departure levy tax will be absorbed into the airport’s landing fees, meaning passengers no longer have to pay the tax directly before they depart. The departure levies were first introduced in 2002 to make a contribution to the ongoing development of the airport. The adjustment to the airport’s charges is a result of increased airfield charges, allowing the company to recover departure taxes from commercial airlines, rather than directly from passengers.

Acting chief executive Wayne Wootton says the increased landing costs may eventually be absorbed into ticket prices. 'This is ultimately a decision by the airlines that operate out of Rotorua, however we have not seen any evidence of increased fares to-date.'

Since 2002, the departure tax has contributed to runway and terminal developments, as well as airport infrastructure renewals and replacements. It is expected the additional revenue collected directly from the airlines will continue to be used for similar purposes.

The revised landing charges apply to scheduled commercial passenger services from 1 February 2015. Landing charges have also been reviewed for non-scheduled services and updated rates are available on the airport website www.rotorua-airport.co.nz, include discounts for locally-based operators.

Lesley Immink, chief executive officer of the Tourism Export Council New Zealand, says an international convention centre in Auckland is desperately needed if we are to ‘keep up with the international Jones destinations who are all vigorously vying to attract international convention and conference delegates.’

She says she is dismayed and surprised to be reading in recent weeks that the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre discussion is back to ‘why do we need this’, rather than ‘when is it starting?’

‘Yes the budget construction forecast shows increases and some discussion is warranted regarding how to fund the increases, but let’s not go back to the laborious drawing board of [debating] why and what is its value to Auckland and the wider New Zealand economy.’

Immink says the convention centre will stimulate economic growth for accommodation providers, restaurants, caterers, transport, attraction and activity operators. ‘With that comes job creation.’

(Lesley Immink’s full opinion piece will appear in the next issue of Meeting Newz).

Adelaide, South Australia has been named host city for Dreamtime, Tourism Australia’s premier corporate meeting and incentive business to business trade marketing event from December 6 to 12.

Dreamtime will attract more than 100 of the world’s top level travel buyers including agents, incentives houses and companies that book incentive programs and events to Australia for a five day experience.

For two days the entire invited group spends time touring the host city and meeting with local tourism and business event operators in a series of scheduled appointments. The following three days are spent in smaller groups on educational visits to other Australian destinations. There is traditionally a strong contingent of delegates from New Zealand.

The Adelaide Convention Bureau will use the event to focus on its key message ‘Now is the time - the spotlight is on Adelaide, South Australia’.

Damien Kitto, chief executive officer Adelaide Convention Bureau says the bureau  knows from past famil experiences and the feedback and results they generate, that people it hosts absolutely fall in love with the city and state’s offerings.

Accor’s has four new Mercure hotels joining the group, increasing the number of Mercure hotels across Australia and New Zealand to 49.

In New Zealand, the Abel Tasman Hotel in Wellington will rebrand to Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman as of March 2015. This 73-room hotel is located in the heart of Wellington’s business and entertainment district, and is within walking distance of Lampton Harbour. Facilities include a restaurant, bar bistro and four main function rooms which can cater for up to 120 people.

In Australia, the Ballarat Lodge & Convention Centre will be rebranded to Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre in March 2015.

Hotel Launceston in Tasmania will be rebranded to Mercure Launceston in April 2015, and the Best Western Goulburn in New South Wales will join the Accor network in March 2015 and be rebranded as Mercure Goulburn.

Tourism New Zealand and the Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB) held a function for potential conference convenors in Christchurch last week.

It was an opportunity to hear more about the funding and support available to help them to host international conferences in Christchurch.

Among the guests were leaders from the region’s top academic institutions and medical research fields.

They included guest speaker Dr. Xianghu (Shaun) Xiong, the Organising Chairman for the Scientific Meeting of the AOSPRM (Asia Oceania Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine).

Dr Shaun successfully bid for and won the hosting rights for this conference which will be hosted in Christchurch in November 2018.

It  is expected to attract 800 delegates (600 of those international) and have an estimated economic impact of $2.1 million.