By James Wilkinson in Auckland
Meetings 2009, New Zealand’s premier incentive and convention tradeshow, is underway in Auckland today (Jul 21) and organisers are already hailing the event a success, with exhibitor space sold out well in advance and a strong turnout of 435 hosted and day buyers for the three-day event.
Host venue: Auckland’s Skycity Convention Centre
Hosted by Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ), Meetings 2009 started today at Auckland’s Skycity Convention Centre with a unique half-day for day buyers that featured no appointment times.
Meetings 2009 event manager Jeanette Stanton said the unique afternoon was created from feedback over previous that indicated day buyers wanted dedicated time to meet with exhibitors instead of them trying to slot in around exhibitors’ appointment times.
Tonight, the event kicks-off for the remaining 135 hosted buyers and 20 local and international media with a cocktail function at Auckland’s Sale Street event space.
That’s followed tomorrow by two days of dedicated meetings for buyers with some of New Zealand’s leading hotels, resorts, adventure tourism operators and attractions.
“Exhibitor space at the show is sold out and the atmosphere is very positive,” said CINZ CEO Alan Trotter. “It’s the prime opportunity for New Zealand operators to show corporates what they have to offer.
“The expo showcases a diverse range of New Zealand’s key destinations, venues, products and services for conferences, meetings, exhibitions, events and incentive travel programmes and is perfect for anyone planning a business tourism event,” he said.
For more reports on Meetings 2009, see Thursday’s (Jul 23) SpiceNews.
The author is being hosted in Auckland by Meetings 2009, Air New Zealand and Crowne Plaza Auckland.
