Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) has partnered with Service IQ to deliver a diploma course.

The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism Conventions and Incentives (Level 5) with strands in Conference Organisation, Convention Bureau, Incentives Planning, and Venue Sales and Operations is now live.

The new diploma is aimed at industry professionals with over five years’ experience and applicants need to demonstrate a level of proficiency across a range of areas before being accepted into the course.

The main part of the program recognises the knowledge and skills that are common to all sectors of the conventions and incentives industry. The choice of separate strands recognises the specific skills and knowledge required to work in either Conference Organisation, Convention Bureau, Incentives Planning, or Venue Sales and Operations.

CINZ chief executive Sue Sullivan said, “In conjunction with Service IQ we can now offer hotels, tourism attractions and convention centres the opportunity to recognise their senior employees’ event management expertise with a high level national qualification

Service IQ chief executive Dean Minchington said, “A great venue helps to get your business on the consideration list for lucrative convention and incentive contracts. But the other attraction is first-class staff who take expert care of customers.

“These are the people who, with an impressive knack for making the most complex convention seem easy, play a vital role in persuading local and international clients to choose their employer’s venue ahead of the competition, and often year after year,” he said.

The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism Conventions and Incentives is available now from ServiceIQ.