Some of Australia’s most unique major events came to life in Auckland last week (14 June) at a special event for 50 of New Zealand’s top business event planners and decision-makers, hosted by Tourism Australia.
The Business Events Australia branded event was created to inspire interest and awareness about Australia’s major events as the perfect platform to inspire and reward corporate incentive travellers.
“New Zealanders are familiar with Australia’s business events offering, but last night was an opportunity to give them another reason to consider Australia by showcasing some of our inspirational major events across the arts, culture and sport,” said Penny Lion, Executive General Manager, Events for Tourism Australia.
Hosted across three separate ‘event zones’ in a heritage-listed building at Queen’s Wharf, guests were given a taste of Opera Australia’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, Melbourne’s Australian Open and the Field of Light installation at Uluru. Emcee Tim Campbell provided commentary throughout the event to enhance the ‘only in Australia’ experience.
Welcome drinks, crafted from Australian gin and botanicals, featured a real-time sunset over Sydney Harbour and one of Opera Australia’s principal artists performing an aria from La Boheme. The surprises continued as guests moved into a recreated Margaret Court Area to dine on an Australian menu featuring Mooloolaba prawns, finger limes, bush tucker tomato jam and matching wines.
Dessert was then served in the desert as guests moved to their final sensory experience, a re-imagining of Field of Light at Uluru. Carefully positioned floor lighting joined time-lapse aerial footage of the light installation and of the surrounding landscape to treat guests to a sunset over Uluru, who watched as the Field of Light illuminated the desert night skies.
“Last night’s event provided guests with a multi-sensory experience of Australia’s unique places, people, produce and business events offering. It showed first-hand that there’s nothing like experiencing something live, and we hope it inspires Kiwis to consider an Australian major event as they plan their next incentive trip,” said Ms Lion.
