Applications close in one week for the 20th annual Meetings event to be held in Auckland at ASB Showgrounds on 15 and 16 June.

CINZ chief executive Sue Sullivan said the show is a sell-out with 190 exhibitors representing venues and suppliers from throughout New Zealand, including 20 new exhibitors. They are set for two days of pre-scheduled appointments with top event organisers looking for the best places to send their delegates.

“Business tourism is major growth industry for New Zealand, and we are seeing high demand from Australian, New Zealand and international buyers who want to meet with the who’s who of our conference and incentive travel industry.

“Business event delegates are high-value visitors and are spending twice as much per night as other visitors. We have seen a 15 per cent higher spend recorded for 2015, and last year arrivals from Australia were up 10 per cent and international arrivals up eight per cent,” said Sullivan.

CINZ Meetings 2016 places are limited, with 100 hosted spots available for Australian buyers and industry media, and another 100 for New Zealand buyers and media.

Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand are bringing 50 international buyers and media from North America, China, India and South-East Asia.

Before the two-day show, Australian hosted buyers and media will have the chance to experience New Zealand first hand on eight different regional familiarisation tours, profiling the activities, accommodation, cuisine, and attractions on offer in each.

After that, Auckland Convention Bureau will host buyers on special itineraries around Auckland to experience top venues, food and attractions.

Sullivan said that buyers that cannot commit to a pre-arranged schedule of appointments or do not fit the criteria for the Hosted Buyer Program can still attend Meetings through the Day Buyer Program. Hosted buyer applications close on 18 April, 2016.

For more information or to apply, click here.