New Zealand’s annual business events exhibition, CINZ Meetings, is gearing up for a record year in 2019, promising a wider range of exhibitors, more international and domestic buyers and increased networking opportunities.

Taking place at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland from 28-30 May, the show will feature more than 190 exhibitors from 20 regions, including 14 luxury exhibitors.

CINZ chief executive Sue Sullivan said visitors can expect a diverse mix of hotels, resorts, convention bureaux, caterers, entertainers, speakers, styling and production experts at the show.

“Meetings connects highly qualified meetings and incentive professionals looking to plan programs in New Zealand, with suppliers who know their fields and their regions inside out,” she said.

“With valued support from principal sponsor, Air New Zealand and our partner hotels we are able to bring these qualified buyers from all over New Zealand, Australia and the world to meet in Auckland.”

More than 30 international hosted buyers and media will attend CINZ Meetings 2019, travelling from the US, Canada, China, and Asia, including Japan and Korea, to explore New Zealand.

“Our message to international convention and incentive organisers is that travelling here is not only a bucket-list experience, it is also extremely cost-effective – and not as far as you think,” said Sullivan.

“New Zealand is just an overnight sleep from the Americas, China and Asia Pacific regions, and just three hours from Australia’s Eastern centres.”

A pre-touring program is also on offer this year, with places for 52 Australian hosted buyers to visit regional destinations Northland, Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch.

Applications for the hosted buyer program are now open online until 29 March.