Conventions and Incentives New Zealand’s (CINZ) annual showcase, MEETINGS 2017 opened with a high-energy welcome event for 650 at the Grand Millennium in Auckland, setting the tone for the next two days.The Le Cirque event, produced by The Event Group and The Dust Palace, combined daring acrobatic acts with fantastic costumes and fine fare.MEETINGS’ two-day exhibition brought together more than 195 exhibitors from 19 regions of New Zealand in more than 6000 meetings with 220 buyers from 30 international markets and 330 from New Zealand.MEETINGS is New Zealand’s leading platform for connecting influential domestic, Australian and international buyers with key regions, meeting facilities, accommodation, off-site venues and activities.
“Business events continue to be the high-value sector of New Zealand’s visitor economy,” said CINZ chief executive Sue Sullivan. “Convention visitors spent over a million nights in New Zealand last year, and international delegates generated twice as much as other visitors to New Zealand.”
CINZ MEETINGS 2016 generated more than NZ$55 million of signed business.For the first time this year five event organisers from Argentina joined the programme, along with buyers and industry media from China, South and South-East Asia, North America and Australia.“We are seeing strong interest in New Zealand as a place to host exceptional conferences, incentives and events,” said Sullivan.“The feedback from Australian event organisers who toured seven of our regions has been tremendous.“New Zealand has built a reputation as a dream destination for business and pleasure,” she said, adding that New Zealand’s excellent infrastructure, fabulous new city venues, and amazing regional diversity were the drawcards.“There is so much to do in one small country, and it is easy to get here, explore and experience,” she said.Lead image: Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour
