BUYERS from Asia-Pacific regions beyond Australia will be among the delegates attending New Zealand’s premier business events exhibition in 2021 if borders reopen.
Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) are working with destination marketing body ChristchurchNZ, the new Te Pae Christchurch centre, venues operator Vbase, Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and Christchurch International Airport to bring delegates to the country’s South Island for MEETINGS 2021.
The exhibition is scheduled for June 30 to July 1, 2021, at Te Pae Christchurch, with a welcome event at Christchurch Town Hall, which is managed by Vbase.
“We will be bringing influential buyers into the heart of the South Island for an unforgettable experience,” said CINZ chief executive Lisa Hopkins.
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“We are anticipating more than 180 exhibitors and over 300 domestic buyers from all over New Zealand, plus 115 from Australia and Asia-Pacific regions once our borders reopen.
“There is so much interest globally for what New Zealand has to offer, and this will give buyers the opportunity to meet all of New Zealand under one roof in a stunning location,” she added.
Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ general manager of destination and attraction, said: “With the opening of Te Pae next year, and exceptional venues and accommodation already in place, Christchurch is set to be at the forefront of business events in New Zealand.
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“Ōtautahi Christchurch is a vibrant, modern urban centre capable of hosting large-scale events, while giving delegates a boutique city experience with easy access to spectacular natural landscapes,” Heaphy said.
Stringent measures imposed by the New Zealand authorities earlier in the year are credited with the lifting of limits on public events from June 8, but borders are still closed.
New Zealand’s successful containment of the pandemic has stadium events resuming, notably Super Rugby matches with no social distancing or mandatory wearing of masks.
MEETINGS 2019 generated $62 million during its two days, said CINZ. In the same year, the business events industry contributed NZ$477 million (about US$311m) to the New Zealand economy and it is seen as a significant economic driver in the country’s post-Covid recovery, according to official studies.
Meanwhile, CINZ and convention organiser association PCMA have struck an agreement to work together to support and professionally develop the New Zealand business events community’s skills and capacity through education.
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CINZ’s Lisa Hopkins said the agreement signals major benefits for New Zealand business events professionals and the wider industry.
“PCMA is the world’s largest, most respected and most recognised network of business events strategists. With 7,000 members and an audience of 50,000, with 17 chapters and activities in 30 countries, it is positioned as the global leader in business events,” Hopkins said.
“CINZ members will now have access to PCMA’s exceptional education content, including the highly sought after Digital Events Strategist (DES) certificate program, and Covid recovery resources to foster their development.”
Karen Bollinger, PCMA’s managing director for Asia Pacific, said: “Through our new alliance we recognise the unique qualities and services each of us offer to our respective membership bases, and how a collaborative approach can support not only each other but the business events community.
“PCMA is looking forward to working more closely with the New Zealand business events community, who we see as a strong market with enormous potential on the world stage,” said Bolinger.
