Meet North South Launches

Dunedin and Hamilton & Waikato Join Forces for Business Events

(Wednesday 13 February 2019) - The Dunedin Convention Bureau has joined forces with Waikato Business Events to launch Meet North South, a new initiative to generate business events which will benefit both regions over consecutive years.

The partnership effectively solves the challenge experienced by New Zealand associations looking to hold business events for up to 500 people on a North Island / South Island regional rotation.

Nicole Carvell Business Events Tourism Advisor Enterprise Dunedin believes this approach will increase efficiency in the bid process and ultimately save time for conference organisers.

“By pooling resources with Waikato to present convenient and creative events solutions, we can attract new events collectively and present a fresh approach to city hosting,” she says.

“This is the first such initiative in New Zealand and a bespoke solution for buyers in an increasingly competitive market.”

Both Dunedin and Waikato are strong individually in the business events space but also offer distinct differences in terms of venues, locations and infrastructure. This provides a strong partnership for growth rather than one of competition.

The joint venture will allow time poor organisers to learn about two possible destinations simultaneously during trade fairs, co-hosted sales calls and dual destination familiarisation tours. The ability to generate and share leads will also be amplified through the scheme, allowing for a wider network of contacts nationwide.

Jason Dawson CEO Hamilton & Waikato Tourism says, “Both regions have seen considerable growth in the business events and convention market over the last two years.

“Bringing together the two cities of Hamilton & Dunedin, plus our wider regional offerings across Waikato and Otago respectively, provides a compelling dual-destination proposition in the New Zealand association market.”

The initiative was launched at an event in Wellington on Wednesday 13 February.

Attached image: Left to right - Nicole Carvell Business Events Tourism Advisor Enterprise Dunedin & Amanda Graham Business Events Advisor Business Events Manager Hamilton & Waikato Tourism at the launch event.

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