2006 Delivers Great Return

PRESS RELEASE

Millions of Dollars Worth of Business Secured
MEETINGS 2006 Delivers Great Return

20 July 2006: Christchurch has done itself proud hosting MEETINGS 2006 with an expected $28 million worth of business resulting from the two-day tradeshow.

The annual convention and incentive tradeshow currently alternates between Auckland and Christchurch and Alan Trotter, Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) CEO says it breathes new life into the event by changing destinations.

“Feedback from exhibitors and buyers indicates they love the calm, professional aura of this year’s show – and significant business is being written which is what counts,” Mr Trotter says. “I’m also impressed with the high standard of the exhibitors’ stands this year, everyone has really excelled.”

More than 300 buyers are at the show – from around New Zealand and Australia and Asia – and their feedback has been very positive, with glowing comments about the show organisers and the Christchurch Convention Centre as a venue.

First time exhibitor Emerald Hotel Gisborne says the show has definitely translated a worthwhile business return.

“I’ve got six very promising leads over the last couple of days and will probably secure four conferences as a result,” says Grant Radovanovich, Emerald Hotel Gisborne Director of Sales and Marketing. “We’ve had a lot of local domestic interest as well as some incentive enquiries from Australia. All in all a very worthwhile show, especially for us as a new property.”

Accor’s Wellington properties also exhibited for the first time representing its four local properties. “The calibre of buyers was very good. We are chasing the domestic, association and corporate business as well as PCOs and we’ve had productive appointments with a selection of all of them,” says James Cowan, Accor Director of Sales & Marketing, Corporate Sales, Central Region. “We’ve booked three domestic conferences during the show and expect to secure more business over the next couple of weeks following up on leads.”

Hosted Australian buyer Heather Coplestone, Destination Pacific Director, Sydney, was most impressed with the standard of the show and its 160 exhibitors. “The New Zealand product is a very high standard and operators do recognise the value of incentives and the distinctive difference between incentives and conferences,” she says.

The convention and incentive industry injects more than $1 billion dollars a year into the New Zealand economy with more than 160 of the ‘cream’ of the country’s suppliers of venues, products and services are exhibiting at the tradeshow.

“This year we’re celebrating 10 years of the MEETINGS tradeshow, which has gone from strength to strength since its inception. The beauty of the show is that it’s all under one roof, making it a one-stop shop, so to speak, for prospective buyers,” Mr Trotter says.

MEETINGS 2007 will be held in Auckland at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on July 25 and 26.

ENDS

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