MEETINGS 2008 Welcomes New Exhibitors

PRESS RELEASE

MEETINGS 2008 Welcomes New Exhibitors

Selection of new exhibitors takes to the stand for two-day expo

14 May 2008, Auckland: As a first time exhibitor, and poised to expand its business into Dunedin, Zest Food Tours is heading to the MEETINGS 2008 tradeshow with high hopes.

The Wellington based company is excited about the business opportunities the tradeshow offers and sees MEETINGS 2008 as an opportunity to expand its C&I profile.

“We want to target the group market, and exhibiting at MEETINGS 2008 gives us the opportunity to meet face to face with a select group of buyers. Exhibiting is a big investment for us but I’m sure it will pay off,” says Catherine Cordwell, Zest Food Tours of New Zealand Director.

With exhibitors numbering more than 180 the two-day MEETINGS 2008 showcase on July 30 and 31 at the Westpac Arena in Christchurch, showcases a diverse range of New Zealand’s key destinations, venues, products and services for conventions, meetings, exhibitions, events and incentive travel programmes.

Zest Food Tours has been operating around the Wellington region for four years, mainly in the leisure and cruise ship markets and Catherine says it’s time for the business to expand its focus further into the C&I market.

“Our culinary tours and team building is perfect for partner programmes and with our expansion into Dunedin, which has a strong C&I market as well, MEETINGS 2008 is the perfect timing and buyer market to be in front of,” Catherine says.

Other new exhibitors at MEETINGS 2008 include Ashburton District Tourism, Tourism Waitaki and Lincoln University .

Annette Pendergast, Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau Manager says the city is ecstatic about hosting MEETINGS 2008 and at the same time showcasing its C&I product.

“Everyone is embracing the event and it will be fantastic. There’s some amazing creativity and talent based here in our Christchurch C&I community and we are all looking forward to showing off.”

Annette says that the Christchurch & Canterbury hosted buyer networking welcome evening for example will be stunning.

“Julie Abbot of Groundwork is managing the evening, partnered with Continental, ThemePro and a venue which remains a secret. The only briefing guidelines we gave to our business partners for the planning of this event, was to ensure it provided a fresh new theme option, which is able to be utilised by conference groups and full of ‘wow’.

“This way we are encouraging the development of Christchurch ’s repertoire and reveal the city, its venues and the fantastic hospitality extended by our operators all at the same time.”

Annette says the show’s move to the Westpac Arena will add a new dynamic. “People possibly don’t appreciate how superb this space is for both exhibition and group dining, while MEETINGS 2008 will be able to highlight it as yet another one of the city’s extensive range of venues.”

During last year’s show $25 million of C&I business was booked during the two days of MEETINGS 2008, with a further $164 million worth of business planned in the subsequent 6 – 12 months. MEETINGS 2008 organisers are hoping this year’s event will offer exhibitors similar business benefits.

MEETINGS 2008 is New Zealand’s only annual national convention and incentive (C&I) tradeshow and is hosted by Conventions and Incentives New Zealand(CINZ).
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