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TRANSCRIPT
Christchurch looks ahead
Mercedes launch
Gold Coast update
Good times for Wellington
Editor Brad Foster [email protected] Advertising Jenny Gill [email protected]
May 2011 www.micenz.net
NEW ZEALAND DIGITAL
11
Story by Johanna McKinnon
The rising Australian dollar against the greenback and other major currencies is putting New Zealand squarely on the radar for corporate and association groups seeking offshore destinations.A recent report released by the NZ Ministry of Economic Development has shown Australians are still on top of the leaderboard for MICE arrivals into New Zealand. 2010
figures showed Australians travelling to New Zealand for conferences, conventions and incentive events increased 32 percent on 2009 numbers. The report detailed that for the year ended January 2011 more than 58,000 Australians crossed the ditch for business tourism events, an increase of 25 percent from the previous year.Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) CEO Alan Trotter
says the figures reflect the hard work the destination has put into attracting the Australian market as well as a healthy exchange rate and first-class facilities. “When we were in Melbourne for AIME - the premier meetings and incentives event for the Asia Pacific region - we were overwhelmed by the level of interest expressed in our country and the thirst for knowledge
Aussies hooked on NZ dollar
Wellington tradeshow strength
Wellington is gearing up to
showcase what it has to offer
conference and event organisers at
its annual tradeshow, the Wellington
Conference and Events Expo, on
July 13 at the TSB Bank Arena with
plenty of new features in this, its 11th
outing.
The 2011 tradeshow will see
ABOVE: John Robson of Southern Discoveries (L) and Shaun Kelly of Kawarau Jet (R) pictured on a Kawarau Jet boat on Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu.
Two of New Zealand’s premier tourism companies are joining forces in Queenstown following the announcement that Te Anau-based Southern Discoveries Ltd has invested in a 50 per cent
shareholding in Queenstown’s Kawarau Jet.Southern Discoveries’ general manager John Robson announced that the company had purchased the 50 per cent shareholding of Kawarau Jet directors Andrew Brinsley and John Martin.
New Zealand lands Asia’s biggest airline
One of the world’s largest airlines
has touched down in New Zealand.
China Southern Airlines, China’s
largest airline, officially launched
its direct Auckland-Guangzhou
service when its first flight arrived in
Auckland at 3.20pm on April 9.
The new service will initially
operate with Airbus A330 aircraft
Southern Discoveries and Kawarau Jet join forces
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NO WIRES.NO COST.NO STRINGS.The Great Room at The Langham, Aucklandis one year old!
To celebrate, we are making the most beautiful and technologically advanced conference venue in New Zealand even more accessible. Book and confi rm your next event in The Great Room before August 31, 2011 and as part of our birthday celebrations we will provide complimentary omnipresent wireless internet.
Contact The Langham’s dedicated event management team on 09 300 2901 or [email protected]
www.langhamhotels.co.nz
Now with free wireless internet
page 1
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CONCEPT: Born in the USA. This refers to the Freightliner truck’s American heritage. The USA claims 25 per cent of the large truck market in New Zealand. Previous purchasers of Freightliner trucks tend to be loyal to the brand but there is room for improvement. The objective was to reinforce Mercedes’ commitment to New Zealand and its loyal customers while creating a memorable event experience which would appeal to competitor buyers – new to Mercedes large truck brands.
WHAT YOU DID: The theme became the common thread for this event: from USA-clad Harley Davidson escorts from the hotel to the venue, and USA cheerleaders and gymnastics displays for guests on arrival, to sassy black American jazz music and bands, food, and of
course Hollywood video spectacular and live cam presentations to 25 metre by six metre screens. The menu designed by Indigo’s creative team recreated famous first lady banquet dinners of the White House. This included President Nixon’s favourite crab claw cocktail, main course of Garadon-style banquet table service of prime rib and Kentucky-style chickens and JFK’s famed Mississippi mud pie.Direct mail and follow-up posted mail to over 500 potential customers. This was followed by the Indigo telemarketing team calling each customer/ prospect with a personal invitation to the launch. The telemarketing team also handled all 0800 calls for RSVPs. Indigo also handled the registration
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MAY 2011 – MICENE
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STUDY NO.102006 -
Mercedes launch in Christchurch
NAME: USA – Freightliner Coronado Truck LaunchTYPE: Event launchCLIENT: Mercedes Commercial Vehicles New ZealandNO. ON ORGANISING TEAM: Three (Laurie Matthews, Koenraad Boons and Phil Wright – Indigo)Venue: Christchurch Airforce Museum and Christchurch Crowne Plaza HotelPAX: 270 customers and potential customers of Mercedes Benz TrucksDATE: February 18, 2011 (a few days before the earthquake)BUDGET:
Story by Brad Foster
Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau manager Leonie Ashford says the region is looking beyond 2011 in an effort to keep the destination’s popularity strong.
The Cantabrian spirit is alive and well in the region despite the devastation that has befallen the inner city, according to Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau manager, Leonie Ashford.While staff retrenchments in some of the major CBD hotels and venues have been heavy many employees have been shifted to other properties in New Zealand and beyond.The closure of the convention centre and hotels in the city centre is clearly having a major impact on the business event sector, particularly because, as Ms Ashford points out, prior to the February 22 earthquake Christchurch was hosting more than 50 per cent of conference delegate days for Australian business travellers for all of New Zealand.“Our major venues and a number of large hotels are currently closed, however to ensure that Christchurch regains the dominant percentage in the Australian
Christchurch looks to the future
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Editor Brad Foster [email protected] Advertising Jenny Gill [email protected] page 2
April 2011 www.micenz.netNEW ZEALAND DIGITAL
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Story by Brad Foster
Australia’s Gold Coast continues to redefine itself as a business events destination with something for everyone.
Increasing staff at Gold Coast Tourism to assist in boosting business events to the southern Queensland destination is just one example of many that is fuelling a surge in conference and incentive travel activity to the region.“We now have an office in Shanghai, we have a dedicated marketing manager in Japan, in Great Britain we’ve always had a representative there, and most of you would know Sam Cameron in New Zealand,” said Gold Coast Tourism CEO, Martin Winter recently.Good news considering the amount of new product coming online and the number of upgrades happening around town.“The biggest and the best is the Hilton hotel which has opened in downtown Surfers Paradise,” Mr Winter said.“This is a really fantastic destination because it has really helped to reinvigorate that precinct. In
Broadbeach we have a new Peppers five star hotel, just a few minutes’ walk from the convention centre.”Keeping pace with private investment, Gold Coast City Council is putting its own money into programs of improvement. This includes spending $25 million on upgrading the Surfers Paradise foreshore with the aim of reconnecting the heart of Surfers Paradise to the beach, and creating a safer, more accessible public space with improved infrastructure for recreational activities and major events.
A first-hand look at the improvements recently appear to be doing what the council hopes, with better beach access and a vastly improved street and beachscape achieved.The destination is also winning on the events front. Most recently it was announced that the Gold Coast will be home to the Australian leg of the Rugby World Sevens, securing the event from Adelaide, and beating Sydney for the right to
play host for the next four years. The first International Rugby Sevens Gold Coast will be held at Skilled Park on November 25 and 26.On top of that win the destination is hoping for an even bigger boost as it awaits an announcement on the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Premier Anna Bligh will travel to Kuala Lumpur this month with Gold Coast Lord Mayor Ron Clarke, representatives from the Federal Government and Commonwealth Games executives to officially lodge the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games bid.
New venues and dealsThe Hilton Surfers Paradise officially opens in August, bringing a new level of sophistication to the Gold Coast. A combination of 169 hotel rooms and 250 residences available in one, two and three bedroom configurations, will provide conference and event travellers with a unique accommodation alternative. The hotel’s boutique ballroom, equipped with the latest audio-visual technology, has a capacity of 300 guests cocktail-style, and is complemented by a range of spectacular outdoor event spaces, a business centre, luxury day spa, and impressive dining
options. Adding to the experience, the hotel has also recently announced that their conference and event menus will be created by celebrity Chef Luke Mangan. Day Delegate packages start from $72 per person. Visit www.hiltonsurfersparadise.com.au.One of the Gold Coast’s most iconic properties, Palazzo Versace recently launched a new events space – Finestra. The Finestra function room is described as a light-filled space overlooking the vibrant Fountain Terrace. With a simplistic elegant design and natural light enveloping the function space, the 5.5 metre high room is the ideal location for events when an intimate setting of the highest quality is required. With the capacity to host up to 50 guests theatre style or 40 guests banquet style, the Finestra room offers a sophisticated setting for intimate events. For more information visit www.palazzoversace.com.au/incentive. Enjoy the refurbished conference and accommodation facilities at Mantra Legends Hotel with packages starting from $176* per person including a day delegate package, single deluxe
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All that glitters is Gold (Coast)
“...it has really helped to reinvigorate that precinct.”
Sunrise at Narrow Neck, Gold Coast. Photo courtesy of Alan Jensen.
Tourism Queensland.
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Story by Brad Foster
Wellington is anticipating growth in 2011 thanks to new facilities and a proactive business event sector.
Wellington Convention Bureau manager, Martin Boland, is upbeat about the local business event sector.An upswing in business in recent months can be attributed, in part, to the tragic February earthquake in Christchurch which has left many inner-city venues closed. As is the nature of the business world some companies have sought alternative destinations for meetings, with Wellington being one of these.
Mr Boland says, however, that the feeling everywhere is that the sooner Christchurch recovers the better.“Like everybody we want them back on board as fast as possible. I know many good people in Christchurch. Christchurch is our garden city and we continue to see a tremendous outpouring of support for them.”A commercial real estate conference in Wellington recently is testament to the commitment so many people are making to the city, with the conference raising $94,000 to assist those in need.
New productEnsuring that it continues to remain competitive Wellington has welcomed some new additions to
the city. These include the purpose-built Te Wharewaka o Poneke conference centre on the waterfront, and a new space called Mac’s Brew Bar and Function Centre.
Te Wharewaka o Poneke is described as offering a unique mix of tradition within a contemporary context. The venue houses two ceremonial waka taua, and spaces ranging from meeting rooms to a large exhibition-style area, with the capacity to cater for up to 550
people.There is also the ability to increase the venue’s capacity by adding a marquee to the existing structure.Visit www.wharewakaoponeke.co.nz to learn more. Mac’s Brew Bar and Function Centre, located on the harbourfront and close to Te Papa, opens this month, and will have the capacity to cater for up to 450 people over two levels.The Mac’s Function Centre will boast four conference rooms to accommodate both small and large events with features including: • full catering services• drive-in vehicle access for vehicle displays and trade shows
Good times for Wellington
“Wellington has welcomed some new additions to the city.”
Wellington Harbour. Photo courtesy of Rob Brown. Positively Wellington Tourism.
ABOVE AND RIGHT: The all-new Te Wharewaka o Poneke conference centre.
Editor Brad Foster [email protected] Advertising Jenny Gill [email protected]
May 2011 www.micenz.net
NEW ZEALAND DIGITAL
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