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Christchurch to take centre stage at MEETINGS

Christchurch will take centre stage next week when hundreds of industry professionals meet in Auckland for MEETINGS 2015.

Christchurch will take centre stage next week when hundreds of industry professionals meet in Auckland for MEETINGS 2015.

 

The country’s largest annual showcase, running from 9 to 11 June, will see hundreds of influential business event professionals meet with 190 exhibitors to discuss incentives, venues and team building activities.

While exhibitors will come from all around New Zealand, Christchurch will take focus, as tourism leaders showcase its recovery following the major 2011 quake.

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Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism’s Chief Executive, Tim Hunter, will offer an update on the city’s current situation, while Rob McIntyre from Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre will talk about its MICE availability.

Last month, Christchurch took a big step towards rebuilding its meetings sector when its largest hotel reopened its doors.

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The former All Seasons relaunched as BreakFree on Cashel Christchurch, offering 179 new beds in the city.

This figure will rise to 263 by 1 September when renovations are complete.

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Also at the event this year will be Justin Watson, Chief Commercial Officer Aeronautical, Christchurch International Airport.

Other speakers at this year’s event include Sue Sullivan, Chief Executive, Conventions and Incentives New Zealand; Richard Leggat, Deputy Chair, Tourism New Zealand; Roger Wigglesworth, Director Tourism, Sectors, Regions and Cities, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE); Anna Hayward, Manager, Auckland Convention Bureau; and Simon Jamieson, General Manager, NZ International Convention Centre.

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CINZ MEETINGS 2015 Chief Executive Sue Sullivan said it is the event acts as a one-stop shop for event professionals to see new venues, products and services.

“Hot topics for discussion this year will be the planned new convention centre facilities for Auckland and Christchurch.”

Sue Sullivan, CINZ MEETINGS 2015 Chief Executive

This year, the event will welcome over 50 hosted buyers from the growing markets of China, India, South-East Asia and North America, and 97 from Australia.

Kiwi event organisers are at record numbers too, with 90 hosted from around New Zealand, as well as over 350 expected from Auckland over the two-day event.

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CINZ will be hosting key leaders from various industry sectors around New Zealand on special VIP tours of the show, to give them an insight into the industry’s growing strength and capabilities.

Auckland’s waterfront will also be the scene for two top-tier evening events, with a welcome function at Hilton Auckland on 9 June, and MEETINGS finale at Shed 10 on 11 June.

Will you be attending MEETINGS this year?