Conventions and Incentives New Zealand’s (CINZ) two-day trade exhibition championing the country’s business events prowess has wrapped up for the year.
Though that’s not to say there was any wrapping paper or bows involved; you would need a lot of ribbons to contain this mammoth exhibition.
“We have hosted a high-quality contingent of international buyers and media at MEETINGS 2018 who are ready come to New Zealand for large events, as well as for bespoke incentive travel,” said CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan.
“Event organisers are always looking for something truly different, and we have shown them New Zealand is a stunning learning and networking environment. We can offer the whole package with great venues, exciting activities, unique culture, service, food and wine.”
Having attended the event in Auckland, we can vouch for the wine part.
The tradeshow went out with a bang, hosting 650 business event planners and a few media, including yours truly, at the Pullman for an 80s themed gala dinner which featured one of the biggest disco balls we’ve ever seen.
Styled by Event Impressions, the gala dinner featured all the best sights and sounds of the 80s including enough fluoro to cause temporary blindness.
Not to mention a spate of awards honouring the best in show!
Presented by Sue Sullivan, the CINZ MEETINGS 2018 Awards for exhibitors was judged by a team of four Australian hosted buyers.
“We keep raising the bar every year, and the standard of exhibitions in 2018 has been exceptional,” said Sullivan.
The 2018 award winners were:
Best Regional Stand: Rotorua
The judges were impressed with how welcoming the stand was, featuring greenery, bench seats and Māori culture. The stand representatives followed through with their warmth and passion while educating buyers on the destination as their number one priority. There was a feeling of collaboration amongst the team on the stand, and the stand facilitated this extremely well.
Best Individual Stand: Naumi Hotel Auckland (Airport)
The attention to detail on this stand helped contribute to the judges’ decision. Initially, the judges noticed the attractive, bright and welcoming space, however, the experience continued with the helpful and considerate representatives on the stand and the judges walked away wanting to work with them.
Best new exhibitor: Lux Productions
The combination of a visually interesting space and the friendly ‘meet and greet’ at the entrance created a personal touch that drew the judges in to learn more. The judges appreciated the effort and thoughtfulness that went into the stand, a recreated forest, complete with water feature and bird calls, and this was a welcome retreat for judges to experience a few minutes of peace.
