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Three days of exposure to Christchurch’s blisteringly cold winter weather wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of both exhibitors and buyers attending this year’s MEETINGS 2006.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the annual convention and tradeshow received positive feedback from this year’s participants, many of whom used the word ‘quality’ to describe several facets of the show held in Christchurch during July.

With more than 300 buyers in attendance, exhibitors actively juggled appointments during the two-day programme. Event organiser Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) was pleased with the turnout, reporting an expected NZ$28 million worth of business as a result of the show.

“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,” CINZ CEO Alan Trotter said.

For Tanya Dustin, national sales manager, NZ of Duxton Hotels, one of the biggest selling points of this year’s MEETINGS was the mixture of both New Zealand and Australia-based buyers that were doing the rounds over the two days.
“Australia is a good market for both incentives and conferences, so it’s been good to see that it’s not been mostly New Zealand buyers visiting us here,” Ms Dustin said.

Having been to MEETINGS in previous years, she said that the event in 2006 once again provided a great platform to meet with people, say thank you to existing clients, and generate new business.
However, Ms Dustin said it would have been good to see more foot traffic at the event.
“We were at MEETINGS in Auckland last year, and I’d have to say Auckland had more day buyers. But the cold weather and the cancelled flights may have had something to do with the numbers this year.
“But in saying that, we’ve gotten good leads out of both events, and I would definitely come again next year.”
The numbers weren’t a concern to the Wellington Convention Bureau project manager Eleanor Currier. In fact, Ms Currier said she couldn’t have asked for better when it came to the nature of this year’s buyers.
“Ninety-nine per cent of buyers I’ve seen have been really good quality. And there’s been lots of foot traffic, which is obviously paramount,” Ms Currier said.
Ms Currier also said that having a string of appointments of only 15 minutes in length has been a key element for the event’s success. She said that each meeting is designed to be an initial introduction with a view to follow up with buyers who are genuinely interested about the product or service on offer.
“In 15 minutes I’ve managed to get in many conversations about last night’s function and [things like] cycling, while still covering all the bases. With a concentrated timeframe, you’re straight onto business and it’s focused.”
While many exhibitors have had previous MEETINGS to compare this year to, a number of sellers setting up their stand were doing so as first-time exhibitors in 2006.

Operations manager of Flight Experience, Grayson Ottaway was not only new to the NZ event, but he also had a new business to showcase to buyers. At the close of the second day, Mr Ottaway said he had received a lot of applause from many buyers.
“For a new business, it’s been fantastic,” Mr Ottaway said.
“It’s been a great forum to show off what we’re about and what we do. And it’s going to prove beneficial.”
From the 60 appointments he had over the two days, half as many buyers again wanted a follow up.
“As a brand new business, it was a big call to come to MEETINGS. But for us as a seller, it has provided a huge number of leads. We’ll definitely be back here again next year.”
Exhibitors were not the only ones singing praise for the event in Christchurch. Buyers also found MEETINGS a worthwhile experience. Tauranga-based Safron Phillips, PA to CFO business services for ABN AMRO Craigs, said that making the journey to Christchurch to attend the event for the first time proved valuable.

“I do a lot of bookings, and it’s very hard when you’re up in the North Island trying to book down south. Sometimes you don’t know how far offices are from different hotels, or whether a hotel’s changed its name since the last time you looked,” Ms Phillips said.

Social events
Aside from the business-building benefits of the exhibition, MEETINGS 2006 also provided networking opportunities for exhibitors and buyers at various functions, including the opening night get-together held at Jade Stadium where guests were treated to a selection of tasty dishes and a guest appearance from Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, in tune with the night’s rugby theme. Other standout functions included the regional dine-around events hosted by convention bureaux from across New Zealand, and the MEETINGS 2006 gala dinner at Christchurch’s Air Force Museum.

A waka paddled by key South Island Maori including Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon and local upoko (chief) Rakihia Tau welcomed delegates to MEETINGS 2006.

The special welcome was organised by Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB) and hosted by several local tourism operators including Outrigger at Clearwater Resort.

CCCB manager Annette Pendergast said the event was an opportunity to promote the South Island’s unique cultural flavour to international convention and incentive buyers.
“We want to create profile and recognition internationally for the distinctive Maori culture of Te Waipounamu (South Island) developed over centuries on this land,” she said.

“It’s significant that this event happens at the same time as South Island Maori culture is being hailed at a major exhibition of Ngai Tahi Taonga at Te Papa this month.”

Leading Christchurch Maori tourism operator and director of Ko Tane, Dave Brennan co-ordinated the showcase of his Ngai Tahu culture, represented by leaders of Ngai Tahu and local runanga. Mr Brennan believes Canterbury offers authentic Maori cultural and natural history experiences that are distinctively different to others in New Zealand. His Ko Tane cultural experience and tours based at Willowbank wildlife reserve in Christchurch’s north west has been running for four years and employs up to 30 Maori entertainers and guides, reviving crafts such as the intricate art of weaving, which was demonstrated at Haere Mai MEETINGS 2006.