Disco balls, awards and Elton John look alikes: CINZ MEETINGS wraps up for 2018

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Styled by Event Impressions, the gala dinner featured all the best sights and sounds of the 80s including enough fluoro to cause temporary blindness.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]