MAY/JUNE 2018 The industry showed off its silly side at the Meeting Newz stand at Convene North 2018, which took place at Vodafone Events Centre in April. Head to page 22 to read our Convene coverage and page 6 to check out some more silly photos from the Meeting Newz photo booth. Back row: Amanda Graham, Business Events Waikato; Doug Cockroft, NZ It’s about the big picture Oracle Users Group and Sharon Leonhardt, Traveltraits Working together as a region is vital for success, according Front Row: Jo Perry and Barbara to Amanda Graham, business events manager Hamilton Dunne, Ballance Agri-Nutrients with Jody McGinity, Hamilton & Waikato & Waikato Tourism, who says putting the region first will Business Events ensure the best possible experience for delegates. ‘The Convention Bureau works with training (delivered by Tourism Marketing right venue with the right suppliers for that operators to encourage working together as a Solutions), business events seminars with particular event. region. We encourage our operators to look at industry guest speakers, and our annual ‘The bureau works for our partners, but the big picture, be passionate about, and talk Business Events Showcase, which this year we also work with the buyers to make sure about the region before their own products,’ will be held on 23 August. that they are matched with the best suppliers she says. Graham says at a high level, the bureau to fit their objectives, budget and delegate ‘We do this by facilitating four networking wants to bring buyers into New Zealand, demographic,’ she explains. and update events a year, business events then into the Waikato, and then into the ...continued on page 2 THE CONFERENCE, INCENTIVE & EXHIBITION MAGAZINE www.meetingnewz.co.nz [ EDITORIAL / NEWS Contents Note from the editor... FEATURES Pacific Islands 12 Pride of place Waikato 26 Southland 32 The best part of being an editor is being or uncomfortable situation. This upset me able to talk about real issues, real people because I was one of those people. Otago 36 and real problems that face the world, It bothers me that people say horrible and discuss how those real things affect things that are no longer accepted in our AND THE REST our industry. society and people keep silent out of fear. News 4 Whether it’s racism (more on this on page That calling someone out for being out of 42), sexism (see our January issue), animal line and offensive to an entire group of Social Scene 6 and 24-25 rights (check out our July 2017 issue) people is somehow worse than the repugnant Convene North wrap 22 or whatever, every single person in this thing that was actually said. People on the Move 31 industry has a responsibility to be better. This happens on a bigger scale often. Big The conference and events industry was news last month was Australian rugby star summed up to me in my first ever interview Israel Folau’s vile comments on social media INDUSTRY COMMENT with a PCO. ‘We are professional party about gay people going to hell unless they Editor’s Note 2 planners. Big parties, mind you.’ When you repent their sins, and his New Zealand wife, Editorial: Racist NZ and our attend a party, you have no control over netball great Maria Folau, supporting his industry’s responsibility 42 the types of people you may meet and by stance on Instagram. the end of the night you hopefully would It took awhile for public figures to come Stu’d Up 45 have met people different from your usual out publicly and condemn them. I applaud Letter from Sue Sullivan, CINZ 51 echo chamber, learned a few things and those who have (here’s looking at you Matty left with a slightly more open mind. The McLean, you’re amazing), and I’m inspired by same goes when you are planning an event. them. But why have others not spoken up? Every event involves partnerships with a Why are we all so afraid of calling people huge variety of operators - accommodation out for the gross, antiquated, uneducated, meeting newz is registered as a magazine providers, entertainment, AV, catering... the harmful things that they say? and is published by ProMag Publishing Ltd. Level 1, 20A Morgan St, Newmarket, list is long. And with these partnerships I wasn’t the only person who looked at PO Box 60154, Titirangi, Auckland. come people from all walks of life, with all my feet when I heard these slurs on this Internet: www.meetingnewz.co.nz different backgrounds and beliefs. famil. There were Phone: 09 307 3782. Fax: 09 307 3784. It upset me on a recent famil when I exchanged glances, Group Editor: Shannon Williams heard a PCO call someone gay and a ‘fag’ there was silence. email: [email protected] as a joke, as a way to make fun of them, Next time though, Journalist: Sam Worthington then crying PC police. This wasn’t the only there won’t be [email protected] Publisher: Stu Freeman thing that upset me. though. It upset me silence from me. email: [email protected] that people laughed. It also upset me that Circulation & Advertising Production: those who didn’t find it funny didn’t say Patrea Robson: [email protected] anything, instead looked away or looked at Shannon Williams Administration Manager: Marg Patten their feet, careful not to create an awkward Group Editor email: [email protected] Advertising Manager: Heather Lowrie Phone: 021 599 929 continued from page 1... It’s about the big picture email: [email protected] Design & Production: Gary Covich Graham says it is important operators big picture. It is very helpful to chat to people email: [email protected] learn about each other’s products, which in in a similar position, realise that everybody Printing: Image Centre turn will strengthen the regional proposition has similar challenges, and benefit from the Distribution: Western Mailing and facilitate cross-referral. experience of others,’ she explains. ISSN: 1172-5893 ‘We are all working together to offer the ‘Operators need to learn about what is buyer the best possible experience in the going on in the region for the purposes of Waikato. My ideal is that buyers receive the assisting and adding value for the time-poor same high quality service from all Waikato buyer and facilitating cross-referral. venues and suppliers, that we are seen as a ‘Buyers can tell when a region and friendly, professional place to do business, operators are working together. Yes, we have where the buyer and delegate experience is competition, but generally speaking we are our first priority.’ committed as a region to finding the best Graham says networking is also solution for the client and delivering great important, because of the opportunities it delegate experiences.’ creates operators. Head to page 26 to check out more wise ‘It is easy for operators to become focused words from Amanda Graham and some news on their own products and lose site of the from the region in our Waikato feature. [2] meetingnewz [mayjune] 2018 INTIMATE MEETINGS SPECIAL SMALL $ 199INCL. GST Accommodation rate SPACES when you book a meeting of 10 or more FOR BIG IDEAS WITH GRAND MILLENNIUM AUCKLAND At MEETINGS 2018 Day Buyers Lunches a team of Millennium Executive Regardless of the size of your meeting, we will chefs from our hotels around New Zealand are re-creating one of the menus accommodate you and your delegates. from Chef Greg Singian - the Executive Chef at Grand Millennium Auckland. With 14 conference rooms, including intimate boardrooms Meet the regions and savour the culture with Manaakitanga - warmth, catering to small groups, make Grand Millennium Auckland your first choice for your next event. generosity, respect, and kindness. DATES AVAILABLE: Visit www.meetingsnz.co.nz to view all Millennium Hotels and Resorts latest specials, including our great rates for intimate meetings. Friday 1st June – Friday 8th June 2018 Monday 11 June – Sunday 17th June 2018 Monday 2nd July – Sunday 8th July 2018 www.meetingsnz.co.nz Wednesday 22nd August – Friday 31st August 2018 New Zealand 0800 4 633 846 Saturday 1st September – Wednesday 5th September 2018 T +64 9 366 5633 Australia +61 4 2117 3325 Terms and Conditions: New Business Only. Subject to Availability at the time of booking. E [email protected] Minimum Catering Numbers of 10 guests or more. [ NEWS Aviation Display Hall Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology is urging event organisers Never too early to start thinking about their end of year function to plan ahead plans, even though the holiday season might be than the Aviation Display Hall, home of New ‘This dynamic open space is the new home a while off yet. Zealand’s aviation stories and one of the of The Mind Lab by Unitec, pioneers of digital world’s most unique aircraft collections.’ and collaborative learning. It features reliable, ‘Securing the perfect venue is arguably The display hall, which is equipped to host high-speed internet and a contemporary the most important aspect of organising a up to 500 guests for cocktails or 350 banquet industrial design incorporating spectacular Christmas function,’ says MOTAT event sales style, has hosted a range of events, award graffiti murals.’ executive, Raewyn Dooley. ‘All the best ones ceremonies and gala dinners. ‘Just imagine Suitable for product launches, cocktail can book up quickly.’ welcoming your guests with a glass of bubbles parties and corporate dinners, the Innovation Dooley says irrespective of function size, under the wings of the Avro Lancaster Bomber Hub caters for up to 200 guests in cocktail MOTAT has a venue to suit, from its Aviation before ushering them down the runway, style or 100 for a sit-down dinner.