CINZ MEETINGS kicks off in Auckland

New Zealand’s biggest meetings and events showcase, CINZ MEETINGS, kicked off its 2018 edition today at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds with over 650 business event specialists exhibiting their products and services. The event will see over 190 exhibitors and 500 buyers network across 6,000 meetings during two days of pre-scheduled appointments and social events.

“New Zealand buyers have travelled from all over the country to meet here, along with a significant number of local Auckland event organisers coming in each day,” said Sue Sullivan, CINZ chief executive.

“With the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland, and Christchurch’s new convention centre set to open by 2020, New Zealand is ready to capture a bigger share of the international multi-day convention market.”

This year’s event sees a strong influence of Māori culture by way of character, feel and content. For instance, CINZ Māori culture advisor Ngahihi o-te-ra Bidois blessed the exhibition space at ASB Showgrounds and the stands and food served to guests with karakia (prayers). He will do the same at the event’s conclusion on May 31 and wish safe travels to all delegates.

Karl Wixon, Māori guide for the New Zealand Story programme, will be responsible for the inclusion and development of Māori culture by presenting a masterclass for PCOs about Māori culture, and showing what can be done to integrate Māori values into events in a meaningful way.

Meanwhile, the Auckland booth drew delegates with its sensorial offerings of scent and taste. Delegates were able to create their own scent inspired by the city, and take home a small tube of their creation. Also on display are various flavoured jellies in tribute to the many districts of Auckland.

“Everybody’s stuck in a meeting in a convention hall so we thought about how to bring Auckland to the people using senses we don’t usually use at these events. We had the idea of distilling the city down to 30 different essences and presenting them on the walls today,” said Jess Mentis, founder at the The Jellyologist.

“Once they’ve been involved with making their own scents, people have been absolutely loving it. I think it’s really different in an environment like this."