Conference exhibition will generate $33m in two days - organiser
A conference for conference organisers starts in Auckland today, aiming to attract more international conventions here.
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A trade show to lure conferences to New Zealand starting in Auckland today expects to generate about $33 million in sales over the next two days.
The Conventions and Incentives New Zealand MEETINGS event aims to link up 1000 international conference organisers with New Zealand facilities.
"It's a trade show on a buyer-meets-seller basis," CINZ chief executive Alan Trotter told NBR ONLINE.
At Auckland's Sky City Convention Centre the event has 172 exhibitors, the most it has had.
More than 500 buyers are attending, representing organisations from nine countries including China, Malaysia, Singapore, India, the US and Australia.
"They are key decision-makers in the conference and incentive industry, and potentially could send a lot of business New Zealand's way."
Last year's event was held in Rotorua, and generated more than $32m worth of business leads, according to CINZ.
Mr Trotter says while it is hoped more international conferences will come to New Zealand, there is a limit to what can be accommodated.
He says because of the lack of a large conference facility, the biggest conference New Zealand could handle would be about 2000 delegates, compared to 10,000 for a typically large one in Australia.
The biggest conferences held in New Zealand are in the science and medical field, he says.
Caleb Allison
Wed, 13 Jun 2012
Wed, 13 Jun 2012
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Conference exhibition will generate $33m in two days - organiser
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