A group of seven key corporate buyers from New Zealand were recently hosted to a lavish 3-day familiarisation in Adelaide and adjacent regions of South Australia. The familiarisation was jointly hosted by Tourism Australia and the Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority (ACTA) in conjunction with Air New Zealand, which provided the return flights from Auckland. 

The group was treated to the best that the state has to offer and provided the opportunity to experience products and services of interest to the corporate market. Over and above the normal first-class accommodation, food and wine that Adelaide is famous for, the guests toured South Australia’s two most-famous wine regions where they experienced a unique wine-blending opportunity at Penfolds in the Barossa Valley, and a fabulous luncheon at D’Arenberg under the vines in McLaren Vale. 

chi-ball experience on the beach at Glenelg

The Kiwis were also treated to a unique and relaxing morning chi-ball experience on the beach at Glenelg, a progressive dinner at National Wine Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre and the Hyatt Regency Adelaide. 

Commenting on the visit, Angela Waghorn, of Spanbild Holdings said, “it was a fabulous famil and I was very impressed with Adelaide and surrounds… rest assured I will be promoting it as a destination for our brands to conference at in future years.” Denise McBirney, of Reckitt Benckiser, echoed these remarks “the company, venues, hotel, weather, wine and the city itself were all outstanding and I certainly will be recommending Adelaide for our next offshore conference.” 

Rounding off the event, the group also experienced the delights of Haigh’s Chocolate Factory, glass blowing at the Jam Factory, and a historic overview by Tourabout Adelaide on Montefiore Hill. 

The familiarisation is part of a series coordinated by Tourism Australia to drive more corporate business to new destinations. The event took place in Adelaide for the first time, building on the direct daily flights from Auckland to Adelaide.