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19 August, 2008
A record number of 45 Australian exhibitors have descended on
Auckland
to attend the Pacific Area Incentives and Conferences Expo (PAICE), commencing today. Stretching over half the exhibition floor, the ‘Australia Pavilion’ will create maximum impact for
Australia
’s sales mission.
Tourism
Australia
’s Managing Director, Mr Geoff Buckley said, “PAICE is an opportunity for
Australia
to showcase the $3.7 billion dollars of new investment in business events infrastructure around the country.
“Conference and incentive infrastructure is expanding at an impressive rate. From convention centres to hotels, resorts and unique attractions,
Australia
is investing in new facilities across the country to meet the needs of this market.
“There are strong motivating factors for New Zealanders to choose
Australia
as their conference and incentive destination. Virgin Blue’s significant expansion of capacity across the Tasman,
Australia
’s wide selection of Green Globe accredited meeting and conference facilities and the publicity around Baz Luhrmann’s
Australia
is just the start. New Zealanders know better than anyone the impact a major motion picture can have on tourism and it’s with great anticipation that we look forward to the movie’s launch,” he said.
Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio said, “The exhibitors attending PAICE demonstrate the range of quality business events products and services available in
Australia
.
New Zealand
is a crucial market to
Australia
’s business events sector and is our largest international market for business events in
Australia
, making up 25% of the inbound business events market.
“Our presence at PAICE is vital in keeping
Australia
front of mind for conference and incentive decision makers. Keeping conference organisers updated on the array of new facilities, exciting products, bespoke programs and fresh ideas
Australia
’s business events community are creating, will ensure
New Zealand
business travellers have attractive reasons to return.”
This year, 30% of the Australian exhibitors are new to PAICE. They include a diverse range of business events suppliers, including convention and visitor bureaux, hotels, resorts, convention centres, venues, team building options, attractions and transport operators.
“PAICE is the ideal event to showcase to the
New Zealand
market the array of business events options
Australia
offers. According to Tourism Research
Australia
’s data, in 2007/08 there were 46,900
New Zealand
tourists who visited
Australia
for a business event, up 3% compared to the previous year. It’s our aim to keep this figure rising,” Ms DiMascio said.
For more information on PAICE and to view the full list of exhibitors, please visit: www.paicexpo.co.nz
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