New Zealand will be showcasing its new venues and activities to the Asia Pacific meetings and events industry with a new hybrid stand at this year’s AIME trade show.

Tourism New Zealand will be anchoring the stand with an increased number of New Zealand partners, both in person and via a virtual hub on-stand, to showcase the country’s latest business events developments.

Representatives of the three new generation convention centres in New Zealand – Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre and the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland – will be physically on stand.

There will also be in-person attendance from key destinations Auckland Convention Bureau, Business Events Wellington, Dunedin Business Events, and Queenstown Convention Bureau, as well as industry body BEIA, and hotel presence from Cordis Auckland and Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

Show attendees will be able to live chat virtually with Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, Southland Regional Development Agency, and Destination Rotorua, as well as venue operators CPG Hotels – Terrace Downs and Auckland Conventions, Venues & Events.

Tourism New Zealand General Manager Domestic & Business Events Bjoern Spreitzer says:

“We want to be present and meet the buyers at this event to discuss what New Zealand can offer for their events and make those genuine connections that in-person can bring. We’re also aware that face-to-face isn’t an option for everyone currently, so wanted to demonstrate our hybrid capabilities and extend our reach via a virtual component.

“New imagery and on-stand activations will provide an immersive, welcoming New Zealand experience for attendees.”

Australian hosted buyers who book a Pre-Scheduled Appointment with the New Zealand team (either in-person or virtually) at AIME are also in the draw to win a return trip for two from Australia to either Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or Queenstown with Air New Zealand, aligned with New Zealand’s border reopening timings. This will include four nights’ accommodation and experiencing two excursions in their destination of choice first-hand.

Spreitzer adds: “With new venues and activities coming online, plus flexible, competitive and business-specific funding and support on offer, there’s lots for us to share with event organisers from across the region.”