Mary Tolley, head of destination at Tourism Bay of Plenty, says the feedback has been fantastic from both suppliers and attendees. “Suppliers have shared that they had some great conversations, made new connections and really enjoyed having the opportunity to connect. Attendees have said they loved the format and the interactions, and many were surprised by just how much there was to experience right here in their own backyard.
“Most importantly, we’re already hearing that attendees are planning to add some of the suppliers they met to their future event programmes, which is a great outcome and exactly what we were hoping to achieve.
“Our ‘Out of the Boardroom, Into the Blue’ campaign is more than a strategy; it’s an identity and a shared direction for our region. We have consulted with and included our industry partners throughout its development, so they have had a voice in shaping our direction from the beginning. I want them to see themselves in the strategy, feel ownership of it and know that it aligns with their own aspirations for the region. This event was one of the key actions to bring the strategy to life. It was about showing what is possible when we show up together, work together and showcase the strength of our region as one. Ultimately, we wanted attendees to walk away with a sense of pride for the region, learning something new about what’s available, and when they’re considering options for their next event to think local first,” she says.
Guests experienced interactive activations, local food and beverage offerings, and fantastic giveaways. Tolley is hoping to go even bigger next year with famil hosting wrapped around the event to attract more conference organisers from out of region.”
