A royal welcome from Auckland for the Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) 2018 conference this week as punters side-stepped Harry and Meghan to attend a Polynesian-themed soiree at Lula Inn.

Discovering the historic venues now available in Parliament and receiving an exclusive invitation from the Speaker of the House were among the highlights of a Business Events Wellington-hosted famil in Wellington last week.

Auckland Conventions, Venues & Events' Lorena Marshall had a great time hosting some clients at the Mamma Mia musical, which is running for three weeks at Bruce Mason Centre.

The Spencer on Byron Hotel in Takapuna, Auckland held a function last night, as the team there looked to thank its clients and partners for their support over the years. 

General manager Greg Remmington said the night was all about the buyers. 

The inaugural Convene Networking Session took place at The Grounds at Whoa! Studios in Auckland last night.

The event was hosted by Convene Group in conjunction with The Production & Music Agency, Greg Ward and Pavlovich Coachlines.


The opening cocktail function at this year's Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo has proved a standout, with hosted buyers treated to an evening at the Old Melbourne Gaol. 

Home to notorious crims including Ned Kelly, the gaol was decked out to provide a truly 'one-of-kind' experience for attendees at this year's event.

There were some bowls being played at the Point Chev Bowling Club last Wednesday but most people were simply enjoying catching up with good friends at The Production & Music Agency's Christmas do.

Christmas wreaths were the order of the day when Heritage Auckland Hotel invited business events practitioners to a Christmas function on the pool deck last week.

General manager Marcus Keenan says 2017 has been a strong year all round, including in the conference, meetings and incentives sectors. And he says 2018 looks like being another strong performance.

The Hamilton & Waikato Business Events team hosted 13 guests in the mighty Waikato this past week on their last multi-day famil of the year.

On the agenda for the guests were Claudelands Conference & Exhibition Centre, Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waikato Tainui College, University of Waikato, Hamilton Airport Venues, Sudima Hotel, SKYCITY Hamilton and more.

Pullman Auckland saw November away and headed into Christmas with a function for meeting and conference planners, as well as a few travel wholesalers, last week.

A small group of corporates. incentive operators and professional conference organisers got the VIP treatment from Spark Arena and The Collective last night.

The meetings, incentive, events and tourism communities turned up in force when Langham, Auckland rebranded as Cordis, Auckland on 1 November.

Great views of the racetrack, big screen action, a Rio Carnival theme and a range of entertainment were all part of the day when cievents and other Flight CentrCorporatete NZ businesses hosted clients and business partners to Ellerslie racecourse for Melbourne Cup Day.

• Arii Jade, DJ; John (JR)... Arii Jade, DJ; John (JR)...
• Karina Morello, Friday Photography; Dean... Karina Morello, Friday Photography; Dean...
• Greeting party… Brittany Burbridge, Mel... Greeting party… Brittany Burbridge, Mel...
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Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre opened up its new outdoor green space function area last week, the final touches on two years of additions. 

'We wanted to showcase the finishing touches from what was started with the conference centre. It's been a massive project pretty much since 2015 with its concept and creation,’ says Kym Klein, marketing and communications coordinator, Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre.

‘This is kind of the finishing touch. It’s open to regular guests, but opens up more opportunity for our conferencing clients – and there is complimentary WiFi in the area too.’

Attendees to CINZ 2017 convened over morning tea yesterday morning, after a full morning of conferencing. 

Day two of the conference has officially kicked off, and Thursday morning included the CINZ AGM and Board Member Voting take place, followed by a session led by Ziptrek executive director Trent Yeo - Tourism Design: Environment Experience & Exponentials. A second session on Carbon Neutral Conferencing was taken by Niki Bould, sustainability consultant, Ahika. 
Before lunch attendees could take part in workshop sessions, International Conference Insights, led by Deborah Sexton, president and CEO PCMA; Creating and Curating Social Media o Engage Your Customers, led by Vicki Allpress-Hill, director, the Audience; Presentology Skills: 7 Tips for a presentologist, Life after 'death by Powerpoint' , led by John Quinn, Presentologist. 

• Callum Mallett, New Zealand International... Callum Mallett, New Zealand International...
• Bree Jones, Dunedin Convention Bureau;... Bree Jones, Dunedin Convention Bureau;...
• Jeanette Stanton, Auckland Convention Bureau;... Jeanette Stanton, Auckland Convention Bureau;...
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Vector Wero is a whitewater park located in the heart of Manukau City, South Auckland.

The park features two white water rafting courses and 9,000 sqm of water, opening its doors today for a corporate day.

In total, five groups of around 30 people from companies around the South Auckland Region convened at the park to get a taste of the team building activities on offer.

FCM clients were treated to a pre-show event ahead of the Hailwood fashion show at this year’s new Zealand Fashion Week.

The event was held at the rebranded Grand Mercure Auckland’s new bar/venue, Custom Lane. Guests enjoyed specially designed  cocktails, canapés and oysters from a live shucking station.

Custom Lane is a new laneway that was launched following the multi-million dollar revamp of Accor Hotels’ Auckland hotel brand, launched as the grand Mercure Auckland. Custom Lane was inspired by the urban renaissance of city laneways, often seen in major cities like Melbourne and San Francisco.

• Samantha Dick (cievents), Tony Dickson... Samantha Dick (cievents), Tony Dickson...
• Kate Amiss (FCm), Gillian Knott... Kate Amiss (FCm), Gillian Knott...
• Nicky Primrose (Mitre 10), Megan... Nicky Primrose (Mitre 10), Megan...
• Anthony Bodle (FCm), Georgina Grey... Anthony Bodle (FCm), Georgina Grey...
• Shannon Whitta (FCM), Abhi Sharma... Shannon Whitta (FCM), Abhi Sharma...
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The New Zealand cruise sector wrapped up its 2017 conference last week. It was held at Auckland Museum and included an annoucement of a new name for what is now the New Zealand Cruise Association. The record turn-out of more than 200 delegates at last week’s cruise conference was testament to the importance of the sector on New Zealand’s tourism revenue. International speakers, media and delegates joined domestic attendees from all over New Zealand representing transport, tour operators, hotels, cruise lines and ports. The PCO was Event Dynamics.

• The Event Dynamics team of... The Event Dynamics team of...
• Amy Armstrong, Stamford Plaza Auckland;... Amy Armstrong, Stamford Plaza Auckland;...
• Mike Murphy, Intercity and Kate... Mike Murphy, Intercity and Kate...
• Bruce Krumrine, VP shore excursions... Bruce Krumrine, VP shore excursions...
• Lynley Martin, Skyline Skyrides Rotorua... Lynley Martin, Skyline Skyrides Rotorua...
• Tony Smith, Francis Travel Marketing... Tony Smith, Francis Travel Marketing...
• Mark Gilbert, Hassle-free Tours (centre)... Mark Gilbert, Hassle-free Tours (centre)...
• Gisborne tourism operator Dean Savage,... Gisborne tourism operator Dean Savage,...
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It was a full house last Wednesday evening when Heritage Hotels held it’s regular ‘chick flick’ at Rialto Cinemas in Auckland’s Newmarket. Movie-goers included inbound clients who enjoyed the heart-warming David and Goliath story of a squatter’s battle to keep his home in Hampstead, London.

• The welcome Heritage Hotels welcome... The welcome Heritage Hotels welcome...
• Shelley Eastwood, Heritage Hotels with... Shelley Eastwood, Heritage Hotels with...
• Aya Masuhara, and Sakae Moriwaki,... Aya Masuhara, and Sakae Moriwaki,...
• Nicole Lawson, CityLife Auckland and... Nicole Lawson, CityLife Auckland and...
• Bronagh Downey, Jane Ussher and... Bronagh Downey, Jane Ussher and...
• Diane Field, Royal New Zealand... Diane Field, Royal New Zealand...
• Shelley Eastwood, Heritage Hotels (sec... Shelley Eastwood, Heritage Hotels (sec...
• Rachel Lamacraft and Heidi Buchmann... Rachel Lamacraft and Heidi Buchmann...
• Renee Morse from Waitakere Estate... Renee Morse from Waitakere Estate...
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Igloos, fireworks, jet packs and more - the Convene Q 2017 Welcome Function at Customs House Brisbane kicked off with a bang. 

While buyers and exhibitors networked, Jetpack Events and Skylighter fireworks teamed up for the first time ever, bringing the audience an action-packed pyrotechnic show right next to Brisbane's famous Story Bridge. 

• Group huddle in the igloo Group huddle in the igloo
• Greg Ward, MC; Allyssa Eastaugh... Greg Ward, MC; Allyssa Eastaugh...
• David Caldwell, All Blacks Tours;... David Caldwell, All Blacks Tours;...
• Rebecca Henderson, BlueScope; Rebecca Smith,... Rebecca Henderson, BlueScope; Rebecca Smith,...
• Corinne Mikkelsen, The Ginger Factory;... Corinne Mikkelsen, The Ginger Factory;...
• Elisha Bellingham, Equity Trustees; Jodie... Elisha Bellingham, Equity Trustees; Jodie...
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New Zealand incentive and conference organisers, corporate agents and media were treated to some behind the scenes Australian winery action, some blind tastings and even a drop of 100-year-old port at the event, at a lavish function in Auckland recently. There was also bottle of fine red to take home.
Business Events Australia in partnership with Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia hosted the function at White Studios in Auckland, highlighting five specific wineries.
South Australian winery d’Arenberg shared details of its newest venue, the architect-designed d’Arenberg Cube, set to open in late 2017. With a vintage being laid down every year since 1878, Seppeltsfield Wines, also from South Australia, gave guests an exclusive tasting of their 1917 port. Also from South Australia, The Lane Vineyard showcased their ‘blend your own’ experience whilst Tasmanian winery Moorilla, situated at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), demonstrated the relationship between art with wine. The Mornington Peninsula's Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove offered guests a glimpse into their ‘Estate to Plate’ experience, a guided exploration of the property’s two acres of kitchen gardens, olive groves and extensive sculpture collection.

An unconventional love story of an aspiring actress, her determined driver and their boss, an eccentric billionaire

named Howard Hughes, brought nearly 150 trade and corporate clients to Heritage Hotels’ annual chick flick movie in May.

• Joss Drummond, Jacqui Smith, Suzanne... Joss Drummond, Jacqui Smith, Suzanne...
• Shelley Eastwood; Heritage Hotels, Wilna... Shelley Eastwood; Heritage Hotels, Wilna...
• Suzanne Thomasson, Deloitte; Brigid Tarr,... Suzanne Thomasson, Deloitte; Brigid Tarr,...
• Nicole Lawson, CityLife and Nikki... Nicole Lawson, CityLife and Nikki...
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A number of conference and events organisers gathered at the Auckland Museum last night where the team at Centrepiece put on an exclusive showcase of their latest work. 

• Sarah Hanson, Westpac; Lizzi Pearson,... Sarah Hanson, Westpac; Lizzi Pearson,...
• Kate Robinson and Gaylene Ashby,... Kate Robinson and Gaylene Ashby,...
• Rachelle Bertram and Kirsty O'Leary,... Rachelle Bertram and Kirsty O'Leary,...
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A ramped up Marlborough flew in a taste of the region to Wellington PCOs and potential clients last week.

Business Events Marlborough treated the group to a wine and food matching evening, with wines by Cloudy Bay and canapes, sponsored by some of top Marlborough producers and created by celebrity chef Martin Bosley, at the Mojo St James.

We wanted to bring a taste of Marlborough to Wellington, says Nikki Roche, Business Events Marlborough business development manager. ‘A lot of our target clients are based here, obviously being so close, just 15 minutes flying time away.

‘Everything has really ramped up in Marlborough; we have the new ASB Theatre next door to the Convention Centre, the expanded five star Chateau Marlborough now with 80 rooms, Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre now has two exhibition halls , the new, luxury Marlborough Lodge, and we have added council support with more business events marketing funding so it’s exciting times.

At the event, Cloudy Bay brand experience ambassador, Nicky Hewett, took guests through the wine tasting, and introduced the winery’s new ‘Destination Catalogue’, offering five tailored, exclusive experiences from Cloudy Bay.

• Nadia Oxby, Scenic Hotel Group;... Nadia Oxby, Scenic Hotel Group;...
• Cath Tate, TIA; Simon Payne;... Cath Tate, TIA; Simon Payne;...
• Paula Theodore, Vintage Events; Nikki... Paula Theodore, Vintage Events; Nikki...
• A taste of Marlborough, served... A taste of Marlborough, served...
• Rachael Brown, Omaka Aviation Heritage... Rachael Brown, Omaka Aviation Heritage...
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Convene 2017 is officially underway at the Vodafone Events Centre today, but it all started at the Welcome Function last night at the Rapids Bar at Vector Wero Whitewater Park.

 Over nibbles and drinks, attendees got the chance to mix and mingle, network and talk about what is on show on the trade floor at Convene 2017.

Check out our photos from the event, courtesy of Rapley Photography.

Some great prizes and plenty of face-to-face business opportunities were highlights of the Destination Management Services workshop (DMS Connect) at the Maritime Room in Auckland.

• Look what I’ve won…Jim Doherty... Look what I’ve won…Jim Doherty...
• Diana McIlwrick, Dinamics (centre) won... Diana McIlwrick, Dinamics (centre) won...
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About 30 business event organisers, corporate agents media and hotel representatives were out on the Auckland Harbour aboard Hauraki Blue with Marriot International recently.

The evening included the opportunity to win return trips with both Air new Zealand and Virgin Australia, as well as staying at Marriott properties in Fiji, Samoa and Gold Coast.

• From World Travellers Fuzion Travel... From World Travellers Fuzion Travel...
• Asa Wadeskog, Brittany Burbidge, Jess... Asa Wadeskog, Brittany Burbidge, Jess...
• Kim Herd and Nicky Tilsey,... Kim Herd and Nicky Tilsey,...
• David Caldwell, All Black Tours;... David Caldwell, All Black Tours;...
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