Aotearoa New Zealand’s new world-class infrastructure will be matched by its renowned hospitality at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event, AIME 2020 in February. Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) Australia Manager, Sharon Auld says 2020 will be a landmark year for New Zealand and the start of a momentous decade for event growth, as the nation’s cities and regions transform and prepare to host major international events like APEC 2021 and the America’s Cup 2021.

“New Zealand’s event infrastructure is going to the next level. We have a superb choice of venues include three new convention centres, providing capacity for even larger events, alongside accommodation choices ranging from boutique to new international hotels,” she says.

“Our truly unique culture and hospitality sets us apart on the global stage. The warm welcome—manaakitanga—our visitors receive is world-renowned. This friendliness, alongside superb service and ease of doing business, makes New Zealand special and it’s what we will be highlighting at AIME.

“The 100% Pure New Zealand stand will be a striking open-space environment for New Zealand partners to engage with hosted buyers and visitors, set in prime position opposite the AIME Exchange. Our famous Cloudy Bay wines will be served each afternoon on the stand, in what has become an annual AIME ritual.”

New Zealand welcomes new convention centres and accomodation 

Three new convention centres are set to change New Zealand’s large conference dynamics, starting with Te Pae, Christchurch opening in 2020 and the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland in 2021. New to AIME in 2020, New Zealand’s capital city is showcasing the Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, opening in 2022 in the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural precinct.

Auckland Conventions Venues and Events manages the largest portfolio of venues available in New Zealand, including the newly refurbished Aotea Centre. Prime hotel accommodation and in-house event space is on a huge growth trajectory too, she says. “Sudima Hotels now have six properties throughout New Zealand, including three brand new products in Auckland, Christchurch and Kaikoura.

“With a new 16-floor tower set to open in late 2020, the Cordis Auckland will be the largest hotel in New Zealand with 650 premium rooms, and a rooftop Club Lounge. The hotel currently has more than 2000sq m of event space and is adding another 400sq m with natural light and multiple, flexible configurations.

“Millennium Hotels and Resorts will be showcasing 21 properties throughout New Zealand from the Bay of Islands to Queenstown, including Auckland’s 450-room Grand Millennium and the new chic Auckland waterfront hotel, M Social.”

Tourism New Zealand Hosted Buyer Breakfast at AIME 2020

Tourism New Zealand will again be sponsoring the Hosted Buyer breakfast on Tuesday 18 February themed with a strong focus on sustainability. Tourism New Zealand Business Events Global Manager, Lisa Gardiner, says: “Our exclusive Hosted Buyer breakfast is always a great opportunity to get a taste of New Zealand. With so much new infrastructure coming, it’s an exciting time to start planning your best-ever business event in New Zealand.”

Visit New Zealand at AIME 2020

New Zealand will be out in force at AIME 2020 with a team of 26, representing 12 partners: Auckland Convention Bureau, Auckland Conventions Venues and Events, ChristchurchNZ Convention Bureau, CINZ, Cordis Auckland, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), Sudima Hotels, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Tourism New Zealand, WellingtonNZ and Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.

About Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ)

• CINZ www.conventionsnz.co.nz is the official, membership-based association of New Zealand’s conference and business events industry with more than 460 members across a broad range of sectors.
• CINZ takes a leadership role in increasing meetings, incentives, conference and events business for the benefit of its members, principal stakeholders and the New Zealand economy.
• CINZ works to actively promote the sector, providing advocacy with central government and offering assistance, information, professional development and real business opportunities to its members.
• CINZ manages New Zealand’s only national annual trade show MEETINGS, which generated over $62 million during its two days in Auckland in 2019.

For further information and images, please contact:

Anabel Darby
Tel: +64 21 668 090
Email: anabel@darby.pro