NZAEP Events Update May 2016

EventsUpdate MAY 2016

editorial@nzaep.co.nz ­— New Zealand Association of Event Professionals, c/o P O Box 3798, Auckland 1140 ISSN 1179-3678 — Subscription is a member exclusive benefit — contact info@nzaep.co.nz for details

ETF16 Programme announced — See page 5

Traffic Management focus — See page 7

Entrepreneur ‘de-risks’ event planning — See page 9

ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

FROM THE CEO

Opportunities for members This month is all about opportunities for members – the launch of our Awards programme, the New Zealand Major Events Scholarship, and also the opportunity to provide feedback on a potential companion card scheme being considered for New Zealand.

2016 New Zealand Event Awards: Entries are now open for the 2016 New Zealand Event Awards. If you’ve thought about entering before and just not got around to it, make this your year. The entry process is very straight-forward, the entry fee is affordable and the pay-off for your event and your team could be extraordinary.

This year we’ve added some new categories to reflect our changing membership – Best Exhibition of the Year and Best Industry Supplier for an Event recognise the key roles these sectors play in the wider industry. Also new to the programme is New Zealand’s Favourite Event of the Year, which will be selected from the finalists for the event categories, by the public.

Entries are open until 13 June, so visit the website for everything you need to know.

2016 New Zealand Major Events Scholarship: Our other announcement this week is the opening of applications for the 2016 New Zealand Major Events

Scholarship. This fantastic professional development opportunity will enable one deserving member to attend this year’s Eventing the Future Conference and the New Zealand Event Awards Dinner free of charge. The Scholarship is aimed at midcareer event professionals who are committed to the Events Industry long-term.

For more information and to apply, see: www.nzaep.co.nz/ scholarship

events. When cardholders buy a ticket for an event they receive an additional ticket for their carer free of charge. Thanks to all who have responded, your input will help us feedback to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage on behalf of the industry. If you haven’t had a chance to complete the survey yet, there is still time – please follow this link: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ H7KHGHC

Companion Card Scheme Survey:

Don’t forget Wendy and I are here to help you with any queries for the New Zealand Event Awards and the New Zealand Major Events Scholarship!

Members will also have seen the survey on the potential Companion Card scheme – a scheme to identify, through a nationally recognised card, people with a significant, permanent disability who need a carer in order to access most paid-entry

Vicki Watson CEO, NZAEP

ENTRIES NOW OPEN! Qualifying period: 1 March 2015 - 29th February 2016 Applications open: 2 May 2016 Awards dinner: 4 August 2016, Auckland Museum

Events Update, May 2016

Page 2

Health and Safety at Work Act – Update FREE to members, $35.00 inc GST for non-members

Networking Seminar The Health and Safety at Work Act became law on 4 April 2016. The Act is part of ‘Working Safer’, aimed at reducing New Zealand’s workplace injury and death toll by 25 per cent by 2020.

Auckland – 18th May - BOOKED OUT Waiting list only

Christchurch – 24th May

NOTE: Due to restrictions on numbers, please contact Wendy if you have more than two people attending from your organisation. Also any non-members of NZAEP wishing to attend, should email Wendy on info@nzaep.co.nz CANCELLATIONS: 24 hours’ notice for cancellations must be given to avoid a fee of $25.00

Whilst previous updates have made us aware of PCBUs and increased penalties, the key is to understand how our current health and safety plans need to change. We’ll go through three stages of an event – planning/pack-in, during an event, and pack out/closure and discuss: • your responsibilities for managing risk • when you need to consult with other PCBUs (such as contractors) • how the Act applies to workers and volunteers The seminar, including a Q&A section, is presented

by John O’Rourke, Health & Safety Consultant for Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.

Auckland Venue: MERW, Level 20, Lumley Centre, 88 Shortland St, Auckland Wednesday 18th May, 8.30-10.00am Christchurch Venue: Christchurch City Council, Function Room Level 1, 53 Hereford St, Christchurch Tuesday 24th May, 11.00-12.30pm

RSVP: Members register via our website: www.nzaep.co.nz/seminars Any questions, please email Wendy Wilson, info@nzaep.co.nz

Events Update, May 2016

Page 3

"New Zealand's premier conference for the event industry and the official conference of the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals"

INSPIRATION MOTIVATION CONNECTIONS

Special offers include: -3 or more from the same organisation discounts.

-NZAEP member rate.

-Early bird special

EVENTING THE FUTURE Conference August 3-4, 2016 Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland

#ETF16

5 REASONS TO ATTEND ETF 2016

1

Stream content focused on experience levels & role requirements

2

2

Exposure to new thinking & models from within & outside the industry

Dedicated networking & discussion sessions

Exciting line up of speakers

2

Access to the knowledge & skills of top NZ Event Professionals for expert advice

3

Sharing the best of NZ’s Event industry through case studies

Including a line up of top international & national speakers from within & outside the events industry

Vaughn Davis (Keynote)

Scott Davis (Keynote)

Owner & Creative Director The Goat Farm Ltd

Managing Director Spyglass Group Ltd

BE INSPIRED, BE MOTIVATED, BE CONNECTED, BE THERE!!

GET ONLINE AND REGISTER NOW

www.eventingthefuture.org.nz

representatives from the industry so that they are engaged and networking early.

up by case studies from NZ’s Event Industry stars, sharing experiences and innovations.

• More networking opportunities

Programme Announced The 2016 ETF programme has just been released with details on the website www. eventingthefuture.org.nz/ programme/ This year’s programme reflects some of the feedback and learnings from the previous conference with the 2016 programme featuring; • A special welcome for delegates new to the Conference We recognise that for new delegates it can be a daunting experience and this year will welcome new delegates with a special session that will introduce them to each other and

Events Update, May 2016

An important part of any conference is being able to share experiences and learn from others in the field. As well as an early networking session, the end of day one will also be a fun networking session with all delegates.

• Stream Options This year delegates will be able to choose one stream or flick between stream choices. Stream one will be focused on business development and team leadership for those who lead teams and event businesses. Stream two will be event-delivery focused, looking at outcome-driven event design and innovative production and delivery.

Neelay Bhatt – An Amazing Find!!

• Insights from the Best

Described as a TEDx ‘Talker’ and speaker, coach, motivational speaker, management consultant, entrepreneur and customer service evangelist, Neelay’s attendance at the Conference is supported by New Zealand Major Events.

Be exposed to new thinking and models from within and outside the industry backed

As Vice President of PROS Consulting Inc, Neelay is responsible for national and

international master planning and facility development / operations projects. Areas of expertise include strategic and business planning, marketing and branding, customer service training and advising clients for revenue generation. Clients include national and international government agencies, sports governing bodies, sports facilities, parks and recreation departments and private providers. His scope also extends to the festival and arts sector.

Neelay will provide two presentations at the conference including the opening keynote, Creating a Magical Event Experience where he will share new tools and innovations and learnings from decades of involvement in the sports, events, parks and recreation sectors. He will also run a workshop in the Business and Leadership stream covering the Three ‘I’s’ of Business.

More details on Neelay can be found on the ETF website.

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Official Suppliers

Spark Business – Get your business sorted We’re a local service with one aim: to find the right communication tools for your business. You’ll deal with one person for all of your needs. And get great advice to make sure you have the right mix of phone, mobile and internet. Plus, you’ll get regular tech-checks so you’ll always be on the right plan or package.

Spark.co.nz/business 0800 BUSINESS (287 463)

Contact our official supplier for Insurance, Marsh, to receive details of your membership only offer: stuart.hartley@mmc.com

Every day 195,000 PwC people in 157 countries work hard to build strong relationships with others and understand the issues and aspirations that drive them. Over and above our traditional service offerings, PwC New Zealand also has a strong industry focus, with multi-discipline teams dedicated to key industry groups in both global and national markets. For our clients, this means the best local knowledge combined with the broadest global experience. Our partners and staff are dedicated to solving the complex problems businesses are facing in today’s changing market place. Now, more than ever, we have the resources to meet these needs through our truly integrated global network. www.pwc.co.nz

Visit our website for all details on all our supplier members for AV/Technical, Business/Insurance/Legal, Entertainment, Equipment Hire, Security, Signage/Marketing, Staging/Stands/Setup nzaep.co.nz/suppliers

Events Update, May 2016

Page 6

Tips for successful Events Traffic Management enough staff? Are their staff competent? Customer Service trained?

Be wary of the cheap rates.

It’s very much a case of you get what you pay for and the lowest quote may not be the best option, or the cheapest in the long run. An experienced traffic provider will save you time and money with good advice from the start.

As Evolution Road Services’ National Events Manager, Jordan Masters is involved with around 400 events per year, which makes up around 15% of Evolution’s annual business. Ranging in scale from small market days and local Christmas and ANZAC parades to large events such as the Auckland Marathon, the Taupo Cycle Challenge and concerts in Queenstown, Jordan has some great advice for planning the traffic management around your event.

We spoke with Jordan about best practice traffic management planning for events and his top tips for organisers.

What do event organisers need to consider when engaging a traffic management provider?

Building a relationship with a reputable company and making sure you trust the person you are dealing with is key. Events traffic management is a specialised area, and bad traffic management can have huge operational and reputational consequences for your event so make sure your provider has experience with events and comes recommended.

Also, ensure your provider has adequate resource to provide you with the level of service you need. Do they have

Events Update, May 2016

What has changed in the events traffic management scene in recent years?

In the past, events have gotten away with volunteers or marshals on traffic control points. With the new Health and Safety at Work Act there is a much larger burden of responsibility on the traffic management providers and the organisers so we may see that some points where marshals have been used in the past will need to be managed by qualified Traffic Controllers. I suspect we’ll continue to see marshals playing key roles in traffic management but there will be some tightening up by the road controlling authorities and traffic management providers to ensure the limitations of marshals are clear and understood and Traffic Controllers are used where necessary.

Also, there is a general stepping up from road controlling authorities (RCAs) they want to see events happen but also want to see them done properly. This means they are more involved in the planning of events traffic management, and expect robust and appropriate plans.

We’ve seen Police take a huge step back from events in the last 2-3 years. It used to be that community parades would receive full Police traffic management support a few years ago and now those

same parades need to engage traffic management providers.

Police are still at events for public safety, but not to provide traffic management or security as these are roles for which there are professional services are available. This obviously has a cost impact on events, especially for smaller community events, however we have only seen a small drop off in our business from this shift.

Jordan’s Top Tips for Event Organisers: • Lead time: Get the most out of your traffic management provider by engaging them with enough lead time. Not only does this let you comfortably meet any legislative requirements, but you will get the most out of the planning process and your event will be better for it.

• Be aware of the context of your event: What is the impact of bringing 10,000 people to a rural setting, for example?

What is the greater impact on the roading network? This is where your traffic management provider should be expert and highlight issues you may not have been aware of and be of maximum benefit to you.

• Communication: It is good for your traffic management provider to know as much as possible about your event. For example, are you promoting a curtain raiser match or are you only expecting spectators to arrive just before the main game?

Are you promoting public transport? Again, involve your provider early being involved in course selection for sporting events can save a lot of time as a good provider will know what your RCA is likely to approve.

• Involve your provider: Good operational meetings between the RCA, Police, Security and other contractors can be key to the success of a large event. Good debrief meetings are also important so everyone can learn and tweak for next time.

What timeframes do organisers need to be aware of?

There are legislative requirements for implementing a traffic management plan – road closures, for example, need to be advertised in advance, sometimes twice. Parking resolutions need to be signed off by a council committee and public transport may need to re-route requiring time to communicate changes to their patrons.

In general, if an event requires road closures, you want to engage your provider three months out, with the traffic plan going to council eight weeks prior to the event.

If no road closure is required, then engaging the provider at least two months out would be fine, submitting the plan to council with about four weeks to go.

Major events, however, would require a solid six month lead time to ensure all parties are consulted and have sufficient time to gain approvals, etc.

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Convene across 2016 – dates to book in SOURCE: Excerpts from ProMag Release, 21 April 2016 The Convene suite of Australasian events has kicked off for 2016 with the delivery of a successful event in New Zealand last month.

ProMag Publishing organises four events throughout the year designed to create business connections across the regions and are open for business planners to attend.

The first Convene event was held in Auckland last week, showcasing a new formula that covers all aspects necessary to keep event organisers up to date with the latest facilities, products, trends and innovations taking the industry by storm.

Convene Queensland will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) on July 26; Convene South at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Christchurch on September 6; and the Pacific Area Incentives and Conferences Expo (PAICE) will be held at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on November 9.

Welcome to NZAEP’s new members!

Organisations:

Fresh Information Ltd

The events’ programme has been given a shake up for 2016, and now features more of a regional focus with hubs throughout the redesigned show floors, and more famil options for buyers.

Allyssa Eastaugh, business development and events manager at ProMag Publishing, says the new show format is reflective of feedback from event organisers who want to be kept up to date with all things trendy in the world of business events.

‘ProMag Publishing has been in the business events game for over 30 years, both with our flagship product Meeting Newz Magazine and our portfolio of Convene and PAICE tradeshows, so we pride ourselves on having our finger on the pulse with industry leading trends and innovations.’

The average time it takes to plan an event can be anywhere from three months to two years, but ProMag Publishing’s tradeshows offer event organisers the opportunity to source venues, activities, theming, entertainment,

CREDIT: ProMag catering, AV, accommodation, speakers, team building suppliers, transport and much more under one roof in one day.

‘The way we run our shows means that time poor event organisers are able to come in, whip around the floor and meet with any or all of the industry specific suppliers to source their needs and do quality business, on top of gaining valuable education with our Knowledge Programmes, in one day – the same amount of time that it would take to make five individual phone calls.’

Eastaugh says the importance

of face-to-face business transactions continues to go undervalued in the industry.

‘You can’t underestimate the power of the personal touch – it’s so easy in this technological age for information to get lost and for people to hide behind emails, so actually meeting face to face with someone is a more effective way to secure business and hold people accountable to that business.’

For more information on how to take part in the Convene or PAICE programmes, contact Allyssa Eastaugh on +649 818 7807 or allyssa@promag.co.nz

Where can I get great Guidelines?

Individuals:

Elaisa Chapman Andrew Croot Christine Poad Helen Sanders Suppliers:

The Real Buzz Group

Events Update, May 2016

Resource Bank Page 8

Taranaki entrepreneur helping to revitalise and ‘de-risk’ event planning SOURCE: Excerpts from Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 2016 A group of young Kiwi entrepreneurs have set out to change the face of live entertainment touring throughout New Zealand and globally.

SuchCrowd is the latest crowd sourcing platform, where musicians and artists can “de-risk” events and shows around New Zealand, by securing their audience before planning their tours.

For New Plymouth-born cofounder and chief financial officer Jacob Manning, that means a region like Taranaki could easily see more topclass acts come to town.

“It’s really interesting looking

at where people decide to tour.

get an early indication of numbers.

“Whether it’s smaller or larger events, they seem to skip regional areas,” he said.

“The onus is then moved to the crowd.”

Event organisers tend to stick with Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch venues because with a larger population will likely mean more ticket sales, Manning said.

How SuchCrowd worked was an artist could register their interest in coming to an area and if there was enough interest from that area, they would go because they knew they wouldn’t be losing money, he said.

“It’s about the artist saying, ‘I’m happy to come to your town and perform and through the platform they

Tin Htoo Aung, Jacob Manning and Abbe Hyde, co-founders of SuchCrowd. CREDIT: Taranaki Daily News

Manning said he was hoping to sit down with the New Plymouth District Council to talk about how they could work together to bring more events to the region.

SuchCrowd was a project born out of Startup Weekend Dunedin last year, Manning said.

“We accidentally built a really good team which happens from time to time.”

The group decided to develop their idea further, eventually getting through Lightning Lab business accelerator in October of last year.

They have since expanded their staff from three to six people and started operating out of both Dunedin and Wellington, Manning said.

“Crowd sourcing is different from Pledge Me and Kickstarter and Givealittle in that we don’t want it to be something where any artists says ‘hey this is what I’m doing if you’d like to support me’ because that tends to just stick to their own network of friends and family,” he said.

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volunteernet.org.nz Events Update, May 2016

Page 9

Auckland wins at Ultimate Sports Cities Awards SOURCE: Excerpts from ATEED Release, 21 April 2016 Auckland continues to make its mark on the global stage as an international events city, winning three awards at the 2016 SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Cities Awards and being ranked fourth overall in the world.

Auckland was named Best Medium Sports City (1.3 million to 3 million) for the second time running, as well as securing awards for Best Events Strategy and Best Security. Auckland is also ranked fourth overall, behind New York, London and Melbourne.

The results were announced April 20 at the SportAccord Convention in Lausanne, Switzerland, the annual international event focusing on connecting sports events rights holders, organising committees, host cities, media, businesses and other organisations involved in the development of sport.

Auckland was competing in the biennial awards alongside other great international sporting cities including Calgary, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne, New York and Tokyo.

Mayor Len Brown says it is great to see Auckland continuing to feature amongst the world’s best sporting cities.

“We know the World Masters Games and British and Irish Lions Tour coming up next year will bring tens of thousands of visitors and an economic boost to Auckland. These all help to showcase Auckland as a great place to live, work and visit.”

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says: “This is recognition for the region-wide team effort that is required to host major sporting events.

“Auckland is regularly recognised for its joinedup approach to delivering great events, with ATEED working closely with event

Auckland’s 175th Anniversary. IMAGE CREDIT: David St George organisers and sponsors, event partners like sporting federations, city agencies and our council family, volunteers, our communities, and central government.

SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Cities Awards and Rankings head judge and founder, Rachael Church says: “The city scored highly in many categories and impressed the judges with its strong and transparent major events

strategy in particular and its successful policy of creating home-grown events.

“Auckland is a city with engagement at its core when it comes to sports events whether between the city and stakeholders, the city and participants or the city and its visitors - everyone is made to feel that they are at the heart of sport in Auckland.”

Organisers urged to communicate SOURCE: Excerpts from Meeting Newz, 19 April 2016 Event organisers need to consider what else is going on in their region before launching new festivals and sporting occasions, especially at the height of summer, according to the Regional Tourism Offices New Zealand (RTONZ).

The organisation held its annual business sessions with inbound tour operators, Tourism New Zealand and other organisations at the Rendezvous Hotel Auckland last month and capacity crunches in certain areas were on the agenda.

Charlie Ives, RTONZ executive officer, says ‘secondary’ regions had a lot of interest this

Events Update, May 2016

year because of the need for travellers to disperse off the main tourist trail in summer.

Trish May, RTONZ communications manager, says that events can sometimes exasperate capacity problems if the timing is not considered carefully.

‘Obviously events are important and they have their place. They fill gaps in the calendar that would otherwise not be times when people visited the destination.

‘However it is also important that they are not held at a time when accommodation is already stretched. We’d urge organisers to talk to each other and avoid clashes.’

Charlie Ives and Trish May of Regional Tourism Offices New Zealand. IMAGE Credit: Meeting Newz

Page 10

First Ever Air NZ Hawke’s Bay International Marathon a sell out SOURCE: Excerpts from Hawke’sBay.co.nz, 26 April 2016 The inaugural Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon this month is officially a sell out.

Organisers announced last week that the May 14 event had “smashed all predictions” in terms of entry numbers and would feature nearly 5,000 competitors after all race categories sold out, with 76 percent of entries coming from out of the region and 240 entrants coming from overseas.

Athletes will take part in a variety of events including the Kids Run, AIA 10km Run, NZ Sotheby’s Realty Half Marathon and the full Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon, which begins on Marine Pde in Napier and finishes 42kms away at Sileni Estates Winery in Hastings.

They expected a further 7,500 supporters and friends to descend upon Napier for the event, which also features a wine and food festival in the surrounds of the finish line at Sileni.

Dave Beeche, managing director of event organisers

IRONMAN Oceania, formerly Lagardere Oceania, which also delivers the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon, said the response to the event had been “off the charts”.

“There is no doubt that the excitement around the very first Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon is down to the destination itself, with the event set to wind its way through wineries, bike trails, orchards and olive groves, all on beautiful hard-packed trails that make the running easier on the feet just as the views and surrounds will be

easy on the eye and mind,” said Beeche, adding the finish line at Sileni was “something else” and a great way to end the event.

“The competitors will wind their way up the amazing entrance to Sileni, running into an amazing food and wine festival that shows off the best of the region for both supporters and the competitors themselves who I’m sure will have earned a glass or two of the world class wine that is produced in Hawke’s Bay.” Air New Zealand’s chief sales and commercial officer Cam Wallace says was “great to see so many people travelling to Hawke’s Bay for the event”, with 76 percent of entries coming from out of the region and 240 entrants coming from overseas.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas was thrilled at the popularity of the inaugural event.

The region’s orchards will provide a unique race setting for next month’s sold out Hawke’s Bay International Marathon. CREDIT: Supplied.

“The Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon will deliver a tremendous boost to the local tourism industry in terms of visitor nights and visitor spend. With participants and their supporters we will see a huge number of visitors and we are delighted that the appeal of our great climate, the amazing course scenery and endless food and wine options have attracted them to run the marathon and spend some quality time in Hawke’s Bay.”

ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

Events Update, May 2016

Page 11

NZ business events on show at major European event SOURCE: Tourism NZ Release Wednesday 20 April, 2016 New Zealand’s unique business events offering was front and centre at Europe’s leading business and incentives trade show last month.

Tourism New Zealand along with the largest contingent of industry partners including New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) attended IMEX Frankfurt held 19 -21 April in Germany.

Tourism New Zealand Director of Trade, PR and Major Events, René de Monchy says, the business events industry in New Zealand is going from strength to strength.

“With exciting new conference venues in development and increasing airline capacity to New Zealand, New Zealand’s business events offering really is world class and it is great to be able to showcase this at an event such as IMEX,” says Mr de Monchy.

IMEX Frankfurt is a significant worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events and is attended by 3,500 exhibitors for networking meetings with the 9,000

visitors (including almost 4,000 hosted buyers) who attend.

New Zealand was also selected as one of three international destinations to take part in the prestigious Politicians Forum World Tour which seeks to grow government understanding and support for the advancement of the meetings and events industry.

Ministry of Business, Innovations and Employment’s Roger Wigglesworth presented alongside Tourism New Zealand at the forum to a group of 37 highly influential international politicians and government representatives.

A joint media conference held at IMEX provided a further opportunity to generate awareness of New Zealand’s business events offering with a focus on Auckland and the New Zealand International Convention Centre.

New Zealand International Convention Centre General Manager Simon Jamieson says the NZICC will see New Zealand becoming even more competitive on a global stage, with Auckland having the ability to bid for high-level, major international business events.

100% Pure New Zealand at IMEX Frankfurt CREDIT: Tourism New Zealand “Its central city location ensures close proximity to Auckland’s innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand’s leading knowledge centres and aligning with ATEED’s ambitions to attract more business events, investment and skilled visitors to New Zealand’s largest city.”

ATEED General Manager Destination and Marketing Vivien Bridgwater says, “Participating in events like IMEX provides a great opportunity to improve global awareness for Auckland’s premium business events offering and to demonstrate the support our Auckland Convention Bureau provides.

“Auckland is a city on the move, being recognised globally for the rapid change

and innovation that’s taking place. Major investment in new accommodation, world-class venues like the NZICC, new food and shopping precincts, and transformational projects such as the City Rail Link are further strengthening Auckland’s position as a premium business events destination.”

The international business events sector, particularly international conferences and incentives, holds great potential to attract new high value international visitors to New Zealand.

“International delegates present significant value for the country spending an estimated $350 per night which is almost double the average spend per night for all international visitors according to the International Visitor Survey,” says Mr de Monchy.

CAREERS CORNER We’ve recently advertised following roles: Event Manager, Eventfinda Taupo Event Manager, Total Sport

Need volunteers for your event?

NZAEP members receive email notifications of career opportunities as they are listed on our website.

volunteernet.org.nz

If you would like to advertise your vacancy, request for proposals, tender or sponsorship opportunity to our 800+ membership base, please email info@nzaep.co.nz

Events Update, May 2016

Artistic Director, Auckland Arts Festival

Page 12

Call for permanent trans-tasman visa following World Cup precedent SOURCE: Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) and the Tourism and Transport Forum, Australia Release, 23 April 2016.

Australia and New Zealand’s peak tourism industry groups are calling for a permanent Trans-Tasman Visa that would allow international tourists to travel between both countries with a regional visa – making long-haul flights to Australia and New Zealand more enticing.

A temporary Trans-Tasman Visa arrangement was implemented during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in which visitors travelling between 26 January and 5 April 2015 only required an

Australian Visa to travel over to New Zealand. A three month visa was granted upon arrival in New Zealand to those holding an eligible Australian visa through the period.

The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) and Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) have written a joint letter to the Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection following the temporary visa’s one year anniversary calling for the implementation of a permanent Trans-Tasman Visa by the end of 2016.

“Australia and New Zealand are long-haul destinations – it makes a lot of sense for us to package the two

countries together in a joint regional visa to prospective international tourists who are weighing up the long flight to our countries,” said Margy Osmond, TTF CEO. “A 2014 TTF investigation into the benefits of streamlining the Trans-Tasman border highlighted that a joint visa scheme could increase the number of international visitors to our region by 141,300 people by 2020 – that’s more jobs and economic activity we are missing out on by dragging our feet on a Trans-Tasman Visa.”

TIA CEO Chris Roberts said the experience during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 proves that a Trans-Tasman Visa

Incentive business worth fifty million dollars secured by tourism partners SOURCE: Excerpts from Tourism New Zealand Release, 21 April, 2016 A unique approach to hosting large incentive groups has seen Tourism New Zealand and its partners secure incentive business from China worth at least $50 million dollars.

Amway China will be sending 10,000 of its elite sales people to Queenstown in 2018 for five days, thanks to the efforts of Tourism New Zealand, Destination Queenstown, Air

Events Update, May 2016

New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand.

The group will visit in multiple waves of 500 in autumn 2018.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says it’s a massive win. It will spread visitors across the off-peak season, supporting employment and bringing significant economic benefit.

“The $50 million in value is estimated just from Amway’s spend on the incentive alone.

Each of the 10,000 staff will

also contribute additional personal spend while in the country bringing the total even higher.

“The win also sends a clear message that New Zealand is a significant player in the incentive business sector.

“It comes as a result of collaboration at its finest.

We know that one of the key reasons New Zealand won was because of the coordinated approach we took and the proposal that answered all of Amway’s questions.

arrangement has tremendous potential to bring more visitors to both countries.

“The New Zealand Government’s review of the visa arrangements during the Cricket World Cup shows that during the 39 days it was in place, 7,239 travellers from 77 nations entered New Zealand using the Trans-Tasman Visa,” Mr Roberts said.

“Approximately 40 per cent of the international visitors who used the arrangement were Chinese – a non-playing nation in the World Cup – which just goes to show the potential a permanent and cleverly-marketed TransTasman Visa could have in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Cricket World Cup has shown it can work, we just need the will of our governments to bring down this travel barrier between our countries permanently.”

“Tourism New Zealand’s role is to identify the opportunity, create a relationship with a business and bring our marketing expertise to the table, to support a competitive bid,” he explains.

“We then look to industry partners to deliver the most compelling offer possible.

Once again, Air New Zealand, Destination Queenstown and numerous local Queenstown businesses stepped forward to make this happen.

“Immigration New Zealand also played a pivotal role as bringing 10,000 Chinese into the country will require significant coordination and efficiency in regard to visa processing.”

Page 13

The Ultimate Waterman Event Wins Innovation Award SOURCE: Excerpts from Ultimate Waterman Release, 12 April 2016 The Ultimate Waterman has won the Innovation Excellence Award at the annual New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards in Wellington, New Zealand last month.

The event, which has the support of the New Zealand government and ATEED, was recognised for its X-factor and the positive influence it has on New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class event destination.

The Ultimate Waterman was conceived by Surfing New Zealand’s Chief Executive Greg Townsend, who had the vision to develop a brand-new global event to find the world’s best, all-round waterman surfing champion.

The event provides a media vehicle to promote New Zealand as a destination through content such as the documentary commissioned by international media partner

Red Bull Media House using New Zealand production company AJS Films.

Greg Townsend, Chief Executive of The Ultimate Waterman and Surfing NZ says the award is sweet recognition for years of hard work.

“I started working on turning this idea into reality back in 2011 with the help of some of New Zealand’s top businessmen and international surfing heavy weights, Hawaiians Laird Hamilton, Titus Kinimaka and Australian Joel Parkinson,” says Townsend.

“With the help of guys like this plus our commercial partners who recognised the potential in the idea, we are now approaching our third event in a very strong position.”

“We now have global attention, athletes are knocking on our door to participate and doors are opening up for growth,” says Townsend.

Marathon a runaway success SOURCE: Excerpts from Rotorua Daily Post, 2 May 2016 Aching muscles and burning lungs did not hinder the joy and sense of accomplishment of more than 3500 athletes who crossed the finish line at the 52nd annual Rotorua Marathon.

As well as the flagship event, participants could enter the 5.5km, quarter marathon (10km) and half marathon (21km) events.

Race director Murray Fleming, from Event Promotions, said this year’s event had run smoothly with “strong numbers” supporting the athletes.

“Right from the start we had spectacular weather which was really good because in the past we have had some

Events Update, May 2016

atrocious weather.

Mr Fleming said drawing 1500 competitors for the full marathon, another 1100 for the half and about 900 for the quarter and 5.5km was something to be proud of.

“The market for events like this is completely saturated these days so Athletics New Zealand is very happy with the number of athletes we have drawn this year - it’s certainly a testament to the race itself.”

Mr Fleming also applauded the preparedness of this year’s athletes.

“St John have been sitting here bored all day which is great because it means we have had very few issues. In the past we’ve had people collapsing at the finish line but that doesn’t seem to be the case this year people have prepared properly

Greg Townsend and Jonathan Coleman CREDIT: Sport New Zealand Townsend says a number of challenges were faced in the early stages such as gaining funding, securing the international athletes and getting an international media partner on board.

“My advice for people who have ideas like this is to have clear vision for the event that lives beyond the first few years, strong objectives and benefits for partners to invest in.”

“If you believe in the idea, keep at it. Relationships with like

minded people are equally important,” says Townsend.

Peter Miskimmin, Chief Executive of Sport NZ, says the Ultimate Waterman is a great example of innovative kiwi thinking.

“It brings together sport and tourism with a strong media partner to create a win for everyone. The really great thing is it’s New Zealand created and New Zealand owned,” says Mr Miskimmin.

Planning is now underway for the 2017 event.

which is great to see.”

He said the number of supporters cheering from the sidelines had not waned from previous years.

“At the finish there was a line of supporters all the way down to the Princes Gate, not to mention all those spotted along the track as well.”

It was not just the athletes who scored a win from the marathon. Rotorua Association of Motels chairwoman and Cedarwood Lakeside Motel & Conference Venue owner Fiona Suurenbroek said most accommodation was brimming, with only a couple of places still showing vacancies.

Female top three Lisa Hunter-Galvan, centre, with Katie Wyrill second place and Rotorua’s Johanna Ottosson third CREDIT: Ben Fraser

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