EventsUpdate DECEMBER 2017
editorial@nzea.co — New Zealand Events Association, C/- PO Box 24018, Auckland 1345 ISSN 1179-3678
TOXIC ALGAE NO MATCH FOR TAUPO IRONMAN — See page 4
FLOCHELLA AND NZ BOMB COMP IN ROTORUA — See page 6
POP-UP EVENT WIFI — See page 7
FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Merry Christmas! Somehow we’ve reached the end of 2017 already – it’s certainly been a busy start to my role since coming on board in July. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of learning about this special industry and especially meeting so many of our members around the country in our recent seminar series. Thank you to everyone for the warm receptions I’ve received, and those who have given generously of their time and knowledge as I settle into this role. Marketing and Digital Media seminar Six locations in two weeks! Rebecca Caroe imparted a serious amount of knowledge and information to members and non-members alike. Postseminar evaluations were very positive and we’ll be looking
to bring Rebecca back in 2018 for another seminar series so if you missed out this time, watch this space. Membership survey Thanks to all who took the time to complete our Membership Survey this month. This is a valuable exercise to check we are delivering the services our membership needs and wants. The Board had a sneak peek at the findings this week and already we see some strong trends which re-affirms our current focus in some areas and gives us a steer towards future projects. We had an impressive response, which in itself illustrates a pleasingly high engagement level among our membership. What has come through strongly is that our
membership wants education and networking opportunities above all else – which is in complete alignment with the Board’s current focus. We are also pleased to report that the overwhelming majority of respondents believe the NZEA membership is good value for money and would recommend membership to others. Thank-you Talking to members throughout the country, I found many were surprised to learn the extent to which NZEA relies on volunteers – our Board of nine is a volunteer Board, a panel of highly experienced and passionate individuals who give countless hours of time and resource to support our amazing industry. I’d like to take this opportunity to
thank them and recognise the significant contribution they make. Our team of Regional Reps throughout the country also take on that role on a voluntary basis. Many have been instrumental in delivering the recent seminar series and other valuable regional networking events. A huge thank you to our wonderful Regional Reps. And above all, thank you to all our members and supporters, who make the association matter. Thank you for your on-going support and we look forward to working closely with you next year! Merry Christmas, Ségolène de Fontenay General Manager NZEA
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Cover image: This year’s Flochella in Taupo.CREDIT: Rotorua Daily Post Events Update, December 2017
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Hundreds compete in Taupō Ironman SOURCE: Stuff.co.nz, 9 December 2017 The threat of toxic algae may have put a dampener on the swim section of the Taupo Ironman, but it didn’t stop hundreds of competitors from tackling the event in early December. Although many still took on the new course - 3km run, 90km bike and 21km run - a small number did not cross the start line. Many competitors were disappointed at the swim course being pulled because of the toxic algal bloom in Lake Taupo. However, Ironman regional director Chris Randle said most understood it had to be done. “The registration process [on Friday] underlined how disappointed the athletes were,” he said. “Many of them have trained
for months for this event. For some it is their first shot [at such an event] and part of what they have trained for is the swim.” All competitors were offered the chance to transfer their entry to any 70.3 event in New Zealand or Australia in 2018 and the number of those who took the option won’t be known until after Saturday’s event is completed. First-time contender Charlotte Patterson, from Auckland, was disappointed about the cancelled swim. “This is my first ironman event and is not the best way to debut,” she said. “But I completely understand events like this are unpredictable and things happen that are out of anyone’s control. That is why you prepare mentally for things to change and tackle it
Mike Phillips was the first pro men athlete to cross the finish line. CREDIT: STEPH RANGI/STUFF the best way you can. “I am still completely pumped and it will still be an amazing achievement for everyone who is doing it.” Simon Cochrane, of Hamilton, sympathised with
the first-timers as well as those he coaches. “It is perhaps easier for me as a pro athlete to adapt to this than it is for my agegroup athletes, some of whom signed up for their first ever 70.3,” he said.
Currently Seeking Volunteers volunteernet.org.nz ICC Under19 Cricket World Cup New Zealand 2018 13 January to 20 February 2018 Northland, Southland and Canterbury opportunities! A range of volunteer roles in a range of locations to help assist with the tournament delivery.
The Colour Run Auckland 11 March 2018 QBE Stadium, Albany, Auckland
volunteernet.org.nz/event/icc-under19-cricket-worldcup-new-zealand-2018-volunteer-opportunities-1
Bluebridge Karapoti Classic 17 February 2018, Karapoti Park, Upper Hutt Based in Wellington’s rugged Akatarawa Ranges, 10k north of Upper Hutt City, the Karapoti Classic is New Zealand’s premier mountain bike event – be part of the team that make it happen! volunteernet.org.nz/event/volunteer-color-runauckland
Events Update, December 2017
If running is not your thing, but you still want to be part of the action and have some fun join The Colour Run’s Volunteer team. volunteernet.org.nz/event/volunteercolor-run-auckland
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Torpedo7 aligns with red bull defiance for 2018 event
before descending to the Lake Wanaka foreshore and resort.
Torpedo7 will provide official Red Bull Defiance competitor t-shirts and buffs along with duffle bags for race day equipment, category and spot prizes. Torpedo7 Marketing & Sponsorship Executive Ben Davies says the multisport event is a natural fit for the brand.
The Torpedo7 Skyline Traverse Mountain Run. CREDIT: Supplied SOURCE: Excerpts from 100% Pure Racing Release, 8 December 2017
of 100% Pure Racing says it’s brilliant to have the support from Torpedo7.
A new partnership between Red Bull Defiance and Kiwi outdoor adventure retailer, Torpedo7 has been announced.
“The nature of this event requires competitors to spend a significant amount of time in the outdoors training and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead, and Torpedo7 is our ideal partner.”
Torpedo7 is the official apparel sponsor of the twoday event to be held in Lake Wanaka from the 20th – 21st January 2018 and will take up naming rights of the individual run – the Skyline Traverse. With more than 400 competitors expected to compete, Warren Bates, CEO
The Torpedo7 Skyline Traverse offers up a 28 km run through Wanaka’s mountain peaks and valleys. The formidable running trail features lengthy ascents and a technical traverse across the ridgelines of Mt Alpha and Mt Roy
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“At Torpedo7 we live and breathe the outdoors, so we jumped at the chance to get behind Red Bull Defiance one of the most epic sporting events on the calendar.” “It’s great to see so many competing in this year’s event, including our very own Torpedo7 athletes Simone Maier and Mary Gray. It goes to show that adventure sports are going from strength to strength in this country – and we’re stoked to be a part of it.” Entries are open for the Torpedo7 Skyline Traverse Mountain Run and the Giant Minaret Burn MTB with more information here; www.redbulldefiance.co.nz
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Events Update, December 2017
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Excitement builds for Flochella and NZ Bomb Comp in Rotorua SOURCE: Rotorua Daily Post, 12 December 2017 It’s going to be a big three days at Tikitapu (Blue Lake) this Waitangi Day and the phones at the Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park have been ringing off the hook. It was announced early this month Flochella, New Zealand’s only floating music festival, will be held on the lake on Monday, February 5 while the New Zealand Bomb Comp will bring out the crowds on the Saturday and Sunday. Waitangi Day is on Tuesday, February 6, so many people are expected to take the Monday off work to make a four-day weekend of it. Holiday Park owner Sheryl Murray said the response had been almost instant once the announcement was made. “We spent a lot of time making bookings,” Murray said. “This is the time of the year people start making plans for their summer getaway but the Flochella announcement certainly put a rush on Waitangi weekend.” Presented by iHeartRadio and ZM, Flochella was held for the first time in February this year on Lake Taupo and attracted a crowd of more than 4000 people.
This year’s Flochella in Taupo. CREDIT: Rotorua Daily Post Rotorua will host the 2018 event which is alcohol-free and open to all ages. The line-up includes international artist Amy Shark as well as New Zealand artists Kings, Mitch James, Drax Project and special guests Jupiter Project. Murray described Flochella coming to Rotorua as exciting and said there would be spinoffs. “We don’t usually get high-
publicity events like this out here [Tikitapu] and I think once people see how beautiful and pristine our lake is and how awesome the park is, they will be back. “It’s fantastic for Rotorua.” As well as the concert, Flava has teamed up with NZ Bomb Comp to put on the biggest bomb competition in the country. The NZ Bomb Comp, which has been running independently since 2015,
gives entrants the opportunity to “bomb” into the lake from multiple bomb platforms up to 10m high. The Saturday will be set aside for everything from leisure bombs to serious practising from the scaffold bomb tower. On Sunday the best splashers will be invited to compete for the title of NZ Bomb Comp Champion. Competitors will be judged on the height and volume of their splash among a number of other criteria.
Team player with creative vision wins AUT Award NZEA was proud to sponsor an Award at AUT’s BA (Event Management) programme prize giving this month. Charlette Potts’ excellent grade point average was not the only factor taken into
Events Update, December 2017
account when being awarded the top second year student award. Charlette is able to develop event concepts outside of the standard box and work with other students in team challenges. She
inspires others to work smart, cooperatively, and creatively. Congratulations again to Charlette, she’s received a one-year NZEA membership.
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Wifi providers pop up at event Source: MeetingNewz, 4 December 2017 Conference organisers regularly pinpoint wifi and food as the two areas that can potentially embarrass them – and first time PCO Association Conference exhibitor PopUp Wifi has a solution for one of those problems. Co-founder Nina McMahon says the company has been gaining traction with PCOs and has had a steady stream of interest at the conference. ‘We know that wifi is one of the biggest areas of concern for conference organisers and they are realising that free wifi can actually turn out to be the most expensive because it is unreliable.’
PopUp WiFi’s Nina McMahon and Andrew Davies at The PCO Association Conference in the Gold Coast CREDIT: MeeetingNewz McMahon says PopUp WiFi offers a fast and affordable solution.
‘It can also be a revenue stream because companies see sponsorship of WiFi at a conference as a high value
and worthwhile option.’ PopUp WiFi is available throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Misty measures taken to keep Christchurch festival audience cool SOURCE: Stuff.co.nz, 10 December 2017 Organisers of a Christchurch music festival took extreme measures to ensure the audience did not overheat amid soaring temperatures. About 7000 people attended the Live in the Park event in Hagley Park on December 9, where temperatures peaked at more than 30 degrees Celsius for the fifth time in 10 days. During the event, concert goers were doused with misty water from an irrigation system set up by organiser Team Event.
Events Update, December 2017
Clare Steel, of Team Event, said they realised on Friday the forecasted temperature might be a problem so they rigged up hoses to spray mist over the dance floor to keep everyone cool. “It was a great day despite the heat. Everyone was chilled out. There were lots of happy people having a good time listening to some good tunes.” Top musical acts Shapeshifter and Shihad headlined the eight-hour music festival, now in its third year.
Jon Toogood of Shihad surfs the crowd at Live in the Park on Saturday. CAPTION: Alden Williams / Stuff
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