Skycity: Home of Meetings 2012

Buyers and exhibitors heading to Auckland for the business tourism industry’s premier trade exhibition will have plenty of opportunity to mix business with pleasure.

The team behind Meetings 2012 has put together an extensive social program that will allow those attending to network informally and experience first-hand New Zealand’s world-renowned hospitality.

“We know from past experience that important connections often get made during social events and that people really appreciate the chance to get to know each other in a relaxed, non-pressured environment, so each year we put a lot of effort into developing an appealing social program,” says Meetings Event Manager Jeanette Stanton.

“This year’s social program is designed not only to give people a chance to let their hair down but to also showcase some of Auckland’s amazing venues, suppliers and its superb hospitality.”

The social program will get kick-off with a red-carpet welcome function at Auckland’s Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, June 12. With the Hilton, Event Impressions and Staging Connections all ready to showcase their best, it promises to be a night to remember.

After a successful debut last year, the Meetings Breakfast Speaker Showcase is back. Hosted buyers loved the showcase so much last year that this year it has been opened to exhibitors and day buyers, so they too can share breakfast while hearing from some of New Zealand’s most inspiring keynote speakers.

On Wednesday night hosted buyers can enjoy a wonderful evening of sumptuous food, drinks, entertainment and networking organised by the Auckland Convention Bureau.

The following night – the final night of Meetings 2012 – the social action shifts to Club Curiosity at the stunning new Viaduct Events Centre where a cocktail style evening is planned.

The event is being supported by the talented teams at Orange Productions, SkyCity Catering and Events and The Music Agency.

“With inspired cuisine, fine wine and great entertainment, and of course, fabulous company in the offing it will be a stylish note on which to end your Meetings experience and one of the year’s not-to-be-missed events,” Stanton says.

Day buyers are invited to attend Taste of New Zealand luncheons at St Matthew in the City heritage church, just across the road from SkyCity Convention Centre, hosted in style by Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

And fresh coffee is never far away during Meetings – order by text and The Reserve Group will deliver it piping hot.

While Meetings 2012 officially wraps up on the Thursday night, the fun will continue for another day for hosted buyers able to extend their Auckland stay.

The Auckland Convention Bureau has organised a day famil on Friday, June 15, for hosted buyers during which they will be able to learn to sail an ex-America’s Cup racing yacht on the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, enjoy lunch at one of Auckland’s most prestigious waterside venues, and then take a trip to a hidden rainforest retreat to see a totally different and unexpected side of Auckland.

The day’s activities will be followed by a casual farewell dinner at Euro Restaurant and Bar, the flagship restaurant of MasterChef New Zealand judge Simon Gault.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management