The MICE market is looking to solutions for opening up across Australia and New Zealand. Here is the latest MICE news domestically and across the ditch in New Zealand.
Planning underway for Sell TNQ 2021
Plans are underway for Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s educational program, Sell TNQ to be held in 2021, welcoming industry partners back to the region. Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef had great expectations for Sell TNQ 2020 after a record year in 2019 that saw the event oversubscribed by 3 to 1. But the shift in dates allows the event to aptly celebrate its 21st birthday in 2021.
The peak event for showcasing the region’s capabilities to Australian and New Zealand meeting planners, Sell TNQ features a workshop day of one-on-one appointments with Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s best business events suppliers and an educational program experiencing the region’s touring, food and beverage offerings, and attractions. The program highlights why Cairns & Great Barrier Reef is the natural place to meet.
Optimism for restarting domestic business events
Results are in from Tourism Australia’s second wave of business events research to understand attitudes of corporate decision-makers towards holding business events as coronavirus restrictions ease around Australia. Findings show an uptick in confidence since the first wave was completed in August, despite restrictions on attendees and travel hampering confidence. A summary and fact sheet of the findings can be found here.
Business Events Sunshine Coast welcomes $50m Business Events Grant Program
Business Events Sunshine Coast (BESC) is confident that the Federal Government’s $50 million Business Events Grant Program will revitalise the crucial business events industry. BESC Manager Maureen Brennan said the announcement will give business event organisers the confidence to plan and commit financially to events in 2021 and create demand for business buyers and sellers to participate at these events.
“The Sunshine Coast business events industry is open for business and pleasingly the criteria for regional events under this program suits the Sunshine Coast profile as a fresh destination for hosting business events with a diverse range of venues located in our region. This funding will form a critical part of recovery for our industry and is a great opportunity for the Sunshine Coast region to get business events up and running again.”
Changes to board and constitution for CINZ
Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) held its Annual General Meeting online, taking the opportunity to change the constitution and structure of the Board to reflect the future needs of the industry. CINZ Chair Tony Gardner said ”These changes reflect CINZ’s need to meet future issues at a governance level in an agile way, while still ensuring that our members maintain the power base.”
At the AGM, CINZ also announced a name change to Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), which will take effect on 1 December 2020.
The new board structure sees two seats elected from the Platinum member category, and one seat from each of the Gold and Silver member categories. In a new rule, two seats will be appointed by the Chairman and elected Board Members following the Annual General Meeting, who may or may not be a Member of the Association. There will also be one non-voting seat for an Air New Zealand representative, and one non-voting seat for someone nominated by Tourism New Zealand.
Auckland named Oceania’s best meetings and conference destination
Auckland has been named best meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination in Oceania at the inaugural World MICE Awards 2020. The award, part of the World Travel Awards, sees votes cast throughout the year by members of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry internationally as well as high-end MICE consumers to determine category winners.
Head of Auckland Convention Bureau, Anna Hayward, says the award and nominations for Auckland businesses across other categories is testament to Auckland’s reputation as a desirable business events destination.
“It’s wonderful to have this recognition, indicating that Auckland’s reputation as a leading business events destination still holds strong with international industry and clients, despite the challenges our industry has faced this year.
“When the time is right, we look forward to extending our manaakitanga and seeing the world’s great minds gather here to connect, share knowledge, and create opportunities.”
Two of Auckland’s newest hotels were also nominated in Oceania’s Best New MICE Hotel 2020 category: Park Hyatt Auckland and SO Auckland Hotel. In addition, Crowne Plaza Auckland won New Zealand’s Best MICE Hotel 2020.
