Congress/Otago Polytechnic Partnerships Leading to Success

Congress/Otago Polytechnic Partnerships Leading to Successful Event

Dunedin (Tuesday 17 September 2013) - Various partnerships with Otago Polytechnic departments are generating some interesting points of difference for the 5th Global Botanic Gardens Congress.

akB Conference Management Limited Managing Director and Congress Event Manager, Ali Copeman says the opportunities presented by the Polytechnic’s willingness to incorporate such events into its curriculum are almost endless.

“We are extremely lucky to have such high calibre tertiary institutions in the city, with their resources and energy – and their enthusiasm for being involved in projects like this. Being able to access these students’ skills means the Congress delegates will be treated to a truly Dunedin experience.”

The Bachelor of Culinary Arts students are creating menu items that are truly Dunedin/Otago through their ‘foraging in Otago’ course, for presentation at the Congress welcome reception at the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Mrs Copeman says, “This incorporates our Congress sustainability theme - local produce, created locally. We will also be serving wine from the Otago Polytechnic viticulture programme from the Cromwell Campus and the servers for this event are from the Otago Polytechnic School of Business - Allied Hospitality and Tourism programmes.”

The Otago Polytechnic commercial catering operation Technique will provide canapés and service at the Museum Showcase on Monday 21 October at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Tour guides for the various tours around Dunedin will be guided by the Otago Polytechnic School of Business - Allied Travel and Tourism students.

Mrs Copeman also has two interns working with her for the duration of the Congress, completing a travel and tourism research and work based project.

She says, “This work-based research project gives the students the opportunity to use their skills in a real world situation. They learn all facets of the business first hand which they use to prepare a report for the course.”

There are 260 delegates registered for the Congress from all over the world, as well as 20 guests, who will be in the city for at least five days. Other Dunedin businesses and organisations are invited to contact Mrs Copeman to discuss how they can be involved with the Congress.

ENDS

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