Expo shows revival of strategic thinking

Interest in expo shows revival of strategic thinking

The reluctance of many organisations to hold meetings, conferences and other corporate events in the hard times of 2009 has led to a pent up demand for such activity this year.

An early indicator of this is the strong interest in the Convene Auckland Expo, which is seeing an early surge in visitor registrations.

Owned and operated by ProMag Publishing Ltd, Convene Auckland showcases venues, speakers, entertainers, gift providers, hotels and other suppliers to the events industry from Waikato through to Northland. The expo attracts qualified function, seminar, roadshow, exhibition, incentive, meeting and conference organisers as buyers.

Stu Freeman, managing director of ProMag Publishing says the 2009 event attracted some 350 highly qualified buyers but all the signs are that the event will have more visitors this year.

‘A business to business expo such as Convene Auckland is not all about numbers of course, rather it delivers tangible business outcomes between sellers and buyers in a specific sector. That focus remains in 2010 and even last year, in the depths of a recession, many exhibitors felt that Convene was their most worthwhile marketing exercise of the year.

‘With many companies and other organisations realising they have to get back to thinking strategically and planning for the future we believe we will attract a higher number of quality event planners through the doors in 2010.’

Convene Auckland is being held at SKYCITY Convention Centre on April 20 and will include pre-touring of the greater Auckland region and a cocktail event on April 19. There are also plans for a breakfast panel discussion on the future of the meetings and events industry, with full details being released soon. Like last year Convene Auckland will an include entertainers’ showcase and an educational seminar programme.

Freeman says interest in the pre-touring programme has been phenomenal, considering Convene is still 10 weeks away. ‘At least one of the tours is all but booked out already and the other three are filling fast. Any event organisers wanting to take part in the touring programme need to register fast,’ he adds.

Anybody who takes part in the pre-touring programme must commit to attending the exhibition the next day as well.

Convene Auckland attracts hosted buyers from Wellington, Christchurch and other parts of the country. For the first time, the expo will also host key Australian buyers. All hosted buyers will be on an organised appointment schedule. Auckland based buyers can request appointments or walk the floor at their own pace.

Registrations are open at www.conveneauckland.co.nz

ENDS

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