Auckland BarShow,
Monday 28 August, 2006
Auckland BarShow,
New Zealand’s first full-scale standalone tradeshow dedicated to the business of bars hit Auckland’s Alinghi Base last week (22 & 23 August) attracting 2,519 visitors from across the country who sampled products and services that are essential to the running of a successful bar business. The event was presented by the team behind New Zealand Bartender magazine and Sydney & Melbourne BarShows.
Cutting edge talks, tastings and mixology seminars were staged over the two days of the show. Presentations covered everything from the latest cocktail trends to tips on opening your own bar led by Wellington operators such as Clinton DenHeyer from Good Luck and Christian McCabe from Matterhorn.
BarShow has gained a reputation for reaching a broad cross-section of industry professionals including the hard-to-reach style bar operators and bartenders. An impressive 62 per cent of attendees were involved in purchasing decisions and more than 20 per cent of attendees owned their own venue. (For further information regarding Auckland BarShow attendance statistics refer to Tables below)
Toby Eaton, owner of the Mexican Café in Christchurch said: “BarShow was a great week for liquid motivation, verbal inspiration and a truly awesome experience… can’t wait for next year!”
Managing Director of BarShow, David Spanton was pleased with the turnout for the event, commenting: “Auckland BarShow was our first foray into the New Zealand market and we were very pleased with the results which were on par with Sydney BarShow when it launched in 2002. This has provided us with a solid platform to grow in the coming years.”
Taking out the prize for ‘Best Stand – Auckland BarShow 2006’ was Hancock’s who decked out their stand as a funky lounge bar and had a team of bartending experts including Bacardi’s International Brand Ambassador, Raj Nagra educating the attendees with constructive mixology sessions throughout the two days.
Auckland BarShow wrapped up with a gala dinner at the Hilton Hotel to present the inaugural New Zealand Bartender Magazine Bar Awards. More than 300 industry leaders turned out to see 10 awards presented over the evening. (For more information email niccola@spanton.com.au)
Official numbers for Auckland BarShow
Total attendance: 2,519
Job Description
Proprietor /Licensee
24%
Manager 29%
Head Bartender
6%
Bartender
33%
Marketing/Promotions 5%
Other
3%
(Make Purchasing decisions 65%)
Type of
venue
Bar 36%
Pub
28%
Restaurant 11%
Nightclub
14%
Bottle Shop 3%
Café
5%
Other 3%
ENDS