AUSTRALASIA – Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) says the programme for this year’s business events industry tradeshow MEETINGS 2014, 18-19 June, is expanding to offer new networking and professional development opportunities for delegates.
For the first time MEETINGS is staging an exclusive MasterClass for professional conference organisers (PCOs) and event managers, including a two-hour session with international presenter and author, Jonar Nader.
“The MEETINGS MasterClass is an initiative we have created for a small group of PCOs and event managers,” says Event Manager, Jeanette Stanton. “In turn they will take part in our pre-scheduled appointment programme and social functions.
“We aim to inspire PCOs and event managers to expand their services and learn new skills beyond logistics and production, and understand more about the art and science of educating an audience,” she adds.
The MEETINGS event is expected to facilitate thousands of scheduled appointments throughout the two-day exhibition, and aims to offer informal connections for buyers and sellers through its social programme.
“Our social programme is an important part of MEETINGS. It gives our hosted buyers and exhibitors a chance to network informally as well as to experience some of our great venues, sample top New Zealand cuisine, see creative event design and theming, and enjoy some fabulous entertainment,” says Stanton.
MEETINGS Mix and Mingle is a new addition to the programme this year. The hour-long networking session starts at 5.15pm after the exhibition closes on Wednesday 18 June, and hosted buyers and exhibitors can enjoy drinks and nibbles around the regions on the floor at ASB Showgrounds.
MEETINGS social events kick off on 17 June with a welcome function hosted by Pullman Auckland Hotel in its Princes Ballroom.
On both days of the exhibition, buyers will also be treated to a gourmet lunch hosted by Millennium Hotels and Resorts followed by the Celebrity Speakers’ Speaker Showcase, with famous faces including actor Mark Hadlow and comedian Michelle A’Court as Mcs.
Rounding up the event, Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre has been chosen as the venue for MEETINGS’ farewell dinner.
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