CINZ announces MEETINGS’ return to Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2021

New Zealand’s premier annual business events showcase, CINZ MEETINGS 2021 will be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch for the first time in 13 years.

At a networking event hosted by ChristchurchNZ at Christchurch Town Hall on Monday, CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan announced MEETINGS 2021 will take place at the city’s new convention centre, Te Pae Christchurch following a spectacular welcome function at Christchurch Town Hall hosted by Vbase.

It will be momentous to celebrate the evolution of this city and its world-class new facilities. Ōtautahi Christchurch is a gold standard destination for business events and we can’t wait to show it off to our New Zealand, Australian and international buyers and media,” she says.

“With the support of ChristchurchNZ, Air New Zealand, Te Pae Christchurch, Vbase, Christchurch Airport and Tourism New Zealand we will be bringing influential buyers into the heart of the South Island for an unforgettable experience,” she says.

Loren Heaphy ChristchurchNZ’s General Manager of Destination and Attraction says Ōtautahi Christchurch has undergone pivotal changes in the last few years.

“We’re excited to showcase our progress to the delegates at MEETINGS 2021, who have such an impact when it comes to booking business events,” she says.

“Business events are crucial to our economy, tackling visitor seasonality by bringing visitors into our city during shoulder seasons, with delegates to Christchurch staying an average of four nights and spending an average of $372 per night,” she says.

“With our exciting new venues playing host to MEETINGS 2021, ChristchurchNZ will be proactively encouraging delegates to explore the city and region in exciting pre and post famil schedules.”

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the airline is delighted to support MEETINGS in Christchurch in 2021 at the city’s new convention centre, Te Pae.

“We’re pleased to play our part as Premier Sponsor of MEETINGS, flying in international and domestic buyers to meet with convention venues and tourism suppliers from across New Zealand. Our route network enables direct connections to Christchurch from 13 domestic ports and seven international ports, including five services a week between Christchurch and Singapore from December through until the end of February.

“We have an opportunity to continue to grow conference and incentive business to New Zealand which supports our goal of increasing the value of tourism and growing demand for travel in the shoulder season and it’s great to be working with CINZ on this.”

Te Pae Christchurch General Manager, Ross Steele says Te Pae is proud to support CINZ and ChristchurchNZ in hosting MEETINGS 2021.

“We’re thrilled to welcome MEETINGS – New Zealand’s only national tradeshow for the business events industry – to Te Pae Christchurch,” Ross says. “We’re looking forward to working with CINZ and ChristchurchNZ in showcasing the best of our region, and presenting New Zealand’s newest world class convention venue to the national and international business events community.”

"It is an excellent opportunity for global convention decision makers to experience Christchurch's world class hospitality in Te Pae's first year," Mr Steele says.

As a key player in the business and leisure events tourism sector, Vbase General Manager Chris Mintern is thrilled to again be partnering to bring MEETINGS to Christchurch.  “This event will provide a valuable opportunity for local accommodation, transport, shopping and attractions to welcome visitors during their stay with us in Christchurch,” he says.

Christchurch last hosted MEETINGS in 2008, and since then the event has been held in Auckland and Rotorua.

CINZ MEETINGS 2021 will take place in Ōtautahi Christchurch from 12 to 14 May 2021.

About Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ)

• CINZ www.conventionsnz.co.nz is the official, membership-based association of New Zealand’s conference and business events industry with more than 460 members across a broad range of sectors.
• CINZ takes a leadership role in increasing meetings, incentives, conference and events business for the benefit of its members, principal stakeholders and the New Zealand economy.
• CINZ works to actively promote the sector, providing advocacy with central government and offering assistance, information, professional development and real business opportunities to its members.
• CINZ manages New Zealand’s only national annual trade show MEETINGS, which generated over $62 million during its two days in Auckland in 2019.
• CINZ MEETINGS 2020 will be held at ASB Showgrounds Auckland from 21 to 23 April.