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The inaugural Hamilton 400 V8 Supercar championship held in April this year saw close to 200,000 spectators descend on the destination over the long weekend, with figures swelling to capacity (60,000) on the final day, prompting organisers to consider getting permission to increase daily capacities to 80,000.
Promoter Dean Calvert was, understandably, thrilled with the event’s first-year results, and is predicting even bigger things in 2009 and beyond. Hamilton will be a V8 Supercar venue for at least six more years, and even that may be extended if everything goes according to plan.
The good news is that the plaudits weren’t just coming from the local organising committee, with V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane describing what Dean Calvert and his team, and Hamilton City Council had achieved as “nothing short of magnificent”.
“They have created an absolute world-class facility for a brand new street race,” he said.
What it means to the success of Hamilton as a whole is that not only does the event offer a great add-on to convention and incentive groups, but it also shows how the destination can successfully stage such a large-scale undertaking.
Already conferences are playing a significant role in showcasing Hamilton to national and international audiences while building the city’s profile as an attractive destination. The level of publicity the Hamilton 400 generated will only help to cement the destination firmly in the minds of planners when seeking a region that has the high level of expertise required to run logistically challenging event programmes.
Hamilton is a compact city that offers a range of accommodation standards, quality resorts, and plenty of activities and experiences “beyond the ballroom” that are well suited to convention groups. Indeed, there is a style and size of venues to suit groups from small, intimate gatherings right up to mega-events where plenty of space is required.
Its restaurant scene is clearly one of its strongest drawcards, with new properties standing side-by-side with well-established and highly awarded venues to help create a perfect blend of opportunity for visitors to sample the local fare. Coupled with some great wines, Hamilton is the kind of place that could well end up on your yearly calendar of must-do destinations.
One of the most exciting initiatives taking place is the major upgrade of the Claudelands Events Centre. Costing about $60 million the redevelopment will see construction of a 5000-seat indoor multipurpose arena as well as a separate conference centre capable of holding up to 1500 delegates and upgraded exhibition facilities.
The redevelopment is a crucial piece of the city’s event infrastructure, and will enable a variety of mid-sized live performance concerts, international sporting fixtures, major conferences and exhibitions along with an enhancement of the existing exhibition and show business. A proposed pedestrian link to and from the CBD, a short walk of 10 minutes across the Waikato River, will increase the connectivity between accommodation, central shops and the venue.
 
The Mystery Creek Pavilion is the Waikato’s premier venue for large conventions, sporting fixtures and exhibitions. It can hold 8000 theatre-style and includes a 10,000 capacity car park. The Mystery Creek Convention Centre adds a versatile 2000sqm of modern exhibition and conference space. There are also convention suites overlooking the pavilion and centre which can cater for smaller groups. Other facilities on the massive site include the Bledisloe Lounge, The Presidents Lounge, The ANZ building, and the David Johnstone Memorial Lounge, each with conferencing and banqueting facilities. For more information telephone (07) 843 4497, email info@mysterycreek.co.nz or visit www.mysterycreek.co.nz.
This venue is just minutes from the north end of Hamilton city and features up to six lounges and four break-out rooms. The biggest, the Bronze Lounge, can hold up to 300 delegates banquet-style and 280 theatre-style. The stadium is also
used for product launches, conferences, outdoor entertainment, exhibitions and team-building activities. For more information telephone (07) 958 5800, email info@waikatostadium.co.nz or visit www.waikatostadium.co.nz.
Kingsgate Hotel Hamilton is minutes from the city centre and perfectly situated to reach any out-of-town places of interest. Accommodation rooms offer a modern décor in neutral shades ensuring a relaxing stay. In-room amenities include - air conditioning, dial up internet access, satellite TV, mini bar, hairdryer, iron and ironing board and radio alarm clock and tea and coffee making facilities. The property offers a range of meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 650 theatre-style. Visit www.millenniumhotels.com for further details.
Claudelands is a multi dimensional events complex in a picturesque setting on the doorstep of the Hamilton CBD. The centre caters to an exciting mix of events and functions ranging from indoor and outdoor exhibitions, cultural shows and festivals to music performances and sporting fixtures. And the $57 million redevelopment of the centre is sure to make it even more conducive to high-end events. The redevelopment will see construction of a 5000-seat capacity indoor arena as well as separate conference and exhibition spaces, due for completion by 2010. Visit www.claudelands.co.nz for further details.
Victoria Hotel Suites is a boutique, affordable property, ideally located in one of Hamilton’s most popular city streets close to the central business district. The property offers 21 self-contained, air-conditioned suites with modern, comfortable facilities in a variety of sizes. Visit www.victoriasuites.co.nz for further details
Novotel Tainui is in the heart of the city, on the banks of the Waikato River and adjacent to the Skycity Casino and entertainment complex. The hotel features 177 rooms, an award-winning restaurant, lobby bar and a health club, with gym, sauna, spa and beauty therapies available. Conference facilities are available for up to 350 delegates. Guests have easy access to nearby shopping, dining and entertainment, or relaxing river walks that can be found close by. Visit www.accorhotels.co.nz for further details.
 
Waitomo Big Red has been described as New Zealand’s ultimate quad biking adventure. Here, jaded conference delegates can get off the beaten track and explore Waitomo’s rugged countryside as they wind their way through native bush, over farmland and among sheep and cows. Experience action and exhilaration as you ride in and out of valleys, over the caves and through plenty of mud on a two-hour adventure of a lifetime. Waitomo Big Red also offers rafting and abseiling. Visit www.waitomobigred.co.nz.
If you thirst for an adrenalin-fuelled challenge that will open your eyes and quicken your pulse, Black Water Rafting is made for you. The company offers a number of exhilarating tours including the Black Labyrinth and Black Abyss. The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. is described as being New Zealand’s first and best black water adventure operator. It’s also the only tour that takes participants through the incomparable Ruakuri Cave.
Visit www.waitomo.com/black-water-rafting.aspx for further details.
Head over to Matamata, home of Hobbiton, where Peter Jackson created the Shire in his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Visitors are given guided tours of the hillside where the hobbit homes were built and hear about why Jackson chose the spot. For more information visit www.hobbitontours.com.
Enjoy the hospitality of the MV Waipa Delta which offers a variety of cruises along New Zealand’s longest river, the mighty Waikato. Conveniently located in central Hamilton the MV Waipa Delta can provide morning and afternoon teas, a buffet-style lunch or cocktails, dinner and drinks. Lunch, coffee and dinner cruises run every Thursday to Sunday and public holidays. For more information freephone 0800 472 335, or (07) 854 7813, email waipadelta@xtra.co.nz or visit www.waipadelta.co.nz.
Deservedly the most popular tourist destination in the Waikato, this unique and amazing 58 hectare garden experience offers a different way of looking at plant collections, telling the garden story. Enjoy the living Persian carpet in the Indian Char Bagh garden, the tranquility of the Japanese and Chinese gardens, the romantic English garden, the artful American Modernist garden and the grand Italian Renaissance garden. Visit www.hamiltongardens.co.nz for further details.
Situated in Hamilton and overlooking the Waikato River, the Waikato Museum has eight galleries that show touring exhibitions as well as exhibitions featuring items from its own collection. These include the majestic 200-year-old carved waka taua - Te Winika, artwork by prominent NZ and regional artists and an interactive science experience. A regular programme of activities is available, as well as the popular museum cafe and the museum shop at ArtsPost. ArtsPost is Hamilton’s community art centre, situated next door to the main museum complex. It provides three galleries of regularly changing exhibitions featuring outstanding work by local artists. Visit www.waikatomuseum.org.nz.
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