Rotorua operators have just said goodbye to delegates of TRENZ (Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand), the country’s largest annual tourism event. More than 350 international travel and tourism buyers from 28 countries were hosted in Rotorua during the event, which ran from May 21 to 24. There was a total of more than 1300 people who attended TRENZ, ensuring local hotels had high occupancy levels, restaurateurs were kept busy, and local attractions were well patronized.
The event was another big test for the Energy Events Centre, which came through with flying colours for this internationally important program. TRENZ follows further praise for the centre from event organisers, delegates and event attendees including country singer, Glen Campbell, who described the new facility as “great”.
On top of that accolade there was also plenty of good feedback from participants at the Building Officials Industry New Zealand (BOINZ) conference. The conference ran from April 2 to 4, and attracted about 320 delegates, 40 speakers, and almost 100 exhibitors from around the country.
The majority of the Energy Events Centre was utilised over the three days of the conference, with plenary sessions in the BayTrust Forum, workshops in the break-out rooms, trade displays and the conference dinner in separate parts of Unison Arena.
New Zealand professional conference organisers have also been full of praise not only for the Energy Events Centre but Rotorua as a whole for meetings and events. PCOs from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Nelson were given a wonderful dining experience at the Energy Events Centre as well as undertaking a range of locally based activities including luge and gondola rides at Skyline Skyrides and a bush camp experience with monster truck ride, archery and clay bird shooting at Off Road NZ.
They also indulged in fine dining at superbly themed locations including Skyline Skyrides, the Redwood Forest, and the International Arrival Lounge at Rotorua Regional Airport.
Like all successful business tourism destinations, Rotorua continues to offer new and exciting attractions and experiences for meeting and incentive delegates. One of the best providers of experiences with a difference, Off Road NZ, recently launched its latest product – Twilight Adventure Activities.
The new Twilight Adventure Activity option combines Off Road NZ’s unique dining venue – The Native Bush Camp – with adventure activities normally only experienced during daylight hours. To add to the suspense and impact of the evening guests invited to the launch were only told to dress comfortably and warmly before boarding the coach for a mystery destination.
Arriving at a darkened bush camp venue guests were asked to exit the coach when from behind an island a jet boat screamed out of the darkness and a monster 4x4 crawled down a nearby track towards the guests, both lit only by headlights.
The first passengers were strapped in as the entire native bush camp and lake were floodlit. The band, UltraMega OK, started up and the sights, sounds and aromas of dinner, catered by the Catering Company, floated across to guests.
“This new product allows event organisers and delegates to experience some great team activity and entertainment with the added advantage of freeing up the daylight hours to get through the often full event agenda,” explains Off Road NZ director, Ian Tew.
The new product is available to groups of between 80 and 300 people. In its standard format the native bush camp has traditionally catered for up to 100 delegates however recent landscaping now enables the use of a marquee to cater for up to 300 guests.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua has recently completed a major refurbishment inside and out, including a $1.5m new look exterior. All guest rooms feature sophisticated contemporary designs evoking the warm earthy tones and woven textures of Rotorua’s prominent Maori culture.
High speed internet access, a practical work space and excellent lighting have been installed in all rooms to ensure superior functionality. The comfortable climate in all 227 guest rooms is maintained by individually controlled air-conditioning.
The fifth-floor Millennium Club Lounge has also been redesigned, with a spacious combination of open areas and lounge space, featuring natural and polished stone finishes, as well as access to multiple high-speed internet ports. Conference rooms, bars and restaurants have been newly carpeted in recent months.
The hotel’s luxury day spa complex features the Mud Room, a must-do experience complete with indulgent Rotorua mud wraps and a salt glow body polish.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua has eight stand alone air-conditioned variable sized meeting rooms accommodating six to 500 guests. The Mokoia Room features a full stage, projection room, feature lighting and an integrated sound system. All conference rooms are equipped with AV screens and the hotel has an extensive range of AV equipment available from ISDN lines to electronic whiteboards.
For something extra special the hotel organises unique out-catering at picturesque locations in and around Rotorua, such as the Pohutu Geyser and the century old redwood forest. From a themed banquet of festival food or an indigenous plated dinner with the native herbs of New Zealand such as Kawa Kawa and Horopito, the Millennium Hotel ensures conference guests experience the magic of the region.
This lakeside hotel is ideally situated in the centre of the city, adjacent to the famous Polynesian Spa. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views over Lake Rotorua or into the serene beauty of the hotel’s own native forest courtyard. Guests can unwind after their day in the thermally heated swimming pool, use up some excess energy in the fully equipped fitness centre or join fellow delegates at Restaurant Nikau to enjoy innovative cuisine and the finest New Zealand wines.
A huge range of activities in the area can be arranged to suit conference clients including jet boating, golfing, 4WD bush safaris, sprint car racing, native bush camping including catered lunch or dinner, treasure hunts and themed award-style dinners.
The gondola is a superb way to take in the spectacular views of Rotorua as is a cruise on the pristine waters of Lake Tarawera with the added option of fishing for trophy-sized rainbow trout while on board. Partner programs are individually tailored and include historical and geothermal sightseeing and relaxing spa treatments.
Visit www.meetingsnz.co.nz for further details.
The Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua was recently recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading accommodation providers by being licensed to use the Qualmark – New Zealand tourism’s official quality mark.
The hotel has gained a three-star plus rating from Qualmark following a detailed assessment. Recent enhancements to the hotel include a new foyer, a newly tiled pool and complete redecoration for all superior rooms. Updated bathrooms and décor reflect the Rotorua landscape and high-speed internet and air-conditioning add convenience and comfort.
Blessed with not only beautiful scenery and stunning vistas, but quality accommodation and a bevy of things to see and do, Lake Taupo is one of the true up-and-comers in the convention and incentive world.
Getting there from Auckland is as simple as hopping on an aircraft for less than an hour. Leaving, however, is another thing entirely. There are plenty of flights but getting on one after experiencing everything the destination has to offer is no mean feat.
Not only is the area centrally located on the shores of the largest crater lake in the Southern Hemisphere, it is also at the doorstep of Tongariro National Park, first-rate ski areas, world-famous fishing spots, and the stunning Lake Taupo.
Already with strong support from New Zealand corporate companies looking to escape the buzz of Auckland, Lake Taupo is spreading its wings further afield, and is seeing a growth in interest from international travellers, particularly from Australia.
During 2005-6 the destination played host to 504 events, and looks set to go even better in 2006-7.
The destination has not less than 10 conference venues right in the heart of Taupo, the largest of which can accommodate up to 1000 people for meetings. For more intimate meetings and small incentives it works equally well, with internationally-renowned venues including Huka Lodge providing the style and sophistication needed for these high-end soirees.
Beyond the four walls of conference venues, resorts and lodges, the destination offers plenty of wonderful things and experiences for visitors. Trout fishing and skiing are hugely popular but are certainly not the only things to do. Boat cruises, canoeing, jet boating, rafting, sailing, tandem skydiving, bungy jumping, four-wheel-drive motorbikes, golf and volcanic scenic flights, are just some of the other options available.
As well as the natural wonders, visitors can immerse themselves in seeking out some of the best geothermal experiences in the country, and a large number of cultural pursuits.
Indeed, activities are seemingly endless, ensuring a four or five-day group conference or post-tour is jam-packed with plenty of wonderful things to see and do.
For details on how you should include Lake Taupo in your next New Zealand travel plans visit www.laketauponz.com.
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