Showcasing the West Coast
BE Reconnected
The West Coast was well represented at BE (Business Events) Reconnected in Auckland. The event at the start of the month was attended by Louise Woodburn and Patrick Dault from DWC, Andrea Forrest and Laugharne Kemp from the West Coast Events Centre at Shantytown Heritage Park, and Phillip Barnett and Gina Ashworth from West Coast Conferences & Events.
"The tradeshow and networking event brought together business event buyers from across New Zealand and there was a lot of interest from buyers for incentive travel for groups of 20-80 people, with a particular interest from buyers for luxury accommodations and uniquely West Coast experiences," said Louise, DWC's Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events Executive.
Famil programme
In early December DWC ran its inaugural business events familiarisation programme hosting four conference and incentive organisers on the West Coast for four days. They had a fantastic experience and a couple of organisers now have clients considering the West Coast for incentives in 2021.
The participants tried pounamu carving at Bonz ‘n’ Stonz, heli-hiking with Fox Glacier Guiding, a tour and tasting with Reefton Distilling Co. and met with hotel and venue operators in South Westland, Hokitika, Greymouth, and Moana. The participants concluded their programme with the Scenic Plus experience on the Tranz Alpine experiencing exceptional service and delicious catering.
Liz Maxwell from ESP Ventures participated in the famil saying: "We had a most rewarding few days on the West Coast, it’s certainly given us a lot to think about. The positive welcome we received from the operators in Franz Josef was heart-warming indeed and I certainly plan to look at presenting BE (business events) options to my clients for 2021."
Adair Cameron from Red Hot Travel & Events said: "We all thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a tonne about the region. I’ve already got one client looking at an itinerary with me so I’m pretty happy about that!’
Attendees of the inaugural business events familiarisation programme on the West Coast at Reefton Distilling Co.
