eXplore Show 2024 – Exhibitor Edition – Two and Final
Kia Ora all eXplore Show 2024 Exhibitors – just over a week to go!
· See links below to Buyer list, the Pre event online briefing material if you missed it, and the Eden Park Stadium Map
With the funny week next week with ANZAC Day and being school-holidays I decided to send this final missive to you all now. There will be some last-minute notes but will give those to you at the quick event briefing on Monday.
Buyers Registered as at today – 239
This is getting close to pre COVID numbers – I’m delighted for you! I will take registrations up to and including on the day but given what’s listed suggest it maybe only another handful of people in the coming week. All the key companies are coming, all markets covered, a few newbies, and many bringing their reservations team. I will give you all the full database post event but see below a sneak peak of who is coming as at today – up to you if you want to print this off – I won’t be supplying a printed copy. If you want to do some research on the companies before you come (recommended of course), you can view most of thier profiles on the Tourism Export Council website here.
We have a greater number travelling from out of town this year including a number of international buyers – great testament to the perceived value of this event for them.
VIP’s – every-one who takes the time to attend is important, however we have the following who will need some extra Central North Island ‘Aroha’:
· Lynda Keene – Chief Executive – Tourism Export Council of NZ
· Linda Furber – Director of Product – Down Under Answers / Travel 2 – travelling from Seattle – one of the largest NZ specialists in the USA.
Suppliers – you will see on the list I have indicated there are a few suppliers attending. They have made a special plea to be able to visit as many of you are their clients already. I have made it very clear to them they are there as your guests and must not restrict or distract you from being able to talk to Buyer delegates.
Location – Eden Park Grand Hall – Level 5, Auckland University North Stand. Via Gate B, Walters Road, Sandringham, Auckland
Exhibitor Programme
Monday 29th April
4.00-4.45 pm Exhibitor Event Access
You have access to the event floor to view your stand and drop any small items you might need for the following day. Your name badges, drink tickets and programmes will be on your stand.
4.45-5pm Exhibitor and Venue Briefing PLEASE BE SURE TO ATTEND
This short meeting will go through the mechanics of the Breakfast Session, the eXplore Show, Buyer updates, and health and safety of the venue.
5.00-7.00pm Exhibitor Networking Function – venue foyer – Eden Park
This is a great opportunity to rub shoulders and connect with other operators from your region and within the Central North Island Group. A drink token and light eats are provided – cash/eftpos bar thereafter should you want more than one drink.
Monday Parking – there are a number of parks within the stadium grounds you can use – see Map below.
Show Day – Tuesday 30th April
The venue will be open from 7.00am.
7am – Barista(s) commence their Caffeine magic for Exhibitors (both in the foyer and at the top end of the show space) and registration open for Buyers for The Breakfast Session.
7.10 – Working Breakfast available.
7.30 – Breakfast Session Commences 8 x 10 minutes SCHEDULED appointments. (At Buyer request)
8.30 – ALL Exhibitors on site please
9am eXplore Show officially opens however we have seen guests arrive from 8.30 previously.
3pm Show Finishes Buyers and Exhibitors depart – please plan to be there until 3.15/30pm. We don’t want exhibitors packing up and departing with buyers still in the room.
4pm Venue closed to Exhibitors.
Note: Morning traditionally is busier than the afternoon
Show Day Parking – please DO NOT park in the venue – save these for our guests. Park in the streets around the stadium taking care to leave access for residents to their driveways please – you don’t want to get towed!
Breakfast Session: We had 35 Buyers indicate their interest in the breakfast session, with 21 appointment requests (to date) completed. I would have liked more. I will be scheduling the appointments shortly and sending them before end of business Monday to the Buyers and yourselves. You will all get an individual email from me re your requests. Note that not all of you were requested and not all of you will have appointments – buyers were restricted to ask for up to 20 operators only. Buyers can catch up with Appointments they don’t get from 9am.
A reminder to be courteous to your fellow exhibitors – if you have an appointment be sure to wrap it up on the Bell and dispatch the Buyer to their next appointment in a timely manner – I have allowed 2 minutes to change to the next appointment.
If you do not get appointments, you don’t need to be onsite till 8.30 on Tuesday so you can grab a cuppa and be ready to go for 9am. Please be mindful not to distract others who will be in meetings until 9am.
Your Space
Your space will be set up and ready to go for you on Monday with your banner – remember – very limited space on your stand (60CM tabletop) so think carefully about what you bring. Power supplied (you may choose to pack a short extention chord). Floor plan and stand number links follows in the show Programme
Hospitality and Hosting
These buyers are there as your guests and we are all hosts for this event. We have hospitality zones top and tail of the room for Buyers or yourselves to have a break from the conversation or take a call. During morning tea and lunch service please invite the Buyers to join you for refreshements, taking them to the tables at the front or rear of the room – whichever is closest.
Hostpo and Dietaries
There will be a special table for GF and Vegan at the front of the room on show day. Vegetarian food will be included on the main tables. I have been assured by the venu that the food will be labelled so you can see what you are eating. There will be water, fruit and sweets to hand as well as the baristas on tap for the day. Thanks to VOLCANIC COFFEE and Great Lake Taupo who are sponsoring the coffee cart at the back of the room.
WiFi – This is free for the event. TIP: Do not rely on this if you want to stream videos or presentation – have these downloaded to your device so they are not reliant on bandwidth. I will have WiFI loging details on arrival.
Photographer – FYI – I have commissioned a photographer 11am-1pm to capture mostly candid shots from the day of engagement between buyers and sellers, and people enjoying the hospitality. These will be made available to RTO’s for their use and I will use them for future promotions of the event. I will also make them available for you guys after the event also.
Useful Links:
Buyer List – company and names (Download)
Eden Park Map – parking and access (Download)
Event Programme with operator profiles – includes floor plan and exhibitor stand numbers (Download)
In case you missed it:
1) Exhibitor Edition One – First exhibitor Newsletter (Download)
2) Pre Event Briefing and Working with Trade Refresher with Michelle Caldwell (especially useful for those of you newish to trade. Recording is here (Quite watchable at 1.25-1.5 speed)
If you are wanting to review a specific slide from this on line recording
Vanessa – eXplore Show Presentation Slide Show
Michelle – Working with Trade
A big shout out to the wonderful bunch of Trade Managers at our 8 partner RTO’s who have been working super hard and committed to getting you all to this event – it’s going to be awesome!
As always – please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything or have any questions – happy to help if I can.
Safe travels everyone – see you at Eden Park on the 29th!
Cheers – Vanessa
021 1653 547
Explore Central North Island