The response from buyers is evidence of the need for such an event in Auckland, says Paul Hailes, director of expo owner Tourism Media Group. ‘We are delighted with the range of buyers who have registered,” says Hailes. “They come from small and large associations, SMEs, corporates, professional conference organisers, travel management companies and incentive travel companies.

“As well as promoting the show through Meeting Newz magazine, we have utilised the services of Tourism Marketing Solutions (TMS) which has one of the most comprehensive and detailed databases of New Zealand-based buyers,” explains Hailes. 

"Conversations with our buyers have generated a broad range of registrations,” says TMS director, Tania Adolphe. “We offer the rare service of personally telephoning buyers to ascertain their business events requirements. We have had relationships with many of them for years – some of whom since we began the company in 2004, almost 20 years ago. We have detailed history about the frequency of our buyers' events, where they have been held and whether they organise small board meetings, multi-day conferences, team building, workshops, company conferences or product activations and launches.”

Tourism Marketing Solutions specialises in training and lead generation for suppliers of business events product. The company is currently representing Destination Rotorua, Great South (Invercargill), Millennium Hotels and Resorts Nationwide, Napier Conferences & Events, Novotel Christchurch Airport, Suncourt Hotel Taupō, Tourism Fiji and Waitakere Resort & Spa.