October 09 More+ Informed - Convention Centre and Catering & Events

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Welcome to More+ Informed, The last few months have presented challenging times in our industry and we have responded by providing innovative and flexible solutions for our clients including packages for smaller meetings and conventions (50 to 100 people) and a range of exciting venues thanks to our out-catering department. We also welcome a fabulous new venue, the first in many years, to cater for the 300+ sized group events. The Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake exhibition hall is part of The Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum and we’re very excited about the potential this venue provides for our corporate clients. Finally as the weather warms up, it’s time for you to plan your Christmas functions. We’ve done much of that thinking for you and believe we’ve developed the best packages the city has to offer for Christmas this year. Do call us to chat through the options. Warm wishes Peter Zielke email: peter.zielke@skycity.co.nz phone: +64 9 363 6070
Let the Bells Ring Out for Christmas!
	With Christmas only three months away, look no further than SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre for a fantastic and affordable Christmas party. From just $69 per person (including GST), SKYCITY is offering a choice of three packages, with exclusive use of the function room and complimentary SKYCITY theming. Or if you have a small group of 10 and want to experience all the excitement, glitz and glamour of a big Christmas function you can purchase tickets to our SKYCITY Auckland Christmas Function. Christmas Package Options The $69 SKYCITY Cocktail Christmas Package includes a selection of delicious hot and cold canapés followed by hot mince pies and a 2 hour beverage package of a selected range of wines and beers. For $99 per person, the SKYCITY Gourmet Christmas Package includes an exclusive Gourmet Christmas buffet, selected range of wines and beers per table, music from a DJ and event security. Christmas can be topped off in style for $109 with the SKYCITY Exclusive Christmas Package. Your guests will receive a glass of sparkling wine upon arrival, a fabulous Gourmet Christmas buffet, selected range of wines and beers per table, music from a DJ and event security as well as a Christmas gift. SKYCITY is an expert at Christmas functions and can work to your requirements. For example, you may wish to opt for an upgrade to any of the packages such as: Trio of canapés for $10 per person; NZ premium seafood for $20 per person; A special drinks package for $20 per person (host responsibility limits apply); and/or Cocktail on arrival for $8 per person. We have all sorts of options to tailor-make your Christmas functions. A cash bar is available in addition to the selected beverage packages. Please call +64 9 363 6070 or email us at enquiries@skycityconventions.co.nz for more information. Tables for 10 And finally, if you’ve only got a small team but don’t want to miss out on the fun of a big Christmas function, join us for Christmas at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on Saturday the 28th November 2009 from 6.30pm until late. We’ll host and organise a night to remember for you and your team so you can enjoy the glitz, glamour and good times of the festive season – without blowing your budget. Tickets are priced at $75.00 per person* and include: 1 Cocktail per person on arrival Gourmet buffet dinner (vegetarian options available) Entertainment and dancing Orange juice and soft drinks Additional alcoholic beverages can be purchased with drink tokens at the event. Drink tokens are $40 for 5 tokens and can be purchased prior to the event and also on the night. 1 token = 1 bottle of selected beer or 1 glass of selected wine 5 tokens= 1 bottle of selected wine Contact Bianca Bush on +64 9 363 6277 or email christmas@skycity.co.nz for more info or to book for the SKYCITY Auckland Christmas Function. Tickets only available to be purchased in tables of 10 tickets. * Drink tokens can only be used at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on 28 November 2009. Terms & Conditions: All of the above prices include GST and are for direct bookings only. Prices are subject to change. Bookings subject to availability. R18 for the service of alcohol - host responsibility limits apply. A list of the range of selected wines and beers is available on request. back to top
Watch the Melbourne Cup in Style
	SKYCITY’s stylish Spring Racing Celebration event is a great excuse to dress up in true racing style, be entertained, have fun while watching live racing on the big screen and place bets at the TAB. Ticket holders will be entertained by the Peter Urlich Band with special appearances by Nathan Haines and DJ General Lee. The package includes Moët & Chandon Champagne served upon arrival, a selection of fine wines and premium beers served throughout the whole event from the Stella Artois Bar and delicious canapés. Plus, the best dressed Fashionistas have the chance to win great prizes with Emirates Fashion in the Field, along with a special prize draw to close the event. 3rd November 2009, 3.30pm-7.30pm, SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, Auckland $149 including GST (a service fee may apply) R18. Host Responsibility limits apply Book now at Ticketek back to top
Our People
	In an internal promotion, Nathan Harrison has been appointed Business Development Executive at SKYCITY. Nathan, age 27, joined the organisation as Convention Services Coordinator in July 2008, after previously working as Senior Sales Executive at ZFL London Zoo. He loves his new role and says he’s in for the long haul. “I’m thoroughly enjoying it at SKYCITY and in Auckland", he said. “My job now is focussed on out-catering and sourcing new event locations, and I look forward to increasing the awareness of our products and providing our customers with the quality, memorable events that SKYCITY is known for." “My main hobby is travelling. I’m as far away as I can be from my home in England, but I love running events, socialising and food, which is why it is great to be here at SKYCITY and in Auckland which certainly combines those three.” back to top
Events
	Tech Ed, Microsoft & Avenues SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre cemented its reputation as an able provider of very large events recently following the hosting of one of the biggest conferences in New Zealand, Tech Ed 2009, held from 14-16 September. Attended by over 2000 industry professionals from around the country, Tech Ed provides training for IT developers and others who use or on-sell Microsoft technologies. Alongside guest speakers, including ex-pat Kiwi, Chris Liddell (Chief Financial Officer of Microsoft Corporation), hands-on labs, exhibitors and demonstrations of the latest products, Tech Ed 2009 provided guests with a line-up of social events, including the TechFest gala with entertainment from Elemeno P, one of New Zealand’s biggest and most successful bands, and the Tech Girls Dinner, a sold-out event that celebrated women working in the IT industry. Scott Wylie, Director of Developer and Platform Strategy at Microsoft NZ, said the event was a big success. “Tech Ed is New Zealand’s premier technical conference and the 2009 event was bigger and better than ever - we hosted over 2200 delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and crew over three days in September,” he said. “A huge thanks to the wonderful SKYCITY team – you shielded us from all the complexities, and helped make Tech Ed 2009 another big success for our customers and partners.”
	International delegates provide positive a economic impact for the city and regions International conferencing is important to Auckland and New Zealand because of the high spend rate of international delegates. Those conferencing in New Zealand spend around $600 a day per person, compared with around $150 a day for the individual traveller. SKYCITY Convention Centre manager Peter Zielke said the centre’s dedicated sales team works closely with New Zealand’s Professional Conference Organisers (PCO’s) to secure this lucrative business for the centre and the country. “This is our bread and butter business and SKYCITY is 100% aligned to bringing this business to New Zealand. The economic impact is huge. It starts with the airlines and hotels then filters to the taxi drivers, hairdressers, bars, restaurants and retail sector. Then through pre and post meeting tours, the impact spreads to the regions. So far, eight multiday events are already contracted for 2010 with more than 600 attendees, many internationals, at each. Events already confirmed include the International Society for Blood Transfusion Conference, the International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine Conference and the Institute of Australian Geographers. “The Lumbar Spine Conference alone is planning up to 100 New Zealand wide tours for its delegates. This meeting will have an impact of around $3.5million on Auckland alone and a further impact through pre and post tours that will certainly be of great value to the regions.” Mr. Zielke said the convention business requires long lead times and the sales team were negotiating business as far out as 2014. “We are already dealing with two enquiries for large multi-day events in that year. It’s important for us to keep the pipeline moving.” back to top
Flagship exhibition to become one of Auckland’s most sought after cocktail venue
	A unique cocktail venue is attracting interest as a wonderful harbour-side location for all sorts of functions. The Blue Water Black Magic – A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake is a new exhibition hall that can host between 100 and 450 people. Blue Water Black Magic is part of the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum which now includes three adjacent exhibition halls capable of hosting up to 1500 people across the entire venue. As its name suggests, the hall is a tribute to New Zealand hero Sir Peter Blake and contains unique exhibits and interactive features. The permanent exhibition has been created with the support of the Blake family and the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, and with significant investment from the New Zealand Government and Auckland City Council. The hall was designed by renowned New Zealand architect Pete Bossley and forms a unique and very special backdrop to any cocktail function. Paul Evans, CEO at Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum is delighted to see the final stages of the exhibition coming together “This will be a significant extension of the museum’s existing exhibition space, one that will be rich in objects, stories, interactivity and audio visual content. We are delighted that the project is near completion and we are eager to see the finished form of this stunning exhibition and a truly unique events venue. Peter Zielke said his team was very excited about the exclusive catering contract SKYCITY has with the venue and was looking forward to its opening. “This is just a gorgeous venue with great meaning for New Zealanders. We thoroughly enjoy our out-catering business and this adds another dimension to the properties we can offer as well as increasing the flexibility of the Voyager Maritime Museum as a venue. The new Edmiston Gallery of Maritime Art is also undergoing redevelopment and is set to become another fantastic and unique venue for smaller functions of up to 100 people. back to top