September 08 More+ Informed - Convention Centre and Catering & Events

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As Manager of the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and Out-catering department, it’s my pleasure to send you our inaugural bi-monthly newsletter. If I haven’t had the chance to meet you yet please let me introduce myself. I’m Peter Zielke and I’m originally from Weimar in Germany. I’ve managed hotels in the UK, Germany and Russia, and have been involved in organising events in various parts of the world before joining the SKYCITY team in January this year. I lead a team of seasoned professionals, passionate about providing the best possible service for our customers. I believe business should always be easy, so over the past six months we’ve been looking at ways to make your experience with SKYCITY as enjoyable as possible. We’ve also launched More+ Informed to provide you with useful information about our team, our services, our facilities and our products. We always enjoy hearing from you so please don’t hesitate to contact me or my colleagues with feedback and enquiries. Warm wishes Peter Zielke email: peter.zielke@skycity.co.nz phone: +64 9 363 7158
Free venue hire in January
	Take advantage of our exclusive offer for More+ Informed customers and save money. If you spend more than $40 per person on food and/or beverage during January 2009 we’ll throw in the venue hire for free! The special is subject to availability so email enquiries@skycityconventions.co.nz or phone +64 9 363 6070 to book now.
Stress-free parking at special convention centre rates
	An underground carpark offering 1,960 spaces and a discounted rate of $18 per day for conference delegates means parking is hassle free for visitors to SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre. On a par with inner city parking prices, it usually costs $35 to park in the SKYCITY carpark. However delegates can use the facility for only $18 a day making it an affordable and easy option. SKYCITY’s ‘buy in bulk and return’ policy gives conference co-ordinators the option to purchase tickets in advance and return them if unused. Delegates can either purchase these tickets through their conference co-ordinator or at the reception desk on Level 3 of the Convention Centre. The location of the carpark underneath the SKYCITY complex offers a short dry walk from the car to the centre. Parking has never been easier! back to top
The best Christmas parties in town
	Our team prides itself on hosting legendary Christmas parties, offering a wide range of packages to suit your needs. Whether it’s cocktails on the pool deck for 1,500, a seated dinner for 1,000 or an intimate event for 50 or less, we’ll create a festive event that will be the talk of the town. Choose from a selection of our Functions - Packages or we can tailor the event to meet your brief and budget. Christmas packages can include room hire, festive theming, DJs, gourmet Christmas buffet, beverages and a selection of optional extras such as pre-dinner canapés and beverages, menu upgrades (buffet or plated), and creative lighting. We also offer special rates at our five star SKYCITY Grand Hotel. Email enquiries@skycity.co.nz or phone +64 9 363 6070 to talk to us about your event. Those who have already enjoyed a Christmas function at SKYCITY will tell you that the party doesn’t end at midnight. From vibrant and upbeat to relaxing and easy-going, the SKYCITY leisure complex has a number of bars with a style and mood to suit every occasion. And for those seeking a little more excitment, the SKYCITY casino is open 24 hours a day.
Meetings 2008, the highlights
	Our exhibition presences at Meetings 2008 this year included three different stands: domestic, Australian and out-catering. Sky Walk and Sky Jump exhibited alongside us showcasing our array of products on offer at SKYCITY. We're looking forward to hosting the event next year. Watch this space for more information.
Vote for us
	If you've had a good experience at SKYCITY vote for us in the People's Choice Awards
Meet Richard Dodds
	During his career Richard Dodds has travelled around the world before returning home to New Zealand to his current role as Sales Manager at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre. Richard’s career began in event management in Rotorua in the early nineties, before he was drawn to the bright lights of London where he worked for World Event Management and Wonderful Copenhagen. Seeking a change of climate, Richard set off for the sunny beaches of Thailand in 2002 to take up the challenging position of Director of Sales at the five-star Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya. Richard says his journey has taught him “to think about every touch point the customer has with the organisation”. “The people we work with make all the difference at SKYCITY. Without working well together and being customer focused none of us could succeed in our roles.” While passionate about his job, Richard’s other love is his family which includes wife Michelle and their 17 month old son Taylor. The Dodds enjoy hanging out at one of Auckland’s many great beaches, particularly during the summer months when Richard will dust off the surfboard. back to top
Flight Centre crew have a ball
	Providing first class out-catering services is what we do well and the Flight Centre National Ball in July was no exception. The SKYCITY Catering & Events team hosted more than 1,400 people at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland and received high praise from Flight Centre New Zealand and its event company CiEvents New Zealand. Charles Robinson, CiEvents Executive Producer, said an event this size is always a huge challenge, both pre-event and on site, but he felt our team rose to the occasion with both “world-class professional service and an ever present smile”. “You delivered far beyond both my client’s and my own expectations, and I am very grateful for your professionalism in dealing with all the changes and requests. Your team on site were the most proficient and professional I have ever worked with and I am in no doubt that you are the only catering company within New Zealand who could have successfully delivered an event of this scale and importance.” When you are thinking of your next event remember we have a range of offsite options at more than 25 venues across Auckland.
Dairy industry chooses SKYCITY
	We’re excited to be hosting the International Dairy Federation’s World Dairy Summit in November 2010. New Zealand is a world dairy leader and for the International Dairy Federation to hold its congress at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre is a mark of New Zealand’s significant position on the world stage, and the excellence of our facilities. The ‘World Dairy Summit’ is a 1,000-delegate, multi-day event and is forecast to have more than $2.1 million economic impact to the Auckland region. This brings the total economic impact of events won by SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and our conference partners, in the past year alone, to more than $10 million directly into the Auckland economy. Andy Williams, of Fonterra New Zealand, recently showed his support. “The Organising Committee is looking forward to working with SKYCITY in hosting this event and to make it the success we are sure it will be. The eyes of the dairy world will be on Auckland, New Zealand and we are confident we have the best centre to do that from,” said Andy.
Playing host to World leaders
	We worked closely with Fiona Driver from Driven Events to provide a first class event for the Climate Change & Business Conference at SKYCITY this month. The Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia, Helen Clark and Kevin Rudd, were in attendance to discuss issues and share ideas about climate change with the business community. The conference attracted more than 90 speakers from Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom from a range of sectors including energy, transport, and agriculture. This was a carbon neutral event with offsets provided by Landcare Research under its carboNZero scheme. back to top