The new Hamilton Convention Bureau is geared up and ready to continue the work of the former Waikato Convention Bureau. The only difference is the new bureau, still headed up by manager Lyn O’Sullivan, will have a clearer focus and greater support, according to Hamilton City Council. Ms O’Sullivan initially faced redundancy when the council announced it would cut funding for Tourism Waikato from July – the authority which ran the Waikato Convention Bureau. However the council has now restructured the bureau giving Ms O’Sullivan just the one market to concentrate on – conventions and incentives. “It’s really good for the conference market. I’m really looking forward to it because I can focus just on that market,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
She said now with backing from the Hamilton City Council marketing team she effectively has new resources as well as more time. The good news means Ms O’Sullivan could send the bureau’s annual planner to the printers and carry on with preparations for a stand at Meetings 2006 where she will represent the bureau. Ms O’Sullivan said the bureau would continue its operation but just under a new brand, created by the council.
“I’m pleased that the bureau is continuing and that the work that we’ve done in the past hasn’t gone to waste. Especially because we are in the middle of the trade year. So at Meetings it’s business as normal. That’s the message to buyers.”
She said convention bureau members were pleased with the outcome after having it explained to them by the council.
“They are absolutely thrilled that the bureau is still going ahead. We are co-operating very well together.”
In a promotion at Meet Auckland, the bureau together with operators gave away five accommodation and activities packages to PCOs, from which feedback has been very positive. While the bureau has had the name change and strengthened position, little else will change for now and that includes the rights of operators from outside the city boundaries to be members.
“Businesses outside the region can remain members. They (HCC) understand the city and the region complement each other.”
Ms O’Sullivan said the council’s foresight to continue the bureau makes sense because the market is becoming more interested in Hamilton and its surrounds.
“Plus the buyers and members need a point of contact. And we also fit into the national scale with bureau managers meeting each year. With the conference market being smaller there is a great need for networking.”
Meanwhile the Waikato region could soon reap the rewards of a $5.5 million Government grant to build a visitor centre with an education programme at Mt Maungatautari near Cambridge. The Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust has raised $8 million toward building a 47km predator-proof fence around the base of the mountain. Ms O’Sullivan believes the project will add tremendous weight to the region as a visitor attraction.
Waikato Stadium
This venue is just minutes from the north end of Hamilton city and features up to six lounges and four breakout rooms. The biggest, the Bronze Lounge, can hold up to 300 delegates banquet-style and 280 theatre-style. The stadium is also used for product launches, conferences, outdoor entertainment, exhibitions and team-building activities. Popular caterers Montana Catering service the stadium while it also has easy parking. For more information telephone (07) 958 5800, email info@waikatostadium.co.nz or visit www.waikatostadium.co.nz.
SKYCITY Hamilton
SKYCITY Hamilton is a main attraction within the Riverside Entertainment Centre which is located on the banks of the Waikato River on one side, and accessible from Victoria St on the other. The complex features a casino, restaurant and bar, a private gaming room and other entertainment. A conference facility located on the river promenade can host meetings, presentations, cocktail functions, dinners for 230 and themed events. For more information telephone (07) 834 900, email info@skycityhamilton.co.nz or visit www.skycityhamilton.co.nz.
Mystery Creek Events Centre
The magnificent 6160sqm Mystery Creek Pavilion is the Waikato’s premier venue for large conventions, sporting fixtures and exhibitions. It can hold 8000 theatre-style and includes a 10,000 capacity car park. The Mystery Creek Convention Centre adds a versatile 2000sqm of modern exhibition and conference space. There are also convention suites overlooking the pavilion and centre which can cater for smaller groups. Other facilities on the massive site include the Bledisloe Lounge, The Presidents Lounge, The ANZ building, and the David Johnstone Memorial Lounge, each with conferencing and banqueting facilities. For more information telephone (07) 843 4497, email info@mysterycreek.co.nz or visit www.mysterycreek.co.nz.
Novotel Tainui Hamilton
Overlooking the mighty Waikato River is the Novotel Tainui Hamilton, located in the heart of the central business district on Alma St. This four-star international standard hotel features 177 rooms and can cater for 350 delegates theatre-style and 220 for a banquet. It has six dedicated function rooms, a restaurant and bar and can out-cater for banquets of up to 1200. The Novotel Tainui is also conveniently located next to the SKYCITY Hamilton entertainment complex. For more information telephone (07) 838 1366 or visit www.novotel.co.nz.
Ferrybank Reception and Conference
The stunning Ferrybank in Hamilton with its beautiful views of the Waikato River is an ideal setting for conferences. The centre can take up to 220 delegates theatre-style in the main room downstairs which has a balcony overlooking the river and great natural light. Upstairs caters for 20 people in a more cosy and intimate lounge setting and each room features its own bar. The centre provides in-house catering and can capably hold 300 for cocktails. The lounge area upstairs can open up to act as a mezzanine level and the centre at the south end of Victoria St is surrounded by accommodation venues. For more information telephone (07) 839 0373, email ferrybank@wave.co.nz or visit www.ferrybankreception.co.nz.
Hamilton Airport Motor Inn
Situated beside Hamilton International Airport, the motor inn features 61 studio, executive or apartment-style units, a licensed bar and restaurant with outdoor dining, and leisure facilities including a pool, gym and tennis court. Its conference centre, which is perfect for groups flying into the city for the day who need to meet quickly and efficiently, seats up to 200 people theatre-style. However it can be broken into two rooms, while there are also two other spaces suitable for intimate meetings. The venue is close to Lochiel and Narrows golf courses. For details telephone (07) 843 8412, email reservations@airportinn.co.nz or visit www.airportinn.co.nz.
Hamilton Gardens
Hamiltonians are proud of the city’s beautiful gardens and you’ll see why after a visit. Located off Cobham Drive in Hamilton East, the region’s most popular visitor attraction offers an escape to shady lakes, stunning flowers and exotic pavilions. The magnificent themed gardens include the Japanese, English, American, Chinese, Post-Modernist, and Italian Renaissance Gardens. Visitors can enjoy a café lunch or just find a place to picnic. The gardens also host a number of annual events including the popular two-week Summer Festival every February. For more information telephone (07) 856 3200, email
hamilton.gardens@hcc.govt.nz or visit www.hamiltongardens.co.nz.
Waipa Delta
Enjoy the hospitality of the MV Waipa Delta which offers a variety of cruises along New Zealand’s longest river, the mighty Waikato. Conveniently located in central Hamilton the MV Waipa Delta can provide morning and afternoon teas, a buffet style lunch or cocktails, dinner and drinks. Lunch, coffee and dinner cruises run every Thursday to Sunday and public holidays. Private charters cater for any special occasion or business function and are available any day or night of the week. For more information freephone 0800 472 335, or (07) 854 7813, email waipadelta@xtra.co.nz or visit www.waipadelta.co.nz.
Waikato Museum of Art and History
Situated on the banks of the Waikato River at the south end of Hamilton city, the Waikato Museum of Art and History, presents an exciting programme of changing exhibitions. These are presented from the museum’s large collections of New Zealand art, Tainui Maori taonga and Waikato history. Regular features include national and international touring exhibitions. Adjoining the museum is the popular Canvas cafe, the Exscite hands-on science centre and the ArtsPost art gallery. Admission is by donation. For more information telephone (07) 838 6606.
Waitomo
Just 50 minutes by car south of Hamilton is Waitomo, a village booming with action-packed adventure activities. These include The Legendary Black Water Rafting; best described as cave tubing, Haggas Honking Holes; an abseiling caving adventure, Tumu Tumu Toobing; cave rafting, the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the Lost World abseiling and caving adventure, wild caving, team-building exercises, Waitomo Big Red 4x4 quad biking tours, self driving jet boats at Woodlyn Park, the Waitomo Caves Museum, and more. For details visit www.waikatonz.co.nz/attractions
Hamilton Zoo and the Freeflight Sanctuary
Set among 52 acres Hamilton Zoo is home to New Zealand and endangered wildlife from around the world. Explore the zoo along walkways and experience its majestic animals. The FreeFlight Sanctuary is one of New Zealand’s premier environmental attractions providing a large flight space for many rare and endangered native birds. For details telephone (07) 838 6720, email hamzooj@wave.co.nz or visit www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz.
Hobbiton
Head over to Matamata, home of Hobbiton, where Peter Jackson created the Shire in his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Guided tours of the hillside where the hobbit homes were built tell why Jackson chose the spot. For details telephone Rings Scenic Tours on (07) 888 6838 or email info@hobbitontours.com.
Adventure Waikato
Adventure Waikato has a host of adrenalin-pumping and team-building activities including caving, abseiling, a 220m flying fox, dog trials, swamp crossing, claybird shooting, and the Jurassic stroll. There’s even accommodation on the farm which is an hour west from Hamilton, plus there’s a conference facility for 26 delegates. For more details telephone (07) 825 455, or visit www.adventurewaikato.co.nz.
