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Mayor Winters made the call during a promotional evening held in the city in May, when he urged representatives of local organisations to bid for Rotorua as the location for their organisations’ next conference, tournament or event. He encouraged them to work together with Rotorua District Council’s Event Venues and tourism marketing teams, and with local conference businesses. The evening, which hosted up to 100 invitees, included a tour of some of the city’s popular locations for conferences and functions – including Redwood Forest, Skyline Skyrides’ complex and a site visit under lights to the Energy Events Centre, currently under construction in Government Gardens.
“When visitors come here for major events they boost our local economy and the benefit is felt right throughout the whole community, especially in the area of employment,” Mr Winters told guests.
“We’re very fortunate in Rotorua. Few cities can provide anywhere near the amount of quality accommodation. And of course our visitor attractions are many and varied – and uniquely Rotorua.”
Event Venues sales and marketing manager Diana Moore said the interest from people attending the promotional evening was “hugely encouraging”.
“Many people were keen to bring their event to Rotorua but needed to know that the city had the right mix of facilities. Others were unsure about how to go about putting in a bid. I think we’ve been able to demonstrate to them that our local conference and events industry is working together and can provide the support and expertise to make it all happen.”
Event Venues Rotorua has formed a marketing consortium to bring in new events and promote the Energy Events Centre. Its premier marketing partners are Royal Lakeside Novotel, Millennium Hotel Rotorua, Skyline Skyrides, Dynamics Audio Visual and Event Impressions.
“Our group is providing a ‘one stop shop’ for New Zealand’s conference market. We’re demonstrating to our prospective customers around the country, that in Rotorua, ‘we’ve got all our ducks in a row’.”

ABOVE: Dining at the Skyline Restaurant.