Learning was the theme in the Waikato last month (September 26-29), and Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre was the classroom as more than 300 delegates assembled for the annual New Zealand Resource Teachers Learning and Behaviour Association (NZRTLB) conference.

The 13th annual conference saw a strong line-up of speakers including the 2010 New Zealander of the Year, Sir Ray Avery, alongside high-calibre international guests from Canada, the USA and England.

With the NZRTLB facing recent changes in its structure, the theme for the conference this year was “Transformation – Better than Before”.

And better it was, with Claudelands chosen for the conference due to its capacity to host the number of delegates attending and the venue’s flexibility to cope with the large number of different events throughout the four days.

NZRTLB conference co-convener Kris Purden says Claudelands exceeded her expectations.

“Claudelands met all our dreams and wishes and the staff were incredibly helpful. We would definitely recommend it to other people wanting to hold a conference,” Purden says.

As well as the featured speakers and exhibitors and the annual NZRTLB General Meeting, the conference also included a powhiri and poroporoaki, workshops and a market day.

Purden says it was vital for the organisation to choose a venue with expansive indoor spaces as well as first-class conference facilities to cater to their needs. “It was absolutely essential to have a variety of flexible areas. The trade and display stalls also needed a separate space that was easily accessible,” she says.

As well as Claudelands exceeding Purden’s expectations in terms of facilities, she says the staff and catering helped make the conference such a success.

“The catering went beyond our expectations. There wasn’t a single person that didn’t have a positive comment about it. And one of the things that struck me was that the place was always immaculate.”

Hamilton City’s Event Facilities, Director of Business Development Murray Jeffrey said that the Claudelands team is delighted to receive such positive feedback.

“The NZRTLB team is extremely professional and to receive this positive review speaks volumes,” he said.

“Claudelands is incredibly well designed and perfect for complex conferences and exhibitions, but likewise we know that our team needs to be up to the challenge.

“We pride ourselves on our ‘can-do’ attitude and are pleased that we were able to meet and exceed the NZRTLB team’s expectations,” said Jeffrey.

The NZRTLB conference was one of many major events held at Claudelands since it opened in July 2011. The adaptability of the venue and ability to cater to a number of different conference requirements is yet another illustration of why the latest Convention Activity Survey (CAS) data* listed Waikato as the third highest destination for conferences in New Zealand.

With continued success from such conferences, hosting national delegates as well as international visitors, Claudelands continues on its path to being recognised as a world-class conference facility.

ENDS 

*Convention Activity Survey (CAS) data - The CAS statistics are based on monthly data collected from participating venues in each of the 12 CAS regions.  Most of the large venues in these regions participate in the CAS.

The CAS captures information on all events hosted by CAS participants.  This includes meetings, incentive activities, conventions, exhibitions & special occasions.