A slice of Middle-earth™ is heading its way to AIME 2016, with New Zealand’s Hobbiton™ Movie Set and Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre teams set to exhibit together at the Melbourne tradeshow. 

With both facilities based in the Hamilton and Waikato region, Hobbiton Movie Set’s Shayne Forrest (Marketing Manager) and Maya Storey (Events Sales Coordinator), and Claudelands’ Wendy Harrison (Business Development and Sales Manager) and Dawn Stewart (Business Development and Sales Executive) are all looking forward to chatting to event organisers about the treasures of the area during their shared meeting stream at AIME.

This will be the first time Hobbiton Movie Set has attended the tradeshow and the fifth time Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre has exhibited.

“For us it is a great opportunity to meet more people and not only tell them about our award-winning venue but also talk about everything our region has to offer,” says Wendy.

“It’s so easy to get to the Hamilton and Waikato region as we are only a short drive from Auckland International Airport, yet it is a destination that hasn’t yet been fully discovered by the international business events market – while many conference delegates have already been to other New Zealand centres like Auckland or Queenstown, our region can offer an entirely new experience for them which is exciting.”

Shayne says he is also looking forward to be an ambassador for the region at AIME.

“One of the key strengths of the Hamilton and Waikato region is our collaboration. From venues to the accommodation or dining establishments, to the visitor attractions and activities, we all know and back each other, and work together to offer the best possible itineraries and experiences for business event organisers and delegates,” he says.

A major draw card of the region, Hobbiton Movie Set (from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies) allows visitors to discover the real Middle-earth on the most picturesque private farmland. The attraction boasts several function spaces including the unforgettable surrounds of The Green Dragon™ Inn which is ideal for offsite conference dinners.

Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre, named New Zealand’s Supreme Venue of the Year by EVANZ in 2014 and recipient of EVANZ’s Excellence In Innovation Award in 2015, is a purpose-built facility cleverly designed with an emphasis on proximity, style and with reference to the heritage of the area. With a conference centre, exhibition spaces and a 6000-capacity indoor arena all on one site, Claudelands is a purpose-built facility designed to host 1,200 or more delegates with ease.

Other features of the Hamilton and Waikato region include the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the international award-winning Hamilton Gardens, Raglan surf beach and Zealong tea plantation – producers of the world’s purest tea. The region’s location at the heart of the North Island means it is within easy driving distance of other major centres such as Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga and Auckland, providing plenty of options for delegates wanting to explore more of New Zealand post-conference.