As business events open up to new experiences in New Zealand, so does Melbourne adapt to Coronavirus restrictions. Here is the latest MICE news from Australia and New Zealand.
Vbase wins prestigious Best Food Experience award
Christchurch’s Vbase has won ‘Best Food Experience’ at the New Zealand Event Awards for its catering at TEDxChristchurch 2019: Tūrangawaewae—A Place of Belonging, at Christchurch Town Hall. An innovative hāngī lunch, using the newly constructed hāngi pits in the Town Hall’s neighbouring Commons site, ensured 1,400 guests were safely and quickly served in just 10 minutes. All produce was locally and ethically sourced, responsibly harvested, and produced in house by the Vbase kitchen team in collaboration with Ngāi Tūāhuriri, through their subsidiary Matapopore.
Vbase Chief Executive, Caroline Harvie-Teare says the award reflects Vbase’s deep connection to its local culture, food and people, and is a wonderful example of the social, cultural and economic impact of its celebrate and source local procurement strategy.
“An inclusive and planned approach with Matapopore, TEDxChristchurch and Vbase allowed us to design a food experience to celebrate mahinga kai, the interconnected beliefs and practices relating to the environment and gathered food,” she says.
MCEC’s response to pandemic sees new uses for venue
Coronavirus restrictions have seen Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) explore new ways to use their award-winning but unutilised spaces, including the filming of a Hollywood blockbuster starring Liam Neeson, and the training of Victorian Guide Dogs. MCEC closed its doors in March due to the pandemic, but as a major contributor to the Victorian economy, the venue has been exploring new ways to contribute to the community.
One example of using the enormous venue’s space differently includes as a film studio – an idea that was originally floated as part of an innovative new idea-generating ‘hackathon’ held by MCEC in August called ‘Unconventional Ideas’.
Since that event, MCEC has been working with the Victorian screen industry, and is now hosting the production of a major Hollywood film called Blacklight, starring Liam Neeson. Directed by Mark Williams (co-creator of Ozark and director of box-office success Honest Thief), the production is expected to bring more than 500 local jobs for cast and crew back to the local film sector.
As well as the economic benefit the venue is providing, MCEC is also supporting the community by providing Guide Dogs Victoria a safe, contained space and free-of-charge space to train Guide Dogs. This will ensure people with low vision or blindness can continue to receive essential services during restrictions.
Business events industry welcomes appointment of new Minister of Tourism
Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) welcomes the appointment of Hon. Stuart Nash as the new Minister of Tourism. CINZ Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says the business events industry is looking forward to working with Minister Nash and having direct dialogue on the role this sector will have in supporting New Zealand’s economic recovery.
“Business events are a significant part of tourism and we were the first to feel the impact of the global pandemic with the cancellation of large gatherings and border controls,” she says.
“The appointment of a senior Minister signifies the relevance and importance of the broader tourism sector to New Zealand’s recovery.”
