In just five minutes, New Zealand tourism operators will have the opportunity to make a quick but permanent impression on international travel Buyers attending TRENZ 2010 through a SPEEDMEET, based on the popular speed dating model.

SPEEDMEET is a new initiative for TRENZ, the largest annual international tourism business event in New Zealand, being held in Auckland for the second consecutive year at the ASB Arena, 24-27 May 2010.

“Operators asked us for different ways they could connect with the international buyers who they wouldn’t have the chance to meet in the normal appointment process. So we developed SPEEDMEET, which provides a face-to face interaction that will be more effective than just briefly meeting at a networking function,” says Tim Cossar, Chief Executive, Tourism Industry Association.
SPEEDMEET is additional to the main TRENZ three day programme, which comprises a series of formal 15 minute business appointments between the 250 operators and the 270 Buyers who will be attending TRENZ.

“It will provide operators with five minutes to sell themselves and their businesses, to make a connection. And they’ll need to do that over and over again every five minutes. Plenty of energy will be required, just like speed dating – I imagine!” Mr Cossar says.

“It really is true that first impressions count at this kind of event, and research shows that most people make their decisions on an individual within 30 seconds. So the operators will have to be on their speed business dating game if they want to turn the relationship into something lasting.”

TRENZ 2010 is managed by TIA in partnership with Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and other industry supporters.

For further information visit: www.trenz.co.nz