PROSPECTUS North America Product Sales Mission 2015 New Zealand Texas Travel-Rodeo (Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin, Houston) 12 16 October 2015 Registration required by: 24 July 2015 Tourism New Zealand Contacts: Wellington Caroline Carruthers Trade Events Manager Email: Caroline Carruthers@tnz.govt.nz Phone: +64 4 462 8046 Los Angeles Renata West Trade Development Executive Email: Renata.West@tnz.govt.nz Phone: +1 310 857 2204 1
Kia ora, In light of Air New Zealand s April announcement of a nonstop service between Houston, Texas and Auckland, TNZ will take New Zealand to Texas the week commencing 12 October. The campaign will consist of a large glass truck travelling through Texas that will enable agents to experience Air New Zealand product first-hand. Tourism New Zealand will leverage the hype of this new service and Air New Zealand s in market activity during the same week by focusing on a sales mission opportunity in Texas. The North America Sales Mission is an opportunity for New Zealand operators and IMAs to attend with the goal of forging new relationships. The Mission will begin with a business forum and market update in Los Angeles; this will include gathering US and Canadian trade partners for an update covering all business units as well as one-on-one appointments. This Sales Mission itself will combine one-on-one meetings with marketing managers, training with wholesale and retail agents, consumer events and networking opportunities. We are aware that this Sales Mission overlaps with a Tourism New Zealand event in the South East Asia market and that operators and regions may not be available to attend the sales mission on this occasion - however the short term tactical opportunity afforded by the Air NZ announcement and subsequent roadshow could not be missed. This document contains valuable information about the trip, timelines and draft schedule. Please take note of critical dates. Final participation is at Tourism New Zealand s discretion and is subject to the guidelines outlined in the terms and conditions. Tourism New Zealand welcomes your registration. Kind regards, Renata West Trade Development Executive Tourism New Zealand Los Angeles 2
CRITICAL DATES OBJECTIVES 7 July Event applications open 24 July Event applications close 07 August Event attendance confirmed and invoices issued 21 August Deadline for invoice payments to Tourism New Zealand 21 August Last day to cancel without penalty After this day 100% cancellation fee applies 25 September Event briefing webinar 25 September Event Guide distributed to confirmed delegates 11 October New Zealand Delegates arrive into Los Angeles 12 October Market Update in Los Angeles begins 16 October Sales Mission concludes in Dallas Fort Worth Objective: The objective of the North America Product Sales Mission is to connect with Tourism New Zealand s key trade accounts in the US (particularly the state of Texas and feeder states) with the aim of developing business and strengthening relationships. This will be achieved through a one day business forum in Los Angeles, retail agent and consumer events, sales calls, wholesale training and networking opportunities. Prior to the sales mission a Tourism New Zealand Market Update will be held in Los Angeles for our North American trade partners to give an overview of Tourism New Zealand s activity in the Trade, Marketing Communications, Public Relations and Business Events. This will be achieved by: Pre-departure market update webinar and event briefing Four retail agent events and one consumer event (possibly two) inlos Angeles and five key Texas cities Preferred agent training Networking events with US and Canadian trade partners and New Zealand suppliers In-depth market update from Tourism New Zealand in Los Angeles. Desired outcomes: Meet with key staff from wholesale and retail partners to discuss business development in the abovementioned areas and develop stronger regional identities with product to increase the diversity of itineraries Engage with US & Canadian wholesale staff and retail agents to influence and increase the abovementioned New Zealand product inclusions in itineraries and strengthen travel sellers product and destination knowledge To provide key North American travel partners an insight into Tourism New Zealand s campaign and how they can leverage off the work we are doing across a variety of sectors, such as luxury, cycling, hiking, fishing and golf To leverage off Tourism New Zealand s preferred consortia relationships to provide an opportunity for New Zealand product to engage with North American retail travel agents Develop new business relationships and strengthen existing relationships. 3
PARTICIPATION FEES The event participation fee includes venue, administration, some meals and transfers. Delegate one: Delegate two: IMA Delegate one: IMA Delegate two: NZD$2,500.00 NZD$2,000.00 NZD$2,000.00 NZD$2,000.00 Registration fee includes: Participation for your company at the business forum, retail agent and consumer events, market update, wholesale training and sales calls. Contribution towards venue hire, AV and catering Design and Distribution of all invitations Management of RSVPs Full Database of all workshop attendees (upon completion of the road show) Tea breaks and lunches during the training and product events, drinks and nibbles at the networking Registration fee does not include: Accommodation, transport, and meals not indicated in the program Domestic or international air travel arrangements and related expenses (such as travel insurance) Freight and customs duties for brochures All additional arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the participant. All additional arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the participant. IMA PARTICIPATION FEE As per the IMA Memorandum of Understanding TNZ has with RTONZ, Tourism New Zealand will waive the event registration fee for one representative per IMA. All travel arrangements; accommodation and meal costs for that person will remain the responsibility of the IMA. One additional representation per IMA can participate at the additional delegate fee, but will be required to share the allotted appointment schedule. The IMA representative subsidized by Tourism New Zealand will be responsible for representing all regions within their IMA whilst at the events. 4
SELECTION CRITERIA AND PROCESS Applications to attend are due by 24 July. However we encourage you to apply as soon as possible as a first come first served basis may apply for acceptance (presuming all conditions of the TNZ participation criteria are met). Tourism New Zealand reserves the right to select New Zealand product that is relevant to the wholesale and retail agents visited during the sales mission and preference will be given to applicants with existing relationships in market and strong North American client base. Please note: Marketing representation companies and associations can only represent a maximum of three (3) products. This event is suited to companies that: offer wholesale commission rates have participated in TRENZ Participation criteria Participation criteria - You may only apply to participate at this Event if: a b your Product/Service falls into one of the following Qualmark categories and evidence can be shown that such Product/Service has achieved Qualmark accreditation: o Star Graded Accommodation; o Star Graded Venue; o Endorsed Visitor Activity; o Endorsed Visitor Transport; o Endorsed Visitor Service; or your Product/Service has achieved, and you can show evidence of, an independent accreditation under a third party quality rating system for your Product/Service which: i has an appropriately documented assessment framework; and ii is recognised nationally and/or internationally; and iii has a robust and frequent assessment process that is provided by a third party accreditation provider; or you are an International Marketing Alliance (IMA), touring route, Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO), other marketing group or national association; or you are an airline with established routes to New Zealand. 5
HOW DO I REGISTER? Please complete and submit the online application form. On submission you will receive an email confirming your application has been received. If you do not receive an email, please contact Tania Stevenson, Trade Events Manager: tania.stevenson@tnz.govt.nz Note: You must confirm that you have read and agree to the Tourism New Zealand event terms and conditions by ticking the box at the bottom of the event application form. Acceptance: Consideration and acceptance of your application to participate at the Event is at the sole discretion of Tourism New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand is under no obligation to provide you with any reasons for their acceptance or rejection of your application. Selection criteria: Without limiting the above Acceptance, your application to participate at the Event will be assessed using one or more of the following criteria: the consistency of your application and your Product/Service with the objectives of the Event and Tourism New Zealand; the consistency of your application and Product/Service with Tourism New Zealand s Event objectives and statutory obligations; the need to have an appropriately diverse selection of products and services promoted at the Event; the order in which your application is received within the application timeframe, for example: first come first served ; evidence of an independent accreditation under a third party quality rating system, which is widely recognised nationally and/or internationally for its robust assessment process, for example: Qualmark; the availability of information about your Product/Service over the internet and by email and the quality of such information; where relevant, the ability of your Product/Service to be booked and commission paid in respect of your Product/Service at the appropriate industry levels and relevant to the distribution system used; your involvement with Tourism New Zealand s marketing programmes, including but not limited to the international media programme; evidence of international marketing of your Product/Service in relevant markets by you or via offshore travel sellers; the availability of the relevant retail and wholesale rates for your Product/Service at the start of the Event; your financial and industry performance; and any other criteria that Tourism New Zealand considers relevant to the selection of products and services for promotion at the Event. 6
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICIES Registration documentation is due no later than 24 July. Tourism New Zealand will confirm participation on 01 August. Payment is due no later than 21 August. Cancellation by Tourism New Zealand If, at any time following acceptance of your application but prior to the Event: Tourism New Zealand considers that you cease to satisfy any of the Criteria or have otherwise breached these terms and conditions; Tourism New Zealand reasonably considers that it is no longer appropriate for you to participate in the Event; or Failure to pay the Participation Fee to Tourism New Zealand by the due date for payment specified by Tourism New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand may, in its sole discretion, by notice in writing, withdraw its acceptance of your application and cancel your right to participate in the Event without incurring any liability to you or any third party. Cancellation of your participation in the Event by Tourism New Zealand will have immediate effect on receipt of such notice. Cancellation by you Following acceptance of your application you may cancel your participation in the Event 15 business days or more before the Event by providing written notice of such cancellation to Tourism New Zealand and paying the Cancellation Fee as provided for in the Event prospectus, or as otherwise notified by Tourism New Zealand. Cancellation of your participation in the Event less than 15 business days prior to the Event, by written notice or otherwise, will require payment of the Cancellation Fee and result in forfeiture of your Participation Fee to Tourism New Zealand. 7
SCHEDULE Please note that the below schedule is subject to change. DATE TIME CITY EVENT Sunday, October 11 PM Los Angeles Delegates arrive in Los Angeles, event briefing Monday, October 12 AM Los Angeles TNZ Market Update Presentation to North American trade partners - Theatre Style AM Los Angeles Business Forum One-on-one appointments between New Zealand suppliers and North American trade partners PM Los Angeles Networking Lunch PM Los Angeles Mixed agent training / networking event Appetizers & wine, table tops for NZ suppliers, destination presentation Tuesday, October 13 AM Los Angeles Early flight from LA to Dallas Forth Worth PM Dallas Lunchtime preferred agent product training PM Dallas Mixed agent training / networking event Appetizers & wine, table tops for NZ suppliers, destination presentation Wednesday, October 14 AM Dallas Depart Dallas for Austin PM Austin Lunchtime agent event with travel wholesaler PM Austin Mixed agent training / networking event Appetizers & wine, table tops for NZ suppliers, destination presentation Thursday, October 15 AM Austin Depart Austin for San Antonio PM San Antonio Lunch agent event in San Antonio PM San Antonio Depart San Antonio for Houston PM Houston Mixed agent training / networking event Appetizers & wine, table tops for NZ suppliers, destination presentation Friday, October 16 AM Houston Preferred agent training PM Houston LUNCH PM Houston PM event PM Houston Sales Mission complete 8
EVENT FORMAT Due to the anticipated interest in this event this sales mission will differ from previous years where we will host events rather than calling on individual agents offices. The mission will comprise of a mix of short presentation in trade show format followed by networking events. Preferred agent training depending on location will involve group presentations and training; this may be done in groups depending on size. For presentations, focus on your key selling points and how they are relevant to the North American traveller. Remember that travel agents in North America sell the world and we are a niche destination in this market, you will not only be selling your product but New Zealand as a destination; passion and enthusiasm are essential! Consumer events are likely to be tagged on to some retail agent events in association with Air New Zealand. MATERIALS REQUIRED During the Monday Market Update & Sales Mission you will meet with approximately: Retail travel agents (approx. 300) Wholesale reservations staff (approx. 30) Marketing and product wholesale staff (approx. 20) Consumers (approx. 300) Be conservative with paper brochures but bring plenty of business cards. We encourage e-brochures to be sent as follow up after the sales mission rather than bringing physical copies with you to the event. PRIZES & PROMO FOOTAGE In order to encourage agents to attend the events, Tourism New Zealand would like to invite participants to provide products or gifts relevant to your business to be included in the Business card lucky draw at the end of the evening. New Zealand suppliers are also encouraged to submit moving footage of their product in action for display during the events. PRE AND/OR POST SALES CALL ASSISTANCE Depending on demand Tourism New Zealand will endeavour to assist where possible for pre and post sales call planning. FLIGHTS & ACCOMMODATION International Flights Tourism New Zealand will seek industry airfare support for this event. Booking information will be sent to all confirmed participants as soon as these become available. Domestic Flights 9
Each New Zealand supplier will be responsible for booking their own domestic flights. However Tourism New Zealand will provide recommended domestic flights from Los Angeles to Dallas and Houston back to Los Angeles for you to book. Transfers will only be arranged for the flights we recommend. Accommodation Tourism New Zealand will book accommodation on behalf of all New Zealand suppliers attending. Payment will then need to be made directly to the hotel upon checkout. Travel and Medical Insurance Tourism New Zealand does not arrange for travel or medical insurance on behalf of New Zealand suppliers. Tourism New Zealand does not provide for any indemnity for loss or injury suffered by participants while in the United States or Canada. We recommend that you purchase a comprehensive medical and travel insurance policy prior to departure. Visa Fees Visas are the responsibility of the participants attending the event. Participants should confirm their individual visa requirements for each country prior to departure. 10