Food, drink, and hospitality trade show promises Auckland windfall in 2014

Fine Food New Zealand, returning in 2014, is expected to net Auckland a windfall similar to the $1.55 million it contributed to the local economy in 2012.

Rated by participants as the foremost international trade exhibition for the foodservice, hospitality, and retail industries, Fine Food New Zealand is held once every two years – the 2014 event will be held at the ASB Showgrounds from 22 to 24 June.

Leading research company Covec produced an economic impact report on Fine Food New Zealand 2012 that concluded the event contributed $1.55 million to the Auckland economy, including $946,000 spent by visiting exhibitors and $374,000 spent by visiting attendees. Overall, the event added 4135 visitor nights to the local hospitality industry and provided a return on regional investment of 167%.

“In the current climate of debate around conference centres and how to attract visitors to Auckland, Fine Food New Zealand stands out as a proven win-win for the region and our exhibitors,” says Dona White, CEO of North Port Events, the Auckland based business that organises the event.

Exhibition stand sales opened on 1 July 2013 and the show is already 40% sold out - proof that Fine Food New Zealand is now firmly established as the go-to event for the sectors it serves.

“Hospitality, food, drink, accommodation, and tourism are all hugely important industries in the New Zealand economy and that’s why we launched Fine Food New Zealand in 2010 – to provide these highly significant sectors with a one-stop-shop trade show that really delivers,” says White.

“Leading buyers, business owners, and managers use this show to check out the most innovative products and services, source new suppliers, keep up with the latest industry trends, attend essential industry events, and network with their peers. Major industry organisations such as BIANZ, NZ Chefs Association, RANZ, and others support the show and use it as a platform for their AGMs, annual competitions, and other events.”

The sectors served by Fine Food New Zealand are highly important to the New Zealand economy. Food and beverage manufacturing and wholesaling is the largest sector in New Zealand, directly employing 104,160 people or 5% of total employment. Food and beverage domestic retail sales amount to $28.7 billion and New Zealand export $26.3 billion. The hospitality industry contributes about $6.5 billion to the economy annually and provides about 100,000 jobs.

Fine Food New Zealand is a proven performer that has attracted increased audiences since the first show in 2010. The 2012 show featured 267 food, drink and equipment exhibitors (a 9.5% increase on the 2010 show) – 45 of which came from overseas to take part. The 2012 show attracted 6101 visitors (a 5% increase on the 2010 show), who spent a total of $13,667,248 at the show.

Fine Food New Zealand is a biennial trade exhibition for the foodservice, retail, and hospitality industries organised by North Port Events in partnership with Diversified Exhibitions Australia. The show is part of the Fine Food group of exhibitions that includes Fine Food Australia, Fine Food Western Australia, Fine Food Queensland, and Fine Food India.