Event organisers can now book a welcome package for business events groups at Christchurch Airport, in what is believed to be the first of its kind for an airport.
Unveiling the offer at New Zealand’s Meetings event last week, event planners can now book a purpose-built welcome lounge complete with signage in the terminal, as well as digital signage in various configurations from the arrivals hall through to baggage claim.
“The reaction we’ve received from conference organisers is that they absolutely want this,” said Scott Callaway, general manager of trade development Christchurch Airport.
“Our research revealed that organisers of large-scale meetings want the experience to begin upon arrival. It’s also the sort of thing that we can include in bid documents when the city is bidding for an event of more than 1,000 delegates, so it would come at no cost to the organiser,” he continued.
Christchurch Airport is offering the packages at a base rate of NZ$3,000 (US$1,902) per day for 22 panels of mixed sizes. It also provides additional opportunities for increased visual brand exposure of event sponsors.
“(Traditionally), you’d have to deal with the advertising agency that owns the assets and it’s a bit of a minefield to navigate for costs and number of screens. Making these packages available just makes it so much easier for event organisers to create a welcome experience,” said Callaway.
The welcome lounge is currently set up as a pop-up space at the airport but the plan is to make it a permanent build. A cafe next to the lounge is also in the works.
