Franchise NZ - Spring 2024

21

franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS

o make the most of any event, small or large, you need the right

location, the right venue, the right atmosphere and the right support

team. Team members want to feel that coming together has a clear

purpose and impact, and that it differs from business-as-usual.

That’s where EVT Hotels and Resorts, with their comprehensive brand

portfolio comprising of QT, Rydges, Atura, Museum Apartment Hotel,

Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua and LyLo come in.

Over the past few years, conferencing and events have seen a significant

change in trends. There was, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic. Then,

pent-up demand flooded back into the market. Looking ahead to

2025, the EVT team are looking forward to being in full flow, curating

events unique to any business’s needs. They know that, by leaning into

conferencing trends, they can provide the best experiences.

With a range of properties across New Zealand, EVT can accommodate

anything from an intimate team meeting to a large national conference

for 500+ attendees and multi-day trade shows. With conference and

events specialists at each property, the company has built a strong

reputation in the industry for executing high-quality functions, providing

incredible service and value. The nature of EVT venues means guests can

work, stay and eat on site, with exceptional food and beverage offerings

and quality accommodation.

Value is king

Each property in EVT prides itself on offering a personalised approach

to event organisers and guests alike, says National Director of Sales

& Marketing, New Zealand, Tracy Martin. She says EVT understands

that value will always be a deciding factor in decision-making, while

recognising that how value looks is different for everyone.

“We’re a company that knows customers and communities,” says Tracy.

“We understand and appreciate that no two events are the same, and

everyone wants to make sure they get great value from a conferencing

partner – and that doesn’t always mean a lean price.

“We work with clients on what’s important to them. Whether that’s

flexibility in cancellation or payment terms, a menu designed to keep the

brain functioning through complex sessions, special surprises for VIP

clients, or a breathtaking Queenstown waterfront location to inspire and

reward a team – we’ve got you covered.

“Working with organisations to understand what value means to

them, and designing bespoke packages that meets those needs,

is what we do.”

Technology is here to stay

While personal connection is still the number one priority, EVT

understands that, as businesses grapple with the cost of domestic and

international flights, inflation and the increased cost of living, the hybrid

model still has a place in the conferencing scene. Excitingly, this means

ample opportunity to make events unique and unforgettable.

Having the right technology is now a baseline for conferencing, including

having skilled technicians on site. The emergence of AI in this space is

something everyone is keeping an eye on, to see how it develops and

how it can assist, says Tracy.

Ultimately, whenever technology is being utilised, a venue is only as

good as the technology allows, she says. “Not all tech is equal, nor is the

training for how to properly use it. Each EVT property has a dedicated IT

technician who can be on-call for your event to ensure seamless delivery,

whether the guests are beaming in from that city or across the globe.”

Sustainability impacts decision-making

Sustainability is increasingly important in the conferencing space. “Like

EVT, many New Zealand businesses are values-driven, and for some,

sustainability is a non-negotiable. Many want to make sure that the

environmental cost of bringing their team together for a large function is

considered by the venue”, says Tracy.

“At EVT, we value sustainability and are continuously making

improvements. We are always happy to share and discuss with clients

how we can prioritise sustainability for their events to ensure how they

bring together key stakeholders is aligned with their values.”

Central point of contact

QT Hotels and Resorts, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, Atura, Museum

Apartment Hotel, Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua and LyLo are all part of

EVT Hotels and Resorts. This ensures there are options fit for every

budget, taste, industry and location. As well having properties in

Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, EVT is an

Australasian brand. This means the

group can also offer access to sister

hotels in Australia and Singapore for

conferences, meetings or incentives.

“Whatever takes your fancy, this is

your opportunity to put ‘above and

beyond’ on the agenda,” says Tracy.

“Get in touch! We’ll make sure we

create your event – elevated.”

EVT Hotels and Resorts

www.evt.com

Contact

Sikati Felise

021 496 584

sikati_felise@evt.com

Advertiser Info

STAYING

AHEAD OF THE

CONFERENCING

CURVE

There is an art to delivering

events that inspire, reward

and galvanise teams, as the

professionals at EVT Hotels and

Resorts well know.