Tourism New Zealand has branched out at the Asia Pacific Incentives Meetings Event (AIME), planting a native tree for every guest hosted at its sustainability-focused Hosted Buyer Breakfast.
Each of the 140 attendees at the breakfast event was emailed confirmation that a tree would be planted in New Zealand on their behalf by Trees that Count. The conservation charity aims to plant 200 million native trees across New Zealand to combat climate change and protect the country’s beautiful landscapes, waterways and forests for future generations.
International event organisers can incorporate the sustainability initiative into their own event in New Zealand by funding native trees on behalf of their delegates.
Hosted buyers at the breakfast also heard from Jayden Klinac, Founder of For The Better Good. The Kiwi company is tackling waste by taking a regenerative approach to traditional plastic products and packaging, with innovations including bottled water in plant-based, compostable bottles.
Tourism New Zealand’s Global Manager Business Events, Lisa Gardiner, says: “Organisers of international events have a responsibility to manage our environmental impact and give back more than we take away. The educational breakfast at AIME not only showcased what New Zealand is doing to host better business events but hopefully inspired attendees to incorporate sustainable initiatives into their own conferences and incentives.”
Hosted buyers enjoyed a nutritious breakfast designed by Kiwi celebrity chef Justin North featuring sustainable local produce while networking with Tourism New Zealand and other New Zealand events industry venues and operators.
