Displaying items by tag:Skal International Auckland

Skål International Auckland members stepped off the sidelines last week and into the action for a memorable networking lunch and exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour at Eden Park. 

Anaheim has released new branding designed to encourage trade and their clients to view the destination in a wider context than they may have in the past.

With NZ’s Matariki holiday around the corner, Skål International Auckland was early off the mark, using its June event to celebrate ‘Matariki: A Night of Stars’ at Auckland’s Stardome Observatory & Planetarium. Attendees had exclusive access to Stardome’s massive telescope to view the many stars and constellations in the perfectly clear night sky.

Skål International Auckland held another memorable Working Lunch in May, in the historic ‘The Libraries at The Hotel Britomart in Auckland’s downtown Britomart precinct.

Surrounded by layers of history, art & design, the venue matched the vibrant presentations from 2 of NZ Media & Entertainment (NZME)’s senior media and creative team members, Graham Dolan, Group Creative Director and Sandy Kilgour, NZME’s Senior Media Specialist, the well-known face of NZME to many in the travel and tourism sector. 
 
NZME is New Zealand’s largest multi-media company and their theme “Advertising Explained in Five Curious Quotes’ was a fun and informative look at the direction advertising was taking now with examples from recent campaigns for e.g. Tourism Fiji’s ‘Married at First Flight’ and ‘Visit Nebraska’. 
 
Attendees were also spoilt with a fantastic raffle prize of an NZME Voucher for up to $800 of advertising.
 
Looking ahead, Skål International Auckland’s next event will feature an evening at the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium on Thursday 11th June from 5.30-7.30pm.
Celebrating Matariki Month, the event will be themed ‘Matariki - A night of Stars’ and marks the Māori New Year (Te Mātahi o te Tau), signalled by the reappearance of the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) in the winter sky (June/July). An RSVP link will be available shortly. All are welcome

• President Prasheel Churi Sebel Auckland Manukau Hotel With Guest Presentators, Sandy Kilgour & Graham Dolan Both NZME
• Renee Goodsell Tomahawk, Rochelle Gray Cooper & Company, Gaye Wood Regency Tourism & Sarah Porter Wild Earth Travel Niue Tourism
• Rochelle Gray Cooper & Company, Clinton Farley The Hotel Britomart, Renee Goodsell Tomahawk
• Sean Slattery and Michelle Geale, Accor Hotels

Skål International Auckland’s October gathering at the Sudima Auckland City Hotel brought together a lineup of speakers and industry updates that offered insights into the future of tourism and professional development.

Annie Dundas, director of destinations at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited shared the organisation’s  vision for Auckland’s global positioning, highlighting a calendar of upcoming events and strategic enhancements aimed at boosting the region’s tourism appeal.

Andrew Gay, chairperson of TIME NZ (Travel Industry Mentor Experience), encouraged attendees to consider becoming mentors or enrolling themselves – or their rising stars – into the programme.

With intakes now full until early 2026, Gay emphasised that now is the perfect time to get involved and invest in the next generation of travel professionals.

Amy Tregidga from Crown Institute of Studies introduced Crown’s upcoming Hospitality & Tourism Level 7 Diploma – the first of its kind for the institute. She invited feedback from members and guests to help shape this new academic offering.

• TIME NZ’s chairperson Andrew Gay, Travel USA; NZ committee member Gaye Wood, Regency Tourism; and mentors Sarah Porter, Wild Earth/Niue Tourism and Paul Dymond, Wendy Wu Tours
• Crown Institute of Studies’ Amy Tregidga and Preeti Mann share details of the new Hospitality Diploma
• Guest Speaker Annie Dundas, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited; with Debbie Summers, IDNZ
• Tweenie Haywood-Brown, NZME; Joanne Saunderson, Mandy McQuilki, both NZ Travel Brokers
• Michael Shah, Skål Auckland presents Andrew Gay of TIME NZ with a thank you gift