Our Year in Review - 2019
Tēnā koutou, ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou | Hello, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all
As we approach the end of 2019, it is important that we look back and celebrate all that we have achieved. For Composition, 2019 was a fantastic year, if we do say so ourselves, and we would like to take a moment to thank all of our clients for making it possible.
We also need to acknowledge all of the brilliant contractors, suppliers, venues, event staff, graphic designers, printers, caterers, sponsors, exhibitors, entertainers and conference delegates for their support and collaboration in making every conference we manage a successful one.
We had some great successes in 2019, here are some of our favourite.
Recognised by our Industry
After a long and comprehensive application process, we have gained CINZ PCO Approval. What does that mean we hear you ask? Well, CINZ stands for Conventions and Incentives New Zealand and their approval is a badge of honour that is only given to a select number of professional conference organisers, who have shown that they are capable of handling the most complicated of domestic and international association conferences.
Basically, it means that whatever challenges your conference might throw up, we’ve proven that we can deal with it. We are proud to be recognised by our industry for the quality of our work.
International Conference
Composition is pleased that we won a tender for our first international conference since gaining CINZ PCO Approval. We are delighted to be planning the 16th Congress of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemist and Molecular Biologists.
They have been a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to delivering a successful and enjoyable conference experience for them in 2021.
Embracing Culture
Incorporating Māori language and culture into the conferences we organise is something that is incredibly important to us. This year, to deepen our understanding, we have been taking Te Reo Māori lessons and learning more about the important cultural traditions and practices that are unique to our country.
It is important to us to help keep the language alive so expect to see a few more phrases sprinkled through our communications from now on.
Change for the Better
As well as the personal change in learning a new language, we have made changes to make our business more efficient. We have installed the premier of event software, which might not have made much difference to the service our clients receive, but has definitely made life easier behind the scenes.
Improvements in telecommunication software have also meant that we were able to spend less time traveling to meet clients. Working remotely with our suppliers also became much easier. Using Zoom has meant that we have been able to meet sustainability commitments and tread a little easier on the planet.
A Glimpse of the Future
We have been over the moon to see the number of suitable conference venues in our home town of Christchurch increasing with the construction of Te Pae – The Christchurch Convention Centre.
We were honoured to have been chosen to attend a hui with Te Pae and other invited Professional Conference Organisers to workshop and provide recommendations on client service relationship from a PCO perspective.
We are excited to be the first to manage a conference in Te Pae – The Christchurch Convention Centre when it opens in October 2020. We are so thankful to have been given this opportunity and are sure you will hear more from us about this amazing opportunity to be part of Christchurch history closer to the time.
A Year of Fun
Whether we were organising country hoe downs, high teas, or Million Dollar cruises in Queenstown; we are proud of the great experiences that we created for our conference delegates.
Our favourite moments that we have had over the last year include dancing at a silent disco in Auckland, riding a digger at Dig This in Invercargill, and walking the runway at fashion week - we have certainly had a year full of fun.
The end of 2019
Our business mentor tells us that failing to plan is a plan to fail. Fortunately, the only thing left for us to plan in 2019 is where we will take a summer break, and which of the twelve books we have committed to read over the next twelve months comes first.
Once again we wish you and your families and friends a very Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and safe travels over the summer break.
Ngā manaakitanga
With best wishes
Arna, Nerida and all the team at Composition
