Services for Convention & Incentive Industry Venue Owners & Operators

Horwath HTL has strong in-house expertise in the New Zealand conventions and incentives industry.  We have substantial experience in undertaking consulting assignments in relation to conference and exhibition centres in both major and regional centres throughout New Zealand.  Horwath HTL is a member of Conventions and Incentives New Zealand and the firm's directors have been actively involved in this sector for twenty years. 

Our service lines include:

• Business case analysis for proposed new convention centres and expansion of existing facilities
  We adopt a comprehensive approach to our business case analyses to ensure our clients have a full understanding of both the market opportunities and the facility requirements to meet the needs of this demanding market segment.  Our studies will typically include benchmark analysis of activity levels at existing comparable venues, analysis of overall market demand trends in recent years and the future market outlook, the competitive strengths and weaknesses of the proposed location, market requirements in relation to scale and facilities, activity projections for the proposed facility including estimates as to likely sources of delegates, and economic impact analysis.  We are able to draw on our extensive knowledge of the convention market dynamics, in-house databases, and our strong contacts within the sector to ensure high quality outputs for our clients.
• Market scoping studies
  As a preliminary step, prior to a comprehensive business case analysis, we often undertake a market scoping study for clients that focuses on quantifying the existing size of the local conference market, undertaking preliminary research to identify potential market growth, and identifying the size and type of facilities that would need to be developed to realise the potential growth.  The outcome of this initial analysis will often determine whether the client chooses to progress to a comprehensive business case analysis.
• Specific market research assignments
  Our strong expertise in the sector means we have been engaged to undertake various in-depth research assignments.  One such example was researching the inbound and outbound incentives market for New Zealand to identify the size and scope of this high-yielding segment.  This study involved extensive consultation with industry participants both within New Zealand and off-shore and provided the first robust quantification of this important segment of the New Zealand tourism industry.
• Economic impact studies
  For most public sector stakeholders, the primary reason for investing in conference and exhibition centres is to facilitate economic development.  We regularly undertake economic impact assessments in relation to either specific major conferences or conference centres, to help inform stakeholders of the outcomes of their investment in facilities.
• Financial projections
  We have strong in-house databases that enable us to cost-effectively prepare financial projections for conference and exhibition centres.  these are often undertaken as part of our comprehensive business case analyses but are also prepared as stand-alone engagements where stakeholders have already committed to a venue but wish to understand the financial implications of expansions, alterations, or changes in operational practices.
• Catering services
  We provide a range of services to venue owners / operators in relation to caterers including performance reviews and independent management of tender processes.