TRENZ 2023 Welcome Event
Te Pae Convention Centre
Breathing new life into a key event for Aoteroa
TRENZ 2023 Welcome Event
Te Pae Convention Centre
Breathing new life into a key event for Aoteroa
"Your vision, your talent, your mana with the extraordinary talent you put on stage was and is extraordinary, The feedback has been incredible!"
Kath Low - Head of Tourism, ChristchurchNZ
THE BRIEF:
TRENZ 2023 marked a significant return to the world stage after a three year hiatus following the global pandemic.
Hosting over 1,500 international and national travel professionals, trade representatives, and delegates, the welcome event needed to be impactful and “distinctly Aotearoa/New Zealand” - with a unique Ōtautahi/Christchurch twist.
Our scope from ChristchurchNZ was to to develop a 30-minute opening ceremony that celebrated Waitaha/Canterbury, showcased and celebrated te ao Māori and tikanga Māori (in collaboration with Ngāi Tūāhuriri), and seamlessly transitioned guests to a the evening networking event.
THE PLAN:
In partnership with ChristchurchNZ, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and Tourism Industry Aotearoa, we crafted an immersive storytelling experience titled “OUR PLACE - OTAUTAHI.”
The plan involved an exclusive te ao Māori welcome led by Hora Nicholas Kairangi adorned in our hand-woven Harakeke dress, guiding guests through the foyer with performers from Tūāhuriri Manutaki continuing the welcome.
Inside the auditorium, the vision of an immersive performance showcasing Ōtautahi/Christchurch’s places and spaces through cultural and production elements was conceived.
The idea was to build on each dynamic element of what makes Ōtautahi/Christchurch so unique until a crescendo where elements convene into one single celebration, leaving guests in a state of elation.
THE EXPERIENCE:
The evening began with Hora Nicholas Kairangi’s captivating Pao leading guests into Te Pae Convention Centre, which was elevated by her scale and presence thanks to the breathtaking harakeke dress.
Performers extended the welcome, sharing Ngāi Tūāhuriri’s history through spoken word and movement. Once Inside the auditorium, a powerful Kapa Haka performance by Te Kura Whakapūmau set an electrifying tone. To guide the experience the emcee (from Epic Entertainment) warmly welcomed the guests and supported the speakers through humour, structure, and professionalism.
The anticipation continued to grow, building on the welcome and the suspense, when the emcee brought focus to the room. From blackout, the stage transformed from a typical auditorium to a vibrant representation of Ōtautahi/Christchurch through projections of the city and original composition and live music .
The narrative celebrated Ōtautahi/Christchurch’s history and resilience, blending tradition and culture with contemporary performance elements from classical dancers to hair-hanging aerialists. Each element building onto the last, resulting in a powerful and deeply moving experience that had people gasping and on the edge of their seats.
As the performance concluded, the audience’s applause echoed the success of the event. The guests were then seamlessly guided to the networking function, their spirits lifted by the spectacular welcome. TRENZ 2023’s opening event was a memorable journey through Christchurch’s soul, honouring its past, recognising it’s present, and celebrating it’s future.
LET'S SET THE SCENE
Let our Epic team help you plan your next event and add a touch of surprise for your guests!
LET'S SET THE SCENE
Let our Epic team help you plan your next event and add a touch of surprise for your guests!
We’re experts in creating large and small-scale events that people remember. We can work with you to create an event that captures your company brand, vision and values. Together we create an experience that is entirely unique for you and your guests.