Thermal Explorer Highway Regional Events Fund
The Thermal Explorer Regional Events Fund includes the Waikato, Rotorua, Taupō and Ruapehu regions and is managed collectively through the Event Investment Panel (eight representatives from the four regions).
A total of 49 events being staged across the Waikato, Rotorua, Taupō and Ruapehu regions have been offered funding.
- Waikato – 19 events
- Rotorua – 16 events
- Taupō – 10 events
- Ruapehu – 3 events
- Multiple regions – 1 event
Events receiving funding support are a mixture of new and existing covering diverse interest areas such as business, sport, fitness, trail running, cars, music, and culture.
In total, the events are predicted to attract approximately 370,000 people, with two-thirds being visitors from outside each host region. Some events have three-year funding agreements while others received one-year investment to boost their development.
The Panel are also focussing on developing events sector capability across the Thermal Explorer regions with a series of roadshow events held in 2023 and being planned for 2024. For more information please review the below important links and timeline.
Important links and information
Upcoming Activity
October 2024
Thermal Explorer REF Roadshow events:
Join the Thermal Explorer REF team at the October 2024 Roadshow.
- Details: Workshops will be held in Waikato, Rotorua, Taupō and Ruapehu with a focus on capability building initiatives.
- Dates: Wednesday 9 October (Rotorua) | Thursday 10 October (Waikato) | Wednesday 16 October (Ruapehu) | Thursday 17 October (Taupō)
- Register your interest HERE
Industry Updates
Eventing the Future Conference – 27 & 28 August 2024
The Eventing the Future 2024 conference is heading to Palmerston North! This vibrant city plays host to a number of big events, with its huge arena, bespoke conference centre, the New Zealand Rugby Museum and other smaller venues. In 2024, NZEA will be combining the conference with the NZEA New Zealand Event Awards (Awards Gala Dinner will take place on 27 August 2024), allowing guests to come together across two days to network, learn and be inspired.
- There are various ticket options to suit your areas of interest, or budget.
- For more information click HERE
BEIA Conference & AGM 2024
An opportunity to learn and connect with industry colleagues.
- The BEIA Conference & AGM will be held at The Devon Hotel in New Plymouth from 25 – 27 November.
- Save the date and connect with BEIA for more information
EVANZ End of Year Conference and Awards
Join the EVANZ team at Aotea Centre, Auckland from 3 – 5 December 2024.
- For more information click HERE
For more information
Lead Entity for the Thermal Explorer Highway Regional Events Fund (REF):
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Email: ThermExREF@waikatonz.com
If you would like to register to receive updates and information about the Thermal Explorer Highway REF, please subscribe here
Background
The Thermal Explorer Regional Events Fund is part of the $50 million Regional Events Fund announced by the New Zealand Government in September 2020 as a result of COVID-19. The purpose of the fund is to stimulate domestic tourism and travel between regions through hosting of events, which is intended to replace expenditure from international tourists. Please visit www.mbie.govt.nz for further information.
The purpose for the Thermal Explorer Regional Events Fund is a contestable fund that will be utilised to focus on developing, securing or enhancing new and existing events to become long term sustainable “iconic” or “anchor” events for the regions; and to support capability development of the event ecosystem in the four regions of the Thermal Explorer area.