I can hardly contain my excitement as I sit down to reminisce on my experience at Holiday Parks New Zealand (HAPNZ) Conference. And guess what? It was my very first conference as a Training & Support Consultant at Newbook! Let’s get into it…
Day 1: Wednesday 26 July
Kia Ora! Tiara and I touched down in Rotorua, filled with excitement. The friendly hospitality of New Zealand greeted us right off the plane, and we couldn’t wait to dive into the conference.
The day began with a bustling trade exhibition. The HAPNZ organizers gave a warm welcome to all delegates. Their pride in their native New Zealand culture was evident in the way they spoke and sang traditional songs. It was a truly heartwarming experience.
The seminars were so insightful! We had a range of topics to choose from, and each session was more intriguing than the last. From electrical safety to digital marketing and accommodation interior innovations – there was something for everyone.
The best part of the day was undoubtedly the live support during the exhibition. Meeting clients in person and finally putting faces to names was incredible.
As the day wound down, we all gathered for a relaxing evening of drinks and dinner at the conference center. Meeting peers from different parts of the industry and exchanging stories was the perfect way to end a fantastic first day.
Day 2: Thursday 27 July
Day 2 kicked off with a bang! This was Newbook’s first time at HAPNZ since our fresh rebrand in March, and we received such positive feedback. At the booth, we gave away free Newbook branded T-shirts and they were a hit! I couldn’t believe how quickly the shirts disappeared.
As the day unfolded, I had the pleasure of connecting with numerous clients, including many who have been loyal Newbook users for years. Seeing their growth and unwavering dedication was truly heartwarming. It’s incredible how even our seasoned pros found something new to learn, proving that we’re always on the lookout for ways to be even better.
The Interislander Awards Dinner at Te Puia was the grand finale of the conference. The venue was nothing short of magical, with breathtaking views of a geothermal valley and the most beautiful Maori carvings. It was a truly immersive cultural experience, complete with the sounds of native wildlife in the background.
A key theme during the night was a celebration of the holiday parks after a few tough years of Covid-19 and major weather events.
Interislander Awards Dinner Takeaways
INSIGHT 1: In today’s difficult climate, New Zealand parks are looking to combat seasonality and identify what would make customers visit during the off-peak season.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Park owners should be utilising Newbook’s dynamic pricing feature to adjust their prices based on demand, keeping things attractive for visitors. Plus, handy tools like interactive promos, automated messages, and upgrade offers can further entice guests to book during quieter seasons. Learn more here.
INSIGHT 2: There is currently a challenge of labour shortage in New Zealand’s holiday park industry.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Automating your tasks is more important than ever! With Newbook’s Automation tools like guest communication and data entry, you and your team can dedicate more time to delivering memorable guest experiences and growing your holiday park.
During the awards ceremony, our clients cleaned up like champs! Congratulations to our inspiring clients who took home such prestigious awards like the “Outstanding Contribution to the Holiday Park Sector Award” and the “Best New Build over $100,000”.
Holiday Parks Emerging Star Award – Sashah Macleod of Tasman Holiday Parks Papamoa Beach
TIA Sustainable Innovation Award – Cosy Corner Holiday Park in Mount Maunganui
Outstanding Contribution to the Holiday Park Sector Award – Ian Smith of Ohope Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
PGG Wrightsons Park Grounds Award – Ross Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Resco Best New Build over $100,000 – Tasman Holiday Park Beachaven
Resco Best Upgrade under $100,000 – Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park
ReviewPro Most Improved Park Award – Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve
ReviewPro Spirit of Hospitality Award – Camp Waipu Cove
And speaking of achievements, let’s give a big shout-out to Ruakaka Beach Holiday Park for winning the fastest website speed competition at our Dubzz Digital Marketing stand! Their website’s load time of just 0.37 seconds was seriously impressive. And here’s a little secret – that fantastic template website is powered by Newbook Creative. Our creative team are thrilled to be a part of their success story.
Heading back to the Gold Coast, I left feeling so inspired by our customers and partners. The opportunity to meet face-to-face with the clients I speak with over the phone and hearing their encouraging words about our support & training team gave me a renewed sense of purpose for why I love what I do everyday.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the HAPNZ organizers for creating such an exceptional experience. The infusion of New Zealand traditions made it all the more special, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had my first conference in this beautiful country.
Thank you, Holiday Parks New Zealand. We’ll be seeing you in 2024!
