The NZ Restaurant Association announced today that it has purchased the 50% of the shareholding it didn’t own in the HospitalityNZ Show. This gives the NZ Restaurant Association complete ownership of the industry’s longest running and largest hospitality trade show.

Established in 1996, the HospitalityNZ Show had been a joint venture between the NZ Restaurant Association and New York-based DMG World Media. In 2009, DMG made a strategic decision to exit its involvement in trade and consumer shows in New Zealand and concentrate on its core business. According to Steve Mackenzie, Chief Executive of the Restaurant Association, the opportunity to fully own this cornerstone event was one not to be missed.

“The HospitalityNZ Show is now fully New Zealand owned by people who live and breath the hospitality industry. It’s a chance to sit down with industry stakeholders and create an event that focuses on the industry’s core values and showcases the people who work in it.” Mr Mackenzie added that a fundamental role of the Restaurant Association is encouraging and empowering the Hospitality industry to succeed. This is undertaken through a number of targeted initiatives including providing education and best practice tools and also by celebrating excellence through setting standards and awards.

“The new event will provide a great platform to help facilitate and deliver these initiatives. The fiercely contested Culinary Fare is the national showdown competition for those in the hospitality industry, and tickets to see and learn from the world’s best and most famous names at the Master Classes are always sold out,” said Mr Mackenzie, “expanding on these core elements, will be central to the development of a new industry event.” “We will be announcing the changes over the coming weeks”, said Mr Mackenzie.

The NZ Restaurant Association represents 1,600 members throughout New Zealand who employ around 13,000 full and part-time employees.

The new event is on from 22nd -24th August at the ASB Showground’s in Greenlane, Auckland.

For further information please contact
Steve Mackenzie, CEO, Restaurant Association of New Zealand, 09 638 8403