ENTECH NZ starts tomorrow!

As this post  hits the wires, Gillies and Bev are at sea on the Interislander to Picton for tomorrow’s opener of ENTECH. Christchurch’s Airforce Museum again hosts the roadshow, previously staged in 2016 and this year a sell-out. Ford Northfield and DonMcCallum from Oceania are driving the two trucks – one 8 wheeler rigid, and one semi, loaded with equipment from 24 exhibitors representing most pro audio, lighting, and staging brands.

Ford Northfield on the Interislander Ferry

The trucks arrive tonight head of a 6am load in which will be in the fog, dark, and well under freezing if today’s conditions in Christchurch are any guide. ENTECH founder Julius Grafton and event manager Kate McKenzie are there, doing pre-planning to make sure the one day trade show goes off without a hitch. It’s an interesting venue, with the main display hall draped over for the exhibition in a space that hosts many events like dinners and product launches as Christchurch’s new convention centre slowly rises from the rubble of the earthquake.

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Downtown construction is everywhere, an economic boom that promises to better the largest city on the South Island. Trade visitors from all parts have registered, with good contingents from Invercargill (7.5 hour drive) and Dunedin (5 hours), along with folk from Queenstown (6 hours) and Nelson (5.5 hours). Some going the other way: catching the Interisland Ferry, one of the world’s great journeys, leaving Picton at 9am to arrive at the Wellington show next Monday at midday, returning on the 8.30pm ferry to land at home at midnight.

New Zealand has embraced ENTECH as their own, with pre-registrations well ahead of 2016. The roadshow is run each second year in NZ, timed to allow the ETNZ convention in the off-year since two events in one year would be too much for the independent, vibrant island nation of 4.5 million. Dates this year are:

Thursday 26 July Christchurch

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Monday 30 July Wellington (Shed 6)

Wednesday 1 August Auckland AOTEA Lower NZ room

Register free at www.entech-roadshow.com