Interview with the head of 3A Events: A driving force behind bringing the expo to life
One of New Zealand’s largest and most influential construction industry events, the New Zealand International Building Expo and Summit was first held in 2017. As a co-organiser with more than 20 years’ experience organising exhibitions and conferences, 3A Events became involved in planning and establishing NZIBES in 2016. Drawing on its experience and strengths, it has taken on much of the work of delivering the event and can rightly be regarded as a founding participant.
As a driving force in turning the expo from a concept into reality, the 3A Events team has always believed in letting hard work speak for itself and rarely promotes its own achievements. YIJU New Zealand interviewed Bill Zhong, the head of 3A Events, to hear the stories behind major events.
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YIJU: What responsibilities did 3A Events take on at NZIBES 2021?
Bill Zhong：As a co-organiser, 3A Events worked with NZCBIA and Multimarketing to stage this major event. Our work involves many small details and requires patience, care and dedication. It includes selecting and confirming the dates and venue in the early stages, setting up the venue’s functional areas, preparing exhibition materials, and recruiting, training and managing volunteers. At the event, we also handled reception services for clients and visitors, visitor counts and enquiries.
We also assisted NZCBIA with some exhibitor and sponsor enquiries, media liaison and promotion, and invitations to some guests and attendees. Naturally, we also helped prepare and implement the event budget and final accounts, liaise over certain payments and select suppliers.
YIJU: This is year 5 of 3A Events’ involvement in NZIBES. What have you achieved, and do you have any regrets?
Bill Zhong：3A Events became involved in planning the event in 2016, during preparations for the first NZIBES. Over more than five years, we have not only witnessed the rapid development of New Zealand’s Chinese construction sector, but also helped the event grow. In the process, the 3A Events team has gained a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s construction industry, its professional dimensions and market development. Combining this with our many years of exhibition and conference experience, we have worked wholeheartedly to support the industry’s development and received recognition and encouragement from within the sector.
Because we at 3A Events are not construction industry specialists, there is still much we are unfamiliar with and need to learn about the industry’s knowledge, networks and developments. This limits our ability to serve the industry more effectively, but it also points to considerable room for growth.
YIJU: What experiences and reflections can you share about organising a major event during the pandemic?
Bill Zhong：NZIBES 2021 took place against the backdrop of the global pandemic. Fortunately, there was no significant outbreak in New Zealand during the event.
Looking back at New Zealand’s major events in 2021, very few were able to go ahead successfully. This presented both an opportunity and a challenge for us. The event’s success depended on collaboration among its three organising bodies, with NZCBIA in particular playing the most critical leadership role.
The organisations supporting every stage of the event, including the venue provider and stand builders, also did their utmost to provide the best service and cooperation. Our volunteers devoted themselves wholeheartedly to preparations and reception services. Together, these contributions ensured thorough preparation and a successful event.
YIJU: What role did volunteers play in this event?
Bill Zhong：It is easy to imagine how many people need to be involved in an event of this scale to ensure every aspect runs smoothly. I would therefore like to offer special thanks to the volunteers who participate so enthusiastically each year.
Because of the pandemic, we initially thought volunteer recruitment would be difficult this year. Unexpectedly, as soon as recruitment opened, large numbers of university students studying construction-related subjects still signed up. During training, we could see these young volunteers’ aspirations and hopes for the construction industry. We also learnt that some volunteers from previous years had found good jobs in their fields through participating in NZIBES. We are delighted to have this opportunity to connect these future newcomers to the industry with opportunities, while also bringing fresh talent into New Zealand’s Chinese construction sector.