Business Hawke’s Bay (BHB) chief executive Carolyn Neville says it aims to attract agribusiness to the region.
BHB last year joined the Hastings and Napier councils on a fact-finding trip to Fieldays 2017, to promote Hawke’s Bay region as a good place for agribusiness.
“Many Hawke’s Bay businesses already exhibit at Fieldays, but they’re doing so as individuals. This year we’re taking a fresh approach and uniting under a regional business umbrella -- ‘Think Hawke’s Bay, Great Things Grow Here’.
‘Think Hawke’s Bay’ will have a stand in the main pavilion to promote the region and the opportunities and support available for agribusinesses.
It will run a ‘Win a weekend in Hawke’s Bay’ competition to raise awareness of the region and encourage Fieldays visitors to visit Hawke’s Bay exhibits and enter the prize draw.
Fieldays chief Peter Nation likes the idea.
“We are delighted to be hosting ‘Think Hawke’s Bay’ at the 2018 Fieldays and to see support from Hawke’s Bay -- a very important region for horticulture, wine, cropping and sheep and beef. This region also has an efficient port handling large log shipments and other key exports.
“For New Zealand to grow and continue to succeed we must collaborate, with all regions working toward a common goal of growth and prosperity for all NZers.”
A Hawke’s Bay ‘ambassador’ – David Todd from Toddy Talks -- will front on the Think Hawke’s Bay stand, a face familiar in the rural sector, says Carolyn Neville.
“Toddy is ideal for this role, given his experience in the sector, knowledge of the region and ability to communicate with people from all walks of life.”
Todd was on the Hawke’s Bay fact-finding team that visited Fieldays last year.
“Being able to represent Hawke’s Bay, with all that we have to offer, makes this year’s event something to look forward to. We have much to offer in Hawke’s Bay so this collective approach to promotion makes a lot of sense,” Todd says.
