Is there a dress code?
Yes, there is. The conference sessions are smart casual, and this year’s gala dinner on the Friday night is a little more relaxed - it’s smart casual, too.

Are transfers from the airport included?
They aren’t, but transfers will be available from the airport at regular times at an additional cost. All registered attendees will be emailed regarding airport transfers closer to the event.

How do we get to the venue?
If you are staying at one of our conference hotels, getting to the Viaduct Events Centre is easy - you can walk.

Please note that the Wynyard Crossing Bridge (the pedestrian footbridge next to the Viaduct Events Centre) is undergoing preventative maintenance and may not be in operation. This means you may need to allow an extra 15 minutes to walk around the Viaduct Harbour. You can find walking routes on the Auckland Transport website.

You can read the latest bridge updates on the Auckland Council website.

What’s parking like?
There are plenty of parking options down on the Viaduct. Your hotel may offer parking as well – check the Accommodation page and details for each hotel. The Viaduct Basin’s website has some great details about parking and transportation: https://www.viaduct.co.nz/getting-here

Do I have to book conference accommodation for the full three nights (6-9 June)?
No. The hotel accommodation dates on the accommodation booking page will default to three night's accommodation over the conference period (check-in 6 June 2024 and check-out 9 June 2024). However, you can edit this to any preferred dates within this period. To change your dates, please click on the calendar icon (next to the date field) and select your preferred date. If you would like to book the hotel outside of the default dates, please contact us at CRA@verve.co.nz and we will organise this on your behalf.

How do I pay for the hotel once I've booked?
Full payment will be taken at the hotel when you check in. Please note that hotel credit card fees will apply.

I've registered additional people for the conference but I can only see my accommodation booking on the invoice. How do I check their hotel bookings?
Correct, only the primary registrant's hotel booking request will display on the invoice. 

If you would like to view the hotel booking requests for additional people in your group, please click on the link in your registration email from CRA@verve.co.nz, then click on the 'spyglass' icon next to each name. 

Here you will be able to view the registrant details for each person (including their individual hotel bookings).

What does the conference programme look like?
You can find our more on the Programme page: https://verve.swoogo.com/collisionrepairassociation/programme

Who are the speakers?
On Friday 7 June we have:

• Stew Darling - former military intelligence officer and business coach. He’ll be talking about the leadership lessons he’s learnt leading covert missions around the world.
• Phil O'Reilly - an internationally sought-after economist. He’ll be talking about the economic outlook for New Zealand over the next 12 months and what it means for your business.

On Saturday 8 June we have:

• Doug Blair - General Manager from European Motor Distributors. Doug will be looking at some of the vehicle technologies we’ll encounter in the short- and medium-term future.
• Greg Tunks - PPG's Business Solutions Manager and expert in shop operations management is coming over from Australia.

What do we do after the conference finishes each day?

You are spoilt for choice in the Viaduct Basin. Take a look at this article and see how many bars you can tick off during your stay! https://heartofthecity.co.nz/article/minibreaks/best-waterside-bars-city

Can I just come for one day?
Yes, you can! One Day Conference & Expo tickets cost $350 + GST for you or your partner. A Saturday Expo Pass ticket is also available for $50 + GST (this includes coffee and a muffin). You can find our more on the Register page:
https://verve.swoogo.com/collisionrepairassociation/register

What does the registration cost cover?
Your registration fee includes welcome drinks on Thursday 6 June, two full days of conference on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 June, morning and afternoon teas and lunch, access to the expo on both conference days and farewell drinks on the Saturday 8 June.

Why is the Friday gala dinner ticket a separate cost?
To give people more control over how they spend their money. Sometimes, people don’t want to go to the dinner; they’ve got other plans. But if it's included in the conference costs, you’re either stuck going, or that part of your registration is wasted. Also, when the organisers plan for everyone to attend the dinner and they don’t, there can be quite a bit of waste. Sustainability is important to us.

I want to attend the Friday gala dinner but I'm not attending the conference or expo. Can I purchase a ticket to just the Friday dinner?
Yes, we can make that happen. Please email CRA@verve.co.nz with your request.

How does the registration price compare with past events?
The registration fee of $580 + GST is great value - when the conference was last held in Auckland in 2013, it was $600.

Have a question you can’t see the answer to here?
Contact the conference event managers, Verve, at CRA@verve.co.nz.