The development of the America’s Cup business leveraging programme is now in full swing. In October,

NZTE hosted a Champions of New Zealand event in San Francisco to rally New Zealand advocates where many offers of assistance for next year were received, including the use of homes for events, mentoring and guidance for New Zealand companies looking to enter the US market, and bringing VIP guests to events next year.

In New Zealand, workshops are being held for a variety of sectors that would benefit from a physical presence at the Cup. On 17 September, NZTE hosted 17 people at the Emirates Team New Zealand Base in AucklandÊfor an investment workshop, to explore some of the opportunities that could potentially be tapped into during and after the America’s Cup.

Later this month, food and beverage businesses are also gathering for a workshop to discuss how to make the most of the event.

There have been a few questions recently that the America’s Cup organisers won’t be paying for the development of the team bases in San Francisco. As they said in their announcement statement: “We are focusing the activities on where the fans want to be.”

This does create a whole new challenge for Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), who will still be based at Pier 30/32.

The NZ Inc leveraging programme will remain co-located with ETNZ so that the “Pit Lane” experience of the Base remains wrapped up with the New Zealand showcase and hospitality programme.Ê In addition to allowing our guests to get behind the scenes and out on the water as part of their New Zealand showcase experience, and to view the race preparations and boat launch/retrieval – which was a very popular aspect of the two recent AC45 World Series event in San Francisco.