ITC Students Shine at TRENZ 2026

ITC students, Andre, Maureen, Susana, Mercedes & Lucy

This experience was about so much more than volunteering. It was an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the tourism industry, connect with industry leaders from around the world, and gain first-hand insight into how major events operate within New Zealand’s thriving tourism sector.

Throughout the event, students assisted with:

• Helping sellers set up their exhibition stands
• Manning key information areas including coat check and food stations
• Supporting delegates and exhibitors with last-minute requests and errands
• Assisting visitors and creating a warm, welcoming environment for international guests

The feedback from industry leaders was outstanding.

TIA’s Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, Megan Sherborne shared:

“TRENZ 2026 is a wrap! Thank you all so much for your help across the three days. It was a joy to work alongside you all and I’m so impressed by your promptness, enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in.

I noticed firsthand the smiles you put on delegates’ faces as they walked in and were greeted so warmly. Those are the kind of interactions we love providing at TRENZ, particularly with international buyers as it contributes to their overall impression of New Zealand.”

She also highlighted the value of the experience for students themselves:

“I hope you found your involvement valuable, both in seeing how a high-profile, national event runs and with the opportunity to connect with leading New Zealand tourism businesses.”

Additional praise came from TIA’s Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Nic Turner, who commented:

“They were a delightful group, who interacted with staff and delegates beautifully and really added to the overall TRENZ experience for both our members and the buyers visiting New Zealand from overseas.

They were punctual and attentive, always looking to learn and absorb from what was going on around them, friendly and fun, and strong contributors during the panel discussion session for school students.”

Alongside volunteering at TRENZ, ITC students Rhea and Sisilia also stepped in to support Sudima Auckland City during the busy event period, helping accommodate the increased number of visitors in the city.

The feedback from the Sudima team was equally impressive:

“Super busy shift and she was marvellous, a great fast learner when we did bar and coffee training, they performed very well. Absolute super stars and such great personalities.”

An added highlight was the opportunity for the students to meet ITC graduates currently working at Sudima, a fantastic example of the career pathways and industry connections that can come from these experiences.

Our Employment Consultant, Sarndra Stephens, helps organise these valuable industry opportunities for students, connecting them directly with employers and real-world experiences that can open doors to future careers.