Join us for another Agritourism networking event !

Wairarapa Agritourism – Exploring our opportunities

November networking evening.

This event is part of our agritourism network series, and is for anyone interested in agritourism within the Wairarapa and surrounding regions. This is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people and become part of the local agritourism community.

We have three fabulous guest speakers coming in for our November event. Sonia Minnaar, a co-founder of Canopy Camping Escapes, along with Wairarapa locals, Tim Priest from Moonlight Peak and Annie Cates from River Run. Tim and Annie operate their own ventures as part of the Canopy Camping Escapes collection. These three speakers will share their agritourism journeys and the benefits of the Canopy Camping Escapes business model, along with their thoughts on the future.

Sonia Minnaar - co-founder Canopy Camping Escapes

Canopy Camping Escapes partners with glamping hosts across New Zealand. The 'HQ' is on the beautiful Kapiti Coast, with a growing team of eight staff and there are 200+ locations in the collection from Otago to the Far North. Sonia will talk to us about the foundation and growth of Canopy Camping - how they started, what they do and how they work. We are excited to have Sonia joining us for this event!

Sonia will share her insights around:

Industry trends and industry forecasts
Canopy Camping Guests (repeat/international) and Occupancy
Discussion around what make escapes successful

https://canopycamping.co.nz/

Tim Priest - Moonlight Peak
Tim & Summer Priest have owned the property near Carterton since February 2016. Tim is an Agri-Banker for Rabobank and a farmer. Summer manages Moonlight Peak accommodation, while also being a stay-at-home mum and a farmer.

For them, they love that the property is nestled just on the edge of the Tararua Ranges and overlooks the beautiful Wairarapa - from Mount Bruce all the way to the Cook Strait. It's the type of place where you feel like you're on top of the world, described as "somewhere between heaven and earth"!

The idea to set up glamping on their property came about when they came across Canopy Camping Escapes - and were inspired to set up their own retreat. Watching the moon and sunrise from the east above the Wairarapa is magical...and it's a delight for Summer and Tim to share it with their guests.
https://canopycamping.co.nz/moonlight-peak

Annie Cates - River Run

James & Annie Cates property on Tiffin Hill offers uninterrupted 360-degree views from the hilltop, while the riverside cabin is surrounded by native bush under the Wairarapa’s dark skies. After dreaming of a cabin by the river, they brought it to life in early 2022 and now enjoy sharing their special place, River Run, with others.

The name 'River Run' comes from the way the Ruamahunga River carves its path through the landscape.

https://canopycamping.co.nz/river-run

Run of event:

6:30pm - arrival, drinks, nibbles and networking

6:45pm - talks start

8:00pm - talks finish, networking

8:30pm - Evening close

All welcome, see you there!

We will be hosted at Urla's Cellar Door, 140 Dakins Road, Gladstone. Urla will have drinks for you to purchase, with a selection of nibbles as a part of your ticket. Urla is a beautiful setting, you are welcome to come early to taste the wines and soak up this amazing venue.

https://urlar.co.nz/pages/cellar-door