Past Event
Marketing Association
Four events, two formats, one venue partner – 2026
Four events, two formats, one venue partner – 2026
The Marketing Association is the not-for-profit organisation representing New Zealand’s marketing industry. Its Brainy Breakfast series has become a regular fixture at The Maritime Room, and in 2026 the team booked four events with us across two very different corporate event formats.
Brainy Breakfast begins at 6.30am, which means everything needs to be ready well before most of Auckland is awake. Guests arrive on their way to work and expect to grab a good coffee, find their seat and enjoy a keynote that starts on time.
Our job was to have the venue fully set up, catered, tested and staffed before the doors opened, then keep everything running smoothly in the background.
The B2B Marketing Conference in March brought a different brief. The event welcomed 200 delegates to Princes Wharf for a full programme of speakers, sponsor activations, catering and networking drinks through to 6pm.
The room featured theatre seating for 250, a 6m × 2m stage, dual screens and two registration desks. Two baristas served organic Kokako coffee alongside Forage & Bloom teas, with clearly labelled dietary options available from a dedicated table.
Presentations were staged in front of a fairy-light curtain, with sponsor lounges built into the floorplan. Guests were served a lunch buffet, afternoon tea and grazing platters before moving into networking drinks.
The early morning format returned with sponsor products displayed on ice and hot frittata kept ready throughout the staggered guest arrival.
The series returns with Human First, Strategy Second: Building a Brand People Love.
The same Event Director, Mel McBride, has produced every Marketing Association event at the venue. Keeping one point of contact means the run sheet, dietary details and supplier relationships carry across each booking, so the team never has to start again from scratch.
Dates can also be pencilled in up to a year ahead while speakers and sponsors are confirmed. Behind the scenes, each event was packed down and the venue completely reset for another client on the same day. Guests never noticed, which is exactly how it should be.
This fantastic venue and the team’s incredible service will bring your event vision to life.
The oceanside setting is sensational; the Viaduct is exciting; and the parking’s good too.
Get a taste of The Maritime Room Event Suite and put yourself
– and your guests – in the picture.
