[Alex]

Hi Everyone,

For those attending the London expo and the Manchester one next week, though it would be good to start a thread of some comments and tips.

We went to the London one today, and just back feeling very frazzled. Time for some beers and a nap! :cheers

We found it quite crowded, not much walking space, and nowt much for the kids to do, so for those of you with kids would recommend getting a babysitter for the day if you can. It was difficult navigating with prams etc, so would try to not bring them. It was also really warm inside, so no need for coats etc...a bit like the sales down the shops, people everywhere!

The people on the stands looked absolutely knackered when we left, and we left at about 2ish, so they still had a good while to go. Because it was so busy, we found that it helped if you gave the presenters a little time - i.e. as soon as the people in front had finished, we didn't jump straight in and fire questions at them, let them get a drink, crack a joke, make small talk. The presenters seemed to open up a little more and were really friendly, they were friendly anyway - but we didn't want to torture them too much! ;)

There weren't very many IT stands either - there were more last time apparently. Also, not all of the exhibitors are going to the Manchester expo. Roughly half the employers we talked to took cv's, the others will email you in a couple of weeks, so it's worth taking a stack of cv's. I also gave cv's to some of the banks - so it's worth asking the exhibitors if they take cv's, even if they're not a recruitment stand / job stand. I got tapped up for a job by a lady on a property stand, yay! ... in Melbourne! :wah

It was a good day all in all. I "thought" we knew pretty much all we needed to know before, but we ended learning a lot of things - especially around the nefarious activities of the banks and their miriad fees!! :)

What did the others think who went?

[gil]

We've just got back too Alex. Am sipping (gulping!) white wine as I write!
We found it sooooo hot in there! Take water with you anyone going tomorrow!!
Some stands were really helpful, (and I think I may have a telephone call tomorrow from one of the exhibitors, she suggested as much :clap) some less so.
Ross on the Priority One stand was very helpful and had very good awareness of who was waiting and good people skills.

Our biggest struggle was the Tube. We drove from Cardiff to Osterley (on the Piccadilly Line), parked cheap (£2 for the day) and then discovered that the Piccadilly Line to Earl's Court was suspended for "scheduled engineering work" which they announced over and over again.
It meant changing trains FIVE times and taking one and a quarter hours to get about 12 stations along!

On the plus side, we found a fabbo cafe called Zama Zingo between Brompton Road tube and the Ibis hotel, where we had a HUGE all day breakfast that included liver and bubble'n'squeak!! Very clean, triffic food and great service too. (£10 for two including teas and tip)

Worth going because their booklet (free on entry) is full of good info and it's additional research/effort put into the whole plan.
I just wanted to ask everyone I saw if they were members of this forum!! I'm sure we saw some of you, so a belated Hello!
Gil

[Timbo]

I have already posted on this in the London expo thread Alex. Nothing very exciting really. I know what you mean about it being tight for space though. One couple were trying to get around with two pushchairs. I really felt for them.

[StevieD]

Find it quite disappointing that some of the employers aren't coming up to the Manchester one. All as I can say is it is their loss....
Thanks for that though. I take it it is going to be manic in Manc as well. I hope not coz I am going to be very tired after finishing a night shift, and will be losing sleep to go to it.

[Alex]

I take it it is going to be manic in Manc as well. I hope not coz I am going to be very tired after finishing a night shift, and will be losing sleep to go to it.
It's well worth going to though, can recommend it, I'd also recommend some coffee after the night shift, as we found it pretty hectic / queuing lots. Half way through today's proceedings we decamped to the bar for a pint - watched some of the NZ/Aus rugby (replete with cheering kiwis - better get used to that!) and the super series cricket. That seemed to do the trick and chill us out for the rest of the day. :D

Echo what gil said about the booklet - I've just read it now (my usual comic timing) and it is really good. Wished we'd have sat down right at the beginning and read it, let the scrum die down a bit, and then target the stands better...oh well, now you know.

[Tia Maria]

My top tips:

1) If you don't want to leave the Ibis hotel, there is a nice pub upstairs, which serves food. It was surprisingly empty, and seemed to be mainly where the exhibitors were drinking and eating. But it had a pool table, TVs, and some of the tables had board games on, (like Snakes & Ladders), so I assume children were welcome.

2) If you're desperate to go on the internet, they have 2 computers for public use, something like 9p a minute. We used it as we needed to check train times. It was also air conditioned, so a welcome break from the stuffiness of the conference room.

3) Best freebies were - child's rugby ball, child's teddy bear and chocolate money, (we didn't bring the kids, but asked if we could take them home for them). Plus lots of pens!

4) Biggest bag - Crown removals. You get loads of leaflets and bags, and this held the lot. I don't think there was anywhere to leave you're own bags, so avoid bringing too much stuff.

5) We got there at about 10am, and there were still plenty of seminar tickets left. We only went to one, but it definitely wasn't 100% full - but still pretty packed. So don't panic if you are running a bit late.

6) We did the HIFX seminar. Most of the stuff we had already heard on this forum, but we found it invaluable for clarifying a lot of financial issues. Most of the seminar was actually given by the guy who runs BritsNZ (Financial advice company in NZ). He answered lots of questions, and I got the impression that he stayed on after to answer more personal ones. The only downside to the seminar, is that it is held in the corner of the conference room, so it is very noisy.

7) There were lots of competitions, so if you don't mind adding your details to a mailing list, you can enter them.

8) The only companies we spoke to were EDS and Synergy. EDS were taking CVs, and you could either arrange to meet with them for an informal chat next week -to ask about the company, or, fill out a form to request a telephone interview. They also had a list of current vacancies. Synergy were essentially just CV collecting, they said they were in London for the next two weeks arranging interviews. However, they were harder to pin down on details of exact vacancies, or even what they actually do!

9) The guy (whose name escapes me for the moment), who wrote the book about emigrating, was on the Kiwi Ora stall (as was his wife), he was quite keen to chat if you're interested in talking to him.

10) The only thing that wasn't there, which we were expecting, was a stall selling books. Maybe we missed it, but I believe last year they were selling copies of 'Where to Live in Auckland'

11) If you are wondering what the little red balls in packets are, they are like round smarties, but not as nice

The whole experience totally exhausted us, but very worthwhile. Hope this helps any of you who are going tomorrow

[bozandhelen]

Boz and Helens big tips.

1. Dont bother going if your planning on living outside of the cities or a region not covered explicitly by a stall, every mention by me of 'job opertunities in Nelson' was greeted by blank stares. The one CV I did hand out is probably flying around the stalls as a paper airplane by now...

2. Dont bother dressing up, you will be a sweating wreck in a shirt and tie, loose n casual dress and no excess bagage is best (The other threads were spot on there)

3. DONT TAKE THE CAR

a) You will never find a parking spot as the ideal homes thingy is on next door

b)You will spend at least an hour getting the 1 mile back to the main road.

c) If you do take a car *dont park in the back streets*, we put £9.00 in the meter and arrived back an hour before the expiry time only to find a parking ticket for being in a residency area. This was despite parking signs saying saturday if your not a resident use the meter and (unbelievably!) the guy who's house we parked outside changed us some coins for the meter and said nothing :wah


I'm not paying the £50 fine, this could be my first/last act of rebellion before leaving in November (Do UK and NZ have an extradition treaty :uhoh)

[Carol]

11) If you are wondering what the little red balls in packets are, they are like round smarties, but not as nice




They sound like Jaffas?

[Alex]

1. Dont bother going if your planning on living outside of the cities or a region not covered explicitly by a stall, every mention by me of 'job opertunities in Nelson' was greeted by blank stares. The one CV I did hand out is probably flying around the stalls as a paper airplane by now...
Yep, perhaps I should put this in the "expo fib" thread, but most of the IT stands looked at me like I had ten heads when I asked about IT jobs in Christchurch.

"CHRISTCHURCH?! There's not much IT in Christchurch, it's all in Auckland and Wellington"

So that's why Canterbury is known as NZ's silicon valley! :laugh

I have to caveat this with the fact that most of the recruitment consultants worked for firms in...yep, Welly and Auckland. Haha, still made me chuckle - the other side of the world, yet still snake oil salesmen! :roll

[gil]

Just had my telephone call as promised; no job offer :no (no role exisits in my field), but an invitation to come in for some contract work when we get to NZ, plus an offer to introduce me to some others who might need similar contracts!!! :clap

Worth going to the expo!
Gil

[Debbie]

Well we are just back from todays expo. According to the posts on here and the staff at the expo today was much quiter and calmer. Good thing with two kids and wonky buggy in tow. All the staff there were great at keeping the kids topped up with sugar, free jaffas, choc fish thing that lookd repolsive especiallly when chewed by my 2 yr ols, free ice cream, frisbies, teddies..... My kids are such blaggers. But my son asked if we can go again newt weekend.

I now have several weeks worth of reading matterial to get through just i time for the ITA interview.
Generally impressed with the people there especially those promotting there area of NZ as apossed to a specific industry.
All the best for MAnchester.
Debbie

[bozandhelen]

Hmmm

Just looking how miserable my post sounded, I sound like a right moaning old git :laugh

Had to laugh this morning as I was about to post the Bayleys out of date "spring edition" property guide under the expos biggest fibs, until Helen corrected me that it is actually spring in NZ.. Doohhhhh!

Boz

[Smiler]

We went to Sandown In April, a similar expo thing. Maybe not as big as London or Manchester but still absolutely HEAVIN.

It was difficult to get in the seminars we wanted and in the end didn't bother, big queues and very hot.

I used lots of the info from brochures etc and then I joined here and got the real deal :clap :clap

Good luck Gil, as least they called you and didn't 'forget'.


Deborah

[ISan]

I went Saturday. Flew in from the Netherlands in the morning and managed to fiend my way through London on the tube to Earl's Court. I only got there around noon, and it was packed and hot!

I did find that the recruitment agencies were pretty helpfull to talk to me even if I wasn't in their field of expertise.

I took a whole stack of cv's with me to hand out, but I found that they rather wanted you to fill in their forms then hand them a cv's that might get lost.

When I told them I would be visiting Wellington for a recce in November they usually gave me their business cards to call them for an appointment when I get there.

I only attended the Bayley's seminar on buying a house in NZ. I couldn't be bothered to wait another hour to visit a NZIS seminar. The guy at their stand was quite helpful, but couldn't really tell me more that I hadn't already learnt from their website.

But overall I thought it was a very good experience.

Ingrid

[Singel]

Just had my telephone call as promised; no job offer :no (no role exisits in my field), but an invitation to come in for some contract work when we get to NZ, plus an offer to introduce me to some others who might need similar contracts!!! :clap

Worth going to the expo!
Gil
Gil, this is fantastic news, CONGRATS :cheers

[gil]

Thanks Smiler and Singel, it has perked me up a bit!

Gil

[Moorf]

Gil,

So pleased you had some positive feedback - great news. :nice1 Contract work would also enable you to get your foot in the door of various employers - great opportunity.

Moorf

[gotourvisa]

Can anyone who went to London please advise me. The type of occupation my wife will be applying for will not be covered at the Expo. Do you think it would still be worth driving down from Scotland to Manchester?

[Tia Maria]

Gotourvisa,

I'm assuming from your name that you've got your visa, and therefore will not need to talk to NZIS at the expo, as well as not needing job info.

Info you might need

1) Removal firms PSS & Crown were there, but were just taking contact details, so its probably just as easy to phone them if you need a quote.

2) Several NZ banks were there, and some were opening accounts, the advice they were giving about different accounts was varied. So there was some useful info, but once again you could just email the bank you're interested in and they could send you a pack in the post.

3) Several Currency transfer companies were there. If you actually wanted to meet with the brokers and discuss things face to face, this might be a rare opportunity. Otherwise, all are available to talk via the telephone.

Everyone else useful was either connected to jobs or NZIS.

So ask yourself if you would like face to face information on the above issues, or are you happy to sort it out via post/phone/email?

Also check out the seminar details on the expo website, see if any interest you (they are different from the London one, so can't comment on how good they are).

If you do decide to go for a particular reason, ie to talk to the currncy brokers, do email the expo organisers first, (through their FAQ link), just to confirm they will definitely be there. I believe they have some different exhibitors to the London expo.

Personally, we gained most from the information given about jobs, and a finance seminar we attended. The rest was just leaflet collecting and competition entering!

Hope this helps you decide.

[gotourvisa]

Thanks Tia Maria
That was exactly the information that I required. Yes we have our Visa (in July) and are trying to get our house sold. My wife was not for going to Manchester but I wanted confirmation for myself.
I have a company in the UK working on my finance side, and I find the Forum the best info for moving info ETC
Thanks again for the info.

[Neil,Emma & kids]

Can anyone tell me when the expo is on in Manchester?

I've not heard anything about it ?

Thanks Neil

[macs gold]

Don't know about Manchester but there are 3 seminars in Glasgow for those interested in moving to the Otago area of NZ (Dunedin, Queenstown, etc):

http://www.overseas-emigration.co.uk/news/immigration-news/move-to-otago-seminars-in-scotland.html?PHPSESSID=6070a476053d080a477caeb65e f1979b

[Alex]

Can anyone tell me when the expo is on in Manchester?

I've not heard anything about it ?

Thanks Neil
It's this weekend - 22nd and 23rd October.

www.expo-newzealand.com