Rugby World Cup 2011 CEO Martin Snedden stopped in Tauranga on Tuesday to prepare the region for the biggest sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted.
Martin spoke to business leaders at the Sebel Trinity Wharf Hotel on Tuesday about how they can benefit from the event.

Martin Snedden at Classic Flyers on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Ange Marsh.

Priority One business development manager Richard Kinzett says he was pleased Martin provided a frank perspective of the review team's observations of the regional bid.
'He made comments around their perception that Tauranga seemed ambivalent about being part of the Rugby World Cup especially when you compared our part of the regional offering against what Rotorua was providing and against bids from other centres.”
Richard says Martin also talked about how other centres had established strong identities for their bids.
'We've always known that Auckland will be too small to mange the influx of visitors during the two weeks of the semi-final and final.”
'Tauranga is a well placed alternative for those that can't get into Auckland, or don't want to be in Auckland for the entire two week period of the finals.”
Richard says Martin's speech highlighted the need for the Western Bay of Plenty to take advantage of the region's proximity to Auckland and provide opportunities and experiences for these types of visitors and still be part of the finals weekend.
'This extends to games in other centres close to Tauranga including Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland.”