History

History - The TUANZ Business Internet Conference & the TUANZ (e)-vision Awards
The TUANZ Business Internet Awards began life back in the 1990s as the Interactive New Zealand ICON awards. In 2001 the Interactive New Zealand brand was formally dissolved but the concept and ideology of it, taken under the umbrella of TUANZ and the TUANZ Interactive Awards were born. 

Meanwhile, the (e)-vision centre in Wellington opened it’s doors in July 1998.  With excellent leadership and the strong support of the Wellington City Council, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Citylink, Apple Computers, Asnet Technologies and other forward-thinking organisations, (e)-vision was able to  provide a unique venue to support New Zealand’s leading digital creators. (e)-vision was known as the physical hub for demonstrating our nation’s digital expertise. 

During 2003 it became apparent to the Trustees that (e)-vision needed to find a different business model going forward in order to ensure ongoing financial viability. In November 2003, the Trustees of (e)-vision approached TUANZ with a view to securing the future of the five-year-old (e)-vision organization. The result - the coming together of two distinct, but extremely complementary forces. In 2004 the TUANZ Interactive Awards become known as the TUANZ (e)-vision Awards. 

In 2005 two things happened that changed the face of this event from 2006.

1. TUANZ held its inaugural TUANZ Business Internet Conference. Kate Vale, Head of Sales for Google Australia was flown across to give the keynote address and the event was attended by 130 people responsible for their organisation's websites, web-based marketing or internet presence.
2. TUANZ unfortunately had to close the doors of the (e)-vision centre for the final time.

Therefore, in 2006, the conference and awards were amalgamated to form the TUANZ Business Internet Conference & Awards.