The countdown for the APTLD Meeting in New Zealand has started and in just a few months the community will once again get together for its 69th meeting in a row (APTLD Meeting Page: http://www.aptld.org/content/meeting).

As a community member we hope you are planning on participating in the Auckland Meeting. To encourage you to attend here is some more food for thought.

New Zealand is w-a-a-ay down under so it costs a little more to get there but God bless the OPEC and the current oil prices, which are at their decade-long lows. We therefore suggest you buy your tickets now and you may save some money. Plus, if you are eligible for the APTLD Fellowship Program (http://www.aptld.org/content/aptld-fellowship) and apply for the new round (finished), you can do it on the Association's ticket. Check out the 2015 Fellows' testimonies to see how much they enjoyed themselves.
Nicolau Santos Celestino - http://www.aptld.org/system/files/aptld_fellows_testimony_of_nicolau_santos_celestino.pdf
Nodir Mirzoev - http://www.aptld.org/system/files/aptld_fellows_testimony_of_nodir_mirzoev.pdf

This is going to be a special meeting, with new faces from across the Pacific, new Fellows and a new agenda items (http://www.aptld.org/system/files/aptld69_agenda_updated_on_8_jan_2016.pdf).

Plus, do not miss the Training Session delivered by the ICANN’s Delta team (http://www.delta-risk.net/icann/) on 16&17 February. We’ve made it free and open for everyone.

The General Assembly will decide how to further shape the APTLD’s future. Your ccTLD registry has kept paying membership fees for years, but now it’s time for a payback, in an in-kind form of course, as we will be happy to deliver to you the best expertise throughout Asia Pacific.

Last but not least if you are a Lord of the Rings fan you could enjoy a day trip from Auckland to visit Bilbo & Co. who reside a short trip from Auckland in Hobbiton county.
Link - http://www.hobbitontours.com/Home/tabid/38/Default.aspx
http://www.greatsights.co.nz/new-zealand-tour-destinations/hobbiton-movie-set-tours/

It may well happen that your country of residence enjoys a visa-waiver agreement with New Zealand. To check whether you need the entry visa, please visit: http://glossary.immigration.govt.nz/VisaFreeCountries.htm

If your country is not on the list, please note the Domain Name Commission Ltd will be happy to handle an invitation letter for you. Any request should be sent to om@dnc.org.nz, c/o Ms. Laura Turnbull. For documents/evidence/data needed to arrange an invitation letter for you please go to: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/visitors/

We kindly ask you to observe the New Zealand Immigration Service's requirements, which will expedite the process of issuance of an invitation letter for you.

Travel and accommodation information can be found on the APRICOT website and this link (https://2016.apricot.net/travel#venue). The APTLD staffs are now working on more accommodation options for APTLD members. They will become available soon via Booking.com and some other services.

If you would like to extend your stay in New Zealand or would like to obtain additional NZ travel information please contact Sharron Hickman at sharronh@exclusivetours.co.nz (www.exclusivetours.co.nz). Sharron will be in attendance at AUT (15-19 February) and SkyCity Convention Centre (22-26 February) at the tourism desk.

We look forward to seeing you in February 2016!