The country's largest agricultural event will be a hybrid affair this year, with both a physical in-person event planned as well as a virtual show.
Last year Fieldays was forced to go completely online due to COVID-19. And although organisers are hoping there won't be any alert level changes when it takes in place in Hamilton in June they are covering their bases.
Around 130,000 people flocked to Mystery Creek in 2019, with the event generating $549 million in sales revenue for New Zealand businesses.
Organisers said after moving the event online last year it was a no-brainer to offer the same service this year, even though the physical event is also scheduled to go ahead.
"It will be a great way for people overseas to have an immersive Fieldays experience from the safety and comfort of their own homes as well as connect NZ businesses and organisations to their counterparts internationally," said Taryn Storey, head of strategy and customer engagement.
Fieldays Online will virtually host exhibitor sites and stream live interactive content on Fieldays TV.
National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation said organisers would be closely monitoring the situation around COVID in the build up to the event.
"We are constantly assessing the risks of COVID-19 in relation to the event. We are also in regular contact with the Ministry of Health to ensure we are following Government guidelines around mass gathering event practice so Fieldays can go ahead safely."
The ongoing pandemic has already put a strain on accomodation options for those attending this year's show, with many of Hamilton's major hotels being used for managed isolation facilities. In order to stem the shortage, Fieldays last month announced a 'campervan village' would be set up, giving exhibitors the option of staying in campers at Claudelands Oval during the event.
This year's show will feature a range of exhibitors, from the pure agri mechanical and technical to an increasing number of technology and software-based exhibitors.
It takes place June 16-19.
