Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s (BEIA) MEETINGS 2025 kicks off tonight (10 June) with a welcome function for 700 people at Auckland’s Eden Park.
New Zealand Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Louise Upston, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown will open MEETINGS and welcome guests.
BEIA Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins says their presence sends a strong signal of central and local government commitment and support for the business events sector.
“They recognise business events as a high-value sector of the visitor economy and a key pillar for New Zealand’s growth,” Hopkins said.
“New Zealand’s business events industry is supported by world-class infrastructure including three new convention centres, Te Pae Christchurch, Takina Wellington, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland opening in February. Together they are expected to create 1400 new jobs, over 300,000 room nights annually and direct spend in excess of $170m.”
Across two days at Auckland Showgrounds on 11 and 12 June, over 550 buyers will meet with exhibitors on 253 stands representing 18 regions of New Zealand, including 35 first-time exhibitors.
“We will be hosting 240 buyers and media from New Zealand, Australia, international markets, and more than 300-day buyers from Australia and New Zealand,” Hopkins added.
A record contingent of 126 buyers and media from Australia will attend MEETINGS this year and 64 of them will stay on to deepen their experience and knowledge of regions including Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Waikato.
A series of knowledge and leadership events will run concurrently with the exhibition, including a half-day summit for local and global tourism and event leaders, and education and knowledge sessions designed to inspire and inform event organisers.
“This year, with 250 stands representing 18 regions of New Zealand, we are delighted to welcome 35 new exhibitors to the show floor,” Hopkins concluded. “They include venues, production and event design companies, hotels, regional convention bureaux, caterers, attractions and activities. Their presence is a reminder we are constantly evolving as an industry, welcoming new ideas, new ways of working, and fresh thinking.”
Today hosted buyers are out in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland exploring a range of attractions, including the All Blacks Experience and Weta Workshop Unleashed, wine tasting on Waiheke Island, and sailing on the Waitemata Harbour.
Day Buyers can still register online or on the day onsite. Other visitors are invited MEETINGS during Industry Hours from 2:30pm to 4pm on either Wednesday 11 June or Thursday 12 June.
